The BIG Picture (Shorts)

The phrase "look to Jesus" typically means following or imitating Christ according to what He has taught us in scripture. However, this is not true for us today. Jesus' earthly ministry was directed to Israel, not to us. His call for those to follow Him was directed to His kinsmen, the Jews, Matt 15:24.  We look to Jesus by looking into His Word. The only way we can grow in Him, learn of Him, and become like Him, is to study His Word and allow it to change our mind and our actions in obedience to it. When we look into his word we are instructed to look into the revelation of the mystery, which is the doctrine that Jesus gave to Paul to teach. Consider why Paul says the following in 1Cor 4:16, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” and in 1Cor 11:1 saying, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” In 1Tim 1:16 he also mentioned he is the pattern for all grace believers to imitate. So, to look to Jesus today, we follow Paul’s pattern and the princip...

Romans 8:1 refers to our daily walk as believers rather than our initial salvation. The term "condemnation" in Rom.8:1 refers to self-condemnation, not eternal damnation. When we are not walking in our identity under grace, we find ourselves falling into Law, which brings this condemnation. In Romans 7, Paul expresses misery due to legalism rather than grace, and the term "therefore" in our key verse connects to all those emotions in Romans 7, which depicts a believer overwhelmed by self-condemnation, mirroring the defeat and depression of many Christians today.  Believers should not continue in a mindset of ignorance to Paul's doctrine, as sin is inevitable. To live in accordance with the Spirit, we must align our thoughts with our new identity in Christ, and this comes by studying and applying our grace doctrine in Paul's epistles. When we become transformed by the renewing of our mind, we start to walk by the Spirit (of the Word), and we grow in conform...

The liberty of our grace doctrine, given by Christ, is not an invitation to indulge in fleshly desires, but it teaches a transition from carnal babes to the freedom and responsibility of spiritually mature sons, who grow up in godliness, Gal.3:24 and 4:1-7. Paul's grace doctrine challenges the false notions that grace allows believers the freedom to do as they wish. Paul faced false accusations of promoting this view, having been "slanderously reported" in Rom.3:8, but unfortunately, carnal believers continue to exploit their freedom as an excuse for self-indulgence, turning liberty to license, an error as severe as turning from liberty to law. In Eph.4:20, Paul states, "But you have not so learned Christ." This statement, of itself, informs us of the root and fix of this issue. It is only proper doctrine and teaching of the rightly divided Word of truth that can stablish the hearts of babes and motivate them to the deeper things of Christ; the work of faith, ...

Paul implored Timothy to adhere strictly to the teachings he had imparted, emphasizing the need to remain true to the doctrine which was divinely revealed to him. In 1Tim.6:3-5, Paul closes his epistle with the statement in the image above. Paul presses upon the need to be faithful to the message given him by revelation, which he says in Tit.1:2-3 was, "promised before the ages began" but made known "in due time… through preaching which is committed unto me…" Today however, it is sad to note how religious leaders have either replaced, or completely skewed, the doctrine that was committed to Paul by Jesus Christ. This has resulted in confusion and division within the Church, teaching a different doctrine that puts focus on Jesus of Nazareth, social improvement, and political reform, and keeps believers in an ignorant state towards truth, stunting their spiritual growth.  More than ever, we need to take to heart this warning and admonition of Paul and come back to tea...

Our key verse above deals with the judgement seat of Christ after we have been caught up at the rapture and taken to heaven. Looking at the details of this verse, we can learn something new and interesting concerning the event that most people overlook. Christ's fiery judgement is to stablish us, making our hearts unblameable in holiness before God, our Father. Then, after this judgement, we are ushered into God's presence where it is likely that we will receive our reward; a measure of the glory of Christ.   How do I interpret this? Well, in 1Th.4:16-18, Jesus comes FOR his saints to meet them in the clouds and catch them up to heaven. But, in our verse above it says that Jesus comes WITH his saints.  Friends, this is not the rapture. How can it be if we are already WITH him. No. This detail describes a presentation to God (probably in the throne room) after we are made unblameable in holiness. It is at this presentation where we are rewarded with our measure of Christ's ...

Rom 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: God’s righteousness demanded the fulfilling of the law, but after the cross of Christ, God’s righteousness no longer required the law. The law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and this was the propitiation that would appease God’s righteous requirement. Now, because of the cross, the grace of God is made available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus now allows God to impute the righteousness of His Son upon all who believe in Him.  The cross of Christ is the most remarkable event and symbol in the history of this world. The cross allows a righteous and just God to remain righteous and just yet be able to declare a verdict of innocence and righteousness upon the guilty. The wisdom and grace of God is...

God had chosen Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan. On the eve of the battle of Jericho, Joshua encountered a man wielding a sword. Despite the surprise, Joshua displayed no fear. He approached the man and asked, "Are you with us or our enemies?" The man's identity as the captain of the Lord's army, likely Michael, the angelic prince of Israel (see Dan. 10:21; 12:1), brought Joshua to his knees. The real question was not whether the angel was on God's side, but whether Joshua was aligned with God's will. This story serves as a lesson. In the struggle between truth and falsehood, Christians may challenge each other, asking, "Whose side are you on?" However, the critical question is not whether others are on our side, but whether we are on God's side. God's truth will triumph. His plans will succeed, and alignment with God's Word and will is crucial, regardless of human power or influence. Like Joshua, we should humble ourselves and...