Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #40

Sunday, June 28, 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?

First Corinthians 10:1,2 states: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;….” Israel’s numerous sins all stemmed from one principal problem. Their chief transgression was ignoring Moses, the LORD’S spokesman to them. Although the LORD God had identified the nation with Moses their leader, they disobeyed the Law (God’s words, hundreds of commandments, given to them through Moses on Mount Sinai). Likewise, Paul pointed out how the Corinthians rebelled against the words of grace that God had delivered them through Pauline revelation. Second Corinthians especially defends Paul’s apostleship. Christendom would do well to recognize this.

Standing in opposition to “castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27), Christian service rejected of God (“adokimos”) because it did not pass the inspection, is the Christian service “approved unto” God (“dokimos”) of 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The ancient Greeks used these two words to signify impure and pure metals, a series of tests establishing either their worthlessness or their quality.

As God’s chief enemy, Satan (Hebrew, “adversary”) seeks to defile us in whatever ways he can, for such will render us unusable to God. Whether or not we have enough spiritual sense to recognize it, an invisible battle is being waged today—and we are a part of it. Observe: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [methods, tricks, schemes, cunning craftiness] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12). Both our Corinthian and Galatian brethren fell (defeated) in this battle, so let us be mindful of what we need to “stand….”

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #39

Saturday, June 27, 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?

The Corinthians were childish Christians, their spiritual growth and development stunted because (like so many now) they did not follow the Pauline design for the edification of the believer in Romans 16:25,26. Wherefore, the Holy Spirit cautioned them in 1 Corinthians 10:1-14. To repeat Israel’s sins of lusting after evil things (verse 6), being idolatrous (verse 7), committing fornication (verse 8), tempting/challenging Christ (verse 9), and murmuring/complaining (verse 10), would surely result in becoming a “castaway,” a Christian whose service God rejects (1 Corinthians 9:27). The Corinthians were to be mindful of the evil world system around them, and walk by faith in the principles of grace as found in Romans to Philemon (Paul’s ministry, Christ’s heavenly ministry).

Whereas the Corinthians were the “lascivious” (loose, wild, crazy) group, the Galatians were the “ascetic” (strict, pious, self-righteous) crowd: both are the two extremes of human (sin) nature. Galatians 3:1-3 explains the predicament of the immature Christians of Galatia: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Paul had preached to the Galatians with great clarity all about Christ’s finished crosswork (grace). Nevertheless, after listening to false teachers (Mosaic-Law-based doctrine), these saints of Galatia imagined their “flesh” (human performance) could somehow enhance or supplement the Holy Spirit’s work. This is works-religion, as in, “I can live the Christian life by keeping commandments, I am able to ‘help’ the Holy Spirit, I can work to earn/merit God’s favor.” Like their Corinthian brethren, the Galatians were incorporating junk material into their inner man. It was not Christ’s life, but Adam’s life. Even though it was Scripture (the Law of Moses), it was not Scripture “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Instead of being a “castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27), we need to be approved unto God….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #34

Monday, June 22, 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?

Recall how “oikodome” is translated various ways—“building,” “edify/edifying,” “edification.” A structure is raised, an edifice is under construction, or a house (“oikos”) is built up (“demo,” “to build”). Now, pay attention to Paul’s words here: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Timothy 1:3,4). This “godly edifying” is “the building up of God,” edification in keeping with His plan.

We never worship Paul, for Paul is neither our God nor our Saviour, but Paul is our God’s minister (“servant”) and he is our Saviour’s apostle (“sent one”). Paul was entrusted with the blueprints of God’s current relations with man: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace [ministry/office/apostleship] of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder [‘architekton’], I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11). Interestingly, even Peter recognized the special “wisdom” given to Paul, which Pauline Scriptures people were “wresting” (twisting, corrupting, distorting the meaning of) (2 Peter 3:15,16).

Bringing this all together, we have the following. Firstly, the God of the Bible has a scheme to build a house using doctrine (teaching worthy of our trust). Secondly, this doctrine describes His very life (hence, the doctrine forms a house, GOD’S house). Thirdly, if He is to fill us with His life, He must dispense or distribute that doctrine to us so we can believe it. Fourthly, He has delivered that doctrine to us via Paul’s apostleship. Fifthly, unless we place our faith in that Pauline information, no edifice of sound doctrine can be built in our inner man. The emphasis then is not only Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew to John), but, rather, Christ’s heavenly ministry (Romans to Philemon)….

Father: A Godly Man

Sunday, June 21, 2026

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV).

Since today is Father’s Day, we dedicate today’s devotional to the godly (Christian) fathers.

What is a godly father? Oftentimes, fathers are either too authoritative (very strict) or too carefree (little to no concern for their children). According to the Bible (today’s Scripture in particular), fathers must have a balance between setting boundaries and enforcing them, and refraining from being a heartless tyrant.

  • On one hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the nurture of the Lord.” “Nurture” is simply defined as “caring for and encouraging their growth or development.” All too often, fathers (sadly) ignore this, usually being too rough, or even, apathetic (unconcerned).
  • On the other hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the admonition of the Lord.” “Admonition” is simply defined as “authoritative counsel or warning.” He is to lovingly guide them in life, instructing them from God’s Word rightly divided.

A father is not simply one who procreates. God’s Word makes it very clear that they should serve a lifelong, active role in their children’s lives. A Christian man, especially a father, should be a godly man in beliefs as well as in deed. He needs to set an example for his children (especially his sons): it is his duty as an older Christian man to set an example for younger men.

He should be a hard worker, he should meditate on the things of God (the Bible), his speech should conform to sound Bible doctrine, he should be hospitable and caring, kind and loving, he should respect and love his wife, he should love his children, and he should be reserved and cautious in his actions.

Are you a Christian man or Christian father who desires to be the man God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest! Then, you will become the godly man described on the pages of Scripture.

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

ARCHIVED: “What does the Bible say about fatherhood?”

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #33

Saturday, June 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?

Remember, “oikos” is Greek for “house” (cf. “oikonomia,” “house laws”). A kindred word is “oikodome,” as in “building/edifying,” erecting an edifice or structure or house; it is the opposite of tearing down. “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification [‘oikodome’] and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:…” (2 Corinthians 10:8; cf. 2 Corinthians 13:10).

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify [‘oikodome’] another” (Romans 14:19). “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification [‘oikodome’]” (Romans 15:2). “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [‘oikodome’] of the body of Christ:… From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying [‘oikodome’] of itself in love…. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying [‘oikodome’], that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:12,16,29). “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry [farm], ye are God’s building [‘oikodome’]” (1 Corinthians 3:9). “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying [‘oikodome’]” (2 Corinthians 12:19). See also “edification… edifying… edifying… edifying” in 1 Corinthians 14:3,5,12,26.

“In whom [Jesus Christ] all the building [‘oikodome’] fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21,22). Edification involves building or constructing an edifice or structure of doctrine in the inner man (soul and spirit), that that doctrine be the means whereby we believers in Christ function as God’s house or dwellingplace. Such an assembly or configuration can transpire only if we are aware of and are using the “oikonomia” (house rules, building instructions, or dispensation!) currently in force….

NOTE: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #32

Friday, June 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?

Since the vast majority of church-goers (wrongly) assume they can live the Christian life (“I am trying my best to live for God!”), non-Christians deduce Christianity is “just another religion.” What a shame! The Bible simply does not get a fair hearing because the Holy Spirit is prohibited from teaching and Jesus Christ is prevented from living His life. Professing Christians are teaching what they want, and living how they please, so Satan’s policy of evil stays unabated—and non-Christians are absolutely turned off to faith in Christ because Christians themselves are not trusting Christ! Dear young reader, if we want to make a difference in this world for God’s glory, we must depend on the Lord’s wisdom and the Lord’s power; human wisdom and human effort are not Christian living, but Adamic living.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;…” (Ephesians 5:18,19). “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness…. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:10,14).

No amount of works-religion or law-based efforts will ever compare to this true Christian living….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #31

Thursday, June 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?

The elementary grace-living Book of Romans, Paul’s first epistle or formal doctrinal letter in the layout of Scripture (Romans to Philemon), opens with, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12). In order to be spiritually “established,” our feet firmly fixed on a sure foundation, being “comforted together” (strengthened) with our Apostle by having “mutual faith” (share his Bible understanding), we should study all 16 chapters of Romans.

Romans chapters 1–5 are justification, the Gospel of the Grace of God (Paul’s Gospel), how to have a right standing before God (forgiveness of sins); chapters 6–8 are sanctification, practical Christian living, how to have victory over sin every day; chapters 9–11 are dispensation, the nation Israel’s past and present and future statuses (we are not Israel, and God is not finished with Israel); chapters 12–16 are application, using grace principles in specific life situations and circumstances.

A doxology (praise of God) forms the conclusion of Romans, how saints are to be “stablished,” stabilized or kept from wavering: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26). The first step in spiritual stability is trusting Paul’s Gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the second stage is acknowledging Jesus Christ as Paul uniquely preached or presented Him, and the third step is understanding all of the Bible (“the scriptures of the prophets”) in light of Pauline revelation.

Denominationalism does none of these, so it fosters spiritual immaturity and thereby reinforces darkness, blindness, and ignorance….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #27

Sunday, June 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?

Christendom is two billion well-intentioned people who assume they need to “follow Jesus” according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They never appreciate how those Four Gospel Records are Judaism and the Law of Moses (see Matthew 8:4; Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14; Galatians 4:4). Yet, the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:2), Romans to Philemon, proves we are not under the Law but under Grace.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Romans 6:14,15). “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18). “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to [separated from] the law by the body of Christ [His crosswork]; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Romans 7:4). Law-works and Grace are incompatible, as Romans 11:6 affirms: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-4). Our flesh cannot keep the Law, leading to defeat, disappointment, and misery. However, victorious Christian living is grace living, filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) who works in us via Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #26

Saturday, June 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?

The Bible is “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15) into two operating systems, Law and Grace. Law is summarized in Exodus 19:3-6: “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Under Law, people work to receive God’s blessings, and suffer curses or punishments for disobedience. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified [made right] in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19,20).

Grace is reviewed in Romans 3:21-26: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 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 [fully-satisfying payment/sacrifice for sin] 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.” This Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24) is the heart of the Dispensation of the Grace of God….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #25

Friday, June 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?

Dear young reader, do you remember the Greek word for “dispensation?” It is “oikonomia,” as in “house laws.” A related term is “oikonomos,” or “house-distributor” or “steward,” the employer who dispenses provisions throughout his master’s estate as that boss directs—allotting funds to this location, assigning food to that area, allocating supplies here or there, and so on. Luke 16:1-4 illustrates this, with the “stewardship” there also being “oikonomia.” In Luke 12:42, we read: “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” As in the previous references, “steward” is the title of one who “give[s] them their portion of meat in due season [appropriate time].”

According to 1 Corinthians 4:1,2, Paul is a “steward” (“oikonomos”), as the beginning of his ministry is the “due season [proper point]” to reveal “the dispensation [“oikonomia”] of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). To wit, Paul is the “house-distributor” as the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ directed him (showing him what information he would then teach the world through preaching and penning 13 Bible Books, Romans to Philemon). Paul is our “apostle” (Romans 11:13), as in our “sent one” (Acts 26:17) or messenger from Christ. As Paul speaks and writes, so the Lord Jesus Christ Himself speaks and writes: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38).

Denominationalists wholly object to dispensational Bible study because it prevents them from grabbing verses out of context, and it thereby exposes as faulty and false their theological systems built on countless verses lifted from their contexts. Therefore, unfortunately, willful/deliberate ignorance abounds: “Not only do I not know, I do not care to know!” Unless we start using God’s Word God’s way (not man’s way), we have neither hope nor prayer in the world of ever understanding or enjoying it….