Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

A Father’s Gift #8

Thursday, August 22, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Read Colossians 2:3-9: “[3] In whom [Christ, verse 2] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: [7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

In Christ, we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (verse 3). However, someone can trick us with nice-sounding words, offering us counterfeit wisdom and knowledge to replace God’s wisdom and knowledge (verse 4). Paul recognizes the Colossian saints, mature believers, need to continue with their stedfastness (stability) of their faith in Christ (verse 5). Having received Christ Jesus the Lord by faith, they are to walk in Him similarly—by faith (verse 6). They should be rooted and built up in Him, growing and being edified or strengthened in sound Bible doctrine, Christians who have been taught, filled with gratitude to God (verse 7). How they should guard against love of human wisdom, empty lies, manmade religious tradition, legalism and works-religion—which do not align with Christ (verse 8)! In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead physically—God in human flesh (verse 9).

Now, Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:….” We lack nothing in Christ (today’s Scripture)—but Satan’s evil world system would have us believe we need something outside of Christ (and His words to us, preserved in Scripture). Maybe it is an experience, a feeling, a ritual, a rite, a ceremony… a distraction….

A Father’s Gift #7

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Reading through Paul’s 13 epistles, Romans to Philemon, we can assemble a list of at least 120 spiritual blessings that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ (yes, I counted!). These are free to us by God’s grace, all that He can do (and is willing to do) for us through Christ’s finished crosswork.

For example, we need our sins sent away—and that is our “forgiveness” through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13). Yet, we are frequently taught in religion that God will not forgive sins unless we confess them directly to Him in prayer or to some religious leader. First John 1:9 has been ripped from its dispensational, Israeli context! Or, we need acceptance—what we have in God’s beloved Son (Ephesians 1:6). Still, religious tradition dictates we had better endure (persevere!) in holy living and good works or God will not let us into Heaven because we have “lost our salvation.” Legalistic, or Law-based, verses are isolated from their Jewish contexts (Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-31; James 2:14-26; et cetera). As another example, we need eternal life—and in Christ we have God’s life, communion with Him, thereby avoiding spiritual death and second death in Hell and the Lake of Fire. Nevertheless, religion pressures us to eat holy meals, join denominations, participate in water baptisms, to receive eternal life. Statements are carelessly pulled from John 6:52-58, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38… more failure to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

These are just three of the hundreds of ingenious ways Satan deceives people with false doctrine in “church” (not penitentiaries, skeptics’ conventions, science classrooms, or nightclubs!). We dare not forget Colossians 2:8: “Beware [Watch out!!!] lest any man spoil [rob, steal from!] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” There is no more lethal weapon of the Devil than spiritual error—doctrinal perversion, works-religion, man’s wisdom, and the like.

Let us now contemplate Paul’s communication to Colosse….

A Father’s Gift #6

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

What is generally passed off as “biblical Christianity” is actually a clever blend of endless speculations, faulty assumptions, extensive Bible re-translations, and insidious traditions, with a hint of pure Bible (of course, for even the worst of lies contains some truth!). This widespread ignorance and unbelief—masquerading as “spirituality” and “progress”—has been circulating our planet for many, many, many centuries. Our Christian schools, churches, and homes are rife with it. Talk with people. Read books. Listen to sermons. It is obvious why our church members have few convictions, many doubts, and infinite questions! We have not learned about Father’s gift to us, and not been thankful in having it in the first place.

Friends, if we are not mindful of God’s current dealings with man, and simply “name and claim” (or, better, “take and fake!”) whatever Bible verses that appeal to us, then we are only making it that much harder for ourselves to know and do God’s will. If we are more skilled in the commandments of men than the Word of God rightly divided, then we have not submitted to the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry, and we are just as useful to God as the Devil’s ministers. It is true. Believe it.

Definitely, it is no secret that religion makes robots. These church members are servants to men, slaves to denominational programs. They are not thinking for themselves or questioning anything—they are simply repeating what they have heard for years and years. We cannot expect to serve the Lord by sitting under such teaching and mastering such a curriculum. Their ignorance is the means whereby they (and we) are indoctrinated not to be thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork and the spiritual benefits we thereby have received. They have been robbed of such clarity that it is mind-boggling. Many of us have come from such backgrounds and assemblies, and we would be utter fools to return there and continue as if nothing were wrong with their theology.

Again, let us learn about Father’s gift….

A Father’s Gift #5

Monday, August 19, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Observe some primary cross-references to today’s Scripture. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom [spiritual sense to apply God’s knowledge to life], and righteousness [right standing before God], and sanctification [setting apart unto God’s purposes], and redemption [purchase out of sin’s slave-market]: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30,31).

When Father God gave His Son to be offered or sacrificed for our sins on Calvary’s cruel cross, He made a way to bless us so as to reverse the spiritual curses we naturally inherited from Adam. Romans 5:12-21 should be read, carefully noting the comparisons and contrasts between Adam and Christ. In Adam, there are death (physical and spiritual), judgment, and condemnation. This is the category of non-Christians—sinners. However, in Christ, there are life (resurrection and spiritual), righteousness, and justification. This is the group of believers—saints. We either have Adam as our federal head, or Christ as our federal head. What is true of Adam is true of all in Adam, and what is true of Christ is true of all in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “old things” are the traits we had in Adam, whereas the “new things” are the qualities we have in Christ. As “new creature[s] in Christ,” we should have a corresponding mindset and lifestyle, thinking and conducting ourselves with Father’s gift in view….

A Father’s Gift #4

Sunday, August 18, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Friend, please be sure you realize the full effect of today’s Scripture. Read it again: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Father God did not spare His own Son—He did not hold Him back from harm or keep Him from death. Prior verses in the epistle to the Romans already dealt with the nature of that dreadful event.

“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 or 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;…” (Romans 3:24,25). “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

If God was willing to (and did!) give up the Lord Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, to die for our sins on Calvary’s cruel cross, will He withhold anything else from us? In other words, if He handed over Heaven’s Best for our eternal benefit, will He not with Christ (Heaven’s Best) also freely give us all things? He will—He has! It is such a terrible shame that millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions upon millions of church members through these last 20 centuries have begged God for this and for that, and they have totally overlooked today’s Scripture. They are so pitifully ignorant of what God has given them—or they are so pitifully ungrateful for what they know He has given them.

Let us see just what these “all things” are….

A Father’s Gift #3

Saturday, August 17, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

There are some 4,200 religions worldwide. In “Christianity” alone, anywhere from 33,000 to 38,000 denominations exist. These conflicting groups surfaced for a variety of reasons—following the theological speculations of a single man or woman, holding to a specific rite or ritual or ceremony, emphasizing one obscure or misapplied Bible verse or another, blending this system with that system (repeat, repeat, and repeat). Even though “scholarship” and amusement abound, there is very little spiritual knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and spiritual understanding. Instead of victory over sin, maturity and light have been defeated!

It is really an unfortunate fact that some genuine Christian people in ministry will keep polluting the Church the Body of Christ with false doctrine until their physical death. They know their traditions of men are not the pure Word of God, but they will not forsake them because that means becoming an outcast of the denominational system (social club!) and being subsequently labeled “divisive,” “troublemaker,” or “church-splitter” (see John 9:20-23). They fully recognize they are doing the Devil’s work, but, for fear of losing the praise of men, they have elected not to stop (John 12:42,43). Since the flesh reigns supreme in their minds and hearts, they have quenched or hindered the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Their conscience is seared with a hot iron, so their doctrines of devils do not bother them in even the slightest way (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

However, as soon as physical death relocates these saints to Heaven, God with great force straightens them out and their denominational confusion and secularism (worldliness) disappear. For the first time ever, they finally understand and enjoy the Bible—the very understanding and enjoyment they could have had on Earth going back decades, if only they had swallowed their pride and did more Bible study than theology study! In today’s Scripture, Father God in our behalf has wrought a mighty work at Calvary, but, unless we take the time to see it, we will not truly appreciate Father’s gift as we should….

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 8, 2024

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

An Ambassador Turns 36!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 🎂

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16 KJV).

As of today, I have enjoyed 36 years of earthly life; therefore, permit me to share a few words of advice to celebrate the occasion!

Perhaps I have grown a little wiser in the year I have grown a little older. What I have learned during 18 years of ministry—exactly half my life now—is to be vigilant as to getting too attached to anyone or anything. We will encounter in life people who will edify us (build us up spiritually) and people who will destroy us (tear us down spiritually). Our family members, friends, and even our favorite pastor or seminary professor or Bible teacher will likely serve in both capacities at some point. Friends and brethren, beware of traitors and willing tools of the Devil, and keep your eyes focused exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ (rather than on them).

Recently, I have been reflecting on all those professing believers who once were part of our ministry through these many years, but did not endure (tolerate) sound doctrine and thus fell away into willful blindness and ignorance. They grew older, but not wiser, and this is precisely what we are to avoid by drawing on the indwelling Holy Spirit’s power. We have to continue—“continue!!”—in grace doctrine if it is to make a difference in our lives (today’s Scripture). Acknowledging the doctrine once is not enough. It is a constant renewing of the mind, “day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Notice again how we are to continue (“continue!!”) in sound Bible doctrine: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Let us remember this every birthday! 🙂

Two Exclusions #4

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

With it made abundantly clear our religious works are not enough to impress God (Romans 3:9-20), Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God in an expanded form.

While not employing these exact words, religious people everywhere still express this general attitude: “No, I do not want God’s grace, all that He is free to do for me through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for my sins. Instead of the ‘Jesus-based acceptance system,’ I prefer to perform or work to receive God’s blessings, the ‘Law-based acceptance system.’ I can be just as good as Jesus!”

Notice the other “exclusion,” in Galatians chapter 4, verse 17: “[9] 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? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…. [17] They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. [18] But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. [19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, [20] I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. [21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?”

The entire Book of Galatians compares and contrasts works-religion and God’s grace. False teachers with their Law-based acceptance system had led the Galatians away from Paul’s special ministry and message. They were also shutting out Paul’s (grace) influence from their assemblies, excluding these saints from their Apostle. Whether challenging or denying or counterfeiting his apostleship (as in 1 Corinthians 9:1-3; 2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-23), or promoting their bondage to rules and regulations (see Galatians 5:1-12; Galatians 6:12-15), the false teachers motivated the Galatians to abandon Pauline doctrine.

Beware, friends: many such dangerous people lurk in Christendom today. We had better exclude them and their teaching from our lives, or we have no (!) hope or prayer of surviving Satan’s deception!

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. 🙂

Two Exclusions #3

Monday, August 5, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

With it made abundantly clear our religious works are not enough to impress God (Romans 3:9-20), Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God in an expanded form.

Romans 3:21-28, today’s Scripture situated in context: “[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: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission 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.”

See today’s Scripture again. The “law [principle] of faith” (trusting Christ, not our works, to save us from our sins) nullifies or cancels boasting. No one can brag “look what I did” or “see how devoted I am to my religion.” Boasting is “excluded,” shut out of the situation and conversation, for only faith in Christ’s perfect crosswork at Calvary gives anyone a right standing before God.

Howbeit, the religious man will not so easily relinquish his self-righteousness or readily admit his performance in works-religion is insufficient. He in his pride will not only hold fast to his traditions (no matter how wrong they are), he will rebel against these principles of grace by teaching others to join or remain in his works-religion. This leads us to the other “exclusion” of which we should be vigilant….