Category: The Gospel of the Grace of God / Paul’s Gospel

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #52

Saturday, July 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Victorious Christian living and fruitful Christian ministry in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God are Paul’s “Grace Commission” of 2 Corinthians 5:14-21: “For the love of Christ constraineth [drives, compels, motivates] us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Since Calvary, Father God is willing to be friends with the world’s people—“reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing [applying, crediting] their trespasses unto them.” Remember, sinners have no relationship with God because their sin is a barrier. However, by offering Christ’s own soul to be sin for us—to be punished in our place—God has taken the first step in bringing people back into favor with Him. What He expects from them to complete the transaction is for them to place their faith in that Message of His Grace (Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Upon trusting that Gospel of Grace, individuals are forever reconciled to God, and now (as believers) they can live unto Him which died for them and rose again….

Liberated to Serve

Saturday, July 4, 2026 🇺🇸

“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 250th 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.

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #31

Thursday, June 18, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The elementary grace-living Book of Romans, Paul’s first epistle or formal doctrinal letter in the layout of Scripture (Romans to Philemon), opens with, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12). In order to be spiritually “established,” our feet firmly fixed on a sure foundation, being “comforted together” (strengthened) with our Apostle by having “mutual faith” (share his Bible understanding), we should study all 16 chapters of Romans.

Romans chapters 1–5 are justification, the Gospel of the Grace of God (Paul’s Gospel), how to have a right standing before God (forgiveness of sins); chapters 6–8 are sanctification, practical Christian living, how to have victory over sin every day; chapters 9–11 are dispensation, the nation Israel’s past and present and future statuses (we are not Israel, and God is not finished with Israel); chapters 12–16 are application, using grace principles in specific life situations and circumstances.

A doxology (praise of God) forms the conclusion of Romans, how saints are to be “stablished,” stabilized or kept from wavering: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and 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, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26). The first step in spiritual stability is trusting Paul’s Gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the second stage is acknowledging Jesus Christ as Paul uniquely preached or presented Him, and the third step is understanding all of the Bible (“the scriptures of the prophets”) in light of Pauline revelation.

Denominationalism does none of these, so it fosters spiritual immaturity and thereby reinforces darkness, blindness, and ignorance….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #26

Saturday, June 13, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The Bible is “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15) into two operating systems, Law and Grace. Law is summarized in Exodus 19:3-6: “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Under Law, people work to receive God’s blessings, and suffer curses or punishments for disobedience. “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. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified [made right] in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19,20).

Grace is reviewed in Romans 3:21-26: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [fully-satisfying payment/sacrifice for sin] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” This Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24) is the heart of the Dispensation of the Grace of God….

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 25, 2026

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. 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 places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #3

Monday, May 18, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Mark it well! No amount of education, no amount of money, no amount of social connections, no amount of business success, no amount of trophies and awards, no amount of romance, no amount of religion, no amount of self-effort and self-esteem, no amount of entertainment, no amount of legislation, no amount of scheming, no amount of pacifism or war, no amount of philosophy, no amount of activism, no amount of denial or skepticism, no amount of soul-searching, no amount of experiments or scientific research, and no amount of promises can solve the greatest dilemma of our species—the sin problem. Look around at our world. We are naturally flawed. If human history has proved one fact, the deliverance we need cannot and will not be found in ourselves or anyone like us! The sooner we learn this, the better off we will truly be. In fact, the Bible confirms what we already know by experience, but we are most reluctant (and too stubborn) to admit it.

The problem does not lie with or in the Holy Bible; it lies within us. Behold! The Bible’s solution to sin is what is known in Acts 20:24 as “the Gospel [Good News, Glad Tidings] of the Grace of God.” Here is that Gospel message: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Only a few weeks prior to my seventh birthday, I was most fortunate in life to see how I needed to trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as my personal Saviour. Almost 31 years later, I have come to see He is still the only answer to our sin problem. Dear reader, I would strongly encourage you with, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Friend, perhaps you have already noticed that people disappoint you. Why should you expect this? Remember, you disappoint yourself, and they are just as human as you are! Therefore, you ought never trust yourself and you should never trust people. You should, however, trust Jesus Christ in Christians, for He alone will never let you down….

NOTE: In order to bring you a special (but, related) study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, April 5, 2026

“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” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

“He is risen” is not a simple blasé cliché!

When Jesus’ disciples came to His tomb on that glorious Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago, they were startled to find it empty! Angels inform them that He has resurrected, but they are still in shock (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8). Jesus Christ Himself must later explain the Scriptures to them regarding what happened those last few days (Luke 24:44-46).

However, until Paul’s ministry, Christ’s finished crosswork is not preached as good news for salvation. Peter and Israel’s other apostles simply preach that Jesus Christ is now resurrected to “sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:30)—that is bad news for much of Israel, for they still reject Him, weeks and months after His resurrection and ascension. Throughout early Acts, Israel’s apostles warn her that Jesus Christ is coming back to judge them.

When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we learn that we Gentiles can benefit from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Israel’s rejected Messiah is now our way to heaven! Yes, Israel hated Him, and demanded that He experience the most awful method of execution devised, but God allowed it in order to accomplish His will. Satan attempted to hinder God’s will by having Christ killed, but all that did was provide the method whereby God could save us pagan Gentiles. Calvary’s finished crosswork frees us from Satan’s evil system and gives us a chance to be God’s people (Acts 26:17,18)!

As people who have trusted Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins, that crucifixion is our death to self and sin, and that resurrection is our raising to walk in newness of life—His life (today’s Scripture; cf. Romans 6:1-11)!

Indeed, Jesus Christ is alive, and He lives in and through those who walk by faith in God’s Word to them, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon! 🙂

HAPPY EASTER!

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

*By the way, we have (finally!) resumed our New Testament Survey Project! Our latest Ephesians study is here.

Counsel About the LORD’S Counsel

Saturday, March 28, 2026

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Proverbs 19:21 KJV).

The following protest has been offered: “There is no free will. I did not ask to be here.” Of course, this is downright silliness. How could you ask to be here? To ask to be here implies you would first have to be here, for someone who is not here is unable to ask to be here. Nonexistent beings cannot speak! It is illogical to suggest permission can be asked of someone who is not there.

Observe. The God of the Bible has laid out a plan for life, but we can decide to do something else. He does not force us to live according to His eternal purpose. This is free will. Sin complicates the situation because the sinner is naturally defiant, an autonomous being in his or her own eyes. At some point, if ever so briefly, each sinner realizes “I did it my way” is selfish, unfulfilling, and futile (today’s Scripture).

Recently, a young woman told me how it is tempting to grow discouraged or frustrated to see and hear people “act the fool” online. My advice to her was simple: if God is not worked up in handing people over to it, then it should not work us up either. Eventually, you learn to limit your exposure to drama and concentrate on more important matters in life.

We will not worry about “I did not ask to be here,” for that is too self-centered and therefore fails to take into consideration someone or something beyond ourselves. Also, we will not bother with the lame, “I was not here 1,000 years ago, and I will not be here 1,000 years from now.” The fact of the matter is, we are here now, so let us make the most of it by choosing to learn why we are here—as opposed to inventing “clever” philosophical statements designed to provide us with an alibi for our spiritual laziness and ineptitude.

Life that truly is life cannot be enjoyed until that life starts here: “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).

Zealously Affected #4

Sunday, February 22, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Today’s Scripture expresses how the believers in Christ of central Turkey were vacillating, having no grounding in sound Bible doctrine (despite having access to it). Though the Apostle Paul referred to them as “brethren” several times in his epistle to them, their thinking and conduct were those of unbelievers because they never continued with the principles of grace that they had learned from him. It was almost like they were not saints at all… which was also the pitiful description of the Corinthians! At least they heard and believed a pure Gospel of Grace at first (“Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day;” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

Having had 2,000 years of denominational doctrine, the modern professing church is in an even worse predicament. It is still typical to find “religious people” wailing, weeping, kneeling, groveling, “making deals with God,” leaping, singing, dancing, and praying—but they have no change in heart because there is no faith. For the few who are members of the Body of Christ, very little progress is ever made because their emotions take over them instead of God the Holy Spirit. Whether saved or lost, almost every soul has been “zealously affected, but not well” (being obsessed with denominations, man’s wisdom, and personages—which emotional attachments make them subject to further deception and render them more hostile to the truth).

Since the Galatians had been “hot” for his grace doctrine initially, then had hot feelings for false teachers and their bad doctrine, Paul expected the emotional Galatians to be bitter or unfriendly to him for exposing their apostasy (their standing away from sound doctrine). See Galatians 4:16, the verse preceding today’s Scripture: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Emotions have no logic, so we too should expect emotional people to be unreasonable. It is better to depend upon the sound Bible doctrine to transform our mind (and let emotions follow), than rely upon emotions and then look for verses to confirm what we saw, heard, or felt….

God’s Grace on Parade

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20 KJV).

Today, especially here in southern Louisiana, the Catholic festival of Mardi Gras takes advantage of God’s grace. God’s grace abounds even when drunkenness, lasciviousness, and gluttony are committed overtly on our streets for religion. Because we live in the Dispensation of the Grace of God, they can flaunt their sin without being consumed by fire from heaven!

“Mardi Gras,” French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a day when religious people—professing “Christians”—lose self-control (excess alcohol, food, and partying). The following day, Ash Wednesday, they promise to live “holy” for the next 40 days (Lent). A priest will then place ashes on their foreheads proving that God forgave them for that riotous living. Blasphemy!

Regardless of all its biblical allusions (illusions!), Mardi Gras is still evil and anti-God. It was never Christian, originating from pagan Roman festivals, Saturnalia and Lupercalia (interestingly known for riots, drunkenness, gluttony, and fornication, and subsequent repentance).

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostles Peter and Paul, was clearly against Mardi Gras reveling and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). So why do professing Christians engage in the very activities that God the Holy Spirit condemned?! As Christians, we should “deny” the activities of Mardi Gras (Romans 6:11-15; Titus 2:11-15).

If I appear offended, I am. Mardi Gras, despite its godly façade, is offensive to the great God and my Saviour Jesus Christ! God’s grace continues to tolerate such foolishness from mankind. Man parades his sin, and God parades His grace, holding back wrath.

Are you a Mardi Gras reveler? I declare unto you the wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God. God did for you at Calvary what you could never do: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus Christ shed His sinless blood and died to put away all of your sins, Mardi Gras revelry included.

If you rest in Christ Jesus alone as your Saviour, God will save you forever, make a trophy of His grace, and then YOUR life will be God’s grace on parade!

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

You may also see our archived Bible study Q&A, “Should Christians celebrate Mardi Gras?”