Category: God: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost

God’s Profaned Name #3

Thursday, August 10, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

When He brought them out of Egyptian bondage, the LORD had indeed taken the nation Israel unto Himself, making them His special people in the Earth: He had “sanctified” them, “hallowed” them, or set them apart positionally. Consequently, they were to be “holy” practically—in their daily living. As He was isolated from the gods and goddesses of the Gentiles (idols), so the Jews were to be separated from the Gentiles (nations). “…I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people” (Leviticus 20:24). “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26). This is why He gave Israel “unusual” laws to obey and “strange” rules to observe.

By watching the Israelites conduct themselves according to the Creator’s will, the Gentiles (without that one true God) were to be impressed and interested. See Moses’ advice to Israel in Deuteronomy 4:5-8: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

Nevertheless, because of sin, there was an adverse reaction to what the LORD had spoken to Israel….

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #5

Sunday, August 6, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [the Lord Jesus Christ] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38,39). As Paul preached in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia so long ago, God is currently offering forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ without religious works of any kind.

Through Paul’s Gospel, we can receive “forgiveness of sins” (see his grace commission of Acts 26:18). To “forgive” means “to clear the debt or send away the offense.” In fact, the Greek word translated “forgiveness” is related to that which is rendered “sent away” in Matthew 13:36 and Mark 4:36. What is Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24)? “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Dear friends, as long as we attempt to fill the God-shaped void in our heart and life with someone or something other than the God of the Bible, the blessedness of forgiveness will ever elude us. No water baptism, no tithing, no rites, no prayers, no theological studies, no ceremonies, no promises, no pilgrimages, no confessions, no rituals, no commandment-keeping, no turning over a new leaf, no traditions, no experiences, no distribution of denominational literature, no lucrative business deals, no drugs, no alcoholic beverages, no illicit sexual activities, no followers on social media, no education, no partying, no foreign trips, and no job promotions can ever replace the joy of total, permanent forgiveness of all our sins through Jesus Christ’s perfect shed blood. Please see Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13, and Colossians 3:13 for more information!

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #4

Saturday, August 5, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

Deep down inside, works-religion people are miserable. They have no lasting peace, eternal security, or joy of the Holy Spirit. Instead, they “hope and pray” they will make it into Heaven. Nothing has ever been settled for them at Calvary, so their sin problem is constantly irritating them. As preposterous as it sounds, even believers in Christ—if they are not renewing their mind—will walk the same tightrope and fall to their practical death too (Romans 7:7-25). That was the case of the Galatians, struggling to manage their sin by appealing to the law system that only condemned them as sinners (see Romans 3:19,20; Galatians 3:19-27; 1 Timothy 1:7-11).

Is not grace a “license to sin?” This objection arises either because someone seeks an excuse to hold to the Law system (as if the Law ever empowered sinners to stop sin!), or they lack a real understanding of what grace is and what it teaches. They should grasp Titus 2:11-14! “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; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of 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.”

“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 [God protest!]” (Romans 6:14,15). Unless we think in terms of Romans chapter 6 (we are dead to sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord), we will go the way of chapter 7 (misery). The key to recovering ourselves out of this snare of the Devil is Romans chapter 8.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #3

Friday, August 4, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

The Galatians had originally received the Gospel of Grace when the Apostle Paul came into central Turkey in Acts chapters 13 and 14. These pagan idolaters learned about the Lord Jesus Christ dying for their sins, being buried, and being raised again for their justification (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Nonetheless, they did not stay with this Good News; they therefore drifted away to a works-religion message.

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:8-11,15,16).

Once joyful saints thankful for Paul’s ministry and God’s grace (God’s riches at Christ’s expense), they chose to return to works-religion (perform to obtain the blessings). In so doing, they became miserable (losing their “blessedness”) and made Paul their opponent….

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #2

Thursday, August 3, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

After explaining how Abraham believed God’s words to him (verses 1-5)—and how Abraham was justified (declared righteous in God’s sight) by faith without works (see Genesis 15:6)—Paul takes up a second example (David as presented in today’s Scripture). Neither Abraham nor David knew all what our completed Bible would teach, but God expected them to believe what He had revealed to them in their respective points on the timeline of His plan for the ages.

David “also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” This “blessedness” is the joy of justification, the gladness of applied righteousness. David did not understand how Calvary would take care of his sin problem—the cross was 1,000 years into the future—but he knew God had cleared the debt (forgiveness) and given him righteousness (justification).

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Paul here reaches back to David’s words in Psalm 32:1,2. Since David was imperfect, his sin haunted him and made him miserable (see verses 3,4). Furthermore, because Israel was under the Law of Moses, David had to confess that sin and offer the appropriate animal sacrifice (see verses 5,6). Notice well how that concerned one sin: “Blessed is he whose transgression [singular] is forgiven, whose sin [singular] is covered” (Psalm 32:1).

Now, with us on this side of the cross, God has dealt with all our sins at Calvary. Observe how Paul made the nouns plural—“iniquities” and “sins”—in Romans 4:7. What David knew in part (forgiveness of one sin), we know in totality (forgiveness of all sins). Paul’s argument is thus: if David could rejoice in the little spiritual light he had, then we can and should rejoice even more because we have all revelation from God on the subject….

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #1

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. [9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”

Under no circumstances could Abraham ever boast before God, for he was not justified by works. He was not made right in God’s sight by keeping rules and regulations. Instead, the Book of Genesis reports: “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted [reckoned, credited, considered] it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:3-6). Abraham just trusted God’s words to him, and God regarded Abraham as meeting God’s standard of rightness….

A Grace Study Bible

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on 11 full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Some 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Eleven years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be over 80 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

arC Ministries Is 16!

Monday, July 31, 2023

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 16th anniversary today!!!

Sixteen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 16 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 12 years now. For the last 11 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its twelfth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Seven years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Four years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Sixteen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 17! 🙂

 

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Praise

Sunday, July 30, 2023

“Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13 KJV).

Elderly King David is talking to the LORD as young Solomon will soon occupy the throne and build the Temple!

A pastor of many decades once remarked how he had attended countless “prayer services,” hearing and/or taking innumerable prayer requests. Reflecting on all these occasions, he summarized them in the following way: the most common topics were the healing of the sick and the blessings of the healthy! People wanted deliverance from illness, poverty, and so on. However, (he mused) where were the prayers of thanksgiving to God and of praise to God? Prayer had been reduced to an excuse to fulfill selfish purposes, for God had been reduced to Santa Claus!

No matter the place on the Bible timeline, prayer is simply people talking to the Lord in light of His revelation to them. They know—or should know!—what He is doing at that present moment, they speak to Him according to that, and now what He is doing becomes reinforced in their minds and hearts so they can cooperate with Him in doing exactly what He is (the will of God!). Contrary to popular belief, prayer is more than making a “wish list.” When we pray, we should be thanking Father God for His righteousness, goodness, grace, love, mercy, peace, kindness, wisdom, fellowship with us, and so on. Also, we should be striving to seek His glorification, not ours. Let us be mindful chiefly of His words to us, the 13 Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon, praying in agreement with them above all else.

Read the context of today’s Scripture. In verses 1-9, David addresses Israel, recounting how he has organized supplies for Solomon to erect the Jerusalem Temple, and they subsequently give willingly of their treasures to add to the building. From verses 10-19, David rejoices and praises the LORD in prayer, remembering all natural resources belong to the Creator. In verses 20-25, the Jewish people further celebrate and again recognize Solomon’s right to David’s throne, the LORD magnifying Solomon thereafter. The chapter closes (verses 26-30) with a review of David’s reign and death.

A Lost Love #10

Saturday, July 29, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Undoubtedly, dear friends, we should share with everyone the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). It is needful that we attempt to tell as many people as we can. However, we must be blunt here. As it was in Bible days, so it is now: a great many people will never come to Christ. This is true of at least some of our lost loved ones. Though we wish we could believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in their behalf, this is not how God has designed the plan of salvation to work. It is personal faith, not “by proxy” faith. If people do not want to hear and believe the Gospel of Grace, we need to move on to those who do. The more time and energy we waste on those who refuse to believe, the fewer people we are able to reach.

May I be direct once again? Nine years ago this month, I delivered the eulogy of one of my relatives. Some 30 unsaved family members were present at that funeral home—and it was for this express reason I made certain to preach a clear Gospel message. It was undoubtedly the plainest presentation of the Gospel they had ever heard in their lives. (In fact, I was told later, it was so explicit that the works-religion cult leader standing beside me began blushing!) Those hearts were quite convicted and shocked so that the room become deathly silent. After I finished speaking, a single family member came up and voiced approval of the message. The rest of these my relatives have never heard the Gospel or any Bible verse from me in more than nine years now because I respect their free will. If they do go to Hell, I can rightfully say with Paul, “I am clean [of their blood]” (Acts 18:6). May we be able to declare this concerning all our lost loves.