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Showing posts with label grow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grow. Show all posts

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.

Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” Every verse in the Bible is for us, but not every verse is to us. That is a vital difference. Noah was told to build an ark — we can learn from his obedience, but we are not called to gather gopher wood. Israel was commanded to bring animal sacrifices — we can see the shadow of Christ in those offerings, but we are not under that system. Jesus told His disciples not to go to the Gentiles — we can understand the purpose of that restriction in its time, but it is not our commission today. When we confuse what is written for us with what is written to us, we end up claiming promises that were never made to us and trying to obey commands that were never ours to follow.

Everything changed at the cross. Before it, Gentiles were, as Paul says, “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12). After it, “ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The law was fulfilled, the veil was torn, and the middle wall of partition was broken down. God revealed something that had been hidden from ages and generations — the mystery of the Church, the Body of Christ, made up of Jew and Gentile alike, saved by grace through faith alone. This was not a continuation of Israel’s prophetic programme; it was a new administration, a dispensation of grace (Ephesians 3:2).

Even the gospels themselves show this shift. In His earthly ministry, Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom — good news for Israel, rooted in prophecy, law, and earthly promises. His message was, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), and He sent His disciples only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). Paul, however, preached the gospel of grace — good news for all nations, rooted in the finished work of the cross and revealed as a mystery. His message was, “Christ died for our sins… and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Same Saviour, but different commissions. Not contradiction — dispensation.

This is why we do not keep the Sabbath, tithe to the temple, or offer animal sacrifices today. These were holy and good commands in their time, given to Israel under the law. But Colossians 2:16-17 calls them shadows, pointing to Christ, and now that the substance has come, the shadow is no longer binding. We are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). Understanding this frees us from the exhausting task of picking and choosing which Old Testament laws to keep, and instead allows us to walk in the liberty of the dispensation God has placed us in.

Rightly dividing is not about cutting the Bible into pieces; it is about fitting the pieces into their God-given place. When we do, the fog lifts, the so-called contradictions vanish, and the Word becomes not just a book we read, but a map we can follow with confidence. It is the difference between wandering in circles and walking with purpose. And it is not a skill reserved for scholars — it is a calling for every believer who wants to be “approved unto God” and unashamed in their handling of His truth.

So here is the challenge: the next time you open your Bible, ask one simple question — “Who is this written to?” Let that question guide your reading. Let it protect you from misapplication. Let it draw you deeper into the grace in which you stand. And as you begin to see the distinctions God has placed in His Word, you will also begin to see the unity of His plan, the beauty of His timing, and the certainty of His promises.

And this is where our journey naturally leads us next — because if rightly dividing is the key to understanding, then we must also ask how to apply that key in our daily study. How do we move from simply knowing that there are divisions in Scripture to actually reading, teaching, and living in light of them? That is where we turn now…

How do we rightly divide?

If we are to handle the Word of God faithfully, we cannot stop at merely knowing that divisions exist — we must learn to read, teach, and live in light of them. Rightly dividing is not a theory to admire; it is a discipline to practise. It changes the way we approach every passage, every promise, every command. It teaches us to slow down, to ask questions, and to let the Bible interpret itself.

When you open the Scriptures, begin by asking, “Who is speaking?” and “To whom are they speaking?” The voice might be God Himself, it might be a prophet, it might be an apostle — but the audience matters. A command given to Israel under the law is not the same as an instruction given to the Body of Christ under grace. The words are equally true, but their application is not the same. This is not about picking and choosing what we like; it is about honouring the context God has placed His words in.

Then ask, “Where am I in God’s timeline?” The Bible is not a flat book; it is a progressive revelation. God has dealt with mankind in different ways at different times — not because He changes, but because His purposes unfold. There was a time of innocence in Eden, a time of law under Moses, and now a time of grace revealed through Paul. Each dispensation has its own stewardship, its own responsibilities, and its own revelation of God’s character. To ignore these distinctions is to blur the very lines God has drawn for our understanding.

This is why Paul’s letters are so vital for us today. They are not the only part of the Bible we read, but they are the part written directly to us, the Body of Christ, in this present dispensation. They explain the mystery that was hidden from ages past — that Jew and Gentile would be united in one Body, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, and sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. Without Paul’s writings, we would still be trying to live under Israel’s covenants, waiting for promises that were never ours, and measuring our standing by a law that could only condemn.

Rightly dividing also guards us from the subtle danger of mixing messages. Many sincere believers live in a constant confusion — they rejoice in grace, yet feel bound by laws that were never given to them. They claim the blessings of Israel’s kingdom promises, yet wonder why their lives do not match the earthly prosperity those promises describe. They read the Sermon on the Mount as their personal marching orders, yet struggle under its impossible demands. The problem is not with their sincerity; it is with their framework. Without division, there is tension and confusion. However, with right division, there is clarity.

And clarity brings freedom. When you know where you stand in God’s plan, you stop striving to earn what has already been given. You stop fearing the loss of what God has sealed. You stop measuring your spiritual life by shadows when the substance has come. You begin to read the Old Testament with fresh eyes — not as a rulebook to keep, but as a rich testimony of God’s faithfulness, pointing forward to Christ. You begin to read the Gospels with understanding — not as a contradiction to Paul, but as a record of God’s dealings with Israel, leading to the cross that would open the way for all.

This is not a cold, academic exercise. It is deeply devotional. It magnifies the grace of God, because it shows us just how much has been given to us in Christ. It deepens our worship, because we see the unity of God’s plan across the ages. And it strengthens our witness, because we can present the gospel clearly, without mixing it with works or conditions that belong to another dispensation.

So let the Word dwell in you richly. Read all of it, love all of it, but handle it as God instructs. Ask the questions. Notice the distinctions. Let the context speak. And as you do, you will find that the so-called contradictions dissolve, the difficult passages make sense, and the Bible becomes not a puzzle to solve, but a revelation to rejoice in.

The call is simple: take up the workman’s tools. Open your Bible this week and read with fresh eyes. When you come to a command, ask if it is yours to obey. When you come to a promise, ask if it is yours to claim. When you come to a passage that feels heavy with law, remember the liberty of grace. And when you come to the cross, remember that it was there God changed the administration — not His character, not His truth, but His dealings with man.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). That is not a suggestion; it is a charge. And it is not for the scholar alone — it is for every believer who longs to walk in truth without shame. May we be found faithful in that calling.

Additional reading and confirmation:
Hebrews 1:1-2, Galatians 3:23-25, Ephesians 3:1-6, Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:25-27



Doctrine and Discernment (Part One): The Berean Way

Doctrine and Discernment (Part One): The Berean Way

As believers, we are all stewards of God’s Word. Whether we teach it from a pulpit, share it in a Bible study, sow seeds of truth in conversation, or simply speak it in passing, we minister the Word in one form or another. This stewardship is not optional—it is a divine responsibility. We are called to use the Word wisely, accurately, and purposefully, reconciling others to God through the truth of Scripture. But to do so faithfully, we must first ensure that our own understanding is sound. That means learning the Word, studying it diligently, and proving whether our doctrine aligns with God’s revealed truth. This is not just a noble pursuit—it is a necessary one. And for that, we have a powerful example in the Bereans.

The Bereans, described in Acts 17:11 as “more noble than those in Thessalonica,” were noble not because of status or intellect, but because of their spiritual posture. They received the Word “with all readiness of mind,” showing a humble eagerness to hear and consider what was taught. Yet they did not accept blindly—they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” This was not casual or occasional; it was careful, consistent, truth-seeking study. They tested what they heard against the authority of Scripture, not emotion, tradition, or personality. That is what made them noble—and that is what we must emulate.

To be Berean today is to adopt a default attitude of reverent study and spiritual stewardship. God’s Word is not merely information—it is Spirit and life (John 6:63). It deserves our time, our attention, and our respect. We are not dealing with ideas—we are handling divine truth. And because false doctrine abounds, and misunderstanding is easy, we must be intentional. The Berean way must become our way: to receive the Word with readiness, to search it daily, and to validate all things by Scripture. This is not optional for spiritual maturity—it is essential. It is how we honour God, protect ourselves, and minister truth to others.

Growing in the Word: Precept Upon Precept


Growing in the Word: Precept Upon Precept

Spiritual growth is not an instant transformation but a process of learning, obedience, and dedication. Just as a child matures into adulthood, a believer must develop from the milk of the Word to the strong meat of understanding. Proverbs 1:2-4 speaks of acquiring wisdom, gaining instruction, and developing discernment—principles that are essential to becoming a spiritually mature man or woman of God.

The Path from Carnality to Spiritual Maturity

Before one can grasp the deeper things of God, there must be a season of foundational learning. As 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 teaches, spiritual infancy is marked by the inability to comprehend strong doctrine. But God, in His wisdom, provides milk first—nourishing us through basic truths. Over time, through dedicated study, a believer moves from mere knowledge to understanding, and finally, to wisdom.

How do we grow out of the milk? (Point 1)


How do we grow out of the milk? (Point 1)

Many would not like what I am going to say, but it is a fact that most believers today never grow to spiritual maturity, but instead remain babes in Christ? I can point the finger to myself as I was one for many years. So, what makes a believer a babe in Christ? What qualities does this type of believer show? Well, Paul answers this quite clearly when he addresses the Corinthians. After speaking about the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory, in 1Cor.2, Paul then writes,

1Cor 3:1-4  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  [2]  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  [3]  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  [4]  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The standout quality of a babe in Christ is carnality, which is opposite to a mature believer who walks by faith and after the spirit, according to the grace doctrine in Paul’s epistles. Carnal believers do not stand upon the Word of God but are controlled by their 5-senses, by their emotions, by visible things, and beguiled by ignorance and inexperience in the grace doctrine. This is why they are so unstable in their faith, being tossed to and fro by fables, by different doctrines, and by opinions, and why they are up and down like a rollercoaster in the various issues of life.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat


I have fed you with milk, and not with meat

If I was referring to a secular curriculum regarding mathematics, or computer programming, or any other trade or discipline, the word “milk” would refer to the basics, or introductory topics, and “meat” would logically be the more advanced levels of the curriculum. Now, though we can apply the same milk and meat logic to our biblical curriculum of Romans to 2-Thessalonians, we must also understand that the bible defines milk and meat as much more than just basics to advanced concepts. Scripture provides us with a much deeper understanding concerning the believer who is living on milk versus the believer that appreciates the meat. Let’s dive in and learn what the bible says about these things.

MILK:

1Cor.3:1-3  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  [2]  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  [3]  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Heb.5:13  For every one that useth MILK is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

There is a lot packed into these two verses above. The first of which is: did you notice that the verses do not target the progression of the topic (as a secular curriculum would do), but rather, it targets the progress of the spiritual maturity of believers who receive the curriculum. That, my friends, is a significant difference, highlighting a different context for assessment or judgement. This curriculum is not man-made. It is a doctrine by inspiration of God. Let’s remember that!

Paul's letter by letter curriculum for maturing in Spirit and having Christ formed within you



Paul's Curriculum for Maturing in Spirit and having Christ formed within you.

  • 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.

 

That FORM of Doctrine (Introduction)



That FORM of Doctrine (Introduction)

The word of God, as given in Paul’s epistles, was designed for our godly edification. The word edifies us, from the foundation and through spiritual growth, to renew our minds, form Christ in us, and bring us to the point of godly living through good works.

It is not an instant process. Like a seed is planted, it must first take root, be fed and nurtured, and only then does it start to produce fruit. Similarly, Paul uses a building analogy. The word must first have a foundation, then only can we start to build upon it with materials that glorify God.

1Co 3:6-9  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  (8)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  (9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

This series will highlight that with study and faithfulness, with time and diligence, the word will take form in your heart, do a work within you, and bring you to the point of godliness and profitability for God. 

A practical analogy teaching how to study the Bible and walk in the Spirit



A practical analogy teaching how to study the Bible and walk in the Spirit

A famous chef had passed away, yet everyone was still trying to master his recipes. No matter what anyone did, from the Executive Chefs to the kitchen moms, their dishes just never had that sought after perfection that this chef produced in his day. He had authored a few books concerning his life and recipes, and one could follow his published recipes to the tee, but it never produced the same standards of taste and quality that he was renowned for. 

Then, one day, in a humble soup kitchen, in a backwater town, a social worker prepared a meal that ignited a frenzy. It was discovered that the simple meal he dished out to the homeless and destitute had the exact signature markers of that famous master chef. The aroma, the flavours, the textures, the quality and appearance. How did he do it? How did he crack the code? Reporters hounded him for answers.

This is what they learned:

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




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.

Paul's Gentile Curriculum Explained (Romans to Galatians - The Milk)


Paul's Gentile Curriculum Explained (Romans to Galatians - The Milk)

Recently, I was asked by a friend to elaborate on Paul's 9-church epistles as a spiritual curriculum for the grace believer. I ended up making a video of it; at least the Romans to Galatians part. The rest to follow in subsequent videos. This post is just to advertise the video series and provide you with some encouragement to get back into the Word.

Not many people know this, but the 9-church letters of Paul (Rom. to Thess.) can be seen as a study curriculum for the grace believer. The curriculum guides the believer through a process of growth in Christ, renewing the mind and becoming educated on spiritual things. Although one can read any of Paul's letters, it is highly recommended to study the letters in the given order as provided in the Bible.

This video explains the first part of the curriculum (Rom. to Gal.) and details the validity and importance of it.

If you enjoyed the video, please share it with others too. TX

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO



As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 4)

Paul’s Encouragement to Increase in Knowledge and Understanding

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

Paul’s letters are full of statements that encourage one to learn, to increase in one’s knowledge of God’s Word, and to gain understanding of it, so that it embeds in one’s heart and becomes part of the outflow of one’s life, in thinking, reasoning, speech, and actions. You cannot go far in Paul’s epistles and not read statements that encourage growth and increasing in knowledge and understanding.

In Romans, the foundational epistle that establishes us in ‘the faith’, Paul immediately starts to fire up our minds, compelling us to think upon things, or to know things, coercing our learning and understanding. Have a look at the following statements that we encounter so early in the mystery curriculum,

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 1)



As grace believers, what is our primary objective?

After we get saved by the grace gospel, what is our primary objective as believers? In other words, what is expected of us? Do we just carry on with our lives, hoping that God will work in us and make us better? Do we join a church and abide by its rules of performance? Should we seek after spiritual gifts and ordinances, or start to prophecy and heal the sick? What about becoming a spiritual Jew, believing this will give us some form of added esteem?

No! All these things have an outward appearance of godliness but do little to grow the inner man of a person according to the Bible. So, what then is our primary objective? What does the Bible really say about our obligations after salvation? Well, it is so simple that it is often overlooked. Let’s see what God’s will is for us as grace believers,

1Tim.2:3-4  … in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What does the book of Romans tell us about the Christian faith?



What does the book of Romans tell us about the Christian faith?

In chapters 1-3 we learn that every person is declared guilty before God because of sin. The law condemns us utterly as sinners. Not one person is adjudged innocent by God’s perfect standard. There is no salvation in the law. It simply points out our guilt and depravity.

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

Because of our hopeless state, God had to do something to save us. To do this, God chose to save us, not by the righteousness of the law, but by the abundance of His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the shedding of His pure and blameless blood, paid the price for us. God, who is absolutely just, was now able to justify the guilty, because a payment was made to sufficiently cancel the sin debt for every person who ever lived.

The 4 Foundational Cornerstones of the Christian Faith



The 4 Foundational Cornerstones of the Christian Faith

ROMANS is the foundation book in Paul’s epistles. It is the book that firstly, establishes 'the faith', the doctrine that provides us with a fundamental knowledge of God's will and purpose for us as grace believers today, and secondly, that 'stablishes' a grace believer, meaning that it lays a foundation of truth, or principle, that helps us to be grounded and stable in our faith, and guides our walk to complement Gods will and purpose for us, not only here on earth, now, but also in the life to come, our heavenly destination as the Body of Christ.

If one takes a step back from the details in the Roman epistle, and looks at the contents from an overview perspective, one will see four key principles emerge. These four key principles are of great importance. As the title of this post suggests, they are the four cornerstones that keep the foundation of our faith stable. Without any one of these cornerstones, our Christian faith will be unstable and ineffective. Anything that we build upon this foundation will be shaky and problematic, and our growth in the doctrine of 'the faith', will be hindered, weakened, or even completely stunted. Needless to say, recognizing these four key foundational principles, and gaining an intimate knowledge of them, are crucial.

The 9-Epistles of Israel in the Tribulation



The 9-Epistles of Israel in the Tribulation

These 9 epistles, from Hebrews to Revelation represents a spiritual curriculum for the maturing and endurance of believers in the Jewish Kingdom program, through the tribulation, and into the Millennial Kingdom.

  • Hebrews to 2 Peter are focused predominantly on being reeducated in the New Covenant and being reintroduced to the risen Christ.
  • 1 John to Revelation is focused on sonship and sets sights on life in the Millennial Kingdom under the reign of Christ and in their priestly positions as the true Israel.

The Journey: Part 14 - Confirmation of our Spiritual Foundation



Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 14 - Confirmation of our Spiritual Foundation

Having come through many of the key points in the foundational book of Romans, and having learned from Romans chapters 6 and 7, and from the lessons learned by the Corinthian and Galatian churches about the perils of living by the flesh or by the law, we are now reaching a milestone in our journey of learning to grow in spirit and maturity in Christ.

Of course, we should not press forward without ensuring that we practice the things we have learned. We need to ensure that our learning is not just head-knowledge, but that it is truly edifying the spirit of our mind, that it is becoming a lifestyle, not just a fleeting burst of revelation that is soon forgotten again.

The Journey: Part 7 - Sanctification, an Introduction and Motivation



Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 7 - Sanctification, an Introduction and Motivation


What is sanctification?

In its basic definition, sanctification is,

  • the action of separating or declaring something holy:
  • the action or process of being freed from sin or purified:

So, if sanctification is the means of being separated unto God through a process of purification, the next important question to ask is, how are we sanctified? Jesus provides us a concise and powerful answer during a prayer He prayed, saying the following,

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ



Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

As we progress in this journey, we need to keep two things in mind,

First, to provide us hope, strength, and passion to continue, we must know what our destination is.  We are making our way to that destination of being adopted sons of God and being glorified beyond measure in our Head, Jesus Christ. The vehicle to get us there is the Word of God, and our fuel is studying the Word so that it becomes part of us, quickening us in spirit and energizing us to growth. 

The Journey: Part 2 - A Process of Edification

The Journey: Part 2 - A Process of Edification

There's a methodical process of edification that occurs in Paul's epistles, taking you from the wrath of God in the book of Romans, to the faithful Body of Christ in Thessalonians who are patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. From Romans to Thessalonians, the whole outlook of life and faith has changed.

Rom.1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

2 Thess.3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Saved for 40 years, but my Christian journey has only now begun!



Saved for 40 years, but my Christian journey has only now begun!

I've wondered around in blindness for 40 years, not as a lost soul in this world, but as a saved Christian in the denominational church 'system', —or should I put it, 'institution'. I'm tempted to say, "what a HUGE waste of time!", but within me, I sense instead, a gratitude for those experiences that kept me in touch with basic Christian practice, with fellowship, and that sheltered me from the world outside. Much more so, I am so grateful to the Lord that His love found me; that the gospel of His cross has produced in me the faith necessary to trust in Christ alone for my eternal salvation, having quickened my spirit, infusing it with life and an eternal hope.