Is Prosperity gospel the gospel of Jesus Christ ?

Many believers would argue, "Why do you think that 'Prosperity gospel' is not the gospel of Jesus Christ ? Do you know that Jesus has died to prosper us ?"
I will tell them, Don't be naive. Did Jesus, Paul, or any of the Apostles tell us that Jesus died to prosper us ? No, we can only find many Bible verses which tell us that Jesus died to save us from our sins. Yes, I do not deny that John did wish the believers to prosper in this Bible verse:  

• 3Jn 1:2 KJV  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

However, he did not say that this is the gospel or this is what we must preach to all the sinners or believers. It was just John's wish for everyone to prosper and to be in good health. It was like my wish to all my workers in the company when I told them to do a good job. It was also like Paul's wish when he said to the Corinthians to remain 'single' and focused like him too. Of course, we cannot say that what we wished or Paul wished is the gospel of Jesus Christ for everyone:

• 1Co 7:7-8 KJV  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  (8)  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. .. (32) But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

Of course Paul and John knew that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not just about making people wealthier or healthier; poor or sick; happier or sadder; more good looking or uglier; more positive or negative; and married or unmarried. We have to go back to the teaching of the Lord to know what Jesus has really preached about the gospel of salvation and the kingdom of God, instead we keep focusing on how much we can prosper, how long we can live, or how much hair we can grow on our heads. 

• Mat 6:31-34 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.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
  Mat 10:30-31 KJV  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  (31)  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus did not say that we should preach His gospel to prosper men
If your pastor preaches radically to convince you that the gospel that he preaches will prosper you, he is not preaching the gospel that Jesus preached or Paul preached; he is preaching his own gospel. He is preaching another 'Jesus' who died to prosper him; not to prosper you.

• 2Co 11:1-6 LITV  I would that you endured me a little in foolishness, but, indeed, endure me.  (2)  For I am jealous over you with a jealousy of God. For I have promised you to one Man, to present you a pure virgin to Christ.  (3)  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.  (5)  For I judge myself to have come behind the highest apostles in nothing.  (6)  But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet not in knowledge. But in every way I have been clearly revealed to you in all things.

I know that there are many false preachers who convinced the believers and churches that no one can preach another Jesus or preach more wisely than them and draw away the believers. I will tell the believers, Well, I may not be as wise as them who know a lot about the finished works of Jesus and the 'once saved always saved' assurance they could promise everybody. But I am not stupid enough to agree with them that there is no more warning or judgement for us. When Paul told us that there would be another 'Jesus' who will preach like the real Jesus and would draw away many believers, we'd better listen to him and warn others in our churches too. We can be smart, but please don't be 'too smart'. We should be humble enough to admit that some false prophets are smarter than us and would deceive many of our brethren. Some of us who think that we are wise may even fall because of pride. It is no longer a correct theology to insist that we are forever saved by the blood of Jesus and therefore we can never fall. If this were true, Paul would not have warned us with tears in the following Bible verses:

• Act 20:28-32 KJV  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.

Hence, from the Bible verses, we are truly under grace even if we warn our brethren with prayers and tears; or even if we need to do it with 'sweat and blood' and, of course, how can it be 'effortless' if we must do it in the will of God !    

Some of the believers will say, "But they told us that with many Bible verses from the Old Testament to prove that we will prosper if we listen to them. They told us that if we listen to them, it is the same as listening to God. They have shown us that they are the anointed ones. As Christ prospers, so they prosper. As Christ is, so are they .." I will tell them, Please hear Him only. It means Hear His Words only; not any kind of lawless interpretation, oxymoron mysteries, mind changing philosophies, or 'ding dong bell' principles from them. You are not listening. You are not even hearing. If you hear God, you will know that they are false prophets. What is the hearing that hear and hear but never hear ? It is the type of hearing which would want hear and hear and hear, but never hear with the hearing to do. Jesus said there are many who hear the word but they don't really hear. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear:

• Mat 13:3-22 KJV  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; .. (7)  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  (8)  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  (9)  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear... (18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  (19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. .. (22)  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

There are two types of gospels mentioned above. The first gospel is the word of God; but the second one is the deceitfulness (attraction or seduction) of riches which choke the first gospel (or the word). It choke the word because it is another type of 'word' which promotes riches subtly and deceitfully. It is very clear to us that Jesus would never preach another gospel, 'tares', or the 'prosperity gospel' - the gospel that is full of the deceitfulness of riches or mammon, to choke His own word. In fact, He commanded all His servants and preachers that they must be focused to serve God. To be focused means they do not preach or 'ding dong' between His word and prosperity; or between God and mammon: 

• Mat 6:21-24 KJV  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
• 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.
• Mat 13:49-53 KJV  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,  (50)  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  (51)  Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.  (52)  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.  (53)  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. (This is the finale or summary of all the (seven) parables Jesus had taught in Mat 13 - it means final judgement, separation, and contrast between those who are His and those who are not).  

Politics and religion do not mix (nor religion and prosperity mix in our churches too) 
Does it mean that Jesus is against prosperity or people who are rich ? No, of course not. But He is against the Pharisees and the religious people who use religion or the name of God to influence people to believe in God or to give to God. Of course, it is an effortless 'carrot and stick' strategy if we use it on the people who are greedy and religious like the Pharisees.

1. To the greedy, false prophets would just use deceitfulness of riches to deceive them and promise to give them more prosperity. We have read how the Pharisees had perverted God's commandments and used their corban law (Mark 7:11) to deceive the Jews to give more to them ? Why would the Jews and the people believe the corban law or the lies of Pharisees if most of them had already known the ten commandments and the laws of God ? It's because they preferred giving to the Pharisees who could promise them prosperity than giving to their parents who needed financial supports. Similarly, many believers today may give, to God or the preachers out of lawlessness, greediness, or wrong religious motives, like the Jews too.   
2. However, to those who are religious or spiritual, the false prophets would devise many false doctrines based on the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, to deceive them and promise to give them more favour, spiritual power, or anointing.

Our society are not in lack of both categories of people. That's why we are not surprised that in the last days, false prophets would deceive many people. They may argue, "Prosperity happened to those who believe God and hence it is the gospel of God to prosper everyone who believe too."
I will tell them, Many people in the Bible (eg.the Pharisees) had lots of money. Some of them became 'kings' too, does it mean that it is the gospel of God for everyone to be rich and to be kings. Of course, we all desire to be rich and to be kings. But it is absurd to use religion or the name of God to lie that it is God's will for everyone to be rich and to be kings. Of course, when I say this, I do not mean that I want everyone to be poor or to be beggars. I just want to tell the false prophets to stop using religion or the name of God to preach prosperity. They may argue vehemently that they are not greedy or religious whenever they lie against God's words and commandments; but who knows ? They may be more 'spiritually' or radically covetous than most of the non-believers ? God will judge them. They may deny it vehemently. But I will tell them, The moon may shine, the dogs may bark; but God will still be the Judge. No matter how well you can deny it or how convincingly you can preach that there is no more laws, no more commandments, no more repentance, or no more condemnation, there will be judgement (or giving of account to Him) for both the sinners and believers:

• 1Pe 4:1-7 KJV  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

I will tell them, Of course, not everything is effortless and by grace. Otherwise, why would the Bible tells us to give account; and be therefore sober and watch unto prayer.


Prosperity preachers can be as greedy as money preachers, and can be grace preachers too
No offence, of course, I am not talking about all the prosperity preachers. However, those who feel offended would argue, "What's wrong if we are prosperity preachers ? We are not money preachers. We preach grace, peace, success, and blessings to prosper. We can never be the false prophets or the law preachers who are hypocrites.."  I will tell them,

1. Firstly, if other preachers preach laws, commandments, principles, doctrines, and disciplines, it does not mean that they must be hypocrites or law preachers like the Pharisees. Hence, if you preach grace, it does not mean that you can never be a false prophet too. The Bible did not tell us that a false prophet can only preach law. On the contrary, the Bible makes it clear that false prophets can preach anything and disguise themselves as anyone to deceive anyone. They can preach both law and grace if they think that they can deceive better with it. They will come with the law if you were under the law like the Jews; but if you are no longer under the law, will they still come to you with the law? Of course not, they are not stupid. Just think, Are most of the sinners today practising the law like the Jews or practising sins like the Gentiles ? I believe that most of the sinners today are Gentiles who are under sins and 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.

Please think again, If most of the people are sinners under lawlessness, will they be attracted more by prosperity or by God's laws ? Of course, I trust that you are clever enough to know the answer and to know that most false prophets are not so stupid to preach God's law again.

secondly, if you are a prosperity preacher, it does not mean that you are better than a money preacher. It depends on how you preached prosperity, money, or any material riches. Please think, If you are obsessed with sex with other women, are you less guilty than the one who lust for money to buy sex? No, you are just as guilty as the one who lust for money. Hence, if you are preaching and teaching obsession for prosperity or riches, you are the same as those who preach obsession for money (which can buy material prosperity and sex too). Hence, I would think that all of them are the same, whether they are called prosperity preachers, health and wealth preachers, money preachers, 'gold bar' preachers, or golden calves preachers. If they would always focus on money or on what money can buy in God, they would not be able to focus on God. They are not God's preachers. They can either be preachers of God or preachers of riches. They cannot be effective God's servants if they focus on God and riches. They are like the Pharisees who would always justify themselves before men for desiring and preaching prosperity.

• Luk 16:13-15 KJV  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  (14)  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.  (15)  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Did I say that all men cannot focus on money or on what money can buy? Of course, no. I said, A PREACHER or a God's servant cannot focus on money (or on what money can buy in God) and focus on God too. A believer's heart focus cannot be on both money and God. When talking about the heart focus, a believer can only choose one ! Similarly, when talking about the preaching focus, a preacher can only choose one too !          


Prosperity preachers will stretch their imagination to pervert the Lord's parables and justify themselves and many who would just want to get rich
They will do it at the expense of God's words by perverting the gospel and the teaching of the Lord by saying, "You have misunderstood us. We are not saying that you must be obsessed with money. We have only said that you must think rich, think big, think blessed, think success, so you can prosper successfully in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, you can never prosper 'effortlessly' like me. Many of those who believe my 'grace' teaching have really prospered 'effortlessly' because they could now think 'effortlessly' or change their mind 'effortlessly'. They have been blessed 'effortlessly' because they think of grace and believe in grace. Grace prospers them. That's why Jesus said those who understand this 'grace' mystery in the parable will prosper and find life. But those who do not, what little they have will also be taken away. This is so true according to the parable which the Lord has shown us. That's why Jesus said  :

• Mat 25:26-30 KJV  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. 

That's why Jesus said Who have ears to hear, let him hear: If you want to prosper like the seeds, make sure you prosper thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or hundredfold like them. If you do not have the grace to understand it, you can never prosper like the true seeds of God; you would become the tares:

• Mat 13:7-11 KJV  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  (8)  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  (9)  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.  (10)  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  (11)  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

I will tell them, You have quoted the Bible out of its context. Firstly, the parable of the seed and the sower is not teaching about how to prosper. It is warning about those who will cause us to fall, choke the word of God, and make us unfruitful in doing the words, the commandments, and the will of the Father.
Secondly, If God will punish us just because we do not think ambitiously like you or think like a 'king', He is not a reasonable God. Imagine if I am now driving a small car. Are you saying that if we do not think big, do not think of a bigger luxurious car, or do not think like you, we will lose our small cars ? Similarly, do you mean that, if we do not think of a bigger house, our only house will be taken away from us too? This is not God's teaching; this is just your teaching, your threatening, and your insult to those who refuse to 'buy' into your teaching. You have twisted the Lord's parables and make it so complicated that all His parables become your 'weird prosperity or grace mysteries' which can no longer serve as simple warnings to the believers. The Lord's parables have become unknown mysteries to them because they think that the Lord's parables are only illustrations or instructions to get more riches, prosperity, favours, and blessings on earth. However, to the believers, the Lord's parables are 'known mysteries' about God's kingdom and judgement. 


The promise of health and wealth gospel may appeal to the hidden desires of the 'old sinful self'
I will tell them, If we do not think or confess radically like you that we would live up to 120 years, we are not trying to dash your hope of living up to 120 years old. I don't think God will take away our life just because we do not think like you.
Just imagine what will happen if we can live up to 120 years old. If we can do it, why don't we stretch it to 300 years or 1,000 years ? If it is possible, there is no need to hope for the new earth and new heaven too; we can just ask Christ to tally for another hundred year or thousand year so that we can enjoy longer life, greater favour, more prosperity, grace, and blessings on earth. Of course, it is crazy to ask or even think of this. But yet this is what most prosperity or radical grace preachers preach when they ask their believers to believe, think, confess, and ask for longer life, greater prosperity, and effortless success. Very likely they have such hope because they have never thought of repentance as a total change (dying) from the 'old sinful self', but they would rather believe that it is only an 'effortless mind changing philosophy' which has no more law or no more requirement for them to do anything. Some of them have probably love themselves too much to 'die', physically or spiritually.

• Eph 4:20-25 KJV  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  (25)  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
• 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. (As Christ died, so do we. Unless we repent (or 'die' with Him totally), we can never bear fruit (or 'prosper') in the kingdom of God. Of course, we cannot pervert His words and tell the people that to bear fruit or prosper here means to become rich like the Pharisees or the false prophets.) 
• Rom 6:1-13 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?  (3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  (6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  (7)  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  (8)  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Paul told us that our hope is in the resurrection which is to come; not in the life that is now in our bodies or in the 'old sinful man'. Obviously some preachers who believe in prosperity, super abundant grace, or effortless favour would have problem understanding Paul's teaching above and would try to explain it differently according to their worldly desires. They would still desire to live long and to live prosperously with all kinds of men's ambitions, desires, and lusts for the things of this world. They would think that they are too blessed to be stressed, too blessed to leave this world, or too blessed to die too quickly. Who knows, they may still want to drive their luxurious sport cars and enjoy God's blessings up to 120 years or more ? I would think that this is just another type of religious or spiritual lust which is close to selfishness. Please think, Who would like to serve a '120-years-old' old man ? You may think that your great-great grandson would not mind doing it for you, but can you ensure that all the rest of the great-great grandsons will not mind doing it for their great-great grandparents too ?

• Php 1:21-23 KJV  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

I will tell them, You may agree with me now, but if you have the grace and blessing of God to live up to 80 years old or 100 years old, you will think like most of the grand fathers and agree that it is not how long you can live; but how quickly you can go. Even Paul, who had great faith to live long, would think that it is a better blessing for him to 'go home':

• Php 1:21-24 KJV  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  (24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

You may think that you have greater faith to believe in the health and wealth gospel but I would think that it requires much greater faith to believe in the gospel of repentance or the gospel which tells us to die to the 'old sinful self' and to wait upon the the Lord as His servants:

• Col 3:22-25 KJV  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  (23)  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  (24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  (25)  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Yes, we believe that there is no respect of persons with God. You may argue that God would only respect those who have faith to believe in His health and wealth gospel or your popular radical gospel; however, I would think that God would only respect the faithful servants who would just do His word and commandment without twisting it to please every man.


God would never give us the promise of living up to a certain age 
When I said all these, I am not trying to dash the hope of those who are positive enough to think that they can live up to 120 years old. Similarly I would not try to discourage those who are positive enough to think that they can walk on water like Peter too. But I will encourage them and tell them, By all means, please do it if you have the faith. However, please do not deceive the people and blame them for lack of faith or lack of favour when they could not do it or live up to 120 years old. Some believers (or victims) who have died might have thought that you could do it and help them to live up to 120 years too but they might never live long enough to know that you cannot live that long too. None of those who have died could live up to 120 years old even after they had thought, meditated, confessed, or prayed according to what you have taught them. I would tell the victims (if they were still alive), You do not need to look far if you want to live long. Just read Paul's letter or 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.

Although Paul did not say that you can live up to 120 years old, he told you that you could live long too if you will just obey His commandment. Therefore, God's grace for us to live long should be enough. We do not have to live up to 120 years old to do God's will. Please look at all the disciples of Jesus, including Paul. None of them could live up to 120 years old; yet they have finished the race and accomplished the will of God.
They will argue, "We are not deceiving the people. We can really live up to 120 years old like Moses. The Bible told us that Moses died at the age of 120 years old. It would just show that men could have the possibility to live up to 120 years old too. Even if I could not live up to 120 years old, it does not mean that I am lying. I am just confessing or preparing the human race to live long in the future. Who knows, One day we may really live up to 120 years old and longer with the advance of technology and medical science. Nothing is impossible to men or God, especially when we believe and have the dream to achieve the impossible .. " I will tell them,

1. Firstly, How can we determine how long we can live based on the age of Moses or anyone who died ? If Moses died at the age of 120 years old, it does not mean that we can live up to 120 years old too just because it was written in the Bible: Deu 34:7 KJV  And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
I can argue that Adam and many other Bible characters could live longer than Moses too as some of them could live up to 800 years old. Why didn't you tell us that we should live up to 800 years old ? If you insist that how long we can live is based on the age of Moses when he died because Moses was a friend of God or the most righteous one, I would suggest that it should be based on the age of Jesus Christ instead because He is our Lord and Saviour in the New Testament and He is more superior than Moses who was from the Old Testament. Of course, I am just showing to you how absurd it can be if we must determine how long we ought to live based on the age of Moses or Jesus Christ when they died.

2. Secondly, I do not rule out the possibility that men can live long with the advance of technology and medical science. I am not against men who can live long or want to live long too. However, I don't think we need the churches to preach this to help mankind or the believers to live long. If we try to make all the believers to think, meditate, confess, or pray that they can live long, it is like asking the bald headed believers to grow hair. Of course, we have enough faith to believe that one day mankind will find the recipe to grow more hair; however, it would be stupid for the preachers to ask the believers to think, meditate, confess, or pray that they will have more hair on their heads. If the preachers cannot grow hair themselves, don't believe them or believe whatever they said if they would tell you that you can grow hair if you have enough faith. Similarly, don't believe the promise of living up to 120 years old if they would tell you that you can do it if you have enough faith too. Jesus had said it very clearly, no one can give you the promise about your hair or your life. Only God knows how much hair you will have or how long you can live:

• Mat 10:29-31 KJV  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  (30)  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  (31)  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
• Luk 12:16-21 KJV  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Many of us think that the rich man above was a wicked man or a sinner who deserved God's judgement. But the Bible did not give us any clue on the character or identity of the rich man. He could be a Jew, a Gentile, a believer, a false prophet, or even a pastor. He could be just anybody. Or it means that no one, regardless of whether he is righteous or unrighteous, can determine EXACTLY how long he can live. The parable was not necessarily a judgement of sins or wickedness; it can happen to anyone who believe God too. God may decide to call anyone of us to 'go home' much earlier than what we have expected.   

Can law and grace mix ?
They will say, "If you accuse us of mixing 'religion and prosperity' or 'God and mammon', you are more guilty because you have mixed law and grace. Why do you still teach many laws, 'do good get good' principles, or 'the balancing' of sound doctrine ? What men call 'balance', God calls 'mixture'.."
I will tell them, Law and grace don't just mix. They collaborate ! You have quoted the Lord's words or the scripture out of its context again. Please let me know if Paul or any part of the Bible tells us that law and grace would become 'mixture', 'leaven', or corruption if they are taught under the New Covenant. However, on the contrary, I found many Bible verses in the New Testament which still teach us principles, doctrines, and instructions together with the grace of God that brings salvation. Can we say that they are 'mixture' too ? No.

• Pro 4:1-2 KJV  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.  (2)  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law ... (4) He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. .. (7) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  ..  (9) She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.  (10)  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. (The wisdom of God is to obey God's commandment and it would become your ornament of grace and of course, this is the result of law and grace - no mistake about it). 
• Tit 2:1-15 KJV  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:  (2)  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  (3)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ... (10) Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.  (11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
• Act 20:28-32 KJV  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.
• Col 3:5-25 KJV  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  (6)  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  (7)  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  (8)  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  (9)  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  (10)  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  (11)  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.  (12)  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  (13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  (14)  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  (15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  (16)  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.  (17)  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  (18)  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  (19)  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  (20)  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.  (21)  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.  (22)  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  (23)  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  (24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  (25)  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 

I have shown the full Bible context for Col 3:5-25 because I wanted to show the radical grace preachers that the Bible verses above are a long list of do's and don'ts, godly advice, 'do good get good' principles, God's laws, and commandments. Were they considered as mixture by the Apostles when they wrote them and taught them to the believers with the grace of God ? Absolutely not. In fact, the Bible verses above have more difficult moral laws or do's and don'ts than the ten commandments. Most of the Jews and Pharisees would in fact find it difficult to keep them. Hence, it was not unusual for them to twist and pervert all God's commandments and come up with many of their laws including their own 'corban' confession.

• Mar 7:10-13 KJV  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  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.

Similarly, many believers and preachers today will no longer like to obey simple command, regardless of whether it is from God's commandments or from the Bible. They will twist all the command in the Bible so much so that it is no longer God's command (but it may still look like God's words which tell them to do good). However, many people have already been confused by the radical grace preachers. They think that any God's command for them to repent or to live righteously is no longer God's command. They would now think that following the effortless thinking, confession, or mind changing philosophies of the radical grace preachers is 'keeping God's commandments' instead. However, The Lord knew that many preachers would not teach His commandments genuinely but they would only do it with the motives to start revolution, claim credit, promote themselves with radical teaching, and draw believers to themselves. The false preachers could be the 'tares' which may still teach similar things and commandments in the name of the Lord; however, after going through many 'rounds of twisting with their words', they would give people the impression that their teachings or 'lawless mysteries' are more effective and higher than God's commandments in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. The Lord had prophesied that the false prophets would come and pervert His words and commandment too.

• 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.)

After grace has been given, there is still God's law, requirement, expectation, and judgement  
They will argue, "We are not perverting God's laws and commandments; we are just telling the people not to put the new wine into the old wine skin. It would burst if we will still keep the law and grace like a mixture ..."
Please stop using that illustration and quoting it out of its context. Obviously Jesus was not talking about law and grace when He quoted about the old wine and new wine. He was referring to the two covenants - the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT. He reasoned that the New Testament cannot run with the Old Testament 'side by side'. We can only have one. It is true in real life too. You cannot start a new rental contract with your existing tenant unless you have terminated the old contract with him or when the old contract has expired. But in both the old and new contracts with your tenant, there are still the laws (eg. law of sale and purchase, law of the land, stamp duty, property tax, trespass law, etc), requirements, terms, and conditions for both parties. It is absurd to start any new contract without any law. Please think, Can you start a new contract without any law and still call it a contract ? No, without any law, any requirement, or any condition, there is no contract ! Both parties can do just anything they like. Of course, this is impossible. Similarly, there must be God's laws in the New Covenant too. Of course, there is still law and requirement even if grace has been given to all men and sinners. I believe that the Lord's parables below should be self-explanatory and simple enough for us to know that repentance, requirements, God's laws, God's expectation, judgement, and rewards are still applicable for all of us, regardless of whether we are sinners, believers, Apostles, or Saints:

• 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.
• Mat 18:32-34 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
• Mat 22:10-14 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.
• Rom 14:11-12 KJV  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  (12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
• 1Pe 4:2-7 KJV  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Law and grace has 'mixed'
There are radical grace preachers who insist that, since 'law demands and grace supplies', therefore we must preach grace without any of His laws. I will tell them, Yes, law demands and grace supplies. That's a 'great lawless' teaching but do you believe in the law of demand and supply too ? Do you know that the law of demand cannot work without the law of supply; and vice versa too ? If you think that law demands because God gave the law and grace supplies because Jesus died and gave grace, you are wrong. God gave both law and grace.

• God is the lawgiver -  Jas 4:12 KJV  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
• God is also the 'gracegiver' - Mat 18:32 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Hence, if God is the giver of both law and grace, how can we say that His law and grace cannot mix. I will tell them, Even if you were right to say that God gave the law which always demanded you to do many things (and persecuted you with His laws?) and that Jesus gave grace which will prosper you, can you conclude that they cannot mix ? I think your suggestion is just crazy - it will lead people erroneously to your hidden lawless and godless doctrine which suggests that God is the lawgiver (therefore shun Him ?); but Jesus is the gracegiver (therefore He is better than God ?).
I like it whenever a radical grace preacher quote from John chapter 1:

• Joh 1:14-17 KJV  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  (15)  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.  (16)  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
• Psa 119:142 KJV  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
• Mal 2:4-7 KJV  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.

It confirms that law and grace would mix and has mixed. It has now become one flesh in Jesus Christ. And now He does not just dwell among us; He dwells in us as God's laws in our hearts.

• Heb 10:15-16 KJV  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,  (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;

However, most radical grace preachers quoted John 1:17 to tell us that law and grace cannot mix. They would explain, "Law came from Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ ! So, Jesus came to give only grace with no more laws or commandments."
I will tell them, Please read your Bible and find out whether Jesus has given any laws or commandments. You may not see it: He has not only taught God's laws and commandments (Mat 4:4, Mat 5:19, Joh 14:21, 24); He is God's law and commandment - He is the Word (with God's laws and commandments, of course).
I will ask them, How can we use John 1:17 to segregate law and truth ? Have you read the Bible ? You may not see it: Truth can come from Jesus; Truth can also come from God and from His law through Moses too. You can't just argue that God's law was the truth when given by Moses; but now it is no longer the truth when grace is given. No, God's law is still the truth forever. It is now in us. We don't just preach it or think about it; we do it - this is the new covenant. 


What God has joined let no man put asunder
Hence, I find that your theory or your doctrine of 'law demands and grace supplies' is just 'crap'. If I am not polite, I would say that it is a highly cunning godless doctrine with the hidden tares of lawlessness. Imagine how will you feel if they would preach, "The gospel to the sinners should be the gospel of peace because God is not angry with us any more. (urr.. excuse me, correction !) God can still get angry ! That's because Law demands. That's because God can get angry and His laws will judge the wicked people or the false prophets, but Jesus can never get angry with us any more because Jesus is grace. That's why grace supplies" ? You may not feel anything; but I will feel horrible because they think that they can twist the words of God in any way they like and Jesus cannot get angry with them or judge them. I will tell them, I don't know how you can come to this conclusion that Jesus cannot get angry with anyone even if they sin or twist His words ? But please answer this question honestly, Is it possible for the Lord to say with a monotonous tone or with a 'gracious' feeling when He said the following words to the false prophets and the workers of lawlessness and iniquity ?

• 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. ...  (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.
• Mat 13:41-43 KJV  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  (42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  (43)  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
• Mat 18:32-34 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
• Mat 22:12-14 KJV  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.
• Mat 24:48-51 KJV  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;  (49)  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;  (50)  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,  (51)  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• Mat 25:29-31 KJV  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.  (31)  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
• Rev 6:15-17 KJV  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;  (16)  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  (17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

I will ask them, Did you see the anger of the Lord clearly in the Bible verses above ? Can you still conclude that Jesus Christ cannot be angry with anyone including the false prophets or those who twisted His words ? All the Bible verses above have shown us how angry Jesus was when He told them to depart from His presence. I just cannot imagine how God can smile and sent people to hell without feeling any anger or wrath ! It cannot be God. Only 'smiling tiger' or the serpent can do it !


God would want all of us to do His will
They will say, "You keep saying that we should do the will of God or the Father using Mat 7:21 KJV which says "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". Don't you think that we are doing the will of God when we preach His gospel or His Son to prosper everyone. If God loves us, He would want us to prosper and He would tell us to preach the prosperity gospel to everyone.."
I will tell them, I cannot convince you if you would still think that preaching the prosperity gospel is the will of God. However, I would ask you to sincerely answer this question, Are you a menpleaser or a Godpleaser ? If you are a menpleaser, you would preach what most men would love instead of knowing the will of God. What is the will of God ? The will of God is written in the Bible - be good children, good parents, good servants, and of course God's good preachers too:  

• Eph 6:1-8 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.  (4)  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  (5)  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  (6)  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  (7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  (8)  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

You may still ask, How will a good preacher do the will of God ? The clue is written in Eph 6:7-8 - Do not be menpleasers but know whatsoever good thing any man doeth, do it ! In another words, a good preachers will teach doing good, God's commandments, doctrine, and principles:

• Col 3:20-25 KJV  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.  (21)  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.  (22)  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  (23)  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  (24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  (25)  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Have you read the above? It seemed that Paul repeated what he had preached in Eph 6:1-8. Many people who are tired of hearing God's commandments, teaching of obedience, or doing good would think that the above teaching is another one of those law teaching or 'do good get good' principles. However, I would think that this is an important doctrine or something that Paul would always teach whenever he went around teaching or preaching to the disciples in the churches. However, do you notice one more thing he mentioned above (highlighted in red) - "in singleness of heart" or "FOCUS" ? This is not only a requirement for the servants; but also a requirement for all God's servants too. The servants are required to focus in their works and service to their master, so are God's servants. However, they are expected to do much more in their doctrine, sermon, or preaching of God's words as they are God's preachers to the people. If there is no focus, they cannot be good servants, and they cannot do the will of God. Hence, a God's servant must be focused in his thoughts, in his perspective of life, and in the preaching and teaching of God's words too:

• Mat 6:19-24 KJV Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
• Mat 6:31-34 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.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

They will argue, "Did Jesus say that we must be focused or precise in our doctrine or preaching of God's words ? Why can't we just preach anything that is popular to men ? I can't find any Bible verses which tell us to be focused in preaching dry and hard principles. Obviously it is just your own interpretation from your law teaching."
I will tell them, Yes, you will never find the word 'focus' in the Bible. Yes, 'focus' is just our word in today's language. Yes, I may not be very precise with the word in the Bible; but it is my understanding of what Jesus taught. Haven't you read His words which said, 'if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of ligh' in v23 above ? Please think, We have two eyes but why did Jesus say that 'our eye be single' ? Just ask yourselves again, How do you aim when you shoot with a riffle or a bow with arrows ? Can you focus with both eyes before you shoot ? Of course, this is just the Lord's figurative way of showing us how to be 'focused' ! Of course, it is the Lord's will for all His servants to be focused in the preaching of His words and commandments:

• Mat 6:19-24 KJV .. (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ..

 
It is God's will for men to teach His laws and commandments without any 'self' elements 
Radical grace preachers insisted that all the Lord's parables, commandments, and sermons have become obsolete. But I would think otherwise. I will tell them, Please do not just keep saying that the Lord's teaching has become obsolete just because you think that it cannot blend well with your prosperity teaching. Please read the whole chapter Matthew 6 above again. Do you find any form of prosperity or get rich principles from the Lord's teaching ? No, on the contrary, the Lord said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ..  But seek ye first the kingdom of God ..". I would think that the Lord has said it very clearly that you cannot focus on prosperity or anything which prospers in this world. In another words, He wants us to focus on God's words, God's doctrine, God's instructions, and God's commandments; not on men's words, men's arguments, or men's changing philosophies. The Lord said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". He wants us to have God's words and commandments in our hearts. In another words, He wants us to focus on God's words; not on the words of any anointed preachers or pastors who insists that they can prosper you because they preach Jesus too and that they have better mind changing philosophies, better interpretation of God's laws, better effortless teaching, or better lawless doctrine. 
They will still argue, "We must focus on 'grace-based' teaching, instead of 'law-based' teaching again. The teaching of the Lord's parables, commandments, and sermons have become obsolete because we do not believe in giving out any rules and regulations to the people; instead, we should just preach with positive persuasion. That's why we believe that teaching of the Ten commandments, moral laws, or any do's and don'ts are obsolete rules too which will not work for the people today."
I will tell them, Have you read Ephesian 6 and Col 3:5-25 ? Don't you agree that there are more do's and don'ts rules and commandments in these Bible verses and they are more demanding and tedious than the ten commandments ? I know that you can preach more eloquently with these rules, persuade the husbands more convincingly, and tell them to love their wives with more reasoning. However, 

1. it doesn't mean that you can deny the fact that you are still preaching from God's commandments to love and do based on Ephesian 6 and Col 3:5-25. Even Paul would still preach based on God's Commandments to love and do good to others too: 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.
   
2. it doesn't mean that you can therefore preach like the snake and deceive men that your teaching and interpretation of God's command is better than God's laws and commandments. 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. ... 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.
3. it doesn't mean that you can claim credit by preaching evasive lawless doctrines and giving false impression that God's commandments are boring and obsolete while teaching some commandments only to show people that you are still a 'doer' of God's words. No, as a preacher, you ought to behave like men of integrity and speak with simplicity and conviction to do and teach God's commandments without twisting of words.
4. it doesn't mean that you can therefore despise those who cannot preach as eloquently or smoothly as you.           
5. it doesn't mean that, if you don't like your mother-in-law, you can just call her 'mother-in-grace'. Similarly, if you don't like the laws of God, you can't just call all the instructions or laws of God (in Ephesian 6 and Col 3:5-25) as your 'radical grace' teaching. Hence, changing the 'label' of what you teach may give people the false impression that you can teach better without any law; however, I don't think it will  give due credit to God's laws and commandments. Your 'radical grace' revolution with no more law is just your conspiracy to accuse all God's churches for teaching God's laws and commandments. That's not a very good practice.

It is still God's will for us to confess sins and admit that we are sinners  
They will argue, "What makes you think that we must still be 'Godpleasers' (in Col 3:22) ? Are you sure that God would still want us to do His will, focus on Him, love Him, and please Him ? All these pleasing, doing, and loving were under the law. But under the New Covenant or the gospel of grace, it is not so much about how much we love Him and doing many things to please Him; but it is about how much He loves us and please us. The ten commandments to love your God with all your strength..  is the law of doing which has become obsolete. Under the New covenant, it is 'for God so loved the world that whosoever believe in Him will have eternal life'. Hence, no more law to love God but only God's love for us, Amen. I don't believe God will still behave like a dictator and demand for our love. But He is now a great servant who will do many things for us and serve us like the great Shepherd or the great Servant-King. We should preach this instead of the old doctrine in Col 3:5-25, Eph 6:1-8, and Tit 2:1-15 which has many rules, commandments, principles, or do's and don'ts for us to follow." 
I will tell them, Before you conclude that repentance, doctrine, obedience, God's commandments, and doing God's will are all under the law and self-effort, would you still worship God ? Can you say that worshipping God is under the law because the Jews had been practising it when they were under the law too ? Of course no. Please think, If God would still want us to worship Him, can we say that God's demand is unreasonable ? Can we say that God is a dictator because of His demand for love and worship from men ? No. I will tell them, If you think that you have become too precious, too righteous, or too grace-conscious to worship God or to love God, you have become a 'God' yourself. You can no longer be a Godpleaser; you can only become a self-lover.
A lawless man who thinks that he is too righteous to repent or confess his sin before God will never want to be a Godpleaser. He would just reason within himself and convince everyone that the Lord's prayer, teaching, and commandments have become redundant and obsolete for him. But it is just his excuse to reject all the teaching of the Lord. Worst, it could be his 'cover up' when he could not humble himself to repent and confess His sin before the Almighty God and before other men. He may argue vehemently that he had confessed his sin only 'once' when he first accepted Christ many years ago. However, who knows ? (We may be shocked to find out that he had left his former church because of his lawless teaching or radical definition of repentance without confession of sins.)

• 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.
• Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
• 1Jn 1:6-10 KJV  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (8)  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.

How do we know that a perversive preacher or a believer is still under the darkness of sins ? We know it - when he become very evasive, smooth and slimy, confused, defensive, or reluctant to confess any sins or repent as a sinner. He may pray the sinner's prayer loudly but he would twist the Bible and the meaning of repentance and sins just to find himself any way of escape to propagate his oxymoron doctrines or arguments more evasively. However, he would always find himself in the unending loops of arguments between law and grace; repentance and effortless philosophies; or condemnation and salvation, thinking that all the churches were wrong about him and that they have conspired together as 'the Incredible Ten' to persecute him with the overload of laws and doctrines. He may think that he is the 'victim' of God's laws; however, he has forgotten that he becomes the 'champion' of lawlessness too.


When somebody became a king, a millionaire, or a somebody, it does not mean that everyone must prosper like him
The final reason why I tell people that the prosperity gospel is not the gospel of Jesus Christ is because we don't find Jesus going around preaching the gospel for people to prosper. No, He preached the gospel for people to repent and keep His commandments instead !
Just think about this too: Do you find it strange for King David to go around preaching to his people that it was God's will for everyone to be destined to reign or to prosper like him ? Could he argue, "I am the best proof because God could turn a poor little shepherd boy like me to be king" ? You may think that this is ridiculous; but, this is exactly what most prosperity preachers do - convincing the sinners that everyone can prosper like them and preying on the greed of the innocent to give donations for their books, CDs, and false gospel !

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