The BIG Picture (Shorts)

A BEAUTIFUL SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT: The gospel tells us that we must believe that Jesus died for our sins. The actual process of salvation is performed by the Holy Spirit which includes the Word of God renewing our mind and bringing us to obedience of Christ. So, it truly is good news. SOMEONE’S RESPONSE: Ridiculous! Show me a verse that says that!! MY REPLY: The bible tells us to study it line upon line, here a little, and there a little, Isaiah 28:10. No one verse is going to divulge the entire salvation process which involves justification, sanctification and glorification. Thus, one has to read the Bible and learn these things as the verses, throughout many pages, connect and confirm each other. I can give you a starting point by referring you to 1Cor.15:1–4 and Eph.2:8–9. Then, from these verses, allow the scripture to lead you into more cross-references and it will start to build a clear picture of the process of salvation in Paul’s epistles. ______________ Please share these wit...

Our principal duty as believers, which is also the will of God for us, is to come to the knowledge of the truth, 1Tim.2:4. How do we come to the knowledge of the truth? We study the written Word of truth and learn how to rightly divide it, 2Tim.2:15. We allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly, Col.3:16. We allow it to renew our mind so that it makes us wise unto its doctrine, allowing it to reprove, correct, and instruct us. Being led by the Spirit of God is not being led by some ethereal voice or premonitions, but rather, it is simply having a knowledge and understanding of the written Word within you. You walk by the Spirit (or walk by faith) when you obey the truth of God’s Word, applying it to your life circumstances and scenarios. Notice what Paul says here, Rom.6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17  But God be thanked, that ye were t...

Innocent ignorance: You have never been exposed to the information. Willing ignorance: You have been exposed to the content and you have willingly chosen to ignore it. Either way, you are going to stay simple.  Psa.19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psa.119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Pro.1:4  To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. Note what Paul says at the end of Romans, Avoid those that cause division, that deceive the hearts of the simple!! Rom.16:17-18  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  (18)  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans was given to you to keep yo...

The book of Romans can be divided into 4 primary pillars of truth. God's righteousness, (ch.1-3), God's grace, (ch.4-8), God's dispensational wisdom, (ch.9-11), and God's mercies over our Christian living, in (ch.12-16). Understanding these 4 pillars, in proper order and context, is critical for faith and spiritual maturity. Consider the effects on the growth and maturity of a Christian if we review the order of these pillars in reverse. A believer's faith, identity, and stability (aka, the 4th pillar) are negatively affected if they do not have a grounding in dispensational truth. Dispensational truth, (aka, the 3rd pillar), cannot be appreciated without a firm knowledge of God's grace, and purpose, for both Israel and the Gentiles. God's absolute grace (aka, the 2nd pillar), is barely comprehendible if one has a good understanding of God's righteousness, but since many people do not even grasp the fact that they are hopelessly lost in their sins, the m...

An incorrect approach to Bible study begins with preconceived notions, seeking out verses to support existing beliefs. For instance, to demonstrate a revival, one might cite verses about the Spirit's power and revival. Similarly, to argue against Jesus' divinity, one might select verses highlighting his humanity, submission to God, and prayers to the Father. This method overlooks context, ignores contrasting verses, and the author's intent, aiming instead to validate personal opinions with scripture. Conversely, the correct method involves allowing the Bible to shape one's beliefs. Rather than cherry-picking verses to match our ideas, we should strive to comprehend the Bible's messages within their original context. The Bible enlightens us on God, the identity and mission of Jesus, the revelation of mystery, of grace, salvation, and judgement. The scripture itself advocates for these doctrines; our role is simply to convey its teachings. Hence, the Bible should not ...

The Christian journey should be one of continual growth. Even the Apostle Paul, long after his conversion, confessed that he still had more to attain to and apprehend of Christ, Phil.3:12. Those who have been believers for a long time are expected to have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures than those who have been saved for less time. It is God's will that we develop in spiritual knowledge 1Tim.2:4, and we do that by first choosing to separate ourselves from traditions and denominational beliefs that we have been taught, and then to dig into the written Word for ourselves, to read it, to study its dispensations, to rightly divide its doctrines, and to learn of God's divine plan for both heaven and earth. To honor the Lord, we are to follow the example of Paul's life and ministry. The sound doctrine entrusted to Paul is crucial for allowing Jesus Christ to manifest His life within and through us. The key to our spiritual growth is parallelled only by our increasing kno...

Men's wisdom is based on knowledge of physical reality which is temporary and opinionated, and this is why there are so many variations of it and why ultimately it becomes complicated and bloated. If we spend too much time gaining knowledge from too many different sources, we run the risk of stacking too much detail over the simplicity of the truth. It is advisable at times to stop and take stock of what we currently believe, —really! Evaluate what you have collected mentally and determine what info you may have hoarded up over time and if it has started to influence your thoughts, your views, and your stance on faith. Like the Galatians, have you knowingly or unknowingly added things to the pure uncomplicated grace gospel and to our 'mystery' doctrine of faith without works? Are we living ambassadors of the grace gospel and of simple obedience to the Holy Spirit, or have we become the advocates of a complicated and philosophical message and a lifestyle bloated with the ima...

Among Christians, there are those who aren't too concerned with what they read in the Bible, as long as it touches their hearts. For them, the Bible is like a 'pick your favourite verse collection', choosing only parts that appeal to them and ignoring the rest. This is not how the Bible should be read or treated. Although the Bible teaches many truths that we can readily accept, we cannot truly comprehend its message unless we study it as a whole. True faith seeks to continually deepen its understanding of God's Word. A person who isn't seeking to understand God's Word isn't truly interested in what God has to say. Such a person's faith is founded on personal preference rather than on truth, choosing any scripture that appeals to them and interpreting it as they please. Such "spirituality" is not authentic, and such "faith" can be considered blind, superstitious, and even dangerous. God desires that we intelligently believe what we...

Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Paul says that we ‘should’ be married to another. Many believers never get to ‘marrying’ the Word. They remain widowed in their spiritual life. Some might marry laws, observances, and traditions, but this fails to join them to the Word. To marry the Word, in the context of this analogy, is to increase in knowledge and understanding of Paul’s doctrine and allow it to renew your mind and influence your life. The evidence of this marriage is bearing fruit unto God, by the effects of Christ being formed within you. Friends, the ring on your finger is not in your efforts or in being good. No! The ring on your finger is the knowledge of the Word of God in you and your obedience to its authority. It is ALL about the written Word! ______________ Join my WhatsApp channel to receive thes...

Faith is not emotions or feelings. Faith is knowledge of the truth. In other words, if the Bible says, "God is near you" (Eph.2:13), then faith believes that, irrespective of emotions and feelings. If your emotions rule you, then your life will be like a roller coaster, constantly tossed between the highs and the lows. Emotions cannot provide you any stability in your relationship with God. However, if you stand on faith, then no matter what your emotional state, you have a firm grounding, and God will be near, because truth says so, not because you think you feel Him. How do you learn to have faith? Well, remember that your whole being, your flesh (or human reasoning), defaults to emotions and feelings. Your default response to everything is feelings since you are conditioned on these since you were born. But faith comes by the Word. You grow in faith by learning the Word, studying the Word, gaining knowledge in the Word. As the Word starts to fill your thoughts, you will st...

Every man's work shall be made manifest: 1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  (13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Many of us believe that our good works in this life will determine how we are judged when we stand before Christ's judgment seat. This is not true! What you did in this life has little bearing on that day. It's all related to what you know. The knowledge of Christ within you is what's represented by the gold, silver, and precious stones. In essence, it's a judgment of your understanding of Paul's doctrine and your development within it.  It is the degree to which the wisdom and knowledge you have gained from studying the Word has formed Christ in you, Pro 24:3-5. For details, see: https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2024/01/dm25-every-ma...

What are life examples of unbelievers' futility of mind in Eph 4:17? Paul's epistles should be understood spiritually. Thus, 'vanity of mind' is not natural futility but rather spiritual futility. So, to provide life examples is not to list useless things men do in their mortality, or man’s inept activities or knowledge in his natural state, but to perceive it in view of his eternal existence. For an example of Paul's spiritual context, notice his attitude towards natural things and their futility, compared to the worth and significance of knowing Christ, here: Php 3:7-11. In summary, ‘vanity of mind’, if one occupies one’s mind on temporary things, is in contrast to the full value and excellency of the eternal things of Christ. To have a mind filled with goals, achievements, and knowledge of a temporary nature, is utter vanity, or futility, (or dung), in view of the knowledge of Christ and the pursuit of winning Christ and the eternal attributes and rewards that fl...