Page 55 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009

For the sake of impact, let me highlight for you the key words and phrases from each column:

COLUMN A COLUMN B

(produces THE BODY of Christ) (produces THE BRIDE of Christ)

SAVED BY GRACE-NOT OF WORKS… WALK IN GOOD WORKS…
FAITH…GIFT OF GOD… OBEDIENT CHILDREN…
HOLY IN CONDUCT…
LOVE OF GOD…HIS MERCY…
JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE… MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS…
HEIRS OF ETERNAL LIFE… NOT UNFRUITFUL…TRIBULATIONS…
ACCESS BY FAITH…
PERSEVERANCE…CHARACTER…
GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND… JOINT HEIRS…SUFFER WITH CHRIST…
SPIRIT OF ADOPTION…
CHILDREN OF GOD… GLORIFIED TOGETHER…
GOD OUR SAVIOR… DENYING UNGODLINESS,
WORLDLY LUSTS…LIVING SOBERLY,
RIGHTEOUSLY, GODLY…

COLUMN A: To rightly divide the Word of truth, we took seven COLUMN B:
different Scriptures in their contextual setting and
Those things that pertain to literally divided them into two columns. In context, the Those things that pertain to
THE BODY OF CHRIST authors were careful to present to God’s people more THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
than the basic concept of salvation. The verse that
The followed each initial point contained higher truths that The
Garment of SALVATION God expects His people to embrace. Has not for the Righteous ACTS of the Saints
most part the whole counsel of God in these contextual
passages been reduced to a presentation of only what
is in Column A? Is it not true that only half the message
is being preached to God’s people even though all of
the passages were written to His people?

What is in Column B is established by merely considering the very next verse following the truth that

Column A contains. Therefore, such limited teaching that is being set before God’s people today

cannot be the result of being overlooked or of ignorance, but rather we must conclude that the higher

truths are purposefully being left out. Let us single out just one of the Scriptures from the previous

page. Let us consider what God recorded as the ultimate purpose He has for His Word in the life of the

believer: HIGHER PURPOSE:

INITIAL PURPOSE:

““……YYOOUUHHAAVVEEKKNNOOWWNN ““AALLLLSSCCRRIPIPTTUURREEISISGGIVIVEENNBBYYININSSPPIRIRAATTIOIONN
TTHHEE OOFFGGOODDAANNDDISISPPRROOFFITITAABBLLEE

HHOOLLYYSSCCRRIPIPTTUURREESS FFOORRDDOOCCTTRRININEE, ,FFOORRRREEPPRROOOOFF, ,
WWHHICICHHAARREEAABBLLEE FFOORRCCOORRRREECCTTIOIONN, ,
FFOORRININSSTTRRUUCCTTIOIONN
TTOOMMAAKKEEYYOOUU ININRRIGIGHHTTEEOOUUSSNNEESSSS, ,
WWISISEEFFOORRSSAALLVVAATTIOIONN
TTHHAATTTTHHEEMMAANNOOFFGGOODDMMAAYY
TTHHRROOUUGGHHFFAAITITHH BBEECCOOMMPPLLEETTEE, ,
WWHHICICHHISISININCCHHRRISISTTJEJESSUUSS.”.”
TTHHOORROOUUGGHHLLYYEEQQUUIPIPPPEEDDFFOORREEVVEERRYY
22TTimim. 3. :31:515 GGOOOODDWWOORRKK”” 22 TTimim. .33:1:166

Note that there is a twofold purpose for God’s Word for the believer. Initially it was given to make us
wise for salvation. However, we see above that God is after a saved people that are thoroughly
equipped for good works. That is why works always follow the message of grace as we have seen in
both Ephesians 2:8-10 and in Titus 3:4-8. If the presentation of the Scriptures is being limited to the
message of salvation and does not go on to prepare us for good works, then we are not receiving the
whole counsel of God. God’s ultimate purpose for the Scriptures is to thoroughly equip His people for
good works. Why is this so? It is because the Bride of Christ will be wearing a garment that is
comprised of the righteous acts of the saints! (Rev. 19:7-8). The things that are in Column A make us
wise for salvation (become members of the Body of Christ). The things that are in Column B are the
righteous acts (good works) that will form the Bride of Christ in eternity!

“…LEAVING THE DISCUSSION OF THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST, LET US GO ON TO PERFECTION (MATURITY) “ Heb. 6:1