The BIG Picture (Shorts)

 “Sell that ye have, and give alms” (Luke 12:33). Is this a command for Christians today? It was Jesus who said it — but He was speaking to Israel, preparing them for the earthly kingdom. They were to sell their possessions and live communally, trusting God to provide (see Acts 2:44-45). Why? Because their hope was earthly, and their programme was prophetic. But Paul never gave this command to the Church. He taught believers to work, provide, and give freely — not under compulsion (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Corinthians 9:7). Why the difference? Because the programme changed. Israel’s kingdom gospel required readiness for Messiah’s reign. Our gospel of grace reveals a heavenly calling, not an earthly one. The Body of Christ isn’t waiting for a kingdom — we’re seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Under the Law, giving was commanded — fixed amounts, strict timing, and visible compliance. It was about obligation, not overflow. But grace changes our reality and response. We give ...

In Romans 13:11, when Paul says “for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed,” he is referring to the future aspect of salvation—specifically, the completion of our redemption at Christ’s return. Three Phases of Salvation in Scripture To understand this verse, it helps to see salvation as having three tenses: Past – We were saved from the penalty of sin when we believed (Ephesians 2:8). Present – We are being saved from the power of sin as we walk in the Spirit (Philippians 2:12). Future – We shall be saved from the presence of sin when Christ returns, and we receive glorified bodies (Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20-21). Romans 13:11 points to this future salvation—the final deliverance of the believer at the rapture and the judgment seat of Christ, when our earthly walk ends and our heavenly inheritance begins. In light of contextual clarity, Paul is urging believers to wake up spiritually and live in light of the approaching day. The “night” of this present evil age is far s...

Romans 16:20 says, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” This is a powerful echo of Genesis 3:15, where God first promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. Paul draws on that ancient prophecy to assure believers that Satan’s defeat is not only certain, but unfolding according to God’s plan. This “bruising” or “crushing” isn’t a single event—it’s a sequence of victories culminating in Satan’s final judgment. It began at the Cross and Resurrection, where Christ decisively broke Satan’s power over sin and death (Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 2:15). It continues now as believers walk in truth and resist deception—Satan is bruised underfoot through spiritual warfare and gospel proclamation (Ephesians 6:11-17). And it will be completed when Satan is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Paul’s use of “shortly” signals certainty, not necessarily immediacy—God’s timing is perfect. But here’s the deeper truth: the Church is the Body of ...

The eyes of our faith are not to be fixed on the outer man—his health, his wealth, his circumstances, or his religious performance, as these things may change, fade, or even deceive. But the inner man, renewed day by day, is where the Spirit works and where truth dwells. Our faith is not grounded in what we see, feel, or experience. It is grounded in what we know—specifically, in the words of our sound doctrine: the gospel of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, found in Paul’s epistles and rightly divided from prophecy. Not vague impressions, not mystical signs, not emotional highs. But the written Word of God rightly divided, believed with understanding, and held with assurance. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). That renewal comes not through external effort or change, but through spiritual truth. And spiritual truth is found in our doctrine. So, we do not chase the visible—m...

Did You Know… the word “baptism” in Hebrews 6:2 is plural—and it’s not about water? Hebrews 6:1-2 says: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection… Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Most readers assume this refers to water baptism. But the word is baptisms —plural. And the context isn’t about Christian practice, but Jewish foundational teachings. Hebrews is written to Jews who had professed Christ but were tempted to return to temple rituals. The “doctrine of baptisms” refers to ceremonial washings under the law—ritual cleansings found throughout Leviticus and Numbers. This passage isn’t urging believers to be baptised—it’s urging Jewish readers to move beyond the shadow of the law and embrace the substance found in Christ. That’s why verse 1 says “leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ”—not rejecting them, but moving past the elementary, symbolic te...