Category: Salvation

Convenient Season #3

Monday, November 3, 2025

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25 KJV).

According to the Bible, when is the “convenient season?”

Paul’s sermon in today’s Scripture was meant to reason with Governor Felix, to communicate to that lost man some spiritual common sense that he so desperately needed. After all, Satan’s evil world system—heathen Roman religion—had hidden the truth of the Gospel of Grace from Felix by blinding his mind (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Thus, the Apostle delivered a three-point message for the Governor to know what God desired him to know.

Firstly, Paul laid out the truth of “righteousness.” In other words, Felix was a sinner, fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). By his very nature, he failed to meet God’s standard of rightness—the righteousness found not in Adam but exclusively in Christ. Secondly, the Apostle presented to Felix the subject of “temperance.” To wit, the Governor had had no self-control: he was unrestrained in his behavior. According to historians, Felix was a corrupt, brutal politician—whom the Emperor removed and summoned back to Rome within two years. You can see Felix wanting a bribe from Paul, but receiving nothing, in Acts 24:26. Thirdly, Paul outlined the fact of how there was “judgment to come.” That is to say, with his sinful state unresolved, Felix was destined to face God’s justice in Hell and the Lake of Fire. The Bible informs us of how Felix “trembled,” alarmed at his dire predicament to such a degree that he physically shuddered!

It was at this critical point that the Governor could have most easily believed how Christ died for his sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Alas, he delayed and subsequently dismissed Paul from his presence! “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix backed off, as he did not deem it a suitable moment to come to faith in Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour. He would wait for a “more appropriate” time, another day, another hour….

Convenient Season #2

Sunday, November 2, 2025

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25 KJV).

According to the Bible, when is the “convenient season?”

I once knew a family who had endured a series of tragedies. A man lost his wife to a fatal disease when she was approximately 60. Within a few years, he remarried (coincidentally, his second wife shared the name of his first wife!). His stepson—his second wife’s son—died at 50 due to surgery complications. Fast-forward eight years and misfortune struck again. His biological son, age 45, left this world; a tiny cardiac tumor caused a massive heart attack. Not quite two years later, that second wife fell at home and bled to death; she was 80. He himself just died earlier this year at 86. Overall, that poor man had buried two wives and two sons within two decades!

One family member was almost a century old when she told me about how her husband had died in a farming accident long ago. She ended up outliving him by almost 70 years! A cousin of mine, born in frail health, left this world at less than six months old. There is no guarantee we will ever see “old age.” Remarkably, another member of my family was only two days shy of her 112th birthday when she passed on into eternity! In certain situations, earthly life ends just as soon as it begins; in other cases, it can be extended for a while (or even quite a while) because of wise choices, a strong immune system, healthy eating, exercise, and medication.

Take Judaean Governor Felix of today’s Scripture. He was a curiosity seeker, someone who had heard about Jesus Christ and wanted to learn more. Incidentally, Felix had a Jewess wife (Acts 24:24), a fact that doubtless worked against him (as we will explain later). For a time, he was willing to listen to the Apostle Paul’s preaching of “the faith in Christ.” Of course, Felix was a busy politician, and he supposed he could always hear additional words about that Christ on subsequent occasions….

ARCHIVED: “Should Christians observe All Souls’ Day?”

Convenient Season #1

Saturday, November 1, 2025

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25 KJV).

According to the Bible, when is the “convenient season?”

When asked about his diagnosis with terminal illness, a man replied in the following way. Though he had been informed he would not live much longer, he stated how he believed medical science would prolong his life “for many years.” Ironically, he left this world not even 12 months after that interview. See, beloved, we might plan on dying several decades into the future, but the curse of sin is random. Our life may end prematurely in a most curious manner, the cause of death being bizarre.

Let us turn our attention to the Bible now. Once unbelieving Israel got the Apostle Paul in trouble with the Roman government at the Jerusalem Temple (Acts chapter 22), he winds up standing on trial with Antonius Felix presiding as judge (chapter 24). Felix is the Roman governor of Judaea, which office Pontius Pilate occupied decades before.

Read today’s Scripture in its context: “[23] And he [Felix] commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. [27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

Observe the “convenient season” to which Felix referred in verse 25. It would do us well to define exactly what that period is, and how it relates to us….

ARCHIVED: “Should Christians observe All Saints’ Day?”

Possessed with Devils #22

Monday, October 27, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

A minister—one of Christendom’s “blind leaders of the blind”—shared online a prayer to recite to drive out evil spirits. This little manmade petition, unfortunately, has no Divine authority whatsoever because it is not the Bible rightly divided. Ironically, this “exorcist” gives Satan more influence by spreading his denominational error and spiritual ignorance. Paul’s epistles delineate what God is doing today, but that pastor never cited a single verse from Romans through Philemon. Unsurprisingly, he appealed to Matthew through John!

The resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ sent our Apostle Paul to us Gentiles to “open [our] eyes, and to turn [us] from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:16-18). If we do not walk according to that Dispensation of Grace given to Paul and given through Paul to us (Romans to Philemon; Ephesians 3:2), we lose the battle with Satan and fall prey to the “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” (see Ephesians 6:11-19). Indeed, Satan has ministers of righteousness—denominational preachers and teachers—who have led billions (!) astray in works-religion (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). These deceived souls are in “the snare [trap] of the devil… taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Grace, all that God can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, has been ignored; man’s religious efforts (Law) and man’s “wisdom” (philosophy) are glorified in its place.

As per Pauline doctrine, no one today can be possessed of the Devil or devils, but we can be oppressed of the Devil and devils through the ministry of false teachers promoting bad conduct and bad doctrine (see 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:11-15; cf. Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 4:27). Satan will even use corrupt governmental leaders to hinder God’s work (see 1 Thessalonians 2:18; cf. Acts 17:5-9). Pride is of the Devil (1 Timothy 3:6), as is bitterness and unforgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:7-11). Indeed, Christendom is woefully (!) ignorant (!) of Satan’s activities….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #26

Sunday, October 5, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

According to the Holy Bible, there will be one final assessment of all thoughts and deeds. We and everyone else will learn, once and for all, what is right and what is wrong—what was worship of God and what was worship of Satan, what was done in the energy of the flesh and what was the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each person’s worldview will be examined, shown to be true or false. All lives will be reviewed, to be either commended by the Lord or by the Devil. People might, and often do, escape justice in human courts. Insufficient or faulty evidence, corrupt judges and lawyers, and poor memory of witnesses are just some of the unfortunate factors that contribute to this. God’s court has no such hindrances.

Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The greatest fool is he who has fooled himself. “Payday, someday” never seems to cross the mind and heart of the sinner. In today’s Scripture, Adam and Eve certainly fooled themselves numerous times… but they could not run away from the LORD or the truth forever. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7,8). God’s justice is a long time coming, even painfully slow, but, just as sure as the Bible itself stands, His justice will be meted out at some time.

Thankfully, the Bible says “Christ was made sin for us,” “being made a curse for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13). We need not be hopelessly doomed to an eternal Hell or everlasting Lake of Fire. Christ took our place (substitutionary/vicarious atonement) by dying for our sins, being buried, and being raised again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). God’s justice against our sin debt was satisfied there, so we need to believe this Gospel of Grace in our heart before it is too late.

-FINIS!-

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. 🙂

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #25

Saturday, October 4, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Just as sinners will face a judgment to answer for their sins (the Great White Throne Judgment), so saints will stand at a judgment to give an account for their Christian service (the Judgment Seat of Christ). That which is “gold, silver, precious stones” (sound doctrine, rightly divided Scripture) will result in the believer’s reward, whereas that which is “wood, hay, stubble” (everything else) will be a loss of reward (note again 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). A loss of reward is a more limited role in Heaven’s governments than would have been otherwise; pay attention to the rankings of offices in Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16. Our “inheritance” is the heavenly places, but “the reward of the inheritance” is the specific job we will have in them (Ephesians 1:9-14; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 3:24; cf. Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7).

Read 2 Corinthians 5:9,10: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Observe Romans 14:10-12: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Finally, Colossians 3:23-25: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #24

Friday, October 3, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

“And [Father God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7). The heavenly places are our eternal destiny as members of the Church the Body of Christ. We will share in Christ’s authority in Heaven’s governments as redeemed Israel will in Earth’s governments.

Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places.” Satan has already corrupted the heavenly places with activity contrary to God’s life. God will not let us members of the Body of Christ defile them with our foolishness either. Therefore, the Judgment Seat of Christ is designed to cleanse all believers’ souls of doctrinal pollution. Indeed, it is entirely possible to be a Christian and still believe and teach bad information. I myself did it for a decade!

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me [Paul], as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). This fire of the Judgment Seat of Christ saves us from doctrinal contamination by burning away the “spiritual combustibles” (false teaching) we have stored in our soul….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #23

Thursday, October 2, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Read 1 John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” The word “transgress” literally means, “step across, exceed, or pass a boundary;” the Law of Moses says, “Do not cross,” and we cross. We do what God tells us not to do, we go where He commands us not to go, and we say what He orders us not to say. The Law condemns us as sinners, pronouncing us “guilty before God” (Romans 3:19,20; cf. Romans 7:7-13); it is therefore “weak through [our] flesh” (Romans 8:3). If God’s nation Israel could not keep the Law for 1,500 years, what chance do we have of faring any better? Remember, we are all sons and daughters of Adam!

Anyone is cursed if he or she does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them (Galatians 3:10; cf. James 2:10). “But that no man is justified [declared right] in the sight of God, it is evident [clear, plain]: for, The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Considering what the Scriptures indicate about our failure to measure up to the Law, we would be downright “foolish” (senseless, witless, unwise) to desire to be under the Law system (Galatians 3:1,3; Galatians 4:9,21). Howbeit, our tens of thousands of denominations are all predicated on some such performance-based acceptance system: “Do this, do that, do not do this, do not do that.” Billions of church members—including genuine Christians (!)—are in spiritual chains or shackles (legalism).

Individuals who insert the Law into their Christian (Grace) life and soul are “sowing [planting] to the flesh,” and they will “of the flesh reap corruption [destruction, decay, ruin of the Christian life]” (Galatians 6:8). This is the “wood, hay, stubble”—worthless, non-dispensational information—we are cautioned against placing into our soul in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. To correct these blunders, the Judgment Seat of Christ will be held for us members of the Church the Body of Christ….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #22

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Since Christ’s merits on Calvary have been imputed (reckoned) to their accounts, believers should not fear the penalty of sin (Hell and the Lake of Fire). Yet, if they fail to apply by faith the resources Father God gave them in Christ, they will be under the power of sin (not enjoying victorious Christian living). Such disruption of Christian growth and development is courtesy of false teachers, whose doctrine is worthless in God’s sight. The classic example of this is throwing away Grace and returning to the Law—as the Galatians.

Remember, the Law is an “all-or-nothing” system. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written [Deuteronomy 27:26], Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:10,11). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). To introduce the Law system into the Grace life is to destroy the Grace life: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate [hinder] the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain [to no purpose]” (Galatians 2:20,21).

Teachers who place believers under Law today (when they are under Grace) emphasis human works (self-righteousness) at the expense of God’s righteousness: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Such false teachers, “whose end shall be according to their works,” will not “get away” from accountability before God….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #21

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Barabbas was already incarcerated for serious crimes at the time of Jesus’ arrest. Every Passover, Pontius Pilate (Roman Governor of Judaea) customarily released a prisoner to appease the Jewish people. Israel’s religious leaders (representing their apostate nation) demanded Barabbas’ freedom. Therefore, Jesus would now face the death penalty intended for Barabbas—crucifixion, a method reserved for the worst offenders.

Matthew chapter 27: “[15] Now at that feast the governor was wont [accustomed] to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. [16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. [17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. [19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. [20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you. They said, Barabbas. [22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. [23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified…. [26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (For more details, read companion passages Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, and John 18:38-40.)

These events sinful man meant for evil, God took them and made them into something good. Barabbas symbolized sinners. Instead of devising various schemes to try to avoid God’s judgment against our sin, we can be saved from our deserved fate by trusting Christ as our substitute….