Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

On Your Christian Life

Monday, March 3, 2014

“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” (Colossians 2:6,7 KJV).

If you are seeking victorious Christian living today, you can find it today!

Where do we obtain the power for Christian living? Christendom greatly emphasizes “Kingdom building,” terminology obviously derived from the Four Gospels (Matthew 3:2, Mark 10:14,15, Luke 12:31,32, et cetera). We hear it constantly: “Follow Jesus” (the implication is to obey and apply to our lives His Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, or Luke chapter 12, or John chapters 14-16, et cetera). Others tell us to keep the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) for Christian living. Despite all that performance and effort, very few ever actually realize the life God has for Christians because of the confusion as to what it is and because nearly all of the activities that are presumed to be God’s life for us is everything but it!

Today’s Scripture summarizes both soul salvation unto eternal life and soul salvation unto daily grace living. How did we “receive Christ Jesus the Lord?” By our works? By keeping rules and regulations; performing rites, rituals, and ceremonies; repeating prayers; making God promises to do better; et cetera? NAY! Verse 5 says, “[our] faith in Christ.” Our Christian life operates exactly like our soul salvation from hell was accomplished—by grace through faith in Jesus Christ’s performance (Romans 3:22-26; Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8,9). As we were saved from the penalty of sin (eternal hellfire), so we can be saved from the power of sin (fleshly living, living for ourselves): it is all Jesus Christ’s work!

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). We are accepted in Jesus Christ because of what He did (His grace to us), and our lifestyles are acceptable to God when we allow Jesus Christ to live His life in and through us (the grace doctrines revealed in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, which we study, believe, and apply to life). That is the key to victorious Christian living under grace!

*These past seven devotionals, “Original 7 Expanded Again,” are advanced versions of our “Original 7” devotionals arc and our “Original 7 Expanded” devotionals arc: all 21 build on each other. Onward we go in maturity! 🙂

On Your Apostle Paul

Sunday, March 2, 2014

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office” (Romans 11:13 KJV).

If you are seeking your apostle today, you can find him today!

What Bible books are God’s instructions to us? Should we just grab any passages that we like (“claim the blessings and leave Israel the curses,” “all the promises in the Book are mine,” et cetera)? Whom did God send to us? Who is God’s apostle, His spokesman, to us? Usually, it is said to be Jesus, but how can that be since Jesus Himself declared so plainly that He was not sent to us Gentiles? “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Others follow Peter and the other 11 apostles. Still, others follow some modern-day self-proclaimed “apostle.” Despite all that “name and claim it,” very few ever actually realize God’s spokesman to them because of the confusion as to who he is and because nearly all of the people that are presumed to be God’s spokesman to us is everything but him!

Today’s Scripture says Paul is our apostle, but even in Bible days, God’s spokesman to the Church the Body of Christ was largely ignored. While most denominations professing Christianity today were founded within the last 500 years, denominations existed in the first century A.D., and God the Holy Spirit corrected such ignorance in Paul’s two epistles to Corinth. Some Corinthians were following Peter, others Apollos, others Paul, and the rest Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Although casually discussed in Bible “study” groups, Paul’s unique apostleship is actually still mostly disregarded—hence, Christendom’s doctrinal confusion. Paul is often considered a mere “overdue helper” of Peter and the 11. While Christendom demands we follow and obey Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Bible could not be clearer—we do not know Jesus after the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16). The Holy Spirit declared that Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are “the commandments of the Lord” for us Gentiles (1 Corinthians 14:37; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1). If we do not follow the Apostle Paul as he follows Christ, the Bible says we are not following Jesus Christ!

On Dispensational Bible Study

Saturday, March 1, 2014

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

If you are seeking Bible understanding today, you can find it today!

Over two billion worldwide own some sort of “Bible;” few of these people actually open and study it daily and personally. Instead, most of them listen daily to others reading Bible verses, or daily watch clergy on television, computer, and cellphone screens. Many of these professing Christians attend weekly services at a local assembly where (often familiar) Bible passages are preached and “expounded.” These are usually the places where people look for Bible understanding, but despite all that preaching and church attendance, they rarely find it. Very few ever actually understand those precious words of God because of the confusion as to how to use God’s Word and because nearly all of the systems and denominations that are presumed to explain God’s Word do everything but explain it!

Even in Bible days, Christians forgot whose approval ultimately mattered—how much more today! Today’s Scripture says we should be “approved unto God,” but today’s average professing Christian is too distracted by loyalty to a (manmade) denomination, a system that professes godliness but denies the Bible doctrine that actually furnishes the power to produce godliness in this the Dispensation of Grace—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon (2 Timothy 3:5,10,13-17; cf. 1 Timothy 3:15,16; 1 Timothy 4:6-8; 1 Timothy 6:3-5).

If God is to approve of our Christian service, we must “study” His Word, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (today’s Scripture). God has made distinctions in His Word: He addresses different peoples in various Bible passages providing special truths and instructions (dispensations). We should not be selfish like Christendom in believing everything in the Bible belongs to us. In order to do God’s will today, we must first know what God is doing today, and this is only possible when we rightly divide the programs, operating systems, agencies, apostleships, time periods, and realms delineated in Scripture.

Even though it offends Christendom, we seek God’s approval by studying and believing the Bible dispensationally, for that is the only key to Bible understanding!

On the Holy Bible

Friday, February 28, 2014

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 KJV).

If you are seeking God’s words today, you can find them today!

Where are God’s words? In non-existent original manuscripts? In a preacher’s inner impressions? In our emotions or circumstances? In a prayer closet? In a denominational handbook, hymnal, Bible commentary, or Hebrew or Greek grammar? In an “angelic visitation?” In Bible study footnotes? In the latest, best-selling modern translation? These are usually the places where people look for God’s words, but despite all that reading and praying, they rarely find them. Very few ever actually find those precious words of God because of the confusion as to where to find them and because nearly all of the places that are presumed to have God’s words have everything but them!

In today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that mankind needed spiritual food just as much as he needed physical food. To be physically alive but spiritually dead is not God’s original plan for man! Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses taught Israel the same principle: Israel had 40 years of physical manna to eat but they were starving spiritually, experiencing “leanness [of] soul” because of their unbelief (Psalm 106:15)!

The prophet Isaiah foretold how God the Father “wakeneth [Jesus Christ] morning by morning, [his] ear to hear as the learned” (50:4). Every morning during His earthly ministry, Jesus studied the Old Testament scrolls, and He learned God the Father’s will (cf. Luke 2:40,52; John 8:26-29). Even Jesus Christ depended on the Holy Bible for wisdom, and He knew today’s Scripture firsthand. Jesus lived completely reliant on God’s Word—living the life God originally wanted mankind to live!

Jesus Christ reassured us, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). We have those preserved words of God in English, the King James Bible. May we never, ever take them for granted and may we never, ever abandon them. May we study them and believe them, lest we spiritually starve!

333’s 1000th – God’s Glorious Grace

Monday, February 24, 2014

“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).

Only by God’s glorious grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks its 1000th devotional today!

Dear readers and saints around the world, it is difficult to imagine that we have come this far by God’s grace. For the last 1,000 days, we have allowed God’s Word to daily minister to our hearts and souls—what an edifying time it has been! However, we have not even scratched the surface of the abounding riches of God’s grace to us in Christ. We still have so much more to learn about God’s purpose and plan for heaven and earth, and we still have so much more to learn about our role in it. Still, I thank our Lord Jesus Christ to have had opportunity to share with you what “little” we have discussed.

From day 1, my constant prayer and desire has been to follow today’s Scripture. At one time, even as a saved individual (having assurance of soul salvation unto eternal life), religious tradition had robbed and deceived me concerning daily Christian living. My desire—yea, the Lord Jesus Christ’s desire—is that you be taught the truth that the Apostle Paul preached. My goal has always been to teach you God’s Word “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), to the intent that you teach others that same grace-oriented doctrine (today’s Scripture).

Lost people need to know the right Gospel for salvation today (Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and Christians need to know the right apostle to follow today (Paul, as he reveals Jesus Christ in his epistles, Romans through Philemon). The average church teaches its parishioners neither; hence, lost people remain lost and saved people remain confused.

Thousands more devotionals are slowly taking form, so onward we go for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your continued prayer, for it has not been in vain. Lord willing, and only by His grace, we hope to serve you for at least another 1,000 days! 🙂

Joy in a Hopeless World

Sunday, February 23, 2014

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV).

In the midst of a hopeless world, in Christ, we are joyful!

Hopelessness—such is the lot of sinners in a fallen creation. The psalmist questioned, “Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest thyself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1). Despondent Job, longing for death, declared, “For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters” (Job 3:24).

In the context of today’s Scripture, our Lord Jesus is preparing His apostles to bear the worst life experience they have known. They do not understand it yet, but they will soon witness horrific events—Messiah’s arrest, torture, and death by crucifixion. Their King will perish, and their whole world will be destroyed. They will experience such grief and despair.

Just hours before the awful events on Mount Calvary, Christ encouraged His Little Flock. He consoled them in today’s Scripture, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” No matter what happened—to Him or to them—they were not to allow their circumstances to distract them. They were to have such joy, such happiness (“be of good cheer”), not because they were suffering, but because Jesus Christ had already conquered the evil world system that was originating their persecution! In the midst of their troubles, He gave them His peace, an inner capacity to handle those problems as mature believers.

Israel’s Little Flock would have difficult days ahead, but, “in Christ,” they would have God’s joy. Likewise, in this world filled with grief, uncertainty, and suffering, “By [Jesus Christ] we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:2-5). 🙂

Victory in an Unfair World

Saturday, February 22, 2014

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV).

No matter what may be done, victory in Christ is surely won!

Injustice—such is the lot of sinners in a fallen creation. The psalmist questioned, “LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3). Zophar, one of Job’s “friends,” answered, “Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” (Job 20:4,5).

In the context of today’s Scripture, our Lord Jesus is preparing His apostles to bear the worst life experience they have known. They do not understand it yet, but they will soon witness horrific events—Messiah’s arrest, torture, and death by crucifixion. Their King will perish, and their whole world will be destroyed. Satan will appear to have won, for the Man whom they thought would deliver Israel will be murdered and buried.

Just hours before the awful events on Mount Calvary, Christ encouraged His Little Flock. He consoled them in today’s Scripture, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” No matter what happened—to Him or to them—He declared that He had already won, and that He secured victory for them! Yes, He would be nailed to Calvary’s tree and die, but He would be raised again the third day and triumph over death! Yes, they would be imprisoned and killed for His sake, but He would resurrect them and bring them into their kingdom!

Israel’s Little Flock would have difficult days ahead, but, “in Christ,” they would have God’s victory. Likewise, in this world filled with grief, uncertainty, and suffering, “Nay, in all these things [troubles of life, verses 35 and 36] we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). 🙂

Peace in a Discordant World

Friday, February 21, 2014

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV).

While there is turmoil outside, there need not be any inside.

Trouble—such is the lot of sinners in a fallen creation. Job spoke firsthand, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1,2). A human’s earthly life is ever so brief, and sin makes it ever so complicated.

In the context of today’s Scripture, our Lord Jesus is preparing His apostles to bear the worst life experience they have known. They do not understand it yet, but they will soon witness horrific events—Messiah’s arrest, torture, and death by crucifixion. Their King will perish, and their whole world will be destroyed. In the verse preceding today’s Scripture, Jesus says, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (verse 32). Not too far into the future, all of Jesus’ followers will abandon Him, terrified of the Roman and Jewish governments.

Today’s Scripture is actually the conclusion of Jesus’ departing words to His Jewish believers (He started in John 14:1: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me”). He also told them, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Israel’s Little Flock would have difficult days ahead, but, “in Christ,” they would have God’s peace. Likewise, in this world filled with grief, uncertainty, and suffering, “the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace in believing [God’s Word to you, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon], that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13). 🙂

The Natural View and the Spiritual View #7

Saturday, February 15, 2014

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7 KJV).

We continue addressing the associated objections and misconceptions concerning the recent Ken Ham/Bill Nye Creation/Evolution online debate….

As a scientist (geologist, Earth scientist) and a Bible student and teacher, I have discovered in conversation and literature that very few professing Christians ever grasp the overall scope of the Creation/Evolution matter—they neither fully understand the Bible’s creation account nor man’s evolutionary theory.

For instance, while I have never personally heard the first two chapters of Genesis taught in science class in any public school I have attended, I have heard many professing Christians say “God used evolution” and “Scripture and evolutionary theory are compatible.” Or, consider what one Roman Catholic priest told me when I asked him to clarify paragraph 390 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, “That is right, Genesis chapter 3 is not literal but figurative [allegorical/symbolic].” (One can only wonder if he was deliberately attempting to blend Scripture and evolutionary theory.)

The aforementioned statements from professing Christians demonstrate the ignorance we hope these studies are addressing and suppressing. Saints, my desire—yea, God’s desire—is for you to have a firm grasp of other views before you reject them. While space limits us, our goal here is to delineate the major tenets of evolutionary theory and compare them with the Bible. If someone were to ask you why you reject evolutionary theory, “the Bible does not teach it” is too shallow and insufficient a reply: you must be armed with specific examples (facts!).

When our Apostle Paul confronted pagan Greek philosophers in Athens, he reminded them, “For in him [God] we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28). Paul demonstrated he was familiar with the poetry/writings/speeches his critics esteemed. Likewise, we too must be familiar—not necessarily experts—with evolutionary literature to reach them. We need their quotes and we need God’s Word; oftentimes, one is lacking in such a discussion.

Let us proceed to deeper discussions….

God is Love

Friday, February 14, 2014

“…God is love… God is love… We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:8b,16b,19 KJV).

The word “love” is used very flippantly in today’s world. Of the many who speak about “love,” few know what it is. On this Valentine’s Day, we offer sound doctrine from God’s Word to correct the misunderstandings of what love really is. What is love, according to God’s Word?

Today’s Scripture says that “God is love”—God does not simply love, but His very nature is love. What does that mean? In 1 John 3:16, we read: “Hereby we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:” Our Apostle Paul put it this way: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s nature is love—selfless, self-sacrificing!

God’s Word defines love and charity in 2 Corinthians 12:15: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Love is seeking the best interest of others, even if it costs you something (time, energy, resources, et cetera). Charity is love in deed (demonstrated, manifested in action). God loved us, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It cost God the Father His Son, and it cost God the Son His life. What a selfless act!

Our nature in Adam is selfish, but our nature in Christ is not. Paul declares, “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, our Christian lives are driven and motivated by Christ’s love for us, not our love for Him. It is this unselfish love of Christ working in us that causes us to look on the things of others, to seek their edification and their benefit, not ours (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1-11). This will result in charity, our selfless actions reflecting that love of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:15).

As the lost world observes our Christian service, they will see, “God is love.”

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.