Why should we reject the preaching of those who said that the teaching of Jesus has become obsolete?

We should be beware of those who said that the teaching of Jesus has become obsolete.

1. God's words or commandments can never become obsolete; only the old covenant, the old form of the laws, or the works of the law which were performed under the old covenant (eg. circumcision, religious ceremonies, and sacrifices) can become obsolete
2. The teaching of Jesus can never become obsolete
3. False prophets would convince many that the teaching of Christ has become obsolete. However, they would be evasive enough to convince many that they still honour and have high regard for the words of Christ. For example, they would still preach from Matt 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God (for more prosperity) .. " but twist and reject all the rest of the Lord's teaching from the whole chapters of Matt 5-7 just because they do not believe in repentance, confession of sins, and keeping God's commandment.
4. False prophets or Pharisees might believe in changing their mind as the righteous ones; but not changing their mind as the sinners - Luk 18:11-12. They argue that the Lord's command for the disciples or believers to confess their sins (Mat 6:12, Luk 11:4, 1 John 1:9) has also become obsolete too because they will now believe more in grace or the gospel that Paul preached. They will twist and change the original context of the Lord's repentance message by saying, "Yes, we still believe in repentance. But we believe enough only to change our mind; not to confess our sins like the Jews. We are not under the law to confess any sin. Hence, we have no more sin conscience to confess under the law." I will tell them, No, confession of sin is not under the law. It may be true to say that you have no more sin conscience to repent or confess your sins. That's because you are no longer a disciple of Jesus. If you are still a disciple of Jesus, you would still keep all the words of Lord which tell you to repent, confess your sins, and pray the sinner's prayer as the disciples in Mat 6:12 and Luk 11:4. If you are still a true believer of Jesus, you will still 'change your mind as a sinner'. If you will still 'change your mind as a sinner', why can't you confess your sins as a sinner too ? 
5. False prophets or Pharisees might pervert, preach, and magnify their own 'laws' or 'lawless' principles eg. their law of confession, 'corban' confession, law of Sabbath, law of rest, ... etc, but they would condemn all those who keep God's laws and commandments and do good. They falsely accuse them as those who believe in self-efforts. 
6. False prophets or Pharisees would be very sensitive to the warnings, commandments, and judgement of the Lord. They would consider any teaching which talks about these things is condemnation teaching. They could only say that all the warnings and teachings of the Lord are not applicable to them because they are His disciples who call Jesus Lord and Saviour . eg. Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  .. (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  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.
   Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
7. False prophets would never like to do the commandments of the Lord. One of the greatest commandment they have violated is the Lord's commandment to preach repentance found in Luk 24:47 and Act 26:20. The only way to convince their followers that they should preach something else is to lie to the people that the Lord's command to preach repentance has become obsolete and falsely accuse those who preach repentance as law preachers and Pharisees. Hence, they will come out with their own definition of repentance and their explanation on why people can 'repent' or change their mind better with the preaching of radical grace instead. I will ask them, Have you read Luke 24 ? Luk 24:45-48 KJV Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things. If Jesus had opened their eyes to understand the scriptures to preach repentance, He won't open our eyes to understand the scriptures to preach something else today ! Of course, He won't say, The scriptures or the words of God have changed because God's words would now tell us to preach grace instead.

The lawless would stretch their imagination to deny all the teaching of the Lord
Those who deny the teaching of the Lord and His commandments will stretch their imagination to think of the unthinkable to disqualify all the commandments of the Lord. Men who did not believe and keep God's commandments had tried many ways to deny God's words and commandments deliberately, wickedly, ignorantly, or cunningly (Mat 22):

The Lord's warnings against those who will reject His commandments1. Mat 22:2-12 KJV The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son .. (11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless ..
2. Mat 22:15-21 KJV Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. (16)  And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.  (17) Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? (18) But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
3. Mat 22:23-25 KJV  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,  (24)  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  (25)  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
4. Mat 22:35-40 KJV  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  (36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  (37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

So would the false prophets stretch their imagination to make the Lord's teaching of none effect
The Pharisees and the Sadducees had tried to deny the Lord's words and commandments two thousand years ago, so would the false prophets do it in the end time too. The false prophets may do it more subtly and deceitfully than the Pharisees. They can argue better with their words too. But the Lord has already known that they will do it in the last days:

The Lord's prophecy about those who will reject His teaching in the last days
1. Mat 7:20-24 KJV  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  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.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
2. But many will still argue, "How can the Lord be so ungracious to us? He should be gracious to all the sinners, more so to us who could prophesy, preach, and do many things in His name". I will tell them, Why do you argue? Don't you know that God is already very gracious (Luk 13:6-9) because He has given grace to you too? You are not the sinners who do not know the Lord; you know the Lord and yet you do not do and teach His words. You do not do His will although you pretend to preach His words and do His works. They will ask, "How do you know that we do not do His will or His words?" I will tell them, We know it because we know that you do not do and teach repentance honestly. But, instead, you argue deceitfully to show the people that the Lord's repentance message and confession of sin is self-effort or a 'stupid' thing to do. You falsely accused all the churches that they are under the religious influence and legalism to do repentance and confession of sins. You lied and said that you were taught to whisper your sins confession like a religious 'parrot' constantly, day and night, for fear of losing your salvation because of unrepentant sins. You said, "Please think, If repentance and confession of sin must be done in this stupid manner, can I still be saved if I crashed my luxurious car after 'seeing' or lusting for a beautiful girl on the road before I could even confess my sin and repent adequately ? However, most churches are still telling us to preach repentance and law like do's and don'ts. They said, Unless you repent or do this and that, you can never be saved. This is absurd. How can we be saved if we must repent like a 'mad bird' ? No, repentance and confession of sin has become obsolete under grace. And I thank God that I had to leave that church before they could even expel me for rebellion and rejection of their silly repentance teaching..  It's a blessing in disguise because I can now start a 'revolution' to correct their false teaching about repentance .. Haha .. God is good !"
I will ask them, Which churches are still preaching repentance in such a 'stupid' manner ? If you have already thought of this before you will sin, you have not truly repented yet. You are just bargaining with God for a 'license to sin later', a 'grace that will justify all your future wrongful thoughts and actions', and a 'radical favour which will guarantee effortless success in spite of your future sins, disobedience, and rebellion'. It is also your excuse and exaggeration to give all sinners the false impression that repentance and confession of sins is no longer necessary or practical for those who would sincerely come before God. If you confessed like a mad bird, it does not mean that repentance and confession of sins is stupid. Of course, we would never tell you to whisper like a 'mad bird' and consider it as confession of sins. Only the Pharisees would confess their sins like a 'mad bird'. When John wrote 1 John 1:9 and tells you to confess your sins, he did not tell you to whisper like a 'mad bird' or Pharisee. He tells you to admit your sins from the heart with humility or do it sincerely with the heart to repent based on the teaching (Mat 3:6-8), the command (Luk 24:47), and the prayer of the Lord on repentance (Luk 11:4). Of course, it would insult God if we twist His words and tell people to confess sins like a 'mad bird'. Please let me know which church or denomination has taught you to whisper like a 'mad bird'. Otherwise, you could have falsely accused the churches for preaching repentance or confession. Please keep your mouth from evil and know that it is the will of the Father for you to keep His words and His commandment too. Do you know that keeping your mouth from speaking falsehood or bearing false witness is one of the ten commandments. Why do you still preach it if you think that the ten commandments is no more applicable to the believers? Isn't it hypocritical to say that any ten commandment is no more applicable to you when you know that you will  break it yourselves! Yes, you may convince many that you have high regard for repentance and God's law; however, in reality, you have twisted and changed the Lord's repentance message and God's law to a 'higher' level or a 'stupid' level where no one should do anything whenever they rebel or sin against God.

Beware of False prophets, by their fruits we will know them
The Lord knew that the false prophets would never say, "We are the false prophets. Come and get us !" But we should know them by their fruits or by what they said or did.
They will always say, "Those who preach about the warning of the false prophets are the false prophets themselves. They are the Pharisees, law preachers, and hypocrites who are religious and negative. But all our teachings are positive. We are not religious; we are gracious. We are like Jesus who never condemns. We don't preach the law but we have high regard for the law. Hence, we can never be hypocrites because we always preach grace; we preach Jesus as the centre of our life. We always preach Jesus and we can preach it more beautifully than any preacher can preach it. We preach this .. and that .. IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. We would never reject anyone as false prophet or judge anyone in our churches. We believe that God is gracious to everyone, even to the false prophet if there is one. However, if we should reject the teaching of the false prophets and those who make the words of the Lord of none effect, why can't we find any false prophets or those who do such things."
I will tell them, That's because you have been blinded or you are already one. False prophets would never give people the impression that they are the false prophets. We are now living in a lawless world where the laws are created to protect the false prophets and liars, rather than to expose them. That's why many false prophets can preach lies secretly and then turn back to the words of God and tell people openly that they are preaching sound doctrine. They would just lie and have a 'perfect' conscience to confess that they are the righteousness of God in Christ. They would always argue that since Abraham could lie and become a friend of God, why can't they do the same and be the anointed ones too ? They would, in one moment, say that they don't have to keep any God's law but, in another moment, turn back to the preaching of God's words and commandments by saying that they have high regard for God's law. But they know that they are only 'good actors'. They believe only in:

1. the law which will protect them
They know that they have high regard for the law because under the copyright law, they can just say any word, any lie, or any false doctrine they like, and nobody can judge them. It is because under their copyright law, they can legally accuse people and stop anyone from posting their videos, CDs, or recorded words which expose their lies and false doctrines.
2. the law which will promote them
They love 'their rights' under the copyright law too. It's because they could make use of the copyright law to post what they said (eg. things that please the majority of the sinners or the lawless), and then use the copyright law to stop anyone from posting their lies and videos. 

They became boastful and arrogant, "Who can be against me if I can say or teach anything I like", they will say, "The moon will still shine, the dogs will still bark, but my words will still spread like wild fire .. haha, What can you do ? Even the God who gave us the commandments will still have to stand aside and bow to my 'God' of love and no condemnation .." 
I will tell them, Your boasting will be judged when the Lord comes again. The Pharisees had said the same thing before they were judged by the Lord. In the end time God will judge those who lie about the law of God under the New Covenant as He had judged those who lied under the Old Covenant too:

• Mal 2:1 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... (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? .. (3:13) 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. .. (18) Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (4:1) 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.

Can we say that the words of Malachi has become obsolete? Yes and No. Yes, these words have become obsolete because we are no more under the law (we do not have any priest or Pharisees in our churches who will still follow all the laws under the old covenant). But, No, because these words are prophecies which will stretch until the end time when Jesus will come the second time to separate the wheat from the tares; the sheep from the goats; and the wise virgins from the foolish virgins, with His sickles in Revelation 14, after which the earth would be under the curse of the great tribulation.
I don't think many people will dispute that the parable of the ten virgins is a prophecy about the end time churches and we are all in the end time now. Hence, the parable of the ten virgins were about the Bride who will prepare for the coming of the Lord in the end time. The Bride is the focus; not the Jews.  
1Co 12:13 KJV  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
2Co 11:2 KJV  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Rev 21:1-2 KJV  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  

Jesus wants us to preach repentance, not just grace or knowing that God is good
We don't mind preachers who keep preaching grace and the goodness of God. However, if they would just want to preach grace, speaking positively, or doing good just to eliminate the need of preaching repentance, they do not really know the gospel or the words of the Lord. The Lord did not tell us to preach grace to get the people saved; but He taught us to preach repentance to get the people saved. The Lord has taught too many Bible verses about the preaching of repentance. Hence, I will not repeat all those Bible verses which I have quoted in my previous posts. However, I will quote from just one of His parables and explain why He would want us to preach repentance instead of grace:

• Luk 13:5-9 KJV  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.

It means that grace or second chance has been given to all the sinners and the undeserved. Do you think that Jesus would just want them to know that God is good? No, Jesus would want them to bear fruit. However, there would be fruit only if they would repent and change. Otherwise, they would be 'cut down'. That's why Jesus told the people that Luk 13:5-9, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish ..   " Jesus warned them with the parable to show us why we must all repent. I believe that this parable is still applicable to all of us who are the undeserved too. I don't think, Jesus would raise up the radical grace preachers to preach it differently with another parable or another gospel which tells people to know grace and that God is good only. His message to the sinners or the undeserved in our world today is still the same, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish ..   "

They could be under 'grace' but they are not saved

Grace was given to them but they did not repent. They have become like tree which could not bring forth its fruit in due season (Psalm 1:1-3) ! It's because they have rejected the law of God by teaching lawless philosophies, 'ding dong bell doctrines, or moral wisdom with their own oxymoron arguments. They may claim that they have high regard for the word and the law of God. However, they would interpret and think that all the law of God has no more do's and don'ts, no more godly instructions, and no more moral guidance for them, but only grace, promises, blessings, and prosperity, thereby twisting and making the law of God of none effect. Pro 23:7 KJV  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he !

That's why we can now answer the question I had previously asked at the top : "Why should we reject the preaching of those who said that the teaching of Jesus has become obsolete?"  

They could be false prophets ! 

Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  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.
 Corrupt tree will bring forth corrupt fruit. Similarly corrupt teaching or corrupt thinking will bring forth corrupt people too. The false prophets would deceitfully preach against God's commandments and repentance message in the last days, so that they could secretly bring in their own lawless, effortless, or mind changing philosophies. They may still insist that they've preached the word of God, but unknowingly they have 'stolen' the credit by giving false promise that their teaching is more effective and more gracious than the word of God and the law of God.
They could be tares !
Mat 13:24-30 KJV  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  (25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  (26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  (27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  (28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  (29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  (30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
 They could have sinned wilfully !

They will argue, "We can never die. We can never be condemned because God is grace. God's grace is greater than all our sins. Any sins. And this, we will preach to all who believe with us also, haha .." I will tell them, Yes, God's grace is great but:

1. it cannot save if you sin as false prophet by changing God's words and commandments, and making them of none effect by your false doctrines or lawless philosophies:  

Mat 15:4-9 KJV  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.  (5)  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  (6)  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.  (7)  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  (8)  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

2. it cannot save if you sin wilfully by teaching and thinking that God's grace is greater than any kind of sins, falsehood, and self-deceits:    

Heb 10:16-17 KJV This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; ... (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ...  (26)  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.

3. it cannot save if you sin without repentance and without fruit after grace has been given you:  

Luk 13:5-9 KJV  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.

I will ask them, Do you know why I highlighted 'if you' above. It was because I wanted to emphasize or strongly warn 'you' that 'if you' did all these things, 'you' are not saved. But there would be those who refuse to listen and vehemently deny that these warnings are not for them because they are believers and under grace. If I am kind enough, I would tell them that, 'if we' sin wilfully, we cannot be saved. However, if they would still interpret these warnings as obsolete for them or for all other believers, they have shown us that they have already been condemned. They felt so condemned that they could not accept the possibility that these warnings could be applicable to us or to all the believers who sin. They argued vehemently against those who preached these warnings as the accusers or devils because they felt insecure. On the other hand, a true believer will not need to hear 'no condemnation' messages day and night. He would meditate on the words of God including the law of God, God's commandments, God's do's and don'ts, advice, and instructions day and night. He would always keep the words and sayings of the Lord which provoke love and good works to one another (Heb 10:24), and would still live like the tree planted by the water. Corrupt tree will bring forth corrupt fruit. Similarly corrupt teaching or corrupt thinking will bring forth corrupt people too. But a 'tree' which always meditate on the law of God could never be corrupt:

• Psa 1:1-6 KJV  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

That's why we can now answer the question I had previously asked at the top : "Why should we reject the preaching of those who said that the teaching of Jesus has become obsolete?"   

They may not be from God !

They will tempt the churches, just like Satan tempted Jesus. That's why Jesus has shown us how to reject their temptation by saying, "It is written..": Mat 4:4-10 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.  ..  (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  .. (10)  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. Why did Jesus said, 'It is written'; instead of saying 'It was written' ? It is because

• Jesus wants us to tell them that God's word can never be obsolete. It is written for us because it is still applicable to us. Please think again, What is God's word that can never be obsolete ? Jesus said, Every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.. Does it include God's laws and commandments ? Of course. In fact, the Lord's replies to Satan are all the words from God's laws and commandments which says, "Thou shalt .." and "Thou shalt not ..". It is clear to the believers that Jesus wants all His disciples to keep God's commandments in the last days and tell Satan that 'it is written; and not 'it was written' !
• Jesus wants us to reject those who will come to us, tempt us, remove God's laws from us, and steal God's glory from the churches. Jesus knew that Satan will tempt the churches again just like he tempted Him in the wilderness. 2Co 11:3-4 LITV  But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the purity which is due to Christ.  (4)  For if, indeed, the one coming proclaims another Jesus, whom we have not proclaimed, or if you receive another spirit which you have not received, or another gospel which you never accepted, you might well endure these.
  But Jesus knew that Satan will be more cunning in his hidden deception and identity when he persuades the churches to believe him and to speak for him. Hence, we should be watchful and do not endure him or entertain him. If we see the 'snake', just tell him, "Be gone. For it is written; not it was written !" Please think, If we have to defeat Satan with the words of the Lord, how can we say that the warnings of the Lord have become obsolete or they were for the Jews under the law ? Without His warnings and commandments, how can the churches fight against the cunning deception of Satan when he comes again. Of course, Satan is cunning and smart enough to know that. That's why before he comes, he will send his false prophets to remove God's laws from the churches and prepare the 'lawless' way for him. That's why Jesus said, By their fruits we will know them - we should also know by whom they are sent too: Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ..  (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) 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. (Who are those who do the will of the Father? They are those who know the will of the Lord and will tell Satan that it is written; not it was written.)

They will argue, "If we have to keep every word, every law, and every commandment, how about the law of circumcision ? No, the whole law has become obsolete and so do any 'law-based' teaching. But we should focus only on 'grace-based' teaching .. "
I will tell them of course, the law of circumcision, the law of Moses, and the laws of the Old Covenant about animal sacrifice, ceremonies, and religious rituals are obsolete because of the New covenant. However, God's commandments about godly living, moral values, integrity, worship, and marriage can never be obsolete. They are still the laws of the New Covenant. That's why Paul would still preach from the Ten commandments and tell us to love, and do God's laws to fulfil God's laws and this is still 'grace-based' teaching:

• Rom 13:8-10 KJV  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  (9)  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.

Examples of radical grace arguments against the Lord's teaching in Matt 5-7
I don't seem to able to come out from this post; but to continue to write, because what they said about the teaching of the Lord. They may not say that all the teaching of the Lord are irrelevant to us; but they will twist the parables of the Lord and make it so complicated that the parables become their 'weird mysteries' which can no longer serve as simple warnings for the believers. They may not tell us that all the teaching of the Lord is obsolete; but they will tell us that the Lord's command for us to pray the sinner's prayer, confess sins, and keeping God's commandments have become obsolete. Why ? I have no time to repeat what they have said. But I know that they could twist everything from both the New Testament and Old Testament very well and confuse the people. I will not go into the details on what they have said - it is endless. To a person who is lawless and unrepentant, God's law is always obsolete and he would never be in lack of doctrines and lies to support what he thinks. I will just ask him a simple question: "Do you pray ?"
If you pray, can prayer be obsolete ? Can you say that it is obsolete because the Jews under the law had prayed too ? Similarly, can we say that confession of sins has become obsolete because the Jews had confessed their sins too ? If this is true, worship can become obsolete too because the Jews believed in worship too. Hence, I find that it is absurd to break the teaching of the Lord into many tiny parts and tell the sinners which part is for them, which part is for the new converts, which part is for the mature believers, which part is for the fathers, mothers, grandfathers, or agnostics. Just as they did for 1 John 1:9. This is crazy. By the time they have analysed the whole thing, their sermon could have dragged into midnight and they would still think that they are good preachers like Paul. I will tell them, Cut the crap ! Just listen to what the Lord said again:

• Mat 5:1-9 KJV  And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  (2)  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,  (3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (5)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (6)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  (7)  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  (8)  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  (9)  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 Can these teaching be obsolete ? If you still think so, you are 'obsolete' !

• Mat 5:17-22 KJV  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (20)  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.  (21)  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  (22)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Jesus did not say that we should be as righteous as the Pharisees, but He said we should be more righteous than the Pharisees who were hypocrites. In another words, 1. All the Jews must still repent even though they thought that they were as righteous as the Pharisees, 2. All of us, who are now in Christ should never follow the deceivableness of unrighteousness (2Th 2:10) that is in the Pharisees or hypocrites too.)

Can the above teaching be obsolete too ? You may argue that God's commandments are too high for you to do or teach. But that's what you think; Jesus did not say it. On the contrary, He said Mat 5:19, "Whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in His kingdom". He said this because it was His desires for His disciples to do (first) and then teach (later) His commandments.
Jesus said that God's laws are too high for us (including the Pharisees) because we are sinners and we need to repent (Mat 5:20 unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees who are not righteous enough to enter His kingdom too.) Please think, Why do we need to repent ? Isn't it to do and teach His commandments ? This is the will of the Father and the Lord ! If you cannot do it, it does not mean that everyone should not do it ! Jesus would push the 'red button' to show people that we ought to keep God's commandments at all cost because of the danger of judgement, danger of council, and danger of hell fire. Otherwise, it is not necessary for Him to do so; instead He may just push the 'effortless button' and tell us that everyone is well because He has done everything for us. Of course, He would never say that we will just need to believe Him because He has done everything for us. No, only the radical grace preachers will say this.

• Mat 6:33 KJV  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I will ask them, Can the above teaching be obsolete too ? They will say, "No, we still preach and tell people to seek God's righteousness. It can never be obsolete." I will tell them, If it can never be obsolete, on what basis can you say that only this Bible verse is not obsolete from the whole chapters of Mat 5-7 ? On the basis of your lawless or vain interpretation of God's commandments, or the repetition of your 'effortless' repentance ? Have you asked yourselves, What is 'seeking His righteousness' in the Bible verse above  ? Has it occurred to you that 'His righteousness' in Mat 6:33 is linked back to all that the Lord had said at the very beginning? (How can it be 'effortless' or 'no sweat' ? If I agree with you, I have 'no brain' !)

• Mat 5:1-9 KJV  .. (2)  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,  (3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (5)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (6)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  (7)  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  (8)  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  (9)  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. .. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  

It means that you have to teach Mat 6:33 in connection with the whole chapter of Mat 5, Mat 6, and Mat 7 ! You can't just break it down and preach it, in 'bite size', only on what you like or on how you can prosper, with this Bible verse.

Well, I can go on, but I think, I have said enough of radical grace or lawless thinking. I wish to stop here with one final example of their lawless argument against repentance or confession of sins:

• Mat 6:7-16 KJV  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  (8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  (9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  (15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  (16)  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 
• Luk 11:2-4 KJV  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Most of the radical grace preachers do not have problem preaching from the above Bible verses. They would tell us that we should pray short prayer and should not fast like the Pharisees. Unknowingly they have also given the people a set of do's and don't or godly advice which I have no problem with. However, when they said that the Lord's teaching on prayer to His disciples has become obsolete, I almost 'fell off from my chair' (of course, this is just my 'typology' for shock). I will ask them, After preaching such a fantastic sermon based on the teaching of Jesus from 'Mat 5 blessed are the meek, .. Mat 6 seek ye first the kingdom of God.. ', and then suddenly you said that this Bible verse Mat 6:12 is not for us ? Seriously, if this Bible verse were not for us, I hope that God would explain it more clearly or highlight it with a 'red marker' to show us that only this Bible verse is not for us; otherwise, how can we know that it is not for us ? Or do we need a false prophet or someone else to tell us if it is for us or not for us ? No, this is absurd. No, Jesus has not told us that any of His words has become obsolete. On the contrary, He said that His words can never be obsolete and we must all hear Him.

• Luk 9:35 KJV  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
• Joh 5:27-30 KJV  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  (28)  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  .. (30)  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
• Joh 10:27 KJV  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
• Rev 3:20 KJV  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

However, the false prophets will tell us to hear them. They may say that we should hear them because they preach the words of Jesus, confess His words, and do many things in His name. But the sheep will discern and know that the people are just hearing their vain interpretation; not the voice of the Lord.
However, the false prophets would try to change the words of the Lord. It is because, when they are condemned by the words of the Lord in the last days, they would argue vehemently why it is not for them. Hence, naturally when the false prophets cannot repent or confess their sins, they would try to argue that the Lord's teaching on repentance and confession of sins has become obsolete so that they will not need to confess any sin. That's why they would also interpret that Mat 7 is obsolete, because it is a great chapter which prophesied about their lawlessness and wickedness against the words, commandments, and teaching of the Lord. 

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  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. Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

I will ask them, Can you argue with God and demand for more grace ? Can you argue that He should be gracious to everyone including those who preach false doctrine, false gospels, lawless philosophies ? They will argue, "Of course, God is gracious. His grace should be greater than all our sins. His grace should be super abundant enough to give us more than a second chance (Rom 5:17, 20). If He told Peter to forgive his brothers seven time seventy times (Mat 18:21, Luk 17:4 ). Why can't He forgive us as much as that ?"
I will tell them, That is not the way to preach or ask for abundant grace. Have you read the full Bible context when you quoted these Bible verses ?

• Rom 5:17-20 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) .. (20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• Rom 6:1-2 KJV  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

If you continue to read until Rom 6:1-2 above, you would know that 'abundance of grace' does not cover 'continuing in sin'. God forbid. It means absolutely no grace for those who would do so. Hence, if a false prophet, lawless believer, or unrepentant sinner would quote Bible verses to insist on 'abundant grace' with the thinking that he can tempt God and do whatever he likes, he would be one of those people in Mat 7:15-23 who would be cast out by the Lord. Similarly he could also be one of those who received grace from the King in Mat 18:32-34, intercession from the vine dresser in Luke 13:8, or the sacrifice of the Lamb in Heb 10:26, and yet he would never truly repent with humility.
I will tell them, You said that God must forgive you continuously and give you more than seven time seventy times of forgiveness, and you quoted from Mat 18:21 and Luk 17:4. Did you read the full Bible context:

• Luk 17:3-4 KJV  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  (4)  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Jesus said, If he repent, forgive him. Otherwise, no forgiveness. Hence, you may ask God to forgive you as many times as you like but it depends on whether you will sincerely repent too. However, if you are tired of repentance and use your own smartness to think of a better way to receive grace, you could be one of those who would be cast out by the Lord too. 

Many will still argue, "But Mat 5-7 has many hard sayings. It is not meant for modern men like you and me. It was meant to bring the Jews and the Pharisees to the end of themselves so that they will never trust in any law to do good or anything. It was designed to bring an end to the law of obeying and doing. If any preachers would still preach from it, they would put people under the curse of the law. They would no longer be blessed. Please think, How can you be blessed if you are poor ? It is no longer practical. What is practical today is the gospel of prosperity, favour, grace, and effortless success - the gospel that Paul preached. Why? Jesus has died so that He became poor and we become rich. However, it would be no more the gospel if we still tell people to do many things to repent, to die to self, and to take up their cross. It could become 'slow death' to everybody because of those hard sayings and condemnation teaching which is not meant for us. But when Jesus appeared after His resurrection, He never taught any more of those hard sayings to His disciples. Instead He said the positive words, "Peace be unto you", for three times in Joh 20:19, Joh 20:21, and Joh 20:26. It means no more hard sayings from now on .."
I will tell them, It is hard saying to you because you have become hardened in your heart. You are like the disciples who departed from the Lord's words and commandments because you cannot take hard saying. You like soft and smooth tongues which teach only positive words:

• Joh 6:60-68 KJV  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  (61)  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  (62)  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  (63)  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  (65)  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  (67)  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  (68)  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (Peter believed the words of Jesus and he had faith to believe that even the hard sayings of Jesus were the words of eternal life. How about you?)

I will tell them, How can you say that we can only preach positive words from now on based on the words of Jesus, "peace be unto you", from Joh 20:19, Joh 20:21, and Joh 20:26 only ? You may argue that they are the words of Jesus after His resurrection and, therefore, they are the only words which are applicable to us. However, only fools will believe you. Do you know that Jesus had said the following words too after His resurrection ?

• Luk 24:25-48 KJV  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  (26)  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  (27)  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself ..  (44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.

It means that whatever He spake to His disciples before He died were applicable to them, including His teaching on repentance before He died too. If that was not clear enough, is the following command from the Lord clear enough ?

• Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Of course, it would be short-sightedness if you would only pay attention to "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" above or "peace be unto you" and ignore all the teaching, parables, commandments, warnings, judgement, rebukes, or hard sayings that He had taught before He died. Of course, Jesus had warned and rebuked even Peter, James, and John before they denied Him too. I don't see any problem if we need to warn, rebuke, or teach the Lord's warning or hard sayings to all the believers too. Can we conclude that anyone who teach too many God's warnings are negative people ? Of course, it depends. Of course, we cannot just preach only the positive things and ignore all God's warnings while accusing all others who do not follow us as negative people. In fact, Paul gave more warnings and counsel against the false prophets than any preachers of his time. Can we say that he was a negative preacher who had no faith for his brethren? I don't think so:

• Act 20:27-33 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.  (33)  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

Hence, I would think that Paul was more positive than any radical grace preacher too because he preached grace and gave more warnings than them. Who can dispute it ?
    
 

::

Why would the sinners need to be saved ?

Why would the sinners need to be saved ?
We need to answer this very simple and basic question because, if we do not know how to answer it or if we answer it wrongly, we cannot save ourselves or other sinners.

• 1Ti 4:11-16 KJV  These things command and teach.  (12)  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  (13)  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  (14)  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  (15)  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.  (16)  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Of course, if we read the Bible and answer the question honestly, we should do well. However, too many of us have been confused by the radical grace's preaching or twisting of repentance until we have forgotten to ask why sinners need to be saved.
You may not agree with me as to why sinners need to be saved, but it should be clear enough at the end of the day if you would ask the question honestly. It should lead you to think and realise that the radical grace preaching may have swept all the root problem of  mankind below the 'carpet' in the name of 'radical grace' or 'effortless repentance'.


Men are not saved; it's because they want to be 'lawless' in their own ways
I have heard a radical grace preacher who said, "We are under sin because we always sweat. As sweat will dim the pearl and tarnish it, so will it dim God's grace, favour, and glory in our life too. Without God's favour and glory, how can we shine for God ? That's why working with sweat will always make us under stress, under anxiety, under fear, under doubts, and under the law and condemnation. And we cannot shine for God. That's why men must be saved from the curse of sweat; not so much from the curse of sin. That's why Jesus sweated in the garden (Luk 22:44) to redeem us from the curse of sweat. Hence, we repent from doing work with sweat to doing work with no more sweat, or from working hard to working effortlessly. This is the gospel. Hence, forget any gospel which tell you to do and do and do. Some religions will tell you to do many repentance(s) and make you sweat (with much self-effort). That is not the gospel; that is the curse of the sweat or the curse of the law. We are like the pearl purchased by Christ (Mat 13:45-46). We should not let any sweat tarnish the Lord's glory in us ..."

I will ask him, How can our sweat tarnish God's glory? Didn't you say that God's grace is greater than our sins ? Yes, I agree that true grace is great because it can never be tarnished easily by anything, any sin, or even sweat. However, you are contradicting yourself when you say that sweat can dim the grace and glory of God now. Your interpretation of self-effort and sweat is ridiculous. Obviously you have confused yourself and mistaken sweat for sins.

Whether you sweat or don't sweat, you must repent from your sins and confess your sins before God. Why ? We are sinners not because we sweat; we are sinner because we rebel, we love lawlessness, and we refuse to confess it before God, like Adam and Eve. Hence, sweat is not the root problem; sweat came because we sinned. Hence, we’ve to go to the root problem to admit sin, confess sin, and repent from our sin before God, instead of going to God and change our mind by thinking of no more sweat. 

Hence, God sent Jesus to us not because He wants to save us from the curse of sweat so that we can prosper more 'effortlessly'; but because He wants to save us from the curse of sins and lawlessness. Obviously preaching against sweat or self-effort with the intention to ignore our sins and root problem is not the gospel. It is not the preaching of true grace. We should admit and confess the root problem of our sins which came from Adam and Eve when they rejected God's words and command given to them. 
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.

It was a command and 'glory' which was given to 'cloth' them from their nakedness or lawlessness. This was the main reason why men could not die, but Satan deceived men and took it away (stolen it) by giving them the same promise of 'eternal life' (minus God's command). When they believed Satan and thought that they could still live, they no longer believed in God's word or God's command any more. Hence, that 'glory' which clothed them departed.

a. Lawlessness can make a man appear naked in the presence of God  
Gen 3:4-5 KJV  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. 
Satan had deceived Adam and Eve. He tried to deceived Jesus too. Hence, we should not be surprised to know that he would deceive the churches and the believers too. We should know that he would not give up his stealing act especially after men have received the seed or God's command. He will still come like the fowls to steal the seed which is supposed to grow, bear fruits, and cover the nakedness of men. 
Mat 13:3-4 KJV  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;  (4) And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:  
Mat 22:10-12 KJV  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  (11)  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (14)  For many are called, but few are chosen.
I hope we will not be careless to lose that 'garment' again like the man who was speechless when he was found naked before the King. The man came into the presence of God only to find himself naked like Adam and Eve, even though he could have been given amber instructions, warnings, or commands from the words of God before he was invited to the presence of God. What a pity ? 
Rev 3:17-18 KJV  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Of course, Jesus did not talk about the physical nakedness of the churches because of the lack of their material wealth in this world. In God's kingdom, even a beggar can still be properly clothed if he has the laws and the commandments of God, like Lazarus in Luk 16:23. But Jesus wants us to be properly clothed by His words and commandments. If we still do not understand this, we are blind and naked. It is possible for the churches to become blind and naked if they will just listen to the fowls or serpent which will come to steal the seed. Have we asked why would the fowls or serpent steal the seed or the command from Adam and Eve, from the Israelites, from Jesus (Matt 4:3), and from the churches (2Co 11:3, Rev 12:17) ? Why wouldn't they steal from the people of the world ? It is because only God's people have the seed or the command of God. They wouldn't steal from someone who has nothing !

b. Lawlessness is an 'epidemic' in the last days
There is another way to steal the seed. Satan can just give you the seed or God's word without the 'embryo' or God's command. In fact, Satan had done it when he repeated what God did say to men:  
Gen 3:1 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?
Satan might have explained and preached to Eve what he knew and understood about God's word; but he deliberately took away God's command and replaced it with a false promise from his own lawlessness. Today Satan would still use the same tactic when he comes to men:
Mat 13:24-25 KJV  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  (25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
What is the difference between the tares and wheat ? The tares have no God's commandment. Satan may preach it like the wheat or like it is God's commandment but we know that it is not from God. Please think if someone comes to you and says that he preaches God's commandment from the scriptures or quoted the law of God from Psalm 1:1-3, but he said, 'There is nothing for you to obey or do'. Can it still be God's commandment or even God's word ? No, it is meaningless to preach any commandment which has no more requirement to obey or do anything. It is not the word or the seed from God - it is just the 'husk' or 'tares' with no more embryo or life in it !

• Rev 12:17 KJV  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
• 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.
• Rev 22:14 KJV  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (I have searched for the same Bible verse in other Bible versions. I was shocked to realise that they gave a different meaning. Have they only made a mistake ? Or is it a spiritual warfare in the end time where some believers will lose their patience, become tire of keeping God's commandments, and allow the lawless ones to change the scriptures ?)   

c. Men must die to lawlessness and sin to find eternal life
Jesus would never say that God's commandment or His law must 'die' so that His seed will grow in 'lawlessness'. If we can still remember the example Jesus gave about the corn which must die in order to live in Joh 12:24-25, we will understand why eternal life will come only after a corn 'die'. I believe Jesus said that the 'husk' of the seed, the outer layer, the old part of the law, or old covenant must die so that the inner part with the Spirit of the law of God will grow in a man.

• Joh 12:24-26 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  (25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  (26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

A man needs to die to allow God's embryo or the seed of life to grow in him. He can only keep and do His commandments after he repented, died, and yielded his spirit to do the righteousness of God and the commandments of God:

• Rom 6:15-22 KJV  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  (16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  (18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.  (20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  (21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  (22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Hence, men are not saved; it is because they want to be lawless in their own ways, and this has been defined as sin and lawlessness in the eyes of God, even though they do not kill, steal, or do any lawless deeds. Adam and Eve did not do any lawless deeds; yet they could be condemned because of lawlessness.

• 1Jn 3:3-7 LITV  And everyone having this hope on Him purifies himself even as that One is pure.  (4)  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  (5)  And you know that that One was revealed that He might take away our sins, and sin is not in Him.  (6)  Everyone remaining in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has not seen Him, nor known Him.  (7)  Little children, let no one lead you astray; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous.

Hence, we should find out the root problem of men's sin which dated from the time when Adam and Eve rejected God's command given to them, instead of finding all the ways to make men enjoying, prospering, or living happily like the Gentiles in this world. Of course, we are not against enjoying and prospering in this world; however, we should ask ourselves, Did Jesus tell us to preach about all these to make his gospel sound better ? No. If we understand what He said, we would never preach prosperity over and over which will make the people lose their focus on the kingdom of God and salvation in Christ through repentance and dying to this world:

• Mat 6:31-33 KJV  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Luk 9:23-26 KJV  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  (24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  (25)  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  (26)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
• Joh 12:24-25 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  (25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Men lost the glory of God because they believed in lawlessness
Hence, lawlessness does not mean lawless deed although it can lead to lawless deed. Lawlessness started from men's will to reject God's laws and commandments since the beginning (since the day Adam and Eve rejected God's command that was given to them in Gen 2:16-17). Hence, Men were rejected by God not because they did lawless deeds but because they thought of doing lawless deeds or thought of lawless deeds under the influence of the serpent. In another words, men were rejected because they thought of lawlessness (as the saying goes, right thinking will lead to right living, and right living will lead on to right doing). When John wrote about the problem of men in 1Jn 3:3-7 above, he confirmed that sin is doing lawlessness or thinking of lawlessness. Hence, based on this Bible truth, he would continue to warn us that "(6)  Everyone remaining in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has not seen Him, nor known Him.  (7)  Little children, let no one lead you astray; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous." In another words, that could be extended to mean "everyone remaining in Him does not think of lawlessness or doing lawlessness too. Everyone doing lawlessness or thinking of lawlessness has not seen Him, nor known Him .." This is the message to all mankind who have rejected God and become 'lawless' in their thoughts and deeds.
When Moses brought down the command or the commandment of God to the Jews, men began to see the cloud and the glory of God again. But it could not cloth everyone of them like it clothed Adam, Moses, or Jesus Christ when light could be seen shining out of their face and garment. God has an eternal plan to cloth all men with His light and His glory again through the giving of His Son Jesus Christ (Heb 8:10, 10:16). But His plan would still fail if men would still believe Satan and think that they can never die without any God's laws and commandments. Jesus did not just come to make God's plan or covenant successful by coming to the world as God's Word and Commandment; He also taught all those who followed Him to keep, confess, teach, and do God's commandments; and most important of all, beware of the ancient serpent which will come again to tempt the churches and those who have received Jesus, Jesus' commands, and the glory of God :

• Mat 4:3-11 KJV  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  (4)  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.  .. (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  .. (10)  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.
• 2Co 11:3-4 KJV  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  (4)  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Men must repent from their lawlessness to be 'clothed' again
Hence, if we want the people to be saved. We must preach repentance. Yes, we may say that we must all change our minds, but we must also tell them to change their minds from the thinking of lawlessness to the thinking of obedience or keeping of God commandments. That's why Jesus would always mention keeping of God's commandments when He preached repentance to the sinners. You would never hear Him saying, "No more laws and commandments !" Repentance is a word which is spoken and preached to the sinners who must admit that they have violated God's laws and commandments; it cannot be understood or practised by the Pharisees or radical grace preachers who think that they are too righteous to think of any law.

• Luk 13:1-5 KJV  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  (2)  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.

They think that they have high regard for God's laws for NOT KEEPING ANY LAW, but in God's eyes, they have already transgressed against His laws by preaching or doing nothing about His laws. They have made God's laws of none effect or of 'no value':

• 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.
• Mat 15:3-6 KJV  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  (4)  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.  (5)  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  (6)  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.
• Mat 25:24-30 KJV  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  (25)  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  (26)  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  (27)  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  (28)  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  (29)  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  (30)  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Many God's servants will argue, "No, we are not lawless. We are God's servants. We have the law of God. Although we may not believe everything and keep all the Ten Commandments but at least we have believed and kept the law of God to rest or the Sabbath law. We have high regard for this only law because we believe in effortless repentance, success, and prosperity. Isn't this what God want us to believe ? We knew that God is a strict Judge, that there is no way for us to keep all the laws, and that we were afraid. So what's wrong if we will just obey Him and do nothing?" 
 God will say to them, You are not fit to be my servants. You will ultimately lose everything that is given to you and become 'talentless' (or lawless) in your own 'lawless world'.
They will argue, "Please don't preach law to us. We are under grace. All those Bible verses above are not applicable to us. We are no more under the law to keep any law. What Jesus said about the laws and commandments have all become obsolete. Only the Jews must keep God's commandments, the moral laws, and the ten commandments. We are no more under the law to obey those commandments. We are saved, forever saved, radically saved, and incredibly saved by the gospel that Paul preached. We are saved by the gospel of grace with no more law, no more effort from us, no more .. this and that. Hence, God's grace is greater than our sins. Of course we won't ask people to sin but should we sin, like the devil, we are still saved. We have no more sins, no more past, present, and future sins.."
I will tell them, You don't have to sin like the devil to be condemned. If you sin by listening to the words of the devil, you have sinned enough to be totally cast out from the presence of God. Who told you that the teaching of Jesus has become obsolete ? The gospel that Paul preached must be based on the teaching of Jesus. Hence, the gospel that Paul preached is the gospel that Jesus preached too, and the gospel that Jesus preached is the gospel of grace. The gospel of grace according to the teaching of the Lord is not the gospel of 'lawlessness, effortless repentance, or just merely changing your mind. The gospel of grace that Jesus preached is based on His teaching of repentance.


Men are not saved even if they have received grace; they must repent and bear fruit

• Luk 13:1-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, ..  (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.

Yes, grace is given to all who are undeserved. All of us are undeserved. All of us have received grace whether we are the just or unjust and whether we know it or not. But not of us who have received grace will be saved. Only those who will truly repent are saved. Only those who will truly repent will bear fruit, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, or do good like Zacchaeus. 
They will argue, "Your interpretation of that parable is obsolete. That can never be the gospel. When you preach 'do good get good; do bad get bad', you are not preaching the gospel. I tell you, What is the gospel ? It is the gospel when you can receive good that you don't deserve because another one, Jesus Christ, had received all the bad that he didn't deserve ! It takes the Holy Spirit to understand this as the gospel. But to understand 'do good get good, do bad get bad', you don't need the Holy Spirit. But religion always teaches you that. The law of 'do bad get bad' is from the world .." I will tell them,

1. Firstly, the Lord's parables, words, teaching, and warnings can never be obsolete.  
2. Secondly, 'do good get good, do bad get bad' is not the law from the world. It is from God. Paul preached it in Eph 6:1-3, Col 3:5-10, and Rom 13:8-14. Jesus preached it too in most of His parables, including the parable of the fig tree above. 
3. Thirdly, you need the knowledge of God's laws to be convicted by the Holy Spirit. Only the lawless can never understand the logic of 'do good get good', 'do bad get bad', and God's judgement. Most of them do not believe in God's commandments too. I will say this to you too, If you don't believe in 'do good get good', it is meaningless for you to preach any God's laws or commandments; you are just deceiving yourselves and others by meditating or memorising all the laws of God without any conviction to do it, or any conviction that it is good and it is God's will for you to do good.
4. Fourthly, yes, the Lord's parable of the fig tree above may be considered as 'do good get good or do bad get bad' teaching which shows people that they must do something to get salvation; otherwise they will be cut down. But it is the gospel which has more gospel truth than what you preach in your own 'gospels', whether you like it or not. Please think, Isn't it the gospel for the 'fig tree' when it is given a another chance ? In fact, the fig tree had received more grace or more chances than it deserved. It is because the Lord of the vineyard had not done anything although the fig tree was fruitless for many years. I don't think it is right for the fig tree to bargain for more grace by telling the Lord to extend grace with no more time limit, no more requirement to do anything, no more cutting down, no more commandment, or no more judgement.

Yes, it is the gospel for us to do nothing to deserve grace but that does not mean radical grace to do nothing. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must do something after we have received grace; otherwise, we will be cut down. Yes, we do nothing to receive grace; but that does not mean that we receive grace to do nothing. Hence, grace is not unearned, undeserved, or unmerited favour to do nothing but it is certainly unearned, undeserved, or unmerited favour to do something. That's why I wonder why should anyone preach an effortless gospel to give people the wrong impression that, under grace, we can just have effortless success in place of the repentance gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hence, we don't preach to the people so that they will just receive grace to be saved, but that they will repent and bear fruit, to be saved. It's because all the people have already received grace. That's why Paul explained clearly why he would preach repentance to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul knew that Jesus had done much for all the sinners and that grace has ALREADY been given to everyone; however, the Lord would NOW want to see everyone come to repentance, bear fruit, repent, and do like Zacchaeus.

• Act 20:20-21 KJV  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,  (21)  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ... Act 26:19-20 KJV  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. (Hence, we can say that all the disciples of Jesus including Paul would preach repentance to both the Jews and the Gentiles. However, Paul would only preach grace to the Jews who were under the law. It's because only the Jews would find it difficult to repent under the influence of the Pharisees. Paul had no choice but to argue against the law or the Old Covenant given to the Jews so that the Jews would be saved. That's why he said, 1Co 9:20 KJV  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;)

Repentance from lawlessness is not merely effortless changing of mind
Yes, grace is undeserved favour from God; but it is not effortless for us. Grace is God's favour for us to do something, to repent, or to bear fruits worthy of repentance. Grace is God's second chance to us so that we will repent. Yes, grace is something that we cannot work for it; but it is something that must 'tell' us to do something. If it is something that tells us to do nothing or keep no more laws, it is not grace. It is not from God; it is from lawlessness.

• Col 3:16 KJV  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
• Tit 2:11-15 KJV  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.

Yes, Jesus has raised the 'bar' of God's commandments to show people that they must all repent. But we cannot use that to interpret that He wants us to forget all the laws of God. On the contrary, He wants us to remember God's laws and commandments in our hearts and mind, admitting our needs for his grace by confessing to Him our lacks and weaknesses daily. However, some preachers or believers would never do it because they think that grace is given 'once and for all' (grace is not given once and for all; only Jesus has died once and for all). They think that after they have offered the blood sacrifice through the Lamb, they would be 'too righteous' to confess any sin again. They refuse to see the need of grace daily through confession of sins or admitting of their weaknesses. Hence, anyone, including God's people or the Pharisees, can still corrupt God's covenant and sin wilfully and boastfully, whether they preach blood sacrifice of the animals or the Lamb; or they preach under under the law or grace.

• Heb 10:2-30 KJV  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins .. (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin ..  (26)  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.

Repentance from lawlessness is to know our sin conscience to repent
Many God's people may think that they have no more sin conscience to repent based on the Bible verses above, and therefore they can NEVER sin again. However, they are deceiving themselves. They do not realise that the Bible verses have only told them that they have no more sin conscience to offer animal sacrifices or do like the Jews; but NOT no more sin conscience to repent or to confess before God.  
They will still argue, "But, if you agree that Jesus has raised the 'bar' to show people that they can never do any God's commandments, you should know that Jesus has no intention for us to keep any God's commandments or think of any God's laws. He does not want us to think of sin conscience to come before God; but He just want us to keep thinking of His grace without any self-effort to come before God."
I will tell them, Jesus did not raise the 'bar' to teach us to reject God's laws from our mind and do nothing; He raised the 'bar' to teach us to reject 'self-righteousness' which tells us not to think of any sin conscience to repent. 'Self-righteousness' was something that had kept the Pharisees from true repentance, from any effort to repent, or from any fruit worthy of repentance; it is also something which could keep some of His disciples from true repentance too:

• Mat 5:1-22 KJV And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,  (3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .. (17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (20)  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.  (21)  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  (22)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Jesus did not say that we should be as righteous as the Pharisees, but He said we should be more righteous than the Pharisees who were hypocrites. In another words, 1. All the Jews must still repent even though they thought that they were as righteous as the Pharisees, 2. All of us, who are now in Christ should never follow the deceivableness of unrighteousness (2Th 2:10) that is in the Pharisees or hypocrites too.)

Repentance from lawlessness is to live with the Spirit of God and to raise the 'bar' for ourselves
Did Jesus say that we must be as 'righteous' as the Pharisees, who were self-righteous, to enter the kingdom of God ? No, He said, We must be more righteous than them.
But many will argue, "How can we be self-righteous or more religious than them to enter the kingdom of God ?" I will tell them, No, Jesus did not ask you to be like the Pharisees. He wants you not only to exceed their righteousness; but also the requirement of the Ten Commandments and God's written law to the Jews. When He set this 'bar' for all His disciples, it is not a 'bar' to condemn them; but it is a 'bar' to show them where they should strife to achieve, and of course, in the Spirit of the law of God, so that they will walk in the Spirit, instead of walking in self-righteousness or self-complacency of the flesh:

• Rom 8:1-9 KJV  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (5)  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  (9)  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Please think, If the Lord were to condemn selfishness and preach that 'whosoever is selfish like the Pharisees shall be in danger of judgment (Mat 5:22), will you conclude that His words are not for us again? No, we can't just conclude that, since we can still lust, get angry, and become selfish, therefore, we are no longer subject to God's laws to stop thinking of lusts, anger, and selfishness.
Hence, Jesus raised the 'bar' to let us know that we will still have a long way to go, even after we have received grace as His disciples.  

• Rom 7:18-25 KJV  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  (22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
• 1Ti 1:14-15 LITV  But the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  (15)  Faithful is the Word and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Did Paul say that he has reached the place where he had no more law or no more problem with his flesh ? No, he was still wrestling against the law of his flesh; but he knew where was the 'bar' that Jesus had set for him. Hence, with that mind in the Spirit, he said (v25) that he would continue to serve the law of God and subject to the law of God. If Paul would still admit humbly about his present struggle and confess his sin problem before men, can anyone still boast that he has no more struggle, that he can live life effortlessly without the law of God, that he has no more need to confess sin before men or God, and that he has made it under grace ?   


Repentance from lawlessness is to keep the laws and commandments of God
However, many will still argue, "But Paul told us not to keep any law. He told us that if we keep the laws and commandments of God, we are asking the people to go back to the law. If the people go back to the law, they will be under the law. If they are under the law, they will be under the curse of the law and they would be hypocrites like the Pharisees.."
I will tell them, You have always said that others have falsely accused you. But if you have been preaching day and night that those who keep the laws of God are hypocrites, you are the ones who have falsely accused others. Please think, Did you tell your believers to keep their mouth from speaking evil against others ? If you did, you have just preached the ten commandment - ie. not to bear false witness against others. If you have preached the laws and commandments of God, how can you say that those who teach or keep the ten commandments are condemning people like the Pharisees ? You said that you preached only positive words and that no one should condemn with God's laws, but secretly, did you quote from Isa 54:17 and said, No weapon formed against you will prosper; every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn !
You could be speaking like a hypocrite too if you have falsely accused others who teach God's commandments or the ten commandments, but secretly, you would still teach, condemn with the Bible, and give people the impression that you can condemn better than God's commandments. You did not give due credit to God or God's commandments. Please read His words again Mar 7:11-13, Mat 15:3-6. Jesus did not say that those who keep God's laws and commandments were hypocrites; He said that those who made God's laws and commandments of none effect were hypocrites. Similarly I would advise you to read the words of Paul again.

• 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.
• Act 15:24 KJV  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:
• 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.
• 1Co 9:20 KJV  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

Paul did not tell us not to keep any law; he told us not to keep the law, and the law is referred as the law of the Old Covenant, the law of circumcision, or the law of the Jews.
Paul did not tell us not to keep any law; on the contrary he told us to keep all God's commandments:

• 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.
• Rom 13:8-9 KJV  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  (9)  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.

Hence, we may preach repentance as a change of mind from thinking of lawlessness to thinking of God's grace or thinking of Jesus. But for a true believers, repentance must not stop there, it must go on from thinking of grace or thinking of Jesus to thinking of God's laws and commandments, and finally he will also repent like Zacchaeus too. We know that a believer must do more than just changing of mind and he must repent like Zacchaeus to be saved because of what Jesus said in:
Luk 19:7-10 KJV  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  (8)  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  (10)  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.


         From thinking of lawlessness - to thinking of grace - to thinking of God's laws 
                        From a sinner with nakedness - to a believer with the law of God 
From the mark of lawlessness - to the mark of God


 

It is God's grace and God's will for men to repent and confess their sins
However, many will still argue, "We are against sins although we do not ask people to repent or to confess their sins. We tell people to hate sins and to humble themselves. We tell them to change their mind from unbelief to believing in God. We tell them to know that they need grace. We tell them to think of grace. We tell them to confess Jesus, confess the righteousness of God, .. etc. Hence, by doing all these, we have repented !"
I will tell them, If you can confess and do so many things to 'repent', what's so difficult to 'confess sins' ? Is it really because you think that you have no more sins to confess ? I don't think Jesus will agree with you because:

1. Jesus has never said that you would be so perfect that you have no more sins after you have believed in Him, 
2. nor would Paul say that you are so righteous that you have no more sins conscience to repent or to confess your sins in the future. He had only said that you would have no more sins conscience to offer animal sacrifice again and again.   Heb 10:1-2 KJV  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

I don't think anyone with the Spirit of God would agree with your 'no more confession of sins in the future' too. It could be just your excuse for anyone who would not repent and confess their sins. If you tell people that they can hate sins, why can't you tell them that they can confess sins too. We can confess sins, hate sins, and died to sins because we know that it is God's will for us to do so:

• 1Jn 1:8-10 KJV  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
• 1Pe 2:20-24 KJV  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  (21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  (24)  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
• Rom 7:17-25 KJV  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (18)  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Even Paul confessed that he had the struggles of sins although he hated sins and preferred to subject himself under the law of God rather than living under the law of sin. Now the question: Had Paul been totally delivered from sin or the law of sin ? I don't think so. In fact, he confessed that he still sinned or had sins, and he used the present tense when he talked about the 'sin that dwelleth in him'. Did he say that this would insult God when he still showed the weaker side of himself to men ? No. Of course, since he could humble himself and confess his sins to men, he would confess his sins to God too. Hence, I don't see any problem if we have to confess our sins to God if sin still dwelleth in us too. Paul would say that there is only one place where he would not have any struggle or any need to confess his sins - heaven ! However, Jesus would tell us that there is another place where men will not need to repent or confess any sin too - hell !

• Luk 16:29-31 KJV  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

In hell, no one can change anything even if they will repent or confess their sins 'day and night'. It is because, in hell, there will be no more grace. Grace is given to them only when they are still living on the earth. However, grace cannot save them. They will still perish, except they repent.

• Luk 13:1-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, ..  (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.
• Jon 3:4-10 KJV  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  (5)  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. ..  (10)  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. ...  Mat 12:39-42 KJV But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: .. (41)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.. (Jesus said that the people of Nineveh repented not because they believed only; but because they did more than that. They did much effort to turn from their evil way. The unrepentant generation today will ask for some other sign too, but Jesus will still tell them that there is no other sign, except the same sign for them: To Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ through His resurrection)   

Hence, we can say that it is God's grace and God's will for men to repent and to confess their sins before the time is expired on them. This is the gospel we must preach to all men before the end of time.

• Mar 1:14-15 KJV  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  (15)  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Jesus even taught His disciples to confess their sins before God:

• Luk 11:1-4 KJV  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  (2)  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Did Jesus told the disciples that after he had risen, they should stop teaching the sinners to repent or to confess their sins ? No, on the contrary, the Lord commanded us to preach repentance and teach all the nations to observe whatsoever he had taught us before he was risen. Only the radical grace preachers would interpret it differently and claim that they have heard another 'voice' or another teaching which tells them to stop the preaching of repentance or to preach less of repentance.)

However, it would be foolishness to repent or to know the importance of repentance only when they are in hell, like the rich man in the parable.


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