Beulah2

Paul is stressing that "false doctrine only promotes controversies rather than God's work-- which is by faith" It appears that some believed that God's work was was done by those having a "right to" those born into it (genealogies) and some believed in superstitions (myths). Jews believed in genealogies and Pagans in myths. But those fit for God's work are equipped by God and this through faith in Jesus Christ as administered in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. A church cannot grow because of the divisions false doctrine causes. If the message is corrupted then it stands to reason that the mission would also be corrupted and misguided.

What I got from that is that Paul did not want his Jewish brothers to think that just because they had the law they understood the truth. It is not by the law which was given to lawless men but by grace and mercy given by God through Christ Jesus that one can see and understand the truth of the gospel. This grace and mercy is free to all even a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man.

I believe that it is hard for us to understand "grace" because it is a spiritual concept. Grace is of God not man. Men believe that we get what we deserve, grace is getting what you do not deserve. We deserve death, but through Jesus Christ we have eternal life. We deserve to be forever seprated from God but grace allows us to not anly become connected again but to become sons through adoption. We have the same rights as the firlst son. Thank you Lord for grace.