The Big Picture: spiritual

Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts

Spiritual Growth is from Heart to Mind to Heart (Part 1)

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.

Embracing Correction and Truth

Spiritual maturity is a journey—a transformative process that challenges us to move beyond our own understanding and align our hearts and minds with the truth of God's Word. This growth often involves reproof and correction, two elements that may feel uncomfortable but are essential for shaping us into the image of Christ. As believers, we are called to renew our minds through Scripture, allowing God's wisdom to displace our own, and in doing so, we begin to understand the deeper truths of God’s word, His will and His judgements.

The Galatian saints struggled with this, relying on their own efforts and clinging to the law of Moses instead of embracing the faith-centered doctrine that Paul taught. Their error lay in attempting to perfect themselves through fleshly endeavours rather than submitting to the transformative power of God's Word. This serves as a lesson for all believers: true transformation comes not from our own wisdom or actions, but from the renewing of our minds by Scripture alone. We cannot layer God's truth on top of our flawed thinking and expect to grow; instead, we must allow His Word to reshape us entirely.

Acknowledging our need for correction is critical in this process. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 2:25-26 that those who oppose themselves are caught in the snare of the devil, unaware that they are walking in false doctrine. The first step to freedom is recognizing and admitting our errors. This attitude of humility helps us to change our mind and leads us back to the path of truth. Like the Galatians, we may sometimes find it difficult to accept correction, especially when it challenges deeply held beliefs or exposes areas of weakness. Yet, this willingness to embrace reproof is vital for spiritual growth.

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

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!

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”.

Start this lesson series here:
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 11 - Functional Salvation (Christ in you))

The primary topic of Romans 1 to 5 is justification, or as I also describe it by saying, “Just as if I never sinned”. Justification is a positional salvation, meaning that we do not experience this salvation in this natural realm or at this time. We are justified, imputed with the righteousness of Christ, and fully and permanently saved by God’s decree and by the cross work of Christ from a heavenly perspective, but justification does nothing to our flesh! Though our souls are eternally saved when we believe in Christ, our flesh and our lives here on earth do not change or get affected one iota. Another way we can understand this salvation is that we are placed in Christ, as confirmed by a myriad of verses, with the following being a sample of the many,

1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
1 Cor 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God —and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
Col 2:10 ...and you are complete in Him [Christ], who is the head of all principality and power.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

In contrast to positional (heavenly) salvation and being in Christ, Romans 6 to 8 deals with sanctification which is a conditional, or functional salvation. This means that after justification, our salvation continues to develop or grow and eventually starts to affect or influence our natural condition, functioning within us towards the outside and manifesting outwardly into the world. Through justification we are placed IN CHRIST, but sanctification is more appropriately understood as CHRIST IN US; His life being formed within us through the power of the written Word of God, influencing our thoughts, reasoning, speech, actions, and behaviours, to the degree that we give ourselves over in obedience to it. Here are a few confirming verses,

Types of Death in the Bible

When you read verses like the following, what does Paul mean when he says we must be dead to sin, or we have become dead to the law, or when sin revived, he died? This is obviously not physical death, otherwise Paul could not write the epistles in which we read these things. What death is he talking about, and what other types of death do we learn about in the Bible?

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

There are many types of death depicted in the Bible, not just physical death.

there's physical death (we all know what this is!!)
there is the eternal (the second) death which an unsaved man dies and go to the hell
there is spiritual death in which an unsaved man (while he lives) is alienated from the life of God
there is positional death: a saved man’s union to the death of Christ; the moment you believe the gospel (ie: baptized into his death)
there is functional death: concerning something that doesn't operate or function the way it's supposed to:

The Second Coming has already taken place. It’s time to change your theology!

STATEMENT:

The Second Coming has already taken place otherwise you make Christ a liar and a deceiver because He told those same people that His return would happen in the lifetime of some of those to whom He was speaking. Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27, Matthew 24:34, Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:22, Luke 21:32, John 21:22 speaking of John the beloved, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17, 5:4, Hebrews 10:37 is not a 2,000 year wait, James 5:8 is not a 2,000 year wait.

Christ came in the same clouds He ascended in Acts chapter one just as He spiritually appeared in the Old Testament over the mercy seat in the Mosaic tabernacle and later in the two physical temples in Jerusalem. He now temples in a sanctuary in each believer in His temple not made of hands! His Second Coming was a spiritual one and not a physical one.

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.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #20

We speak wisdom among them that are perfect

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:

My previous post ended by saying that due to ignorance of the progressive curriculum of Paul’s epistles, many believers today remain babes and children in Christ, unable to comprehend its spiritual nature. Let me explain this statement with a simple analogy. If a student, who is new to mathematics, ignores a prescribed mathematics curriculum, and skips over the first few chapters, jumping to calculus or trigonometry, it is safe to say that they will quickly get lost in the advanced concepts. The first few chapters would have introduced them to concepts that are crucial and relevant to the later understanding of these higher disciplines and theories.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #18

Our spiritual position and physical condition

Read the five verses below slowly and carefully and then compare the first two verses to the last three. There is a HUGE difference in how Paul describes the believers at Corinth.

1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus, CALLED SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

1 Cor 1:30 But of Him YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, who became for us wisdom from God —and RIGHTEOUSNESS and SANCTIFICATION and redemption—

1 Cor 3:3 ...for YOU ARE STILL CARNAL. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Cor 5:1 It is actually reported that THERE IS FORNICATION AMONG YOU, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife!

1 Cor 5:2 And YOU ARE PUFFED UP, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Do you notice a difference? Paul is writing to the Christians at Corinth, a city infamous for its immorality. The last three verses reveal the low spiritual condition of the Corinthians, the fact that they were still carnal Christians, full of pride and still babes in the understanding of spiritual things. BUT, Paul calls them 'saints' in the first verse! Did you get that!

Insights into the messed up 'Modern Denominational' view of Salvation

Below is a comment on one of my posts regarding salvation by grace through Christ alone. After the comment, I reply with my answer, rightly divided.

COMMENT:

If people listen to the gospel that you preach, in which people are saved by grace alone, they would never be saved. Anybody can just narrate passages, but teachers should first learn before teaching. On a little side note before the shocker, Paul blatantly tells the Gentiles in the church that just as the Israelites have been cut out of the Olive tree, so can they, if they do not continue in His goodness. That means it is possible to NOT continue in His goodness, which he says will result in being chopped off! There are many more versus like I’LL SAY I NEVER KNEW YOU, and I’LL SPEW OUT OF MY MOUTH, and I WILL BLOT YOUR NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, and many more.

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 believers today, our walk is by faith, not by the physical senses

Faith is the route by which all spiritual blessings come into our lives. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Paul writes, “Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” We must understand that we can't see them with our physical eyes, we can't hear them with our physical ears, and we can't seek them with our natural senses.

So, how do we seek things that we can't sense with the natural man? How do we see those things and take hold of those things? It’s by the Word of God. We see them, and obtain them, through faith.

In Romans 5:5 Paul says, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” How does the Holy Ghost shed God's love abroad in our hearts? Is it a feeling? Do we just close our eyes and see if we can feel that love being shed abroad in our hearts?

What the Bible says about Prophecy and Tongues according to 1Cor.13 and 14

In 1 Cor.13, Paul says the following,

1Co 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

With this in mind, questions can arise from reading 1 Cor.14 where Paul encourages the desire and practice of spiritual gifts. In addition to this, what exactly is tongues? Is it the ability to supernaturally speak in foreign human languages that one has not learned, or is it an unintelligible language that is practiced in many church denominations today? Let’s see what the Bible has to say about all this.

Question #1

Beware of those who mind earthly things

Israel walked under the physical letter of the law. Their faith was connected to signs and miracles which showcased the power of God in this earthly environment. Their inheritance is the earth, the physical realm, the tangible things.

Today, however, in this dispensation of grace, we are called to walk according to a different realm. We walk according to the newness of the spirit (grace), not the oldness of the letter, (law). (Rom.7.6). Our dispensation is not connected to the natural world. Our faith is not connected to signs and miracles, or to anything tangible. Paul writes that our walk is from faith to faith (Rom.1:17), from our initial faith in the gospel to our continued faith in the knowledge of the Word, applied to our daily walk. Our inheritance is the heavens, the spiritual realm, the things that are not of this world.

Now, why do I mention all this?

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 11 - Let Us Settle Our Spiritual Position in Christ

The letter of Romans is written to existing believers who have already been saved by the gospel of grace. In this regard, Paul is now laying a strong foundation that will keep believers stablished (stable) in the faith, so that they will not be tossed to and fro by all manner of false, man-made doctrines.

In the previous posts of this series, labeled, "The Journey", we have covered key topics from Romans chapters 1-7. In summary these topics are as follows,