Category: self-righteousness

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #3

Sunday, July 27, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

One of our ministry partners of long ago had this magnet on her refrigerator: “Strive to be the woman of whom Satan says in the morning, ‘Oh no, she is up!’” This characterizes a person who is a liability to the evil world system. That Holy Spirit-filled believer stands in contrast to the words of a preacher, “Some Christians are no bother to Satan at all.” Here is the asset whom we would hope and pray we would never be!

No matter how loving or friendly we are, we Christian ambassadors absolutely preach an offensive message: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). We are reminded of a “feel-good” “Christian” celebrity who said he purposefully avoided using the word “sin” in his pulpit because it was “too negative.” If Christ really died for our sins, the implication is negative because man is a corrupt being at heart. Also, it means man cannot save himself, which is another affront or insult to him! As a certain lost, self-righteous religious leader once bellowed, “You cannot tell me I cannot offer God some good work!” Christ died for our sins. We cannot be rescued from those sins personally unless we come to realize we have a sin problem—and the sin problem cannot be comprehended or rectified until we first say “sin” is our problem.

When Paul dealt with the Galatians who loved the “performance-based acceptance system” of Law (do good to be blessed of God), he knew his “grace-based acceptance system” (God will bless us according to His own goodness) would be unpleasant to them. He wrote to such followers of false teachers in Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Paul, telling the truth, was a liability to Satan’s Establishment; the Galatians, though also believers in Christ, were assets to it. They were fighting against God’s current dealings with men, which automatically made them participants of the Devil’s plan, which contradicted God’s will for them (today’s Scripture)….

Sincerity—Or Spite? #2

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

“The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds” (Philippians 1:16 KJV).

Is it sincerity… or just spite?

An amateur “philosopher” once posed the following question: “Can a good deed, if done for selfish reasons, still be good?” The answer, of course, is a resounding, “No!” If selfish, it is not good. It is an evil deed appearing to be good. Human goodness is not goodness at all; it is simply self-righteousness, a heavenly way to Hell, a godly façade masking a satanic interior.

The Adamic nature, or sin nature we have inherited from Adam, can indeed hide behind religion or piety while committing evil. Matthew 7:21-23 is a classic illustration: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

If words mean anything, according to the Lord Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (one of Christendom’s favored passages!), someone preaching in the Lord’s name, someone casting out devils in the Lord’s name, and someone doing many “wonderful works” in the Lord’s name, can actually be guilty of “iniquity” (evil, unjust, wickedness). He even says He does not have a personal relationship with the people in these verses—although they look like His servants and address Him as “Lord, Lord!”

Paul, in the context of today’s Scripture, recognizes two types of preachers. Some have the right heart attitude, but others do not. (Verse 15, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy [ill will, hatred] and strife [quarrels, fights]; and some also of good will:….”) Even while under house arrest in Rome, he was hearing news about those preaching the Gospel as an act of worshipping God (they wanted lost souls to hear how to be saved from sins) versus those preaching the Gospel simply to be unkind (they sought to irritate people, antagonize or distress Paul, and so on)….

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!”

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).












































@font-face
{font-family:”Cambria Math”;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face
{font-family:”Bookman Old Style”;
panose-1:2 5 6 4 5 5 5 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}@font-face
{font-family:Humanist521BT-Light;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-alt:Cambria;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
margin:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:”Cambria”,serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”;}.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Cambria”,serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-font-kerning:0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}

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).

A Life That Will Please

Saturday, January 4, 2025

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us who alone can live a life pleasing in God’s sight!

Everyone does “good” deeds. Yet, doing “good” is not necessarily good. For instance, people often do “good” just to receive praise/reward, make up for their wrongs, feel good, et cetera. Furthermore, despite our “good” deeds, we have plenty more bad ones! Pride, lying, evil thoughts, being a false witness, and being contentious are some of the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Mankind cannot even keep 10 simple rules from God. However, religion continues to urge us to keep seven sacraments, utter various prayers, give assorted offerings and “tithes,” attend numerous feasts and festivals, and perform sundry other tasks to “hopefully” please God and avoid hellfire. Whether we attempt to keep a church’s laws, our laws, or God’s laws, our flesh is far too weak to ever measure up. Just look at what God’s religion did to Israel—how much worse some man-made religion does to us!

As Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, a religious leader of Israel. He was a nitpicker concerning Law-keeping, and yet, after his soul salvation, he admitted that all of his religion was “but dung” compared to Jesus Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-11). Even for the Christian, to live a perfect life is impossible (read of Paul’s miserable existence in Romans chapter 7). Paul had to forsake his vain religion and learn today’s Scripture: the Christian life is NOT the performance of the Christian, but the Lord Jesus Christ living and working in the Christian, as the Christian walks in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to him or her!

If we trust a Saviour who will save—the Lord Jesus Christ—and trust a Book that will teach—the King James Bible—we can redeem the year for the great God and our Saviour, “who loved [us], and gave himself for [us]!” 🙂

An Inescapable Testimony #10

Sunday, October 6, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

Dear Christian friends, try as hard as we might, it is not our job to convince anyone of anything. We can (and should) offer them evidence, but we cannot force them to believe it. Indeed, Satan uses works-religion (self-righteousness) to blind them to the Gospel of Grace, yet God’s light shines through even the thickest spiritual veil (see 2 Corinthians 4:1-6).

The entrance of God’s words gives spiritual light (Psalm 119:130), but hearers usually decide to hide in the darkness (just as critters dwelling underneath a rock scatter when you overturn it!). “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved [exposed as wrong]” (John 3:19,20).

Just because we do not see immediate results does not automatically mean we failed in ministry. What matters most is whether or not we gave them anything worthwhile to think about. Did we offer them sound Bible doctrine to correct their errors and escape their snare? Or, did we give them just another religious system in which to be in bondage (nothing better than what they already have!)?

Several obstacles must be overcome if one is to accept the truth. Emotional turmoil, loss of pride and ego, becoming an outcast from social circles, are surely to be faced—among other traumatic consequences. Therefore, quick conversion is rare. People are hesitant to leave trinkets and take up treasures because they have grown accustomed to those trinkets (and daily interact with similar people, who would ostracize them, so instant relinquishment is quite costly).

Provided we at least give them 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (“Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day”), and they still wind up at the Great White Throne Judgment, it is an inescapable testimony that they heard a pure Gospel of Grace from us!

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. 🙂

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #12

Monday, September 23, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

If the Lord Jesus Christ were literally and physically walking this Earth today, the sanctimonious people in works-religion would still ask, “Why do You and Your disciples not participate in our ceremonies, rites, and rituals?” As during His earthly ministry, so these critics of Christ and detractors of His believers would still smugly cling to their religious traditions. We know this because even when we share the truths of God’s pure Word with them, they stubbornly hold fast to what they have heard all their lives—even if they recognize the plentiful deficiencies in what they do and realize the enormous gaps in what they believe.

To this very day, Christendom tends to lean toward Old Testament practices when they should believe the Dispensation of the Grace of God given to them through the Apostle Paul, Romans through Philemon (Ephesians 3:1,2). They have their sacrifices and prayers, priesthoods and “houses of God,” candles and altars, robes and tithes, holy days and feasts, water ceremonies and confessions, and so on. It is unthinkable to them to admit all of this is erroneous and useless, so they just keep on with it because it ensures their self-righteousness remains intact. Christ Jesus’ finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4) is “too offensive,” for it bears record of the fact God is not impressed with their good works. To “come to the Saviour by faith” insinuates they need to be saved from sin, and that would mean their religious goodness cannot save them. In accordance with today’s Scripture, their righteousness and God’s righteousness are incompatible.

Before it is eternally too late for them, may they, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… and… be saved” (Acts 16:31)!

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #11

Sunday, September 22, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Comparing today’s Scripture, Mark 2:21-22, and Luke 5:36-39, we notice a verse exclusive to Luke: “[36] And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. [37] And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. [38] But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. [39] No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”

Verse 39 is a fact, not an approval. As Jesus Christ Himself knew, a drunkard prefers to stay with his intoxicating beverage instead of moving to a healthier habit. Likewise, apostate Israel is content with keeping their vain religious system (watered-down Old Covenant) as opposed to coming under the New Covenant. This continued even into Acts.

Romans chapters 9 and 10: “[9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [9:32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [10:1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [10:2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [10:3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #10

Saturday, September 21, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Being a “publican” or tax collector, Matthew/Levi was financially able to host a large banquet at his house in Jesus’ honor (Matthew 9:9,10; Mark 2:14,15; Luke 5:27-29). Apparently, a great many people attending this feast were Matthew’s friends and/or acquaintances, for the Bible says “publicans and sinners” were present. These were the very societal outcasts, the souls, Christ had come to save. They were the same spiritually-sick people the Great Physician purposed to deliver from their satanic blindness and ignorance: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31).

The adjective “righteous” in the above three verses designates those who do not regard themselves as sinners. They are thus the self-righteous, those who saw no need for any personal Saviour. In contradistinction to such smugness, the “sinners” who recognized their pitiful and lost estate were continually attracted to the Lord Jesus Christ in large numbers—which only sparked more moans and grumbles from the Jewish “religious” community. “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:1,2).

It is at this point (Luke chapter 15) that Christ issued three parables—The Parable of the Lost Sheep (verses 3-7), The Parable of the Lost Coin (verses 8-10), and The Parable of the Lost/Prodigal Son (verses 11-32). Respectively, these apply to Christ’s earthly ministry, the early Acts period, and Daniel’s 70th Week (yet future). In each case, it is a believing remnant in Israel—never the entire nation. That Little Flock will become the new nation Israel, that which is given the New Covenant and filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #9

Friday, September 20, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

John the Baptist expected the Pharisees and Sadducees (works-religionists in Judaism) to offer the lame excuse that they needed no repentance (change in mind) or water baptism because of their Jewish heritage. They would say something like, “Abraham is our father, and this alone automatically gives us a right standing before God. We have no sins to confess!” (We infer this based on John’s own words in Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8, plus the Apostle John’s comments in 1 John 1:6,8,10.)

While God the Father designed John the Baptist’s ministry to introduce Israel to His Son, Messiah Jesus, some of John’s disciples (followers) never actually transferred to Jesus like those in John 3:26. They joined the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees by opposing Him instead of coming to Him by faith (see Matthew 9:14 and Mark 2:18). In Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-20; apostate Israel plots to kill the King so as to take His kingdom (nation Israel) from Him!

The New Covenant cannot be given to lost Israel, for they will not come by faith to the God-Man who can inaugurate that New Covenant via His shed blood. Likewise, if they are not partakers of the New Covenant, they are prohibited from entering His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [unbelieving Israel], and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). This “nation” is believing Israel, the Messianic Church, the “little flock” of Luke 12:31,32: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Again, like today’s Scripture declares, Old Covenant self-righteousness cannot mix with New Covenant righteousness….