The BIG Picture (Shorts)

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...

The liberty of our grace doctrine, given by Christ, is not an invitation to indulge in fleshly desires, but it teaches a transition from carnal babes to the freedom and responsibility of spiritually mature sons, who grow up in godliness, Gal.3:24 and 4:1-7. Paul's grace doctrine challenges the false notions that grace allows believers the freedom to do as they wish. Paul faced false accusations of promoting this view, having been "slanderously reported" in Rom.3:8, but unfortunately, carnal believers continue to exploit their freedom as an excuse for self-indulgence, turning liberty to license, an error as severe as turning from liberty to law. In Eph.4:20, Paul states, "But you have not so learned Christ." This statement, of itself, informs us of the root and fix of this issue. It is only proper doctrine and teaching of the rightly divided Word of truth that can stablish the hearts of babes and motivate them to the deeper things of Christ; the work of faith, ...

Paul divides people, by the Spirit, into four classes: the natural man, the babe in Christ, the carnal believer, and the spiritual believer. All four of these are referred to in 1Cor.2:14-3:4 and they are classified by their ability to appreciate and assimilate “the things of God” as revealed in His Word. THE NATURAL MAN is unsaved and spiritual things are foolishness to him. THE SPIRITUAL MAN through diligent study of the Word, and with a sincere desire to obey it, has come to know God and Jesus Christ more and more intimately. BABES IN CHRIST and CARNAL BELIEVERS are saved, but cannot “discern” him, not being able to bear the milk, thus, they seek to know him through temporal things; through works, emotions, traditions, and ordinances. But he, having grown to spiritual maturity, is among those of whom it is written:  Heb. 5:14 “But strong meat [deeper doctrine] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good...