Category: sound doctrine

If Thou Be #2

Friday, June 5, 2015

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV).

As Satan attempted to cause Jesus Christ to doubt who He was, he misled Eve about who she was. Likewise, Satan enjoys casting doubt on our identity in Christ.

Keeping short sin accounts (daily confession) causes us to wonder if we are truly forgiven. Being water baptized causes us to believe that we cannot have fruitful Christian service without a ceremony. Tithing causes us to believe that we cannot be blessed of God unless we give to Him. Scholarship causes us to believe that, unless we adopt human wisdom, we cannot understand the Bible. Satan attacks our identity in Christ “by any means.” We are already forgiven in Christ forever (Colossians 2:13). We only need one baptism—when the Holy Spirit put us into the Body of Christ the moment we trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5).

When someone suggests that we have to do something in our flesh to enhance our Christian life, or behave a certain way in order to get something from God, they are drawing us away from our identity in Christ (Galatians 3:1-3). We are “complete in [Christ]” (Colossians 2:10). We are “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). God has freely given us all things with His Son (Romans 8:32). We do not need to ask God for anything. Everything He could possibly give us, He gave it when He gave us His Son. Jesus Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). In Christ, all of our need is met (Philippians 4:19).

God revealed to the Apostle Paul the information that we need to understand what He is doing today. That set of doctrines is called “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-11). Jesus Christ disclosed that information to Paul, and when we read those Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, the Holy Spirit enlightens us. What God has planned for us believers, we need to search the writings of the Apostle of the Gentiles, and not stray from those grace doctrines!

If Thou Be

Thursday, June 4, 2015

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Matthew 4:5,6 KJV).

If Satan knew Jesus was God, why did Satan question Him, “If thou be the Son of God…?”

The very first words out of Satan’s lips recorded in Scripture are documented forever in Genesis 3:1: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” What did Satan attack first and foremost? It was God’s Word! Satan questioned God’s Word, causing Eve to doubt it. Interestingly, people have been doing that ever since as well, ever trying to “reconstruct” the “original Bible” with all their perverted manuscripts, “‘older’ and ‘better’ variant readings,” and copyrighted modern English versions. After over a century of attempts, they still have not gotten it right. Until the Lord comes and destroys them all, they will fabricate, market, and $ell many new English Bible translations!

In today’s Scripture, we see Satan “up to his old tricks.” The Devil is tempting Jesus Christ, desperately trying to cause Jesus to doubt that He is the Son of God. “If thou be the Son of God….” Days earlier, God the Father from heaven had declared at Jesus’ baptism, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Satan, knowing what God the Father said, wanted Jesus to forget those precious divine words (as with poor Eve). The Devil knew he could destroy Jesus Christ once He had divorced His mind from Father God’s Word to Him. Without cognizance of His identity, Jesus was sure to fail, and Satan would win. Praise God that Jesus replied to Satan, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7). In other words, “Satan, I am the Lord! I am the Son of God! You do not deceive Me!” (Above all, Jesus Christ triumphed where Eve failed millennia earlier!)

I Have Not Sent Them!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:8,9 KJV).

Satan is a master counterfeiter, dear friend. He is still deceiving the masses today!

A pastor friend noticed a certain lady attending his church. After Sunday services, she said she had learned a great deal. She understood the Bible dispensationally, Paul as her apostle, “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery,” and the Body of Christ. The next Sunday, however, she was thoroughly confused. He taught her again, and she was straightened out doctrinally. Next Sunday, she was all confused about the Scriptures yet again! Finally, he asked her why she continuously vacillated between good Bible teaching and bad Bible teaching. She replied, “I watch various television preachers all week long!” “…Tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).

Satellite television is both a blessing and a curse to Christianity. Good, solid, sound Bible teaching can be found. Unfortunately, it has to be greatly sought. A worthwhile Bible program can be found after searching dozens of channels and programs. “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17). If many people were corrupting the Bible 20 centuries ago, it is no surprise to find few faithful ministers and few sound Bible programs on television today.

Having recently “Christian-channel surfed,” I can say that much of what is masquerading as “Christianity” today is quite laughable. Schemes, scams, shallowness, and shams are most of what you find parading as “Jesus ministries.” Likewise, in today’s Scripture, many were deceiving Israel using the LORD’S name, too! Let us take Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, in the King James Bible, and avoid anyone and everyone who does not conform thereto!

Filthy Feet with Hideous Hearts

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

“[Jesus] riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (John 13:4-6 KJV).

How willing are you to grab someone’s stinky feet and wash them?

A pastor friend of mine frequently refers to how Jesus bothered to wash the disciples’ smelly feet (today’s Scripture). Imagine what those feet were like. They had been in sandals for many hours (it was now nighttime), sweating in that hot Middle Eastern sun all day, caked with sand. What gritty, filthy, stinky feet!!

Here we have “the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47) coming to Earth and wanting to wash the dirty, foul-smelling feet of sinners! But, that is not all. The hearts of sinners are much more putrid-smelling to God’s nostrils. Yet, He still chose to come to Earth and wash those dirty hearts that were connected to those dirty feet.

John concluded the passage: “[12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? [13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. [16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. [17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

As the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ could have made sinners wash His feet. Instead, He followed the local custom and humbly chose to wash their feet instead. (Peter was shocked!) What lesson can we learn here? Simple. If the Almighty Creator was meek, we have no reason to be prideful!

333 Turns Four!

Monday, June 1, 2015

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 KJV).

Greetings to all our grace brethren around the world! Rejoice in Christ with us as “333 Words of Grace” celebrates its fourth birthday today!

Dear friends, we have come a long way—1,462 daily Bible studies to be exact! Some of you have been with us for just a few. Others of you have been with us for every one. Thank you for your continued prayer and support. How we are so grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ to have been able to serve you these last four years. We look forward to thousands of new studies and many more years (Lord willing, of course). While we have covered much ground in the Scriptures, there is still much we have not yet discussed. God’s Word can never be exhausted. In fact, we have all of eternity to learn it and profit from it, but we might as well start here now.

When Paul gave advice to the Ephesian elders about surviving the damnable teachings of the “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” he offered, in part, today’s Scripture. He knew that “the word of [God’s] grace” (the Bible rightly divided) would edify these Christians in the midst of all the doctrinal error. We would do well if we kept that in mind as Christendom becomes more confused and further apostate.

We hope to have been a help and a blessing to you these last four years. It has been our daily prayer that you grow in the knowledge of the grace of God that is offered us in Jesus Christ. We hope that we have shown you the key to unlocking the Holy Scriptures and how to extract the profit that God put into them. Father God is doing something extraordinary in this vast universe and He invites us to join Him in doing it. He wants us to delight in it to the extent He does, and unless we know what He is doing, we cannot enjoy it.

* And now, beloved, we close Year 4 of this ministry project! Onward by God’s grace into Year 5! 🙂

Willing to Submit to God’s Will

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

“If any man will do his [the Father’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17 KJV).

Let us be willing to submit to God’s will!

A ministry coworker recently told me about how one particular man was so excited about understanding the Bible dispensationally. I had talked with him months before via telephone, and she had given him some Bible study material. Just the other day, he had returned to her house—all these months later—to express his gratitude to her for showing him the truth. God’s Word has gripped his heart!

Earlier this week, a vehicle pulled up at my house while I was in our front yard. A man stepped out and asked me if I recognized him. Of course I did. Many months ago, he had just so happened to be passing in our neighborhood. At that time, a relative and myself have given him the Gospel and shared some Bible study material with recently. Recently, it was on his heart to stop, so he did. We had a delightful discussion about Bible versions and Bible perversions. I could sense his thrill in seeing such wonderful truths!

It is often asked, “Why does God hide His Word from some but reveal it to others? Why do some people see the Gospel, see the truth about the Bible versions issue, and see right division, while others do not see anything at all?” (Jesus’ answer is today’s Scripture.) Those who have faith see the truth! Those who do not see the truth do not want to see the truth! It has nothing to do with God hiding anything from anyone. It has everything to do with people not wanting to submit to God’s authority and refusing to believe Him. It is that simple!

May we be like these two men described above. People with such a desire to see the truth! People with a love to hear more of and believe God’s truth! Souls who simply took God at His Word, and who let God’s Word take them beyond their wildest imaginations! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did God kill the Egyptians’ firstborn sons?”

Fruit in the Time to Come

Friday, May 22, 2015

“For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Corinthians 1:13,14 KJV).

Oh, what excitement and rejoicing there will be when all members of the Body of Christ in heaven we will see!

In the early 1900s, preacher and Bible scholar Dr. C. I. Scofield led a certain missionary to trust Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. In the 1940s, that missionary led a certain preacher to Jesus Christ. By the early 1970s, that preacher had led a certain woman and her husband to Jesus Christ. In 1980, that woman led Mom and Dad to Jesus Christ. It was in the mid-1990s that Mom led me, at the age of 6 or 7, to trust Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. In just a few lines, that was one route the Gospel of Grace “traveled” in the 20th century!

Today’s Scripture is a very exciting passage in light of the above paragraph. Paul and Timothy knew the Corinthian believers would be their rejoicing at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Conversely, Paul and Timothy would be the rejoicing of the Corinthians in that day. Similar statements were made about the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:19,20.

When we all arrive at the Judgment Seat of Christ on that glorious day post-Rapture, and the Lord Jesus Himself evaluates the doctrine we have stored in our inner man, there will be great joy, a most glorious reunion, an event that transcends our imagination! There, we will recognize those we led to Jesus Christ, and we will know those Christians whose lives we impacted with sound Bible doctrine (dispensational Bible study). Also, we will be able to thank the saints who were so faithful in leading us to trust Jesus Christ and/or teaching us His wonderful truths. All the memories of the troubles of this world will just melt away. We will be awed by what God Almighty did to get us all there! 🙂

Speak to the Hungry People!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

“…He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully…” (Jeremiah 23:28b KJV).

Do you have God’s Word? Then speak that Word faithfully, that you may feed the starving souls!

In ministry, I meet many cantankerous people. They are not interested in being Bible believers. They only want to argue and change the Bible text when they disagree with it. What is sad is if they have actually trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour! Then again, I find some people (saved and lost alike) who make ministry so worthwhile. They want to believe God’s Word, and cannot hear enough of it. They want to hear more, more, and more! (It is our pleasure to stick around talking with them as long as possible.)

One Christian sister explained to me that she was teaching dispensational Bible study to another Christian. He was so intrigued by the verses she was sharing. The poor man was “starving” spiritually. Church services were just not feeding his soul. He had religion, but not edification. He wanted to hear more from God’s Word!

A Christian brother who has since gone to meet the Lord, was known for his sincere searching for the truth. That man was so open to being taught the Holy Bible rightly divided. He refused to hear any more denominational teaching—he had heard enough of that for many years before. He wanted the pure Word of God. For hours at a time, he eagerly received Bible lessons! His earthly life was cut short due to illness, but we were so glad to serve him for the brief time we did.

One of my closest friends in the ministry attended weekly services with her husband for some 10 years in a denominational church. Once these Christians came to understand God’s grace and the King James Bible rightly divided, she summarized their decade of denominationalism: “In those 10 years there, we learned nothing!”

Saints, Father God has not yet closed our Dispensation of Grace. We have His preserved Word (the King James Bible), so let us faithfully speak it to as many people as we can before time runs out! 🙂

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

Nine years ago today, I graduated high school. Consequently, we dedicate this devotional to high school students who are nearing graduation.

Are you about to graduate high school? What would God have you do afterward? Go to college? Trade school? Something else? What career should you pursue? If you do plan on education after high school, where should you attend school? These are tough questions, and while God’s Word does not answer them, you can make decisions that conform to sound Bible doctrine—that is God’s will.

In today’s Scripture, Paul encourages downcast Timothy. Timothy was considerably younger than the Apostle Paul. Older people who are teaching false doctrine are intimidating young Timothy: “Tim, you are too young to teach God’s Word. Let us handle it.” Young Timothy conceded, became silent, and allowed the (“older and wiser”) false teachers to continue teaching their damnable heresies (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:5-8). Paul replied, “Timothy, Speak up! Let no man despise thy youth!”

Christian youth can be just as effectual in their station in life as Christian adults. The lost world is watching us Christians, and we need to be sure that our actions are in accordance with the sound Bible doctrine we claim to believe (lest we be guilty of confusing the already-puzzled unbelievers). Whether “young or old,” our speech, our lifestyle, our acts of love, our determination, our belief in sound Bible doctrine, and our separation from that which God hates, is the way we communicate to the lost world God’s Word and its preeminence in our lives and hearts (today’s Scripture).

Above all, dear graduates, whatever you do post-graduation, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). After all, it really is not your life—it is Christ’s life in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4), so He alone deserves the glory!

*Based on a Bible study by the same name, which can be read here. Also, see the study “The Spirit-Filled Student.”

Out of Season

Sunday, May 17, 2015

“And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isaiah 29:18 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture have to do with the current spiritual affairs of “Christian” United States of America?

According to a recent poll, in 2014, about 71 percent of Americans claimed to be “Christian.” In 2007, it was 78 percent. Some 23 percent of Americans polled in 2014 claimed to be “atheist, agnostic, or of no specific faith.” Back in 2007, that percentage was 16. In other words, it seems that Christianity is losing its majority. Why do I say “seems?”

One of the greatest misconceptions is the widely held belief that every person who claims to be “Christian” is a Christian. If we were to re-poll the above persons, and ask them to define what a Christian is or believes, many would be unable to tell us. The actual percentage of Christians is far lower. There may be 224 million church members in our beloved nation, but certainly not 224 million members of the Body of Christ! From Genesis through Revelation, the God of the Bible has never had a majority. I doubt there are 224 million true Christians in the whole world!

What is happening in our nation is we are reverting to pre-Christian times. When Christianity spread through pagan lands in New Testament times, there was increasing light and truth. Now, the opposite is occurring. That light and truth are becoming scarcer—not just here, but in all places history once knew as “centers of Bible believers.” This world is heading for the seven-year Tribulation, and rightly so. Two thousand more years of unbelief have been credited to mankind.

The spiritual ignorance that so gripped Israel millennia ago is suffocating the whole world spiritually. Thankfully, today’s Scripture says that God’s Word will still be preserved beyond our present-day, to convert Israel in the future. If that Word will exist then, it must exist today. Despite all the false religions, false teachers, and false Bibles, our King James Bible is a beacon ever so bright and true. ‘Tis the preserved Word of God that shall see us through! 🙂