The BIG Picture (Shorts)

QUESTION: Christians, did Paul teach that salvation is through faith in Messiah, not through works of the law as a means of justification while also emphasizing obedience as in upholding the Law which remains essential to faith: Romans 3:31 & Galatians 2:16? ANSWER: Paul’s teaching about salvation and the Law is simple, but it is also very important to understand clearly. He says in Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” This means that no one can be made right with God by keeping the Law. Salvation is not earned by what we do. It is given freely when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. Justification—being declared righteous before God—is by faith alone. But Paul also says in Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through fait...

If a man seeks to be justified by the law, he must keep  all  of it. Scripture does not permit selective obedience: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” —  James 2:10 “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” —  Galatians 3:10 “I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.” —  Galatians 5:3 The Law Was Made for the Unrighteous The law was not designed for the righteous, but to expose and restrain sin: “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners…” —  1 Timothy 1:9 The law reveals sin, but it cannot remove it. It condemns, but cannot justify. We Are Not Under Law, But Under Grace Through Christ, we are freed from the law’s condemnation—not to sin freely, but to live freely  from  sin: “For s...

The blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross was the pinnacle of sacrifice and love and accomplished our redemption through the forgiveness of sins. Romans 4:25 confirms this absolute fact, Rom 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  But there is more to that verse than being delivered from our offenses by the propitiation (appeasement, satisfaction) of His blood. There is also the power of God which raised up Christ from the dead for our justification. Not only did His resurrection justify us, declaring or making us righteous in the sight of God, but that same power also became the source for our ability to walk in newness of life, Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.   Many believers think of the death and resurrection of Christ as the work done by God's grace to sa...

It is important to note that the Spirit mentioned in Gal.5:22-23 is not referring to the human spirit, but rather the Holy Spirit within believers. It is the presence of God's Spirit within them that produces the "fruit of the Spirit", seen as virtues that are evident in those who “walk in the Spirit.” These virtues are not achieved through human effort but are behaviors that develop naturally in a believer as they release themselves in obedience to the Spirit. The "fruit of the Spirit" are qualities that are not typically valued by society. While the world may admire traits like self-confidence and authority, the Spirit encourages qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Consider the difference. These spiritual qualities create a harmonious environment for those around them, in contrast to the isolating traits of self-reliance and power that the world admires. As Paul says concerning spiritual...

From a ‘positional’ (heavenly) standing, we are freed from the law by the cross of Christ. Rom.7:4-6 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. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. From a ‘practical’ (earthly) standing, the law will always apply, but as we grow in obedience to the Word of God, through walking in the spirit, we learn to mortify the deeds of the flesh, Rom.8:13, and thus the law diminishes in proportion to obedience because the law is made for the transgressor, as Paul says, 1Tim.1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for ...

The difference is clear to see in these verses: POSITIONAL:  God’s righteousness imputed to us through faith in Christ and received the instant we are saved. Rom_3:22  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: Rom_4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom_8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. See also: Rom_5:17-18; Rom_5:21; Rom_8:10. PRACTICAL:  Righteousness produced out of us by obedience to the Word (See Rom_8:13). Rom_6:13  ...but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom_8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. See also: Rom_6:16; Rom_6:18...

Many Christians believe that when Christ ascended to heaven, He stopped speaking. However, Paul reveals that the things he wrote were the "commandments of the Lord", 1Cor.14:37. After Israel's rebellion, God temporarily set aside Israel, and raised up a new apostle, Paul. From heaven, Christ gave Paul a new revelation concerning His heavenly ministry to the Body of Christ, Gal.1:11-12. Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles, Rom.11:13. Paul's words, as revealed to Him by Christ, are spoken of as "commandments." When God commands something, He expects us to obey it. In past dispensations, commands were given that were valid then, but not for today's obedience. For example, the Bible commands man to eat only fruit and veggies, then allows for meat with fruit and veggies, then certain foods to be eaten, and finally, all food can be eaten. Thus, it is essential to determine which commands God would have us obey today. Paul's epistles are the commandmen...

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...

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...