Friday 28 February 2014

Is it a sin to be rich?

Of course, It is not a sin to be rich (or poor). But it is a sin to be so rich that we would just want to hog or hoard on the resources which could be channeled into helping the needy or the poor. It is also a sin to be so 'poor' that we rob others to make ourselves rich. The question is not whether we are rich or poor. The question is: Have we become so filthy rich (or so covetous) that we refuse to admit it and repent. If we know God's commandments, we should know that it is a sin to be covetous or to covet for selfish gains. And this is the clear message I got from Jesus:
  • Luk 16:13-31 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.  (16)  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  (17)  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.  (18)  Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.  (19)  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  (20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  (21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  (22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  (23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  (24)  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  (25)  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  (26)  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  (27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  (28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  (29)  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
  • Luk 12:1 KJV  In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy...(15) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (16)  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.  (22)  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

Believers can become so filthy rich (or so covetous) that they think that they do not need to repent 
I will tell the radical grace preachers, Was Jesus against the filthy rich when He told us these parables? No, He was against covetousness. He knew that God is against covetousness. He knew God's commandments. If you know that the two men above need to repent, would you tell them to just metanoia or change their mind from unbelief to believing only? No, they could be rich believers or Jews who knew God and Abraham too. But they would still need to repent, change their mind, and do the words of Christ. Otherwise, they have not repented.
When we look around and notice that many preachers today have become covetous while living lavishly with the wealth and substance of their believers, we know that we are living in the end time. Jesus would be harsh to many preachers, not because they are just covetous, but because they preach against His parables, His words, His doctrine, and His commandments. They preach against doing the will of God and His commandments:
  • 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.)

When preachers have become so filthy rich (or so covetous) that they don't live like God's preachers, they have become false prophets
Many will still argue, "How can Jesus associate us with the false prophets? No, Jesus is always gracious to us. He would never be angry or harsh to us. Of course, the Bible passage above (Mat 7:15-24) is not for the believers and us. It is for other religious leaders or preachers who preach other Gods and religions ... In the judgement day, there would be many non-Christians who think that Jesus is the God they have served in their religions. They would argue that they had done many wonderful things  for God. Jesus would reject them because they are not Christians. But Jesus would never reject any Christians even if they sin."
I will tell them, Yes, like the Bible passage about the rich man and Lazarus, this Bible passage (Mat 7:15-24) did not tell us whether they were Christians or sinners. However, I would not rule out the possibility that it could be for any sinner or believer. Of course, we know that Jesus is always gracious to the sinners and believers. However, He can be harsh if anyone makes His words or commandments of none effect or if anyone preaches against the will of God and tell people to do nothing:
  • Mat 7:24 KJV  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:
  • Mat 12:49-50 KJV  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  (50)  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
What is the will of our Father
Mar 7:9-13 KJV  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (10)  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.
Mat 15:6-14 KJV  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  (7)  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  (8)  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  (10)  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:  (11)  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.  (12)  Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?  (13)  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  (14)  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Hence, based on those Bible verses above, we know why Jesus was so harsh to the Pharisees. It was not because they were non-Christians, law-professors, or hypocrites; it was because they twisted, changed, and corrupted God's commandments and preached against doing the will of God and His commandments. They had probably preached, argued vehemently, and taught many man's doctrines, laws, and philosophies to hide their own covetousness, and justify all who hoard on the riches collected from the poor. Hence, if we still find plenty of preachers doing this today, we know that the Lord's prophecy has come true and that we are living in the end time now.


We don't have to sell everything; but we must take up our cross as His followers
Many radical grace preachers will still argue, "I notice that you are against riches. Please answer us, Is is a sin to be rich with the riches of the world? If you still stay in the big houses and have lots of saving in your banks, you are a hypocrite. Why? It's because you still accumulate the riches of the world too.. You should have sold all your things and give the money to the poor .. If you hate riches, please give all your money to me.."
I will tell them, Give all my money to you? I will give it to you if you are Jesus. But if you are false prophets, you will have to wait long long. Of course, it is not a sin to be rich with the riches of the world. Abraham and king Solomon were rich too but they did not sell all their goods and give everything to the poor. If you think that the Bible teaches us to sell everything and give to others, you have probably thought of the following two Bible passages:
  • Mar 10:21-23 KJV  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  (22)  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.  (23)  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
  • Act 2:42-47 KJV  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  (44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  (45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  (46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Of course, I believe that the commandment of Jesus can never become obsolete. But his command to sell everything and follow Him in Mar 10:21-23 above is not for everyone. It was a command or invitation to the rich young man. The Bible passage in Act 2 is not a command for every believer too. It was a voluntary effort to share with every believer at that time. However, the Lord's command to take up the cross and follow Him is a command for everyone of us. How do we know that:
  • Mat 16:24-27 KJV  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  (26)  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (27)  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
  • Mar 8:34-38 KJV  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (35)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  (36)  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  (37)  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (38)  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
  • Luk 9:23-26 KJV  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  (24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  (25)  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  (26)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
I don't think any man can get it wrong if His command to take up the cross has been repeated in the gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I don't think anyone can misinterpret it and say that the command to take up the cross is only for His twelve disciples. I don't think any preacher can lie and tell us that His command will pass away too. I will tell them, If His command will pass away, He would never have said that He .."shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works in (v27)". This clearly refer to the future when He will reward or judge the believers. Please think again, If Jesus will reward everyman according to his works, how can we say that works are not important anymore?


It is a sin to be rich with the riches of the lawless
Ok, I have shown you why we don't have to sell everything, and hence, it is not a sin to be rich with the riches of the world. However, I would still want to tell the rich preachers, especially the radical grace preachers that it is a sin to be rich with the riches acquired from the lawless or those who advocate lawlessness. Of course, I am not referring to only those who do lawless deeds or lawless crimes; I am referring to those who love the thinking, teaching, or preaching of lawless philosophies. It is a sin not because they live in sins; but because they have rejected the command, the law, and the will of God in support of the lawlessness philosophies promoted by the lawless. Hence, if we are rich because the lawless (the sinners or the mockers) love the books that we wrote, messages that we preached, or CD that we burned for them, we should not be too boastful about our riches. It is a sin to be rich with the riches of the lawless or those who would not do the will of the Father.
  • Mat 7:20-23 LITV  Then surely from their fruits you shall know them.  (21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven.  (22)  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!"
  • Mat 4:9-10 KJV  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  (10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mat 13:20-22 KJV  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  (21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  (22)  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
  • Mar 4:17-19 KJV  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.  


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Wednesday 26 February 2014

Was Jesus a radical grace preacher or repentance preacher?

Jesus was a repentance preacher because He preached repentance clearly and regularly 
Of course, we know that Jesus was not just a preacher; He is God and man. However, if we know what He preached, we can say that He was a repentance preacher.
  • Mat 4:17 KJV  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Many radical grace preachers argue, "But why can't we say that Jesus was a grace preacher? In fact, Jesus told us that we have not preached enough grace. He told us in our dreams (in our visions, in the cloud, in the voice, and in our holidays) that we have not preached enough grace. He said, If you do not preach grace radically, nobody will change radically and repent.. He told us to hear Him only.."
  • Mat 17:5 KJV  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Jesus would never preach something else to divert or digress from His original ministry
I will tell them, If we hear Him only, we would not hear you. We would not hear those who deny or change the true ministry of Jesus Christ. The following Bible verses have shown us very clearly that the ministry of Jesus Christ was mainly preaching of repentance and calling the sinners to repentance:
  • Luk 5:32 KJV  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  • Mar 6:7-13 KJV  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;  (8)  And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only ..  .. (11)  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.  (12)  And they went out, and preached that men should repent.  (13)  And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. 
  • Luk 24:45-48 KJV  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Luk 15:17-18 KJV  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
I will tell them, After knowing the ministry of Jesus Christ, can we hear you and shift our focus to your lawlessness preaching or mind changing philosophies? No, of course, we won't hear you, not even if you can prove that Jesus had appeared to you personally and spoken numerous times that He wanted you to change His ministry of repentance to something else. Only the fools would hear you and believe you:
  • Mat 24:4-26 LITV And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray.  (5)  For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ (the 'anointed'). And they will cause many to be led astray... (10) And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another.  (11)  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold. .. (23) Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ (the 'anointed')! Or, Here! Do not believe.  (24)  For false christs (the 'anointed') and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  (25)  Behold, I tell you beforehand.  (26)  Then if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness; do not go out. Behold, He is in the inner rooms; do not believe.

We have been warned that wrong believing would turn the grace of God into license to sin
They will argue, "No, please don't falsely accused us. We have never said that Jesus appeared to us. We have only said that Jesus said to us with the prompting of His Spirit. Isn't this as good as speaking to us directly? We are not lying if we tell people that Jesus spoke to us clearly and assuredly. When we promised the people that we can live beyond 120 years old, we are not lying too. We meant that we could live forever after the rapture. That's why we can tell the sinners that the gospel that we preached is too good to be true. It is much better than the gospel than most churches preach.." 
I will tell them, We don't falsely accuse you, but we are very concerned about your doctrine or about what you preach. Didn't you tell people that the power of right believing is very important? Please think, Is it important because it will prosper you or make you successful in life? No, it is important because it is a matter of life and death. It can lead people who hear you to life or death. We don't want to pick on you or any preacher, but we would certainly contend against any doctrine which is not true. We have to do so, not because we are sins conscious about your 'sinless doctrine' or because we love to find fault. We point out the words of God that will question your motives because we are very people-conscious, and we are concerned if people can be saved by your false doctrine:
  • Jud 1:2-4 KJV  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.  (3)  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. .. (7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. .. (10) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.  (11)  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.  (12)  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  (13)  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. .. (16) These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.  (17)  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  (18)  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  (19)  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (These are those who turn the grace of our God into license to sin; they are not necessarily the non-believers. They could be former believers who have known and received the grace of our God (Heb 10:26). They are the spots in our midst. They are the believers who crept in unawares and denied the Lord by rejecting His words and preaching a different doctrine.)
 
Hence, Jesus would never tell us to preach radical grace by telling people to believe only
I will tell them, We have no problem agreeing with you if you insist that Jesus is a grace preacher. But He would never tell us to preach grace so radically that it should replace the preaching of repentance. He would never tell us that 'to repent' is 'to believe only'. If it is true that we can just believe only, He would tell all the Pharisees and Sadduccees to believe only; but why did He and John the Baptist make it so 'difficult' for those who want to repent:
  • Mat 3:6-10 KJV  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  (7)  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  (10)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • 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.
  • Jon 3:4-10 KJV  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  (5)  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. ..  (10)  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. ...  Mat 12:39-42 KJV But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: .. (41)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.. (Jesus said that the people of Nineveh repented not because they believed only; but because they did more than that. They did much effort to turn from their evil way. The unrepentant generation today will ask for some other sign too, but Jesus will still tell them that there is no other sign, except the same sign for them: To Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ through His resurrection) 
Many will argue, "But John 3:16 tells us to believe only. Hence, if we preach radical grace and tell people to believe only, we have preached right believing and people will all be saved."
I will tell them, Yes, it is true that God wants all people to be saved because God is love, but it is not true that all people are automatically saved because God is love. Similarly, it is true that all people have received grace because God is gracious, but it is not true that all people are automatically saved because of God's grace. I am glad that you can still remember John 3:16. But do you find out full meaning by reading the whole chapter:
  • Joh 3:3-5 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Jesus had repeated His words twice (in fact confirming it), but Nicodemus still  could not understand that Jesus was talking about repentance.)  
Luk 13:2-5 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
  • Joh 3:10-21 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? .. (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  ..  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  .. (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
** Can we just believe in Him to be saved?
I will tell them, Most of you focus on the words 'believe in Him'. Do you know the meaning? Aren't you the preachers who preach and tell people what to believe in Him or how to believe in Him? I don't think it is too much if we ask you to explain it. However, most of us don't have to be preachers to know that to believe in Him is to confess, keep, do, and teach whatever He said to us. It is ridiculous to tell people that we believe in Him; but we confess, keep, do, or teach something else as our radical or subtle 'revolution' to change whatever He said.
  • Jas 2:19-24 KJV  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  (22)  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  (23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  (24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
  • Joh 14:23-26 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: .. (24)  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.  (25)  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.  (26)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you...  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. ..Joh 15:10 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.
  • Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
What is the conclusion, or the key to 'believe in Him' ?
If we truly believe in Him, we would do His commandments and God's commandments. I would include doing God's commandments because Jesus said clearly in John 14 and 15 that His commandments are God's commandments and God's commandments are His commandments, in another words, His words are God's words and God's words are His words. How can we tell people that 'to believe in Him' is just 'to keep no more law or commandment' ?
Hence, something is wrong if we preach grace so radically that everyone misunderstood us and got it so wrong that they had the impression that preaching of repentance is condemnation, self-effort, or harsh command for the sinners. The Pharisees and Sadduccess would surely think that the preaching of repentance by the Lord and John the Baptist was too demanding for them. However, I believe that Jesus would never tell us to preach repentance as something that is so effortless that the Pharisees, Sadduccess, hypocrites, liars, false prophets, and sinners of the world would just need to 'repent' by believing only.


The focus of Jesus' preaching is on repentance
Jesus Himself preach repentance more than anyone in the Bible. Why ? Jonah preached for only one day in the Old Testament, whilst John the Baptist preached for only a short while before he was beheaded. However, Jesus preached repentance for at least three full years. As soon as Jesus started His preaching ministry, He preached repentance. In fact, He preached it more than He preached healing, blessing, health, wealth, prosperity, riches, grace, favors, Old Testament typology, positive confession, positive thinking, transfer of wealth, effortless success in life, or the things that are mostly preached by the radical grace preachers today. Many radical grace preachers argued, "But repentance is the old form of preaching under the Old Testament because Jonah and many Old Testament prophets had all preached repentance." I will ask them, How about John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles? They had all preached repentance. Does it mean that they preached under the law? They will say, "Yes, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the twelve disciples of Jesus had all preached repentance (Mar 6:12). But they were all Jews under the law. Being those who were under the law, they would just preach to those who are under the law. How can we who are under grace still follow their teaching which was for those under the law? The teaching of repentance, confession of sins, thinking of sin conscience, or the thinking that you are sinners and you have sinned has become obsolete! We have no more sin conscience. We should now listen only to the preaching of Paul or the gospel that Paul preached. It is now the real gospel for the modern day people like you and me.."
I will tell them, I find it ridiculous to say that John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were under the law. Even if they were under the law (to preach to those under the law), their preaching could hardly be considered as Old Covenant preaching based on the prophecy of the Bible:
Mal 2:17 KJV  Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? Mal 3:1-7 KJV  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.  ..  (5)  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.  (6)  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.  (7)  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?.. (13) Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  (14)  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  (15)  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.  (16)  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name... (18)  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
This is the message of the New Covenant: Repent or Return to God and return to keeping and doing His laws. Hence, how can we consider repentance or returning to God as the teaching of Old Testament just because repentance is found in the book of Jonah or the Old Testament ? Do you know that you can find God the Father in the Old Testament too. But will you conclude that the teaching of God the Father is for those who are under the Old Testament only? Can you argue that only the teaching of 'papa' or 'daddy' is under the New Testament? No, it is ridiculous to split God's words or God's commandments  based on what we can define for modern day people and ancient people. If we can split God's words based on our definition of 'father', 'mother', 'repentance', 'love', or 'neighbor', we would never repent or love our neighbors. We would repent; but only only if we think that it is just to 'believe only'. We will love our neighbors; but only if they are 'our best friends only'. We will obey God the Father; but only if He is the daddy who would radically spoil us with 'too good to be true' choices.
If Jesus mentioned about Jonah and the sinners in Nineveth, He would certainly want the people today to repent more than them because He preached 'greater' repentance. However, if the people today would still sin and harden their heats against the message of repentance (after knowing the goodness of God to those who repent), they would face a greater judgement than the people of Nineveth:
  • Mat 12:39-45 KJV  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  (40)  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  (41)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  (42)  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.  (43)  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  (44)  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  (45)  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.    

The focus of the disciples' preaching is on repentance too 
I will ask them, What makes you think that the Apostles were under the law and therefore they preached to those under the law? Do you know that, if John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles were all under the law, what we believe today would be disastrous. Please use your anointed mind to think, If Peter, John, or James were still under the law, how could they teach us to live under the New Covenant or under the New Testament. We should have classified their letters, the Gospel of John, and the book of Revelation under the Old Testament. If they were not saved not the New Covenant, isn't it ridiculous for them to teach us to be under the New Testament? Will you criticize the Bible scholars that they have wrongly grouped the letters of the Apostles under the New Testament? Hence, I am not surprised to know that many radical grace preaches would say that the Bible scholars did not do a good job; but they themselves could have done better because of radical grace revelation.
Actually I am not interested to prove that Paul is a grace preacher or repentance preacher. But if the radical grace preachers are so confident of the gospel that Paul preached has no more repentance, I would like to shock them by telling them
  • that the gospel that Paul preached is the gospel that Jesus preached,
  • that the gospel that Paul preached is still the gospel of repentance, and
  • that Paul is a repentance preacher to both the sinners and the Jews.
  • Act 17:30-33 KJV  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  (31)  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  (32)  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.  (33)  So Paul departed from among them.
  • Act 26:19-21 KJV  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  (21)  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

The gospel of repentance is the gospel of grace because all sinner have been given grace to repent 
They may argue, "But today we are no more under the law or under sin conscience. We should focus more on the gospel that Paul preached, which is the gospel of grace; not so much on the gospel that Jesus preached, which always call sinners to repentance .."
Heb 10:1-2 KJV  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
I will tell them, Yes, I agree that we are not the Jews who are under the law. Hence, we do not have any sin conscience to offer blood sacrifice. But we do have sin conscience to repent as sinners. If you think that we should preach only the gospel that Paul preached, do you know what is the gospel that Paul preached to the sinners? Is it what He preached to the Romans and Galatians. I doubt so because Romans and Galatians were his letters to only the Jewish leaders and believers; not to the sinners outside the churches. However, Act 17:30-33 and Act 26:19-21 tells us that Paul did preach the gospel to the sinners. Do we know what Jesus and Paul preached to the sinners? Of course. It has been written clearly for us in the Gospel, not just once; but in the gospel of Mat, Mar, Luk, and Joh:
  • 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...
  • Mat 4:23 KJV  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luk 4:17-19 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. 
  • Joh 21:25 KJV  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Hence, the gospel that Paul preached is still based on the gospel that Jesus preached; otherwise, Paul would be guilty of preaching his own gospel. The gospel that Jesus preached was everything that He had preached in the gospel. Hence, what Jesus preached was certainly more than what Paul preached. 
The gospel that Jesus preached started from the time when He started to preach; not when Paul started to preach or write to the churches: 


The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just the preaching of grace
Some will still argue, "Ok, ok, we give up arguing with you. We don't want to win argument and lose the Spirit of truth. We agree that Jesus was repentance preacher according to all the Bible verses recorded for us. BUT Jesus is now a grace preacher. He wants us to preach grace now, because He is in us and He will preach grace through us who are His preachers (His radical grace preachers). That's why we are now receiving clear instructions from the Lord through Paul and his letters to Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews that we should all preach only the gospel of grace instead of the gospel of repentance and condemnation of sins ! Nobody can deny that ! Didn't you know that Jesus is still very gracious when he shows grace to us and heal the sick today, yesterday and tomorrow? He would never tell sinners to repent or remind them of their sin conscience to repent again and again.. He knew that it is very condemning to preach this kind of 'sin' messages to our world today .. He shows us that we don't have to preach repentance or know what is repentance; grace will just lead all sinners to repentance without them even knowing any repentance or being conscious of doing it .. Amen .. Hence, Jesus has shown us that we should preach more on believing instead of repenting. Anyway they are the same ! Repenting is just changing of our mind from unbelief to believing.. Amen. Everywhere we go, people will just 'repent' without knowing it. Hence, we've preached more repentance than the repentance preachers themselves.. We can preach better than them .. "
I will ask them, Can you make up your mind? After bringing us 'around the world', you still haven't told us,  Is Jesus grace preacher or repentance preacher? Will Jesus still preach repentance like He used to, in His life time ? Or will He preach repentance evasively like an oxymoron or a 'ding dong' bell now? No. Of course, Jesus will never change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever; so is the ministry and the doctrine of Jesus Christ:
  • Heb 13:8-9 KJV  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  (9)  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein... (13) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  (21)  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (22)  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.  (23)  Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.  (24)  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.  (25)  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the preaching of grace; but it is not the end of the gospel.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the preaching of grace for sinners to repent and do good.
If the gospel will just stop at the receiving of grace yesterday, it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ today and tomorrow. Jesus has already shown us with many Bible verses that sinners who received grace would 'give grace' and 'do grace'. If any preacher would deny that we must repent or do good after receiving grace, he is not preaching the grace of God:
  • 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 18:32-35 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.  (35)  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
  • Luk 11:2-4 KJV  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Hence, Jesus did not just preach and show that we have received grace, he preached that we must all repent, forgive, humble ourselves, show grace, and do good, even after we have received grace.
  • 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.
  • Luk 18:13-14 KJV  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. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just the preaching of grace; but 'doing' of grace
Jesus told us to walk the extra mile or give away our coat even if people did not ask for it. The Pharisees would say that we have gone crazy. They would say that no men can do it. But Jesus showed us that His followers can do it because of the receiving of God's grace and repentance.
  • Mat 5:40-48 KJV  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.  (41)  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  (42)  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.  (43)  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  (44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  (45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  (47)  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Hence, when I saw the video below which promotes giving to others or 'doing' grace to others, I had a click or a smile within. I exclaimed within, That's what Jesus taught two thousand years ago before Ghandi. However, it is sad to know that the preaching of grace has been preached as a lob-sided gospel which will attract mostly sinners who has no repentance and no intention to do the words of the Lord, do good, and 'do' grace to others. Many preachers today may argue that they can just preach grace without the need of repentance or 'doing' grace. They may argue that doing too many things would give people the false impression that it is too demanding and law-based for them. I will tell them, If preaching of grace to repent or to 'do' more grace to others would give people the negative impression that it is demanding and law-based, are you telling us that Jesus had preached many demanding laws or obsolete self-efforts? If you cannot accept Jesus preaching going the extra miles (or doing more than what is required under the Ten Commandments) to help others or to love others, would you preach another Jesus who would just tell you to relax, keep no more law, keep looking at Him, and do nothing (by thinking of His finished work only)? If this is what you think, the following video will put you to shame:  

 



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Wednesday 19 February 2014

What is the most obvious difference between true grace and false grace?

There are many differences between true grace and false grace. I don't think I want to repeat all those radical grace promises which are false, radical, controversial, and non-scriptural. Yes, radical grace today has managed to escape the detection of most churches because most of the radical grace or hyper grace preachers could quote many Bible verses to justify why they must preach grace radically, like it is license to sin, until everyone misunderstood them. Yes, radical grace has really become so confusing that everyone, including the radical grace preachers themselves and their followers, cannot tell the difference between the grace of God and the license to sin (lawlessness) now. Hence, it is not easy to take them to task for preaching grace or license to sin (lawlessness) today. It is not my purpose to repeat what I've known about the teaching and thinking of lawlessness in radical grace philosophies and convict them either. I write this just to remind ourselves to stay focused and know the main difference should we have forgotten the error of the lawless that is found in most of the radical grace beliefs.

The main difference: Find out what does the true grace teach?
Ok, back to the main point: What is the main difference between true grace and false grace ? I will summarize the main difference into two sentences:
  • Radical grace is generally preached to the believers (not the sinners) to do nothing, whilst
  • True grace is always preached by the Lord and the Apostles to do more in obedience to God's words, God's doctrine, and God's commandments.

True grace would teach us to do and teach more godly living
The following Bible verses tell us that the grace of God would teach us to do more, instead of doing nothing:
  • 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.
  • Tit 2:1-15 KJV But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: .. (7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, .. (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; ..  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. 
These Bible verses are telling us to do more, teach more, and preach more with grace. Hence, I don't understand why radical grace preachers can promise the believers that grace would teach no more doing or good works in Christ. Isn't is clear that Paul told us to do more good works, teach more sound doctrine, and live more godly lives? When Paul said, These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority in (v15), he did not mean that we should speak deceitfully or evasively. He told us to teach these things with the authority of God (or the rods of God). Of course, we don't have to teach the laws of God in commandment style like 'No1. Thou shalt do this.. No.2 Thou shalt do that ..". However, we can preach God's words without hypocrisy or lots of beating around the bush. Sound doctrine does not have to give people the good feeling; it must give people the good foundation in God's words.

Hence, the true grace of God would always have sound doctrine and teaching of doing more in the Lord instead of doing nothing in the Lord. If we find that the teaching of grace by a certain preacher is in the opposite direction of doing more, we know that he is not preaching the grace of God.


Law demands, grace supplies? But does grace demand too? 
Next, what does it mean if we agree that the teaching of grace would always have the teaching of sound doctrine? It simply means that teaching of grace will never reject the teaching of God's laws and commandments. Why do I say so? Please think, How do we know that the teaching or the preaching of God's words is sound doctrine from God? It must be based on the clear instructions from the words of God, and clear instructions from the words of God are always God's laws and commandments. That's why I would never accept the definition of grace as purely based on the words of God which has no more God's laws and commandments. The grace of God is not just effortless belief, mind changing philosophy, or teaching of doing nothingness as defined by the radical grace preachers.
Many radical grace preachers argued, "But law demands; grace supplies. This should be the Biblical foundation of grace teaching for the believers. It means that anything which is from God under grace must be received by the believers in grace. Anything more or less is self-effort.." I will ask them, Law demands? And grace supplies? What are your trying to prove? I won't find this teaching from the Lord in the Bible. If you agree that Paul told us that grace would teach us to do and teach more godly living, you would agree that grace can be quite demanding too. But does it mean that if we find it too demanding, it can never be the grace of God? I think that it is ridiculous. If it is true that grace cannot be too demanding, all the sinners and the lawless who think that Paul's command (for us to speak and exhort with sound doctrine and grace) is too demanding would have problem preaching it honestly. They would just twist Paul's words in Tit 2:1-15 and lie that Paul's teaching of grace has no more law, no more sound doctrine, no more instruction for godly living, and no more demand for good works. Hence, I find that the way radical grace preachers about God's laws and God's grace is confusing. The motive behind the preaching of 'law demands Grace supplies'  could be their hidden hatred against all the words of God which have God's commands for them to repent to do and teach godly living.


Do we preach grace or just the definition of grace?
They will still argue, "Do you know the definition of grace? Grace is something which is received without doing or working for it. It is unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor.." I will tell them, Yes, I know. I agree. I have no problem with the definition of grace. But the problem is: we are not arguing about the definition of grace; the problem is: what do we preach with grace? It's because what we preach or teach with grace will determine if we are preaching the true grace of God:
  • 1Pe 5:10-12 KJV  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  (11)  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (12)  By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
I don't think Peter, Paul, or even Jesus Himself had given us the definition of grace, although they preached grace. Peter said that he had written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that it is the true grace of God. He had not defined grace either, but he knew that he had preached the true grace of God by writing, exhorting, and testifying about it. What did he write, exhort, or testified in his letter? Hence, we need to read what he had written or testified earlier (in 1 Peter 4) too:
  • 1Pe 4:1-11 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.  (8)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  (9)  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  (10)  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Peter did not define what is grace; he preached grace. He preached the manifold grace or true grace of God. Of course, Peter and every man knew that the grace of God is a gift; it cannot be earned or deserved by our works:
  • 1Pe 4:10 KJV  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Hence, Peter did not define grace for everyone; but he did write, exhort, testify, teach, and preach the grace of God. He knew that everyone (the sinners) has received grace. If we preach or speak of the manifold grace of God, we ought to preach grace as God's preachers who know, minister, teach, and exhort one another with words and oracles of God.
Was Peter a grace preacher? I don't see any reason we can deny it. He received the most grace having denied Christ for three times, he preached the manifold and true grace of God, he is saved by grace under the New Covenant, he is the apostle who holds the key of Christ, and most important of all, his letters are still considered the brief utterance and oracles of God. 




Do we preach the gospel that Peter preached or Paul preached?
Those who argue vehemently that we CAN ONLY preach 'the gospel that Paul preached' and that we must condemn or mock at the other Apostles have one very clear undivided motive: They want to divide the body of Christ with their heretical view on the 'gospel of grace' or the 'gospel that Paul preached'. They are thinking carnally like the believers of the Corinthian church. They will divide the body of Christ with their canal philosophies or revolutions. I will ask them,  Do you think that you are better because you can preach like John (or the disciple whom Jesus loved)? Do you boast and preach that you have more grace just because you believe or preach like Paul or John? Yes, of course, I do believe that we should preach like Paul or John. But it would be too radical and hypocritical if we just want to compare and boast that we are better because we can preach like Paul or John. We are not preaching grace or 'doing grace' if we become so puffed up that we think that we can condemn all other believers, who do and teach the laws of God, or those who do not preach or think like us:
  • 1Co 1:11-13 KJV  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas (Peter); and I of Christ.  (13)  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
  • Mat 18:32-33 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?
Hence, I don't think it is acceptable for us to use one tiny part of the scripture, gospel, or letter to condemn the whole scripture too. it can never be God's will for us to use the teaching of 'radical grace' to condemn all His laws and commandments too. If we do that we will lose our garment and face the sharpest rebuke of the Lord from the sword His mouth. 
  • 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...  (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:
  • Mat 22:11-14 KJV  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.
  • Rev 1:16 KJV  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Rev 19:15 KJV  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
  • Act 20:28-31 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.
I will tell them, Before you make ridiculous or radical guarantee to all the sinners and believers that none of you can fall or die, please study the Bible thoroughly. If the Lord and Paul would still warn the believers who are purchased by the blood that they can lose their garment, lose their call, or lose their salvation, it would be unwise for you to accuse all God's preachers or repentance preachers who preach God's warnings as condemnation preachers or negative preachers. I don't like to make comparison, but if you would always boast about your radical grace, compare against others, mock at them, and argue, "Paul or Peter? Radical grace or God's commandments? Which is greater? Who will win?", I can certainly tell you without the slightest doubt or shame, "God's words and His sword !"



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Monday 10 February 2014

Is there something wrong if a person feels sin conscious?

Is there something wrong if a person feels sin conscience?
Of course, something was wrong when Adam and Eve felt sin conscience immediately after they have fellen. But something is more terribly wrong if all of us in the world today can no longer feel any sin conscience now; believers are no exception too. Only angels or Satan can never feel any sin conscience. Yes, we know that it is terrible to feel sin conscience. Even Paul told us that he felt terrible about sin or the wretchedness of sins too.
  • Rom 7:19-24 KJV  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  (22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
    (Did Paul say that he could never sin because he was  under grace? No, if he could never sin, he would never said "O wretched man that I am! (v24)", confess that he was still brought under the captivity of sin (v23), and admit ".. the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do (v19)". Hence, if Paul still sinned or confessed publicly about his existing weakness or sins in his wretched man, why can't a believer or a sinner confess his sins and admit that he has sinned too? If Paul did not think that he could insult the righteousness of God by admitting or confessing it, how can we think that we will insult God's righteousness by confessing our sins? If Paul was not ashamed to confess about his sinful deeds or wretchedness, why should we be afraid to confess our sins ???)
However, the question that bothers most radical grace preachers today is not the question whether sinners and wrongdoers can feel sin conscience; but the question whether believers and preachers can still feel sin conscience if they have committed adulteries, stolen funds from the churches, or preached false doctrine to prosper themselves .. 

Is there something wrong if a sinner cannot feel sin conscience?
I would think that there is something wrong too if a sinner or believer cannot feel any sin conscience too. If a sinner cannot fee any sin conscience to repent, how can he repent? or how can he see the need to repent? or how can he know that he still need to repent? Hence, the greatest heresy with the radical grace preaching is not because they preach grace radically; it is because they make sinners or believers think that feeling sin conscience is condemnation and from the Satan. No, I would think that something is wrong if all men or sinners cannot feel sin conscience any more.
I do not like to find fault, but if radical grace preaching is preached so radically that all men, including the believers and even God's elect, think that sin conscience is from the devil, something is wrong.
Yes, I know that we can generally classify sin conscience into two categories, and we know that sin conscience can lead to eternal condemnation if it does not lead us to God:
  1. Sin conscience to offer sin sacrifice
  2. Sin conscience to repent
However, I would think that both types of sin conscience above are from God because they lead people to God. One was given to the Jews who were under the law to offer blood sacrifice; the other to the New Testament believers (to both the Jews and Gentiles) who are under grace to repent or have received grace to repent. One was under the Old Testament which has passed away; the other is under God's provision under the New Testament:
  1. Heb 10:1-2 KJV  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
  2. Heb 10:16-39 KJV  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  .. (22)  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (isn't this repentance or the baptism of repentance under the New covenant) .. (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  ..  (26)  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, ..
The Gentiles who seem to have received more grace without the law can now enjoy the forgiveness of God because of grace for sin conscience to repent and the baptism of repentance in the Lord under the New Covenant.

Is there something wrong if a believer cannot feel sin conscience to repent? 
Of course, today we have no more conscience of sins to offer sacrifice, but we, especially the sinners, still have conscience of sins to repent. If we take away the sin conscience to repent and tell the sinners or the believers to just think of grace or think of God's goodness without the sin conscience to repent, something is terribly wrong. We are taking away God's covenant for His laws to remain in our hearts or in God's sanctuary too.
  • Mat 24:14-15 KJV  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (15)  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
  • Dan 11:30-32 KJV  For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.  (31)  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  (32)  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

Wrong interpretation of John's letters will never lead people to repentance
To the sinners, it is licence to sin or licence to continue to live under Adam's lawlessness and transgression of law; but to us, the believers, it is sinning wilfully by rejecting the truth of God or God's grace for sin conscience to repent.
  • 1Jn 3:4 KJV  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
  • 1Jn 3:4 LITV  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
Telling the people (whether they are sinners or believers) that they can no longer sin or feel sin conscience is like telling them to deceive themselves and think that they are robots. It is a lie to think nothing about sin and lie that there is no more need for repentance and confession of sins. Of course, when John told us to confess our sins, he did not tell us to just confess it repeatedly, hypocritically, and radically, and do nothing. He told us to admit it, confess it, and repent.
  • 1Jn 1:7-10 KJV  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.
Of course, we don't just conclude that 1 John 1:9 is a letter written to the world or agnostic just because some crazy nuts or false prophets tell them to confess it like the hypocrites or like the parrots. I will tell them, Please think with your anointed brain, How can any part of John's letters or Paul's letters be written to the unbelievers or agnostic believers in the world. No, John's letters are written to the churches and God's people. He would never write to the unbelievers or the agnostic believers in the world because he knew that they would never listen to God or him. If you still want scriptural proof that it is written to God's people and not the world, just read the following Bible verses.
  • 1Jn 2:1 KJV  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Of course, if we can find the envelop of the letter (which is unlikely), I would presume confidently that it should be addressed to all the children of God or the church of God too, instead of to the agnostic believers or a few groups of people. I don't think John would split the audience into a few groups and tell them who can confess sins and who cannot confess sins. However, it is sad to know that many radical grace preachers have used this same technique to split the words of God and convince us what we can do and what we cannot do too. They have convinced many what commandment they should keep and what they should not keep too. They have corrupted God's words by splitting God's words and deceive many that they could interpret the Bible better. They could have become false prophets. 


It is a lie to tell people that Jesus did not tell us to repent or to turn away from our sins
They will argue, "But Jesus would never preach or ask the sinners to be sin conscious. He would always heal them before they could even repent or confess their sins. We should preach like Jesus .."
I will tell them, If you want to preach like Jesus, you should read your Bible again; instead of turning some Bible verses into your own excuses or your own blindness from seeing the need to repent:
  1. Yes, I agree that Jesus did not ask the adulterous woman to repent; but He did tell the woman to sin no more (Joh 8:11). It means to repent and turn from her sins. 
  2. Yes,  Jesus did not tell us that the prodigal son repented, but He did tell us that the prodigal son metanoia (came to himself about his predicament and admitted that he had sinned Luk 15:17). It means the prodigal repented and turned from his sins.
  3. Yes, Jesus did not tell us that He commanded Zacchaeus to repent. But He did preach repentance and call sinners to repent since day 1 (Mat 4:17). Obviously, Zacchaeus repented after Jesus had started preaching repentance; not before He preached it. Hence, Zacchaeus knew the command of Jesus to repent. In fact, Jesus reaffirmed his command to repent by saying to him: Luk 19:9-10 KJV  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. Luk 5:32 KJV  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  4. Yes, Jesus did not tell the bed-ridden man to repent before He healed him, but Jesus did say to him later to sin no more, lest he would become worst than before: 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.
  5. Yes, Jesus did not tell the thief to repent and do something worthy of the fruit of repentance, but are you preaching to the sinners in the mental hospital or those who are stuck on the cross like the thief? If the majority of your audience are mental patients who are deep in guilt conscience or depression, yes, you may tell them to take a break before you can preach to them. However, if you are preaching to the sinners of the world who are no better than the sinners in Jesus time, you've got to preach the same truth to the people today. You have to preach like Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that they should not be bothered if the people did not accept them. Mar 6:11-12 KJV  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.  (12)  And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
    Similarly, we should just dust off our feet without getting angry if people mocked at us and reject the repentance message or the gospel of Jesus Christ: However, if we accuse Jesus or His disciples for preaching too much repentance, something is wrong with the way we hear from Jesus.
Do you agree that Jesus had always preached repentance and told the people to repent and sin no more? If we agree with it, we should agree that the sinners who heard Him would be sin conscious too. Frankly, I don't know how Jesus could ask the people to sin no more if they were not sin conscious. In fact, I believe that the adulterous woman, Zacchaeus, and the prodigal son, were all very sin conscious. That's why they would repent. Please think, If we keep telling people that they are sinners; but that they should not have any sin conscience, do you think that they will still repent? I doubt so. I don't think we are preaching like Jesus if we tell the sinners to confess righteousness instead, before they know why they are called sinners or why they must repent. Yes, I know that we are eager to preach the gospel that is too good to be true and get all the sinners to believe in the Lord, but to get all the sinners to bypass the need of repentance is too ridiculous. It can never be the gospel of Jesus Christ.


Do we just preach the one thing we know or do the one thing we know ?
Many will argue, "We have preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can never be the false prophets even if we refuse to preach any repentance or turning away from sins. We preach the real doctrine. We preach Jesus. We may not preach the doctrine like the Pharisees or the theologians, but we preach like Jesus. We heal the sick, the blind, the poor, the depressed, and many who need Jesus. If you ask them what they need the most, they would tell us that it is not the doctrine of repentance or doctrine of Christ; it is the miracles and prosperity of Christ. They will say, 'We may not know many principles and laws, but one thing we do know: We were once blind but now we can see, once we were sick but now we are healed. Once we were poor, but now we are rich'.
Joh 9:25 KJV  He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Hence, any pastors or theologians who oppose our gospel are like the Pharisees and the scribes. They are the enemies of God, who try to stop the gospel revolution and the work of Jesus."
I will tell them, Yes, we all know one thing. On that day, many preachers will say that they know one thing or many things. But do we preach one thing and tell people to do another thing? Jesus had prophesied that many who confessed His name or confessed that they were from God would preach one thing or many things to oppose God's will. Obviously the will of God for the sinners is to do and keep His laws and commandments. But they would preach many things to oppose Him subtly:
  • 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.
  • 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. .. (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.)
  • Mat 4:3-10 KJV  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  (4)  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (5)  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,  (6)  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  (8)  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  (9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  (10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Notice how Satan tempted Jesus. Satan would never tell us to oppose God or God's words directly in the beginning. He would say, If you are the children of God or believers of Jesus Christ, you should do this or that without the laws or commandments of God .. But in the end, he would reveal himself as the Satan who would oppose God and God's laws. What shall we do? We shall tell him to shut up and get lost ..
2Pe 3:8-18 KJV  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. .... (14)  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  (15)  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;  (16)  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  (17)  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  
We have just read that all men must come to repentance. Many will still ask, "But repentance of what?" I will say, Repentance of a true believer of God
  • to turn from our sin, 
  • to depart from our lawlessness, 
  • to stop believing in the error of the lawless, and 
  • to stop opposing God and His scriptures (this is something extra for the preachers and the prince of the lawless) - 2Pe 3:16-17 LITV  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unsettled pervert, as also they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  (17)  Then beloved, you knowing beforehand, watch lest being led away by the error of the lawless you fall from your own steadfastness.
     
There is still sin conscience if a person has the conviction of sins
Of course, if a person has the conviction of sins, he has sin conscience or condemnation of sins too. But the question is not 'Can God convict the sinners of sins?'; but 'Can God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit convict us (all the believers) of sins?'
I do not like to find fault, but if radical grace doctrine is preached so radically that all men, including the believers and even God's elect, think that sin conscience is from the devil, something is wrong with their doctrine.
Yes, I know that sin conscience or conviction of sins is terrible and it would lead to unpleasant feeling, condemnation feeling, or bad feeling of being the accused. However, sin conscience or conviction of sins is not necessarily always the accusation of Satan. It could be God's judgement or the sharp rebuke by the Lord. When the radical grace preachers argue that the Holy Spirit can no longer convict sins even if a believer or a preacher has sinned, committed adulteries, lied, or cheated, their radical preaching against sin conscience has become a kind of blindness which could give temporary relief to the unrepentant sinners. I will tell them, If the Holy Spirit cannot convict you if you have committed adulteries or lied, who can convict you? No, no one else can correct you too. I don't think you would listen to God or Jesus Christ too. You would only listen to your own 'Jesus' or the 'psychological Jesus' who would still praise you, brainwash you, mesmerize you, have good opinion of you, and say good things of you even after you have sinned, committed adulteries, lied, and cheated.
  • Mat 19:16-17 KJV  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  (17)  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
  • Mat 5:20-29 KJV  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:Mat ... (27) 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. (Hence, Jesus did not say that we should be as righteous as the Pharisees, but He said we should be more righteous than the Pharisees who were hypocrites. In another words, 1. All the Jews must still repent even though they thought that they were as righteous as the Pharisees, 2. All of us, who are now in Christ should never follow the deceivableness of unrighteousness (2Th 2:10) that is in the Pharisees or hypocrites too.)
  • Joh 8:7-11 KJV  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  (8)  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  (9)  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ..
  • Mat 7:22-23 KJV  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.
  • Act 2:37-38 KJV  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  (38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
  • Luk 16:25-31 KJV  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  .. (27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  (28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. .. (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
  • Rev 3:14-19 KJV  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  (15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  (19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
  • Rev 22:13-14 KJV  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
These Bible verses show us one thing very clearly: ie. Jesus would never say these Bible verses to tell us to depart from God's laws. However, He would say it to convict all of us (including those who think that they are too righteous to confess sins) of our sins and our lawlessness !
  • Act 8:20-24 KJV  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.
I will tell the radical grace preachers, If Jesus and His disciples can convict us of our sins and lawlessness, why can't the Holy Spirit convict the believers of sins too? If Jesus could convict the Pharisees by writing on the ground with His fingers and cause the Pharisees to leave one by one before Him (Joh 8:8-9), He can convict anyone, including the self-righteous believers, gnostic believers, agnostic believers, carnal believers, false believers, lying believers, or any kind of believers who think and argue that they can never sin or do not have any sin too.


If Jesus would convict sins, can the Holy Spirit convict sins too?
Hence, I don't think anyone can deny that Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit can convict sins. If Jesus could convict the Pharisees by writing on the ground with His fingers and cause the Pharisees to leave one by one before Him (Joh 8:8-9), He can convict anyone in the world ('kosmos'), including the self-righteous believers, gnostic believers, agnostic believers, carnal believers, false believers, lying believers, worldly believers, or any kind of believers who think and argue that they can never be the sinners of the world and, therefore, they can never sin or do not have any sin to be convicted by the Holy Spirit.
They will still argue, "But the Bible tell us clearly that the Holy Spirit cannot convict us of sins; He can only convict the world of sins. He won't ask us to confess our sins; He would ask the world to confess their sins"
  • Joh 16:8-12 KJV  And when he is come, he will reprove the world ('Kosmos') of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  (12)  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
  • 1Jn 1:8-10 KJV  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I will tell them, Can you please read the Bible verses again? The Bible said, The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. If the Holy Spirit can reprove the world, of course, He can reprove anyone in the world.
Please don't interpret your own will into the Bible. Do you know that He can reprove you even if you think that you are the most favored believer or the greatest saint, bishop, pope, pastor, or prophet? Yes, you could be the most anointed leader of your churches too, but if you are still in the world, you are not too anointed to be reproved by God, by His words, or by the Holy Spirit. If no one is too anointed to be reproved by God, no one can say that he can never sin or confess his sins too. I don't think John or Paul could say that either.
Even Peter was reproved by Paul when he did not do rightly:Gal 2:14 KJV  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Obviously, when John and Paul said, "If we confess our sins" in 1 John 1:9 or "If we sin willfully" in Heb 10:26, they did not want people to think that they are too anointed to sin, to confess their sins, or to repent. If they thought that believers can never sin or confess their sins, they would never have said, "If we confess our sin" or "if we sin willfully"; instead they would just say, "If you rebels sin" or "If you sin the unpardonable sin". But why did they say, "If we sin.." to give us the impression that they could sin too? Of course, they did not want to give us the false impression that they could never sin; instead they would always tell the believers and themselves to admit that they could sin and they need to confess sins, past, present, and future. That's why they could say that if they sinned and confessed their sins (without repeating the confession like the hypocrites or the parrots), God could still forgive their sins. But if they are too proud to confess it, they knew that they would not be forgiven. Obviously, they knew the teaching of Jesus Christ and they would never try to preach it differently to hide the sin conscience of the people:
  • 1Ti 1:14-16 KJV  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (Why did Paul always remind us or himself that we are sinners? Wouldn't it remind us of sin conscience? Yes, definitely but it should remind us of more grace from God too. That's why Paul would also say, Rom 5:19-21 KJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (20)  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  (21)  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. As we think and talk more about sin, grace abound even more. As we are more sin conscience, grace would be even more obvious in our lives. I will tell them, Yes, Paul did say that by Christ obedience, we are made righteous, but he did not say that by one man's obedience, we are made righteous to disobey, rebel, sin, live lawlessly (or think lawlessly), and reject all the laws of God.
  • Luk 13:2-3 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (If we think that we have no sins, Jesus would remind us that we are not too righteous to repent.  
  • Mat 5:20-21 KJV  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:)
  • Luk 11:2-4 KJV  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (How many of us think that the prayer of the Lord has become obsolete? Do you think so because the preachers said so or because Jesus told you so in His words? Very likely you think so because some preachers said so. You won't find Jesus telling us in the Bible that His prayer has become obsolete.    
All the Bible verses above shows us clearly that Jesus had taught His disciples, including John and Paul, to confess sins and admit sins daily to receive the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins. If we think that we are no longer sinners or that we can no longer sin, we've probably unknowingly rejected the need for grace too. It is ridiculous to preach that sinners or believers can never sin when Jesus, John, Paul, and all the disciples of Jesus had preached the warning of sins, the need of repentance, and confession of sins. I am polite if I say that those who preach against the gospel of Jesus Christ are ridiculous. If I am frank, I would tell them to shut up and stay in 'one corner':
  • Mat 4:10 KJV  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mar 8:32-38 KJV  And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.  (33)  But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.  (34)  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (35)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  (36)  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  (37)  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (38)  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
I will ask the 'anointed' preachers, Are you ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it preaches against sins or sin conscience to the sinners or to the world? I don't think you should preach something else to the sinners to replace the cross, dying to sins, or keeping God's commandments, even if you think that the world has become a better world. No, the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same for this adulterous and sinful generation. The world would still need to hear the message of repentance and depart from their lawlessness and sins.
I will ask them, Have you heard of 'anointed' preachers who are convicted of their adulteries, abuse of young children, stealing, or misappropriation of funds? I have heard of different convictions of many preachers from both the mainstream churches and independent churches too. Please think, If the anointed preachers can be convicted of their crimes or lawlessness by the judges of the world or the sinners, isn't it ridiculous to preach that the anointed preachers can never be convicted by God? Of course, it is ridiculous to find that the sinners of the world can judge but our God cannot judge ??? This again would show us that the theology of most radical grace preachers (who preach that God can never convict the believers of sins) is absurd. It can never be right believing. The Corinthians might be confessing or professing believers, but Paul would still speak strongly against them or convict them even if he needed to openly speak out against their 'shame' or sins:
  • 1Co 6:5-11 KJV  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?  (6)  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.  (7)  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?  (8)  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.  (9)  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Don't be made used of by the lawless one
Of course, we know that 1 John 1:9 tells us that we can confess sin because, if we confess our sins, He will forgive us. However, I am sure that 1 John 1:9 does not say how we should confess our sins. Of course, we can confess sins with our mouth or with our action. But I can't tell people how many times they have to confess sins (once a day or 5000 times a day?), when to confess sins (in the morning or evening?), where to confess sins (in our church, home, or massage parlour?), or what to say (Our heavenly Father, hallowed be thy name.. or Jesus, see how I beat my chest now ..). But, should any preachers give us the false impression that most churches are telling us to confess like the parrots or hypocrites, they are not God's preachers. They could be sent by the prince of the world to corrupt the teaching of repentance and falsely accuse the churches so that he (the prince of the world) could preach a better 'repentance'. however, we know that it is a 'repentance' which would only tell us to 'metanoia', change our mind, and depart from the laws of God (to embrace his own lawless philosophy). He would then mock at all those who preach repentance and God's commandments. He would be loved by many who are tired of keeping 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 14:12 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
  • 2Pe 3:15-17 LITV  And think of the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him;  (16)  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unsettled pervert, as also they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  (17)  Then beloved, you knowing beforehand, watch lest being led away by the error of the lawless you fall from your own steadfastness.
  • 2Th 2:5-15 LITV  Do you not remember that I told you these things, I yet being with you?  (6)  And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time.  (7)  For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst.  (8)  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,  (10)  and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved.  (11)  And because of this, God will send to them a working of error, for them to believe the lie,  (12)  that all may be judged, those not believing the truth, but who have delighted in unrighteousness.  (13)  But we ought to thank God always concerning you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,  (14)  to which He called you through our gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (15)  So, then, brothers, stand firm and strongly hold the teachings you were taught, whether by word or by our letter. (How to obtain the glory of the Lord? By not departing from God's laws and commandments, like the ones who lost their garment again after they had found it: Gen 3:7 KJV  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Mat 22:11-12 KJV  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.)

Under the New Covenant, our sanctified conscience would still tell us to keep God's commandments
I will tell him, I am not bother if you whispered repetitive confession of sins or shouted it at the top of your voice to impress others. However, if you stop people from confessing sins when they ought to, you could have problem confessing your sins to God with true repentance too. You could have tried to confess it like the parrots but you knew that there was no repentance. Hence, you had deliberately tried to find the alternative to confessing it. Instead of confessing your sins and repenting in obedience to His words in 1 John 1:9, you would just want to change your mind from thinking of your sins or confession of sins to thinking of no more sins. Of course, if you are a sinner and you chose to think no more of sins, you could argue that you have no more need to confess sins. However, your argument or the preaching of your thinking would never lead any sinner or yourselves to true repentance. It would only lead yourselves to continue to live in denial of your sin conscience. There is no repentance even if you may argue that you have confessed the name of Jesus Christ repetitively.
We cannot live in denial of our sin problem or sin conscience because of the sins in the flesh. If we still struggle with our lust, pride, and greed, it does not mean that feeling of sins, sin conscience, or guilt consciousness about our sins in the flesh is wrong. It does not mean that those who feel numb about their lust, pride, and greed are right either.
  • 1Ti 4:1-2 KJV  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Paul told us that he still had the struggle of sins in the flesh, of infirmities, and of the law of sins. Many radical grace preachers complained that the struggle and confession of sins is too tiring for them, but Paul did not complain like them. He did not just give up the law of God and follow their lawless philosophies instead.   
  • Rom 7:23-25 KJV  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. -----
Yes, we all need the grace of God; but if grace is preached to take away the covenant of grace to repent or to live with God's laws in our hearts, it is no longer the grace of God. It is just a 'lawless covenant' which is useless. It is likened to a blank contract or a blank piece of paper without any term, condition, or law. It may be accompanied by many kinds of fantastic promises, but it can never deliver.
Hence, we may cancel a contract and replace it with another contract, but we can never cancel the contract and replace it with another blank contract or blank piece of paper. The same should apply for God's covenants too. God's covenant can never be replaced by a blank covenant or a 'blank piece of cheque' or promissory note. But Satan would give people the promise of a 'blank cheque' which is too good to be true. But we know that the 'blank cheque' would be bounced even if he could tell us with many promises that it can never be 'bounced, condemned, or penalized' because it is issued by the 'bank of grace, water-marked by the blood, and guaranteed with his mark of lawlessness':
  • 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.
  • Heb 10:26-31 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  (28)  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  (29)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  (30)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  (31)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (I will talk about Heb 10:26 again in more detailed later. 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?

Will Satan tempt those who are under God's covenant or out of God's covenant?
Many will argue, "Yes, we know that Satan had tempted Adam and Eve when there was no covenant between God and man. But we are now living under the New Covenant. Satan can never tempt us any more.." I will tell them, You have just read Heb 10:26. Can you please read the Bible verses above Heb 10:26 too? The whole chapter of Heb 10 shows us clearly that Satan will come again to tempt us after we have received the New Covenant. And he will give us the 'promissory note' from his bank of lawlessness again. He will abuse the name of the Son of God, the blood of the covenant, and the grace of God.
  • Heb 10:16-22 KJV  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; .. (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water...
They will still argue, "But Satan can never tempt us who are under the New Covenant. Satan can only tempt those who are sinners. Without God's protection, they are more vulnerable to his temptation. If you want to preach warning of dooms and gloom to the people, you should not preach it to God's people; you should preach it to the sinners of the world. Why? We are God's people. We are positive people. We are not like the sinners who live in fears or who enjoy living in fears ..."
I will tell them, If you are not God's people under His covenant, why should Satan tempt you? If you belong to Satan, he would not need to tempt you. He would only tempt those who are no longer under him or under his control. The Bible has clearly shown us that Satan would never preach another Jesus to the world; he would preach another Jesus only to the churches who are under God's covenant. Of course, Satan would never need to tempt the sinners or those who are under his 'covenant of lawlessness':
  • 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.
  • Act 20:28-31 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.
Please use common sense, Why did Paul say, "I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled .." or "For I know this .. I ceased not to warn everyone day and night with tears", it shows us that he feared or believed that there could be great possibility that the churches could fall into the trap of the serpent. It would be meaningless for Paul to say that "he feared and warned with tears" when he would think that everyone or all the believers are forever saved, deeply loved, greatly blessed, and highly favored irregardless of what they hear or do.
I will tell them, If God did not give us the warning about Satan's temptation, common sense would still tell us that believers should be warned of Satan's temptation and the possibility of being fallen or being tricked by him. Please think, If Satan had tempted Adam and Eve and caused them to fall, would he need to tempt them again? No. Would he still need to tempt all the sinners to sin again? No. He could just take a break, lie comfortably on his recliner chair, smoke cigars, smile at us, and watch effortlessly on how men would all perish in their sins. But, instead, why did the Bible tell us that he was shouting (preaching) angrily with his lies and false doctrine. Why should he worked so hard (with his mouth) when he should be enjoying himself (on his recliner chair)?
  • 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.
Who are the remnant who keep the commandments of God? Of course, they are not the believers who keep God's commandments hypocritically with their mouths (by confessing only). Neither are they who can boast that they can keep all God's commandments perfectly. They are simply those who would still obey, do, and teach God's commandments in the end time when all other believers have fallen, believed the doctrine of the lawless, departed from God's laws, and given up on the commandments of God. The Bible tells us that, in spite of great persecution, temptation, or false doctrine which flowed out from the mouth of the great serpent and the false prophets, God's people keep focusing on the words of God without wavering:
  • Rev 14:11-12 KJV  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.  (12)  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
However, Satan is losing patience. He could not 'sleep and eat'. He is angry because of this remnant of believers who still keep the commandments of God.and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Hence, we may not warn the sinners of Satan's wroth, deception, doctrine of lawlessness, or temptation; but we would certainly warn the believers who still keep God's commandments. We warn the believers because the believers should have the commandments of God and they could be tempted or attacked by Satan before they could make war with him in the end time. Of course, Satan is not stupid to tempt the believers if he thinks that the believers could never fall. Hence, I find that those who preach that all the believers should only rest, relax, and ignore all God's warning and none can fall are actually lying to the believers or trying to blind the believers. They are not helping the believers; but instead helping the dragon to deceive the believers and cause them to fall because of blindness. Their ultimate goal and objective is to 'annihilate' the remnant of believers who would still keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Yes, it could be just a battle of the mind (as preached by the radical grace preachers). It would not cause any bloodshed, but it may be deadlier than any battle in all our church history. It would cause precious lives to go to hell if the churches still refuse to wake up: 
  • Rev 13:4-18 KJV  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?  (5)  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  (6)  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  (7)  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  (8)  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world... (11)  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.  ...  (15)  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  (16)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  (17)  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  (18)  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
   
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