The Big Picture
When I was at the university studying 2D Painting, I had an instructor that was highly educated in the field. He held degrees from his studies in China, Paris and New York City. His work was extraordinary on every level and his knowledge base was exceptional. During one of my early classes with him we were assigned to do a painting and bring it to class for a critique session with him and our peers. This particular day in the classroom was an eye-opener. I would learn something that was relevant far beyond the concepts and techniques of painting.
We all came to class and were told to place our work around the room for everyone to view. All of the students took some time to move from one painting to the other and form some opinions about such things as use of the medium, technique, color, composition, style, etc. One of my fellow students came to class with a still life that she had painted during the week. A large cross section of new students who were just starting out their schooling were quite smitten with her painting. She was also a new student and tt was apparent to everyone that she had painted for for years and taken great pains to put the last little element of information she could into the painting. Some of the students we expressing such great praise for the piece and were blown away by her ability to fine tune her subject matter. Eventually the professor asked her to talk about her work. It was obvious she was thrilled with all the praise from other students, and with a big smile, her first words were, "I just love painting the details!" To which the teacher fired out a startling response and said, "NO! It's not about the DETAILS! It's about the BIG PICTURE!" Then he took the time to explain how the student has unnecessarily spent all her time trying to capture every little detail and possible piece of visual information to make a good painting. He was adamant that every little detail with a mouse hair brush was not relevant to making good art and creating something exceptional. Her years of previous work had not helped her grow an inch in stature as a good artist in spite of such arduous and exacting efforts.
Recently I have come to think that, in general, much of the Church today has fallen into the same trap. We are lost in the details. Every little element of emphasis has become about all that we MUST DO to maintain right standing with God and man. It has become laborious and has forces people to look at much that is truthfully unnecessary. In error we have been taught the old adage "God is in the details." We assume that the old proverb applies to every little detail from scripture that we must give application to for maintaining solid footing in our spiritual journey. Not so actually.
The simple Gospel of what Christ came to accomplish, which we will call "The Big Picture" has been all but lost. Throughout the centuries the Gospel, which the scriptures calls "the power of God unto salvation" has been replaced, set aside, forgotten and even lost. That which has taken its place is much like the information that was delivered in the young girls painting. Just a lot of information, when put on canvas didn't have the ability to translate into Fine Art. It was pretty! It was clearly high definition and looked just like the elements she had chosen to represent in the finished picture. But it lacked the power that ultimately hits the mark of a great painting. The unlearned see the capacity to capture the essence of subject matter in high definition as the mark of a good painting or a great artist. That is not the case and never has been. The same with Christianity.
Listening to people who insist on being an umpire in our lives to determine by our hits and misses whether we are to be disqualified for the prize has been going on forever. The apostle Paul was adamant about not allowing this to happen in Colossians 2. Read for yourself about how it happens and why it's so important to avoid such situations and people. But the church today is full of it. Paul shares how such importance to the details is often mere man made notions that popularly passes for wisdom and serves us in no good way. Actually, only makes us proud. And, of course, we should be familiar with the Seven Deadly Sins of Proverbs. The first of which is Pride. But the church today is full of it. People, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, are praised, patted on the heard and placed in positions of leadership and honor because of the hoop jumping they exemplify in their lives and ruthlessly demand of others. As I mentioned, Paul was adamant about the outcome of such peoples influence of the lives of believers. Jesus was too. He spoke of the Pharisees by saying not to follow their example because "a little yeast is all it takes to leaven the whole ball of dough." Paul pleaded with the church to ensure that those infiltrating the church with their doctrines of following the Mosaic Law would eventually cause the Grace of God to become void, worthless and ineffective. Such a thought should make our blood run cold. But it doesn't. Since the beginning of time, it seems that humanity refuses to consider the truth that being in covenant with God is not about all the details we believe are necessary to interject into the relationship to try and ensure an outcome better than what God offers without it.
The Gospel is simple. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "But all things are from God, who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought un into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him.) It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP and HOLDING AGAINST (men) their trespasses (but cancelling them), and committing us to the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). (Amplified) What was perfected and completed on our behalf in the finished work of Christ was sufficient and acceptable to God. When will it be acceptable and sufficient for us?
The result of coming into a covenant relationship with God is NOT to make us better followers of Laws, rules, regulations and DETAILS! Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through FAITH, let us (grasp the fact that we) have (the PEACE of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy)( peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Through Him also we have (our) access (entrance, introduction) by FAITH into this grace (state of God's FAVOR) in which we (FIRMLY AND SAFELY) stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God."
Paul was clear that all the rule following, law abiding, hoop-jumping, etc. would not add one inch to your spiritual stature. But, doing what is stated above, holding fast in faith to the "Head" (who is Christ Jesus) will cause a growth that is from God alone. Leave the necessity of trying to gain favor with God by all your efforts and hard work. Learn to rest in the goodness of His love. Jesus has done for you what you could never have done for yourself. God honored it. God approved it. God said it was "ENOUGH". Seriously, if it was enough for God. Let it be enough for you. Cease with believing the necessity of going for unnecessary details that "churchianity" has insisted upon and learn to REST in the declaration of what God has promised to provide that sets us free from the anxiety, worry, and fear of not being exactly what He desires. Live in The Big Picture!
