The BIG Picture (Shorts)

Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1 that in the latter times some would depart from the faith because they start listening to the wrong voices. We’re watching that happen. People don’t abandon Scripture in one moment — they drift because something else has captured their attention. Then in 2 Timothy 4:3–4, Paul shows the next step. When people no longer want sound doctrine, they go looking for teachers who tell them what they prefer to hear. Truth becomes uncomfortable, so they trade it for stories and opinions that feel easier. These two passages describe the apostasy we see growing today: a steady move away from Scripture, a rising impatience with truth, and a desire for teaching that never confronts the heart. The Bible said this would happen, so we shouldn’t be surprised — but we should be alert and anchored in the Word. But it’s important to understand this: What we’re seeing now is not the “falling away” Paul speaks of in 2 Thessalonians 2. That event is a specific, worldwide rebellion ...

 QUESTION: How do we know that the “grace dispensation” doesn’t coincide with the “everlasting gospel” and that both have been present since the foundation of the world? ANSWER: The present dispensation is called “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). This message was a mystery hidden from ages and generations (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26), not revealed since the foundation of the world but made known through Paul after Christ’s ascension. Paul affirms that his gospel came “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Its content is the finished work of Christ: “how that Christ died for our sins… and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Salvation today is by grace through faith, “not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since this gospel was kept secret until revealed (Romans 16:25), it cannot have been present from the foundation of the world. By contrast, the “everlasting gospel” appears in Revelation 14:6-7, whe...

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...

Rightly dividing is the key to proper contextual and accurate interpretation of Scripture. Without it, the Word is mixed together, blended across programs, and ultimately skewed. Passages meant for Israel under the law are wrongly applied to the Body of Christ under grace, and promises given to a nation are confused with instructions for the church. The result is spiritual instability, because truth has not been handled in its proper context. Yet notice this: rightly dividing is not the starting point, it is the outcome of study. Paul says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). When we truly labour in the Word, comparing Scripture with Scripture, we begin to see the distinctions God Himself has made. We see the difference between prophecy and mystery, between law and grace, between Israel’s earthly kingdom hope and the church’s heavenly calling. One will never truly grasp the importance ...

Many believers stumble over Paul’s words in Romans 6:14. The verse is often misused to suggest that Christians can live however they please because they are “under grace.” Yet this is a distortion. Paul is not excusing sin; he is declaring its defeat. Why is it misunderstood? Some interpret “not under the law” as freedom from all moral responsibility, while others wrongly blend law and grace, teaching that believers must keep Israel’s commandments to maintain favour with God. Both errors miss Paul’s dispensational point. What does it mean? The law was given to Israel to expose sin and prove man’s inability to please God in the flesh. Grace, revealed through Christ’s finished work, provides righteousness apart from the law. Under grace, sin’s dominion is broken because believers are identified with Christ’s death and resurrection. Our standing before God is secure, not by performance, but by His gift. The correction: Romans 6:14 is not a licence to sin, nor a call to return to ...

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...

Deception thrives because it mimics truth with enticing words and partial truths, making it difficult to discern without a solid foundation. The ideas of the world, rooted in self-righteousness and human desires, may promise joy and purpose but are ultimately empty and destructive. These lies not only come from the ungodly but also from false teachers who mishandle the Word of God to promote works-based righteousness or other distortions of the gospel. In stark contrast, the Word of God is the only unchanging source of truth. It declares the sufficiency of Christ in all things—His grace provides complete salvation, spiritual growth, and all we need for life and godliness (Col 2:10, 2Pe 1:3). The treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ alone (Col 2:3), and no worldly philosophy, self-help method, or human teaching can compare to or add to what He has already accomplished. To guard against deception, we must actively study and meditate on Scripture. The truth of God's ...

The bible is the ONLY source of truth! All other materials are interpretations of that truth. Some interpretations might be accurate, some might not, some might be biased and become false teachings. It becomes important to weigh up the material with the Bible and eliminate content that disregards scripture or that clearly misinterprets scripture. A rule of thumb is that "scripture must interpret scripture"; in other words, that a fact must be accurately confirmed by multiple other scriptures. If a fact is based on only one verse and clearly disregards the context of the verse or violates other scriptures, that fact is probably an opinion or a false (or biased) interpretation by the author. It is imperative that one keeps this in mind as you read, study, and apply what you've learned, into your life or writings or teachings. ______________ Please share these with friends and family. Use this WhatsApp channel to receive these quick Bible lessons on your phone: https://whats...

Paul implored Timothy to adhere strictly to the teachings he had imparted, emphasizing the need to remain true to the doctrine which was divinely revealed to him. In 1Tim.6:3-5, Paul closes his epistle with the statement in the image above. Paul presses upon the need to be faithful to the message given him by revelation, which he says in Tit.1:2-3 was, "promised before the ages began" but made known "in due time… through preaching which is committed unto me…" Today however, it is sad to note how religious leaders have either replaced, or completely skewed, the doctrine that was committed to Paul by Jesus Christ. This has resulted in confusion and division within the Church, teaching a different doctrine that puts focus on Jesus of Nazareth, social improvement, and political reform, and keeps believers in an ignorant state towards truth, stunting their spiritual growth.  More than ever, we need to take to heart this warning and admonition of Paul and come back to tea...

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...

Titus 2:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: The word “speak” is a command. Paul encouraged Titus not to deviate from teaching sound doctrine. It was urgent that he speak out because of rising false teaching in the churches of Crete. Titus was to teach practical living that aligned with sound doctrine. His congregation was to live out their faith according to rightly divided truth. They were to make their doctrine visible by living it.  Sound doctrine and resulting ethics are inseparable. When God's word is taught correctly, it shapes the lifestyle and outworking of our lives. The Word of God never divorces doctrine from duty or truth from conduct. This pattern is clearly evident in Paul's epistles; doctrine first, then conduct. Rom 1-11 is doctrine, 12-16 is conduct. Eph 1-3 is doctrine, 4-6 behavior. Col 1-2 is creed, 3-4 conduct, etc. Sound doctrine produces strong believers who will naturally influence others by their ethical lifestyle. ______________ ...

All other materials are interpretations of that truth. Some interpretations might be accurate, some might not, some might be biased and become false teachings. It becomes important to weigh up the material with the Bible and eliminate content that disregards scripture or that clearly misinterprets scripture.  A rule of thumb is that "scripture must interpret scripture"; in other words, a fact must be accurately confirmed by multiple other scriptures. If a fact is based on only one verse and clearly disregards or violates other scriptures, that fact is probably an opinion or a false (or biased) interpretation by the author. It is imperative that one keeps this in mind as you read, study, and apply what you've learned into your life or writings or teachings. Grace and peace ______________ Join my WhatsApp channel for more of these quick Bible lessons: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGag8iJP212QPSMmx2W