The BIG Picture (Q&A)

Much pressure is placed on Christians the moment they get saved. They join an assembly, and everyone expects them to immediately change and start showing typical Christian conduct, performing in activities and exhibiting spiritual gifts. This is what religion expects! It's not what the Bible teaches.  From the moment you get saved, God wills only two things for that person. (1) to be thankful (1 Thess.5:18) and (2) to know His Word (1 Tim.2:4) .  1. 1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  2. 1Tim 2:4  [God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Both these attributes come from studying the written Word and getting it into you. The more you feed your spirit with God’s word, the more you become thankful for what He has done for you, and the more you learn —about Him, —about who you are in Christ, —and about where you fit into His redemption plan. Studying the Word, ...

QUESTION: Wouldn't you say that before I was a Christian, I was a slave to sin, but now I am a Christian I can overcome sin in my life through the power and grace of God. Not to be saved but because I am saved by grace. God loved me enough to die in my place and forgive my sins. He also loved me enough to dwell in me through the Holy Spirit so I can have a new life and not be a slave to sin. For example, before I was a Christian I was addicted to drugs, after I'm a Christian Jesus not only saved me but delivered me from drugs. Now my desire is to obey and follow Jesus because I love Him. ANSWER: We learn from scripture that the flesh is unsalvageable. Even Paul, our apostle and example in the faith, cries out at the end of Romans 7, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Sin is inside the nature of man. The flesh can never be saved. This is ultimately why we get a new body at the rapture/resurrection. What God has saved and regener...

STATEMENT: Is it just me or does anyone else think it’s funny that “Paul is hard to understand sometimes” can be directly backed by scripture (2 Peter 3:16)? ANSWER: Let’s look at the whole verse, 2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. One must remember that we are dealing with two distinct programs, and both happened to be running at the same time in Peter’s day (ie: the Acts period). Peter serviced the Jewish church, under prophecy, the law, and the Kingdom program and doctrine. Paul serviced the Body of Christ, under mystery, and under the Grace program and doctrine. The epistle that Peter wrote was addressed to the Jewish church. Since they were under a different doctrine, it is natural to expect that the Jews found it hard to receive ‘the mysteries’, a doctrine that was so different and ...

QUESTION: So, you mean to tell me that Demas who left Paul because he loved the present world more than the gospel as stated in second Timothy, four verse 10, would go to heaven anyway, even though he abandoned the faith? ANSWER: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world: There is no conclusive evidence that Demas forsook the faith. Paul says he forsook him, not ‘the faith’. In addition, we cannot interpret, having loved this present world, to mean, necessarily, that he was a materialistic man, or that, he loved the honours or wealth of this world. It could be interpreted that he simply ‘desired to live’. He was not willing to stay with Paul, and subject himself to the probabilities of persecution or martyrdom; and, in order to secure his life, he departed to a place of safety. So, there is no reason why Demas should be held up as an example of a worldly man. That he desired to live longer; that he was unwilling to remain and risk the loss of life, is indeed cl...

YOUR QUESTION: Observe that not ALL are imputed with Jesus’ righteousness whether they believe it or not, the two actions are not comparable. Jesus’ imputation of righteousness ONLY works with the additional requirements of faith and belief, without which you are still damned. Do infant deaths go straight to hell? Do aborted children go straight to hell? Do mentally challenged people go straight to hell? MY ANSWER: There is something else you need to be aware of that will explain God’s judgement on infants, the unborn or the mentally challenged. Let me take time and provide you with all the details. What your question does not account for is  accountability  itself. Though the Bible does not mention this explicitly, it is easy to validate this based on scriptures that allude to this understanding. Let me provide some examples of proof. God’s judgement is upon those who are accountable for their choices Rom 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven...

QUESTION: Can you lose salvation? YES. It seems fairly conclusive that you can indeed lose salvation by various means from this selection at least. Yes by doing an unforgivable sin. We agree with Jesus on this at least. Yes, Hebrews 6 4–6. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened … If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” Yes, Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” Yes, Mark 3: 28–29 “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”. ANSWER: If you choose not to rightly divide the scriptures (2Tim.2:15), and you don’t acknowledge the TWO programs (prophecy and mystery), contained in the redemption plan of God, then this is naturally what you’d conclude. However, since it is plainly clear that God’s Prophetic program for Israel, under the law, is different from God’s Mystery program for t...

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified , them he also glorified . Paul tells us that if we truly believe in Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the grace gospel, we are freely justified by the ‘decree’ of God, and we can have peace with God, and access to the grace that He provides, Rom 5:1-2. Through faith in the gospel of grace, we are transferred from the administration of death, which is in Adam, into the administration of life, which is in Christ. When we belong to Christ’s administration, we are now identified with righteousness, peace, and life, as Paul continues to tell us, Rom 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the...

QUESTION: What do you make about tattoos? Should a Christian have it since it was condemned in the Old Testament but not in the New Testament? ANSWER: Entertaining thoughts like this is a consequence of not rightly dividing the Word of truth. These confusions come into the mind when people are taught that they are spiritual Israel, or when people are ignorant of the two separate and distinct programs that occupy the written Word. Let me briefly clarify what I mean. We have TWO programs in the Bible. The prophetic program and the mystery program. The prophetic program concerns Israel who were the people of God, a special nation, set apart by God, via the law, in order to be a light to the world, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. On the other hand, there is the mystery program, that concerns the Body of Christ, who are under grace. Where Israel is a physical people who would inherit the physical earth, the Body of Christ is a spiritual creature [body] which will inherit the heaven...

I received a comment on one of my posts where the person was stating that in all dispensations, only faith was necessary for salvation. Now this is true of the current Grace dispensation, but from what I read in the Bible, I cannot agree with this comment. Works played an important part to prove that believer's  faith. You see, the difference between our dispensation and all others is that we, today, are freely imputed the faith and works of Christ. This is the very foundation of God's 'grace' towards us through Christ. Other dispensations did not have the cross, and thus, their gospels required additional works to prove their faith. Below is the comment and my reply with reasons why I disagree with this. COMMENT: The Jews were saved by faith alone just like we are. The OT believers looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Their faith was based on this. Those promises were fulfilled in Christ. Anyone in the OT or the NT who depends on works of any kind will ...

The following is someone's response to this article which dealt with aspects concerning the Kingdom and Grace gospels and the fact that they have different content and are addressed to different audiences. I'm posting this to point out that if one does not rightly divide the Word and recognize the fact that there are TWO programs and TWO people groups in God's redemption plan, one will get terribly mixed up and confused, skewing doctrine and getting tangled up in confusing discrepancies when right division clears all things up so easily.  These comments below clearly indicate the struggle to make sense of the Word, trying to join things that are meant to be separate and distinct. The arguments made result in unusual interpretations and indicate a juvenile understanding of the Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will ...

How does it work for believers in the Kingdom program? The Kingdom gospel in Jesus’ day was a works-based gospel. In other words, the Jews would believe in Jesus as his Messiah, but then he would have to add works to his faith by repentance, water baptism, Spirit baptism, obeying the commandments, forgiving his brother, selling all his possessions, and enduring to the end. These ‘works’ would prove his faith and commitment to his Messiah and he would qualify for the Kingdom. Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died w...

QUESTION: Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments but don't say what they are (other than loving God and neighbor)? Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way? ANSWER: This is an excellent question and one that many people might ask. The key to answering this question is knowing what the law is and what is commanded of us to obey. So, let me start with the following. Paul clearly tells us that we (as grace believers) are not under the law, Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What does Paul mean by this? What law is he referring to? Paul is not referring to the 10 commandments. These are the basic moral laws that apply to all humanity. These are the values written in our conscience. It does not matter what nation or language you are from; your conscience will testify to these actions. You will know it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, etc. Thus, Paul is not referrin...

Let me answer the points in your question with some facts. Sin has separated us from God. The bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom 3:23). We cannot restore that relationship. We never could and we never will be able. You see, sin is in our nature. It’s not our works or efforts that is the issue, it is us ourselves. It is our very nature that is at enmity with God. The bible says,  Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. No good works or efforts that you do, to appease God or try to earn favour with Him, will count for anything! Again, the problem lies inside of us, inside our very nature as humans. So then, what is the answer to your question? If we cannot do anything to find peace with God, how can we be saved? Well, the bible gives us these answers too. God has provided us with grace through Jesus Christ. The answer is to believe in Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus wi...

The Bible does not attempt to prove that there is a God. The first verse in the Bible reads as follows:  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) . No further discussion or debate is needed concerning the existence of God. Man's wisdom will never lead to a knowledge of God. This can only come through faith.  1 Corinthians 1:21; Hebrews 11:6. Every person has been given two clear testimonies of God's existence. One of these testimonies is the world that God has created. This outward testimony is easily observed by all men.  Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20 . Another testimony is the conscience that He has placed within every person.  Romans 2:15 . The Bible clearly describes the person who rejects these testimonies:  "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 14:1). Atheists deny the existence of God not because of logical or scientific ...

POINT TO PONDER When we look at the horrific death of Christ, and the fact that the Bible says His death is essential for our salvation, then we can only conclude that our condition is one of extreme and inescapable despair, disability and destitution – to the extent that we ourselves could do nothing to rectify our existing situation. The extreme measure that God took to save us is an indication of our extreme need to be saved.

QUESTION: In Eph.2:7-13, Paul uses phrases like 'Time Past', 'But Now', and 'Ages to Come'. What I don't understand is time past. How could anyone say The Gospels are time past when most people are saying the Old Testament is time past. What I've been taught for years is that the Old Testament is for learning, the New Testament was the history of our One and true God, because of what He did on the cross, and through this I have hope. The only thing I'm waiting for is to be comforted in His arms when he returns. If I'm wrong please enlighten me. We all are here to learn. ANSWER: Thank you for your comment. I like the way you ended your paragraph above. I agree that we are all here to learn. When I publish these posts of mine, I trust that they will trigger the interest of some readers to ask questions and learn something new, but I also am open to learn from their comments. The Word says that we all know in part. I honestly believe that our edific...