Is there self-effort in pure grace ?

Radical grace or hyper preachers will say, "Of course, God is against all forms of self-effort. That's why we tell the people that there is no more law, no more commandment, no more judgement, no more rules and regulation, and no more self-effort. We are free. We are saved by grace, not by self-effort; neither are we prospered by self-effort. We believe in effortless success, God's favours, prosperity and over-payment of all our sins and supernatural cancellation of debts by Jesus Christ. Hence, from now on, anyone who preach another gospel or the gospel which is not of grace, let him be doubly cursed. That's not what I said; that's what Paul said..."

I will tell them, If what you said or what Paul 'said' is correct, then all the churches are cursed. Of course, I would think otherwise. I would think that you have not quoted Paul's words in its right context when you quoted the following Bible verses:

Gal 1:6-9 KJV  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Yes, Paul could have declared a double curse on those who would preach another gospel. Many of us think that another gospel is different gospel which tells people to be under the law, under the works of the law, or under self-effort. But do you agree that another gospel of grace could also mean another gospel with another 'grace' or another 'radical grace' too ? Before we accuse the churches for being under the curse of self-effort for teaching many disciplines, rules, principles, laws, commandments, or efforts to do good or do right, let us find out if self-effort is a curse in the Bible or gospel:

Did the Bible tell us that self-effort is a curse?
If we ask the radical grace preachers, Which Bible verse shows us clearly that self-effort is a curse in the gospel, they will be speechless. Some of them may quote from Genesis 1 and say that the curse came because men must now work hard and swear with great effort because of sin. I will tell them to read the Bible again. The Bible did not say that it is a curse to work ; but it is a curse to sin Gen 3:17. Hence, if we have to work or work with swear after we have sinned, it does not mean that work is a curse. Similarly, if we have to offer sacrifice for our sins after we have sinned, it is ridiculous to tell people that the offer of sacrifice is a curse too.   
Some may still argue, "Oh, self-effort is a curse because Paul said it.." I will tell them, Please tell us which Bible verse says it? They may quote from: 

• Gal 3:10-14 KJV  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  (14)  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

I will ask them, Did it say explicitly that any form of self-effort is a curse? No, however, the Bible did say that it is a curse to do the works of the law or do any form of works which is out of the law (or which has become obsolete - the Old Covenant). Of course, it would never refer to any hard works, spiritual discipline, difficult training, or self- effort as the curse.  

** What is the similarity between the footballers and the believers?
There is both physical and spiritual training for the men in the world and churches  

• 1Ti 4:6-13 LITV  Having suggested these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, having been nourished by the Words of faith, and by the good doctrine which you have followed.  (7)  But refuse the profane and old-womanish tales. And exercise yourself to godliness.  (8)  For bodily exercise is profitable to a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life now, and of that coming.  (9)  Faithful is the Word and worthy of all acceptance;  (10)  for to this we also labor and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Savior of all men, especially of believers.  (11)  Enjoin and teach these things.  (12)  Let no one despise your youth, but become an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  (13)  Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation to the doctrine.

Have you watch the World Cup lately? I would think that playing football and living godly life as a Christian has similarity. If you were a reporter and you asked a World Cup footballer, "Do you have the confidence to win the match?" He would tell you that, of course, he had great faith to win. However, If you questioned him, "Why do you still work so hard or put so much effort in your training for the match since you have great faith to win?" He would tell you to stop asking any more question and get lost. Similarly, if you ask a pastor now, "Do you have faith in God's salvation?" The pastor will tell you that, of course, he has great faith in God's salvation for him and for all others too. However, if you question him again and say, "Why do you still ask people to do many things, to read God's words, to attend church service, to listen to your sermons, to confess the word of God, to give to your church, to 'do good get good', to love others, to honour their parents, to be faithful to their spouses, to stop watching pornography, to live godly lives,  to be baptised with the confession and conviction of repentance, to pray, to keep away from immoral behaviours, to watch how they speak, think, and conduct themselves, to keep God's commandments, to do and teach many spiritual and written rules, doctrines, and principles of Christ..", he too will tell you to get lost because he would think that you are trying to be funny:  

• Mat 4:10-11 KJV  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  (11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

I will tell them, Like the footballer who have faith to win and do well in his match, we, too, have faith in the salvation of God too. However, if we still do, teach, and keep the 'rules of training' and put much of our effort in training or walking with the Lord, it does not mean that our efforts are all curses of the law or works of the law. If Paul trained himself like a soldier or a farmer when he pressed forward toward his goal and considered it as the example of his basic training and fundamental truth for all the believers too, why do we deliberately and falsely accuse all others who do and teach the same as being under the curse?

• 2Ti 2:1-22 LITV  Then my child, you be empowered by grace in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And what things you heard from me through many witnesses, commit these things to faithful men, such as will be competent also to teach others.  (3)  Then you suffer hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he might please the one having enlisted him.  (5)  And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.  (6)  It is right for the laboring farmer to partake first of the fruits.  (7)  Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things... (10)  Because of this, I endure all things on account of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus, with everlasting glory.  (11)  Faithful is the Word: for if we died with Him, we also shall live with Him;  (12)  if we endure, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, that One will deny us;  (13)  if we are unfaithful, that One remains faithful; He is not able to deny Himself.  (14)  Remind them of these things, solemnly testifying before the Lord not to dispute about words for nothing useful, to the subversion of those hearing.  (15)  Give diligence to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  (16)  But shun profane, empty babblings, for they will go on to more ungodliness,  (17)  and their word will have growth like gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  (18)  who missed the mark concerning the truth, saying the resurrection already has come, and overturn the faith of some.  (19)  However, the foundation of God stands firm, having this seal, "The Lord knew the ones being His;" see Num. 16:5, 7, also, Let everyone naming the name of Christ depart from unrighteousness.  (20)  But in a great house not only are there vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  (21)  Then if anyone purifies himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, having been sanctified and made useful to the Master, having been prepared to every good work.  (22)  But flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with the ones calling on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
• Php 3:12-19 LITV  Not that I already received or already have been perfected, but I press on, if I also may lay hold, inasmuch as I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind, and stretching forward to those things before,  (14)  I press on after a mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (15)  Then as many as are perfect, let us be of this mind; and if you think anything differently, God will also reveal this to you.  (16)  Yet as to where we have arrived, walk by the same rule, being of the same mind.  (17)  Be fellow-imitators of me, brothers, and consider those walking this way, even as you have us for a pattern.  (18)  For many walk as hostile to the cross of Christ, of whom I often told you, and now even weeping I say it,  (19)  whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and who glory in their shame, the ones thinking earthly things.
• Heb 6:1-3 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.

I will tell them, Yes, do good get good is a principle or a doctrine. Yes, it is a self effort, but it is certainly not a curse or something that is for those under the Old Covenant. It can still be taught as a good effort or practice for all the true believers under the New Testament too: 

• Eph 6:1-3 KJV  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Did Paul teach 'do good get good' here? Yes, we do good so that we may be long.)
• Heb 13:16 KJV  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
• 1Ti 5:10 KJV  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
• Tit 2:14-15 KJV  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
• Tit 3:8 KJV  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 
• Rom 13:9-14 KJV  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (10)  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  .. (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

   

1. What is 'another gospel' in Paul's time ?  

Gal 3:9-17 KJV  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them... (17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
The Jews were under the law to live by the law. They had to do them and live by them. But are all the non-Jews under the law too? No. Only the Jews were under the law because only they had the old covenant with God through Abraham. They were given the book of the law and they had to live by it. Hence, whenever we see , 'the law', in the Bible, we know that it refers to the old covenant with God. It refers to the book of the law and many things written inside which requires the Jews to fulfil. However, if we don't have that covenant, we don't have the book of the law, and we don't know what is inside the law, how can we tell the sinners that they are under the law? Many will ask, "How do you know that 'the law' refers to the old covenant only? It may refer to self-effort, law-consciousness, and the flesh." I will tell them, I will not rule out the possibility. But can you please show any Bible verse which says that 'the law' refers to self-effort, law-consciousness, or the flesh? However, Paul or the Bible confirmed that 'the law' was given to the Israelites 430 years after God had made His covenant with Abraham. Hence, 'the law' which was given to the Israelites through Moses much later (430 after God's promise to Abraham) cannot disannul His promise or covenant with Abraham. 
Gal 3:17 KJV  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Hence, it would be a curse for anyone to preach the gospel or the covenant by bringing God's people back to 'the law' through Moses which was given 430 years after God's covenant with Abraham. It would disannul God's promise or God's original covenant with Abraham. It would be the covenant by the law, not the covenant by faith. It would be another gospel, not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    (I will explain next time why the non-Jews have never been under the law and therefore they could never have kept the law like the Jews or the Pharisees who had the Old covenant or 'The law' through Moses.)

2. Is it possible to preach another gospel today?

You bet. However, is it another gospel because it has too many laws and rituals ? Probably, yes, if the churches are today are still facing the same situation when they cannot decide which covenant they need to choose. Yes, if the churches have all decided to remain under the Old covenant like the Jews, we may need to argue with them like the way Paul argued with the Jewish believers in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. We will need to do it if:

1. the churches are still thinking of 'the law' and getting the people to go through the circumcision. 
2. the sinners are all under 'the law' instead of being under sin

However, I am doubtful if we are still facing the same situation now. It's because I don't see any churches circumcise their church members, neither do I see the logic to think that the Gentiles are under 'the law'. Radical grace preachers will argue, "Why not? The sinners are under the law because they believed in doing good, doing self-effort, keeping God's laws, and living under the flesh. The Bible tells us that all these are the works of the law. Hence, they are under the law. And many churches are putting them under the law after they have accepted Christ.."
I will tell them, Please be more specific and tell us which Bible verses said that the sinners are all under the law or doing good, doing self-effort, keeping God's laws, or living under the flesh is living under the law. I would think that the Bible has said clearly that all sinners are under sin, including the Jews and Gentiles, the righteous and the unrighteous ..

Rom 3:9-10 KJV  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:

Rom 7:14 KJV  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Gal 3:22 KJV  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Please ask ourselves, If all people are under sin,

1. do we preach that they are under the law and need to stop doing the law or 
2. preach that they are under sin and need to stop sinning? 

If we just preach that the people are only under the law, the sinners will all say 'Amen' because they would be glad to accept the gospel which tell them not to do any laws and tell them nothing about their sins and repentance. I would think that this is another gospel in our time when preachers would not preach the new covenant in Jesus Christ with repentance.

3. Is there any self-effort in 'pure grace'?

Radical grace preachers will argue, "We are not very sure if repentance must be preached to the sinners; but we are sure that we must preach 'pure' grace. In pure grace, there should not be any self-effort. There must not be thinking of any self-effort .."

I will tell them, Please think, Are there any farmers in your churches? Do they plough, sow, fertilize, weed, water, trim, reap, and harvest their crops? If what you said is true, you could have accused all your farmers for believing in self effort too. They believe in hard work. But, if they really believe in God and have faith in God, they should know that God can water the crops for them effortlessly with rains, kill all the harmful pests and insects, cause the weeds to die supernaturally, and give them a fantastic harvest without them doing anything. Why would they still do so much in their fields? It's because they know that if they do not water their crops, their crops would die. Would their self-efforts cause them to lose 'pure' grace?

They will argue, "Of course not. When we preached against self-effort, we preached against the law, the spiritual effort to do good, to obey many moral rules, values, and principles, and many efforts to keep God's commandments, to keep themselves in the good book of the law, to please God .. like the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son.."

I will tell them, I don't know how you preach the parable of the prodigal son, but I know that it is about repentance. You could have preached and quoted it out of its context. Yes, the elder son could have done many things to please God, but Jesus did not say that doing those things was wrong. What was wrong was the attitude. Jesus was telling us that

1. the sinners must have the attitude to repent
2. the righteous must have the attitude to continue in doing good or in doing right without jealousy

Did you preach it clearly and correctly?  

4. Of course, there are labours and efforts even in God's kingdom and in individual spiritual pursuits

I will tell them, In God's kingdom or in our spiritual world, it is unthinkable if we will just do nothing. Do you know how much Paul preached about doing good and doing the works of God, both physically and spiritually?

1Co 3:6-18 KJV  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  (8)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  (9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  (10)  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  (11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  (13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  (14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  (15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  (16)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  (17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  (18)  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
In so many Bible verses above, did you see any man's work in the grace of God ? Would there be man's work in our faith and belief. You bet. Still not convinced? There are more teaching from Paul on this:
Eph 2:8-10 KJV  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Yes, we are not saved by works, but we are saved to do good works. Did you preach the second part?)
1Ti 6:17-21 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  (19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  (20)  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:  (21)  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Tit 1:16 KJV  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Tit 2:6-7 KJV  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  (7)  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:14-15 KJV  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Tit 3:8 KJV  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Tit 3:14-15 KJV  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.  (15)  All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia. (There is good works in grace. There is learning and preaching of good works too.)
Heb 10:24 KJV  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1Pe 2:12 KJV  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
I have only searched for 'good works' in my Bible. If you search, 'good work', 'do good', 'doing good', .. etc, you would find more Bible verses. If we are blind, we would say that Paul has never preached or told us to do good because he preached grace only. No, if you search for the words 'live godly lives, godliness, humble, humility, obey, obedience, holiness, good conscience, repentance, discipline, self control, sound doctrine, commandments, warnings, take heed, watch, .. etc, you will know that he had preached, taught, or wrote all these things to the churches and the believers too.  How can we keep silent about all these teachings and tell people that preaching the gospel is just to preach 'Jesus' only or 'grace' only..I think many of us have literally chucked away our Bible and do not know that Paul had actually preached many warnings and many things, after being brain-washed by the 'too good to be true' teaching from the websites or fazebooks. We have now begun to read all the teaching from these websites everyday and think that they are our Bible or the word of God while we do not realise that we are being brain-washed to believe every word of the preachers behind these websites. We become so dependent on them that we would feel lost or feel condemned easily whenever we stop reading them. 

5. The grace of God is not just effortless teaching

Hence, if we preach that the farmers should work hard physically and that the believers should also labour diligently, are we still preaching pure grace? Perhaps radical grace preachers will say that we have gone back to the law or self-effort. But we are preaching from the word of God. I may not preach 'pure' grace like what they preach, but I preach the grace of God which has the word of God, the work, the labour, and the diligence to show that we are truly God's disciples and the servants who are waiting for the coming of the Lord:

• Mat 24:45-51 KJV  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  (46)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  (47)  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.  (48)  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;  (49)  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;  (50)  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,  (51)  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• Luk 12:22-54 KJV  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. .. (41) Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  (42)  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, .. (47) And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  (48)  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  (49)  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  (50)  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!.. 
• Luk 12:22-54 KJV  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

Many preachers tried to argue that to believe in the Lord is just to let Him do everything and serve us as though we are the kings. But my Bible did not say so. My Lord did not say so too. We may be kings and princes as the children of God when we will rule the heaven and earth in the kingdom of God. But when we are still waiting on the Lord or waiting for His coming now on earth, we are His servants. In fact, we are told to be His faithful and wise servants. They will argue, "But the Bible did tell us that we should reign, we are the sons, we are the kings, we are rich, we are .., we are not servants." I will tell them, Probably you can find the Bible verses which say so but you could have quoted it out of its context. Yes, we are the sons with God's inheritance and privileges but those privileges should not make us so puffed up that we have forgotten that we need to serve like God's faithful and wise servants; not to rule like the worldly people. In fact, Peter did ask the same question on behalf of us when he said, Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  (42) And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, ..   Clearly from the Bible verses above, the Lord was speaking to all His disciples and those who will follow Him. If these words are not for us, The Bible would say so, like (v54)  And he said also to the people, ... "

6. There is still works of faith in the Christian walk under the New covenant

• Tit 2:7-15 KJV  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  (8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.  (9)  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;  (10)  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.  (11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

If we have just read Tit 2:7-15 above, we would notice that there are so many things Paul would want to teach us. Of course, Paul would not teach the believers to do all these to get salvation, but he did teach the believers to do all these in the churches. Who can dispute with Paul ?
Now, I will tell the radical grace preachers, Yes, the sinners may just believe only, but the believers don't just believe only; they will still need to be taught properly to adorn the doctrine of God in all things - These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority .. see Titus 2:10, 15 above 
By the way, I would still think that sinners must not just believe only; they must also repent if they will really change and adorn the doctrine of God after they have believed. Even in repentance, there are still fruits or works worthy of repentance:

• Mat 3:7-9 KJV  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
• Luk 3:7-8 KJV  Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Hence, in the New covenant, there are no more works of the law, but there are still works of faith and fruits of repentance; and the doctrine, laws, and commandments of God.

• No more works of the law - Gal 2:15-16 KJV  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  (16)  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ..
• But there is still works of faith - Jas 2:20-24 KJV  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  (22)  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  (23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  (24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Obviously, in the covenant by faith or the New covenant, we will still have works for both the sinners and believers:

1. fruits (or works) of repentance for the sinners and 
2. works of faith for the believers 

Repentance, works of faith, and good works in Christ are not considered as the works of the law. Please read the whole chapter of Galatians on the works of the law again.
The works of the law are the works which the Jews and the Pharisees did to justify themselves before God; for example, the law of circumcision, Corban laws, sacrificial laws, Sabbath laws, and many laws which they used to hide their hypocrisy and lawlessness. You will understand what I mean if you read more about 'the law' in Acts, Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians :

• Gentiles should not be forced to live like the Jews - Gal 2:14-15 KJV  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  (15)  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  
• Gentiles should not be forced to do the works of the law - Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal 6:13 KJV  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
• Gentiles should not be forced to keep the law or to be circumcised - Act 15:5 KJV  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. ..(24) Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: Rom 2:25-26 KJV  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  (26)  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

We should understand by now that the Gentiles can never do 'the law' because they are the Jews. 'The law' or the works of 'the law' is obviously something practised by the Jews and Pharisees; but not but by the Gentiles. That's why the Jews and Pharisees would try by all means to compel the Gentile believers to keep the law too, so that they may glory in their flesh. Hence, Paul was not against the law to do good, the law of the Romans, the law of our countries, or the law of the Seven Most Effective Habits; he was against the law of the Jews and Pharisees when it was used to frustrate the grace of God to all the believers.

7. Is fasting, doing good work, or obeying God's laws self-effort? 

Of course, it would be questionable if any preachers try to give people the impression that fasting, good work, or obeying God's commandments is self-effort.If it is not self-effort, why can't we preach it? Radical grace preachers will argue, "We should never preach or teach it; otherwise, people will believe in self-efforts. They will miss their salvation. That's why we preach or teach grace only; we will never teach any other things.." I will tell them, Teaching grace all the time does not mean that you are more righteous or more spiritual than others. Neither does teaching fasting, doing good work, or obeying God's laws means that we are more righteous too. Those who are more righteous are not those who teach grace or teach the laws; but those who do it. Am I therefore telling people to fast, do good work, or obey God's laws to be saved. Of course not. I say this because I don't see any wrong to teach all these. Please think, If Jesus or John tells you to keep God's commandments now, will you accuse them for preaching self-efforts? 

• Mat 19:16-17 KJV  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  (17)  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
• Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• 1Jn 2:3-7 KJV  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  (7)  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
• 1Jn 3:22-24 KJV  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  (23)  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  (24)  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
• 1Jn 5:2-3 KJV  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 
• Eph 6:1-3 KJV  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
  Col 1:10 KJV  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
  
• 2Ti 2:21 KJV  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Now, I will ask them, If Paul tells you to do good work or obey God's commandment, will you accuse him of teaching self-effort too? No. If you cannot accuse him of doing it, neither can you accuse any God's preachers or any churches of teaching or doing too much good works too, unless they insist that you must do good to get saved. Hence, please think twice before you preach against anyone or any churches of teaching or doing self-efforts, ok? 

However, I would think that there is, in fact, more human effort when you tried to twist, misinterpret, or remove God's commandments from His words or when you preached the gospel until everyone misunderstood it as license to sin. 

Is it wrong to do your own work?
Did the Bible tell us that all kinds of self-effort is wrong? Please let me know if you can find it in your Bible. Probably I can find Bible verses which says that we cannot be saved by our works; however the Bible did not say that it is wrong to do your own work, work on your own, or do your own business:

• Gal 6:4-10 KJV  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  (5)  For every man shall bear his own burden.  (6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  (7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  (9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  (10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
• Php 2:12 KJV  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
• 1Th 4:11-12 KJV  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  (12)  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
• 2Th 3:12-14 KJV  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.  (13)  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.  (14)  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

::

Who boasted first ?

The believers who have now followed the radical grace would now boast about it. However, boasting radically to seek God's favour will only show that they are still very much like the worldly self seekers. Paul has just warned us from his words that all manner of boasting is from the flesh, whether it is done in the name of the laws or grace:

• 2Co 11:17-20 LITV  What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this boldness of boasting.  (18)  Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.  (19)  For you with pleasure endure fools, being wise.  (20)  For you endure if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours, if anyone takes away from you, if anyone exalts self, if anyone beats you in the face.

Hence, Paul would not like to boast neither would he want any of us to boast. He boasted only because the false ministers had boasted first. If you are the believers of grace and righteousness, it does not mean that you must boast until the believers of other churches who preach more on God's laws and commandments must 'bow in shame'. It does not mean that they have less righteousness of God just because they boast less than you:

• Luk 18:11 KJV  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Did Paul really boast ?

In fact, Paul did not receive less favour God compared with our modern preachers. If he were the modern preacher today, he could boast that he has more anointing, produced more millionaires, preached better, prospered more shops when he entered the shops, flew in first class aeroplane more often by God's super abundant grace, prophesied more accurately, cast out more demons, work more miracles, call on the name of the Lord more than others .. etc. But why didn't he boast about all these; instead, he would rather boast about his sufferings, infirmities, and lacks? something which our modern preachers would never do? or cannot do ?

• 2Co 11:22-31 KJV  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.  (23)  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  (24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  (25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  (26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  (27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  (28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  (29)  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?  (30)  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.  (31)  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Those who love to boast would say, "Oh, we have boasted like Paul too. We did not boast about how smart we are. We boast of our weaknesses. We boast of our inability to speak. We boast of our lacks. When we were poor, we stayed in small houses. We did not have much money. But now we have become rich. We have become multi-millionaires. We have big bank accounts. Money would just roll in effortlessly. We don't need to work hard, sweat like others, and become stressed. We 'sweat' with our mouths. Haha, we have now made more money than others. We have also made many poor preachers jealous of us.. Haha.. who says we cannot boast in the Lord. We boast that God's favours has come to us like magnets. Heh.. heh.. We have found favours even among the unrighteous. There is a transfer of wealth to the churches from the unrighteous. Even the casino has shown favour to us when we need a place. They gave us very cheap rental to use their premise for our Sunday worship, with the hope that our church members will eat in their restaurants, buy from their luxuries shops, and enter their casino. Well, we are the only church who have got such a great deal and fantastic offer. You won't find any churches who have got more favour than us. Haha .. we are so blessed because we are the righteousness of God.. We are the disciples whom Jesus love.. We can never fall.. we have no more future sins.. we have superabundant grace, disproportionate grace, irrational grace, weird grace, incredible grace, and radical grace.. We are boasting in the Lord. We are more humble than others because of this supernatural grace.. As He is humble, we are humble. As He is .., so are we.."
I will tell them, Wow, fantastic boasting and radical grace preaching. Full stop.

Paul knew why false ministers would like to boast

By the way, I have realised something. I now know why most boastful preachers can preach better than many others. They can talk the whole day without any script and cannot stop. That's because boasting is a form of additive and effortless 'exercise' for the brains and the tongues. Bragging about themselves or about their 'supernatural' favours can keep them going on and on while they would not just glory themselves; they would also entertain others too. Hence, they all may seem to enjoy it greatly. However, they will never want to know how the Lord or others think about them:
Luk 18:11-12 KJV  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess ....
I have a little feeling that Paul would only 'boast' about his sufferings, infirmities, lacks, or 'humility', not because he loved to boast, but because he did not want to identify himself with the arrogant false ministers, who boasted excessively or radically. He knew that the false ministers could boast more convincingly than him by always boasting in the name of the Lord or calling the name of the Lord in everything and in every justification. Yes, we may think that Paul could hardly hold on because the false ministers had boasted so much in God that he could only look on as more and more believers being snatched away from him, and he could not do anything. However, he was careful not to boast like the false ministers who knew how to boast with increased popularity and false righteousness. He would rather 'boast' differently:

• 2Co 11:12-16 KJV  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  (13)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  (16)  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. (Hence, Satan would not just boast in the law of circumcision; he could also boast in grace, in righteousness, in prosperity, in favour, in good life, or in anything which shows that he is a minister of God or apostle of Christ)
• Mat 7:21-23 KJV  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.  (22)  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?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Those who boast, Please don't feel offended because others can 'boast' differently 

If we are the believers of radical grace and behave like the Pharisees, we have not believed in the grace of God. We are still very much like the self-seekers. Please check if the motives of all our radical boasting is to exalt ourselves and shame others? If yes, it will only shame ourselves, it cannot save. Some may argue that this post has judged, shamed, and condemned people too. But I would think that only the boaster or those who like to boast should feel shameful. Paul would tell them, "You want to boast ? Then don't feel condemned when I start to boast."

• 2Co 11:15-20 KJV  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  (16)  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.  (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.  (19)  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.  (20)  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Do we need to confess it or boast about it radically?
Please think, if no one need to confess about their radical humility or that he is radically humble before God, no one should confess grace radically too. We should check our motive or the need to confess anything radically. If we are really blessed or favoured radically, why don't we bless other radically or give to others radically rather than confess it radically or boast about it radically (like the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-12 ) ?

::

Can you lose your salvation?

Radical grace preachers will say, "Oh, how can it be possible? If it is possible, something is wrong with the blood of Jesus Christ. It would show that His blood is not good enough or powerful enough to save us. If He is our God, His blood should be good enough. Hence, we would only want to preach a God who can save us till the very end. Please think, What if we tell people that they can lose their salvation? Will they live like the devil? You bet. They will give up and turn to more sins. Why? It's because if God cannot guarantee their salvation, why would they still want to obey God? No, they will think, I might as well live like the devil, after all I will not be saved in the end .. So the gospel which can save is the gospel which must tell them a lot of assurance, no future sins, no fallen away, no laws, no commandments, no judgements, no discipleship, no moral teaching, no doing good, no condemnation, no .. the more good things we tell them, the more they will not sin and the more they will repent ... this is contrary to what the law preachers or do good get good preachers complained. They said, If we tell them the goodness of God, they will abuse it and sin like the devil..  "
I will say, "Of course, I know that I won't lose my salvation so easily. But if I have to give promises to everyone by telling them, "You can never lose your salvation", I could be lying. Why? God did not say so. Jesus did not preach it too even though He did pray to God and confess that no one was lost in Joh 17:12. Besides, I would doubt people's sincerity and repentance if they would come to Jesus only after they are promised 'too good to be true' gospel, guarantee of salvation no matter how they sin, and radical grace. I will say this for myself humbly, and same for many people who have come to know the Lord, "We did not know any too good to be true promises, radical guarantee of salvation regardless of how we sin, or radical grace, but yet we would just believe and accept the Lord. It shows that many people have been (and can be) saved like us too. Hence, why do we need to guarantee it before people will repent and come to the Lord? Did Jonah or John the Baptist give guarantee before they asked the people to repent? No, the gospel of Jesus Christ through repentance alone is powerful enough unto salvation (Romans 1:16). We don't need to add any guarantee to it to attract the people to God. Even if it doesn't attract people, God would not need us to add our own guarantee to it."

Did God say, "You can never lose your salvation?"
I will tell them, You said above, What if we tell people that they can lose their salvation? Will they live like the devil? You bet. They will give up and turn to more sins ..  However, this is contrary to what the law preachers or 'do good get good preachers' complained. They said, If we tell them that they can never lose their salvation, they will abuse it and sin like the devil.." I do not agree with both sides. Why? Some traditional preachers did tell us that we can lose our salvation; but did we live like the devil? No. Now, please look at Adam and Eve, the devil did tell them that they can never die or lose their salvation, did they live like the devil? They didn't too. So, it doesn't mean that if we preach the wrong gospel, people will live like the devil immediately. There are implications which may not be very clear until much later, like the fall of Adam and Eve. Hence, what concern us most now is not whether people will live like the devil; what concern us most now is whether we have preached like the devil.. Hence, I will ask ourselves with questions like: Did we preach like Jesus or Paul? Or did we preach like the devil (who deliberately gave false 'guarantee' to rebel against God's commandment) :
Gen 2:16-17 KJV  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. .. 3:1-5 KJV  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  (2)  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  (3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  (4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Please read the Bible. God has never given us any guarantee that we will not die or lose our salvation if we should fall away or reject His commandments. Please think, If we can never lose our salvation no matter what we do, we can just take away all the Bible warnings and put in only our own words; like "You can never lose your salvation, you shall never die, you shall live, you shall prosper, you shall do this .. and that.. Well, does it sound familiar? It may not be the words of God; it could be voice of our 'old men'"
Luk 12:16-21 KJV  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
I know that radical grace preachers will argue and say that the rich man was not a believer; he was a Jew, a non-believer, a Pharisee, or a wicked sinner. I will ask them, Did the Bible say so? If you would like to speculate, I would speculate that the rich man could be a false prophet too?

God did give us the promise of His son but not the guarantee of no falling away
They will argue, "How about Rom 8:38-39 KJV  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  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. Don't you agree that it is a guarantee for us?"
I will tell them, It is not a guarantee. God has never used the word 'guarantee' or 'swear' when he gives mercy or forgiveness to the sinners. Only the sinners would like to think that He has 'guaranteed' it to them. Why? If any things go wrong, they can accuse God and blame God for their falling away. Yes, God may have said it with stronger affirmation in His covenants with Abraham. However, God did mention that, in both the Old and New covenants, there are laws and commandments:

1. Old Covenant - Exo 19:5 KJV  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Deu 26:18 KJV  And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
2. New Covenant - Heb 8:8-13 KJV  .. (10)  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  (11)  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.  (12)  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  .Rev 14:11-12 KJV  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.  (12)  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

However, there is still laws and commandments in both of His covenants
I will ask them, Are there laws and commandments to keep in both covenant? You bet. So, how can we tell people that there is no more law or no more commandment to keep? If there are laws and commandments to keep, does it make sense to tell people that there is no judgement? No. This is common sense:

There are no laws and no commandments = there is no judgement

but if there are laws and commandments, there would be judgement. This is simple truth: 

There are laws and commandments = there is judgement

I quoted the Bible verses for the two covenants because they are like the 'guarantee' from God. In the Old Covenant, God "avouched"; in the New Covenant, He just said, "I will", but we know that it is as good as a guarantee. He means it and He will do it. But did He say that we are His peculiar people even if we sin, rebel, and reject His commandments? No, if we do not keep His laws and commandments, the guarantee would be a reverse. It means that if we do not keep His laws and commandments, we are not His people and we would not be saved. They will still argue, "How about Rom 8:38-39? You haven't answer us yet." I will tell them, If you have God's laws in your hearts or if you keep His laws and commandments, of course, you are His peculiar people. And if you are His peculiar people, neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  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 - Rom 8:38-39. Hence, this Bible verse will still apply. It does not contradict with the requirement for us to keep His laws and commandments.
Churches, Please think, Why do we still keep God's commandments? Why did Jesus tell the devil that it is written .. , it is written .. , it is written .. in Matt 4:4-11 ? It is because the devil had kept telling man and probably the Lord that there was no more law, no more commandment, and no more command from God. Hence, when Jesus said, "It is written" three times, He was telling the devil assuredly that there was law, there was commandment, and there was still God's command for man, Mat 4:4 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God... (10) .. Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Believers can still leave after receiving the goodness of the Lord
They will argue, "But we don't believe in keeping any laws or commandments. We believe in grace. If we are under grace; we are not under law and therefore we do not need to keep any laws. It doesn't make sense to keep the laws to be in the love of God, to be guaranteed that we are the peculiar people of God... No, if we have believed in Christ, we can never leave Christ. We can never lose our salvation  .."
I will ask them, Who says, If we have believed in Christ or received the goodness of Christ, we can never leave or lose our salvation? Did Jesus say it? If not, then it is just your own saying. Do you know that there were a lot of believers (even disciples) who believed after receiving the goodness of the Lord, and yet still left?
Joh 6:13-66 KJV  Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.  (14)  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.  (15)  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone ... (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.  (25)  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled ... (60) Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? .. (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
These disciples had received the goodness of the Lord and believed Jesus. However, when they stayed longer with Jesus and knew more about His teaching, they would not want to follow Him anymore. Of course, if the Lord's teaching was all about eating and drinking, multiplying bread for their children, creation of wealth and prosperity for their ambitious desires, and prosperous economic development for their nation, do you think that they will leave Him? However, the Lord told them none of these, but instead He preached on the kingdom of God, repentance, and many hard sayings. Please think, when your preachers don't preach the Jesus who can multiply bread for you, prosper you, or do many things for you, will you leave them, and look for another who can satisfy you? Jesus knew that those disciples who came to Him were not true disciples. True disciples will not just want to eat 'bread'; they will accept everything that He will teach them including the hard sayings, God's commandments, and repentance.

If we are still in the world, we will still have to preach God's warnings
Radical grace preachers will argue, "Those disciples who left Jesus were not true disciples. But we are the real disciples. So, those warnings are not for us. Those warnings are for those who are not true disciples..."
I will ask them, Are you saying that all your disciples in your churches are true disciples and therefore these warnings are not for your churches? If you always give this kind of blind promises to your church members, you are not a good preacher. I am sure every church has true believers, false believers, or sinners, unless you are a perfect church. If you have sinners or false believers in your churches, don't you know that God's have given you the responsibility to preach repentance or warn them. If your churches have only the righteous coming to you, then how are you going to preach the gospel or reach out to the sinners. Obviously, your arguments to give only vain guarantees to your believers or sinners are your excuses to preach only the good sayings which the Lord has never told you to preach. You have rebelled against the Lord by hiding or preaching nothing about repentance or the truth which could be hard sayings to the sinners and the unrepentant.

God's preachers will not preach blindness to the churches in the name of grace or false assurance
Radical grace preachers will still argue, "That's condemnation. But we will never preach this type of condemnation. We preach only the good things which will save people. There are too many warnings, stressful words, and harsh words in the world. We want to preach the different thing. We will preach only the good things. So, please don't get jealous when more and more people come to us and less and less people go to you. One day you will repent, you will metanoia, change your mind. Do you know that we have been stressing a lot on the blood of Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Grace Himself, cannot guarantee salvation to those who are washed by His blood, how can He be God? His blood would be no difference from the blood of the goats and lambs... We believe that once cleansed always cleansed, once saved forever saved, once we've believe, we will believe forever, once repented, no more repentance required, once forgiven forever forgiven, once justified, no more future sins, once ..."
I don't know how you can get all those ideas once you believe, you will believe forever, once ...etc.  But I know that the Bible has just told us that 

1. Heb 10:10 KJV  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. I will say, Yes, I believe that Jesus could do it once and for all because He is the Son of God and His blood is powerful enough to cleanse everyone not only in the past, present, but also future. But does it mean that, therefore, we, the sinners, will just need to repent once, and we will not need to repent anymore based on this Bible verse? I am not very convinced. It is just your assumption based on this verse.   
2. There were those who believed and did not believe anymore, there were those who tasted the goodness of God and did not follow all the teaching of the Lord .. Mat 13:18-22 KJV  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  (19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  (20)  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  (21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  (22)  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

God's preachers will feed His flocks and give wise warnings
You can argue that none of you or any believers of your churches fall into any of the above categories. But can we believe you when you say it or preach it? No, you are lying. Even the churches of the Apostles had Ananias, Sapphira, Simon the sorcerer, Pharisees believers, and many who had turned against the gospel. (see "The death of Ananias and Sapphira is the clear evidence that there is still judgement in the church of God" in my another post).  Please be honest, Can you guarantee that your churches and believers are much better than theirs? No, even Paul would not have the confidence to boast like you. If He had the confidence, he should assure the believers that they could never fall because of the blood of Jesus. But why would he warn the believers, especially those who had been purchased by the blood of Jesus, to watch against the false prophets, with tears and unceasing prayers for three years? Isn't it clear to us that Paul was terribly afraid that the false prophets could draw them away and cause them to fall and lose their salvation?
Act 20:27-32 KJV  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  (28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  (32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
I know there are preachers who would twist and say that Paul's tears is the tears of joy because he saw victory in the churches after much prayers. Well, only blind believers or desperate believers who want to believe in the 'too good to be true' gospel will try to think that there is no more warnings and no more tears in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will ask them, If it is not a warning, why did Paul say, 'Therefore watch.." in (v31) ? I would tell the people that it was a serious warning, not only for them; but for us also, because it is a great responsibility when  Paul said, "(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." I would say that after warning and preaching of all the above, we are still preaching the gospel of grace as Paul continued and said in (v32):

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

I will ask them, What is your real intention of preaching and arguing that you can never lose your salvation? Is it to give assurance to yourselves, to appease the sinners of the world, or to preach against God's warnings? Probably only you yourselves can answer this honestly

Malachi 2 & 3 is God's warning for all those who preach God's words too
They will argue, "You have misquoted Paul's warning. Paul warned us that we could lose our salvation because we may lose the blood of Jesus Christ. When we lose the blood of Jesus Christ, of course, we will then lose our salvation. We can lose the blood on only one condition, ie. when we listen to the law preachers and the Pharisees. When we believe in the law or live under the law, we will lose grace. When we lose grace, we will lose our salvation. So, we should warn others not to believe in the law. I believe Paul had warned the believers about this with tears.." I will tell them, Well, I can accept your explanation too. But you have just evaded and changed your doctrine from saying that "You can never lose your salvation" to "You can lose your salvation if you are under the law". Will you change again when we prove to you that you can lose your salvation if you are under sins or lawlessness? I don't think I need to prove to you anymore if you accept the fact that you will lose your salvation if you go back to the law, the old covenant, or the law of circumcision. Why? If you will lose salvation because you are under the law or because you preach the law as the gospel, will you lose your salvation if you preach lawlessness, disobedience, golden calves, anti-repentance, or false doctrines? You may argue that none of you will preach all those things because you are truly saved and therefore these warnings are not for you. But my question is: If you think that you and your believers can never preached or listened to the wrong doctrines, why would you warn that your believers can listen to the law doctrines and live under the law again? It doesn't make sense to warn the people about the law and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees without warning them about lawlessness, false doctrines, and disobedience. By the way, the Pharisees were a kind of false prophets. Although they preached the laws, they were lawless in the eyes of God because they would never do God's commandments. If you preached against the Pharisees and warned your believers against them, you have shown to us that your believers could lose their salvation. So, there is no need to pretend. If we need to warn and condemn sins, we just do it. We don't have to impress others by saying that "we can preach better because we never condemn anyone or give any warning - You can never lose your salvation !"
Mal 2:1-17 KJV  And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.  (2)  If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.  (3)  Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.  (4)  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.  (5)  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.  (6)  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.  (7)  For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.  (8)  But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.  (9)  Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.  (10)  Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?  (11)  Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.  (12)  The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.  (13)  And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.  (14)  Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  (15)  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  (16)  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.  (17)  Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Mal 3:1-18 KJV  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.  (2)  But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:  (3)  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  (4)  Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. ...
  (13)  Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  (14)  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  (15)  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. ..
Mal 4:1-6 KJV  For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  (2)  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  (3)  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.  (4)  Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.  (5)  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:  (6)  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
We all know that this is a prophecy about the coming of Jesus. That's why many Jews would think that John the Baptist was Elijah the prophet who was sent to prepare the way for the Lord who will  "sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  (4)  Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. - Malachi 3:3-4.  
I did not intent to show the whole chapter of Malachi but I believed that more Bible verses could explain it better and show it to us why the Pharisees and the priests could have corrupted God's laws and covenant by preaching their own version of 'too good to be true' gospel:
Mal 2:17 KJV  Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

I don't think that denying or rejecting EVERY warning as soon as we find it in our Bible is the solution. 

 It is like putting our head into the sand. If God's warning is for us, it is for us; it will judge us no matter how we dig a hole to hide ourselves.

 
::