The Broken Bridge

The Broken Bridge

There was once a village separated from the city by a deep canyon. Years ago, a strong bridge had connected the two, but over time it collapsed, leaving the villagers stranded. Many tried to build their own way across—ropes, ladders, planks—but every attempt failed. Some fell. Some gave up. Others just pretended the city didn’t exist.

One day, a man from the city came. He was the builder’s son, sent by his father to restore the way. He didn’t use the villagers’ broken materials. He laid down a new bridge—strong, perfect, and free to cross. Some doubted it. Others tried to add their own steps. But those who simply trusted the bridge and walked across found themselves safely in the city, welcomed with joy.

What God Did for Us Through Jesus

Just like the villagers, we were separated from God by sin. No amount of religion, good works, or effort could build a way back. But God sent His Son—Jesus Christ—to be the bridge. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. He didn’t ask us to build anything. He built it all. And now, anyone who believes in Him is justified, forgiven, and brought near to God.

Scriptures (KJV)

• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
• “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…” — 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
• “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1
• “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

The Grace Gospel

You don’t need to build your own way to God. You don’t need religion, rituals, or works. All you need Christ. Simply believe in this good news—that He died for your sins and rose again for your justification (Rom.4:25)—and God will save you, freely and forever. That’s grace. That’s peace. That’s the gift.

From Shadows to Substance: Paul’s Mystery Doctrine and the Sabbath

QUESTION:

As a Christian who follows the Messiah rather than the traditions of Christianity, what day did and does the Messiah — our example — continue to esteem (Greek: κρίνω, to judge, to decide, to determine) as the Sabbath (Hebrews 13:8)?

ANSWER:

When we look at the life of the Messiah in the days of His earthly ministry, we see that He honoured the Sabbath as it was given by God from the beginning. Luke 4:16 says that it was His custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. This was right in the context of Israel under the Law, for Jesus was “made under the law” (Galatians 4:4) and lived as a Jew among Jews. He did not set aside the Sabbath, but He corrected the false traditions that men had added, showing that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). In that time, the seventh day was rightly esteemed, because the Law was still in effect for Israel.

But when we rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we see that the Sabbath, along with feast days, ordinances, and observances, does not apply to the body of Christ today. Paul makes this clear in Colossians 2:16–17: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” These things were shadows, pointing forward, but now the reality is Christ Himself. Under grace, they are of no effect, because our standing before God is not in ordinances but in the finished work of Christ.

Paul’s doctrine, the mystery revealed to him, is what governs the body of Christ today. He was given the dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2–3), and his epistles are our curriculum, our spiritual doctrine. God’s will in this dispensation is simple and clear: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). That truth is found in Paul’s gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25). This is what matters for us today, not the observances of the Law given to Israel.

In summary, Jesus esteemed the Sabbath in His earthly ministry because He lived under the Law as a Jew. But for the body of Christ, the Sabbath and all ordinances are no longer binding. Paul teaches that these things are shadows, and in grace they have no effect. Our focus is on the mystery doctrine revealed to Paul, which is God’s will for us today: salvation and the knowledge of the truth through the gospel of Christ.

The Armour of God: Exposing Misconceptions and Revealing the True Spiritual Practice of Ephesians 6

The Armour of God: Exposing Misconceptions and Revealing the True Spiritual Practice of Ephesians 6

The wrong interpretation of Ephesians 6

When approaching Paul’s teaching on the armour of God in Ephesians 6, many believers fall into serious misunderstanding by relying on imagination, ritual, or physical symbolism rather than rightly dividing the Word in its proper context. Instead of recognising the armour as spiritual realities in the new man and the renewed mind, they substitute practices that are unbiblical and misleading. Each of the following paragraphs will expose a particular form of misinformation and wrong practice, showing how these errors arise, why they are dangerous, and why they must be avoided if we are to walk in the truth of this passage.

Many believers approach Paul’s teaching on the armour of God in Ephesians 6 with imagination rather than sober study, and the result is a distortion that weakens rather than strengthens. One of the most common errors is to treat the armour as if it were literal clothing. People recite prayers in which they “put on the helmet” or “strap on the breastplate,” as though Paul were instructing them to dress in a soldier’s uniform. This ritual may feel comforting, but it empties the passage of its true meaning. The armour is not external garments but spiritual realities—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—applied in the renewed mind of the new man. To reduce it to costume-like prayers is to miss the point entirely.

Another widespread practice is the ritual of “pleading the blood” or “releasing angels.” Many believers imagine that they can summon angels to form protective barriers or command them to act on their behalf. Yet Scripture never instructs us to direct angels; they are ministering spirits sent forth by God, not subject to human command (Hebrews 1:14). Likewise, pleading the blood as a formula is nowhere taught in Ephesians 6. These imaginative additions come from tradition and charismatic excess, not from Paul’s doctrine, and they lead people away from the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.

The measure of faith and gifts in the Body of Christ

The measure of faith and gifts in the Body of Christ

A good friend of mine asked me the following excellent questions. These questions generate some great material which is too valuable to keep under wraps.

• Questions:

Romans 12:3 speaks about God giving us a “measure of faith.” Can you expound on what this means? Is it addressed only to believers? How does this measure work—do some receive a greater ability than others? In verse 4, Paul explains that the Body of Christ has different gifts according to the grace given to us. Does this mean some receive more than others, and how do we know what our gifts are? The passage also mentions prophecy as a gift, exercised according to the proportion of faith given. How should we understand that today?

• Answers:

The Measure of Faith Defined

The “measure of faith” in Romans 12:3 is not a feeling and it is not saving faith, for all believers receive the same salvation by believing the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Rather, it is the portion of faith God assigns to each believer for their role in the Body of Christ. Think of it as God’s provision for service: just as the body has many members with different functions (Romans 12:4-5), each believer has a measure of faith that matches their function.

This measure is not primarily a feeling, since feelings can mislead, and it is not simply natural ability, though God may use your abilities. It is a God-given capacity to trust Him in service, exercised in proportion to the gift He has given you. You recognise it as you walk in obedience, renew your mind (Romans 12:2), and serve. Over time, you see where God’s grace works through you effectively. It channels your service into the area God has equipped you for—whether teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, or showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). You identify it by testing your service against Scripture—does it edify the Body and align with sound doctrine?—and by observing fruit, seeing where your service consistently builds up others in Christ.

Why Compare to the Talents?

Why we pray differently under grace

Why we pray differently under grace

Prayer is not merely a request—it is a reflection of our doctrinal position. To understand why believers today are not instructed to ask for physical provision as Israel once did, we must rightly divide the Word of truth and examine the nature of God’s promises to each group.

Israel’s Covenant Basis for Physical Requests 

Under the law, Israel was given a conditional covenant. God promised tangible blessings—land, health, prosperity, protection—in exchange for obedience to His statutes (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Their prayers were covenantal appeals: if they obeyed, they could expect physical provision. This was not presumption—it was promise.

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently… the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1). “Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field” (Deuteronomy 28:3).

Their relationship with God was national, visible, and earthly. Their prayers reflected that. They asked for rain, healing, deliverance, and victory—because those were the terms of their covenant.

This is the foundation of kingdom prayer: covenant-based, earthly, and circumstantial.

Grace-Based Prayer: A Spiritual Position, Not a Physical Covenant

Several interesting Q&A entries posted here

Several interesting and relevant questions added and answered on my Q&A blog.

See them here: The BIG Picture (Q&A)

• How can understanding Paul's doctrine of grace transform the way we live our daily lives as Christians?
• If Satan can’t enter Heaven, why expect mercy for those who serve him or oppose God?
• In your opinion, would drowning millions of people because they displeased you be considered genocide?
• How can Leviticus 21:18-20 be applicable in this day?
• How true is the statement that Jesus was not born divine, therefore he became divine after he got baptized?
• Is Jonathan in the first book of Samuel generally considered a righteous man?
• How do Pre-Tribulationists justify their view after reading 2 Thess 2:2-3?
• Does “fulfilled the law” mean abolished—even with 2 Timothy 3:13-17 affirming Scripture’s role?

Many more to follow...