Monday 20 January 2014

Is it wrong to preach do's and don'ts ?

Radical grace preachers will be quick to respond and say, "Of course, we don't preach do's and don'ts any more. It's because we don't have any more do's and don't, especially the Ten Commandments, under the New Testament. We may obey the commandment of Jesus Christ, but it is not the commandments of many do's and don'ts like "Thou shalt do this" or "Thou shalt not do that". Under grace, everything has changed - no more laws. We are now living in the grace period where the Ten Commandments are no longer applicable. They have become totally obsolete and irrelevant for our teaching. They have become a curse. It kills, because Law demands but grace supplies. Hence, whoever still teach the do's and don't or the laws do not know the gospel of grace or 'pure grace'. But, please do not falsely accuse us. We are not against God's commandments. Of course, we still teach and obey the commandment of Jesus Christ, but it is not the do's and don'ts like the Ten Commandments which warn us about God's judgement and condemnation. We still believe in repentance but it is not the repentance to change our lives like the repentance preached by John the Baptist or Jesus Christ, which requires us to go through much beating of our hearts, agonizing over our sins, and confessing of it before God with water baptism and much effort. Repentance or baptism of repentance in the Lord is just changing our mind and we should not preach further than that; otherwise we are preaching self-effort and bondages. Hence, we preach better commandment and better repentance, and it has become a better gospel and grace for the people of the world today. It is really the goodnews which is too good to be true .. "

We don't just TEACH; we DO !
I will tell them, firstly you are partly right to say that we do not preach do's and don'ts ! Yes, of course, we do not just teach do's and don'ts of God's commandments; we do and teach them ! We don't just teach like the Pharisees or hypocrites; we must do also. That's why Jesus said that we ourselves must do first, then we can teach also. This must be fulfilled and established in the hearts of all His believers who hear Him and who shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven, and this can never become obsolete. However, many preachers today would find that this is still a hard saying for them. Why? It's because if they find it hard to do and teach the words of Jesus themselves, they can just twist and turn the words of the Lord and lie that His sayings and commandments have all become obsolete so that they can continue to live with hidden sins and deceive others that they are still very godly preachers with no more need to do and teach the principles and doctrine of Christ.
  • Mat 5:18-19 KJV  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.
  • Joh 6:60-70 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.  (69)  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.  (70)  Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
  • 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.)
Hence, I don't think Jesus would tell us to do and teach doing nothing if none of the believers can do His words or commandments. I don't think Jesus would say, "If you can't stop lusting or covetousness in your mind, you can't keep any laws, and, therefore, you do not have to keep any law. That's why Jesus told us not to preach the do's and don'ts like they are the Ten Commandments or amputation theatre. And heaven would be full of the blind, the lame, and many without tongues or limbs.."
I will tell them, Of course, It is not the intention of Jesus for the church to become an amputation theatre. It is a strong metaphor to show us clearly why He would rather want us to be amputated than to be lawless. However, you have deliberately twisted and reversed the words of the Lord by saying that Jesus would rather want us to keep no more laws and commandments:: 
  • Mat 5:27-29 KJV  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  (28)  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  (29)  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
No, Jesus did not say this to make us think that we can never keep God's commandments and therefore we don't have to keep any. But He said it to make us know that we are all sinners who can never be righteous before the holy God and, therefore, ALL (including the Pharisees who thought that they were more righteous than others) must repent, do, and teach (keep) ALL God's commandments (including the least commandments), at great costs. Otherwise, Jesus would not have said so much about the importance of God's laws and commandments before He proceeded to give the metaphor of how and to what extent we should keep God's commandments at all costs (of course, the metaphor does not mean that we must do it literally; but the point He had made is strong enough to make us ponder about the importance of God's laws and commandments. This interpretation flows seamlessly to support and explain all that He had said earlier at the beginning of His sermon and later in his call for sinners to repentance: 
  • Mat 5:18-28 KJV  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: ...
    (28) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 
They may still argue, "But this is still not clear to us that Jesus would make us ponder about the importance of God's laws and commandments. Why? The keeping of God's commandments can swing in both directions. If we can read His words and still interpret that His laws and commandments are no more applicable to us, it would not be clear to the people that they must keep God's commandments too. Hence, what makes you think that God's commandments or the do's and don'ts of the Ten Commandments are still important to us?"
  • Rev 3:18 KJV  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.
I will tell them, Please apply ointment to your eyes lest you read the words of the Lord with a lawless mind. Don't you think that it is clear enough when Jesus told Satan that:  Mat 4:4 KJV ..It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Please think, What is the most important part of God's words? Of course, All the written words are important, including God's laws and commandments. But unlike other words in the scripture which described a person or an event, God's commandments to men are always given in a clear, specific, and unambiguous way with serious warnings. But, if it is serious enough for men not to ignore God's words and commandments (for men not to live by bread alone), do you know how important are God's commandments now? That's why Jesus would rebuke Satan and show him how important God's commandments were ! This should also show the radical grace people today that God's commandments can never be ignored totally.
They may still argue and say, "But the teaching and the commandments of Jesus are no longer applicable to us after the resurrection of Jesus. We should now believe in the gospel that Paul preached or the gospel of grace which has no more laws, God's commandments, or do's and don'ts (especially the Ten Commandments)" I will tell them, No, the gospel that Paul preached is still based on gospel that Jesus preached; otherwise, Paul would be guilty of preaching another gospel
  • 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.
They will argue again, "But, Jesus did not preach the gospel of grace. He chose Paul instead to preach the gospel of grace. Hence, we would know only the gospel that Paul preached; not the gospel that Jesus preached." I will tell them, This is double blindness now ! You will surely need to apply the ointment again. Do you know that Jesus have been preaching the gospel under the New Testament since He first started to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"? Mat 4:17 KJV  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Otherwise, why would all the Bible scholars record it as the gospel of Matthew, the gospel of Mark, the gospel of Luke, or the gospel of John? I know that some radical grace preachers think that the Bible scholars are redundant and, hence, they would never believe whatever the Bible scholars would say. I will tell them, Ok, if you do not think that the Bible scholars were right to say that the gospel of Matthew or the gospel of Mark is the gospel of Jesus Christ, do you believe what the gospel or the Bible itself says? Let's look at what the gospel of Mark said:
  • Mar 1:1-2 KJV  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;  (2)  As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
So, the gospel of Jesus Christ started from the time when John the Baptist began to preach repentance, not when Paul began to preach the gospel of grace. Now, let's look at what the gospel of Jesus Christ in the book of Luke said:
  • Luk 4:17-21 KJV  And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,  (18)  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  (19)  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  (20)  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.  (21)  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
It tells us that Jesus had been preaching the gospel of grace before he chose Paul to preach His gospel. Hence, how can we tell people that the words of the Lord have become obsolete because of the gospel that Paul preached? No way !
Please think again, If the gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of prosperity to the poor according to the gospel of Luke above, why didn't every follower or disciple of Jesus Christ became rich and wealthy like our prosperity preachers today? Do you think that Jesus need the prosperity preachers today to preach His gospel more effectively to the poor and prosper them? No. If Jesus preached the gospel to the poor and not everyone who followed would become rich and wealthy, Jesus did not preach the gospel of prosperity; Jesus preached the gospel of salvation ! Ultimately the poor would all be blessed in the kingdom of God, whether they will prosper or not:
Mat 5:1-10 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.
(10)  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus has made it clear in His gospel that all His disciples must keep God's commandments
Of course, if we still think like the sinners, we won't keep God's commandments and we would think of all kinds of excuses to rebel against His words. But Jesus would surely want all His disciples to do and teach His words and commandments faithfully, especially God's commandments. In fact, his sermon was directed mainly at His disciples and followers (Mat 5:1); not the Pharisees, when He preached that they should do more than what were required in the Ten Commandments as His believers: He told us that His believers do not just stop killing and stealing, they do more than what were required of them, to love thy neighbour as thyself, to walk the extra miles for others, and to be dead to the lusts and desires of the flesh. Hence, if we think that the law demands, Jesus demands even more. If this is the case, is there another Jesus who would just promise better things with no more demand or do's and don't for His disciples ? Yes, there are already too many 'Christs' or 'anointed ones' who come in His name and have no more do's and don'ts. They will give all kinds of promise with 'grace' that can supplies. Would you follow and believe them? You decide.
  • 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.
  • Mat 24:4-26 KJV  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many ...   (23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Of course, false christs and false prophets would never tell you that they are false christs. In fact, they can preach more convincingly that they are not the false prophets. However, one of the clear signs about the false prophets is their ability or craftiness in switching between doctrines. For example, after realising that their interpretation of Mat 5:18-28 could not convince us to depart from God's laws and commandments, they may come out with another explanation to tell us that all the sermons, parables, and teachings of Jesus before His resurrection have become irrelevant because of his radical grace teaching. I don't have to explain how convincing and deceiving they can be; but I can say that believing them will not only show that we are lawless; but also brainless too. Please think (if we can still do it), How can someone, who had preached a long sermon on the teaching of Jesus in Mat 5:18-28 to tell the people that the Lord wanted them to depart from God's commandments, now tell us that all the teachings of Jesus have become obsolete? I will tell them, If you think that the teaching of the Lord has become obsolete, why would you still preach from His words in Mat 5:18-28 to tell people to keep no more laws? Why do you still preach from Mat 6 to tell people to prosper more too?
  • 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.

The commandments of Jesus are the commandments of God
The commandments of Jesus Christ are still the commandments of God and they are still the Ten Commandments. I will tell them, If Jesus would still obey the commandments of God, what makes you think that He would teach His own commandments? Do you know that the commandment to love is still based on the Ten Commandments from God?
  • Joh 15:10-12 KJV  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  (12)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
We know that Jesus wants all of us to do the will of the Father. But do we know, What is the will of the Father? It is doing the words and the commandments of God:
  • Mat 7:15-24 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.  (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.)
The warning of Jesus is very clear: False prophets will come in the name of the Lord to preach and do many things, but they will never do and teach the will of the Father or God's commandments. We must be beware of them. Jesus would never acknowledge them because they preach and create lawlessness:
  • Mat 7:22-23 LITV  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"

The will of the Father is to do and teach His words
For many years, I had thought that Jesus was too ungracious to reject the people (in Mat 7 above) who did many wonderful works in His name. I thought that they were just ignorant believers or sinners who might have done many good things 'ignorantly' in the name of God or in the name of the Lord. But I was wrong. I realise that Jesus did not reject them because they were ignorant sinners who did good things out of ignorance. They were actually His believers, who became false prophets and who still preached in His name and confessed His name. Hence, there was NO WAY for us to know whether they were false preachers, had not Jesus told us the way to identify them. Jesus knew and prophesied that they will come, in the last days, in great deception like the ravening wolves, but He gave us the prophetic sign to know if they are His disciples, even if they insist that they have kept preaching His name. The Lord told us that we shall know them by their fruits. But, by what fruits? Of course, it is not by their miracles, by their preaching or prophecies, by their power to cast out devils, or by good works or many wonderful works they have done in His name. Instead, it is judged by the fruits based on whether they do the will of the Father, and the will of the Father is to do and teach His laws and commandments faithfully without confusion. If they don't do and teach His words clearly, but twist and create lawlessness or oxymoron teaching to do nothing instead, to make God's commandments of none effect, or to lie that there is no more do's and don't in God's commandments, they are the false prophets. They are lawless preachers who preach and create lawlessness. They will lead the people to lawlessness with them. They may guarantee and say that none of their believers would become lawless without God's laws and commandments, but who can guarantee ten years later, or many years later, after our older generation have all passed away. Without God's laws and commandments, it is hard to think of our next generation as a great generation with the laws of God in their hearts. Yes, I agree that they may confess and sing the name of Jesus beautifully with the right tone, rhythm, and crescendo, but what's the use if they can only say all these without the law, doctrine, or commandment of God in their hearts:
  • 2Ti 3:1-10 KJV  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.  (10)  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
  • 1Ti 6:3-14 KJV  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, .. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  (13)  I give thee charge in the sight of God, .. (14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
  •  1Th 4:4-5 KJV  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: (I will tell the radical grace preachers, Paul commanded that everyone must know this. Hence, how can this become self-effort when we teach more on living right, holiness, or godly living with sanctification?) 
  • 1Co 10:6-15 KJV  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  (7)  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  (8)  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  (9)  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  (10)  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  (11)  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  (12)  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (14)  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.  (15)  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (These teachings are certainly for us because it is said clearly that these are the examples, warnings, or admonition for us)

We don't just HEAR; we DO and TEACH 
Many of them will argue, "But what's so great about the do's and don'ts of the laws or commandments of God? We believe in the commandments of God, which have no more do's and don'ts because Jesus has done everything for us so that we have no more do's and don'ts to fulfil, and it is called the finished work of Jesus. We believe in the finished work of Jesus in the gospel, not many works in the gospel. Hence, the only commandment that Jesus has for us is to HEAR Him only and BELIEVE in Him that we have no more do's and don'ts because of grace.."
I will tell them, I don't think you are hearing even though you may keep telling people to hear. If you have really heard what He said, you would not tell people to just HEAR Him, HEAR His words, or HEAR only, when He had emphasized that we should not just HEAR only; we must DO and TEACH ! Yes, Jesus has fulfilled all the works of the law or the do's and don'ts of the law so that we do not need to do any of the works of the law for the sacrifice and justification of our sins any more. But it does not mean that you have no more things to do. On the contrary, you have more things to do as a believer now than when you could do nothing as the sinner of the world formerly. True repentance will change your hearts. Before repentance, you may always say to yourselves that you cannot; but now, you can. That's the spirit of true repentance; otherwise you have to go back to the fundamental of repentance and study the principles of the doctrine of Christ again:
  • Heb 5:11-14 KJV  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (12)  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 6:1-3 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.     
Yes, Jesus has fulfilled all the parts that He needed to fulfil so that we are under grace not to do them any more. But He did not fulfil the part on repentance so that we can ignore repentance and still live in sins. He did not fulfil the part on keeping God's commandments so that we can ignore it too. Keeping God's commandments is not an automatic impulsive action by default once we have become a believer. It requires our will and our understanding to know God's words and God's will, to do it, and to teaching it. Similarly, we won't preach the gospel radically and tell people, that because of the radical grace of God, Jesus has fulfilled all the works so that He can do the eating for us, sleeping for us, and resting for us too.. This is absurd !

No more do's and don'ts in God's commandments? This is absurd !
I will tell them, You said that you believe in doing God's commandments; but you also insisted there is no more do's and don't to do anything (or commandment to do anything). If this is the case, the commandments that you believe in are not God's commandments; they are perversion of God's commandments or lawlessness in disguise. Why? If you define God's commandments as commandments which have no more do's and don'ts, you deceive the people to think that they are still 'keeping God's commandments'when they have none. You have made God's commandments of none effect. It is like telling the people to repent, but you would also tell them that repentance is just to change their mind only and that it does not matter if they will not change their lives too. You have in effect made the repentance message of John the Baptist and the Lord of none effect.
Have you preach or teach, "Husband, love your wives" ? Is this a commandment ?  
  • Eph 5:25 KJV  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
I don't care how you preach it.
  1. Whether you shout and scream, "HUSBAND, LOVE YOUR WIVES", or 
  2. whisper like the Romeos and say, "hsss, husband, love your wives, buy flowers for them, make them happy, make .." or whatever, isn't this still a do's and don'ts too ?
You may brag about how well you could buy the hearts of your wives with flowers and many things, but you cannot deny that it is still a God's commandment for us to love and do good things to others instead of harms! Does it mean that those who preach it with shouts and screams are more legalistic and under the law, whist those who whisper like the Romeos are under grace and they can preach better than those who preach it loudly? No, you can't hide it by preaching different styles. It is still God's commandment, whether you preach it in the commandment style or demanding style by saying "Husband, THOU SHALT love your wives" or by preaching it like the pleading for a donation. Hence, if you think that you have remove the do's and don'ts from God's commandments by changing your style of preaching and that, therefore, you have no more need to keep the do's and don'ts of the Ten Commandments, you are deceiving not only yourselves; but also all your believers. If you are not convinced, just flip to the next chapter after Paul said, "Husbands, love your wives" in Heb 5. He said, "Children, Obey your parents" in Heb 6, isn't this another God's commandment and it is from the Ten Commandment:
  • 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.
I know there were many radical grace preachers who shouted, "Children, obey your parents" but they deliberately hide the words in bracket - (which is the first commandment with promise;). And they preached beautifully with all their advice, suggestions, tips, guidelines, and promises, that they would be blessed if they obeyed and followed their grace teaching or grace revolution with no mentioning that they are quoting from God's commandment or from the Ten Commandment. At the end of their sermons, they would conclude that the Ten Commandments are no more applicable and effective for them. I think this is great hypocrisy and abomination in the eyes of God. How can you borrow 'something' from God's commandments and claim that it is yours? and after that turn back and falsely accuse that God's commandments, God's laws, or God's do's and don'ts are all obsolete and useless compared with your own beautiful lawless preaching in the name of Jesus?

Stealing of God's words is not only a sin; it is an unpardonable sin
The Lord has prophesied in all the gospels that the devil will come to steal the words again. He will send the 'birds' to snatch it away so that the people will not have the words in their hearts. Hence, stealing the words is not only a sin; it is an unpardonable sin or act which could lead others to destruction:
  • Mar 4:3-19 KJV  Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:  (4)  And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up... (14) The sower soweth the word.  (15)  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.  (16)  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;  (17)  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.  (18)  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,  (19)  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 
Hence, I don't think Jesus was ungracious to say, "Depart from me.." to the preachers of heresies or workers of iniquities. If He was gracious to them, He would be ungracious to all those who were devoured by 'birds' or the 'ravening wolves':
  • Mat 7:12-23 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  (13)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  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?.. (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.)
Can all of us commit the unpardonable sin? The goodnews is not all of us are capable of committing it because not all of us can preach lawlessness as well as the false preachers. Even if we have committed the sins of promoting lawlessness or preaching heresies, there is still grace for us to repent. The sins would become unpardonable only if we have come to a point of no return where we find that it is impossible for us to repent now or in the future. I don't know about others, but as far as I am concerned, I would think that the ability to repent is still a goodnews to us even though we may have to renounce all our wrong doing, wrong thinking, wrong beliefs, wrong doctrines, or wrong preaching with shame. Hence, I can say that the grace of God is still powerful enough to save all of us (including the beast), but only if we will repent.  


If the prophecy of the beast could not come true because the beast with the number of '666' has repented, does it mean that the prophecy of the Bible is not true any more? 
If you ask me, Has the 'beast' come? Can anyone of us be the 'beast' ? I will say, Of course, history has shown us that the 'beast' has always wanted to come. He could be a false prophet, a dictator, or a king. Hence, the Bible shows us that it is not easy to be the 'beast' unless we fulfil all the 'requirements' of the beast in Revelation 13. It could be in the probability of 1 to a million (or billions) if a man will become the beast in Revelation 13. However, if lawlessness has come into the heart of a man who wants to challenge God and become the lawless one, no one can 'stop the hell out of him'. Anything or whatever, that can happen, will happen, instantly, spiritually, physically, or metaphorically, even though it may seem impossible for the prophecy of Rev 13 to happen in our age where the research on microchips or mind control science is still at its very primitive stage:
  • Firstly, the prophecy of the beast is not about a super beastman or hairy man; but just an ordinary man who has the number of 6-6-6 in his name. It is not the number of a company, an organisation, a country, a club, or a spiritual force; but simply the name of a man (and of course, with his title). Of course, if you happen to have a car with the number plate '666' or your company is named as '6-6-6', it does not mean that you are the beast. You must fulfil all the rest of the 'requirements' in Revelation 13. There is no special power or wickedness in the number '666'. It is definitely meaningless if it is not associated with any lawlessness in the character of the 'beast' in Revelation 13.
  • Secondly, the beast may not have super power to do miracles like God's miracles. The beast could only lie and do many mini or lying wonders, with mind control deception, occult brainwashing techniques, linguistics exaggeration, human psychology, dreams, visions, false testimonies, online writeups, or high-tech delusion. 2Th 2:8-9 LITV  And then "the Lawless One" will be revealed, "whom" "the Lord" "will consume" "by the spirit of His mouth," and will bring to nought by the brightness of His presence. Isa. 11:4  (9)  His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders, 
  • He would deliberately or unknowingly change his name into another name with the number of 6-6-6 format (as seen by John who could not understand the English letters other than Hebrew or Latin; however, he could count the letters). The beast may argue with many reasons why he 'loves' his 'name'. However, one of the most probable reasons which he won't tell us is that he wanted to mock against all God's prophecy against him or the lawless one, and hence, he would use his 'name' to prove that God's prophecies against him or the lawless in the last days are obsolete and no longer true. His name could have become so popular that whenever anyone mentions his name, people will know that it's synonymous with radical revolution, lawless doctrine, or strong charisma which confronts against all churches who still do and teach repentance, God's laws, and commandments.  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.
  • He would not just come quietly and humbly like the Lord (like the Lamb of God); instead he would come like a big 'bang', like the 'beast' (or the lion), like a 'star', or like the most favoured prophet of the decades or century, and he could preach his lawless doctrine, lawlessness, or departure from God's laws 'gloriously' with such an impact that it could roar (out from his 'mouth') like a tsunami or flood water over the whole earth before the churches could even react or prepare for it. His 'stunt', which might seem impossible or supernatural many years, decades, or centuries ago, has now become completely possible, with living images, videos, computers, and internet. However, he would feel exceedingly angry or 'persecuted' because he realised that a small group of people, namely 'the remnant' who keep the commandments of God, could still respond, expose, stop, and destroy all the 'tsunami' effect of his lies and deception:  Rev 12:15-17 KJV  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  (16)  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  (17)  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.
  • He would argue that he can never fall because he doesn't believe in unpardonable sin; but only in radical grace for everyone who still love lawlessness. I will tell him, Yes, as long as you repent and depart from lawlessness, you could still receive grace and Satan would have to find another one to be the 'beast' in the last days. However, if you argue and challenge God words and commandments, you could have worked out your own destruction through rebellion. He may argue, "What? If Satan has to find another one to be the beast, I can never be one in the first place, even if I have the number 666 in my name ! If I can still repent and become accepted by God, then you have falsely accused me as the beast. How could you say that I was the beast and another moment I am not the beast? just because I have repented? This is absurd. It proves that your accusation of me as the beast or any prophecy against the lawless one is false and unreliable.. If I were the beast and I could still repent, I prove that radical grace is available to everyone, including the beast or 666. Hence, we don't have to worry if the beast has come or not. And we don't need to worry if we are the beast if we preach lawlessness. It's because God's radical grace will forgive us all our sins, and all our lawlessness, He remembers no more .. " I will tell him, Why not? If God had anointed Saul and later selected David to be the king of Israel, Satan could select his candidates too ! Of course, you could be the best candidate for his lawlessness if you argue like him, twist, and turn the words and commandments of God. If you repent, Satan has no choice but to choose another one as the beast. But that does not mean that the prophecy of God against the beast has become false or that God's warning against anyone who preaches lawlessness and uses the number of 6-6-6 to challenge Him is false accusation. 

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To judge or not to judge?

Most radical grace preachers would condemn judging. They said, Judging is condemning and condemning is judging. I will tell them, Please study more on the judgement of God or the principles of the doctrine of Christ in Heb 6 before you think that you can ignore and leave all the doctrine of Christ on judgement and repentance:
  • Heb 5:12-14 KJV  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Heb 6:1-3 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands (of the ministries of healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit), and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.
Of course, there is a difference when you judge to condemn or judge to correct. Of course, we don't condemn anyone who judge, but we can surely judge anyone who just want to condemn. For example,
we don't condemn the judge who judge or the school principal who discipline and judge the students, but we can surely judge those who condemn everyone including the government, the teachers, the lawyers, the parents, the educationalists, the bible scholars, and all God's elect. Of course, we can judge and discern the false preachers who condemn everyone with their perverted law or grace teaching:
  • Mat 7:15-21 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.
If this is still not clear to you, please answer this question: Which one is more condemning?
  • To tell the people to die and go to hell (speak evil of your brothers)?  or
  • To tell the people to repent, turn from their sins, and live?
Of course, both of the above may seem to be judgemental to the sinners; however, one is judgement with condemnation, but the other is judgement with correction and life. Hence, I don't see any wrong for Jesus and God's preachers to preach about sins, knowledge of sins, conscience of sins, condemnation of sins, or judgement of sins so that the people will repent, turn from their sins, and live. I don't think it is fair to boast about grace; but put down others by falsely accusing (speaking evil) of other brothers who preach about sins and the need to turn from sins as judgement with condemnation. I will tell those who give the false impression about repentance to find out the real definition of judgement first, before they condemn everyone who judge as the devils or condemning preachers. I will tell them, Before you tell your brothers, "DON'T JUDGE, or you will be judge" and threaten them with all your curses or double curse of the laws, please use your anointed brain to think. If you condemn all judgement of God in the Bible or God's laws, you are not condemning the devils or the lawless ones, you are condemning God who is the judge and the lawgiver. You are speaking evil of your brothers who receive God's laws in their hearts too. You are speaking evil of the law. You are not a doer of the law. You want to be a judge. You want to be God !
  • Jas 4:10-12 KJV  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  (11)  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.  (12)  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
If you judge the law of God, you are condemning God who gives the laws to us in our hearts. You are condemning discernment of false doctrines and making your followers to become more blinded too.

Some radical grace preachers will argue, "Please don't falsely accuse us. When did you hear us saying that God cannot judge or no one can judge? No, we still judge with good judgement. We still tell our believers to discern and judge.. They are not stupid !"
I will tell them, If you start preaching and telling your believers to judge and discern, good ! But do you know what it means. It means that you have finally agreed that you need the law of God. Please think again, How can you judge if you have no more law? How can you discern if you have no more God's doctrine which is based on God's laws and commandments too? It's time for you to wake up and revamp your lawless doctrine.. (oops), no, to repent and discard all your lawless doctrine and live ! Of course, I don't think I am condemning anyone by saying all these, although I may agree that I could be judging.

    
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Friday 17 January 2014

Can radical grace become a mind control deception for the lawless or the unrepentant?

Can grace be abused and preached as radical grace for the lawless and the unrepentant? You bet. Of course, it is possible. However, those who preached radical grace will keep reminding themselves or one another that there is no more warning for the believers about the abuse of grace or the radical grace deception. It is absurd to preach it as the great revolution. It is like arguing that the believers can never sin (1 John 1:9) or can never sin wilfully (Heb 10:26) when God's words have already been written so clearly about it. I will talk about these Bible verses later:
  • 1Jn 1:9-10 KJV  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. Jas 5:14-15 KJV  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  (15)  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
  • Heb 10:26 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,.. Jud 1:3-4 KJV  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  (4)  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  
  • 1Jn 5:16-18 KJV  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  (17)  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.  (18)  We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (Hence, how can we say that a believer or a brother can never sin and that he can never perish no matter how he sins? And if he still sins, how can he not confess his sins? And how can 1 John 1:9 be preached as a Bible verse for the non-believers?)

How will radical grace become a mind control deception?
Radical grace is no longer preached as the grace of Jesus Christ for sinners to repent and to come to God; it is now preached as a kind of mind control comfort or deception:
  1. To have good opinion of 'God' (as someone who can never judge sinners)
  2. To have good opinion of the 'blood' (as some kind of multi-purpose cleansing agent)  
  3. To have good opinion of ourselves (as someone who will sin with no more sin conscience to repent)
  4. To have good opinion of all our mistakes, sins, and boastings
  5. To have good opinion of all false ministers who preach against God's laws, and commandments
  6. To have good opinion of God's favour on us to the extent of thinking that our presence alone can draw people to any boutique shop we are in ??? This is crazy. Please think (if your mind can still think now), If this is true, you don't have to walk into other boutique shops to draw people to others. Why don't you just open your own boutique shops and draw people to yourselves? Probably all of us don't need to work; we will just open boutique shops and become millionaires? How about those who are too poor to open boutique shops? They can open coffee shops and make money too?
If radical grace is preached as the above to the sinners, do you think that the sinners will still believe in the true grace of God and the repentance message of the Lord to turn from their sins? No, they will flock to the radical grace or hyper grace preachers who can give them the power or 'favour' to create wealth. They will also find no more condemnation or conviction of sins even if they sin. That's why the radical grace preachers are so popular nowadays. 


Jesus would never tell the sinners to just have good opinion of themselves; he told them to repent !
Many radical grace sinners or believers will question us, "Why don't you preach radical grace as a good mind changing philosophies for us? If we feel less condemned, we will sin no more. And we obey God better. Hence, you should never condemn radical grace as a form of negative thinking or mind control deception against repentance or the law of God .." I will ask them, If you were a pastor, and a thief came to you and confessed that he had difficulty to stop stealing or robbing others, what will you tell him? Will you tell him to just believe in Jesus and ignore his stealing habits without thinking about it? Or will you tell him that believing in Jesus is all he needs to do? No, of course, if a sinner, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer, a liar, a Pharisee, or a false prohet came to you, the first thing you should tell him is: "Do you still steal, lie, or cheat ? Yes? Stop sinning, repent, and turn to God in the name of Jesus". However, I just don't understand why most radical grace preachers are so afraid of offending the sinners that they must resort to telling the sinners to only have good opinion of themselves and preaching mind changing philosophies to please them ? I will ask them, What's so difficult telling the sinners to repent or to sin no more if you are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ?
  • Joh 5:14 KJV  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
  • Joh 8:10-13 KJV  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  (11)  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.  (12)  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  (13)  The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
  • Luk 19:8-10 KJV  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.


Grace is something given for us to do something; not to do nothing about our sins
The true grace of God is given for sinners to repent, to turn from their lawlessness (sin), and to bear fruit.
  • 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.
But grace has been perverted as a kind of radical grace for sinners:
  1. To feel no more condemnation of sins
  2. To feel no more conviction of sins 
  3. To feel no more sin conscience to repent
  4. To feel no more condemnation for seeing the suffering of others and our 'neighbour'
  5. To feel no more condemnation for ignoring all the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles
  6. To feel no more condemnation for rejecting all the teaching of doing good as teaching of the law
  • 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.
However, Satan would never tell us the real reason why he wanted us to feel no condemnation. His promise may still sound too good to be true to most of us who feel condemned by sins; but behind that promise of no condemnation is his deception to make us think that all God's words, commands, and the Bible will condemn us; but his preaching or promise will liberate us.. Hence, if we find that we have become very dependent on hearing the good things from certain radical grace preacher or certain radical grace website to feel less condemned daily, we could have fallen into the deception of radical grace or some kind of mind control deception !

Most radical grace preachers would consider teaching of Heb10:26, 1 John 1:9, and many Bible verses as condemnation teaching to the believers. They will tell us, "Of course, those Bible verses are not for us; they are for the non-believers. How can we sin or sin wilfully? We can never sin because we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus."
However, I will ask them, If believers are purchased by the blood and cannot sin, why did Paul warn those who were purchased by the blood to watch out against false prophets and false doctrine? Surely, Paul must have thought that they could still fall even if they had been purchased by the blood. Otherwise, it made no sense for Paul to warn them day and night with tears:
  • Act 20:27-32 KJV  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  (28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  (32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Can we sin wilfully or Is it possible for the believers to sin wilfully based on Heb 10:26? 
  • Heb 10:16-30 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;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. .. (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.
    (But can we twist it and argue that this warning is not for God's people? No, it says very clearly that God will judge His people; not other people. When He used the comparison of a sorer punishment, He confirmed again that He was comparing and warning two of His people - one who despised Moses' law under the Old Covenant, and another who will dishonour the Spirit of grace under the New Covenant. Please think, who were able to despised Moses' law? Of course, nobody except the Jews or God's people who were given the law? Similarly, who can dishonour the Spirit of grace? Of course, no one, except God's people who have been given the grace of God too?)
Many radical grace preachers argue that the Bible verse above, Heb 10:26, can never be God's warning for us because it is too condemning to preach it (as God's warning or judgement for us if we sin wilfully). I will ask them,
  • Don't you agree that the letter of Hebrews was written to the Hebrew believers and us?  
  • Hence, when the writer said, "If we sin wilfully", of course, he was identifying himself with his audience, and his audience are the Hebrew believers and us; it can never be the non-believers.
  • If this is so, how can you pervert it and insist that the letter of Hebrews is written to the non-believers and that the warning is for the non-believers? Of course, it is absurd to interpret that the letter of Hebrews is for the non-believers. It clearly shows that you are trying to make it less condemning to the believers who would sin wilfully when you say that they can just ignore it or keep denying it. 

 
The beast could be a politician. But he is more likely to be a preacher, an orator, or a prophet who can apply the science of mind control effortlessly and amazingly (without the detection or use of microchips), and his name has the number of 666, and he hates the mark of God in those who keep the commandments of God Rev 12:17, 13:1-18, 14:12




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Saturday 4 January 2014

Should we preach money or something else ?

I know that many prosperity preachers or radical grace preachers would be quick to reply, "No, we have never preached money and would never preach money ! BUT we are not ashamed to preach the power to create it. We preach the favour, the grace, the goodnews, and the gospel of prosperity to create it. We preach Jesus and Jesus is the power to help us to create more money, more wealth, more blessings, more bread, more prosperity, more riches, more favours, more jobs, more careers, more businesses, .. etc. We tell people how to think like the king or the prince and have success like them too.. Of course, if we want to be as successful as king Solomon or king David, we must think like the king and live like one.. Hence, if you think positive, you would become positive.. if you think rich, you would be rich too. So, what's wrong if we will just do that or preach that?"
I will tell them, Yes, you are right to say that you don't preach money. BUT your subsequent preaching or whatever that you said subsequently 'swallowed up' and nullify whatever you had said earlier. Why? You are still preaching money and, in fact, more money. In fact, preaching of more power or more lust to create money or wealth, is more materialistic and religious than the preaching of money itself. If every Sunday, you have to remind the people that you are right to do that (that is to preach more wealth or more money in the name of God or Jesus Christ to create bigger church, bigger building, bigger empire, or bigger 'bestseller', or bigger 'business'), it is hard to believe that you have the right focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus had to destroy the temple and the whole religious system of the Jews so that no one could use that excuse again to build their own religious lust, business, or empire. Isn't it still God's will for us to build an entirely new religious system, business, or revolution for Him under the New Testament today? We don't have to argue about it on the pulpit every Sunday because we know the answer. The Bible has shown us clearly that, in fact, someone had thought of doing it as a monetary investment, business, empire, or transaction in Act 8:12-24 under the New Testament too. In fact, he had the personal charisma, convincing capability, knowledge, and past experience to promote something and make it big. I will talk about him later.
Many prosperity preachers argued that they have always been persecuted or falsely accused. They said that they are not prosperity preachers; but they are health and wealth preachers, because Jesus was a health and wealth preacher too. I would say,
  • **What's the difference?
  • It is like Satan telling us that he is not Satan; but a 'better' devil, because he would never ask people to kill or steal; but to prosper and have better life only. 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. Mat 4:3 KJV  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • It is also like the false prophets telling the Lord that they were not false prophets; but the preachers of God, because they preached like Him: 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. .. (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.)
Of course, I am not saying that all the prosperity preachers are Satan or the devils. It is just a metaphor to show that some of them could argue like the devils. But the word of the Lord is very clear: The devils would argue that they are not the devils; so would the false prophets. They would argue that they could never be the false prophets, because they had been preaching God or Jesus. But I would tell them, Please think with your anointed brain, How can you be God's preachers if you preached your own lawless doctrine? You may even preach it as grace or the word of God in the name of Jesus. However, if you lie, twist, and turn, to deceive the people that the commandments of God and Jesus Christ have all become obsolete, how can you expect Jesus to give you special favour or radical grace (or a fictitious grace which is greater than all your past, present, and future sins and it makes God incapable of condemning you)? You may argue that you have been falsely accused or ungraciously judged by us; however, your argument will never change what the Lord will do. Your argument can only bring 'temporal' relief and comfort to those who have followed you.   

There is nothing wrong to work for money; but to preach for money? Hmmm..
We have to read the Bible to find out more. Some of them would say, "We preach only Jesus. Please don't falsely accuse us. Don't pretend. Don't you like riches, prosperity, money, and the power to create wealth? If you deny it, you are lying. If you don't love money and prosperity, why do you work hard? Why do you hope for promoting? Why were  happy when you won lucky draws? Why did you buy bigger houses and invested for more returns? Why.. It shows that you love money and prosperity too. Don't be hypocrites .."
I will ask them, What?
  • Do you preach Jesus as a means to help you to create more money or more wealth ?
  • Do you think that we can treat God or Jesus like a 'genie' in the bottle?
If this is the biblical principle, Judas Iscariot who used Jesus or considered Jesus as the means to help him to create more money would have praises from Jesus. Simon, the sorcerer in the Acts 8, would be praised by Peter too for using the Holy Spirit as a means to create fame and benefits for himself:
  • Act 8:12-24 KJV But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:.. (13) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done ... (20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Of course, Peter did not just think that Simon was so naive that he would just buy the gift to prosper the church or the body of Christ. Peter knew that Simon was thinking of buying the gift for himself so that he could become some one great in the churches among his brethren. Peter rebuked Simon without reservation because he knew that Simon's thought was totally not acceptable in the eyes of God.


It is not the will of God to 'sell' or 'prosper'  through the gospel
Hence, based on many teaching from the Bible and the rebukes of the Lord against the Pharisees, we know that it is not the will of God for us to use the name of Jesus, the preaching of Jesus, the gospel of salvation, the favours of God, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the preaching of the Holy Spirit, to prosper ourselves or to prosper others. We must go back to the Bible and find out what is the primary purpose of preaching the gospel, the gift, the name, or the teaching of Jesus?  If our focus has shifted to something else, we could have made the gospel of Jesus Christ of none effect and become the false prophets.
  • 2Ti 3:1-17 KJV  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ..(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
  • Mat 7:15-24 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.  (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.)

How will God's preachers or the 'law preachers' become 'radical grace' preachers?
Lately I realised that there is a common pattern in the fall of God's preachers. They might have started as God's preachers who were diligent and sound in the doctrine, laws, and commandments of God. They were normally what the radical grace preachers would accuse as 'law preachers' or 'legalistic preachers'.
But when they lost their patience and became jealous or seduced by the success or prosperity of other preachers, they switched and became prosperity preachers:
  • Rev 14:12 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
They could not keep God's commandments or could not have the conviction to keep God's commandments. They might not leave churches and depart into the world. But they would continue to preach the gospel and the faith of Jesus Christ. However, they would have to constantly battled against their inner guilt for departing from the laws and commandments of God. This explains why, in the long run, the fallen preachers whether they be God's preachers or prosperity preachers, will ultimately embrace the doctrine of radical grace to justify themselves for departing from God's words and principles. They could have gained too much popularity, prosperity, riches, or wealth - it became too much for them to handle. In order to maintain or to keep the same level of gain in their wealth or prosperity, they could be under the pressure to depart from more and more God's laws and commandments until, finally, they would just declare and conclude that God's laws, the laws, or any laws are just not for them and their congregations. They have not fallen from the law; they have fallen from grace because they have denied the Lord and taught others to follow their lawless conviction.
  • Mat 13:22 KJV  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.
  • Luk 8:13-14 KJV  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  (14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Have we asked, Why did Jesus say that the deceitfulness of riches will choke the word; but He did not say that the deceitfulness of other things eg. law, power, money, fame, sex, pleasures, or health, will choke the word? It's because the riches could be all of them or could buy all of them in this life. Hence, riches is, of course, something that is much more appealing than just the law, the power, the currency, sex, or pleasures. In another words, riches has more seductive power to get not only the lawless sinners but also lawless believers. In fact, it may get religious believers or spiritual believers, even God's elect:
  • Mat 24:24-26 KJV  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
  • Mar 13:21-23 KJV  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:  (22)  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  (23)  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Jesus is different from the god of fortune preached by the world, for the world, and to the world
Many preachers today, including the radical grace preachers, have preached Jesus as the god of wealth and health, god of favour, or god of prosperity, like the Chinese god of fortune and longevity. Most of the prosperity preachers today would argue, "No, we can never preach other gods or another god because we always ensure that we preach or mention the name of Jesus whenever we preach the God who prosper us or the God who is too good to be true.." I will tell them, No, by mentioning the name of Jesus repeatedly or convincing others that your God had been crucified on the cross, it does not necessarily mean that you are preaching Jesus or the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Of course, it is possible for the false prophets to preach their god of fortune and 'put it on the cross' to deceive the people too. They may preach many things to convince the people that they are preaching Jesus, but the Lord will tell them to depart from Him:
  • 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? .. 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.)
Hence, we know that there is something which we can differentiate between Jesus and the god of fortune. Of course, we don't differentiate by their names, by the way they dress or how well they can dress, or by how much they can prosper us; but it is by their words, teaching, doctrine, and commandments. I am not very sure what the gods of fortune would say apart from their 'too good to be true' promises and good fortune; but I am sure they have no doctrine, no law, and no commandments. Hence, when the radical grace preachers would only emphasize on grace, favour, fortune, prosperity, effortless riches, supernatural health, and longevity, by casting away all God's laws and commandments and confuse the people about God's doctrine, I know that they have rejected Christ and deliberately preached their gods or another god.

  • Mat 6:29-33 KJV  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  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.
Many may argue that they have preached from the sermon of Jesus and insist that seek ye first the kingdom of God is to seek prosperity in the kingdom of God. They twist it to convince the people that Jesus was preaching the prosperity gospel. I will tell them:
  1. Firstly, please recall what you have preached. Did you tell others that all the teaching of Jesus before His resurrection had become obsolete or not applicable to the believers under the New Covenant? If you had said so, please don't twist your words again to tell the people that we should believe you.
  2. Secondly, if you are teaching the words of Jesus faithfully, please read the words of the Lord again at Mat 6:32 - For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. Do you know what it means? It means that the world would still seek for all these things or preach for all these things. But we are not from this world. Hence, how can we interpret that Jesus wants us to preach the gospel of prosperity or the things of the world ? No, Jesus would want us to focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of focusing on the the things of the world or the things which prosper us (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek). Hence, we don't have to focus, argue, think, confess, or preach like the world or the Gentiles. We know that all these things shall be added to us without us preaching it. Hence, instead of thinking, confessing, and teaching the doctrine for more prosperity radically, we would think, confess, and teach the doctrine for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

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