Category: sin

To Be Seen and Heard #2

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Read today’s Scripture in context, a long speech delivered just a few days before Calvary: “[1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Chapter 23 of Matthew is one of the most scathing rebukes the Lord Jesus Christ ever issued during His earthly ministry. (John chapter 8 is another extremely offensive sermon.) He warns His listeners—both His followers and any curiosity-seekers—of the religious corruption that had overtaken Judaism. The nation Israel’s spiritual leaders seem like Moses’ successors, God’s spokesmen, but they are hypocritical. Provided they taught the pure Word of God, the unadulterated Law of Moses, they should be followed. Nevertheless, as Christ Himself pointed out, there is also a counterfeit Word of God and an imitation ministry in Israel: these perverted religious leaders are teaching their words of men and passing them off as the words of God, and they are also failing to “practice what they preach” (“they say, and do not”).

They have watered down God’s commandments with mindless religious tradition. Instead of the LORD’S laws pointing out man’s sin problem, those laws have been “supplemented” with humanistic thoughts and deeds that portray man in a more positive light. God and His precepts are not at the center of attention because man has placed the spotlight on himself. It becomes all the more serious when we recognize this has occurred in God’s nation Israel, His channel of salvation and blessing to the nations in prophecy. As long as Israel languishes in spiritual darkness, she cannot be all that the LORD intended her to be. She is thus incapable of reaching the Gentiles….

To Be Seen and Heard #1

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

In a world of mass communication, everyone aims to be seen and/or heard by as many as possible—even at the risk of appearing or sounding foolish. For example, a “journalist” once asked a government official why a certain disease was especially affecting older people. Of course, the “reporter,” at least 50 years of age, had to have known that the immune system gradually weakens as someone advances in years. To pose such a question just revealed his ignorance. What he did was contribute nothing meaningful or substantial. It was merely to look or sound important at a press conference… but had the opposite effect.

Social media (personal internet platforms or websites) during the last two decades has been both a blessing and a curse, with advantages and disadvantages. Once, a “grace pastor” with whom I was acquainted drifted off into teaching some strange and rather heretical doctrines. His unusual beliefs and practices were beginning to affect others I knew. Upon being asked why he was promoting such nonsense, his reply was, essentially: “Well, if So-and-So has a following, and if He-or-She has a following, I will gain a following too.” Private interpretations create denominations—and he was willing to do it for sake of “fame.”

The internet is a treasure trove of both wisdom and ignorance. We can find valuable resources covering a wide range of topics, to broaden our understanding. Moreover, the world wide web is also a repository to hear or see publicity stunts. From the child throwing a temper tantrum to an adult’s outrageous behavior in popular (“viral”) videos, someone wants to make sure someone else notices them. This publicity strokes their ego; it makes them feel important or superior to others. Such “drama queens” engage in exaggerated conduct, posting any and every thought that comes to mind, uploading photo after photo after photo of self, touching on whatever controversial topic happens to be trending.

Let us be honest. It is human nature to strive to be at the center of attention. That is one of the effects of sin….

Something in Which to Glory!

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

“As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14 KJV).

In what shall we glory? About what shall we boast? In what shall we find value?

Religion produces people who enjoy bragging all about their “dedication to God.” “Look what I did—the ceremonies in which I have participated, the many prayers I faithfully recited daily, how much I put in the collection plate, see how many pleasures I gave up to please God! Come, see how much I love Him!” Dear friends, the Apostle Paul found great value in something—but that something was not what he did. All that human flesh can accomplish pales in comparison to the work in today’s Scripture.

As Lent begins, the time when religionists temporarily (a mere 40 days) relinquish some pleasant food or activity, let us remember that our performance is often non-performance. Once we place ourselves on that treadmill of “do, do, do,” we are guaranteed to fail at some point. Human flesh is simply too weak to maintain 100 percent—that is sin! Even concerning one rule, we cannot keep it perfectly. We mess up eventually.

If ever we believe that our puny works are worth bragging about, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture. While some boast in their religiosity (in the passage, the Judaizers applauding their rite of physical circumcision), and such denominationalists today urge us to obey their church’s instructions so they too may boast in our ability, let us eschew such foolishness. Being imperfect, all their works do not measure up to Christ’s finished crosswork. At Calvary, we find the only sacrifice that will ever please the God of the Bible. If we must boast, let us brag that He did what we could never, ever do!

See our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians observe Lent?”

God’s Grace on Parade

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

“…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?”

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #7

Friday, February 21, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

From the Book of Hebrews, which enlarges upon Jeremiah 31:31-34, we discover the Old Covenant was temporary and will be replaced by the New Covenant (see particularly Hebrews chapters 8–10). Considering that change, Messiah (Jesus Christ) speaks to Father God: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:6-8). Hebrews 10:5-9 interprets this as Messiah submitting to Father’s will to sacrifice Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross, the foundation for the New Covenant.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…” (Hebrews 10:10-12). This “offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” is described in Ephesians 5:1,2 as: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary was “a sweetsmelling savour”—just as pleasant to God’s nostrils as those aromas of the anointing oil and the perfume or incense (the context of today’s Scripture). The stench of the spiritual decay of our sin debt is overwhelmed by the blood sacrifice of the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, that does not deter works-religionist man from offering his own righteousness, his reeking “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and stinky “dung” (Philippians 3:8), bragging, “I can be just as good as Jesus!” If nothing else, may the “sweetsmelling savour” of Calvary at least discourage us Christians from resurrecting the buried, rotting old man to boast, “I can live the Christian life!”

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #6

Thursday, February 20, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Any hasty reading of the Law of Moses with respect to its Tabernacle and (subsequent) Temple and their furnishings and ministers, yields one undeniable fact: it was an extremely complex arrangement and rigorous routine, involving elaborate ceremonies, sacrifices and offerings, an altar, a laver, a candlestick (lampstand), shewbread, incense, a veil, an ark (chest) containing stone tablets, a mercyseat, and other items. See, for example, Exodus chapters 25–31, Exodus chapters 34–40, Leviticus chapters 1–10, and Leviticus chapters 16–17. The daily, weekly, and annual duties of the Levitical priests were endless—spanning over 1,500 years, encompassing countless generations of Aaron’s sons.

For a more abridged summary of the responsibilities of the Levitical priesthood as touching the Tabernacle and the Temple, see Hebrews chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Suffice it to say that their work with those holy vessels, utensils, and furnishings—and even those vessels, utensils, and furnishings themselves—pointed to Calvary’s cross in a veiled or disguised form. Recall the holy anointing oil and the perfume or incense referenced in Exodus 30:22-38, the context of today’s Scripture. Intense, albeit pleasant, odors emanated from them, filling the Tabernacle and the Temple with fragrances. Moreover, the atmosphere would have been smokey, obscuring some priestly activities.

As we gag and recoil at sewage, body sweat, rotting bodies, and other offensive odors, so the holy, righteous Creator God is highly irritated at the stench of sin. Like we react in the physical realm, He responds in the spiritual world. Though He was dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple in the midst of sinful Israelites, though sinful priests were working in His service, He could tolerate it because the sweet aromas smeared on those men, their instruments, and their sacrifices covered the disagreeable smell. Hence, Mosaic sacrifices were “for a sweet savour” (Exodus 29:25,41; Leviticus 1:9,13,17; Leviticus 2:2,9,12; Leviticus 3:5,16; Leviticus 4:31; Leviticus 6:15,21; Leviticus 8:21,28; Leviticus 17:6; Leviticus 23:13,18; et cetera).

Let us see how to appreciate the delightful scent of Calvary in God’s nostrils….

Something Not Worth Losing

Sunday, February 9, 2025

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV).

Super Bowl Sunday comes annually in the United States. Teams fuel the intense passions in the athletic world by vying for a corruptible trophy. Howbeit, the competition in today’s Scripture is spiritual, is worldwide, never has a halftime, and involves the eternal souls of men!

The human soul is most zealous about religion, politics, and sports. These areas are most personal, so they generate many heated debates and conflicts. However, believe it or not, there are worse outcomes than losing a church member, losing an election, and losing a game. Losing your eternal soul is the greatest of all losses!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ told His Jewish disciples to “take up [their] cross, and follow [him]” (verse 24). “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (verse 25). They should not fear losing their earthly lives for His sake. What is most important is that they not lose their souls!

Jesus Christ declared there is more to life than this physical world and its temporal possessions. There is a spiritual world—an afterlife—to consider. In today’s Scripture, He asks them, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Does it make sense to emphasize this temporary world and its corruptible goods, to the point of ignoring your eternal soul, and wind up losing it in hellfire forever and ever?

Dear reader, there is more to you than just your physical body. Your inner man—your soul, your spiritual body—is everlasting. To ignore Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins, is to remain dead in those sins, resulting in you spending eternity suffering God’s wrath in the lake of fire literally as a nameless, hopeless, disfigured creature.

Your soul is not worth losing! Trust Christ as your personal Saviour today!

The Worst Human Invention

Saturday, February 8, 2025

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19 KJV).

Sinners are “inventors of evil things” (Romans 1:30), including this….

What is the worst human invention? Nuclear weapons, taxes, money, television, and advertisements are some answers given. Yet, biblically speaking, the worst human invention is the idea that man is his own authority, his own creator (an absurdity indeed!). “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Read Jeremiah 17:5-10: “[5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. [6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. [7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Furthermore, man in his own deluded mind, in his own wicked heart, is obsessed with his own righteousness—which is but “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and “dung” (Philippians 3:8). How much better it would be to, “Believe [Rely, trust, depend] on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).












































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The Worst Human Invention “This I say therefore, and testify in
the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of
their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of
God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians
4:17-19 KJV). Sinners are “inventors of evil
things” (Romans 1:30), including this…. What is the worst human invention?
Nuclear weapons, taxes, money, television, and advertisements are some answers
given. Yet, biblically speaking, the worst human invention is the idea
that man is his own authority, his own creator (an absurdity indeed!). “Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature
more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25). Read Jeremiah 17:5-10: “[5] Thus
saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his
arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. [6] For he shall be like the
heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the
parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
[7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD
is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that
spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but
her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought,
neither shall cease from yielding fruit. [9] The heart is deceitful above
all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the LORD
search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his
ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Furthermore, man in his own deluded
mind, in his own wicked heart, is obsessed with his own righteousness—which is
but “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and “dung” (Philippians 3:8).
How much better it would be to, “Believe [Rely, trust, depend] on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). “Christ
died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1
Corinthians 15:3,4).

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #32

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

According to the Bible rightly divided, it is not God’s current will to directly intervene in the affairs of man to punish evil, deliver the righteous, and remove the curse of sin from creation. He is neither apathetic, nor cruel, nor nonexistent: instead, He is gracious, merciful, and peaceful toward our human species that has rejected His dear Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) for almost 20 centuries. We should not despise His goodness and/or moan about His plan simply because we do not understand what we ought and have not gotten our way. Far better if we considered the Holy Scriptures dispensationally, find out what He is doing today, by faith do that, and thereby do His will.

Jesus Christ is not where He should be, Satan is not where he should be, the Church the Body of Christ is not where it should be, and the nation Israel is not where it should be. In God’s due time, all will be set right. If we could say it as succinctly as possible: God’s purpose and plan in creation will truly be brought to pass one day, but that cannot happen until redeemed Israel (Earth) and the Church the Body of Christ (Heaven) rule in their respective realms, and this cannot happen until Christ Jesus Himself reigns, which cannot occur until Satan is removed, which cannot happen until Israel is complete, which cannot occur until prophecy resumes, which cannot occur until mystery ends, which cannot transpire until the Body of Christ is closed, which cannot happen until the Dispensation of Grace is rescinded, which cannot be until the Apostle Paul’s ministry is terminated.

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12a). We members of the Church the Body of Christ—who have trusted the Lord’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins—understand that this world is not our home. Though this life is rough and tough, God’s grace is sufficient for us to handle all of its problems… all the way up to our departure to be glorified in, and govern, the heavenly places with Christ Himself.

-FINIS!-

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

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #28

Saturday, February 1, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Two men suffered the most in Scripture. Obviously, the Lord Jesus Christ endured the worst agony and pain—and we will never even partly grasp it. The other man who went through horrific mistreatment was the Apostle Paul. Study Acts chapters 9–28, during which time he wrote Romans 5:3-5: “And not only so, but we glory [find value] in tribulations [troubles] also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Later, in chapter 8, he penned: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verses 35-39).

At this time, he also wrote 2 Corinthians: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Here is a spiritual man, not a child, talking….