Category: God’s grace

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #4

Monday, December 6, 2021

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:8-11 KJV).

The fourth verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights today’s Scripture.

“Come, Desire of nations come
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Angels can sing about God’s operations, but, unlike us humans, they cannot sing about salvation in Jesus Christ. When we read today’s Scripture, there should be leaping for joy! The God of creation, the God of the Holy Bible, the God of Christianity, has attempted to mend the broken relationship between Him and us. He has done everything to save us from our sinful selves and our utter foolishness. He can do no more than Calvary. Those merits of Christ’s finished crosswork cannot benefit us individually unless we individually appropriate them by faith. There is no merit in our faith, but there is immeasurable merit in what Jesus Christ did. We either agree with God by faith that Calvary’s finished crosswork is enough, or we ignore it and continue on our way to eternal hellfire. Simple indeed!

Reading from 2 Corinthians chapter 5: “[19] 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. [20] 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. [21] 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.” Do we agree with God by faith?

A Better Biography #8

Friday, November 19, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

Brethren, our Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance. Unless we have a renewed mind, thinking like God Himself reasons concerning the Christian life, we will have no Christian life: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24). “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:9-11).

God’s unconditional love for us, Christ Jesus’ unconditional love for us, was exhibited at Calvary’s cross (Romans 5:8), and it is offered us through the Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). When we walk by faith in this Good News on a daily basis, we are living in light of our identity in Christ. As we allow God’s power demonstrated at Calvary to work in us, the Holy Spirit will produce in us the love the Law commanded Israel (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-16). God’s love will cause us to love others, leading us to better biographies! 🙂

A Better Biography #7

Thursday, November 18, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

When the Apostle Paul writes, “For the love of Christ constraineth us,” he is describing the process by which the Christian life operates. It is not we struggling to keep a series of rules and regulations, performing to get blessings from God (and receiving curses when we fail). Yea, rather, it is an intense working of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Him laboring to bring into the reality of our lives the Words of Grace: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The idea of “constraineth” is a compelling or urging toward a particular course of action. We are tightly bound together, driven to a specific end, the goal in today’s Scripture: “For the love of Christ constraineth 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.” To “judge” here means to exercise the mind, to evaluate or examine evidence in order to reach a verdict.

Christ died for all (1 Timothy 2:5,6), since all were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1); but He is “specially [the Saviour] of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10); and, if He is the Saviour of Christians, Christians should live in light of that reality, conducting themselves not in accordance with their own selfish desires but for the glory of the God-Man who died for them and resurrected! After all, as He died, so they died to sin; as He rose again, so they arose to walk in newness of life (Romans chapter 6).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘gainsaying’ mean?” and “Can you explain ‘penury?’”

A Better Biography #6

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

The Book of Titus, the Apostle Paul’s “good works” epistle, has two noteworthy verses in chapter 3: “[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men…. [14] And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” The heart of this doctrinal treatise, however, is in chapter 2.

We re-read the Holy Spirit’s words: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork is plainly referenced in verse 14. The Saviour shed His blood to pay our redemption price, our buying back from sin. We use today’s Scripture to amplify: “For the love of Christ constraineth 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.” Friends, we dare not miss this important point! It is not our love for God, but rather Christ’s love for us. Our love for God is imperfect, weak, fickle, changing. If our Christian life depended on this faulty foundation, we would have no Christian life at all. Thankfully, God has not placed us under a performance-based acceptance system (Law). We are rather under a Christ-based acceptance system (Grace)….

A Better Biography #5

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

What the Law of Moses demanded Israel do—thereby showing the Jews they could not do—the Grace of God instructs and empowers us to do. Never forget, while we are under Grace not Law, God still cares how we live. If we did whatever we wanted as lost people (lived in sin before we came to faith in Christ), does it make sense that we Christians continue to live like people we no longer are? Grace is not a license to sin. Whoever says otherwise either has a poor understanding—or no understanding—of grace!

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 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 [May God not let that happen!]” (Romans 6:11-15).

As members of the Church the Body of Christ, sin is not who we are anymore. The indwelling Holy Spirit will take the sound Bible doctrine we learn and believe in our heart, and work in us to produce the life of Christ Himself: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;… the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

Now we get to today’s Scripture….

A Better Biography #4

Monday, November 15, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

If the Law was designed to point out Israel’s sin—and, by doing so, accentuate everyone’s sin (Jew and Gentile alike; Romans 3:19,20)—why should we go back to it to seek victorious Christian living? First Timothy chapter 1: “[7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. [8] But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; [9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, [10] For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; [11] According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

We are justified—declared righteous—by faith in Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour (Romans 3:22-31). Having taught us our need for the Saviour, the Law can therefore do nothing else for us: “…the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners.” Read Galatians 3:24,25: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

Possessing a completed Bible, the mystery program committed to the Apostle Paul now fully revealed to us, does it make sense for us to fall back on previous revelation as though more recent information from God has not been disclosed? Today, we have the Grace of God—not the Law of Moses!—to teach us how to live….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does the King James Bible in Luke 14:10 suggest Jesus encouraged people to worship fellow humans?”

A Better Biography #3

Sunday, November 14, 2021

“For the love of Christ constraineth 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” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 KJV).

How can the truths of today’s Scripture lead us to have better biographies?

According to the Bible, the Law of Moses was not God’s original agreement with Israel. Galatians chapter 3: “[16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [19] Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

The Law was “added because of transgressions” (verse 19). In the Abrahamic Covenant, given over four centuries earlier, God had promised to do some things with Abram (Abraham). Genesis 12:1-3: “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and [I will] make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and [I will] curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” The LORD is working to make a people for Himself—Abraham is not working to form this nation! So Israel would learn she could not be God’s people based on her performance, but solely on the LORD’S performance, He introduced the Law Covenant. By failing under the Law, she would come to better appreciate the grace of the Abrahamic Covenant….

The Greatest Philanthropist #3

Monday, November 8, 2021

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,…” (Titus 3:4 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us about the Greatest Philanthropist to ever live!

While John 3:16 is often presented as “the Gospel” today, it lacks any reference to Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary. Romans 5:6-8, elaborating on today’s Scripture, more fully illustrates God’s love: “[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God “commendeth”—entrusts us with, recommends to us as worthy of our acceptance—His love toward us. He offers His love to us, the unselfish mental attitude He has for us. While we as sinful creatures are not praiseworthy, His love toward such wholly undeserving sinful creatures is!

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” God is kind and loving toward us, not because of our religious works but because His very nature is mercy (holding back what we deserve) and grace (giving what we do not deserve). Again, He is the Greatest Philanthropist!

When we ask the questions, “Does God love me? Does He care about me?,” we are not being mindful of what the Holy Bible has said for the last 2,000 years. Through Jesus Christ’s fully-satisfying payment for sin at Calvary, we can be “saved” (spiritually healed, delivered from the effects of sin). Here is the greatest gift Almighty God could ever give us, worth infinitesimally more than all silver, gold, and precious stones: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). May we trust this Gospel message in our heart, and be thankful for His generosity!

333’s 3800th – Propaganda or Peace?

Monday, October 25, 2021

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV).

Only by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks another major milestone—devotional #3800!

A recent poll indicates Americans are worried one of these top three disasters will end human civilization: a pandemic (19%), climate change (19%), or nuclear war (17%). Frankly, for a “Christian” nation, we are quite confused, too obsessed with the cares of this world to see there are far more important matters with which to be concerned (avoiding the flames of Hell by placing our faith in Christ, learning and believing sound Bible doctrine to have daily victory over sin, teaching our children morals and ethics, et cetera).

Let lost people, and Christians who prefer to think like lost people, fuss and fret about things that may or may not come. We who understand and believe Bible prophecy are not at all alarmed. As prophesied, this world is still headed for the Tribulation, something far worse than any human can conceive, but it shall not come as long as this the Dispensation of Grace is operating—and, for that, we can be thankful!

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of filling our minds and hearts with endless propaganda (“news”) and mindlessly spewing it back out for everyone to hear and read (perpetuating the cycle of paranoia), today’s Scripture exhorts us to “set [our] affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The Greek word for “affection” was elsewhere rendered “think” (Acts 28:22; Romans 12:3) and “mind” (Romans 8:5; Romans 12:16; Philippians 2:5; Philippians 3:19). Brethren, over the course of these last 3,800 days, we here have striven to provide you with sound Bible studies—to give you peace, not propaganda. May we continue walking—and thinking—therein as we now aim for devotional #3900! 🙂

Bible Q&A #890: “How could pagan Nebuchadnezzar know about ‘the Son of God?’”

Purity or Compromise? #7

Thursday, October 21, 2021

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV).

Will we be pure and thus purified? Or, will we compromise and thus be compromised?

If we doubt the Scriptures, taking a negative view of them, we will gradually relinquish more and more of them—leading to increasing uncertainty. To appeal to the world, to gain their “fellowship,” we have compromised. Eventually, we wind up like so many dear souls who have expressed throughout history, “I hate the Bible and have tossed it out altogether!” Here is apostasy, falling away from the truth, the result of failing to maintain doctrinal integrity. If this is the way we want it, then the God of the Scriptures will let us have it. Therefore, we must be extremely careful in this regard.

Believing the Scriptures, taking a positive view of them, we will continue to grow purer in our understanding of spiritual matters—causing greater confidence. To seek God’s approval, to think like He thinks, we have faith in what He has spoken to us. Ultimately, we experience what precious few souls have exclaimed throughout history, “I trust, understand, and enjoy the Bible!” Here is maturity, a greater awareness of the truth, the consequence of upholding doctrinal integrity. If this is the way we want it, then the God of the Scriptures will let us have it. Therefore, we need to be exceedingly careful in this regard too.

Dear brethren, as grace believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be particularly vigilant to be people of faith not doubt, to be saints of purity not compromise. Even within the Grace Movement, it is often quite difficult to discern who is a Christian and who is not. This is to be expected of denominationalists who have compromised but not dispensationalists who are allegedly pure! Let us cogitate on these simple truths, and may we adjust our minds and actions accordingly.

Our latest Bible Q&As: “What is a ‘battlement?’” and “Can you explain ‘cogitations?’”