Category: Salvation

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 #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 #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.

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #52

Saturday, July 11, 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?

Victorious Christian living and fruitful Christian ministry in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God are Paul’s “Grace Commission” of 2 Corinthians 5:14-21: “For the love of Christ constraineth [drives, compels, motivates] us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 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. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Since Calvary, Father God is willing to be friends with the world’s people—“reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing [applying, crediting] their trespasses unto them.” Remember, sinners have no relationship with God because their sin is a barrier. However, by offering Christ’s own soul to be sin for us—to be punished in our place—God has taken the first step in bringing people back into favor with Him. What He expects from them to complete the transaction is for them to place their faith in that Message of His Grace (Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Upon trusting that Gospel of Grace, individuals are forever reconciled to God, and now (as believers) they can live unto Him which died for them and rose again….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #51

Friday, July 10, 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?

Over 20 years after his conversion in Acts chapter 9, Paul recounted in Acts 26:9-18: “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

“And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee [“apostello”], To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Though apostate Israelites and heathen Romans meant Calvary for evil, God made Christ’s finished crosswork the basis for being favorable toward this sinful, hostile world. Here is what Saul learned outside of Damascus, the newly-revealed Gospel message he had just believed for his own salvation from sins. This was the “Good News” he was commissioned to preach to everyone without distinction….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #50

Thursday, July 9, 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?

After holding the clothes of Stephen’s murderers as they stoned him to death, unbelieving Saul of Tarsus kept on mercilessly abusing and torturing those members of Israel’s Little Flock (Jewish believers in Jesus Christ): “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock [turmoil] of the church, entering into every house, and haling [dragging] men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:1-3). Without any compunction, Saul was committing genocide!

Heading to Damascus to continue his rampage of religious fanaticism, this self-righteous snob was totally surprised to learn how the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ had arranged an appointment with him: “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:1-6).

Saul expected to die in his sins right there, God’s flaming fire burning him alive and Divine vengeance crushing him without delay. Yet, amazingly, un-prophesied grace and peace from God allowed Saul to convert to Christ and end up being in His ministry that very day….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #49

Wednesday, July 8, 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, in the opening chapters of the Book of Acts, the Little Flock (Israel’s believing remnant, the Messianic Church) preached sermons that anticipated the imminent wrath and judgment of God on unbelievers. As per Psalm 2:1-8, the order of prophecy was: (1) Jesus Christ’s rejection and crucifixion by unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles united in satanic conspiracy (verses 1-3), (2) God’s response of wrath and war against those Jews and Gentiles (verses 4,5), and (3) Jesus Christ’s reign over the nations in the Earth (verses 6-8). (Remember, Acts 4:25-28 sheds some light here.) Anyone familiar with the Hebrew Bible during that time expected nothing but an uninterrupted unfolding of successive prophetic events, one coming right after the other.

Therefore, what startled the world was this. As Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and sat at His Father’s right hand (Acts chapter 1), and then stood to prepare to make His enemies His footstool (defeat them) in Acts chapter 7 (cf. Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-36), He never actually came back in that flaming fire and vengeance. While unbelieving Israel blasphemed against the Holy Ghost and silenced Spirit-filled Stephen via stoning (Acts 7:54-60; cf. Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30), one of those unbelievers present was Saul… who later became the Apostle Paul!

Years afterward, Paul wrote: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

In Acts chapter 9, Christ indeed came back—but in an un-prophesied (secret) return of “grace and peace” to save and commission Saul/Paul, His chief enemy in the Earth….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #47

Monday, July 6, 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?

King David prophesied in Psalm 2:1-5: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (God’s judgment on unbelieving Israel and unbelieving Romans/Gentiles was to immediately follow Calvary’s cross. See the interpretation in Acts 4:24-30.)

Quoting Joel 2:30-32, the Apostle Peter in early Acts (right after Christ’s crucifixion) warned unbelieving Israel about coming wrath and judgment: “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:19-21). He continued, “For Moses truly said unto the fathers [Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19], A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:22,23). Unbelieving, Christ-rejecting Israelites would be “destroyed!”

By Acts chapter 7, Israel’s one-year extension of mercy closes with Stephen’s sermon and ensuing stoning: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (verses 55,56). “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1; cf. Acts 2:33-36).

Yet, Christ never came back, and there has never been such wrath… yet….