The BIG Picture (Shorts)

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...