Category: correction

Abstain From All Appearance of Evil #2

Saturday, May 6, 2023

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

Could we follow today’s Scripture to prevent the founding of another false religious system? (Yes!)

It is most unfortunate that modern English versions—even the New King James Version—generally retranslate today’s Scripture, making it more difficult to comprehend and impossible to obey. While our King James Bible has, “Abstain from all appearance of evil,” modern translations read something to the effect of, “Abstain for all kind/form of evil.” This, however, does not adequately convey the strength of the Greek word “eidos.” The term is derived from “eido” (“I see”). “Form” or “kind” is not as specific as “appearance.” The thrust of the argument here is sight.

Observe the following references that also use the Greek term. “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape [“eidos”] like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). “And as he prayed, the fashion [“eidos”] of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Luke 9:29). “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape [“eidos”]” (John 5:37). “(For we walk by faith, not by sight [“eidos”]: )” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The Holy Ghost appeared to be a dove (Luke 3:22), though He is not actually a dove. Jesus’ outward appearance glowed as He prayed on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:29). The unbelieving Jews had never seen Father God (John 5:37). We walk by faith, “not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our King James translators, therefore, knew how to handle “eidos” in today’s Scripture—and were well aware that display or appearance is the force of the word. While we are to avoid all kinds of evil (that is basic Christian knowledge), our Authorized Version is more precise with “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” This principle excludes us from engaging in even that which seems to be evil, for, mature Christian thinking causes us to conclude that we are to shun even that which looks like sin….

Abstain From All Appearance of Evil #1

Friday, May 5, 2023

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

Could we follow today’s Scripture to prevent the founding of another false religious system? (Yes!)

Many, many, many years ago, a certain man who had been raised in
“Christian religion” observed some hypocritical behavior. The men who would watch vulgar performances on Saturday night would show up Sunday morning for “church services.” Eventually, he became so cynical toward Christianity that he actually defied it by founding an evil religious system to compete with it. That instance of spite, of course, is definitely not isolated. We can only wonder just how many souls were forever lost to the world, the flesh, and the Devil because of something insincere they saw or heard from supposed “Christian” people.

One of the saddest cases of compromise in the Bible regards Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot knew the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, and while he did not originally live in Sodom, his front door faced it! “Abraham dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). By the time of chapter 14, however, Lot was dwelling in Sodom (verse 12)! Moreover, by the time of chapter 19, Lot “sat in the gate of Sodom” (verse 1), indicating he held a prominent political position. When the two angels notified him the LORD was soon to destroy Sodom, we finally see the bitter harvest of his worldliness.

“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:12-14). Having lost his testimony and their respect, Lot was unable to convince his sons-in-law to take his warning seriously….

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. 🙂

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #10

Thursday, May 4, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

You have no control over losing health, wealth, or loved ones. Fretting will not decrease the likelihoods either. Instead, behold the priority! Before you permanently lose your soul for all eternity—that most dreadful, irreversible process—you need to place your faith exclusively in the fact Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Then, you can join the Apostle Paul in saying: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep [guard, preserve] that which I have committed unto him against that day” (today’s Scripture).

As opposed to going to great lengths to extend the longevity of these physical bodies—which are still destined for the cemetery!—we should focus more on our bodily resurrection to come (Romans 8:18-25; 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:5; Philippians 3:20,21). We should be building up our inner man, soul and spirit, renewing it day by day with sound Bible doctrine. Instead of hoarding our earthly riches—which we will lose anyway!—we should rather use our resources to selflessly help those who are less fortunate (see 1 Timothy 6:17-19). What we will take with us to Heaven is not material goods at all, but spiritual wisdom, spiritual knowledge, and spiritual understanding that we acquired here during our earthly sojourn (see 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10; Colossians 3:23-25). Though we will lose our family members and friends, we still have everlasting fellowship with Father God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all believers throughout the ages. Nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39—read verses 31-39 for the context).

“Be careful [worrisome, anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard, preserve] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).

Show Me the Verses!

Friday, April 21, 2023

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13 KJV).

Once, a beloved family member told me, “We have our doctrinal differences.” I replied to this Christian (albeit denominational) man, “Show me the verses that prove my position is wrong.” More than 10 years later, he has yet to supply me with so much as a single Bible reference, for he is comfortable with his imperfect theology and refuses dispensational Bible study!

Truly, we should always be open to correction, fine-tuning what we believe (either adjusting our beliefs so they are clearer or throwing them out entirely if they are completely wrong). In this life, we will not get everything correct, but we should make every effort to learn and master the purest doctrine we can. It all depends on our willingness to let go of long-held traditions of men. That means we might even have to admit our parents were wrong, our family religion is erroneous, and what we heard and believed all our lives was false. Surely, this is devastating, but it is far more beneficial that we acknowledge the blunders now instead of ignoring them out of pride, obstinacy, and denial—and then suffering the damaging consequences well into the future when it is too late to change!

Saul of Tarsus was a rabbinical scholar, leading his nation Israel in its campaign against Jesus Christ and His Little Flock of believers in early Acts. For example, read Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-2, Acts 22:3-5, Acts 26:9-11, Galatians 1:13-14, Philippians 3:6, and today’s Scripture. “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2). In other words, the Apostle Paul confessed, “Yes, I once used the Hebrew Bible to teach error. That is no longer true, for now I am a saved man, growing in the truth of Bible verses, moving from immaturity into adulthood.” See the course of his development laid out in Philippians 3:1-21. May we follow him as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)!

The Key to Be Happy! #8

Saturday, April 1, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

To be happy, we must identify God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding applicable for this the Dispensation the Grace. This is “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 [via Paul’s ministry and message, Romans through Philemon]…” (Romans 16:25,26). “In whom [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). “That no flesh should glory in [God’s] presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8). “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). “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without [the unsaved people around us], redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 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; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;…” (Ephesians 5:15-20).

When we walk by faith in God’s words to us, Romans through Philemon, we are in His will, and, as the Psalmist penned long ago, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Psalm 146:5)! 🙂

I Have Finished the Work! #7

Thursday, March 16, 2023

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4 KJV).

Could we say this at the end of our life, at the conclusion of our ministry?

“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 [mind, focus, regard] on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). We must have this renewed mind (laid out in the first two chapters), or sin will master us. Remember Paul’s dilemma in Romans chapter 7.

“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).

Ephesians 4:17-24: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; 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.”

“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). When we by faith let the Holy Spirit use the Word of God rightly divided to work in us, the very life of Jesus Christ is on display!

I Have Finished the Work! #6

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4 KJV).

Could we say this at the end of our life, at the conclusion of our ministry?

Dear friends, in order for today’s Scripture to be true of us, we need only to discover what God is doing today and do that by faith. We will thus do God’s will. (It is not complicated!) Philippians 1:9-11 summarizes the Holy Spirit’s desire for us: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ [He produces the fruits!!], unto the glory and praise of God.” We are just walking by faith in our identity in Christ, and He does the work.

Philippians 2:13-16 amplifies: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

In his parting words to the Ephesian church elders, the Apostle Paul spoke: “But none of these things [trials and tribulations] move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify [bear record of, bear witness of] the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Paul is no longer here, so we (other members of the Church the Body of Christ) have inherited his grace ministry. Read our “grace commission” outlined in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. The Holy Spirit worked in and through Paul, and He will work in and through us. We must be willing to learn, believe, and apply sound Bible doctrine….

I Have Finished the Work! #5

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4 KJV).

Could we say this at the end of our life, at the conclusion of our ministry?

First and foremost, we must realize a truth commonly overlooked. Not only is it difficult for us to live the Christian life, it is impossible, for only (!) Jesus Christ can live His life. Thankfully, never does God call us to copy the life of Christ. As it was so eloquently stated long ago, “Christ laid down His life for us on Calvary, that He might then give that life to us when we trust Him, that He might ultimately fill us with that very life as we walk by faith in an intelligent understanding of His words to us.” The Bible tells us, “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Here is “the Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24), by which we “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” to be “saved” (Acts 16:31).

Dear friend, read Romans chapter 6 in its entirety. What Father God desires of us is that we be rendered dead to sin—and He does that Himself when we believe on Jesus Christ’s death as our death. Now that we have come to faith in Christ as our personal Saviour, He will not only save us from Hell (the penalty of sin), He will deliver us from sinful living (the power of sin). When He died on Calvary, we died with Him. When He was buried, we were buried with Him. When He resurrected, we were resurrected with Him. Sin is not who we are anymore, for, though we were in Adam, we are now in Christ, and therefore have a new identity: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity will produce fruit to glorify God (righteousness), just as our old identity in Adam bore fruit to exalt self (sin). We are not doing the good works, but rather Jesus Christ is performing them in and through us….

Comatose! #6

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV).

“Wake up!,” screams the Holy Spirit to today’s comatose professing church!

Moses’ advice to Israel in Deuteronomy 4:5-8 was: “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?” Unfortunately, Israel did not obey the Law of Moses, thereby misrepresenting the one true God in front of their Gentile neighbors (who scoffed at “God’s people”—see Romans 2:24, Ezekiel 36:23, and 2 Samuel 12:14).

Likewise, members of the Church the Body of Christ are thus urged to conduct themselves wisely, “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:5). “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33,34). The Christians at Corinth were spiritually asleep because they were fellowshipping too much with unbelievers, and had been negatively impacted.

Observe Romans 13:11-14: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering [sexual indulgence, lewdness, vulgarity] and wantonness [loose living, recklessness], not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Comatose! #5

Monday, February 27, 2023

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV).

“Wake up!,” screams the Holy Spirit to today’s comatose professing church!

In Matthew 13:25, “the enemy” labored “while men slept.” Verse 39 identifies this “enemy” as “the devil.” The sleeping, of course, is not physical but spiritual. When people are spiritually oblivious, napping in the spiritual realm, they become more susceptible to Satan’s will. A saint not walking in the light of God’s words to him or her will fall into the spiritual trap of functional death, the Christian life not functioning (see today’s Scripture). Also, any lost people refusing to believe God’s words to them—they are content in being lost—they too will be vulnerable to Satanic deception (remaining lost). The context of the verses in Matthew chapter 13 is the Little Flock receiving and believing the Gospel of the Kingdom, God’s work (genuine), and lost Israel refusing and disbelieving the Gospel of the Kingdom, Satan’s work (counterfeit).

Satan’s evil world system is still in force now, misleading lost and saved alike, following the patterns already laid out in Scripture. It had duped the Corinthian saints (spiritual immaturity, heresies and sects, fornication, abusing spiritual gifts, petty lawsuits, mockery of the Lord’s Supper, et cetera), the Galatian saints (legalism, denominationalism, works-religion), the Ephesian saints (various sins and silly deeds delineated in Ephesians 4:17–5:21), and so on. In the verses following today’s Scripture, we read: “[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly [looking around, carefully, alertly], not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;….”

If there is no renewed mind, thinking like a mature grace saint (Romans 12:1,2), we will be “fools… unwise… [not] understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Since the vast majority of the professing church has never paid much attention to the warnings the Holy Spirit issued 2,000 years ago, there is no filling of the Holy Spirit, and therefore no real spiritual fruit and meaningful Christian influence on the world. Like with Israel of old, a spiritual coma incapacitates….