CONTRADICTIONS GONE

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: A Welcome and Call to Partnership
2. Understanding the Problem of Contradictions
3. The Importance of Covenant and Right Division
4. The Power of Right Thinking and Soul Prosperity
5. Jesus’ Call to Repent: A Change of Mind
6. Paul’s Confirmation: Transformation by the Spirit
7. Seeing Ourselves in Christ’s Glory
8. The Contradictions of Translation
9. The Misunderstanding of God’s Will and Sovereignty
10. The Contradiction in Romans 8:1
11. Walking in Confidence Through Grace
12. Our Identity: “I Am, I Can, and I Have”
13. Final Words of Love and Truth

Introduction: A Welcome and Call to Partnership

Pastor Leonard begins the message with joy as Pastor Lori returns to join him after some time away. They both express deep love and appreciation for their church family and online viewers. Pastor Lori shares how she was moved to tears in prayer that morning, overwhelmed with love for the people, describing how the life of Christ within her stirs compassion and prayer for everyone watching.
Pastor Leonard thanks the audience for their faithfulness and support of the ministry. Though he explains he rarely asks for financial help, he acknowledges that the ministry is growing — YouTube, Facebook, and their website are expanding in reach — but offerings have not kept up. He explains that they need help to continue spreading the message of grace and truth, including potential broadcasting opportunities through a new global Christian network.
Pastor Lori shares that her understanding of giving changed when she realized two truths: first, that she is“God’s hand extended” — a vessel of His love and provision — and second, that giving is meant to bless those who minister spiritual truth to you. These revelations transformed her view of giving from obligation to joy.

 Pastor Leonard agrees, affirming that those who are blessed and fed by the Word should support the ministry from the abundance God has already given them. He assures listeners that as they do, their seed helps take the gospel of grace to the world.

Understanding the Problem of Contradictions

Pastor Leonard transitions into the main theme, reminding the audience that he has been teaching a series on getting rid of contradictions. He explains that contradictions often come from the pulpit — from teachings that mix law and grace or misunderstand God’s covenant structure.

 He recalls how traditional beliefs shaped many Christians’ views: people were told they were “still sinners,” “sick for God’s glory,” or “being chastised by sickness to build character.” These ideas are confusing because they were drawn from different covenants and misapplied to New Covenant believers.

 He points out that while the Word of God is true, not all of it is true for us today. God’s Word spans multiple covenants — and while everything written is inspired, not every command applies to believers under grace.

 Pastor Leonard clarifies that *we are now under the final covenant — the covenant of grace.* Truth must therefore be rightly divided based on covenant context. Believers must recognize what belongs to the Old Covenant and what belongs to the New. Only then can they live free from contradiction and walk in the fullness of grace.

The Importance of Covenant and Right Division

Pastor Leonard explains that many Christians confuse the New Testament with the New Covenant. The New Testament contains writings from both covenants because there was an overlap during Jesus’ earthly ministry. He notes that during this time, some were still living under the law and teaching from it, while Paul preached the pure gospel of grace. This created tension — even within the New Testament — as old and new teachings coexisted. Understanding this helps believers see why certain verses appear contradictory. He reminds the congregation that believers must “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) to determine which covenant they are reading from.

 He stresses that we are under the last and best covenant — the covenant of grace. In this covenant, all things are freely given through Jesus Christ. To understand Scripture correctly, one must filter it through grace and the finished work of Christ. Without that filter, contradictions arise, leading to confusion about healing, righteousness, and God’s will.
Pastor Leonard emphasizes that wrong thinking leads to wrong believing, and wrong believing leads to living beneath what God intended. Understanding covenant truth removes contradictions and restores peace.

The Power of Right Thinking and Soul Prosperity

Pastor Leonard turns to the Apostle John’s words in 3 John 1:2, saying: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

 He explains that prosperity and health are connected to the prosperity of the soul — meaning the renewal of the mind. Our external success and wellness mirror our internal beliefs. When our mind aligns with truth, our life aligns with blessings.

 He continues with 3 John 1:4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." This reveals God’s heart — that His children walk in the truth of the gospel, not in contradiction or confusion.

 Pastor Leonard states that contradictions in teaching, translations, and tradition often distort the truth of God’s love and grace. To live free and whole, believers must renew their minds with truth and walk in agreement with their covenant in Christ. He reminds the audience that thinking is powerful — “as a man thinketh, so is he.” What we meditate on becomes the direction of our lives. Therefore, renewing the mind to grace removes contradictions and allows the life of Christ within us to manifest outwardly in health, prosperity, and peace.

Jesus’ Call to Repent: A Change of Mind

Pastor Lori reads Mark 1:15- "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Pastor Leonard explains that when Jesus said “repent,” He was not telling people to cry, confess, or weep at an altar — He was telling them to *change their thinking.* The Greek word “metanoia” means a change of mind, a shift in direction.

Jesus was declaring that the age of the law was fulfilled and a new kingdom — the kingdom of grace — was at hand. Repentance, therefore, meant thinking differently about God, sin, righteousness, and life. If the translators had simply written, “It’s time to think differently and believe the gospel,” it would have cleared centuries of confusion. The good news — the gospel — is “too good to be true news.” It calls us to abandon self-effort and embrace grace.

Pastor Leonard explains that just as John understood that prosperity and health follow the renewing of the soul, Jesus was showing that the blessings of the kingdom flow through right thinking. Change your thinking, believe the gospel, and you will experience transformation.

Paul’s Confirmation: Transformation by the Spirit

Paul echoes Jesus’ message in Romans 12:2-"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Pastor Leonard explains that this verse parallels Jesus’ words — transformation begins with a change of thinking. The “world” Paul refers to represents the religious system and culture of the law — Judaism and the Mosaic regulations. Paul teaches that believers are not to imitate the old covenant system of works and rules but to be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through renewal of the mind. Transformation — the Greek metamorphosis — is the same word used for “transfiguration.” This inward renewal empowers believers to experience God’s will — a beautiful, satisfying, perfect life in His eyes.

Pastor Leonard emphasizes that the Holy Spirit performs the transformation as believers renew their minds to grace. As they stop imitating the ways of the law and embrace the gospel of Christ, the Spirit manifests success, healing, and blessing from within. He connects this with 2 Corinthians 3:18- "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As we behold Christ — the glory of the Lord — we see a reflection of who we truly are in Him. The more we see Him, the more we become like Him, transformed by the Holy Spirit. This is true repentance: changing our minds to align with who we already are in Christ.

Seeing Ourselves in Christ’s Glory

Pastor Leonard continues from 2 Corinthians 3:18, saying that as we behold the glory of Jesus, we are actually looking into a mirror — a reflection of who we truly are in Him. When we see His righteousness, His power, His beauty, and His victory, we are seeing the same identity God placed within us. This truth reveals that transformation isn’t achieved by striving; it’s the natural result of seeing ourselves as God sees us.

The more we look at Jesus, the more the Holy Spirit transforms us into His image — from glory to glory. Pastor Leonard highlights that this transformation is not self-produced but Spirit-produced. Our part is to behold, not to perform.

He stresses that believers must stop identifying with the old nature and start agreeing with who they already are in Christ. Seeing ourselves in His glory removes every contradiction the world or religion has planted in our minds.

The Contradictions of Translation

Pastor Leonard transitions to show that some contradictions arise from translations, not from God’s Word itself. The Word of God is inspired, but translations were handled by people — each with denominational influence and doctrinal bias.

 He recalls Colossians 1:9, where Paul prays: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." 

 Pastor Leonard points out that in many translations, this sounds like Paul is praying that believers would receive knowledge and understanding, as though they don’t already have it. But this creates a contradiction. He contrasts this with Ephesians 1:3- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

 And with 2 Peter 1:3- "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

 And also with Ephesians 1:7-9-"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." These verses clearly show that believers already possess wisdom, understanding, and the full blessing of God. Therefore, to pray to receive what we already have is a contradiction.

 Pastor Leonard says, “God won’t answer contradictions.” Instead, believers must approach prayer through the correct filter: I am, I can, and I have. In Christ, we already are righteous, we can do all things, and we have all things that pertain to life and godliness.

The Misunderstanding of God’s Will and Sovereignty

Next, Pastor Lori reads Matthew 10:29– "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." Pastor Leonard explains that this verse is often misunderstood because of translation. The King James Version gives the impression that when a sparrow falls, it is God’s will — that He willed its death. This has been used by some denominations to teach a doctrine of fatalistic sovereignty — the idea that God decides who is saved, who is healed, who suffers, and who dies.

He notes that this thinking has produced a generation of believers who pray, “If it be Thy will…” even regarding things God has already promised. But the contradiction arises from misunderstanding the covenant and translation. Pastor Leonard clarifies that in the corrected understanding, the verse means that nothing escapes the Father’s awareness — not that He wills the fall, but that He knows it. God’s sovereignty is rooted in love, not control.

He reminds listeners that Jesus healed all who came to Him — not some, not most, but all. This reveals God’s will perfectly: healing, restoration, and grace. Every person who came to Jesus in faith received healing. No one was told, “It’s not your time” or “God is teaching you something through this sickness.” Pastor Leonard emphasizes that God’s will is consistent with His nature — love — and contradictions only arise when people filter Scripture through the Old Covenant or human

The Contradiction in Romans 8:1

Pastor Leonard then turns to Romans 8:1- "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." He instructs Pastor Lori to read it again, but to pause at the comma:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," — and then stop. He explains that this is where the verse truly ends. The rest of the phrase — “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” — was added later and is italicized in many editions, with a margin note stating, “not found in the most reliable manuscripts.” This addition created a contradiction. It implies that believers only experience “no condemnation” when they are walking in the Spirit, and that when they fail, condemnation returns. But this conflicts directly with the gospel of grace and the believer’s secure position in Christ.

 He connects this truth with 2 Corinthians 5:17- "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

 Because believers are in Christ, there can never again be condemnation. The Father sees them in His Son — righteous, blameless, and holy. Condemnation is not a signal of the Spirit but a residue of wrong believing. Pastor Leonard reminds the congregation: you cannot lose righteousness because it was never earned — it was given. You cannot fall from grace because grace holds you. He explains that adding human performance back into this verse leads to guilt, shame, and striving. But the truth is clear: There is no condemnation — period.

Walking in Confidence Through Grace

Pastor Leonard assures the congregation that his goal in pointing out contradictions is not to make them doubt the Word of God, but to help them read it through the right filter. When we interpret Scripture through the finished work of Christ, contradictions disappear, and confidence grows. He encourages believers to stand on grace, knowing that everything Jesus accomplished was for them. All the promises of God are already “Yes and Amen” in Him. Every blessing, healing, and victory is already secured.

He reminds them that the Apostle Paul called believers saints over 40 times — from the Greek word hagios, meaning “blameless and holy.” Paul never called the church sinners saved by grace but holy ones made righteous through faith.

Pastor Leonard says believers do not have to strive, work, or prove anything. Jesus did all the work. Their role is to believe, rest, and walk in truth. He quotes Philippians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

And Romans 8:37- "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

And Colossians 1:12- "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." These truths confirm that believers are already qualified, empowered, and victorious through Jesus Christ.

Our Identity: “I Am, I Can, and I Have

Pastor Leonard concludes with a declaration of identity for every believer:

-I am- righteous, holy, and blameless.
-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I have everything in life and godliness through Him. He reminds the audience that they are joint-heirs with Christ. Everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to them. God has already qualified them, empowered them, and filled them with His Spirit. When a verse seems to suggest otherwise — when it says you must earn, be worthy, or wait for what God has already given — that verse must be understood through the lens of grace and covenant truth. He emphasizes that believers live from what Jesus did, not from what they do. Contradictions vanish when we live from identity instead of effort.

Final Words of Love and Truth

Pastor Lori closes by affirming the message: “I can’t top that — good message!” She smiles and encourages the viewers to walk in truth.

She recalls 3 John 1:4- "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Both pastors express their love for the viewers, thanking them for their prayers, support, and faithfulness. Pastor Leonard blesses them to walk in the revelation of grace — free from contradiction, full of joy, and resting in Jesus.

We hope this teaching, “CONTRADICTIONS GONE,”has blessed you and helped remove confusion from your walk with God. Every truth in this message points to one reality — Jesus Christ and His finished work. You are complete in Him, already blessed, righteous, and loved.