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...

People often perform "good" deeds, but the motives behind these deeds may not always be noble. For example, some do "good" for praise, compensation, or self-improvement. However, they also commit many wrongs, like pride, lying, and harboring evil thoughts, —things that the LORD hates, Prov 6:16-19. Humans struggle to adhere even to God's 10 simple rules, but our religious practices urge adherence to sacraments, prayers, offerings, tithes, and festivals to please God and avoid damnation. Whether it's church laws, personal laws, or God's laws, our flesh is too weak to measure up, and religion can literally kill our soul, 2Cor 3:6. Paul, once a Pharisee who practiced the Law, admitted that his religion was "but dung" compared to Jesus Christ's righteousness, Phil 3:3-11. Living a perfect life is impossible, thus we must understand that our lives are NOT about our performance but about Jesus Christ living and working in us, as we walk in an int...