The Confession Trap: What This Verse Doesn’t Say

The Confession Trap: What 1 John 1:9 Doesn’t Say

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Confusion

Many believers are taught that this verse is a daily requirement for maintaining salvation or staying “in fellowship” with God. Some even fear that unconfessed sin breaks their relationship with Christ or causes them to lose salvation. This leads to a performance-based mindset, where forgiveness is seen as conditional and uncertain.

The Context

1 John was written to address false teachings and to affirm the truth about Jesus Christ. The opening chapter contrasts light and darkness, truth and deception. Verse 9 is part of a broader appeal to unbelievers who claim to have no sin. John is not prescribing a ritual for believers to regain fellowship, but offering a gospel invitation to those who deny their need for forgiveness.

Enduring to the End: What Matthew 24:13 Really Means

“Enduring to the End: What Matthew 24:13 Really Means”

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

The Confusion

This verse is frequently misunderstood and misapplied, especially by those unfamiliar with dispensational distinctions. Many interpret it as teaching that salvation in any age depends on one’s ability to persevere through trials or remain faithful until death. This interpretation can lead to fear, insecurity, and a works-based view of salvation. However, when rightly divided, the verse reveals a very specific meaning tied to Israel’s prophetic program, not the Church’s mystery calling.

The Context

Matthew 24 is part of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to His Jewish disciples about events that will unfold during the future Tribulation period. The chapter outlines signs of the end, including deception, persecution, and cosmic disturbances. The audience is clearly Israel, and the context is prophetic, not doctrinal instruction for the Body of Christ. Verse 13, then, must be understood within this framework.

Why It’s Misunderstood

The phrase “endure unto the end” does not refer to mere physical survival through the Tribulation, nor does it imply that salvation is earned by longevity. Rather, it speaks of spiritual endurance — remaining faithful to the Messiah under extreme pressure, even unto death. The “saved” in this context are those who do not abandon their testimony, who refuse to worship the beast, and who remain rooted in their faith despite persecution. This is consistent with Revelation 12:11, which honors those who “loved not their lives unto the death,” and with Jesus’ own words in Luke 9:62, warning that those who look back are not fit for the Kingdom.

The Right Way to Learn Knowledge

The Right Way to Learn Knowledge

In the Christian life, it’s easy to think that once we’ve learned a few truths or understood a few doctrines, we’ve arrived at spiritual maturity. But the Bible warns us against that kind of thinking. True growth is not just about knowing facts—it’s about how we carry that knowledge, how we treat others, and whether our understanding leads to humility or pride. One verse that speaks directly to this is 1 Corinthians 8:2, which says, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” This is not a harsh statement—it’s a loving correction from the apostle Paul, reminding us that knowledge without love and humility is incomplete.

The context of this verse is a discussion about eating meat that had been offered to idols. In Corinth, some believers knew that idols were nothing and that eating such meat was not sinful. They had the right doctrine, but they were using their liberty without thinking about how it affected weaker believers who didn’t yet understand these things. Paul begins the chapter by saying, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” In other words, knowledge can make us proud, but love builds others up. Verse 2 follows this thought by showing that if someone thinks he knows something fully, he probably hasn’t yet learned how to handle that knowledge in the way God wants.

The lesson here is simple but important. God is not just interested in what we know—He cares about how we use that knowledge. If our understanding leads us to look down on others, or to act without care for their spiritual wellbeing, then we haven’t yet learned the truth properly. Paul is teaching that true knowledge must be joined with love, patience, and humility. In the dispensation of grace, we are called to walk in truth, but also to walk in charity. That means we must be careful not to let our liberty become a stumbling block for someone else. Even if we are right in doctrine, we can be wrong in attitude.

Rightly Dividing the Gospels: Why Jesus Came to Israel Alone

Rightly Dividing the Gospels: Why Jesus Came to Israel Alone

When Jesus sent forth the twelve, His words were unmistakably narrow in scope: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5–6). Later, when pressed by the Canaanite woman, He declared with equal clarity, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). These statements are not incidental, nor are they to be softened by modern assumptions. They reveal the covenantal order of God’s plan, for Christ’s earthly ministry was directed exclusively to Israel. He came to confirm the promises made to the fathers, to fulfil the words of the prophets, and to call His people to repentance so that they might become the light through which the nations would be blessed.

The prophets had long foretold this order. Jeremiah 31:31 records God’s promise: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” The New Covenant was not made with Gentiles, but with Israel and Judah alone. Likewise, Isaiah 49:6 speaks of the Servant who would first raise up the tribes of Jacob and then be given “for a light to the Gentiles.” The divine pattern was always Israel first, then the nations through Israel’s rise. This is why Jesus confined His earthly mission to His own people, for only in this way could the Scriptures be fulfilled and the covenant promises confirmed.

Yet the story does not end there. John tells us, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). Israel rejected her Messiah, and in that rejection the prophetic program was interrupted. Paul explains in Romans 11:7–8 that “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” In this blinding of Israel, God revealed a mystery hidden from ages past: that through the death and resurrection of Christ, salvation would now go directly to the Gentiles, apart from Israel’s covenants, through the preaching of Paul. To him was committed “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), a message of justification by faith alone, whereby Jew and Gentile are united in one new body outside of the prophetic program. As Paul declares in Romans 11:13, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.”

Thus, by right division we see the wisdom of God. Jesus’ earthly ministry was to Israel alone, in fulfilment of prophecy, but Israel’s rejection opened the door for the Gentiles to be saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.

Why the Bible Seems to Contradict Itself — and How It Doesn’t

Why the Bible Seems to Contradict Itself — and How It Doesn’t

The Bible is a remarkable book. It speaks with authority, it speaks with tenderness, and it speaks across thousands of years of history. Yet, for many, it also seems to speak with contradictions. One page tells us, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8), and another says, “Let no man therefore judge you… in respect of… the sabbath days” (Colossians 2:16). One verse commands, “An eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24), while another urges, “Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). If we are honest, these differences can leave us puzzled. Has God changed His mind? Is the Bible inconsistent? Or is there something deeper we have not yet understood?

The answer is not that God has changed, nor that His Word is flawed, but that He has spoken to different people at different times under different arrangements. The apostle Paul gives us the key when he writes, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Rightly dividing means recognising the distinctions God Himself has placed in His Word — understanding who is being addressed, when they are being addressed, and under what covenant or dispensation they stand. Without this, we end up blending law with grace, Israel with the Church, prophecy with mystery, and the result is confusion, misapplication, and often a quiet frustration in the Christian life.

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Four): Stewarding Truth and Love in Ministry

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Four): Stewarding Truth and Love in Ministry

There’s a quiet danger in mistaking method for maturity. We often lean on formulas to help us communicate spiritual truths, and rightly so—they offer clarity, structure, and consistency. But the formula is not the substance. It’s a scaffold, not a sanctuary. True spiritual discernment comes not by rigid application, but by yielding to the Spirit’s wisdom. We study, we rightly divide, we prepare—but then we walk.

To help us walk wisely, we’ll explore a five-point framework—people, matter, fruit, motive, and method. This is not a checklist for performance, but a compass for understanding. It’s a way to receive knowledge and begin discerning how to minister God’s Word with balance—avoiding the extremes of Berean rigidity and Romans 14 leniency, and instead walking the Spirit-led middle path of truth and love.

PEOPLE — Who Are You Speaking To?

Not every believer is in the same place spiritually, and the Spirit calls us to discern that difference with care. Some are strong in faith, able to receive correction, digest meatier truths, and engage in doctrinal clarity without stumbling. Others are still growing—needing gentleness, patience, and protection from overload. To minister wisely is to recognise this spectrum and respond accordingly. A hard truth spoken to a soft heart can wound more than it heals. Likewise, withholding clarity from a mature believer can hinder growth. The Spirit leads us to match tone and depth to the hearer’s capacity, not out of compromise, but out of love.

Pleasing God in the Right Dispensation: A Contrast of Hebrews and Romans

Pleasing God in the Right Dispensation: A Contrast of Hebrews and Romans

Many Christians today are sincere but sincerely confused. They read Hebrews and Romans as if they’re saying the same thing to the same people. But they’re not. These two epistles are foundational—but for different audiences, in different dispensations, with different instructions for how to walk in a way that pleases God. Before we get into comparing 'what pleases God' between the two letters, let me start with a generalisation of Hebrews versus Romans. 

Hebrews is written to Israel, specifically to Jewish believers preparing to endure the coming tribulation. It speaks from the framework of law and prophecy, calling them to hold fast, to resist apostasy, and to demonstrate their faith through visible obedience. It warns against returning to temple sacrifices—especially when the Antichrist reinstates them—and speaks of “the world to come” (Hebrews 2:5) and “the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25), pointing clearly to prophetic fulfilment. Christ is presented as the true High Priest, replacing the Levitical system, and Israel is called to come “without the camp” (Hebrews 13:13), echoing the flight from Jerusalem in Matthew 24:15. This is not Church doctrine—it is tribulation instruction for Israel under law and prophecy.

Romans, by contrast, is written to the Body of Christ, and it operates under grace and mystery. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), lays out the believer’s spiritual identity in Christ, centred on justification by faith, sanctification, and the renewing of the mind. Romans reveals the mystery that was hidden in ages past (Romans 16:25), and though it addresses both Jews and Gentiles, it does so within the context of the Church—not national Israel. It teaches us to walk in the Spirit, not striving for acceptance through performance, but resting in the finished work of Christ. Our salvation is not dependent on the law but is entirely under grace (Romans 6:14).

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 6): Liberty and Responsibility

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 6): Liberty and Responsibility

We’ve come a long way in this series, and it’s worth pausing to take it in. Each part has been a step—not just in understanding, but in spiritual posture. We began by recognising the carnal mind for what it is: natural, unrenewed, and unable to receive the things of God. That was Part 1. Then we saw that renewal isn’t just about adding truth—it’s about forsaking what shaped us before. That was Part 2. In Part 3, we were reminded that growth is measured by movement, not by flawlessness. The spiritual mind is formed gradually, and every step matters. Then came Part 4, where we saw that doctrine isn’t dry—it’s the very substance that renews the mind. Truth rightly divided gives structure to our thinking. And in Part 5, we brought that renewal into daily life. Walking in the Spirit isn’t mystical—it’s practical. It’s how we respond, how we think, how we live.

Now we arrive at a quiet turning point. Not a new lesson, but a reminder. A moment to breathe and consider what all of this means—not just inwardly, but outwardly. Because the renewed mind doesn’t exist in isolation. It begins to shape how we carry ourselves, how we speak, how we serve. And that’s where liberty comes in—not as a concept to admire, but as a reality to steward.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). That verse doesn’t come with pressure—it comes with perspective. Liberty in Christ is a gift, but it’s also a trust. It frees us from the weight of law, yes—but it also frees us to walk with purpose. The spiritual mind doesn’t treat liberty as a personal escape. It sees it as an open door to serve, to build, to edify.

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Two): The Romans 14 Posture – Grace in the Grey

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Two): The Romans 14 Posture – Grace in the Grey

In Part One, we looked at the Bereans—those noble truth-seekers who searched the scriptures daily to test what they heard. They modelled doctrinal vigilance, spiritual hunger, and a deep commitment to clarity. But Romans 14 offers a different lens. Not contradictory, but complementary. Where the Bereans leaned into precision, Romans 14 leans into patience. Where Acts 17 highlights the pursuit of truth, Romans 14 highlights the protection of peace.

This chapter unfolds in two distinct halves—each with its own rhythm and focus.

Verses 1–12: The Vertical Posture – Conscience Before God

Here, Paul speaks to the individual believer’s relationship with the Lord. The topic isn’t doctrinal error—it’s personal conviction in disputable matters. Things like diet, holy days, dress, alcohol, and lifestyle choices. These are not gospel issues, but they do matter. Why? Because they touch the conscience.

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5)

This is not permission to drift into relativism. It’s a call to live with integrity before God. Each believer stands or falls to his own Master—not to tradition, peer pressure, or popular opinion. The risk here is judgement. We must not despise those who abstain, nor mock those who partake. The Lord is able to make both stand.

This vertical posture is deeply personal. It’s about honouring God in your choices, even when those choices differ from others. It’s about being persuaded—not pressured.

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 5): Walking in the Spirit Daily

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 5): Walking in the Spirit Daily

Before we continue, let’s take a moment to look back at where we’ve been. In Part 1, we saw the difference between the carnal mind and the spiritual mind. The carnal mind is natural to all of us—it’s how we think before we come to Christ, and it remains with us unless we renew it. In Part 2, we learned that renewal requires forsaking. We cannot hold on to old thoughts and expect new life. The Word of God must replace what we once believed. Then in Part 3, we were reminded that spiritual growth is a journey. It’s not about being perfect but about moving forward. Every step matters. And in Part 4, we saw that renewal is shaped by doctrine. The mind is not renewed by emotion or experience, but by truth—truth rightly divided and received with meekness.

Now we come to Part 5, and we begin to see how this renewed mind is lived out. It’s not just something we understand—it’s something we walk in. Paul writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25). This is not a once-off decision. It is a daily walk. It is a way of thinking, a way of responding, a way of living. The spiritual mind is not just for study—it is for life.

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 4): Doctrine Shapes Renewal

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 4): Doctrine Shapes Renewal

Before we press forward, let us pause and reflect on the ground we’ve already covered. In Part 1, we explored the stark contrast between the carnal and spiritual mind—the one governed by fleshly reasoning, the other by divine truth. We saw that the spiritual mind is not natural, but cultivated, and that the believer is called to intentional renewal. In Part 2, we learned that renewal is not passive; it requires forsaking. Old thought patterns must be abandoned, not merely suppressed. The mind must be emptied of error before it can be filled with truth. Then in Part 3, we were reminded that this journey is not about perfection, but progression. God does not demand flawlessness, but faithfulness. The spiritual mind is measured not by how far we’ve come, but by whether we are moving forward—renewed day by day, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, in Part 4, we turn our attention to the substance of that renewal. What exactly renews the mind? What shapes the spiritual understanding of the believer? The answer is not found in emotion, experience, or even sincerity—it is found in doctrine. Not just any doctrine, but sound doctrine, rightly divided, rooted in the Word of God and revealed through the apostle Paul for the Church today. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14). The renewed mind is not a blank canvas—it is a built structure. It has a foundation, a framework, and a finish. And that structure is doctrinal.

Doctrine and Discernment (Intro): Balancing the Word

Doctrine and Discernment (Intro): Balancing the Word

Holding Truth and Heart Together

Truth matters. Grace matters. But too often, believers lean hard in one direction—either guarding doctrine with such precision that they forget the people it's meant to serve, or embracing relational kindness so freely that biblical clarity gets blurred. This series is an invitation to walk in both. Not one or the other. Both.

In Part 1, we’ll meet the Bereans of Acts 17:11—known not for their credentials, but for their consistency. They tested everything by the Word, daily and with care. It’s a picture of objective discernment, where conviction is built on Scripture, not assumption.

In Part 2, we’ll step into the tenderness of Romans 14, where Paul urges believers not to quarrel over disputable matters. Instead, he teaches us to honor the conscience, walk gently with the weak, and build each other up in love. It’s not compromise—it’s compassion.

Then in Part 3, we’ll bring it all together. Because maturity isn’t found in choosing between truth and heart—it’s found when we let Scripture shape both. That kind of balance produces believers who hold fast to what’s right but walk gently with those still growing.

In the next post we’ll start things off by walking alongside the Bereans in Acts 17—ordinary believers who searched the Scriptures daily with focus and humility. But this isn’t just about studying with precision. It’s about learning how clear doctrine can shape our love and deepen our walk with others. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold firm to truth while staying soft toward people, Part 1 will steady your convictions and stir your heart.

From Expectation to Dispensation: Peter’s Prophetic Shift

From Expectation to Dispensation: Peter’s Prophetic Shift

There’s a subtle but powerful dispensational insight in the way Peter’s letters frame the coming of the Lord. At first glance, 1 Peter and 2 Peter might seem like spiritual bookends—both speaking to suffering saints with hope—but a closer look reveals something far deeper: a prophetic shift, one that traces the unfolding of God’s plan from Kingdom expectation to grace dispensation.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” —1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)

In 1 Peter, written during a time when the offer of the Kingdom was still fresh in Israel’s memory, Peter urged the Kingdom believers to live with urgency. His words echo the question posed in Acts 1:6, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” The apostles anticipated the imminent return of Christ in glory—to reign as King and fulfill the promises of Israel’s restoration. But Jesus answered, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons…” (Acts 1:7)—a subtle indication that something else was about to unfold.

As Israel’s national rejection of their Messiah deepened, that Kingdom expectation was deferred. Not abandoned—but postponed. And in that divine pause, God revealed the mystery kept secret since the world began: the dispensation of the grace of God, entrusted to Paul for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-6). A new heavenly calling emerged—the Body of Christ—not born of Law, lineage, or national covenant, but by faith alone, through grace alone.

Fast forward to 2 Peter, and the tone shifts.

Self-Examination – The Grace of Testing Ourselves (Part 7)

Self-Examination – The Grace of Testing Ourselves (Part 7)

We’ve walked a measured path through Scripture’s sobering portrayals of proving and reprobation—a journey that began at the Scale of the Mind, where we saw the internal tension between approval and rejection playing out in the believer’s thought life. We paused to explore the Greek foundations of these terms in dokimazō and adokimos, finding that our spiritual health hinges on whether we’re proven true or found wanting. We then entered the Season of Probation, that God-given window where we are weighed—not for condemnation, but for correction.

The study led us next into the vital nature of Love That Discerns—a love that shields against deception by rooting itself in truth. From there, we heard God’s call to Be Renewed and Be Disciplined, recognizing that both renewal and loving chastening are God’s tools to prevent spiritual collapse. Then came the chilling descent traced in The Downward Spiral, where unchecked drift leads from disinterest to depravity. All of it has led here—not to a checkpoint, but to a conclusion, a call to pause, reflect, and weigh ourselves. Self-examination, then, is not an optional devotional practice, but the very grace that helps us avoid becoming reprobate.

But what is self-examination, really? It’s not morbid introspection or an exercise in self-loathing. It is the Spirit-led act of looking into the Word—God’s mirror—and inviting it to shine into our affections, convictions, and conduct. It is where conscience meets revelation, where we test not only our beliefs but the spiritual fruit that results from them.

The Power of Transforming Grace Seen Through Our Doctrine

The Power of Transforming Grace Seen Through Our Doctrine

In Paul’s short but profound letter to Philemon, we see a real-life application of the gospel’s transformative power. It is a letter that does not merely teach doctrine but demonstrates how doctrine must be lived. Through the example of Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul, we are called to elevate truth above self, allowing Christ within us to reign above every carnal impulse—above grudges, revenge, ownership, greed, lusts, and the pride of life.

Onesimus: A Life Transformed

Onesimus was once unprofitable—both spiritually and practically. A runaway slave who likely stole from his master, he embodied the fallen nature of man: seeking self-will above truth, circumstance above faith. But when he encountered Paul in prison, everything changed. By the grace of God, he was begotten in bonds—he got saved and regenerated anew in Christ. His transformation wasn’t just a personal improvement; it redefined his entire identity. He was no longer just Philemon’s servant; he became a brother in the Lord.

This is the reality of salvation. We are not just improved versions of our former selves—we are made new. Onesimus, once a thief and a fugitive, became “profitable” through Christ, Phm.1:11; Tit.3:8. Not because he gained worldly wealth or influence, but because the gospel infused him with purpose. Like Onesimus, we must recognise that transformation in Christ is not about external change but about internal renewal.

Philemon: A Call to Forgiveness

Philemon had every legal right to punish Onesimus. The world would say that justice demands retribution. Carnal nature whispers: Let him suffer. Teach him a lesson. Own your rights. But Paul makes a different appeal—not based on law, but on grace.

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The Mystery Revealed

"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." (Colossians 1:25-26, KJV)

Throughout the ages, God has worked through distinct dispensations, each revealing His purpose at its appointed time. The passage above highlights an incredible truth—Paul was entrusted with a unique dispensation, one that had never before been revealed. It was a mystery, hidden from generations past, but now made manifest.

This means that the gospel and doctrine given to Paul were not simply a continuation of what had come before. They were not an extension of the kingdom promises given to Israel, nor were they a repackaging of the message preached by the twelve apostles. Paul received something entirely new—a gospel of grace that was distinct from Israel’s prophetic program.

A Brand-New Gospel and Doctrine

Many today fail to recognise the vital distinction between the earthly ministry of Jesus to Israel and the heavenly revelation of Christ to Paul. Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed to the Jews:

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24, KJV)

Honouring Scripture Over Emotion: Learning from Paul’s Example

Honouring Scripture Over Emotion: Learning from Paul’s Example

In moments of provocation, how do we respond? Do we let our emotions dictate our actions, or do we submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word? Paul’s encounter with the high priest in Acts 23:2-5 offers a powerful example of humility, self-control, and unwavering reverence for Scripture—an attitude we should value and imitate.

Paul’s Immediate Reaction

When struck unjustly, Paul’s first response was sharp: “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall” (Acts 23:3). His words carried righteous indignation, exposing the hypocrisy of Ananias, who violated the law he claimed to uphold. Yet, when informed that he had spoken against the high priest, Paul did not defend his initial reaction or justify his anger. Instead, he immediately submitted to the truth of Scripture, quoting Exodus 22:28: “Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.”

This swift correction is remarkable. Paul could have clung to his frustration, arguing that Ananias was corrupt and undeserving of honour. But he did not. His commitment to God’s Word outweighed his personal feelings, reminding us that Scripture, not emotion, must govern our responses.

What Lessons Can We Learn From This

Unveiling the Mystery of 1 Corinthians 2:7

Unveiling the Mystery of 1 Corinthians 2:7

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." — 1 Corinthians 2:7

What Is the Mystery?

Biblically, a mystery is not unknowable, but previously concealed and now revealed. The wisdom Paul speaks of is God’s hidden plan of salvation, ordained before time began yet kept secret until revealed through him. Some aspects of this mystery include:

• The incarnation and resurrection of Christ (1 Timothy 3:16).
• The inclusion of Gentiles in salvation (Ephesians 3:6).
• The believer’s union with Christ (Colossians 1:26-27).
• The future glory prepared for God’s people (Romans 16:25).

Paul speaks of God’s wisdom in a mystery, a truth hidden for ages but now fully revealed through Christ and His work on the cross. This mystery is the foundation of our doctrine, a revelation that goes beyond worldly wisdom and calls believers into a deeper understanding of God’s eternal plan.

Why Was the Mystery Hidden?

What Does It Mean to 'Not Be Under the Law?'

What Does It Mean to 'Not Be Under the Law?'

Paul’s teaching that believers are “not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14) has often been misunderstood, sometimes leading people to believe they have no moral obligations or restrictions whatsoever. But the reality is far richer. To truly grasp this concept, we must explore four key aspects: freedom from the Mosaic Law as a means of justification, walking in the Spirit through the Word of God, avoiding legalism and condemnation, and understanding the common misconceptions about the law.

Righteousness by faith, not by law

First, being free from the law means grace believers are no longer required to follow the Mosaic Law to attain righteousness. Paul explains this beautifully in Galatians 3:24-25: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Before Christ, the law served as a guide, teaching people about sin and their need for salvation. Its purpose was not to save, but to point them to Christ. However, now that Christ has come, believers now live under grace through faith in Him, not under a rigid law system for righteousness. Romans 6:14 clearly states: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” This doesn’t mean that sin is now acceptable, but rather that righteousness is a result of faith, not legal adherence. Through His death and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the law so that believers could be declared righteous through His finished work, not through personal effort.

May God Have Mercy on Your Soul: An Expression of Ignorance

May God Have Mercy on Your Soul: An Expression of Ignorance

As I watched a funeral on TV, I heard the minister say the following, "Rest in peace <person's name>, may God have mercy on your soul." Those words stuck with me and the more I thought about them, the more I was struck by the absolute ignorance embedded in this statement—an ignorance that disregards the foundational truth of the gospel and the finished work of the cross of Christ. It revealed how tradition and empty expressions continue to be spoken without thought, maintaining a cycle of religious negligence rather than biblical accuracy. This phrase, like others that I list at the end of the post**, have become a customary utterance, mindlessly repeated without questioning its meaning or validity in light of God’s revealed truth. Seeing this, I felt it necessary to bring attention to not only this statement but others also, that persist as vain customs, promoting human imagination rather than biblical reality. Words carry weight, and when they contradict the truth of Scripture, they must be identified and dismissed as meaningless rhetoric—mere traditions of men that veil the absolute authority of God’s Word. 

This article serves as a call to recognize such errors and return to the certainty of sound doctrine, particularly the gospel of God's grace as taught in Paul’s epistles.

The Hollow Tradition of a Fruitless Expression

"May God have mercy on your soul."