Category: faith

Emulation #5

Sunday, November 5, 2023

“If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Romans 11:14 KJV).

What is “emulation?”

It was stated long ago, and rightly so, “The ground is level at the foot of Calvary’s cross.” To have a permanent relationship with the God of the Bible as touching this the Dispensation of Grace, we do not have to join a special religion (such as Judaism), or bless a special nation (such as Israel), or anything of that sort. Instead, whether Jew or non-Jew, we must place our faith exclusively in the Gospel of the Grace of God as presented in Romans chapter 3.

“[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified [made righteous in God’s sight] in his [God’s] sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference [between Jew and Gentile]:

“[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified [made righteous in God’s sight] freely [without cost to us] by his grace [unmerited favor] through the redemption [buying back] that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [fully-satisfying payment or sacrifice for sin] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission [forgiveness] of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

For those who want to see it, it really is that simple! 🙂

Stick to God’s Testimonies!

Sunday, October 22, 2023

“I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame” (Psalm 119:31 KJV).

Stick to God’s testimonies, dear friend, and you shall not be ashamed!

The people of our world have engaged themselves with an endless quest for truth and meaning. Inquiries are posed but few answers are found. Advice columns, how-to books, and motivational speakers are in vogue—yet the search goes on because man’s solutions to his problems are actually the cause of his problems. Dissatisfaction and discouragement can be avoided if we turn away from our “wisdom” and look to the God of creation for insight.

Long ago, Moses advised Israel in Deuteronomy 11:22: “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;….” Observe that “cleave unto [the LORD].” This is another way of saying stick to the LORD, attach yourself to Him, fasten yourself to Him like glue. As wallpaper bonds with a wall, so we should affix ourselves to the Giver of Life!

“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” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Unfortunately, Proverbs chapter 18 tells us: “[1] Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. [2] A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” The fool here is someone looking for proof to support his erroneous views. He is searching only for that which will defend what he wants to believe and do. How much better it would have been had he wanted true wisdom—the LORD’S wisdom! Instead, what he is left with an endless maze of confusion.

As English-speaking people, we should be thankful for God’s preserved words in the King James Bible. We need to “stick” to them, and not drift around to purchase the latest trendy “updated translation.” Let the textual critics have their doubts and infinite speculations; ultimately, they will fail them, devastate them, ruin them, embarrass them. We are Bible believers, so should we not believe the Bible more than we believe man? The LORD will not put us to shame!

Attention Saints: Concerning our New Testament Survey Project, we have now concluded our verse-by-verse video studies of Acts and are moving into Paul’s epistles verse-by-verse. Click here for the introduction video to the Pauline epistles from a grace/dispensational perspective. Our next study is an intro to Romans, and the next video begins Romans verse-by-verse. Join us!

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….

Liberated to Serve

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 🇺🇸

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 247th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

Without or Within?

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

Which matters most—outward or inward?

He had worn his conspicuous, elegant robe to the funeral home. My family members huddled to greet this religious leader in the lobby. Having just arrived, he was ready to perform the “services” for a dearly departed relative of mine. After they had shaken his hand, I watched how he proceeded to break away from the crowd and stroll to a table whereon was a bowl of delicious mints. He selected a candy, popped it into his mouth, tossed the wrapper onto the tabletop, and passed on by. Someone else would have to throw away his trash!

Later, during the “services,” he bellowed a long series of prayers in a book, stumbling over the simplest words and having to correct himself numerous times. It was as if he were racing to see how much he could get through so he could depart quicker. He seemed bored, like it was mindless repetition, something he needed to endure because he had to “play the part” for all the devout souls observing him. While only the Lord knows his heart, it looked like it was done out of religious duty rather than genuine worship of God. If the man was too lazy to discard his own garbage, whatever he believed made no positive difference in his life, so the impression was given it cannot improve anyone else’s condition either.

Remember, dear friends, we can fool some people some of the time, but we cannot fool all people all of the time, and we can fool God none of the time. Dispensational Bible study will empower us to avoid religious hypocrisy, for we know the life of Jesus Christ is manifested in us as we walk by faith in God’s Word to us, Romans through Philemon. What matters most is on the inside (heart faith), not outside (“fair shew in the flesh;” Galatians 6:12,13). Here is genuine, not artificial, Christianity.

*NOTE: Dear Saints, we now close 12 full years of “333 Words of Grace!” 🙂

Natural Affection

Saturday, May 13, 2023

“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” (Romans 5:8-10 KJV).

Many years ago, a major fire broke out in a house. Soon, firefighters and a news crew had arrived and were setting up their equipment. While a cameraman was recording a reporter doing a live broadcast, a woman cries out hysterically, “My child is still trapped in the building!” She frantically runs off and re-enters the structure, never to come out again, perishing in the flames as she seeks her child! The reporter, aghast, remarks, “Oh, what could make her do such a thing?!”

Defining man’s downward spiral because of sin, Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3 list “without natural affection” as one of those resulting evils. “Astorgos” is the Greek word, literally “no affectionate cherishing of kindred.” A mother’s love for her children is rightly called “natural affection.” The same attitude should exist amongst all family members. When we read of children aborted, abandoned in dumpsters or on sidewalks, or neglected or abused, that is an example of “without natural affection” (Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3). What prompted that poor mother to run into that fire and die while trying to rescue her child was “natural affection.”

It is in Father God’s nature to be affectionate, loving, kind. No, we cannot fathom it, but He did love us sinners enough to send His perfect Son Jesus Christ to die for us. Like the mother who sacrificed herself to rescue her child, so the Lord offered Himself in our place. We do not need to comprehend or explain it fully, we just need to believe it in our heart, thereby passing from death to life, qualified to be vessels of that very resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Son of God, who loved [us], and gave himself for [us]” (Galatians 2:20).