Paul wrote some things, according to Peter, that were hard to understand and were being wrested by some (probably Christians influenced by Gnostics) to their own destruction. In fact, this is happening today in Evangelical churches. It seems sometimes we do not understand Paul at all, thinking he meant we do not have to live righteously.

Know a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Here is where the problem lies. We Gentiles have understood Paul to mean we do not have to behave righteously because we are saved by grace and not by works.

When Paul spoke of "works" he was not referring to righteous behavior but to the Law of Moses. "A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." There is no contrast here between faith and righteous behavior but between faith and the Law of Moses.

So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law. "Even we Jews are turning to Christ that we may please God by faith in Him rather than by observing the Sabbath, circumcision, the kosher laws, and the feast days."

Because by observing the law no one will be justified. "Peter, get with the program. God no longer will justify anyone by keeping the Law of Moses now that Christ has died on the cross. So why are you trying to bring the Gentiles back under the Law?"

If, while we seek to be justified in Christ. The Jews were accustomed to pleasing God by strict adherence to the Law of Moses. Now Paul is saying we must seek to please God by following Christ.

It becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean Christ promotes sin? The thought here is critical to our understanding. The Evangelical teaching of grace is a tremendous stumbling block to Jews who want to be righteous. The observant Jew is looking for righteous, holy behavior because this is what he has been taught all his life.

When Christians, misunderstanding how the new covenant works, explain to the Jew that he no longer is required to be righteous, what is he going to think? Will he not run for his life regarding Christians as the children of Satan (just as the Muslims do—and with reason)?

If the Christian continues in sin while claiming to be "saved by grace," then any reasonable person is justified in believing Christ promotes sin. The way we Evangelicals behave gives the world reason to believe Christ is the author of sin. And why shouldn't they believe this? We believe it! We teach and believe Christ came and gave His life on the cross so we do not have to live righteously! Well, don't we?

Absolutely not! Does Christ endorse sin? Absolutely not! Is the Christian good news that we can continue in sin without penalty? God is looking for truth and integrity today and we are confused. We do not understand the new covenant.

To be continued.