Monday 31 March 2014

Can we rebuke the lazy people?

Can we rebuke the lazy people?
Please do not try to be religious first when thinking about this question. Just assume that you were a teacher and you were working in the secular world. Will you rebuke the students who refuse to study? If you were a leader of your country, will you rebuke those who refuse to work? If you were the boss of a company, can you rebuke and fire the lazy workers? But if you  will just want to think of grace for the lazy people, you are not a good boss. If you are Mr. Nice to all the lazy people, you show the rest of the people that you are weak and confused in your principles.


God can rebuke the lazy people too
Now, you can think of the question in your religious belief or doctrine. Do you think that God cannot rebuke the lazy people too? If you are preaching a God who can never rebuke them, you show us that your God is weak and confused in His laws and principles too. But true God knows good principles and laws. True God knows what commandments to give to His people:
  • 2Th 3:6-15 KJV  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.  (7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;  (8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:  (9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.  (10)  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.  (11)  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  (12)  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.  (13)  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.  (14)  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
I will ask the radical grace preachers, Did Paul give a command to the non-believers in the Bible verses above? No, he spoke it clearly as a commandment, not as a gracious request. It could be a stern rebuke against all those who are lazy too. Common sense tells us that we can rebuke the lazy people, lazy brethren, lazy students, or lazy workers in our society. But can God rebuke a believer or a church in our world?


Certainly, yes ! God can rebuke anyone, any believer, or any church in the world
How can we say that God can only say gracious words to the believers, that He would never give any commandment to the believers, or that He will never rebuke or reprove any believers or churches?
  • Joh 16:8 KJV  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
  • 1Th 4:9-12 KJV  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.  (10)  And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;  (11)  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  (12)  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 
  • 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.
Hence, the Bible is full of God's commandments, not just the Ten Commandments, for us (the believers) to love God and do good to others. It is not just commandments for us to work hard and preach honestly, but also to be godly men and women who can be moral examples for the people of the world too:
  • Mat 5:13-19 KJV  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Again common sense tells us that, although we can rebuke the lazy people, lazy brethren, lazy students, and lazy workers in our society, we don't tell people to rebuke everyone like a mad man, neither do we condemn all those who need to discipline their students, workers, or children in our society.
Please imagine, If we were the teachers, and the lazy students argued that we were wrong to rebuke them for not doing their home work, something was wrong. If we were the bosses or CEO, and the lazy workers complained that we were wrong to rebuke them for not doing their works, something was very wrong too. 
Similarly, if the sinners or lazy 'brethren' in the churches complained that God is not a good God because He rebuked them, something is terribly wrong in the churches too. Please imagine, What would God think, If the lazy 'brethren' or believers (like the church of Laodiceans in Rev 3:14-19) would argue and tell Jesus, "No, you cannot rebuke us or reprove us because we believe in a 'God' or 'Holy Spirit' who can only have good opinion of us. Hence, you must have good opinion of us because we have good opinion of you too; otherwise, you are not our God .. "  ???


God's words will still judge and rebuke because Jesus is still The Word who came in the flesh and He will come again and judge, as The Word of God (Rev 19:13
Many will just want to argue, "But the bible is not a bunch of laws, moral principles, and doctrine. It is not just words after words or commands after commands for us to do many things or to think of right believing. Let me define it correctly, The Bible is all about Jesus Christ only. It is God's will for us to have stronger relationship with Jesus Christ only, to feel righteous, and to prosper more in the world."
I will tell them, If you think that the Bible has no moral principles to teach us, please do not quote from the Bible when you conduct marriage seminar or give advice to the married couples in your church. Otherwise, you would be very hypocritical if you condemn those who teach God's laws and commandments, while secretly conduct marriage seminar to teach moral principles of good marriage and God's commandment against adultery. I will tell them, Yes, the Bible is about Jesus Christ, but the Bible is also about God's words, God's will, and God's command to us too. How can we put asunder or divide what God is in the Bible? John said, The Word is God. The Word has come in the flesh. And the Word will teach because the Word is the principle and teaching of Christ for us to know how to live; not just to prosper, but to love and to do good to others too : 
  • Joh 1:1-14 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. .. (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 
  • Heb 5:12 KJV  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. ... 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit. 
  • 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 
  • 1Jn 4:2-3 KJV  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 
  • 2Jn 1:6-11 KJV  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
  • Rev 19:13-16 KJV  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  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.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Hence, I will tell them, 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, 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.

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Sunday 30 March 2014

It's our obedience or Christ's obedience?

It's our obedience or Christ's obedience?
Many radical grace preachers say, "Of course, we are saved because of Christ's obedience. We have never obeyed and can never obey. However, Jesus fulfilled all the commandments of God and obeyed them for us so that we have no more commandments to obey or to keep. Yes, we know that the law preachers would argue and say that there are many Bible verses which still tell us to obey. But the meaning of obedience is to believe now, not to keep and obey any laws, principles, rules, and regulations. Or else, why did Paul tell us just to obey the gospel? He meant that we can just believe the gospel and be saved by the finished of Jesus Christ ... Because of the finished work of Jesus Chris, we have no more works in Christ, no more commandments, and no more do's and don'ts ..
  1. 2Th 1:7-11 KJV  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  (8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  (10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  (11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
  2. 1Pe 4:14-19 KJV  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  (15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.  (16)  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  (17)  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (18)  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  (19)  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
I will tell them, Yes, I agree that we can never obey unless we have the obedience of Christ. But this would also mean that we can now obey because of Christ's obedience too. It means that we must still obey God or God's will. Obviously you have quoted the two Bible passages out of context when you explained that there is no more need to obey or keep God's commandments. Please read your Bible again. We don't have to go far or go through all the other Bible verses to show you why we must still keep God's commandments. Let us look at the two Bible passages again. Have you thought of reading the Bible verses before or after  the Bible verse which you quoted and explained about what is 'obey the gospel'? What did Paul say when he told us to obey the gospel in 2Th 1:7-11? God wanted all of us to be counted worthy of His calling to fulfill His will. What did Peter say when he told us to obey the gospel in 1Pe 4:14-19? He said, Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a transgressor of His laws. He said that we should suffer according to the will of God in well doing in obedience to the faithful Creator. Isn't it clear enough for us to obey the will of God and the will of God is to obey His commandments?


Before, we could not obey; but now we must obey because of the obedience of Christ
Hence, what can we say based on these Bible passages which should be quoted in context, with not only the teaching of Paul and Peter, but with the teaching of the Lord and the whole Bible? To obey the gospel of Jesus Christ is to do and keep God's commandments. Yes, before we believe, we can never know God's words and commandments. Hence, we can never keep His commandments too. But now we can keep His words and commandments because of Christ's obedience. Before, we could never obey; but now we must obey (by doing the will of the Father); otherwise we are not His sons or the disciples of Jesus Christ:
  • Mat 7:13-27 KJV  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (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:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  (27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The obedience of Christ would mark the beginning of our obedience
They will argue, "Please don't twist the words of God to convince us to keep any commandment or law. You have quoted the words of God out of context. When the Bible tells us to cast down all our boastful imaginations or bring into captivity our thought to the obedience of Christ, it means that thinking of Christ's finished work only, not any law or principle. When we keep thinking of Christ's obedience or finished work, we don't have to think of any law to obey again because Christ has obeyed all the laws on our behalf. As Christ is, so are we !"
  • 2Co 10:3-7 KJV  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  (7)  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
I will tell them, I don't know Who twist the words? If you think that you are Christ's, please think this again, that, as you are Christ's, even so are we Christ's. Please think again, Why do we need to bring into captivity all our thoughts to the obedience of Christ? It's because our thoughts are not obedient thoughts. Occasionally our lawless or sinful old man will rise up against the knowledge of God and rebel. It will exalt itself against God. That's why we need to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Obviously Paul was not talking about the non-believers because the non-believers could never bring into captivity their thoughts to the obedience of Christ. Obviously the obedience of Christ does not end the works of obedience. On the contrary, the finished work of Christ would only mark the beginning of a believer's works !



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Friday 28 March 2014

Why must we do good?

Why must we do good?
Of course, normal people, including the non-believers, would think that we must do good. We become 'abnormal' if we think otherwise. However, many preachers have influenced the believers to think otherwise, to think abnormally, or to think lawlessly. They would preach and say, "We don't do good get good anymore. Under grace or the new covenant, we don't do and yet we get the good. It means radical grace! Doing good is no longer a must or a command for us; but an option which we will do because of grace and the finished work of Jesus. Hence, teaching people to do good or teaching it as a command of the Lord would be self-effort or law teaching. It is an hindrance which can prevent people from receiving the true grace of God. We should just preach Jesus, confess His beautiful name, think of Him, praise Him, worship Him, and have good opinion of Him. And He would teach us to do everything automatically and supernaturally through dreams, visions, and prompting of the Holy Spirit. In fact, He has done everything for us, including repentance, doing good, and keeping all the laws of God. He has done everything so that He has nothing left for us to do.. Under the new covenant, there is only grace;  no more law, no more commandment, and no more doctrine. Grace is not a doctrine. Grace is Jesus Christ. Grace is the gospel which can meet the needs of the people today because Law demands, but grace supplies .."
 But I will ask them, Did Jesus eat or go to the toilet for you? Obviously, lazy people would push every responsibility to Jesus. But when they fail and sin, they would just say, "It is His problem, not mine". Jesus has never told us that He would do everything for us. On the contrary, He told us to do more than what the Pharisees, priests, or Levites would do:
  • Luk 10:29-37 KJV  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  (31)  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  (32)  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  (33)  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  (34)  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  (35)  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  (36)  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Please think again, Will Jesus change His mind and tell us that we don't have to do good because we have believed in Him and we are under grace? Certainly not. If we have truly believed in Him, we would all the more do what He said or commanded. However, those who wish to justify themselves would think or behave like the priest, the Levite, or the Pharisees. They would argue that their belief, their mind changing philosophy, their right thinking, their praises, their confession of the blood, their faithful taking of the holy communion, their generous giving to the churches, their faith in the transfer of wealth, their testimony of miraculous healing,  and their good opinion of God would exempt them from doing good to others. They can believe well, so can the Pharisee:
  • Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Many of us think that the Lord rejected the Pharisees because they were not humbled. I will say, Yes, this could be part of the reasons. However, the Pharisees were never the doers of God's commandments too. They could believe well, but they could never do well.)
  • Jas 2:19-20 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?
  • Mat 7:21-23 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
The serpent will influence us to depart from God's command to do good too
I will show more teaching of the Lord about His commandments to do good later. However, we should think a little deeper now, Have we been influenced by anyone to think that the Lord's commandment to do good is no longer a command for the believers. If you are alert, you would remember that the serpent had influenced Adam and Eve to think that God's command to them was no longer a command for them. The serpent was so good in his ways of speech that he could turn something that is clearly given and perceived as a command from God into something else:
  • 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 3:1-5 KJV  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ... (4) 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.
Hence, I am not surprised that the serpent will tempt us again. Of course, he will only tempt  those who have the words and commandments of the Lord. He will ask again, "Hisss.., Hisss.., Yea, hath the Lord said, Ye cannot do this and that? Did He really really tell you to keep all the laws or commandments of God to do good? No, you have misunderstood Him .. He meant this... this.. you can never fall .. , isn't this too good to be true? , .. I tell you, For God doth know that in the day ye  open your eyes, ye are above His laws and commandments. You can never die. You can never be condemned by His words even if you fall or disobey because .." 
Of course, this is just a summary of what he will say. He can certainly preach more convincingly to deceive us like he deceived Adam and Eve. We should tell him, How can we be above the law of God even if we are under grace: Rom 8:7 KJV  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Hence, I am now convinced why Jesus would warn us that the devil will come again and try to corrupt His words, and why we must keep His commandments:
  • Mat 13:24-30 KJV  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  (25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  (26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  (27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  (28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  (29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  (30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
  • 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.
     
The Bible has taught us that it is a command from God for us to do good
The Lord and the Apostles would say that it is a must for us to do good. They would never say that it is an option or a hindrance:
  • Mat 5:44-48 KJV  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.
  • Luk 6:9 KJV  Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
  • Luk 6:35-36 KJV  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (36)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
  • 1Ti 6:17-18 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
  • Jas 4:17 KJV  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
  • 1Pe 3:10-12 KJV  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
In fact, God's will and command for men to do good has never changed. We can see this since the time God gave the Jews His Old Testament and the Ten Commandments.


Grace and good works do not crash
Many preachers think that it would crash with grace if we do good and teach people to do God's commandments, God's will, or good works. However, I would think otherwise. I would think that grace and doing good must be preached together:
  • 2Co 9:7-8 KJV  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
In fact, the Lord has shown us that we receive grace to do good to others, not to do evil:
  • 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.
  • Mat 25:40 KJV  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.


There are many reason why we must do good because of grace
1. We do not do good because we want to earn grace. We do good because it is a command from the Lord.
  • 1Ti 6:17-18 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;



2. We do not do good because we are compelled by an unknown force; we do good because we want to obey and please the Lord
  • Heb 13:16 KJV  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 
  • 1Pe 3:10-12 KJV  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
3. We do not do good because it is an option for us; we do good because we obey and it is His will for us.
  • Php 2:12-13 KJV  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
4. We do not do good because we want to get good; we do good because we know that God is merciful and forgiving:
  • Luk 6:35-36 KJV  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (36)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
5. We do not do good because we are good; we do good because we know that God is good and we want to be good too: 
  • Mat 5:44-48 KJV  .. (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 
  • 1Pe 1:13-16 KJV  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
  • Jas 4:17 KJV  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin   

Please think, If we must do good and tell people to do good, how can the teaching of doing good be self-effort? It can be self-effort only if it is preached as the law of the Pharisees. However, we know that the Pharisees would never do good. Hence, I would think that the law of the Pharisees which did not really teach the people to do good would be their self-effort to become righteous before God. Hence, any law or grace which tries to justify the people without doing good today is still 'self-effort' or 'self-righteousness' in the eyes of the Lord. It is like the works of the law of the Pharisees.


There are many reasons why we must do good because of the finished work of Jesus Christ
Many radical grace preachers could preach the finished work of Jesus very well. But it is so well that it become the finished work of the believers. Of course, I don't think that Jesus would tell us that His finished work is our finished work. His finished work is done once and for all. But our work is not finished yet if we are not finished or God has not finished with us.
We cannot add any law, work, or effort on to what Jesus has finished on the cross for us. But we can certain do good or add good works in our lives, not to save ourselves, but to fulfill the joy, the will, and the pleasure of the Lord in our lives.
  • 2Th 1:8-12 KJV  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  (10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  (11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  (12)  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Jas 2:8 KJV  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

The will to do good is still a 'law' of God in every man's heart
If you remember what I said earlier, you would know that I have already stressed why we must do good. I said at the top of  this post, "Normal people,  including the non-believers, would think that we must do good". The concept that 'we must do good' is the law of God in every man, and this law will never changed even though men have departed from the law of God. Non-believers may not have the law of God which speaks to them directly or clearly as His command or voice, but consciously or unconsciously they know that there is always an 'anonymous' inner voice which may strongly disagree with them or strongly condemn their sinful behaviors. We called it - the conscience:
  • Rom 2:14-24 KJV  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  (16)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.  (17)  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,  (18)  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;  (19)  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,  (20)  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.  (21)  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  (22)  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  (23)  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?  (24)  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
  • 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.

Man's normal thinking will be corrupted to think deceitfully or lawlessly
But things would get worst when the normal people, including the believers, will lose that conscience or the law of God to do good.. I have said that it is a mystery of lawlessness which will first corrupt the normal thinking of the people and make them believe that sin can come from any law, especially the law of God. When this happens, many normal people think that:
  • sin comes from the law 
  • doing good is a law from the devil (Mat 24:11-12 LITV  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).
This will happen in the last days, when man's conscience will be corrupted easily and they will love to hear anything or any interpretation from the serpent. Have we marveled at the foolishness of Adam and Eve? How could they listen to the interpretation of Satan to depart from God's command and dishonor it when God's command was so clear and so direct to them? I don't think Adam and Eve were foolish; but they were deceived by Satan who was too cunning for them. Today Satan would still try to twist our normal and direct thinking on God's commandments again. Hence, we are not surprised that many people, including the believers, have begun to think like the devil and argue that sin does not come from lawlessness, but sin comes from the law of God (click here to watch this video) and that they will be saved even if they believe the devil, sin, and dishonor God's commandments.


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Tuesday 25 March 2014

Did sin come from the law or from lawlessness?

Did sin come from the law or from lawlessness?
Many think that this is a strange question. "Who wouldn't know that sin come from lawlessness? If we do not have God's laws or disobey God's laws, we sin in the eyes of God. God's words have confirmed it:"
  • 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.  ...   3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  • 1Jn 3:4 KJV  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
I will tell them, Normal people, including Adam and Eve, will read God's command and interpret that we would sin if we do not do God's will or God's command. But when Satan comes, we could be confused to think otherwise. The fall of Adam and Eve is a very obvious example and lesson for us. They were confused to think that they can just disobey God's command even though initially they had known that departing from God's command was a serious sin which could lead to death.


Satan can confuse us like he confused Adam and Eve
Today, Satan will still come again to tempt the churches and confuse us like he confused Adam and Eve. Don't ask me, How can he succeed to tempt God's beloved or the believers who know God's words? I can only say that we should never underestimate him. He can confuse all of us even though we know clearly that it is a sin to disobey God's will and command.  How can he manage to do that ? It was always a mystery to us, including Paul who has prophesied that lawlessness will come into the churches or into the hearts of the believers again in the end time. I will tell those who argue that the churches or believers can never fall, Please look at Adam and Eve who were smarter and more perfect than us. They had received God command in a much clearer way, and yet they could still fall. This should give us enough warning.
Secondly, Please think, Why did the Bible prophesy or warn that lawlessness will come into the churches? Why didn't the Lord warn the people outside the churches? Of course, common sense. It's because Satan would not need to tempt those who have already fallen. It is meaningless for him to tempt anyone outside the churches again.
  • 2Th 2:3-12 LITV  Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  (4)  the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2  (5)  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.
  • 2Co 11:3-4 LITV  But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the purity which is due to Christ.  (4)  For if, indeed, the one coming proclaims another Jesus, whom we have not proclaimed, or if you receive another spirit which you have not received, or another gospel which you never accepted, you might well endure these.
     
Satan will tempt the churches again in the end time
However, recently I feared that the mystery of lawlessness has come. Many will ask, "On what basis?" I will say, On the basis that lawless philosophies and thinking has now become more rampant in the churches and it has been prophesied by Paul. Of course, lawless philosophies and thinking is not necessarily teaching which encourages people to sin and commit serious crimes. Lawless philosophies and thinking can be simply teaching which encourages people to depart from God's will and command. If we look around, we should have noticed that the teaching of many churches today encourages people to think of everything 'lawlessly' in the name of 'radical grace'. Although there are many things taught lawlessly by radical grace in the past, their lawlessness against God's will and command has always been very subtle and well hidden with occasional teaching of God's laws and commandments eg. with the teaching of Psalm 1, Psalm 34, and Deuteronomy 28. However, lately I heard that radical grace preachers have started to become more aggressive and lawless in their radical grace revolution. They preach that sin come from the law; not lawlessness !


 Satan can convince the churches to disobey God, like Adam disobeyed God
What does it mean when someone said that sin come from the law? It means that he could be challenging God's will and commandment or he will confuse the churches to think that they can depart from all God's commandments even though they had been warned to keep God commandments. Like Adam and Eve, they knew God's laws and commandments and yet they would depart from them. When they are deceived to think the sin come from the law; and not lawlessness, they would blame the law or indirectly blame God who gave them the law. It gave them legitimate ground to ignore, reject, and mock at God's laws, God's will, God's command, and God's sovereignty.. 

Hence, I am now helplessly seeing the churches following the steps of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God's command even though they had known that departing from God's command was lawlessness which could lead to death. Jesus warned us that teaching others to depart from God's will and command means rebellion and unpardonable sin too as it can lead to eternal separation from Him even though they may keep confessing His name:
  • 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:

How did radical grace preachers preach that sin came from the law?
Many will ask, "Can there be anyone in their right mind preaching that sin came from the law; and not from lawlessness?" I say, Yes, I have heard it clearly and loudly from some radical grace preachers. Normal people, including Adam and Eve, will read God's command and interpret that we would sin if we do not do God's will or God's command. But they said, "Sin came from the law because sin come from the tree. As long as Adam and Eve did not eat from the tree, they would not sin. But the moment they ate from the tree, sin went into their lives. It means that the tree cause sin to come into the world; not lawlessness. Why do I say that the tree is the main culprit? It's because the tree is called the knowledge of good and evil. Please think, How do we know between right and wrong or between good and evil? Isn't it the law? Hence, the tree is a type of the law. If any man today takes in the law, he will know what is good and evil; but he will also fall like Adam and Eve too. From the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve knew sin. Similarly, from the law, we know sin too. So, the moral of the story is, Never take the law ! Sin comes from the law; not lawlessness. The churches have got it all wrong. They tell us that we must repent to keep all the laws of God. But my Jesus tells us that we take grace for true repentance. We don't repent to keep the law; otherwise, we keep sin in our lives, But we repent to receive grace."
I will tell them, Yes, that's very logical; but very lawless too. Normal people would never think like you. Yes, your thinking may earn the claps and approvals of all those who are afraid to think of the law of God, but it is not from God.

Please think, If sin can come from the law, then God, the giver of the law would be the giver of sin too. Are you saying that God is a sin giver? Of course, no, God would never give sin. Sin would never come from God. Sin came from men because men chose lawlessness and departed from God's law. There was no sin in the tree or in the fruit of the tree. But sin came when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Hence, sin would still come if they did not eat from the tree. Sin would still come if they chose to listen to the snake and eat something else or do something else to rebel against God's will or command. Similarly, sin would still come today if we do the same thing too. Sin would not stop coming into the world today just because men have stopped eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If today we (after becoming righteous like Adam and Eve before their fall) were to listen to the snake again and mock against God or God's words, sin would still come. 
  • Gal 6:5-7 KJV  For every man shall bear his own burden.  (6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  (7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
I will ask them, Please think again, If sin comes from the law, can we call the law holy? No. But why did Paul said that the law is holy? It would show that sin does not come from the law; sin comes from the sinners:
  • Rom 7:11-18 KJV  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.  (12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.  (13)  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.  (14)  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.  (15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I... (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Paul would never suggest that we should forget about the law of God
Paul said that sin came from him because he was carnal. But the law of God and the law of sin together would still torment him. What's the solution? Did he suggest that we should therefore reject and ignore God's laws so that we will feel less condemned? Certainly not. Please read on:
  • Rom 7:25 KJV  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.  Rom 8:1-8 KJV  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (5)  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Paul shows us that there are two laws:
  • one is holy, just, and good (Rom 7:12). It is spiritual (Rom 7:14). It is of the Spirit (Rom 8:2). It is not of the carnal mind (Rom 8:7)  - It is the law of God
  • the other is the law of sin, the law of the flesh, or the law from the carnal mind.
Hence, when there is a fight between the law of God and the law of sin in his life, Paul would suggest his solution:
  • he would serve the law of God with his mind. It means thinking of God's laws instead of departing from God's laws or ignoring God's laws (Rom 7:25)
  • he would walk after the Spirit. It means that he would listen to the law of God who is the Spirit (Rom 8:2)
  • he would subject himself to the law of God or obey the law of God and please God (Rom 8:7-8)  

          

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Monday 24 March 2014

Can we sin or fall into sins?

No one can boast that he can never sin
I would always like to talk about some common sense before I show what God said. So, please think, Would you warn the small children from falling when they are on the escalator? Of course, there is nothing wrong to give warnings. But today we hear many preachers saying that God's warnings or commandments to us are condemnation. I will tell them, How can it be condemnation if we give warning to our children that they can fall or if we give warning to the believers that they can fall too? Of course, we don't give warning to condemn, we give warning because we love them, and it is necessary for us to warn them if they are our children or God's people. We would never warn those who are already fallen; they must repent first before they can keep any God's warnings or commandments.

Of course, I don't think I need to tell people that the Bible has many Bible verses which tell us that we can sin or fall  into sins. If we are not blinded by self-righteous doctrine which constantly argues that no one can sin because of grace or radical grace, we should be sober enough to know that we still need to stay humble to repent and confess our sins. I don't have time to find all the Bible verses which support this, but I can just say briefly that when the Bible verses warned us with the words "we .. , if we .., or Beware ..", they are speaking to us and they are for us too, for example:
  1. If we sin willfully.. Heb 10:26
  2. If we suffer, .. 2Ti_2:12  
  3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be..  Heb 2:3    
  4. Heb 12:25 KJV  .. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
  5. 1Jn 1:6-10 KJV  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (8)  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Have we thought why John said, If we confess our sins .. and Paul said, If we sin wilfully..? Does it mean that John always confessed sins or Paul always sinned wilfully? No. We can say that they hardly sinned. But does it mean that they are saying it to the agnostic believers and therefore their warnings are not applicable to us? No. They are saying it to us and their warnings are for us. Please think, When a father warned his kid and said, "Son, if we take drugs, we will get addicted and we will regret one day..", does it mean that the father had taken drugs? No. We can say that the father had never taken drugs or hardly took any drugs. But does it mean that the father could only say it to other kids and therefore his warning was not applicable to his kid? No. It is ridiculous to twist the warning of the father and convince the son that his father's warning was not for him. Similarly, it is equally ridiculous to twist the words of God in Heb 10:26 and 1 John 1:9 and convince God's children that God's warnings are no more applicable to them.
If we have become fools by preaching that all God's warnings and commandments to us have become obsolete, I trust that we will repent immediately.
However, I do not write all these to tell people to just repent. I want people to go further. I have more things to say when thinking about the question: "Can we sin or fall into sins?"


Most sinners of the world know that they have sinned or they are sinners
We know that we can still sin or fall into sins because God's words said so. But will the sinners of the world argue that they can never sin too?
  1. No, common sense tells us that no one can boast. We all still need the grace of God to repent and confess our sins, even after we have become believers. That's why Christians are under the covenant of grace. We need more grace than anyone who think that they are righteous or than any religious Jews or believers who lived under the righteousness of their laws.
  2. Now, some religious people may argue that they can never sin against God, but can they argue that they can never sin against others?
No, I don't think so. As long as we are still living in this world, we can't boast that we can never sin against others. We may do all the correct religious practices and confessions, we may always give thanks to God, we may always have good opinion of God, we may preach pure grace or doctrine; but can we boast that we have done all the correct thinking and action for our fellow brethren? If we cannot say yes with a good conscience, we cannot boast that we can never sin. Hence, the words of the Lord to the young lawyer is still applicable to us even though we may think that we are righteous under grace:
  • Luk 10:25-29 KJV  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  (27)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  (29)  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

True believers know that they still need grace for repentance daily
The Pharisee who boasted before God in Luke 18 was almost perfect in the eyes of men. But in the eyes of the Lord, he was not worst than the sinner. Why? It's because when he oppressed other or sinned against others, God held it against him:
  • Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

If we sin against others, we sin against God
Do we still doubt against God's justice because He held it against us if we offended others or sinned against others? Jesus told us another parable which explained why our behaviors or actions for or against others will affect our righteous standing before Him:
  • Mat 25:31-46 KJV  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  (32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  ..   (41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  (42)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  (43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  (44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  (45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  (46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
If we are still not satisfied with the Lord's answer, we can hear three more parables from the Lord:
  1. Luk 16:19-31 KJV  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.  ...  (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. (The rich man should have repented because he had sinned but the Lord did not specify what sin he had committed. However, it is clear to us that the beggar died before the eyes or the doorsteps of the rich man. It means that the rich man could have done something but he chose to do nothing like the priest or the Levi in the another parable which the Lord had shown us)
  2. Luk 10:29-36 KJV  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  (31)  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  (32)  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  (33)  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  (34)  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  (35)  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  (36)  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? (37) And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
  3. Luk 12:1-21 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. (Again the Lord did not specify what sin the rich man had committed. However, it is clear to us that the rich man became so covetous that he started to hog or hoard on his riches.)

Don't help those who sin against others to feel better
Hence, it is clear to us that many prosperity or radical grace preachers would encounter problem whenever they come to the three Bible passages above. Guess what will they say to the believers? They will say, "These Bible passages are not for us. They are obsolete. They are for the Pharisees or non-believers who are filthy rich. The rich man who was condemned in the parable can never be us or Christian believers."
I will tell them, Yes, you may help the rich Christian believers to feel less condemned but you have also preached lies to help those who have sinned against the Lord when they are answerable to those are around them:
  1. Firstly, the Lord did not tell us which parable is for us and which parable is for the sinners
  2. Secondly, the Lord would never allow us to use his grace or favor as a cover for our foolish thinking, behavior, or sin: 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.
a. justification by faith or by grace is only the beginning of a believer's forgiven life so that he can do more with the words and commandments of God in his life. The grace for cancellation of debts or forgiveness of debts is not given so that we can have more future debts or more future lawlessness. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sins with no more repentance (or to sin wilfully). 
  • Luk 13:2-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  (7)  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8)  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  (10)  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
b. Grace is not forever - it is given for the purpose of repentance, turning back to God's commandments, keeping God's laws, and doing His words. Grace is not given for the purpose of enjoying or living in lawlessness forever. Grace is not there forever if we are forever lawless in our hearts or minds. However, if we repent, keep the commandments of God, and live with the laws of God in our hearts and minds, God will remember all our lawlessness no more and He will be our God forever: 
  • Heb 10:16-17 LITV  "This is the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says the Lord: Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"  (17)  also He adds, "I will not at all still remember their sins" and their lawlessnesses. ..  
  • Heb 8:10 LITV  Because this is the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, giving My Laws into their mind, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 
  • Luk 19:8-10 LITV  But standing, Zaccheus said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor. And if in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham.  (10)  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the one being lost.
Hence, the cancellation of debt or forgiveness of debt is not given so that a believer can have more future debt or lawlessness forever. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sin or lawlessness without any repentance. However, many preachers have deceived the believers into thinking that they can literally expect forgiveness of all their future sins, and even supernatural cancellation of all their future financial debts, if they will just radically believe or do and teach their 'holy communion's blood cleansing' ritual, 'pure grace' confession, 'supernatural' favour, 'mind changing' philosophy, or 'false repentance' to disregard and to 'repent' from all the laws and commandments of God. I did write about some preachers who have managed to quote the Bible out of context and capitalise on this 'supernatural' deception or 'cancellation of debts' to transfer effortless wealth to themselves. (see "Supernatural cancellation of debts - Is it really a supernatural transfer of wealth, a religious gimmick, or just a vain religious boasting?" in my previous post here.)

Can a believer fall or renounce his eternal security?
Radical grace preachers say, "When Adam fell, he became a sinner. He didn't want to be a sinner, but could he renounce his sinnership or sin status? Of course, not. Similarly, what make you think that when you are made righteous in Christ, you can renounce your righteousness status now? No, never, impossible. If Adam or a sinner can never renounce his sins, neither can we renounce our righteousness in God too. Hence, we can never fall even if we sin or renounce our righteousness. Once we are made righteous, we are always righteous. Once we are in the light, always in the light. Once saved, always saved. "
I will tell them, Please think again, Can a believer fall or renounce his eternal security? Of course, yes. This is common Bible logic: If the Bible has warned us with many examples of those who have fallen and sinned with disobedience. They will never confess their sins with true repentance.
  • 1Co 10:6-15 KJV  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  (7)  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  (8)  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  (9)  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  (10)  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  (11)  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  (12)  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (14)  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.  (15)  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (These teachings are certainly for us because it is said clearly that these are the examples, warnings, or admonition for us)
I will tell them, You said that Adam was a sinner and he could never renounce his sinnership. Have you forgotten how Adam had renounced his righteous status in the garden of Eden. He was created or made without sin in the garden of Eden, how come he can renounce his status and become a sinner? If this can happen to him, it can happen to any believer who renounce his righteous status and depart from God's laws too.
What we should preach today is, Don't listen to the devil. He will still come to the churches, the righteous ones in Christ, and the believers. Why? It's because he knows that he can tempt us, like he tempted Adam and Eve, to lead us to nakedness, condemnation, lawlessness, and departure from God's laws. Please think, If Satan knows that the churches or the believers can never fall, will he still tempt the churches or us? No, he will retire early, relax in one corner, and wait for his judgement. But why would he need to work so hard to tempt the churches with so much false doctrine or lawlessness teaching? It's because he knows that he can still deceive some believers who will depart from the law of God and fall like Adam and Eve:
  • 2Co 11:2-4 KJV  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  (3)  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.
  • 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. (Satan will preach lawlessness and false doctrine and it will be preached like flood water from his mouth which will corrupt many churches. But God's people who has the commandments of God will oppose him.)
  • 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.
Hence, there are still many Bible warnings for us even though we have been made righteous by Christ to follow the laws of God. We can still fall because the temptation from Satan is not over yet. Satan can still tempt us and make us fall. He can still convince many believers and make them renounce their righteous status in Christ by doing something silly and fall like Adam and Eve. Satan will lie and say that a God's favoured one or righteous one can never die and lose his eternal security even if he sins wilfully or renounce all the laws and commandments of God.
Satan would never ask the sinners to renounce the laws and commandments of God, but he will certainly tempt those who has the law, command, or the glory of God. It's simple logic. The sinners have nothing to renounce because they have already fallen, but the believers can still fall if they listen to the words or reasoning of the lawless one. They can still fall like Adam and Eve if they are not diligent in hearing and keeping the words or command of the Lord. They will lose their garment of glory:
  • 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 KJV  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ..  (7) 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 22:10-14 KJV  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  (11)  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  (13)  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (14)  For many are called, but few are chosen.

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Sunday 23 March 2014

What is God's solution to the world's problem of false doctrine?

Many preachers today cannot just totally ignore the problem or the possibility of false doctrine in the churches now, especially at a time when we are approaching nearer and nearer to the end time. But do we have the solution?
Many would say, "Of course, we will just preach Jesus, meditate on Jesus, and confess His name. And Jesus will tell us who are the false prophets. The more we preach Jesus, think of Jesus, or hear from Jesus, the more we will know who are the false prophets and we can just get rid of all the false doctrine from our churches without us doing anything .. Jesus will do the supernatural.. We don't have to do much .. We just need to think positive, think of Jesus, think of Him as the lion of Judah or the great hero who is more powerful than Satan.. this is good enough.. "
I will tell them, If this is good enough, we will just need the Fantastic Four or the superheroes to be our savior and we will just do nothing.. But the truth is: God did not send the superheroes to save us from the monsters; He sent Jesus to save us from our sins and lawlessness. Hence, we don't just do nothing. We repent, believe, and stay watchful and sober (to keep His words and commandments).
 

The solution to the problem of false doctrine in the churches is not as simple as what we think
Obviously those who tell the believers to just think positive and do nothing, do not hear Jesus. I will tell them, Yes, it may sound good to let Jesus do everything for you, thereby eliminating any of your effort to stay alert. But the problem is: We could have been hearing from the false prophets while thinking that we are hearing from Jesus. A false prophet can always tell you to hear Jesus only, but secretly he could be influencing you to hear him only or hear his lawless doctrine only.
How can we help those who have been hearing from the false prophets; but still thinking that they are hearing Jesus? I don't think that we have any simple solution. It is difficult to wake up those who love to 'sleep' and think that the 'sleeping doctrine' or 'do nothing' doctrine is the doctrine of Christ. Sometimes, I felt frustrated talking to people who love to 'sleep'. Imagine how will you feel when you talked to someone on street, and the moment, they saw a 'sleep bag', they would just crawl inside immediately? Yes, we may think that it is ridiculous but this could be the picture Paul would not want to see in the churches too:
  • Rom 13:9-14 KJV  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (10)  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  (11)  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  (12)  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
    
It requires much effort to study and know the words of God
Yes, I do not deny that Jesus did show us how we can identify and fight against the false prophets by first knowing their fruits. But He would never give us the impression that doing this is like 'pushing a button', and everything will be ok. He didn't tell us to do nothing and wait for Him to eliminate all the false prophets and false doctrine from our churches. No, it requires much efforts for us to study God's words, commandments, principles, and doctrine before we can judge who is a false prophet and what are the fruits of a false prophet. It requires much effort to be diligent and sober.


It requires much effort to watch and pray
Hence, I don't think we can tell people to just confess His name and do nothing. I will ask them, Do you study His words? Do you think that He would tell you to just confess His name or His words and do nothing? No, I don't think so:
  • 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.)
  • Mar 13:33-37 KJV  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.  (34)  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.  (35)  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:  (36)  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.  (37)  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
  • 1Th 5:6 KJV  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
  • 1Pe 1:12-16 KJV  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  (13)  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
  • 1Pe 4:7-8 KJV  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer..
  • 1Pe 5:8 KJV  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The problem of false doctrine could have become a serious problem in the churches
I have used the 'sleeping bag' as my illustration of the false doctrine or 'sleeping doctrine' just now. Do you think that our real problem is as simple as that? Certainly not. If false doctrine is as simple as the 'sleeping bag' on the roadside, we can just remove it without much problem.
However,  I have said that our real problem today cannot be solved easily by any simple solution. Why? It is because most of the people who believe in the false doctrine may not have crawled into the 'sleeping bags'; instead, they have checked into the 'posh hotels'. Now, please think, Can we just remove the hotels?  No, it is certainly not easy to remove them if false doctrine has become as attractive as or as established as the 'posh hotels' along the roadside?
I know that I am going to offend some people if I say that the 'posh hotels' could mean churches which are established; they may be established to preach the doctrine of Christ, but it is all 'sleeping doctrine' or false doctrine. But who can argue vehemently that no churches can preach any false doctrine when Jesus has given us such warning?  
  • Rev 2:12-16 KJV  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;  (13)  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.  (14)  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  (15)  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  (16)  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
I will tell those who cannot accept any God's warning, Yes, you may feel less condemned if you do not believe in any warning. But you could have deprived yourselves of God's grace or the gift of God for repentance. There are two categories of sinners in the churches:
  1. Those who will still read God's warnings and repent  
  2. Those who will just shut their ears from hearing any warning from God and confess only the righteousness of God

God's warnings and commandments are still necessary for us in the end time
I hope that we will never be in the second category. Many will still argue, "We have never denied the Lord's warnings to the churches in Revelation. We just think that we can never be in any of the two categories of sinners who still need  warnings of the Lord. We can never sin and never fall. So, the Lord's warning to the church of Pergamos is not applicable to us..."
I will tell them, If you can honestly think that you can never sin, never need to repent, or never need to confess sins, yes, I agree that you do not need any of the Lord's warnings in Revelation. In fact, you do not need any of the Lord's warnings in the Bible too. You can just give thanks, sing hallelujah everyday, and confess the righteousness of God. But, you could have blinded all your believers and sinners from reading the Bible which is still important to us in the end time, especially when we will still need to discern or judge the false doctrine :
  • 2Ti 3:13-17 KJV But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I will tell them, You may think that you have valid biblical ground to remove the words, commandments, or warnings of God on the basis of radical grace, but you could have behaved like the Pharisees - by preaching false doctrine to please the majority and take advantage of it for selfish gain knowingly or unknowingly.


The great shaking of the Lord in the end time could be the final solution
The Lord's warning to the church of Pergamos is just one of the example in the book of Revelation. It does not mean that only the church of Pergamos at a certain time need such warning; but in fact, many churches in the world today may still need the Lord's warning. They may be established to preach the doctrine of Christ, but it is all 'sleeping doctrine'. Hence, there will be another great shaking on earth according to the prophecy of the Lord. It is not just the great shaking of the earthquakes, but the shaking of doctrine by God's words in the churches:
  • Heb 12:23-29 KJV  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  (25)  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  (26)  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  (27)  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  (28)  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  (29)  For our God is a consuming fire.
    
An example of a false doctrine
Many people will ask, "Yes, we know that wrong teaching of God's words, God's laws, and commandments can lead to false doctrine. But you have not tell us any example of false doctrine. Do you have any concrete examples of false doctrine, So that we know who are preaching false doctrine?"
I will tell them, I do not like to give examples of false doctrine because when I do that I am giving the false prophets an education of how to avoid detection and change their doctrine to something that is harder to detect. My purpose of writing all these is not to educate the false prophets about their false doctrine; but to educate ourselves to know about God's laws, doctrine, and commandments. However, since I have written so much on false doctrine, naturally I need to give at least one example of false doctrine:
A. WYSIWYG doctrine may sound biblical but it is not from God
Have you heard of the WYSIWYG doctrine? It means that you will get whatever you see or whatever you desire in the name of Christ? What you see is what you get or WYSIWYG. It seems biblical with the following Bible verses from Jesus:
  1. Joh 15:7-8 LITV  If you remain in Me, and My Words remain in you, whatever you desire you will ask, and it shall happen to you.  (8)  In this My Father is glorified, that you should bear much fruit; and you will be disciples to Me.
  2. Joh 16:24 KJV  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
But if we read His words in context, we will know that He did not just tell us to ask or tell 'the self in us' to ask with our lust, but He told us to ask with His commandments or His words in us. It may also mean that His words or commandments in us will ask or the Spirit of the law of Christ in us will ask with us and for us: 
1. Joh 15:7-12 LITV  If you remain in Me, and My Words remain in you, whatever you desire you will ask, and it shall happen to you.  (8)  In this My Father is glorified, that you should bear much fruit; and you will be disciples to Me.  (9)  As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; continue in My love.  (10)  If you keep My commandments you will continue in My love, as I have kept My Father's commandments and continue in His love.  (11)  I have spoken these things to you that My joy may abide in you, and your joy may be full.  (12)  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.
Next, when Jesus told the disciples to ask, did He tell them to ask for anything? No. If the disciples could just ask for anything, they would ask that Jesus would not die or that they would not need to suffer with any grief or persecution. Yes, Jesus did tell them that they could ask for anything or whatever, but it is not anything under the sun; but it is something that was about to show, how much God the Father and Jesus would love us, that our joy may be full - He was talking about the giving of the Holy Spirit:
2.  Joh 16:5-7 KJV  But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?  (6)  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.  (7)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ..  (17) Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? ....  (19) Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?  (20)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. ...  (22) And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.  (23)  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.  (24)  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Many will argue, "But the bible is not a bunch of laws, moral principles, and doctrine. It is not just words after words or commands after commands for us to do many things or to think of right believing. Let me define it correctly, The Bible is all about Jesus Christ only. It is God's will for us to have stronger relationship with Jesus Christ only, to feel righteous, and to prosper more in the world."
I will tell them, If you think that the Bible has no moral principles to teach us, please do not quote from the Bible when you conduct marriage seminar or give advice to the married couples. Otherwise, you would be very hypocritical if you condemn those who teach God's laws and commandments, while secretly conduct marriage seminar to teach moral principles of good marriage and God's commandment against adultery. I will tell them, Yes, the Bible is about Jesus Christ, but the Bible is also about God's words, God's will, and God's command to us too. How can we put asunder or divide what God is in the Bible? John said, The Word is God. The Word has come in the flesh. And the Word will teach because the Word is the principle and teaching of Christ for us to know how to live; not just to prosper, but to love and to do good to others too :
  • Joh 1:1-14 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. .. (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
  • Heb 5:12 KJV  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. ... 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.
  • 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
  • 1Jn 4:2-3 KJV  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
  • 2Jn 1:6-11 KJV  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
B. WYSIWYG doctrine is attractive but it is worldly 
Of course, if God's words are preached radically or irresponsibly as a WYSIWYG doctrine in the name of Christ to satisfy all the desire of the people, it can become radically attractive to everyone. However, it will become a false doctrine which will draw away people from God's words and commandments. Can we remember any preacher who told us just to imagine or look at something that is not there and confess it verbally or mentally until it is there? It could be preached as radical faith or solution for anything that is non-existent to become existent in the name of Christ or anointed faith. I don't have time to go through all the Bible verses quoted by the WYSIWYG preachers, but I can tell people that all their applications of the Bible verses are out of context. Please think, Doe it make sense to paste a picture of the Mr. Universe or Miss Universe on your mirror and confess daily that you will become like them. If this can happen, before you become like them, they may become like you. This is absurd. If this can happen, we don't need to buy any hair growing tonics too; we can just paste a picture of a good looking man or woman and confess it until our hair start to grow. This is absurd again. Now, is there anyone who lacks money? We don't have to run to the WYSIWYG prophets to receive their prosperity blessings; we can just paste another picture of money or gold bars on our mirror and confess it until it become real. How about couples who have no children? Well, no problem too. They can just buy some pictures of fat babies and paste them all over their house. The radical application of this WYSIWYG philosophies is endless. However, do we check the Bible or do we just let any WYSIWYG prophets deceive us? Many couples may think that they are true prophets because they have really prospered or received fat babies after they did as instructed by them. But did they check their Bible? I am afraid that they did not care if they would listen to the Lord who commands us be sober. They would just run to anyone who can answer their desperate needs. But Jesus has warned:  
Mat 24:23-26 KJV  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ (the anointed), or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs (the anointed), and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
C. WYSIWYG preachers will not only deceive others, but they deceive themselves too
Have we heard of preachers who always say, "God told me  .. God said to me to tell you .. God gave me this vision .. God did this for me .. or God did that for me .."
Well, they could be sincere when they said all these. They would never think that they were lying even if they did not see any fat babies or gold bars when they prophesied to the believers too. They thought that they were just exercising faith to speak forth things that are non-existent to existence. Hence, they would imagine seeing things, like fat babies, gold bar, and many wonderful things for those who come with different needs. They would tell them to believe it in the name of Jesus and think positively. Hence, many of their believers would just 'think positively'.
If they picked a $5 bill on the floor, "Hallelujah", they would think positively and say, "It is God raining down His abundant favor just for me. This $5 bill must be a special gift from God because He loves me so much. Grace is the number of 5. Hence, it is grace for me.  It is also because I have been confessing that I am the righteousness of God and I am the beloved of God .." When they were in a restaurant and suddenly they found that the crowd started to stream in, they would say, "Oh, thank God, I see God's favor again. What a big crowd? Now I believe that God's radical favor is upon me. Even the restaurant is blessed because of me .." 
I will tell them, Please wake up. The crowd was not brought in by your belief in God's favor; the crowd came in because it was lunch time and they were hungry. 
I will tell them again, '5' is not just the number of grace, 5 can also be the number of greed and covetousness too. It depends on what you see in your mind. Do you see how many times the greedy and the rebellious would say, "I will" too:
Luk 12:18-19 LITV  And he said, I will do this; I will tear down my barns and I will build larger; and I will gather there all my produce and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take rest, eat, drink, and be glad.Isa 14:12-14 LITV  Oh shining star, son of the morning, how you have fallen from the heavens! You weakening the nations, you are cut down to the ground.  (13)  For you have said In your heart, I will go up to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit in the mount of meeting, in the sides of the north.  (14)  I will rise over the heights of the clouds; I will be compared to the Most High.
Hence, the money you picked on the floor (whichever amount) was not a gift of radical favor, it was money belong to another person or other people, but you have a choice:
- To give thanks, think that it is the number of 'grace', and just slip it into your own pocket or  
- To look around and see if you can find the owner of the money or anyone who needs the money more than you do.  
Some WYSIWYG preachers may feel condemned because their lies, false imagination, or exaggeration has been exposed. They may have put many people in tight situation and difficult challenges. Some of them may be given grace to repent as they are convicted by the Holy Spirit. However, many would feel too guilty to repent. They have given too many false prophecies or false impressions to deceive others that they are the radically favored or the anointed in Christ. They have taken advantage of too many people by taking control of their minds. Hence, they would choose to believe Satan and declare in the name of Christ that the Holy Spirit can never convict them of any sin. They would continue to deceive and be deceived that they are the righteousness of God even if they lied. They would argue with God, "If Abraham could lie and become righteous, so can I". I will tell them, Yes, Abraham lied, but no one died. However, if you lie, millions will perish with your lies. Please think again before you lie.

Removing of God's words, God's warnings, or God's commandments (lawless doctrine) is a false doctrine too
False doctrine can come in many forms, but the Bible has given us enough warnings about it. Radical grace preachers who argued that they did not see any could have blinded themselves and others whenever they read the Bible:
  • Mat 15:4-11 KJV  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.  (5)  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  (6)  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  (7)  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  (8)  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  (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.
  • 2Ti 3:1-7 KJV  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  • Jud 1:3-13 KJV  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  (4)  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. ... (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.
  • 2Pe 2:1-4 KJV  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  (2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  (3)  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  (4)  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

False doctrine will always prosper the false prophets and reveal religious covetousness
After reading the four examples of false doctrine above, I realize that one of the most obvious but most hidden traits of a false prophet is Covetousness. However, most of the believers who follow the false prophets would never think that they are covetous. It is because whenever covetousness is practiced in the name of God, in the name of a religion, or in the name of a radical belief, most religious believers would just accept it readily as God's favor or blessing upon their beloved leaders or.favorite preachers. Obviously, a false prophet would be brilliant enough to brainwash their believers to think that they are the most generous, gracious, and meekest preachers in God's eyes.
Hence, religious covetousness is most rampant in the end time when most people would face hardship and need to look up to some 'anointed' preachers for comfort and faith. However, many religious leaders would just take advantage of the situation, enrich themselves, and mock at other fellow preachers who are less successful. Hence, there will be a great testing of faith and shaking as many preachers lose their patience and join the successful prosperity preachers who have departed from God's laws and commandments.
  • Rev 14:12-13 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  (13)  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
From hence forth, blessed are they who die, because they will rest but their works will continue to do great exploit for the Lord.
  

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