Category: sin

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #139

Monday, October 12, 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?

For countless millions, “holy communion” is a time of excessive use of manmade prayers, ringing of bells, bowing of heads and knees, eating of wafers, drinking of wine/juice, playing of music, burning of incense, crossing of one’s heart, folding of hands, wearing of costly apparel, pacing to and fro, looking up to Heaven, using special utensils, alleviating guilt, and on and on and on. There is more showmanship than spirituality, more ritualism than righteousness, more ignorance than knowledge, more formalism than truth, and more unbelief than faith. Yet, it makes these spectators feel good, closer to God, and superior to those without. If ever they were to trust the pure Gospel of Grace—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day—all these grounds for their boasting would be thrown out and permanently shut out. It would start being about what He did once for all, rather than what they do over and over again (trying to perform better each time, but failing miserably). Therefore, they would rather spend eternity in the Lake of Fire than part ways with what appeals to their sin nature and strokes their egos.

God the Holy Spirit set forth general guidelines about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 rather than specifics. He did not want us to get caught up in meticulous adherence to insignificant details and external/body rather than internal/heart (religionists become obsessed with outward form—see Matthew 23:23-33). Unlike the annual feasts of the LORD under the Law of Moses (Leviticus chapter 23), the frequency of the Lord’s Supper is not stipulated. Scripture never sets a schedule—whether daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or whatever, for that is not important. “As oft as” and “as often as” (1 Corinthians 11:25,26) are as close to any prescribed timetable as the Bible gets. We should use our renewed mind to figure out the rest. Above all, what matters is that we think about the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins—how it binds us to God, to each other (members of the Body of Christ), and even to believing Israel (Messianic Church, Little Flock).

We now pass on to yet another realm of misunderstanding….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #138

Sunday, October 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?

“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). Severe medical problems—and even no health (yea, physical death!)—resulted from the Corinthians’ sins of gluttony and drunkenness at the Lord’s Supper (verses 21,22). Just because they were Christians did not mean God would exempt them from the natural consequences of their stupidity! He simply handed them over to the aftermath of their willful choices; they had only themselves to blame.

“Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come” (verses 33,34). In the place of selfishness (verses 21,22), the Corinthians should eat together, sharing whatever food and drink they could with fellow believers. The Lord’s Supper would thus be beneficial instead of detrimental. Much chaos overwhelmed them, but at least they would resolve this problem before Paul went back to southern Greece. Twenty centuries later, the majority of our local churches have yet to improve their thoughts and activities regarding the Lord’s Supper.

Interestingly, a segment of the grace community maintains the Lord’s Supper was exclusively for the Acts transitional period. They suppose it is the Passover feast, but such is ignorance. Firstly, the Passover must always be observed in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:1,2,6), whereas the Corinthians held the Lord’s Supper in Corinth. Secondly, Paul writes how believers should observe the Lord’s Supper “till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Did Christ return at the close of Acts? No! Then, believers should still be holding the Lord’s Supper until our Dispensation of Grace ends. Paul did not “borrow” the Lord’s Supper from prophecy. It is part of the revelation of the mystery that the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ gave him (1 Corinthians 11:23)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #137

Saturday, October 10, 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?

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Instead of the Lord’s Supper being serious and reverent—a time to remember the Lord Jesus’ cruel death on the cross of Calvary—the Bible babies of Corinth made it all about amusing self. Yea, it was indistinguishable from a secular party unsaved people have with their fine foods and expensive alcoholic beverages.

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (verses 27-29). If the immature Corinthians treated this mere representation of Christ’s finished crosswork with such flippancy and contempt, what was their attitude about that actual crosswork? God the Holy Spirit condemned their outrageous conduct! Failing to esteem its memorial supper, they valued neither Calvary nor their brethren in Christ. Having animosity against believers with whom they were about to eat and drink, and a desire to be disrespectful (“eat… drink… unworthily”), they should have stayed home rather than go to church and give the Devil an occasion to divide. Yet, if they could inspect their hearts and determine God’s Spirit had filled them with an attitude of grace, they should absolutely partake of the Lord’s Supper and get better acquainted with the people with whom they will share eternity in Heaven….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #136

Friday, October 9, 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?

“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies [sects or disagreements caused by false teaching] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not” (1 Corinthians 11:17-21).

Having accepted so much false teaching, the church at Corinth was exceedingly fractured into little denominations (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Therefore, when they publicly assembled for “worship,” it was more destructive than beneficial. In fact, it was better for them to stay home and not meet at all! Their alleged “Lord’s Supper” was an occasion to the flesh, and the Holy Spirit through their Apostle denounced them as holding nothing but the Devil’s Supper. Why? Wealthier Corinthian saints were partying as drunkards and gluttons, not sharing their food or their drink with their fellow brethren in Christ (who were poorer and could not afford such luxuries). This selfish behavior only reinforced their schisms. What God had intended to be a solemn occasion, the Corinthians reduced it to just another social function—no different from lost people getting together to “have a good time!” Even now, in the spirit of Corinth, there are modern churches who could not care less about sound Bible doctrine… but they readily congregate at “God’s house” to enjoy delicious potluck dinners (the food, fun, fellowship, and foolishness of denominationalism).

Let us see what else Corinthians can teach us….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #130

Saturday, October 3, 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?

Regarding the Lord’s Supper, the standard Roman Catholic boast is: “Our Holy Mother Church alone really has Jesus’ body and blood at her Eucharistic services. You Protestants cannot claim that privilege!” Of course, Bible verses are offered as support. Here, it behooves us to scrutinize these “proof texts.” Is it actually Scripture, or mere superstition?

Two Bible events supposedly authorize the Eucharist. One is generally called “the Last Supper” (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). The Roman Catholic contends thusly: “Jesus never said, ‘This bread represents My body’ or ‘This wine/juice represents My blood.’ He said, ‘This is My body… This is My blood.’” Frankly, such an interpretation is extremely infantile, superficial, and flimsy—but it is most dangerous since people base their eternal souls on it! (We will discuss that later.) For now, understand that God the Holy Spirit in His Word uses language like we do. As an example, displaying a picture of someone, we state, “This is [person’s name].” We (justly?!) assume our audience has enough sense to recognize the photograph is not the actual person, rendering it totally unnecessary for us to announce, “This represents [person’s name].”

Carefully note how these three verses use “is.” “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25). Was that cup literally the New Testament, or just its symbol?! “For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia” (Galatians 4:25). Was Hagar really Mount Sinai, or did she merely represent it?! Did David have actual human blood in his cup in 2 Samuel 23:17 (“is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?”), or just water that signified lives endangered to obtain that water for him?! Friends, this is just plain common sense, simple verses that require no real effort to master. Likewise, “This is My body… This is My blood” is figurative—as are (obviously) “I am the door” (John 10:9), “I am the vine” (John 15:5), and so on.

The only way someone would get confused is if they wanted to be confused, and, there are plenty such people….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #129

Friday, October 2, 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?

Whether Protestant or Roman Catholic local churches, the communion service is generally a morsel of bread and a sip (or tiny cup) of juice/wine. It is no coincidence that these two divergent systems of thought could have such striking similarities. When Protestants left the (corrupt) Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation in the early 1500s, they retained the wafers and cups of juice/wine they saw in Romanism—although modifying or removing the “consecratory” words, abandoning the belief in an actual sacrifice, and so on. We will elaborate on all this later. For now, just understand: precious few are aware that a “mini-Mass” or “Mass-lite” is being carried out in Protestant churches that claim no affiliation with Roman Catholicism (which boasts of its full Mass)!

The Roman Catholic Lord’s Supper is titled “the Eucharist” (from “eucharisteo,” Greek for “I give thanks;” see Matthew 26:27). Such an elaborate ceremony is far more complicated than the average Protestant “communion service.” At its heart lies the belief that, allegedly, once Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26), the bread was literally altered into His actual body. Moreover, supposedly, when He declared, “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood…” (Matthew 26:27,28), the contents of the cup actually changed into His literal blood. (The Roman term for these transformations is “transubstantiation.”) When a Roman priest utters certain words, the bread/wafer purportedly turns into Jesus’ literal body and the wine/juice is said to become His actual blood—though, strangely, they keep their physical properties (appearance, smell, taste) of bread and wine/juice! (Indeed, this “blood” can, and does, intoxicate!)

On the other hand, many Protestants see those words of Christ (“This is my body… This is my blood”) as figurative or non-literal, but rarely have studied the matter enough to firmly stand on a solid foundation of the truth. Under no circumstances do we wish to disparage anyone’s beliefs or values. Nevertheless, the truth is offensive (Galatians 4:16), and, ignorance of truth is not faith but rank unbelief. We must delve into the issue even more….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #121

Wednesday, September 23, 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?

Local churches and “Christian” schools are crowded, crowded (!), crowded (!) with people exceedingly busy, going along with what they have seen and heard their entire lives. They believe and do exactly as instructed, neither questioning nor resisting: this behavior is known as “corpse-like obedience,” resembling the mindless or mechanical/robotic movements of zombies. For well over a decade, I was guilty of it. Then, I actually started reading the Bible for myself, and ceased depending on preachers and teachers who were telling me only what they assumed the Scriptures taught. All these years later, I am still in the process of rectifying the recklessness and replacing the folly with sound Bible doctrine—forgetting this lie by believing this truth, forgetting that lie by believing that truth, and so on.

It took me quite a long time to make sense of the Lord’s Supper—what it is and what it is not, for whom it is, et cetera. One particular dear brother in Christ pointed me to the Bible verses I needed to study so desperately to recover myself out of the snare of the Devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26). My goal in ministry is to take those same truths and present them in a systematic way for others to consider and, hopefully, believe in their soul for their spiritual health and growth. The Lord Jesus Christ stated in John 7:17: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” Provided we have a longing to do the will of God, He will furnish us with the light and power to do it. None of us are forced to stay in spiritual darkness, but God in His righteousness and out of respect for our free will, will leave us blind and ignorant if we so choose (Romans 1:18-32)!

As we now tackle the subject of the Lord’s Supper, may we have humble, sincere, believing hearts, eager to discard anything and everything we have learned that is wrong and hold fast only that which is good….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #120

Tuesday, September 22, 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?

John 12:1-8 reports: “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.”

Indeed, as the Apostles’ treasurer, Judas Iscariot was the most trusted—yet, he was nothing but a hypocrite and common thief. Seemingly interested in helping the poor, he only wanted to help himself, being just another embezzler trying to pass himself off in ministry as a “servant of the Lord.” Dear friend, do you happen to know anyone in religion today who claims to “care for the poor” (who goes on and on and on about “the poor,” “the poor,” “the poor”) but whose church, denomination, or theological system hoards wealth untold? See, the people who built those institutions were duped, tricked, cheated (and in doing so they became “the poor” themselves!)—but they will never (!) admit it because they are too embarrassed! They still think constructing steeples, shrines, cathedrals, belltowers, and religious schools automatically equates to worship of God, but they are woefully ignorant that it is worship of Satan without any underlying sound Bible doctrine.

Moving away from money matters (we withhold further commentary on it), we now tackle yet another grossly misunderstood subject of Scripture….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #119

Monday, September 21, 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?

A dear Christian friend notified me that his (now-former) pastor had made him an offer. If my friend brought more visitors to the church, the preacher promised him a percentage of the new profits. Upon hearing it, my friend was in complete disbelief and, thankfully, had enough spiritual discernment to part from such a “minister!” It is definitely not a sin to have money. Nevertheless, if viewing such earthly treasures from that (usual) worldly perspective, wealth becomes one of the most dangerous possessions. “The love of money”—not money itself—“is the root of all evil,” 1 Timothy 6:10 declares (and be sure you quote that correctly, knowing the context is about men changing doctrine for the express purpose of appealing to a broader audience, thereby increasing revenue for their manmade theological system).

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23,24; cf. Mark 10:23-25; Luke 18:24,25). That context is about an extremely wealthy young ruler who declined to part with his worldly possessions; he had no use for God and no interest in righteousness, for (in his own eyes) he was self-sufficient! “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit” (Proverbs 18:11). “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [Aramaic; wealth idolized/personified]” (Matthew 6:24; cf. Luke 16:13).

Our materialistic society (including Christendom!) needs to read and re-read and re-read Proverbs 4:7; Proverbs 8:10,11; Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 11:4,28; Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 15:16,17,27; Proverbs 16:8,16; Proverbs 19:4; Proverbs 20:15; Proverbs 21:6; Proverbs 22:1; Proverbs 23:5,23; and Proverbs 28:6,11,22. Had they really known and believed these verses in their soul, they would have spared themselves an unfathomable amount of pain and suffering….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #118

Sunday, September 20, 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?

Read Philippians 4:10-18: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

At the end of the Acts period, when Paul was awaiting a hearing before Emperor Caesar, the Apostle stayed for two years in his own hired house (house-arrest) at Rome (Acts 28:30,31). During this time, the Philippian Christians sent a material gift (“things”) to him through a messenger named Epaphroditus—money, food, clothing, and/or other essential possessions (inferred from the context). Paul expressed gladness and thankfulness to receive it. He in no way desired a gift or felt greedy, but he desired fruit that would abound to their account (Philippians 4:17). That is, by participating in his ministry in this manner, they were accumulating a spiritual reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (see “…he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” in 2 Corinthians 9:6). Giving under grace is a portion of their—and of our—Christian service, and we can rest assured God will not forget to pay us back in the spiritual realm….