The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: I struggle with the fact that God forgives.  How can I have faith to know I’m forgiven? ANSWER: EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD IS BY FAITH . Why? Simply because we cannot see God, or touch Him, or feel Him. The only thing we have that makes God real is the Bible. If we believe that the words in the Bible are real, then God becomes real. It’s as simple as that! The key is to believe that the Bible is REALLY the words of God spoken to you. When you believe this, then God becomes real, and what He said becomes real. So then, why do I say everything about God is by faith . It is because you have to believe what He says in His Word . Faith is easy if you truly trust the words in the Bible. You will personally experience your faith grow stronger when you get deeper and deeper into the Word. This is because the Word generates faith. In Romans 10:17 it says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. Notice, faith comes (automatically), or is generated within you (au...

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...

Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (which is Israel). What Jesus said in this verse is true for Israel under the Kingdom gospel . They had to remain faithful to their Messiah and were taught to endure through the tribulation until Christ came again at His second advent. Jesus told them to pick up their cross and follow Him. He also told them that no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God, Luke 9:62 . It is Israel that has to endure to the end as this is the conditions of their salvation. As for us, today, in this dispensation of grace, our salvation is not dependent on endurance. Yes, Paul encourages us to endure in our service to God and in the Body of Christ, because of our love for Him and the good works we are led to do for Christ, but as for our salvation, that is not based on works and enduring to the end. When we respond in faith to the grace gospel, we are saved and sealed eternally into Christ. The blood of Christ provides...

It is the Holy Spirit that teaches, not man!!! It is the Holy Spirit that reveals truth and insights into God’s Word, not man!!! What I can do via posts like these is to sow seeds that you can investigate and allow the Spirit to bring you to a fuller knowledge. We all know in part, so we can learn from each other, not under compulsion or coercion, but rather in love and respect for God’s Word and by the only teacher of it, the Holy Spirit. So, let me drop off a few seeds for you to consider and pray about in regard to dispensations. This is certainly not all the Bible mentions about it, but it is enough to prove a point that there is something here of note that one cannot dismiss. Seed #1: God separated out Israel for a specific purpose and His relationship with Israel is different compared to ALL other nations. Numbers 23:9 …lo, the people [Israel] shall dwell alone, and  shall not be reckoned among the nations . Exo.19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep ...

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. In fact in Romans 3:9-20 the Apostle Paul gives a very negative view of each and every one of us. He says there is none righteous, none that does good, unprofitable, none that understands, liars, and destruction and misery are in our ways. All the world is guilty before God (Romans 3:19). It is God’s law that declares each and every one of us as guilty before him, and therefore as Paul declares, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. The word "justified" means to be found free of guilt, (just as if I had never sinned). The law cannot justify us because it’s the very thing that declares our guilt. God is a just and righteous judge. God must be legally and morally right in all that he does. His righteousness and justice will not allow Him to justify a guilty man, therefore the dilemma is how can God justify the guilty and he himself remain just? God’s righteousness without the law ...

COMMENT Good judgement requires us to see others as Jesus saw the wicked Samaritan. Jesus didn’t say the Samaritan had to become a Jew nor had to believe in him. Instead, he called the Samaritan GOOD, right where he was because of the loving act he performed for his enemy. Theology is on the back burner to the two great commandments, loving God with all your heart by loving others as yourself. Forget your theology and let love be the primary function of your ministry. No need to tell others what they must believe or not believe, it will be evident what you believe when nothing but love flows from your lips. May you find the peace that passes all understanding—including theology—by loving others. MY RESPONSE I’m 100% in agreement with your statements; love of course is the fulfillment of all other commands. Nevertheless, besides giving one’s life for another, the greatest act of love is to share the grace gospel with others. The gospel provides the hearer with the opportunity to find Ch...

From beginning to end, Paul's ministry was an uphill battle. Even the Lord said that Paul was to suffer many things for His name (Acts 9:16). Paul had to constantly reiterate his calling and qualify his doctrine (Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11; 1 Timothy 2:7; Galatians 2:8). This was to be expected as He was not only preaching that Jesus Christ was alive, but he was also preaching that salvation comes by faith in Christs death and resurrection, and he was taking his message out not only to Jews but to the godless Gentiles in his day. Nevertheless, the Lord provided enough evidence that Paul was legitimate and that his message was endorsed and authorized by the Lord Himself. The trend of skepticism and rejection of Paul still continues today. On an individual level and even on a denominational level, Paul's message is either belittled, ignored, or denied. I recently had a reply to one of my posts which spoke of the credibility of Paul and his ministry. It read as follows, COMMENT...