The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Why are Christians upset about protesters disrupting a church service in Minnesota when Jesus Christ itself went into a temple (a house of worship) and overturned tables and drove people out (Mathew 21:12)? NOTE: This response focuses strictly on sound doctrine and the conduct derived from it. We do not engage in political commentary or civil disputes. While I will not address the specifics of any secular event, the Word of God provides a definitive answer regarding the conduct of believers and why the actions of Jesus Christ in the Temple cannot be compared to the disruptions of the world today. I add this question to our space solely due to educating in sound doctrine and to promote the value of our Grace doctrine. REPLY: The Standard of Conduct in the Dispensation of Grace Under the Mystery Doctrine revealed to the Apostle Paul, the believer is called to a standard of conduct that transcends personal grievances or social disagreements. Whether one agrees or disagrees with...

The Bible clarifies milk and meat based on the following scriptures, MILK: 1Cor.3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with MILK, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear [process, understand] it, neither yet now are ye able. [3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife [conflict, friction, disputes], and divisions, [all 3 pertain to the natural realm and the emotions] are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Heb.5:13 For every one that useth MILK is unskilful [ignorant, incompetent, untrained] in the word of righteousness [grace doctrine] : for he is a babe [who’s mind, or understanding, is on visible things]. MEAT: Heb.5:14 But strong MEAT belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use [habit, practice, understanding] have their senses [spiritual discernment, perceiving truth] exercised to discern both good and evil [sou...

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION: What do I do if I’m far from God? MY ANSWER: Assuming you have received and trust in the gospel of Christ: that Jesus died for your sins and was raised again for your justification, then the following scriptures will increase your relationship with God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. In order to come to God, to grow in Him, to trust Him, and to fall in love with Him, you have to come in FAITH. You do not form a relationship with God in your flesh. God is not a human and a relationship with Him does not work on a human level with touch and feelings and emotions. You cannot see God and be swept off your feet by His charming looks. The only way you can connect with God is through FAITH; believing that He is, and diligently seeking Him. Colossians tells us that as we initially received Christ, in like manner we must walk in Him, C...

There are only two things that God wants us to do today: (1) to be saved, and (2) to come to a knowledge of the truth, [which is the written Word of God]. We are informed of this in 1Tim.2:4. Although various afflictions and sufferings can come at any time as a believer stands up for their faith in a faith-hostile environment, the predominant form of affliction and suffering we learn of in scripture is concerning a mature believer who has grown up in the faith and doctrine. It is not common for young believers to have matured in the faith to readily suffer for the Lord, and even more so to give thanks to God and count it joy to suffer for His name. The point I’m attempting to make is that suffering for the Lord is something that comes not by one’s willpower or choice, but more by circumstance or happenstance. Suffering comes to you if your faith is strong and is evident in the world. The world hated Christ, and it will do the same to you if Christ is evident in you. It is this very suf...

Lesson #1 The absolute MOST valued lesson I have learned is to rightly divide the truth, 2Tim.2:15. After 40 years of reading the Bible as if it was ALL written to me and for my instruction, when I learned about rightly dividing the truth, and recognizing that Paul’s letters are instructions addressed to me, and the rest of the Bible is instructions for Israel, this brought clarity and dismissed all that confusion and contradiction. The Bible became an open book from that point. Things fell into place and my faith became settled and strong. Dividing the Word showed me a clear picture of the whole plan of God to redeem us. It showed me where I fit into God’s plan, and it gave me purpose and insights into what God’s will was for me. I cannot overemphasize the value and importance of applying this command to rightly divide the truth to your bible studies. It has completely changed my understanding of God’s Word for the better. I will never look back again at blending everything into on...

The Believers Curriculum for Maturing in Spirit and having Christ formed within them. Romans to Galatians is focused predominantly on believer growing up and learning of God while here on earth. Ephesians to Thessalonians is focused on sonship and sets sights on life in the heavenly position and for eternity. Romans: A general outline of the Romans foundation of salvation, justification and sanctification. Of critical note it the lessons of walking by grace and faith, avoiding the flesh and the law. Romans 5, 8 and 12 are key chapters that conclude valuable foundational leassons learned in the chapters that precede them. Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom.3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom.4-5 Justified by faith without works (by Gods work and grace) Rom.5 Cannot live by faith in the flesh Rom.6-7 Cannot live by f...