The BIG Picture (Shorts)

As grace believers, our lives should be separate from the world-system, yet today, godliness seems unfashionable. Increasingly, religious leaders suggest that to engage the world, we must integrate ourselves into it and partake in its activities to get close to the lost. However, believers cannot truly influence the world by blending in. Such conformity is opposed to God's will, as stated in Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ..." True godliness involves a deliberate separation from worldly influences, which stands out and can profoundly impact those we aim to reach. It embodies spiritual strength, sacrifice, and yes, even persecution for Christ's sake. This concept is echoed in 2 Timothy 3:12: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This verse serves as a reminder and a challenge to those who exhibit only the appearance of godliness, lacking its true po...

  In 1Cor.1, Paul reminds believers they will be “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). It is important for us to realize there are two aspects of a Christian’s perfection. The first is our POSITION before God. Through faith, we have been “made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]” (2Cor.5:21). Our position before the Father is now one of perfection in the identity of the Savior. The Father now sees us as holy and perfect. This position will never change. Our daily PRACTICE after salvation is also to be “perfect.” We have been “called to be saints” (1Cor.1:2), and the Lord expects us to seek to live up to a standard of holiness. What does that mean? Paul writes “…I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess.5:23). This process involves getting the written Word of God into you. It is the only thing that will wash you (spirit), renew your mind (soul), and influence your actions (body)...

According to Paul’s writings we are to obey the living Word within us. You see, when we read the Word and fill ourselves with it, then it starts to renew our mind. It starts to influence our thoughts and actions. Giving ourselves over to obey the knowledge that the Word stablishes within us is what we obey unto righteousness. So, for clarity, we obey that form of doctrine that is inside us. As we do, we walk by the Spirit and mortify the deeds of the flesh. We obey the living Word by allowing it to work itself out of us. This is liberty and freedom in grace. Can you see that walking in the Spirit is not some ultra-spiritual force that moves you left and right, or brings you visions or voices in your head! There is no mysticism or deep spiritual senses involved. It is simply a matter of knowing and applying God's Word in situations with the desire to please God through simple but committed obedience to Paul's grace doctrine. ______________ Join my WhatsApp channel to receive th...