Scriptures Commonly Misinterpreted (2)

‎"...so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

The phrase, "faith without works is dead" has been commonly misinterpreted to mean that every believer must have a particular secular work he is doing as means of livelihood. As much as Bible gives admonition about secular work (Eph.4:28, Acts.20:34-35, IIThes.3:8-10), that however, is not what James chapter 2 is talking about.

The line of thought in James chapter 2 is in respect of Faith and the inevitable concomitant actions(works) produced by faith. 

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead."(James 2:15-17)

The same way you cant claim you care for someone and not be ready to cater for their physical needs when its in your power to do it so also you cant claim you have faith if that same faith does not produce corresponding action. You cant claim you have faith in the gospel of Jesus and not take the concomitant step of accepting Jesus as your saviour (James 2:14)

There are actions that are inevitable offshoot of faith; faith and the actions (works) it produces are inseperable siamese. If faith-motivated actions(works) are not evident in a man's life, Apostle James has taught us that such a man has no faith.

Therefore faith without corresponding action is dead (is not alive; does not exist). got it?

Some Scriptures Commonly Misinterpreted (1)

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32)
This verse is usually quoted in Christian assemblies, as admonition to 'lift Jesus up' by praise and worship so that he can draw people to church meeting. But if we had pay attention to the verse just after it, it will be clear to us that it refers to the death of Jesus and not worship.
The word 'lifted up' - "hupsoo" in the Greek means to elevate, exalt or lift up. yet, in context, it doesn't mean to exalt in worship. It is the same word used to describe how Moses hung the brazen serpent on the tree as well as the crucifixion of Jesus in John 3:14 : "And as Moses LIFTED UP the serpent in the Wilderness, even so must the son of Man be LIFTED UP"

Lets consider verse 32 and 33 in one breath:
""And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die" (John 12:32-33)
Amplified version puts it this way:
"And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself, He said this to signify in what manner He would die"

Therefore, John 12:32 in context is not talking about 'lifting Jesus up in praise' and since you are not the author, you can't give it your own meaning.

He has died on the cross, as He said, He has drawn and He is still drawing men from all races (not just the Jews) to Himself by the death of the cross. Because on the cross of Christ could bring Jews and gentiles on the same platform as children of God.
"For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups." (Eph. 2:14-15) seen it?