The Goal of our Curriculum

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,

Understanding and Applying our Curriculum

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,

Understanding The Gospel (An IMPORTANT message for learning and understanding the Bible)

Understanding The Gospel (An IMPORTANT message for learning and understanding the Bible)

Here is an important teaching from Paul Lucas, dealing with "the understanding of the gospel". I plan to upload only this video (on my YouTube channel), the first in a series that Paul will present and upload to his channel going forward. I encourage you to watch this video and return to his channel for the subsequent videos in this series. 

What I find of great value in this teaching series is not only the proper understanding of  what the bible refers to as the gospel, but even more importantly is the information we can learn concerning studying the bible itself; how to look for and understand patterns in the perfect design of God's word in the King James Authorized version, how to interpret each word as it is set in place in the sentence structure, and how to take time in studying and cross referencing the text within the passage, and within the context of the book in which it occurs, and in context with other books in the Bible itself. 

As Paul says in the video, the King James version is a PERFECT book in design, in grammar, in information structure, and in its message. How can we exhaust just one book, let alone all 66. God is all wise and He has ensured that the words in the KJV communicate this to us in great detail and accuracy.

Click here to view the video. The make sure to go to Paul's channel here and look out for the rest of the series as and when they are uploaded.

Let's remember to keep learning our Spiritual Curriculum

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

The Words and the Spirit in the written Word

The Words and the Spirit in the written Word

Rom 2:25-29  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  (26)  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?  (27)  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?  (28)  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  (29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Studying the written Word is more than just reading scripture to learn about the message in the words themselves. Yes, there is important truth in the message delivered by the words, but one should also learn and partake of the spirit of God in the passage, which is found behind the words.

Let’s have a look at the above passage and, as an example, extract a basic learning and understanding from the words in the passage, but also learn something about God’s character and will from the spirit behind the words.

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:

Priori knowledge is a philosophical idea and has no scriptural endorsement

Priori knowledge is a philosophical idea and has no scriptural endorsement

STATEMENT:

Jeremiah 1:1–6 mentions our life before our human birth. We were made with the knowledge of right and wrong, kindness and cruelty. In old language, this was called a priori knowledge. Socrates in Plattos Dialog, Phaedo, explains our pre-birth knowledge as remembering concepts such as empathy, beauty, loyalty, honesty, courage. It's a vital discourse one must read.

RESPONSE:

I’m not sure how you obtain “knowledge of our life before birth” from Jer.1:1-6.

Jer 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Does God still speak today?

Does God still speak today?

I post these social media interactions because they are a great source of Q&A. It also helps arm us believers with how unbelievers, or even uneducated babes in Christ, think or reason out spiritual matters.

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION:

• Tell me this…how come God no longer speaks to man and no longer manifest himself. I know many claims God speaks or have spoken to them but realistically the person speaking is your inner thoughts. It’s always humans making claims for God not God himself. You’d think an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present god would make his presence known to the world and not in visions and dreams of charlatans. The world is in crises all over. He is needed more than ever. Where is Christ in all of crises?

MY REPLY:

The bible tells us why. I’ll explain it in summary. It all has to do with a God’s overall plan to restore heaven and earth to its former glory under Christ.

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

QUESTION:

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong? Will this work, because the reality is that most people are so used to sin, they won't feel conviction or don't have that Holy Spirit guiding them because they didn't really surrender.

ANSWER:

For the most part, you are correct. Sadly, many believers are ignorant of God’s will for them and remain ‘desensitized’ to sin. People today might come to salvation, but then they do not grow up in Christ. They remain babes in Christ, carnal Christians, not growing up sufficiently to become ‘re-sensitized’ about sin and have the Word influence them beyond their carnal desires.

The need to divide, or cut, or handle, the Word is paramount to understanding its true context

The need to divide, or cut, or handle, the Word is paramount to understanding its true context

STATEMENT:

Your post about rightly dividing prophecy from mystery reminds me of a story about 6 blind men arguing about what an elephant was like. the poem, “The Blind Men and the Elephant” by John Saxe. In the poem, each blind man had grabbed a different part of the elephant and was vigorously defending his position. The man who had the leg declared the elephant was like a tree, the one who had the ear said he was like a fan, the one who had the trunk asserted he was like a snake, and so forth. So too, Christians can grab different verses in the New Testament and begin arguing—as if the Bible could contradict itself. That is not how to establish truth in the Christian world. The Bible is God-breathed and does not contradict itself. God’s people are to “rightly handle,” the Word and the words in it, and not wage useless word battles with them. The Bible can be wrongly believed and taught, and it can also be wrongly used as a weapon against other people.

ANSWER:

Thanks for your input. I have no doubt that many denominational churches today handle the Word incorrectly, twisting the Word to fit their church creed or traditions instead of truly studying the Word to find out what God’s will and purpose for the Body of Christ truly is. Thus, your analogy is true for people who take parts of God’s Word and change it fit their purpose and views, essentially creating it into something like what you describe with the elephant's anatomy.

The Timeline of Paul’s Ministry (Study Aid)

The Timeline of Paul’s Ministry

(The timeline below can be useful for orientating oneself in Paul’s time when studying Acts and Paul’s Epistles)

Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

People who hold to a dispensational view of the Bible often justify their view by quoting the following verse …

2Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

… and they focus almost exclusively on the part of the verse that instructs one to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Now, although there is nothing wrong with that, since right division is of crucial importance to understand the Bible in the correct context, I do want to point out something that is often overlooked in the verse above, which is in fact the primary key to this whole concept of rightly dividing.

What do we do between justification and glorification?

What do we do between justification and glorification?

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Paul tells us that if we truly believe in Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the grace gospel, we are freely justified by the ‘decree’ of God, and we can have peace with God, and access to the grace that He provides, Rom 5:1-2.

Through faith in the gospel of grace, we are transferred from the administration of death, which is in Adam, into the administration of life, which is in Christ. When we belong to Christ’s administration, we are now identified with righteousness, peace, and life, as Paul continues to tell us,

Rom 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

All this activity happens the moment God saves us. We do not feel anything new. We do not sense anything different. Nothing changes in our flesh or in our mind. What has changed has all happened in the spiritual realm. We have a new relationship to God. We are identified in Christ. We are sealed into the family of God. We know this and believe this because the written Word tells us.

So, what now? If I’m saved in my spirit, what happens to my life here on earth? What happens in my circumstances? What do I do from here on?

A Workman, Approved by God

A Workman, Approved by God

2Ti 2:15-17  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  (17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: …

What do we do with verses like the above? Do we steer away from them because they are too serious and foreboding? Do we ignore them because they are too weighty or admonishing? It is in times like these that we need to remember that these are not just words in a book, but that they are the words of God, our Creator, and words that carry life and truth that cannot be disregarded.

These verses tell us that there is a certain way of studying and understanding God’s Word. If we adhere to this, God approves us as workmen. If we do not adhere to that specific form of study, we are not approved by God as workmen, and we bring shame upon ourselves and upon the written Word. That shame and dishonour comes in the form of profane and vain babblings. Now, just stop there and take note. What is the message we are learning here? It comes down to this. If we do not study, understand, and communicate the Word of God in a specific way, the words that come from our mouth becomes profane, and is no more than useless babble to those that listen! That useless message, over time, will increase towards ungodliness, and will spread over and consume, not merely destroying the parts immediately affected, but will extend into the surrounding healthy parts and destroy them also. So it is with erroneous, unapproved doctrines. They will not merely eat out the truth in the particular matter to which they refer, but they will also spread over and corrupt other truths.

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 5)

Studying the Bible in the correct context

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

I stand firm on the fact that our primary objective, as grace believers, is to come to a knowledge of God’s Word. However, I also understand that we live our lives, day by day, bearing responsibilities, and being pulled into different directions due to demands, circumstances, and issues of life. So how do we balance the two? Well, the key to note is that 1Tim.2:4 does not have a deadline. We do not need to learn ALL truth and be experts in Bible doctrine before we can be used of the Lord. Life does not stop because we first have to learn ALL truth! No. The Lord provides us the opportunities daily, to encourage and edify others based on the measure of truth we know at our personal levels. We can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord daily, allowing the truth of the Word within us, to make us ambassadors of God’s kingdom, and reconcilers who show God’s love and forgiveness to others.

Even as babes in Christ, new believers can share the gospel with others through their testimony. However, our objective is to grow steadily in knowledge, not all at once, but daily, over our lifetime, so that we can increase in our responsibility of ambassadorship and in our ministry of reconciliation. Every grace believer can be a light for God’s kingdom, but when it comes to teaching others about God’s Word, this is when proper knowledge is very important. This is when the truth we know either approves us or disapproves us before God. Let me explain.

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 2)

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 2)

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

In the first part of this series, I motivated the fact that the single most important thing to do, after getting saved, is to spend time in the Word of God and gain the knowledge of the Word rightly divided. In upcoming parts, I will also deal with points instructing why this is important, what happens when we do, and God’s will and purpose for us in doing this.

In this post I want to focus on what is milk and what is meat. As previously mentioned, a babe in Christ cannot be fed meat. So, it becomes really important to know what milk is in the Word, and where we will find the solid food. In this regard, we will find that God’s Word is so perfectly designed. As with the nine Hebrew epistles, Hebrews to Revelation, Paul’s nine church epistles to the Gentiles are also arranged in a form of curriculum, starting with Romans to 2-Thessalonians. It shouldn’t be surprising to note that these Gentile letters, for us in this dispensation of grace, start with a letter called Romans and the Jewish letters, for the Jewish believers in the tribulation, start with a letter called Hebrews. God could not have made this distinction clearer.

Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided (Video Series)

Hi friends,

This is just a short announcement 📢 to inform you of a new video series I am posting on my YouTube channel. The lesson series is called: "Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided".

If you do not know right division of the Word, or if you know it but want to learn how to present it to others, then this video and series of teachings is for you. This series will present you with key verses that can highlight the need to rightly divide the Word, and also provide the supporting verses to confirm this stance.

It would be great to have your support on the channel, to listen to the lessons and provide comments or ask questions in regard to the topic. If you have learned something and believe it can benefit others in your circle, please feel free to send them the link.

Find the video series here: Learn or Present to Others the Bible Rightly Divided

God bless. 🙌

Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

When a person takes time to study the Bible, that study will ultimately result in the need to rightly divide, (2Tim 2:15). This cannot be avoided! As one cross-references scripture, it will lead one into both the prophetic and mystery programs, according to the intent and design of God’s written Word. Right division is the only way to accurately interpret scripture by keeping these two programs separate and distinct. Let’s apply this instruction on the key verse below to understand its true context.

2Cor 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Study to show yourself approved

Study to show yourself approved

Paul tells Timothy that there's something required in a workman, and it’s not optional. It is a requirement of God. Look what he tells Timothy in 2 Timothy,

2Tim.2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

He said study to show thyself approved! This is a personal responsibility between an individual and God. It doesn't matter if you've got an ordination paper from whatever denominational church, and it doesn't matter if you've got a seven-year degree from a theological seminary or bible institute. This verse speaks of a personal, individual responsibility, between that man and God. He is showing himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth is not something you do as a hobby or secondary activity. It is the very skill required to approve yourself unto God. When God's looking at a workman, and He is judging whether that workman is approved unto Him or not, the very skill He is looking for is whether that man rightly divides the word of truth.