The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #62

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

To begin the formidable task of sorting through the innumerable denominational arguments so we can isolate truth from error, it would do us well to remember the following: the nation Israel is God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly people, and their identity has literal, physical, visible, earthly components.

For example, the LORD God demonstrated how the nation Israel itself would spring forth from His own efforts rather than man’s. Wherefore, after Abram “did his best to help God” by producing a son in the energy of his flesh (Genesis 16:1-16)—which son (Ishmael) God rejected (!)—the LORD changed his name to “Abraham” and instituted the rite of physical circumcision (Genesis 17:1-14). After Abraham’s foreskin was cut off, there was literal and physical proof he had been permanently severed from his Adamic or sin nature. The LORD God then used Abraham to father a son (Isaac)… and there is no question that it was God’s power working in Abraham (Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 21:1-5). As Galatians 4:21-31 affirms, what ultimately matters is what God does for Abraham (Isaac/Grace) rather than what Abraham does for God (Ishmael/Law).

Genesis 17:11 states how physical circumcision is “a token [sign] of the covenant betwixt [between] me [God] and you [Abraham and his seed].” Consequently, the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3 is titled “the covenant of circumcision” (Acts 7:8). Romans 4:11 explains: “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:….” While physically uncircumcised, Abraham simply trusted God’s words to be justified (given righteousness) in God’s sight back in Genesis chapter 11 (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:8). However, this does not enter the record of Scripture until Genesis 15:6. Moreover, years later (Genesis 17:24), Abraham is physically circumcised to prove he had already been declared righteous by faith.

Let it now be distinctly understood that signs play an integral role in God’s relations with Israel….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #61

Monday, July 20, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Christendom is rather notorious for severe controversies and bitter contentions. Its tens of thousands of denominations, cults, and sects all fight over a multitude of positions, practices, and persons. Yet, these can be reduced to one simple fact: different levels of spiritual maturity result in discussions of various degrees of importance. It is usually challenging for non-Christians or new Christians, or even longtime professing Christians, to make sense of it all—and to determine if it is even worth getting into. The matters that are most serious regard anything and everything that complicates salvation from sin and/or salvation from erroneous teaching, for these two points involve God’s will for us: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4).

Remember, just because it is in the Bible does not necessarily mean it is something that pertains to us or something we should do. Whether water baptism, confession of sins, tithing, the Lord’s Supper, Sabbath-Day keeping, good works, or spiritual gifts (including tongue-talking and healing), these exemplify the areas of debate amongst church members. The extent to which we are receptive to the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry determines how successfully we navigate through such issues and arrive at correct conclusions. We are destined to wind up with wrong views once we insert the traditions, assumptions, and opinions of men.

While most inconvenient, it has to be stated. There is a great deal of blind allegiance to religious leaders in our “Christian” churches and schools. Consequently, commoners do not think beyond where their denominational officials leave them, being too fearful to venture outside of anything they are not taught in their theological system. Sometimes, this is done in innocence: people who just need to be taught the truth and want to be taught it, but few are willing to teach them. However, others need to be taught the truth but do not care to be taught it, so they turn away from those who would teach them.

Beloved, let us see if we wish to resolve these disagreements for ourselves….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #60

Sunday, July 19, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Turn to 2 Timothy 1:8-11: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” We as believers have an “holy calling”—an invitation to a sanctified job or set-apart position—“which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest….” The “appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ” here, which was when that secret was made known to man, is Christ’s appearing to Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapter 9 to save and commission him as Paul the Apostle. Check Titus 1:1-3 again, if necessary.

Dear friend, in the physical world, the only way to enjoy a successful life and reach your full potential is to have a firm understanding of your identity. The same is true in the spiritual realm. We as members of the Church the Body of Christ cannot be ignorant of whom God has made us in Christ, or we will live outside of Christ—and then that will not be Christian living at all. How terrible, how truly horrible, it is that so many genuine Christians are unaware of their identity according to grace doctrine today. They assume they are Israel, they pretend they are Israel, and they even call themselves “new Israel” or “spiritual Israel!” If they want to live in keeping with their identity in Christ as members of the Body of Christ, they must first come to know it and then promptly forsake all their misunderstandings….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #59

Saturday, July 18, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe Ephesians 1:1-4: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:….” Father God chose to use believers in Christ as His servants. These believers belong to the Church the Body of Christ, and their servanthood relates to the heavenly places and a plan God had “before the foundation of the world.” Previous to putting Adam or man on the Earth, God conceived the formation of a heavenly people. This heavenly group would receive His life, eternal life, for the purpose of glorifying Him.

Titus 1:1-3 amplifies: “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;….” God promised “eternal life” concerning a specific company of believers—and these are the members of the Body of Christ. At the “due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-7), He made known His Word (the mystery or secret) through preaching—Paul’s preaching. The focus has thus moved from Christ’s earthly ministry to Christ’s heavenly ministry, with Christ from Heaven’s glory using another Apostle (sent-one) and another minister (servant) to be His spokesman.

With Satan participating in his own defeat at Calvary (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), he is now embarrassed, so his evil world system (including theological and denominational systems) ensures God’s mystery remains a mystery. Paul’s unique ministry is seldom recognized. However, for those of us who want to see, we can surely see it….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #58

Friday, July 17, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

For centuries, denominationally-minded people have needlessly struggled with what Calvinists (“Reformed” theologians) have titled “limited atonement.” Did Jesus Christ die for all people, or only for “the elect” (chosen ones)? Look at the proof-texts. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; cf. Mark 10:45). “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28; cf. Mark 14:24).

Clearly, as the Lord Jesus Himself stated, the above verses “limit” His shed blood to “many.” Observe well that this is “many,” not “all.” Rather than defining this terminology according to our own meanings, we will be Bible students and search for cross-references. Isaiah 53:8 is one such helpful verse: “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” This is Messiah (Jesus Christ), of course, as Acts 8:30-35 applies Isaiah 53:7,8 to Him. Christ was “stricken” (wounded, experienced suffering) for the “transgression” (crossing into the forbidden area, overstepping the boundary) of Isaiah’s people—and Isaiah’s people is Israel.

Originally, Calvary was restricted to Israel because, in prophecy, Israel is first, for Israel is the recipient of those Old Testament covenants (Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 3:24-26; cf. Matthew 1:21; Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24; Mark 7:27; Luke 19:9,10; John 4:22; Acts 2:14,22,36; Acts 5:31; Romans 15:8). However, with Paul’s commissioning, Christ’s crosswork is “for all:” “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time [Paul’s ministry!]. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity” (1 Timothy 2:5-7). What once was true, is true no longer because of a dispensational change.

Paul is the “due-time” testifier of some news God kept secret to outwit Satan….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #57

Thursday, July 16, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

One superb demonstration of skill involves the art of distraction. Waving one hand so people concentrate on it, while manipulating objects with the other hand which they are not watching, is the work of a proficient magician. The LORD God did something similar when His purpose and plan for man took Satan by surprise!

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). From Genesis 1:2 onward, the Bible focuses on “the earth… the earth… the earth…,” as God is forming an earthly people to use for His praise and glory. Of course, in Genesis chapter 3, after Satan initiated a rebellion against God in Heaven, Adam and Eve followed Satan to introduce a rebellion against God in Earth. Satan subsequently defiled both realms of creation, Heaven and Earth, with sin.

While God was forming that earthly people—first Adam and Eve, then of the nations, and finally of the nation Israel—He enticed Satan to pay attention to that earthly program. As Satan corrupted Adam and Eve, the nations at the Tower of Babel, and the nation Israel throughout the rest of the Old Testament (by drawing them away from the Law of Moses), the Devil was unaware that God was keeping a secret. That secret was His purpose and plan for restoring Heaven to Himself, and it was not revealed or unveiled until Paul’s ministry: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 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: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:…” (Colossians 1:24-27).

Let us see how “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) resolves many “problem” passages….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #56

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Satan (then known as “Lucifer,” “the light-bearer”) was originally God’s song-leader in creation, endowed with exceptional wisdom and beauty for the purpose of drawing attention to the Creator God and thereby encouraging worship of that Creator God. Having fallen in love with himself, Lucifer became proud and self-willed, which transformed him into “Satan” (Hebrew for “adversary”): “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty…. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;…. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee” (Ezekiel 28:12,14-17).

Lucifer’s five-point (“I will… I will… I will… I will… I will…”) plan to rebel against the Creator God was as follows: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:12-14). Pride is thus known as “the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).

Satan chose to use his intellectual ability in a nefarious way, conniving as to how to obtain for himself the praise and worship the Creator God alone deserved. Of course, being far wiser, the Creator God formulated a secret program He kept hidden in Himself. That mystery would be the means whereby Satan would be outwitted and outdone….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #55

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

As pleasant as the Dispensation of the Grace of God is, and as lovely as the Gospel of the Grace of God is, neither will go on forever. They are but fleeting elements of God’s relations with man. Remember, we are 2,000 years into the mystery program—20 centuries closer to Christ’s coming in flaming fire and vengeance than those who were expecting it during the Acts period!

Paul penned: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). As prophecy gave way to mystery long ago, so mystery will give way to prophecy in the future—for the Bible becomes a lie unless prophecy returns to the forefront and is wholly fulfilled.

Why does prophecy not run without interruption? What is the significance of mystery situated between “time past” prophecy and “ages to come” prophecy? Mystery was part of God’s wise plan to outmaneuver or outsmart Satan! “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: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Let us not interpret the dispensational change connected to Paul’s ministry as God abandoning His original plan. Nay, Paul’s ministry was part of God’s scheme all along….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #54

Monday, July 13, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Long before Paul’s ministry, the LORD God of the Bible was gracious or favorable toward man—giving man what he could never obtain by his own efforts, and working to do for man what man was powerless to do for himself. For example, He in His grace provided Adam and Eve with food: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17). Or, once they sinned, He gave them physical and spiritual clothes: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Lastly, grace or unmerited favor spared Noah from perishing in the Great Flood with the rest of the sinful world: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8).

When we come to Paul’s ministry though, God exhibits His grace in an unprecedented way: the Gospel of Grace (and the Dispensation of Grace) is unmerited favor Father God gives to man in spite of man just murdering His Son (Jesus Christ)! This had never happened before in human history. Moreover, that grace extends to every nation without distinction, for Israel (His nation in rebellion) now reckoned amongst the Gentiles can also receive grace and peace instead of wrath and war. Plus, faith alone—and not membership in a special religion (Judaism)—is necessary to be in good standing before Him.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:23-26). This is the Good News which God kept secret until Paul….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #53

Sunday, July 12, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Commenting on the delayed wrath of God against sinners, the Holy Spirit wrote in Romans chapter 2: “[3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; [10] But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: [11] For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Whereas chapter 1 concerns the lost Gentiles/nations and how they are worthy of God’s judgment, chapter 2 addresses the lost Jews and how they also deserve Divine wrath. Chapter 2 anticipates the Jewish argument, “I am not as bad as those heathen Gentiles of chapter 1!” Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit proves the Jew is even worse because he had the Hebrew Bible in time past whereas the Gentile did not—yet, the Jew lived just as sinfully as the Gentile! Moreover, having Jewish heritage in no way exempted him from the judgment of God, for he (like the Gentile) had Adam as his father. Also, the grace ministry and message of Paul that kept that wrath delayed, was the very grace ministry and message lost Israel opposed throughout the Acts period when Paul wrote Romans. The Apostle faced constant persecution because they all (Christ-rejecting Jews and Christ-rejecting Gentiles) despised the goodness of God by refusing to come to faith in the Lord Jesus whom Paul preached….

NOTE: As touching our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun the Book of Philippians. You can watch the introduction video here.