Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

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….

Two Exclusions #2

Sunday, August 4, 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?

Throughout the Book of Acts (when Romans, today’s Scripture, was composed), Paul constantly met people who tenaciously clung to some type of law-based acceptance system—whether self-righteous Jews with the Law of Moses, or self-righteous Gentiles with their rules and regulations of heathen religious systems. Paul himself, as an unsaved Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus, had trusted in his own flesh or religious performance.

“…[We] have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:…. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith…” (Philippians 3:3,4,8,9).

In the context of today’s Scripture, the ground becomes level at the foot of Calvary’s cross. Verses 9-11,19,20: “[9] What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God…. [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 in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” All Jews and all Gentiles are unable to be perfect, to make themselves right in God’s sight—and that is what sin is!

Almighty God has thus eliminated all boasting in His courtroom….

Two Exclusions #1

Saturday, August 3, 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?

After laying out His case against the sinful, Hell-bound Gentiles or nations in chapter 1 of Romans (see verses 18-32), the Holy Spirit through Paul proceeds to condemn sinful Israel in chapter 2.

Romans chapter 2: “[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?… [17] Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, [18] And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; [19] And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, [20] An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law…. [23] Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”

Observe the “boast” in verses 17 and 23. As Paul knew quite well, a “Law-keeping” Jew contended, “I have my good works, my God-given religion, so I do not need Jesus. The Gentiles need Jesus, but not I because I am ‘not as bad as’ they are.” Verse 17 describes this as “rest[ing] in the law.” Actually, though a Jew (unlike a Gentile) could claim Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his ultimate father (like a Gentile) was Adam (a sinner)—and, by Adam, they all had the Devil as father (John 8:44)! Re-read Romans 2:1-3. Every Jew accusing a Gentile of being a “sinner” was guilty of the same evil deeds.

The Gospel of the Grace of God, as presented in the opening chapters of Romans, reduces everyone (Gentile and Jew) to stand on one level, all sinners facing God’s eternal judgment….

No Wedding Garment! #9

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

If Israel will fellowship with JEHOVAH God under the New Covenant, it must be imputed righteousness instead of self-righteousness (The Parable of the Wedding Feast, Matthew 22:1-14). God is calling all Jews in the prophetic program via the Gospel of the Kingdom, but those chosen for service are they who will believe and thus possess His righteousness not self-righteousness (verse 14). Only believing Israel, justified in the Lord because of His righteousness, will be Christ’s wife because they alone have the wedding garment. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [lost Israel, especially religious leaders], and given to a nation [believing remnant, Little Flock of Luke 12:32] bringing forth the fruits [righteousness] thereof” (Matthew 21:43).

Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” The Hebrew word rendered “filthy” means “menstruation,” the monthly bleeding of a woman’s reproductive organs. According to the Holy Bible, man’s “very best” is but a soiled sanitary napkin in God’s sight! (How flattering!) Billions upon billions are still struggling in vain to obtain a right standing in God’s court (justification) by offering their “filthy rags.”

Like Adam and Eve, they wear their “fig leaves” hoping to cover their spiritual nakedness—but God is not fooled (Genesis 3:7-11). Following apostate Israel’s example, they use the Law of Moses to prove their supposed “goodness” and “worthiness of Heaven.” Unfortunately for them, God is not impressed… save (except) in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)! Like self-righteous Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) had to learn in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….” May we learn this too!

No Wedding Garment! #7

Sunday, July 28, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

Today’s Scripture in context again: “[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What is this “outer darkness,” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth?” It is the eternal punishment of lost Israel just prior to the Millennial Kingdom of Revelation chapter 20.

Christ already spoke of this terrible fate in the Sermon on the Mount: “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). He mentioned it again in His second Sermon on the Mount, the Olivet Discourse: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). As Moses declared in Deuteronomy 32:22, concerning Christ’s Second Coming: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”

When Jesus returns in flaming fire (Matthew 13:40-43; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; cf. Isaiah 30:27-33; Isaiah 31:8,9), a shaft will be opened south of the Dead Sea (“Idumea”) and Earth’s interior, Hell itself, will be exposed. Unbelieving souls will be thrown into this spiritual place of judgment at His return as well as throughout His Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 5:29,30; Matthew 18:8,9; Mark 9:42-50; cf. Isaiah 66:24). Jude 13 speaks of lost people “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”

Having discussed the punishment of those without a wedding garment, let us go back to describing the wedding garment and the wedding themselves….