The Big Picture: curriculum

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The Whole Counsel of Paul: Safeguarding Assurance and Accountability in the Body of Christ

When we read the letters of the Apostle Paul, we are stepping into a profound treasury of divine revelation. His words unveil the depth of God's grace, the security of our standing, and the beautiful mystery of the church. Because his writings are so rich, it is easy to see how well-meaning believers can sometimes become so fixated on one glorious truth that they inadvertently lose sight of another.

In recent times, a well-intentioned but isolating approach to Scripture has quietly gained ground. It is often presented as a deeper, more advanced level of right division. This teaching suggests that only a small handful of Paul’s prison letters—specifically Ephesians and Colossians—contain the true revelation of the Body of Christ for today. The rest of his epistles, from Romans to the Pastorals, are often set aside or treated as secondary instructions meant for a different group or a past timeframe.

While this view is often embraced because it seeks to protect the absolute comfort of our completeness in Christ, its unintended consequence is heavy. By narrowing our focus down to only a few chapters, it inadvertently silences half of Paul’s voice, strips away our healthy sense of accountability, and removes the biblical motivation for rewards. As a community of believers, we must look at this trend with a gentle but discerning eye. True biblical comfort never requires us to minimize the rest of God’s Word.

The Appeal of a Balanced Gospel

It is entirely understandable why this teaching sounds appealing at first glance. It speaks beautifully about our position. A teacher of this view might insists:

“Neither Philippians, Titus, 1 & 2 Timothy, nor John’s Gospel, Galatians, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Hebrews or writings by Peter, James, John and Jude—has any saying regarding us, the ‘one new man’ in Christ!”

From this starting point, another writer suggests that any teaching regarding future reward, crowns, or an evaluation of our service is an "empty deception" that forces believers back into a system of legalistic works.

The heart behind this perspective is often a desire to protect the believer from legalism. We all want to rest fully in Christ’s finished work. Ephesians and Colossians do, without question, give us the loftiest, most breathtaking view of the Body's position in heavenly places. But true pastoral care requires us to see that comfort must never be separated from responsibility. To treat Paul's other letters as irrelevant history or written before his deeper revelations does not protect grace; it limits the very tools God gave us to grow. If we label the teaching of reward as a fairytale, we accidentally undermine the integrity of the very apostle we desire to follow.

Ten Lies and Ten Truths: A Biblical Examination

To help us discern truth from beautifully packaged error, let us patiently walk through ten core claims of this isolating doctrine. By comparing them with the historical and structural evidence of the King James Bible, we can see how the whole counsel of God fits perfectly together.

1. The Claim: The revelation of the Body of Christ is exclusively reserved for Ephesians and Colossians.

The Truth: “We, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Rom.12:5).
The Evidence: Romans was written years before Paul was imprisoned in Rome, yet here he explicitly uses the precise phrase "one body in Christ." He does not introduce it as a temporary or secondary body, but as the living reality of the Roman believers' identity. If the Body of Christ did not exist or was not revealed until Ephesians, then Paul was teaching the Romans a doctrine they belonged to without knowing it, or worse, a doctrine that did not yet apply to them. The text shows that Body truth was foundational to Paul's theology from the very beginning of his public ministry, long before his prison years.

2. The Claim: Early letters like Romans and Corinthians do not teach true Body unity.

The Truth: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1Cor.12:13,27).
The Evidence: The core characteristic of the "one new man" in Ephesians is the breaking down of the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. Yet, in 1 Corinthians, Paul uses the exact same criteria: the Holy Spirit baptizes Jews and Gentiles alike into one body. He does not say they are being formed into a temporary "Acts-period church" that would later expire. He uses their shared identity as Christ's actual Body as the practical reason why they must stop fighting and live in unity. The unity of the Body was not a late theological development; it was the standard medicine Paul used to heal a fractured church in Corinth.

3. The Claim: Philippians and the Pastoral Epistles mislead believers by causing them to strive for legalistic rewards.

The Truth: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ... that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil.1:27).
The Evidence: The word "striving" in Scripture is not always a negative code word for legalism. Here, Paul uses it in an athletic, cooperative sense—like a team working in total harmony for a shared victory. Philippians and the Pastorals do not twist the gospel into a checklist of rules to earn God's love. Instead, they show us how a person who is already saved behaves in the real world. They give us the practical outworking of our heavenly citizenship. To discard these books out of a fear of "striving" is to reject the very manual on how the church functions on the ground.

4. The Claim: The Judgment Seat of Christ is an outdated doctrine that does not apply to the Body today.

The Truth: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom.14:10).
The Evidence: Notice that Paul includes himself in this statement by using the word we. If the Judgment Seat of Christ was only for an earthly kingdom people or an temporary dispensation, Paul would not have applied it directly to himself and the Roman saints. Furthermore, this warning is given in the context of Christian liberty—how we treat our brothers regarding minor matters. The Judgment Seat is presented as a comforting equalizer: we do not need to police each other's lives with a critical spirit, because Christ will gently and perfectly evaluate each of us Himself.

5. The Claim: Teaching that believers are accountable for their post-salvation works is a form of legalism.

The Truth: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Cor.5:10).
The Evidence: We must carefully distinguish between salvation and stewardship. Salvation is entirely a gift, independent of human effort (Eph.2:8-9). But stewardship is our response to that gift. 2 Corinthians was written to a Gentile-heavy church, and Paul explicitly warns them that our actions in this earthly body matter to God. This evaluation is not to determine heaven or hell—that issue was legally settled forever at the cross. Rather, it is an accounting of our faithfulness. Accountability is not the enemy of grace; it is the natural consequence of being trusted with something as valuable as the gospel.

6. The Claim: Promising a future reward for faithfulness is a "silly fairytale" that appeals to the flesh.

The Truth: “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1Cor.3:14-15).
The Evidence: Notice first that the King James Bible uses the singular word reward, not the plural "rewards." This distinction is vital because this reward is not our basic salvation, nor is it our joint-inheritance as sons, which are given freely to every believer alike (Rom.8:17). Rather, this reward is a unique, varied reflection of the glory of Christ Himself, granted in proportion to our faithful service.

Paul explicitly defines the ultimate prize of the believer as a physical manifestation of Christ's glory. He writes that the Lord “shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Phil.3:21). However, the degree to which that glory shines out through us in the resurrection depends entirely upon our stewardship on earth. Paul proves this by contrasting the resurrection bodies with the stellar heavens: “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1Cor.15:41-42).

Every believer is saved, but not every believer will radiate the glory of Christ to the same degree. When our work abides the fire, the reward we receive is a greater capacity to manifest and reflect His magnificent glory throughout eternity. If this singular reward were an illusion, Paul’s vivid warning regarding a believer suffering the total loss of this splendor—while barely escaping the fire with only his baseline salvation intact—would be meaningless. God uses the promise of this reward not to make us self-centered, but to remind us that our daily service directly affects our capacity to glorify Christ in the ages to come.

7. The Claim: Paul’s language about winning a "crown" is an outdated metaphor that contradicts our complete rest in Christ.

The Truth: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2Tim.4:8).
The Evidence: This is Paul’s final, parting testimony, written from a cold Roman dungeon just before his execution. He is looking back at a life poured out as an offering. If crowns were a legalistic misunderstanding, Paul would be failing his own theology at the very end of his life. Instead, he looks forward to this crown with deep peace. Crucially, he notes that this reward is not uniquely reserved for him as an apostle; it is available to all believers who live their lives in eager anticipation of Christ’s return.

8. The Claim: Our absolute completeness in Christ cancels out any future evaluation of our lives.

The Truth: “And ye are complete in him” (Col.2:10), yet Paul also writes: “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire” (1Cor.3:13).
The Evidence: The scriptures never present completeness and evaluation as opposing ideas. Our standing before God is perfectly complete because we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Nothing can add to or take away from that finished reality. However, our service for God is an ongoing historical reality that is subject to evaluation. A father can completely love his child and accept them fully into the family, while still evaluating how well that child managed their chores or their schoolwork. Completeness secures our eternity; accountability honors our daily choices.

9. The Claim: The unity described in Galatians is an earthly, fleshly unity, not the spiritual unity of the Body.

The Truth: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:28).
The Evidence: This verse is almost identical in structure to Ephesians 2 and Colossians 3. To claim that being "one in Christ Jesus" in Galatians means something fundamentally different than being the "one new man" in Ephesians requires an immense amount of theological gymnastic work. Paul is addressing the Galatians because Judaizers were trying to force Gentile believers to live under Jewish law. His argument is simple: because we are all in Christ, those old fleshly divisions no longer matter. Galatians establishes the very baseline of equality that Ephesians expands into heavenly glory.

10. The Claim: The writings of the other apostles carry no relevance or profit for a member of the Body of Christ today.

The Truth: “Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 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” (2Pet.3:15-16).
The Evidence: This remarkable passage shows Peter deliberately endorsing Paul's letters, elevating them to the same status as the Old Testament "other scriptures." The early church did not view the apostles as competing factions fighting over territorial boundaries or different gospels. They recognized a beautiful, unified mosaic of truth. While Paul is uniquely our Apostle to the Gentiles, the rest of the New Testament provides vital context, confirmation, and contrast that enriches our understanding of Paul's unique revelation.

The Irony of the Fragmented Text

As we look at this with a truthful heart, we have to notice a deep, structural irony: if you isolate Ephesians and Colossians from the rest of Paul’s letters, you actually lose the ability to fully understand or obey them.

For instance, in Ephesians 4:14, Paul warns us that we should “henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” But if we have thrown out 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, we have thrown out the very practical blueprints God gave the church to recognize, handle, and correct those false doctrines.

Similarly, how can we truly grasp the deep meaning of the "mystery" mentioned in Ephesians 3—that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs of the same body—unless we have already studied the magnificent foundation laid out in Romans 9 through 11 regarding the olive tree and the temporary blindness of Israel? By trying to protect Paul by locking him in a two-book prison, this teaching accidentally cuts off the deep roots that supply life to those very books.

When we step back and look at the entire collection of Paul’s epistles, we begin to see that they were never meant to be read as isolated, disconnected fragments. Instead, God designed them to function as a beautifully structured, progressive curriculum. Just as a child cannot jump straight into advanced calculus without first mastering basic arithmetic, a believer cannot fully mature in the deep things of God by skipping the foundational coursework Paul has laid out. His letters are intentionally designed to take us on a spiritual journey—growing us up from fragile babes into mature, responsible sons, and moving us systematically from the milk of the word to the solid meat of advanced revelation.

This divine curriculum builds upon itself to establish our walk through three great pillars of Christian maturity: the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope (1Thess.1:3).

We begin in books like Romans through Galatians, which lay the groundwork for our work of faith. Here, we learn the absolute basics of justification by grace, freedom from the law, and our secure standing in Christ. We are introduced to the labor of love—discovering how the cross practically works itself out within the local assembly, how to walk in unity, and how to minister to one another in love. This is the milk that stabilizes the newborn babe and little children.

Then we are brought into the deep waters of Ephesians through Colossians, and the Pastoral Epistles, which anchor us in the patience of hope. These higher truths reveal our heavenly position and give us the quiet endurance to stand firm against spiritual warfare, looking forward to the glorious appearing of our Lord.

Every single letter has a precise, irreplaceable role to play in this educational process. They are perfectly integrated doctrines that relate to each other, support each other, and build upon each other. God uses this complete curriculum to perform a three-fold work in the heart of the believer: first, it informs our understanding with sound doctrine; second, it transforms our minds away from the patterns of this world (Rom.12:2); and ultimately, it conforms us to the very image of Jesus Christ (Rom.8:29).

To toss out or minimize any part of Paul's letters is to leave our spiritual education incomplete. We cannot afford to leave gaps in our understanding of grace. Let us value, cherish, and study the entire counsel of Paul, recognizing that every single page was breathed out by God to thoroughly furnish us for our high calling in the Body of Christ.

A Pastoral Exhortation

Friends, my desire is simply to protect your hearts from being shortchanged by an over-systematized theology. Scripture warns us with great tenderness: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col.2:8).

We must never let an overly rigid theological system rob us of the simple joy of reading our whole Bible. We do not have to pick between assurance and accountability. We are complete in Christ—gloriously, beautifully, eternally secure. Our home in heaven is fixed because He paid it all. But precisely because we are saved by such a magnificent grace, our lives on this earth matter deeply. Our choices matter. Our sacrifices matter. Our service will be reviewed by the One who loves us most, not to judge our sins, but to celebrate and reward our faithfulness.

Therefore, let us encourage one another with the full scope of Paul's words: “Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor.15:58). Let us rest completely in His finished work on the cross, and let us labour joyfully in the field, looking forward to that day when we look into the eyes of our Saviour and hear those sweet words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt.25:21).

Clear evidence that Romans to Philemon is our doctrine today

Paul’s teachings in the Bible present a radical departure from the Jewish doctrine, emphasizing a new dispensation of grace rather than the Mosaic Law. His statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 makes it clear that circumcision—once a requirement under the Old Covenant—is no longer significant under his gospel. Let me illustrate what I mean using the following scripture as example:

1Co 7:18-19 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 is a powerful indication that his teachings were distinct from the Jewish law. Under the Mosaic Covenant, circumcision was a non-negotiable requirement for Jewish males. It was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Genesis 17:10-14), and failure to comply meant being cut off from the people and blessings of Israel. However, Paul boldly declares that circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, shifting the focus to keeping the commandments of God—but what commandments is he referring to?

Twelve Key Topics within the Curriculum of Pauls Grace Doctrine

The motivation for this examination of Paul's teachings stems from 1 Timothy 1:3-5, in which Paul directs Timothy to ensure that only sound doctrine is taught, avoiding any other doctrines. Paul emphasizes the need to avoid distractions such as fables and endless genealogies, focusing instead on godly edification in faith. He highlights the ultimate goal of his commandment—charity out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. This charge reflects the importance of adhering to the grace and mystery doctrine entrusted to Timothy during his years of following Paul.

Additionally, Paul affirms Timothy's deep understanding of his teachings in 2 Timothy 3:10: "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience." This declaration underscores that Timothy not only understood Paul’s doctrine but also observed how Paul lived it out in his life, making him a trusted steward of these teachings.

In light of these foundational scriptures, I was inspired to compile an overview of the key topics or principles of Paul’s grace doctrine. These 12 points provide clarity and encouragement, serving as a guide to understand the fuller doctrine of Paul that Timothy so faithfully upheld among the believers in Ephesus, ensuring that their faith remained unwavering and true.

Let’s delve into the twelve key topics contained in the full curriculum of Paul’s epistles, confirmed by scripture from our trusted King James Bible.

Spiritual Growth is from Heart to Mind to Heart

How does the bible describe the internal workings of biblical salvation? This thought occurred to me the other day, so I went to the source to find out exactly what happens.

Consider Lydia, a woman from Thyatira, whose encounter with the message of Paul is recorded in Acts 16:14: "One of those listening was a certain woman, whose name was Lydia, the seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." I heard an expression a while back that fits the context perfectly. "We are all blind until the Lord opens our eyes". This is so true! We wouldn’t even know the salvation that the Lord offers until His grace reaches us and we choose to receive it. Lydia’s heart, closed to the truth for all those years, was divinely opened by hearing the grace gospel, and it is in that very moment of faith that salvation took root within her. This example in Acts confirms a core principle: Christianity originates within the heart.

From that very moment a believer responds in faith and believes the grace gospel, they are justified and are saved from the wrath of God and from an eternal doom. From that moment on, nothing, absolutely nothing, can change that instantaneous and permanent standing with God. Paul confirms this perfectly in Romans 5:1-2 when he writes, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Notice how we can rejoice in hope of the glory of God! The hope expressed here is not a fear of an uncertain outcome, but an optimistic expectation and confident anticipation of its assured realization. Justification is permanent. God’s decree states that those how have faith in His Son are counted as righteous, an eternal promise He made to Abraham 4000 years ago, Romans 4:3: a promise that stands eternal and that guarantees peace with God, Romans 4:9-11.

Romans 8: Progressing Towards Spiritual Sonship

As we have explored the transformative truths of Romans 6 and 7, we see the essential steps in the believer’s journey—being dead to sin and delivered from the law. These foundational realities pave the way for the joyous achievement found in Romans 8. When these truths become functional through obedience to the Word and yielding to righteousness, we experience freedom from condemnation and enter a season of spiritual growth, progressing toward spiritual sonship.

Romans 8 captures this culmination—a triumphant declaration of the Spirit's work in us, enabling us to walk in newness of life, free from the flesh and aligned with the Spirit. This sets the stage for even deeper maturity, where we embrace Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians: “Be no more children, but grow up in the Lord” (paraphrase of Ephesians 4:14-15). Let us now dive into Romans 8:1-11 and explore how the Spirit of God operates within us to produce life, peace, and the fruits of righteousness.

Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation: Walking in the Spirit

Romans 8 opens with a triumphant declaration: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). This is the epitome of our deliverance from sin and the law. We are no longer condemned, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). What the law could not accomplish due to the weakness of the flesh, God has done through the sacrifice of His Son (Romans 8:3).

That the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable

In Romans 15:16 Paul says that I should be THE minister of Jesus Christ to you Gentiles. Are we Gentiles? Yes. Then who's the minister of Jesus Christ to us? Paul. You've got 13-epistles in your Bible written by that man who said he was the apostle of Jesus Christ to us. Not a minister, THE minister. The definite, defined minister of Jesus Christ to us Gentiles.

What did Paul minister to us? He ministered the gospel of God. Why? So that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Do you know what Paul's saying here? His ministry, those 13-epistles that he ministered to us by the spirit of God, are to be written in our hearts by the spirit of God. What's the purpose of that ministry? It is so that when you're offered up to God for his will and purpose, you'll be acceptable. It's sanctifying you; it's cleansing you.

Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 5? That Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church. And Paul, as a minister of Jesus Christ, was ministering the gospel of God so that the offering up of the Gentiles for the will and purpose of God might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Paul's ministry is getting us ready for the purpose for which God called us out. And guess what. It is not just to be saved by the gospel. Paul didn't write 13-epistles about forgiveness of sins, and he didn't write 13-epistles just to tell us about justification. There is a lot more to the Christian life than just being saved.

The content of his 13-epistles is a curriculum that when we study it progressively, and in order, from Romans to Philemon, it will establish us, grow us up, and form Christ within us. It will impart knowledge and understanding that will do a work of faith within us that we might be transformed by it and learn to prove the good, the acceptable, and the perfect will of God. It will bring us to sons, who are influenced by the doctrine and who are led by love and faithfulness as we patiently wait in hope of Christ's return. This doctrine is preparing us for the vocation in the ages to come. This was Paul's calling as the minister to the Gentiles, and this is our responsibility, to learn the doctrine, Paul's 13-epistles, and let it transform us and prepare us for what God has called us as the Body of Christ to fulfill.

Adapted from this video by Paul Lucas.

He who delights in the Word of the Lord shall be blessed in all of his ways

Paul's 9-church epistles make up our grace curriculum which lays a foundation and then increases the grace believer, who commits to studying the curriculum, in knowledge, in spiritual growth, and in faith. I have been studying and writing a lot of material concerning this topic for bible study messages, for blog posts, and for YouTube videos, but the other day I came across this Maranatha song that inspired me tremendously in my labour in the word of God. This post is simply to share this song with you.

Take a moment of time to get quiet and let this song just utterly bless your socks off. The words are so perfect for what I am studying, and I hope it will bless you as much as it did me.

God bless.

Click the link below for the song on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYvKtEziuI

In preparation for the overview of the 9-church epistles

INTRODUCTION:

In his epistles, Paul uses a few analogies that indicate progression. Consider, milk and meat. Also consider babes, to children, to sons. How about from carnal to spiritual, from the outer man to the inner man and from the natural to the spiritual. All these examples can be applied to the 9-church epistles which make up the curriculum for the grace believer. Using these analogies helps to clarify the fact that the curriculum is indeed progressive and importantly, it should be recognised, studied, and understood in this manner to.

In this post, I’d like to draw your attention to this progressive concept by working through an overview of the 9-epistles, and assigning these analogical classifications to them, so you can identify the primary theme of the epistles and start to understand their position within the curriculum.

Before we get into the epistles however, it is necessary to define some terms that are used within the epistle comparisons. Please take note of these terms and consider them when working through the rest of this post.

Epistle Format

Doctrine: The set of principles or teachings laid out in Paul’s letters that we are to know and obey (not by our own power, but by the Spirit working within us).
Reproof: Identifying and expressing disapproval or criticism of a mistake or fault.
Correction: Providing guidance or actions to rectifying or improving a mistake or fault.
Instruction: Providing knowledge, information, or direction to help someone learn and grow.

The Goal of our Curriculum

If one looks at the 9-church epistles, from Romans to 2-Thessalonians, and consider it from a bird's eye view, one will see some incredible patterns of design and intricacy in its makeup. This can only have come about by the wisdom of God our Father who knows the end from the beginning and has planned all things out since the foundation of the world. Consider that Paul did not write the epistles in the order that we know them in the Bible today. Consider that Paul did not intend to have the epistles combine so intricately in content and topic. Paul simply wrote as the Holy Spirit inspired him, and to him, each epistle was a single letter with the necessary doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction, which that specific church required at that specific moment in time. Yet, when you study these 9-letters, it reveals a pattern of design that proves the hand of an all-wise and all-knowing God overseeing this incredible and valued compilation.

Paul provides us with the ultimate goal, or purpose, of the curriculum in Romans 16:25-26. It reads the following,

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is a SPIRITUAL curriculum that must be studied IN A SET ORDER. In this post, I’d like to delve deeper into the ‘spiritual’ aspect of the curriculum and investigate what ‘spiritual’ really means in this regard.

Rom_1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; [12] That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

‘Spirit’ and ‘spiritual’ in the context of Paul’s epistles has a few meanings, including the spiritual dimension and its entities and spiritual gifts. However, the predominant meaning, which may come as a surprise to many, is that it refers to the Word of God. It is Jesus Himself that revealed to us that the words He spoke ARE SPIRIT and life, Jn6:63.

As you read the following verses in Paul’s epistles, take note that the word ‘spiritual’ bears reference to the written or verbalized words of God shared by the apostle, or to the knowledge gained and applied from the Word of God, or to the individual who has matured in wisdom by the Word of God.

The Order and Spiritual Importance of our Curriculum

Introduction

The 9-church epistles of Paul, as presented sequentially in our Bibles today, from Romans to Thessalonians, make up a spiritual curriculum that teaches a believer to grow up in spirit from a babe in Christ to a mature son. It takes one from the milk of the Word towards the meat, from the carnal to the spiritual, from the principles of the grace doctrine to the obedience of righteousness.

If you were not aware of this very important detail, you can find more information about this curriculum in the following link: https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2023/10/as-grace-believers-what-is-our-primary_14.html.

This spiritual curriculum is designed to transform a new believer into a functioning and profitable member of the body of Christ, but as with any curriculum, it will only do its work of informing and transforming if the believer actually studies it correctly, in the right order, opening their heart to the knowledge it reveals, and believing its instruction.

I’d like to briefly focus on two key words in the above intro, namely, “Order” and “Spiritual”.

Understanding and Applying our Curriculum

Consider the following verse from Paul to the Corinthians,

1Cor 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Paul speaks of a wisdom among those who are perfect. What does this mean, and what can we learn from this statement?

By “wisdom”, Paul refers to the doctrine of the mysteries which he had written and preached. In the context of this passage in Corinthians, he refers to the plan of salvation by the cross of Christ.

This word “perfect” is in reference to believers, as it is in Php 3:15, “Let us therefore as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Perfect does not mean that believers were sinless, but that they were mature in ‘the faith’ and who had made progress in the knowledge of the doctrine of the mysteries (our curriculum), as opposed to those who were weak in the faith, babes in spiritual things, and the carnally minded, who rejected this wisdom as foolishness, 1Cor 1:21-27.

Isn’t it interesting to parallel this wisdom of Paul, hidden to those who are carnal and persistently ignorant, with the parables of Jesus, which were Kingdom truths purposefully hidden from Jews who had no desire to hear and see in faith. Notice what Paul writes to the Corinthians, saying,

Reconciled AND saved by his life are different parts of God's salvation

Read this verse in Romans chapter 5 and take special note of the tenses used to describe reconciliation and salvation by his life.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Let's take a deeper look at what it is saying:

--being reconciled

Reconciliation is the first part of our salvation. It is the part that the majority of believers understand and relate to. Reconciliation comes about by being justified through the hearing and believing of the grace gospel. In simple terms, Romans chapters 1 to 4 educate us on God's righteousness, man's unrighteousness and ungodliness, God's wrath upon those who reject Him, and God's grace upon those who believe in His Son. It is through this grace of God, by means of the cross of Christ and His resurrection, that God can be just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus, Rom 3:26.

This justification was settled 2000-years ago at the cross. God's decree is that those who believe on the cross work of His Son freely receive this justification. This is already done, hence it being past tense. We are given confirmation of this fact in chapter 5, which is the conclusion of chapters 1 to 4. Chapter 5 and verse 1 starts with the word, "Therefore...", which means that we take into account all that was said in chapters 1 to 4, and then we conclude with this:

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

Php 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul mean when he says, “attaining unto the resurrection of the dead”? What is the resurrection of the dead? Well, it might not be what you think! Paul is not talking about being raised from the dead at the rapture. No! The rapture is not the context of this passage, neither does it even fit into the truths that he is teaching the Philippians. So, let’s do some bible study to see exactly what Paul is talking about.

The growth and perfecting of the saints through Paul's doctrine

1Th.3:12-13 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: (13) To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

What makes you unblamable and holy before God is for love to increase and abound in you toward each other and toward all men. The greatest thing for you to know is the love of Christ. Now abideth faith, hope, and love, 1Co.13:13. When Paul wrote Romans, he says, "your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.", Rom.1:8. Then he comes to Ephesians and says: “Since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints.”, Eph.1:15. And then he comes to Thessalonians and said: “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.”, 1Th.1:3. Do you see the progression up the curriculum? What you are seeing here is the growth and perfecting of the saint. God is doing a work of faith in us. That work of faith is to teach us the love of Christ, that we may labor outwardly in that love, and then in patience of hope, endure all things in this present world in earnest expectation of the glory that is to come. God gave you our doctrine, Paul's curriculum, to get you ready for that calling" the calling of "us", being the Body of Christ, who is the fulness of him that filleth all in all, Eph 1:20-23.

2Ti.1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Let's remember to keep learning our Spiritual Curriculum

The book of Romans lays the groundwork for our faith. First Corinthians addresses issues of immaturity and divisions within the church. Second Corinthians focuses on comfort and understanding as one learns these truths. In Galatians, Paul warns us not to foolishly try to achieve perfection through our own efforts and laws, which he also discusses in Romans chapters 7 and 8. He introduces the idea of the "new creature" in Galatians.

Ephesians reveals this new creature, which we refer to as the "new man." Paul encourages us to live in a way that reflects our calling and prepares us for spiritual battles. This isn't just about us; it's about the new man, Jesus Christ, who is in conflict with sin and the world. That's why we are told to put on the armor of God.

Philippians teaches us to work together for the faith of the Gospel, united in mind and spirit, while deepening our understanding of the Son of God. Colossians encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith and to grow in our walk with God, embodying the new man. These seven letters guide us in living out the work of faith, and the labour of love.

The letters to the Thessalonians present an example of a strong church. First Thessalonians encourages us to be patient in hope and to grow continually. Second Thessalonians reminds us not to be easily shaken or troubled, and it emphasizes the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the teaching of the Apostle Paul, outlining a path for us to follow. By studying these letters and obeying their teachings from the heart, we can grow from spiritual infants into mature sons of God, living by the Spirit and pleasing our Father as we bring glory to Christ.

See more here: https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2023/10/as-grace-believers-what-is-our-primary_14.html

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 3 - Transform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Transform (Grk: metamorphis)

The Lord has given us a form of doctrine through the pen of Paul. His 13-epistles are a curriculum, a structure of ordered content that is designed to inform us of God and His will and ways for this dispensation. We can neglect this doctrine concerning God’s will and ways and walk around in the vanity of our own mind, darkened in our understanding, and completely ignorant of the life of God and His plans for us, or we can choose to study this doctrine and allow it to become informed within us, which will lead us to the next step in this study; becoming transformed by the renewing of our mind.

By default, we are in the image of the world. Our mind is in vanity, focused only on this life which is temporary and fleeting. As we become informed of our doctrine, we open ourselves up to be transformed (transported, translated) into a new way of thinking and living, and in essence, to reveal to us a new image of life in Christ.

It is the information of spiritual knowledge within our mind that helps us to connect with, and discern, the spiritual things of God. Without this information, all we have is carnal, emotional religion, that comes from the imaginations of men who have darkened understandings to the truth of God, Eph.4:17-8.

Two wrongs do not make a right!

I don't particularly like to disagree with comments, but it was necessary in this regard as it could lead people down two wrong roads.

The following comment is a reaction to this post:

https://thebigpictureviews.blogspot.com/2024/06/why-is-it-difficult-to-read-bible.html

STATEMENT:

First, forget the King James. New International Version is best now. Nobody knows how to read the Bible. If you are born again, the Holy Spirit often shows you things by giving you understanding. Also, don’t read it front to back. First read the Gospels. Next read James, Peter 1 and 2, and Acts. This will save your eternal life.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for your comment. I always appreciate subsequent communication as it generates additional learning material for readers, as well as allows us to learn from each other.

The price of ignorance and the glory of knowledge in the word of God.

What is the biggest hindrance to spiritual growth and maturity? Unbelief? No! It's ignorance of the word of God.

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

The bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, you don't have to hear the word of God to be in unbelief, you just have to not hear it. The root of unbelief is ignorance of the word. Paul said, "I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." Ignorance fosters unbelief.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #23

Be ye followers of me

1Co 1:11-12 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (12) Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

There are two points to extract from verse 12. The first is a truth that babes in Christ will incline to outward attractions over spiritual truth. The second is a yearning that people would choose to follow Paul, or more accurately, Paul’s doctrine, than that of Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the earthly ministry of Christ. Let me elaborate on both points.

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