To boast or not to boast

What is boasting ?

Boasting is always done out of pride
The Lord would not like us to boast. It is because boasting is always done out of pride, whether it is done before men, before God, in the temple, in the church, or from the pulpit, even if it is done in the name of the Lord.

• Luk 18:11-14 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.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Boasting in the Lord could be done out of pride too
Many radical grace preachers think that they can boast under grace. But when they quoted the law to compare with what they could do radically, unknowingly they could have used it to gratify the desire of their flesh to boast and to live with their lawless or radical philosophies. They may not commit adulteries or live with sinful lives but they may teach and influence our next generation to live with the wrong philosophies, and wrong philosophies will lead to wrong living one day.
They will argue, "But what's wrong if we boast in the name of the Lord ? Under law, we cannot show that we are at ease with ourselves, we cannot shout and scream, we cannot clap and cheer. We cannot walk to our pulpit in styles, we cannot do this and that; we can only tiptoe to our pulpit in boring silence, like the Pharisees. You think that this is humility ? No, this is false humility. But under grace, we are so secured that we can just stroll in to our pulpit in styles, amidst the cheers and shout of our 'fans' and followers. You may criticise us for encouraging idol worship, but I am just representing Jesus to receive the glory from the people. The Jews can never give glory to God if they did not have the anointed kings like king David or king Solomon. So, likewise, we are the anointed ones or channels for the people to give glory to God too.. Haha. Under law we cannot boast, we cannot live in the flesh, we cannot feel good about many things, we cannot dress like rock stars, we cannot enjoy sex or fame and talk freely about it on the pulpit, we cannot do this and that; we can only live like a monk? No, this is false holiness; but under grace, we are so righteous that we do not need to live like a holy monk - we can do everything in Christ now (Php 4:13). We can boast about all things in the Lord and yet we are very humble. We will glorify His name.. Under law, we cannot do this and that .. but under grace, we can do all things and we can boast about it .. 
Under law, we are poor.. under grace, we prosper.. Under law, we are under stress to do do do, Under grace, God supplies and bless bless bless.., Under law, sin is highly infectious and contagious, so is holiness, and it is effortless under grace .. God spoke to me in an audible voice, err.. I mean in an inner small voice, to preach all theses and glorify His name.. "
They said that they are the channels through which God can receive the glory from the people.  I will tell them, God will still receive the glory without you or your people. If God wants the glory, He can make the stones to give glory to Him too:

• Mat 3:8-9 KJV  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.
• Psa 98:7-9 KJV  Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  (8)  Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together  (9)  Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.  

I will tell them, "Yes, of course, we can boast too. Before we are successful, we stammered, but now we can speak very well in the name of Jesus. Before we are successful, we could not write but now we can write like a pro. Before success, we stayed in a small house but now we are richer because we stay in big houses. Before success, we do not know how to boast or promote ourselves but now we can boast 'like a pro' .. Before .. now .., before .., now ... " Well, what do you see if we boast like this? It sounds like some kind of 'snake oil' promotion on the streets. There is no spirit of humility; but only hypocrisy and lies, even though we can boast very well, in the name of God.

Under the law or grace, no one can boast

If Jesus did not accept the Pharisees who boasted with the thinking that God would be glorified by their works and boasting, neither would He accept us if we boast like the Pharisees or king Saul thinking that God would be glorified by our boasting or offerings. Under both the Old and New Covenant, God has said that He is not interested in any offering or boasting if it is done out of pride, human lust, lawlessness, or rejection of God's commands:

• 1Sa 15:20-24 KJV  And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.  (21)  But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.  (22)  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (23)  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.  (24)  And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
• 2Co 10:5-8 KJV  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  (7)  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.  (8)  For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

I will ask them, You said that Under law, sin is infectious, under grace, holiness is contagious (effortless) .." Are you saying this to the Gentiles or the Jews ? 

a. For the Gentiles and us, we are under sin, not under the law. we don't have God's law to show us that we are under sin although we do have many men's laws, our own laws, and perverted laws. But, in the eyes of God, we are all under lawlessness (1Jn 3:4) whether we like it or not. But under grace, holiness is not contagious without our conscious effort to repent too. The Bible tells us that, under grace, all must repent. Holiness is contagious and will abound only if the repentant sinners or the believers are well taught about sanctification, honour, and holiness according to the commandments of the Lord (it is not effortless without any command) :

• 1Th 4:1-8 KJV  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  (2)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  (3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:  (6)  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  (7)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  (8)  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 

b. For the Jews and Pharisees who are under the law (Gal 2:15-16), yes sin is infectious; but for them to be under grace and to abound in holiness, they must have repented and followed the teaching of the Lord too. Hence, Paul teaching above on sanctification, honour, and holiness would still apply for the Jews. However, I wonder, Why would the radical grace preachers keep preaching on "Under the law, sin is .. Under grace, holiness is .. " when there are no Jews or Pharisees in their churches. Probably they think that the sinners in their churches would think that, being under the law, they will not need to repent from their sins ? However, unknown to them, by keep reminding their believers to abound in grace and holiness, they are confirming the words of Paul again on how they ought to walk and to please God (v1), and how they should possess their vessels in sanctification, honour, and holiness (v3,7). However, unknown to them, this would contradict against what they have always preached ie:  holiness is contagious, effortless, and doing nothing. They have confused their believers.

Boasting should not be used to impress others
Some will still argue, "But Paul said, We can boast in the name of the Lord. He always boasted in the name of the Lord.."
I will tell them, Please do not boast about everything in the name of the Lord. Please find out what Paul had boasted first. He would never boast to impress others:

• 2Co 11:30 LITV  If it is right to boast, I will boast of the things of my infirmity.
• 2Co 12:5 LITV  On behalf of such a one I will boast. But I will not boast on my behalf, except in my weaknesses.
• 2Co 12:5-7 LITV  On behalf of such a one I will boast. But I will not boast on my behalf, except in my weaknesses.  (6)  For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone reckons me to be beyond what he sees me or hears anything of me.  (7)  And by the superabundance of the revelations, that I not be made arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, that I not be made haughty ..

Boasting should not be preached as the key to get prosperity or to change our situation 
Did you boast like Paul ? When Paul boasted about his weaknesses, he was still in the weaknesses. He never gave us the impression that if we boasted in our physical weaknesses, we would become strong (physically), or that if we boasted in our poverty, we would prosper (in material abundance). In fact, he took pleasure in the weaknesses and remained in those weaknesses that he might know Christ and preach grace better.

• ... 2Co 12:7-11 LITV  And by the superabundance of the revelations, that I not be made arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, that I not be made haughty.  (8)  Beyond this I entreated the Lord three times, that it depart from me.  (9)  And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.  (10)  Because of this, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in dire needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I may be weak, then I am powerful.  (11)  Boasting, I have become foolish. You compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I lacked nothing of the highest apostles, even though I am nothing.

Could you experience and boast like Paul ? If our answer is yes, we can 'boast' like him; otherwise we'd better keep quiet and do not boast ! Many rich preachers boasted that they could preach better grace like Paul because they have prospered, but what kind of grace did they preach ? It is a 'Question mark' !

Hence, Paul would never boast about the law or grace of God
Similarly, we would never preach boasting of our love for God or boasting of God's love for us to any sinners or believers. Boasting of anything can cause pride even if it is done in the name of the Lord. It is not only limited to the boasting of the law by (1) the Israelites or (2) the Pharisees, who were under the law:

1. Exo 19:3-8 KJV  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;  ..  (5)  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:  (6)  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  (7)  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.  (8)  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
2. Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  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.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Boasting of God's favour or abusing of God's grace can cause pride and the downfall of a God's servant even if he is under grace too

• Mat 18:23-34 KJV  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants .. (27)  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.  (28)  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ..  (32) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

a. justification by faith or by grace is only the beginning of a believer's forgiven life so that he can do more with the words and commandments of God in his life. The grace for cancellation of debts or forgiveness of debts is not given so that we can have more future debts or more future lawlessness. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sins with no more repentance (or to sin wilfully). 

• Luk 13:2-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  (7)  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8)  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  (10)  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

b. Grace is not forever - it is given for the purpose of repentance, turning back to God's commandments, keeping God's laws, and doing His words. Grace is not given for the purpose of enjoying or living in lawlessness forever. Grace is not there forever if we are forever lawless in our hearts or minds. However, if we repent, keep the commandments of God, and live with the laws of God in our hearts and minds, God will remember all our lawlessness no more and He will be our God forever: 

• Heb 10:16-17 LITV  "This is the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says the Lord: Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"  (17)  also He adds, "I will not at all still remember their sins" and their lawlessnesses. ..  
• Heb 8:10 LITV  Because this is the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, giving My Laws into their mind, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 
• Luk 19:8-10 LITV  But standing, Zaccheus said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor. And if in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham.  (10)  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the one being lost.

Hence, the cancellation of debt or forgiveness of debt is not given so that a believer can have more future debt or lawlessness forever. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sin or lawlessness without any repentance. However, many preachers have deceived the believers into thinking that they can literally expect forgiveness of all their future sins, and even supernatural cancellation of all their future financial debts, if they will just radically believe or do and teach their 'holy communion's blood cleansing' ritual, 'pure grace' confession, 'supernatural' favour, 'mind changing' philosophy, or 'false repentance' to disregard and to 'repent' from all the laws and commandments of God. I did write about some preachers who have managed to quote the Bible out of context and capitalise on this 'supernatural' deception or 'cancellation of debts' to transfer effortless wealth to themselves. (see "Supernatural cancellation of debts - Is it really a supernatural transfer of wealth, a religious gimmick, or just a vain religious boasting?" in my previous post here.)

• Heb 10:26-30 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  (28)  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  (29)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  (30)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
   

Who were those who had boasted and fallen ? 
The Hebrew writer said in Heb 10:30 above, "The Lord shall judge His people". Who were His people ? Of course, the Jews who were under the law in the Old Testament as well as the believers who are in the New Testament (or the Israelites who despised Moses' law as well as the believers who hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace in the Hebrew congregation or the churches the Hebrew writer wrote to).

• Heb 6:4-6 KJV (4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  (5)  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  (6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Who were those who had fallen ? They could be God's believers and servants who fit into the five descriptions mentioned in Heb 6:4-5. Only God's believers and servants can fit these descriptions. Hence, we would be lying if we say that these warnings are not applicable to the believers or those who serve God.
Some may argue, "These warnings are only against those who despised Moses' law (v28) or hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace (v29); but not for us. They are not applicable to us who would only boast about grace.."
I will ask them, Have you read Mat 18:23-34 above ? Before the servant despised the goodness of the king, the forgiveness, or the grace from his king, he could have boasted about it before others or in his heart. He could have said within, "Haha, I have received so much grace. I can never be condemned. I can do whatever I want. If the king (or God) will not condemn me, no one can condemn me .. If God think that I am righteous, who can say that I am a sinner who still needs to repent .. " And so he acted, based on his boastful inner reasoning. But God's words in Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:26-30, and Mat 18:23-34 are all clear warnings to all of us who like to boast and think highly of ourselves.


The giving of grace or favour in the Old or New Testament should not be preached radically to justify those who despised God's laws, God's covenant, and God's kindness
They will say, "Mat 18:23-34 is not applicable to us because it was the Lord's teaching to the Jews before He died. It is not about grace under the New covenant. However, if we receive grace under the New covenant, we can never lose the grace of God. God's grace will ensure that we are once saved always saved. It is the assurance of God to make sinners feeling secured. If we preach otherwise, the people will sin like the devil.. Please read the following Bible passage: 

• 2Sa 9:1-7 KJV  And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?  .. (3) And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  ..  (6)  Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  (7)  And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
• 2Sa 21:7 KJV  But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

It is a beautiful picture of grace when God's kindness was shown to Mephibosheth who was lame for Jonathan's sake. Today we know that this typology can be applied to us as God's kindness has also been shown to the sinners who are unworthy for Jesus' sake.."
I will ask them, Can this still be more relevant to us:

1. when we know that it was written in the Old Testament?
2. when we know that the Pharisees had also quoted this scripture to boast about God's covenant or mercy with them for Abraham's sake so that they could not be condemned even if they had despised God's laws and make God's commandments of none effect? Mat 15:6 KJV  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Mar 7:11-13 KJV  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  (12)  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  (13)  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
3. when we know that Jesus told us in His parable about the kingdom of God in the New Testament, that the servant of God could receive God's kindness and would still abuse it in Mat 18:23-34?

Can we boast about God's favour in the name of the Lord?
They will say, "Why not? If people know that we are blessed, we have prospered, and we have received more favours, they will follow Jesus. We will give glory to Christ too.."
I will tell them,  The Pharisees boasted about their favour in God too. They thought they had prosperity and inheritance under the covenant of God with Abraham too. But their boasting would never give God the glory. On the contrary, their boasting was disgusting to the Lord:

• Luk 18:11-14 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 .. (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
• Mat 3:6-9 KJV  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  (7)  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. (10) And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Are there churches who boasted about God's favour like the Pharisees?
Many will argue that they are in the New covenant and hence their boasting would not be like the Pharisee's. They would challenge us, "Have you heard any of us preach or boast like the Pharisees?" I will tell them, You bet. I have heard preacher(s) who boasted that they have received more favour because they could get cheaper rent or better church premise from the Casino ! Yes, a church in the Casino - something which was unheard of or which the Apostles would never 'dream' of. Of course, I am not against having a church in the Casino if you have no better choice after looking around for a suitable church building. However, if you boasted that you were more favoured than other churches because you had better premises or more favours from the Casino, something is wrong. Your favour is not God's favour under the New covenant; it is worldly favour interpreted in the wrong way.

• Your favour is not God's favour under the New covenant between God and Abraham; 
• but it is worldly favour under a commercial 'covenant' between you and the world. There is nothing much to boast about. If God needs the Casino to show us His favour, He is not a God of many supply. He is a God who needs the world to bless us. He is the 'god' of the world. He is the god of a limited supply with worldly principles.   

Many of us have become confused in boasting of God's favours
They will still argue, "What's wrong if we boast about God's favour from the world or Casino? We are living in the end time where there would be a transfer of wealth or favour to the godly. What's wrong if we have beautiful congregation in a beautiful auditorium from the Casino? We did pay for the rent, and everything in it was done legally, legitimately, and orderly .. We can worship God beautifully in such an environment too. It doesn't matter to God whether we worship Him in the casinos or the churches; in the houses or massage parlours; in the toilet (your 'great white throne') or the cinema .. "
I will tell them, Yes, we can worship God anywhere, if we have the right spirit. But of all places, why a Casino and preaching it like it is God's favour? If God's favour has to be preached like a Casino's favour or next to a 'wheel of fortune', it is a watered-down favour. Jesus would still reject it because it has changed the correct image of God's favour and the ministry of the church.

• Mat 21:12-13 KJV  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,  (13)  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Someone has asked me, "Are you sure you would never have a church inside the Casino?" I will tell them, Yes, I would never advise people to build a church inside a casino; with one exception, that is only when the casino has stopped operation and it is a vacant place suitable for prayer and worship of God.
A point of reflection: I have found that many Christians today have become so liberal that they are no more logical, biblical, and spiritual. For years, modern preachers have been preaching against religious or traditional mentality so much so that they have become totally confused about simple belief in God.
I hate to say this; but it could be true: many believers have become so confused that they can no longer think logically. The believers from other religions may have missed the truth in Christ but they can still think more logically than many of us.

• Other religious believers would say, without hesitation, that we are out of our minds if we suggest that they should also have their temples, shrines, or cathedrals in the Casino. 
• But we would have to search the whole Bible or write long tedious essays to convince one others to allow or not to allow church in the Casino. What a shame? 

Jesus would not want us to boast with the worldly favours 
Those who boasted that they had the good favours and the privileges to have their churches in the Casino did not know that they could have been used by the Casino. They have forgotten that the Casino would love to project a better image or a more 'wholesome' attraction to all the gamblers or those who are addicted with gambling with the presence of the churches in their casino premises. Hence, the good favour or special privilege we may enjoy from the Casino is not something that we should boast about. It is actually a shame if we have to compliment and joint venture with the Casino subtly! If Jesus were still around, He would have discerned it and get His people out of the 'Casino' church.
They will argue, "Are you going to teach the people to chase everybody out of the Casino like Jesus chasing out everybody in the temple ? Come on, this is crazy. We are now living in the country where there is law and order. We can't intrude on their business and chase away their customers today. What Jesus did was only applicable to the Jews in the Old Testament. We don't do such thing in the New Testament any more ..."
I will tell them, No, Jesus did not tell us to intrude on the business of those outside the churches. But we should know what He wants us to do with ourselves and our churches. You can justify yourselves by saying that everything is not applicable to you. What Jesus did and taught is still applicable to us and the churches. If there are professing Christians and false prophets who preach the name of Jesus in our churches and they are not saved, then every warning and commandment in the Bible is for us to preach to our churches and our people (unless you are very confident that all your believers are too perfect to hear the words or warnings of Christ and the Apostles eg:-

1. Mat 13:18 - the parable of the sower 
2. Mat 13:25 - the parable of the tares, 
3. Mat 7:15-24 - the warning for the professing believers, 
4. Mat 18:23-35 -  the warning for the arrogant servant, 
5. Mat 25 - the warning for the virgins (churches), servants (pastors), and the goats (believers), 
6. Heb 6:4-6 - the warning for those who will rebel after tasting the goodness of His words,  
7. Heb 10:26 - the warning for those who will sin willfully after they are under the Old or the New covenant of God, 
8. 1 John 1:9 - the promise for those who may fall into sins, 
9. Revelation 2-3 - the warnings and promises for all the churches in different dispensations or regions. Of course, Jesus will still judge His people and His churches before He will finally judge the world.

1. Segregation and judgement of His people in the churches: Rev 14:11-19 KJV  .. 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 .. (14) And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  (15)  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.  (16)  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.  (17)  And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  (18)  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.  (19)  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
2. Final judgement of the world: Rev 20:11-12 KJV  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Hence, Jesus will still judge and speak against the churches who corrupt His doctrine, teach worldly principles, and 'joint venture' with the lawless world to destroy His commandments before His coming. Of course, He will not tell us to go to all the banks, the stock exchange, the money changers, or the casinos to 'overturn their tables', chase everybody out, and stop them from doing business. Of course, He will never do it because we know that, in the Bible, He would never go to the markets or the tax collectors and overturn their tables too. However, He would judge His churches if He knows that the house of God has been turned into a den of thieves, religious hypocrites, or boastful con men.

Can we boast that we have NEVER argued with anyone ?
They will say, "No, the Lord told us not to argue or judge others. But you have argued and judged too much. Although we always boast in the Lord, we would never argue like you. We would never speak evil against others. We are always gracious people who have always kept our tongues from evil. Yes, we don't believe in teaching people to keep the ten commandments, but we will still teach the people to keep the one commandment in Psalm 34, and we will always sing about it:

• Psa 34:3-14 KJV  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.  (4)  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears .. (7)  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them ... (11)  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  (12)  What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  (13)  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  (14)  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Therefore, we would only speak the good things. We have never argued or judged anyone although sometimes we did 'comment graciously' (???) that:

1. most of the law preachers, the conservative, the legalistic, and our critics were hypocrites who taught many rules and regulations,
2. they could not understand God's grace; but they could only preach an angry God with an Old Testament mentality, 
3. they do not believe in the finished work of Christ. They still think like the world and adopt the world system to 'do good get good'. They are adulterers with the world by mixing grace with the system of the world.  
4. they could only judge and point fingers like the Pharisees, and condemn everyone (who could not repent like them), with jealousy and false humility. Yes, we are certainly humbler than most of them because we are under grace, although we have more anointing, we have Jesus speaking to us more often, we have better sex life, we can joke, we can entertain, we can do cat walk on the pulpit, and we can promote ourselves better (click to see this link). 
5. they cannot speak in tongues, have no miracles, no healing, no signs and wonders, no love, no grace, and no God's wisdom to preach a smiling and gracious God, 
6. they taught people to pray too much or fast too often, they discriminated sexy or sexual people who are like us, they had too little hair or bad hairstyle, they wore old fashioned gowns, they were too religious or too traditional to strike any business deal with the world or the Casino, they rejected the sinners,
   they do not know how to be a friend of sinners like Jesus

.. and hence they could never preach the gospel more effectively than us. However, we are not like them. We know how to preach, act, and sing like the rock stars or joke like their favourite comedians. Hence, we know how to please them and gain favours. We have never spoken evil against anyone or preach against anyone. We love everyone. We love the sinners and accept them too. We would refrain from giving bad reports, saying bad things, pointing out sins, or condemning anyone who sin. We don't accuse anyone as sinners. We don't preach like the repentance preachers. We keep our tongue from evil. That's why we can prosper .. we found favour with the world but it is actually God's favours or transfer of supernatural wealth from the world to the churches.."

I will tell them, Yes, Jesus was a friend of sinners. However, Jesus loved the sinners and ate with them, so that He could preach and call them to repentance. Are you really like Him ? I will ask them, Are you sure you could comment on all the above 'graciously' when you breathe out those judgemental remarks ? I don't know how you could manage to convince so many people that you are very gracious and that you have never argued or spoken evil against anyone. But, if I have to speak the truth, I would not lie and boast that I have NEVER argued with anybody. Please think, Is it possible for a radical grace preacher or any preacher to claim that he has never argued and would never need to argue with anyone ? No. He is very likely lying. We should tell him to go back and listen to all his preaching again. Very soon he will realise that most of his sermons are full of bitter arguments against God's commandments and preaching of repentance, and against those who preach God's words. Please think, If he had preached against others vehemently with his so-called 'radical grace revolution' with no law, no commandment, no condemnation, no repentance from sins, no good works, and no judgement, how could he preach all these with no argument ? Very likely, he could have been arguing all the while from his pulpit and he did not realise it. He could have enjoyed it too much to realise it. But he could have argued more than any preachers in the past, present, and ..



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