Is GCx Good For My Faith?
What Does God's Word Say About Some of its Foundational Teachings?
'I am not ashamed of the gospel (the good news of the grace of Christ) because IT actually (presently actively) IS the POWER (miraculous ability to perform) OF GOD for the (victorious rescue from destructive enemies) deliverance of everyone (presently actively) BELIEVING...For IN the Gospel a (divine) righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that IS BY FAITH from the beginning (eternal saving faith) of each believers new life (moment by moment faith as he chooses) to the end...The Righteous will live abundantly and victoriously (as he chooses to abide in Christ) BY FAITH (in Christ's righteousness in them).'
[Rom. 1:16 paraphrased by me from the Greek - via Interlinear Bible - please check out for yourself!]
Paul warns the BELIEVERS that if they TRY TO PLEASE GOD by obeying rules and regulations, Christ will be of NO VALUE (or help) TO THEM! A particular group he referred to made circumcision a requirement to be pleasing to God, surrendering themselves to be cut off all around - as if to extinguish lusts and sin. GCx did this same thing - but in a different way - by striving to separate us through unnatural and invasive impositions on our personal lives. This included separation from even "lesser" christians and their teachers. Which, of course, results in an arrogant spirit, even hostility toward those who don't agree. Galatians 5:1 in the greek says don't ENTANGLE yourselves {enechesthe} with this type of teaching. Don't be HELD IN by it. He says these "holier" methods are a bondage or brand of slavery. Thayers explains its a slavish sense of fear, DEVOID ALIKE OF BUOYANCY OF SPIRIT & TRUST IN GOD.
"Stand firm...and DO NOT LET YOURSELVES be burdened again by a YOKE of slavery" (Gal.5:1)
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the GRACE of Christ and are turning to a DIFFERENT gospel - which is really NO GOSPEL (GOOD news) AT ALL." (Gal. 1:6,7)