Tuesday 17 June 2014

Has God forgiven all our sins, including our future sins?

Has God forgiven all our past, present, and future sins?
Is it true? Many radical grace grace preachers would say, "Of course, the forgiveness of God or grace is greater than our sins. If God's fire consumed everything including the stone at the altar of sacrifice, God's grace through the sacrifice of  Jesus Christ on the cross is greater than the fire of judgement. It means that grace is greater than all our sins, including our past, present, and future sins. If all our sins have been forgiven, there is no need for any confession of our sins, for repentance, for correction, for instruction, for discipleship, for good works, for commandments of God, for conviction of sins, for reproof of sins, for rebuke, for judgement, for teaching of the principles and doctrine of Christ ... Christianity is ALL ABOUT JESUS and Jesus alone; not about us, not about doctrine, not about do's and don'ts, not about us doing many rules (legalistic rules or spiritual rules), not about 'do good get good', not about us doing many words or laws of God..   " 
I will tell them, I don't have time to show you why all the above are still required for all the believers today. We have been told by the Lord and the Apostles to do and teach all of them (see Mat 25 about the sheep who did good to others to other fellow believers, Luk 10:33 about the good Samaritan who did good to other people, Luk 16:19 about the rich man who died doing nothing for the poor, Luk 12:15 about the rich man who was covetous, Luk 15:29 about the prodigal son and elder son who thought that obeying their father's rule and commandment was all meaningless and vain. Mat 5-7 about the Lord's sermon on the mount, .. etc). However, for now, I will just ask you a few questions about your strong belief that all your future sins have been forgiven, please think:
** Is grace forever and greater than all our future sins?
If a believer in your church (regardless of whether he is a true believer or false believer) committed adultery and confessed it to his wife and God 20  years ago, is it true that his present and future sin of adulteries has also been forgiven too? Will he just need to thank God now even if he commits adultery a second time or third time in the future? Is it true that he has no more need to repent or confess his sin should he commit any sin of adultery again? 
Of course, many preachers can evade the question and argue that true believers in their churches can never sin or commit adultery again. But, what if there are such believers in their churches, will they excommunicate them and boast that all the remaining believers in their churches can never sin or commit any adultery? No, this is ridiculous. If this is not true, we can never tell the sinners or believers in our churches that all our future sins are forgiven, that there is no more need for them to repent or confess any sins, that the Holy Spirit cannot rebuke or convict them of sins, that grace is greater than all their sins and therefore they will never sin or confess any sin because of grace or the finished work of Jesus Christ.
I will tell them, If a believer or preacher sinned, twisted God's words, lied, taught false doctrine, or committed adultery, he might refuse to admit that it was sin or confess it as sin, he might argue that he was under grace and that he could only confess righteousness. He might even argue that all the Lord's sermon on the mount, warnings against the false prophets, and teaching of repentance are now obsolete and impractical, including the Lord's prayer for His disciples to confess or ask for God's forgiveness:
  • Luk 11:1-5 KJV .. (2) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. ..
But unknown to the preacher and many of his admirers, he could have kept hidden pride which blocked him from seeing his need for true grace. The true grace of God will make us humble before God and confess our sins before Him. But, if you cannot see your sins or your real wretchedness when you come before God, the King, you are still as blind as the Pharisee or the church of Laodicea, or the man without the wedding garment:
  • Rev 3:14-17 KJV  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; .. (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: 
  • Mat 22:11-15 KJV  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  (13)  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (14)  For many are called, but few are chosen.  (15)  Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
  • 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
  • 1Pe 5:5-12 KJV  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  (6)  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: .. (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  (11)  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (12)  By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
  • Rom 7:19-25 KJV  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  (22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Did Paul say that he could never sin because he was  under grace? No, if he could never sin, he would never said "O wretched man that I am! (v24)", confess that he was still brought under the captivity of sin (v23), and admit ".. the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do (v19)". Hence, if Paul still sinned or confessed publicly about his existing weakness or sins in his wretched man, why can't a believer or a sinner confess his sins and admit that he has sinned too? If Paul did not think that he could insult the righteousness of God by admitting or confessing it, how can we think that we will insult God's righteousness by confessing our sins? If Paul was not ashamed to confess about his sinful deeds or wretchedness, why should we be afraid to confess our sins ???)
So, Has God forgiven all our past, present, and future sins? Is it true?
We know that this is a lie because it is a hidden impression or temptation to the sinners and believers that they do not have to confess, repent, or think about it as sin even if they would commit any sin again in the future. It is a hidden license to sin ! 

** Is God's forgiveness of all our future sins biblical and logical ? 
Many radical grace preachers teach that they can live up to 120 years old. They may argue that it is found in the Bible. But we know that many of them do not sincerely believe it. If we ask them again, "Can you tell us exactly which Bible verse tells us that God has forgiven all your past, present, and future sins", we may find that most of them will become speechless this time. Some may still argue that they can find it in the Bible from: Heb 10:17 KJV And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
  • However, it is very clear to us that they added the words "past, present, and future sins" into the interpretation of Heb 10:17 with the deliberate assumption or false impression that there is no more need for them to admit or confess their sins in the future too. Hence, this has not only become a terribly and hilariously wrong interpretation; but also their deliberate manipulation of God's words which may cause millions of believers to lose the true forgiveness of God in the name of hyper grace, radical grace, pure grace, or superabundant grace.
  • It is also clear to us that they have quoted Heb 10:17 out of context when the full Bible context tells us that our sins are forgiven only if we truly have the laws of God in our hearts and minds (or if we do and teach the laws of God): Heb 10:16-17 KJV  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. I will not argue with them and conclude whether having the law of God in our lives is a condition before or after our sins are forgiven, but it is clear to us that the laws of God and the forgiveness of God are not mutually exclusive. They are together in the new covenant and they are both the important promises of God. Hence, the Hebrew writer would never say that preaching of the laws of God and the forgiveness of God (grace) is the mixture or adulterated gospel.  
  • Hence, we can rightly teach that Jesus has died for all our sins - including our past, present and future sins - because He died once and for all and, hence, we can still rightly say that He has died for all the sinners, including all the past, present, ..  and future sinners who are not born yet. However, it is a totally different thing if we assume that He has also forgiven all our sins - including all our past, present, and future sins too. I have just shown you that the forgiveness of all our future sins can never be found in any Bible verses because it contradicts or goes against the Lord's commandment and teaching on repentance and on the need for every believers to turn from all the sins of adultery, covetousness, selfishness, pride, false witness, hypocrisy, cheating, idolatry, false doctrine, departure from God's commandments, making the commandment of God of none effect, and rebellion against the will of God. He has certainly commanded all His believers, including all His past, present, and future believers, to do and teach His words, doctrine, principles, and commandments in the gospel, but he did not say that He has forgiven all His believers - including all the past, present, and future believers. Please think, If He has forgiven all His future believers even before they were born or even before they repent, do you think it has any meaning for Him to command us to preach repentance and teach  the future believers to obey all things whatsoever He has commanded us? No, if they have all been forgiven even before they may repent, there is no more need for us to preach repentance or teach them anything. They will be saved anyway. Hence, the teaching of radical grace has not only made the command of the Lord of none effect; it has tried to make the preachers of God look like fools too.
  • Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
  • Luk 24:45-48 KJV  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.
If the words of God do not mention it clearly, we do not add more controversy into it
Some radical grace preachers had tried to search frantically in the Bible and found the following Bible verses. They became excited and said, "Haha .. see, we have found the following Bible verses which tell us that all our sins have been forgiven. 
  • Mar 3:28-29 KJV  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:  (29)  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
  • Col 2:13 KJV  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
  • 1Jn 1:9 KJV  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
'All sins' means all types of sins. It also means all sins which include past, present, and future sins. Although the Bible did not say much, we can certainly imply that God's forgiveness of our sins is unconditional, complete, and effortless. Please read the Bible verses above again. Did you see any words of 'repentance', 'doing good', or 'self-effort'? No. We've found that repentance is not necessary for God to forgive all our sins. We've also found that Peter and Paul preached the gospel in less than 5 minutes and people would just get saved without hearing any preaching of repentance (in the book of Acts). It shows that God's forgiveness of all our past, present, and future sins is so easy. We just need to preach the real gospel (without preaching of any repentance), and whoever hear it will be saved. All their past, present, and future sins are forgiven even if they do not repent, turn from sins, or do the work of repentance in the future.. "    
I will tell them, If all God's preachers would interpret the Bible and preach like you, there is little hope for the sinners. Please use your anointed brain to think, If the Bible verses do not mention 'God' or 'Jesus Christ', do you conclude that all your sins are forgiven without God or Jesus Christ too? No, similarly, you cannot make your own conclusion about repentance, or sins based on just one Bible verse too.   

    ** Will the safety net be safe enough?
    Can the forgiveness of all our future sins be God's 'safety net' for us? Is it truly the salvation of God? Many radical grace preachers will still argue, "Yes, we may not be able to find the forgiveness of all our future sins written clearly for us in the Bible. But we can certainly think that it is the will of God for us to have eternal security. Have you seen a tight rope walker performing his stunt in the circus?  Why can he complete the walking with such a great confidence? Isn't it because of the safety net below? Without the safety net, he would face the incredible stress of falling and this will prevent him from doing his stunt successfully. Similarly, if we give people the thought of the forgiveness of all our future sins as the safety net, will they fall, sin like the devil, or sin radically? No, instead, they will live more righteously and they will never fall.. So, let go and let God .. He will take care of us no matter how we fall .. haha .. Amen.. " I will tell them, If you think that you can "let go and let God ..", you will surely fall because you never read His Words. You know that the forgiveness of all our future sins has not been promised by God or by His words, and yet you give such promise. You are not different from Satan who thinks that he can think like God or think better than God too:
    • Gen 3:4-5 KJV  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
    • Mat 4:6-7 KJV  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
    1. Firstly, in fact, Jesus did not believe in the 'safety net stuff' even if Satan could quote from the words of God. But Jesus showed us that He would find out the will of God from all the written words and commandments of God. Jesus did not believe the words of Satan based on Satan's own thinking or based on a few scripture verses which Satan quoted to Him. So, this is the first and strongest point why we cannot believe in your 'safety net stuff' which contradicts the words and message of Jesus about repentance and confession of sins.
    2. Secondly, if believers are all promised the 'safety net stuff', it is meaningless for Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John, to warn us about the danger of being fallen or about the danger of listening to the false prophets.
    3. Thirdly, the man-made 'safety net stuff' can never be used as the equivalent term for the true of salvation of God. The 'safety net' in your illustration is not salvation. Yes, we may use your illustration of 'safety net' to tell the people that there is safety for them even if they fall. But I will tell them not to depend on the 'safety net' because it will not save them. The true salvation of God is not at the safety net; but at the other end of the 'tight rope'. If they fell, it would take a longer time for them get up and go back to the 'rope' to continue their walk. Hence, being fallen into the safety net or staying on the safety net does not mean that they are saved. They must still 'walk diligently' until the end of the 'rope' where they can find the true salvation of God. 
    ** No, we should not walk with the thinking of the 'safety net' below; but with the 'rod' in our hands and our focus on the rod to balance ourselves while we walk circumspectly on earth (Eph 5:15-17 KJV). Do we know that the manna, the tablets, and the rod in the ark of the covenant are the typology of The Word of God for the Israelites? They are the pictures of The Word of the Bread of Life, the Word of Commandments and Judgement, and The Word of Resurrection, Power, and Authority. Hence, to walk with the 'rod' and the commandments of God is to walk with God in our lives. It is still necessary for all the believers today to walk with the rod and commandments of God in their hearts and minds. However, if we find any doctrine or preaching which is contrary to the commandments, warnings, principles, doctrine, or law of God, we know that it is man-made 'safety net' which can never bring us to God's salvation.
    • 2Ti 3:14-17 KJV  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.
    • Heb 6:1-3 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.
    Have you come across any tight rope walkers who could walk and jump mischievously on the rope, like the mischievous monkeys, without any balancing act or rod in their hands? No, if they did that, they were not the real tight rope walkers; but illusionists or magicians who used the state-of-the-art technology or special visual-audio stage to create the convincing hands-free illusion.
    Similarly, if any preachers today boast that they can walk better without any 'rod' in their hands, and that they can walk with their careless doctrine, hilarious jokes, radical 'rhythms of grace', or flamboyant acting, we know that they are not the real preachers of The Word; but crafty actors who use the 'state-of-the-art' pulpits, glittering outfits, sensational visualisation, 'mind changing' technique, 'hyper' imagination, and super 'self elevation' to create that convincing 'care-free', 'hands-free', 'law-free', or 'gravity free' spiritual entertainment and dimension where everything is possible by the 'latent power of their souls'. They may tell you that it is a 'fantasy land' ('faith land' or 'grace land') where you can expect the supernatural and do the supernatural, for example, 'fly' like superman, drive at hyper speed, and walk like the people in a virtual land where there is no more law, no more gravity, no more law of nature, and no more law of God; but actually it is a 'land' or a 'world' with no more God; but lawlessness. Adam had been deceived to 'fall' into that 'world'. They will come to deceive us again. They may prove to us that they can throw away the 'rod' and walk effortlessly with a confident pose, a special grace, an occasional stamping of the feet, or a cheeky smile on their face, and without any use of their hands or the 'rod'. However, the Bible tells us that they are the false prophets who can do great exploits, with lying signs and wonders, with the spirits of the frogs, and with their long and twisted tongues
    • Why are there so many false prophets in the end time?
    • Rev 16:13-15 KJV  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  (14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.  (15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  
    • 2Th 2:3-11 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. (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. (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.. (The lawless one may argue vehemently and convincingly that he is not God but a humble servant of the Lord, but all that he does and teaches still contradicts himself and shows clearly that he wants to be like God (v4). Jesus has already discerned it and He will rebuke, reject, and spue out many of them in the last days.) 
    • Mat 7:15-23 LITV  But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves. ..  (21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven.  (22)  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"
    • Mat 22:11-12 LITV  And the king coming in to look over those reclining, he saw a man there not having been dressed in a wedding garment. (12)  And he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here, not having a wedding garment? But he was speechless. (The man without the garment could be a false prophet or lawless infiltrator who was not a true believer) 
    • Rev 3:15-19 LITV  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot.  (16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.  (17)  Because you say, I am rich, and I am made rich, and I have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  (18)  I advise you to buy from Me gold having been fired by fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, and your shame and nakedness may not be revealed. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  (19)  I, as many "as I love, I rebuke and I chasten." Be zealous, then, and repent.  (There are wide speculation on the meaning of 'neither cold nor hot'. Many reason that it means nominal Christianity, loss of zeal in God, or mixture of the law and grace. But I would think that the severe judgement is not because of these reasons. It is because of wicked evasive lawless acts which switch sides between the law of God and the grace of God to attack, criticise, and bear false witness against others who teach the law and grace of God, and finally dethrone The Word from the sanctuary or the hearts of the believers in the end time.)   
    But will The Real Prophets who has the garment Please Stand Up, 
    and show us how to walk, stand, and sit with the 'rod' of God in our walk with the Lord?
    • Psa 1:1-2 KJV  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 
    • 2Jn 1:6-10 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:
    • Heb 9:4 KJV  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
    • Mat 22:37-40 KJV  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
    • Rev 16:15 KJV  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
    • Rev 3:2-4 KJV  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (3)  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  (4)  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
    • Col 1:10 KJV  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
    • Jud 1:16-19 KJV  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words ('great safety nets'?), having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.  (17)  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  (18)  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  (19)  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
    • 1Th 2:12-13 KJV  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.  (13)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
    • 1Th 4:1-5 KJV  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  (2)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  (3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
    • 1Jn 1:6-7 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. (I have heard from a certain preacher who said that they can never be in darkness because of grace. So, he insisted that if a believer sins (no matter how he sins), he is still in the light. So, he concluded that this Bible verse (including 1 John 1:9) is not for him because he can never be in darkness even if he sins like the devil. We know that he is lying because John had said it clearly - if anyone said that he sins and that he is still in the light and has fellowship with Him, he is a liar. He did not do the truth or hear the truth.)
    • Eph 5:4-8 KJV  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  (5)  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  (6)  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  (7)  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  (8)  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
    • (But many would still jest and quote from this Bible verse to show that they can never be in darkness because they are children of light under grace, even if they sin. They jest, "Can a believer in the light one moment and then in darkness at another moment, like switching the light on and off?" No, neither can we be in the light and darkness like the switches too. Hence, we can never be in darkness no matter how we sin. I will tell them, If you read and understand this Bible verse, you would know that it is talking about you who will say such things and you are the deceiver.)      
    • Eph 2:8-10 KJV  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
    • Eph 4:17-23 KJV  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  (19)  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  (20)  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
    • 2Pe 2:10 KJV  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
    • 1Jn 2:3-7 KJV  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him .. (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  (7)  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
    • 3Jn 1:2-4 KJV  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  (3)  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (The emphasis and focus of John is not to walk in prosperity; but in the truth)
    • Col 2:6-8 KJV  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  (7)  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  (8)  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
    • Php 3:15-19 KJV  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  (16)  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  (17)  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (18)  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
    • 2Co 6:16 KJV  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
    • Eph 5:15-17 KJV  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  (17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
    Hence, I believe that the Bible verses above should be clear enough and sufficient to show us:
    1. why we must still walk circumspectly even though we know that there is 'safety net' below
    2. why we cannot depend on the 'safety net' to bring us to the other end of the 'rope' (or God's salvation).
    3. why we don't preach or focus on the 'safety net'; but. instead, on the 'rod', the words, or commandments of God in our walk with Christ.  
    I will ask the radical grace preachers, If you accept the manna or bread of life as one of the 3 metaphors in your hearts, why can't you accept the commandments or the rod of God in your hearts too. With so many commandments to walk circumspectly on the 'rope', how can you conclude that there is no more law or commandment of God in your hearts or minds? No, those commandments on how we ought to "walk worthy of the Lord", "walk worthy of God", "walk in the light", and "walk after His commandments", ..  are more than the Ten Commandments. They includes all the Ten Commandments, and there is nothing wrong to teach all the commandments of God on how we ought to walk, love, do, and teach the words, laws, and commandments of God.
    Jesus would never tell us to walk like the people of the world, who only want to be happy and care-free
    But many still argue, "Jesus tells us that we should not worry about tomorrow. We should be care-free. But if we still care for so many laws, commandments, doctrine, rules, and principles, how can we walk with a care-free life. We would become more stressful than the non-believers .."
    I will tell them, Can you please open your eyes when you read His words. When Jesus said that we should not worry or anxious about tomorrow or about the cares (glamour or riches) of the world, He did not tell us to relax, close our eyes, and be care-free or careless. No, He certainly wants us to walk with care, diligence, or watchfulness. Do you know that when a real tight rope walker walks carefully, circumspectly, or even confidently on the rope, he doesn't worry very much about whether he will fall, but he must still care how he walks and how he focuses on his balancing with his rod? In fact, he won't have much time to think about whether he should be more care-free or more careless too. So, please don't quote the words of the Lord out of context to give people the excuse to walk 'carelessly' (or walk without any care on how they ought to behave) like the non-believers:
    • 1Th 4:3-5 KJV  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 
    • Eph 4:17-24 KJV  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  (19)  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  (20)  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
    • Gal 2:14 KJV  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (I know that many radical grace preachers have used this Bible verse to criticise Peter as a hypocrite and discredit all his letters and teaching on godly living in the Bible. However, I will ask them, If  Paul rebuked Peter severely because he did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, do you know that Paul can rebuke any believers who do not walk uprightly too, whether they claim to be walking under grace or under the law? So, how can we tell the believers that it doesn't matter how we walk before others or how we walk in the Lord because of grace?)
    • Rom 2:25-29 KJV  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  (26)  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?  (27)  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?  (28)  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  (29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 
    • 1Co 7:17-20 KJV  But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.  (18)  Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.  (19)  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.  (20)  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
    • 1Pe 4:2-7 KJV  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.     
    Did Peter remember how he had walked on water before? Of course, it was one of the most unforgettable experience he had on earth. It was quite an 'achievement' of faith or focusing on the Lord even though he could walk for only a short while. But why didn't he or any of the disciples talk about it or mention it in any of their letters or in any of their preaching in Acts? I believe that any of the followings could be the real reason:
    1. No one (not even Paul) could walk on water except he who is given the opportunity or grace to do it. No one can walk on water (with or without faith) if he or she is not chosen by the Lord to do it: Mat 14:28-29 KJV And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
    2. Walking on water should never be used as part of the illustration on how a believer should walk to create any miraculous phenomenon in his daily life. In fact, Peter made it a point to preach only walking practically and soberly in the will of God: 1Pe 4:2-7 KJV That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God ...  (7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
    ** The death of Ananias and Sapphira is the clear evidence that there is still judgement in the church of God
    I will tell them, How can we teach that there is no more law or commandments of God when there is still strong evidence of law and judgement in the churches of God. Do you remember Ananias and Sapphira who were judged severely because of their lie or false witness against the Holy Spirit? Yes, many may still want to argue whether Ananias and Sapphira were the true believers or false believers, or whether they were truly saved or not. But there is one thing no one can argue or deny -  
    We can never hide or cover up the account of Ananias and Sapphira as God's clear warning and judgement to the church of God or the body of Christ
     If there was no death, false prophets could tell the believers that God is too good to be true to judge them against sins, lawlessness, false doctrine, greeds, lies, covetousness, ungodliness, or hypocrisy. However, when there was death in the church, not just one dead body but two, in the presence of the Apostles and the believers, it should be a great 'red flag' and a clear warning, to all the people of the world outside the churches, to both the Jews and the Gentiles, that there were not only love, joy, peace, grace, gospel, principles, laws, and commandments of God in the church of God; but also judgement. Hence, we now know why false prophets must leave God's people alone when the Apostles were around. It's because when the Apostles were around, the false prophets could hardly 'do any business' in Jerusalem. They could only 'close shop':
    • Act 5:1-5 KJV  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,  (2)  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.  (3)  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  (4)  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.  (5)  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost:  .. (7) And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ..  (9)  Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?  ..  (11)  And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.  (12)  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.  (13)  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  (14)  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  .. (16)  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.  (17)  Then the high priest rose up, .. (18)  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.  (19)  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,  (20)  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. .. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
    If God's judgement has not come, it does not mean that it will never come 
    If no one dies, it does not mean that there is no more judgement too. However, many false prophets today would argue, "If God would still judge us today, many of us should have dropped dead long time ago. Not only us, but many other believers too. There should be many dead bodies lying around in the churches now because of sins, lies, false witness, slanders, greeds, selfishness, adulteries, fornication, false doctrine, and ungodliness. But why could we stand upright and declare that we can still sin and be saved forever? It's because the era of commandment and judgement is over. Under the Old Testament, God judged the Israelites and 3000 died (Exo 32:28), but under the New Testament, God saved 3000 people (Acts 2:41).  Hence, the God of the New Testament is no longer same as the God of the Old Testament; He has repented, or He has been replaced by another God who is called Grace. He is Jesus Christ. He is Grace. He will not judge us, but He promised us that all our sins, past, present, and future sins, have been totally, radically, and wonderfully forgiven by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We are now the righteousness of God forever. Hence, there is no more need for confession of sins, repentance, doing good, keeping God's commandments, living godly lives, doing and teaching of sound doctrine. We can throw all away and we can still be saved, hallelujah. It's wonderful. Heb 8:10 says that we do not need to teach anyone and no one can teach us. Hence, all we need to do is just to know Grace as Jesus Christ and we will be saved forever. Jesus is the centre of our life. Jesus is our everything. Jesus is our prosperity, health, wealth .. Jesus is this and that. See, don't you see that we preach Jesus more than others. Jesus .. Jesus makes us irreversibly saved. Hence, we can never fall dead like Ananias, and no one can judge us. We are living under grace. Many people are jealous of us because we can prosper more than them .. haha.. halelujah .. Amen and Amen.."
    I will ask them, Was the law given to only 3000 Israelites? No, it was given to all the Israelites, or about 3 millions of them. Hence, if only 3000 of them died, it does not mean that the law was given to kill everyone in Israel. We can never say that the law was the ministry of death to all the Israelites because they wanted to obey the law of God. If this was so, Moses would be the first one to die because He was the first one to obey the law. But we may say that the law has become the ministry of death because it is an old covenant now. It has become obsolete because the new covenant and His laws have now been put into the hearts and minds of the believers through Christ Heb 8:10, 10:16. Hence, it does not mean that all the law and covenant of God will kill including His new law and covenant.
    ** Were the Israelites under grace before the law was given?

    Most radical grace preachers argued that the Israelites were under grace before the law or the Ten Commandments were given, and that's why there was not any death recorded from the time they entered into the wilderness until they received the law. I will ask them, If you don't see any Israelites died before the giving of the law, does it mean that they were under grace or under the covenant of grace? No,
    1. How can you say that they were under grace when the covenant of grace through Christ had not been given yet? No, the Israelites were all under sin before they were given the law. They were all under sin, like Adam and Eve, like all the people of the world, who did not know God. Yes, God had been very patient with some of them. They were called out by God to be a peculiar people and a holy nation. Yes, some of them, from the time of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph until Moses, did receive favour, grace, and blessings, but it did not mean that they were all under the covenant of grace. It did not mean that they could never die or be judged no matter how they sinned before the law was given.
    2. How can you conclude that there was no death just because you can't see any death? Please think, If you can't see any Israelites going to the toilets, do you conclude that they had no toilets? No, similarly, when the Bible did not record any death when they were in the wilderness, it did not mean that no one died, no one was born, no one was married, or no one was judged by God.  
    3. How can you reason that God cannot judge any Israelites or sinners until God had given the Ten Commandments? Do you know that God judged Sodom and Gomorrha, that God judged the whole world with the great flood, that God judged the people who built the tower of Babel, and that God judged Cain, before the Ten Commandments? If God's judgement must depend on your reasoning, God is limited by you. It is absurd to reduce Him to a 'little god' who could only judge a little nation for a little while, or only after He had given Ten Commandments. 
    4. How can you conclude that the Ten Commandments were given only to kill? No, God's commandment is also given in the New Testament and it will give life to the believers who will keep His commandments (Rev 12:17, 14:12). It will kill only if they rebel like the Israelites. 
    5. How can you conclude that the Ten Commandments were given by God out of frustration because the Israelites boasted for it? Did God give His commandments to them out of frustration because they boasted? No. I have explained why it is a wicked lie which is created to show a wicked Father. Please see "It is a wicked lie to show that the Israelites died because of the giving of God's commandments" in my previous post here".
    6. How can you say that no one can teach you when Heb 8:10-12 is about God's laws and God's laws will teach you? We do not teach the believers how to know the Lord, but we certainly need to teach the believers to keep the laws and commandments of God. When they know and keep the laws of God in their hearts and minds, they will know the Lord and God will remember their lawlessness no more:
    • Heb 8:10-12 KJV  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  (11)  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.  (12)  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
    I will tell them, You said that no one dropped dead in the churches would show that the era of God's commandments and judgement is over. It is a false signal you gave to the world. God judged Ananias because it was the right time. God do not judge you now because you are part of the prophecy in His words. Please use your 'anointed brain' to think, If God were to judge and make all the false prophets drop dead now, will there still be false prophets around in the future? No. If there is no more false prophet, how can the prophecy about the judgement of the false prophets in the book of Revelation be fulfilled? Hence, I believe that many false prophets can still argue and stand upright now not because God is too good to be true but because it is not God's time for judgement yet. But His judgement will surely come when Jesus or The Word of God comes:
    • Rev 16:13-16 KJV  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  (14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.  (15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  (16)  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
    • Rev 19:11-19 KJV  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  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.  (17)  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;  (18)  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  (19)  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
    • 1Th 5:1-9 KJV  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  ..  (8)  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  (9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
    • 2Pe 2:1-6 LITV  But false prophets were also among the people, as also false teachers will be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, and denying the Master who has bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.  (2)  And many will follow their destructive ways, by whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of.  (3)  And by covetousness, with well-turned words, they will use you for gain, for whom judgment of old does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber.  (4)  For if God did not spare sinning angels, but delivered them to chains of darkness, thrust down into Tartarus, having been kept to judgment;  (5)  and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah the eighth, a herald of righteousness, bringing a flood on a world of ungodly ones;  (6)  and covering the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with ashes, He condemned them with an overthrow, setting an example to men intending to live ungodly. (Peter said clearly, God does not judge the ungodly now; it does not mean that He will never judge in the future.)
    • Act 8:17-25 KJV  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  (18)  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  (19)  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  (20)  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.  (25)  And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. (Peter knew the false prophets too well. When Peter was around, many false prophets or greedy preachers found it hard to abuse the gift or the words of God. Why ? It's because Peter would point out their sins, lies, false witness, unbelief, covetousness, wrong doctrine, abuse of God's grace, and hypocrisy. But today many preachers are afraid to point out the sins of the false prophets because they believe the false prophets and think that the false prophets are right to tell them to judge nobody, speak only the positive words, or just keep quiet !)
    Hence, if no one will drop dead in the churches or temples, it does not mean that God cannot or would not judge any sinners, lawless criminals, liars, false prophets, or the beast today. Similarly, when none of the Israelites died after the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, it did not mean that God could no longer judge any more. 


    If there is no more death from then or today, it does not mean that there is no more law, no more commandment, or no more judgement.  A false prophet may argue and challenge us vehemently, arrogantly, or bitterly in our churches today that God can never judge in our churches any more. But he may never know that judgement for him will come only when his gall of bitterness is fully 'ripen and exposed'.      

    God's warning against the gall of bitterness is still valid in our churches today
    Many of us have wondered what has the gall of bitterness in (Act 8:23) got to do with a believer (regardless of whether he is a true believer or false believer) who sinned against God or the Holy Spirit? After checking with the Bible, I realise that it could be something which lived in someone who failed, abused, or manipulated the grace of God. He might feel deprived of the grace of God because he did not get what he wanted. Knowingly or unknowingly, he became bitter against those who could walk more godly than him or who could walk more godly with the gifts of God. Hence, he harboured bitterness and seek to justify himself (to prove God's approval of him too, like Cain) by radically going after more prosperity, more success, more power, more money, more glamour, but also with clamour, malice, or lawless revolution too. Little did he realise that what he did was clearly self-effort out of the gall of bitterness or hidden anger and it will lead him to a place of no repentance too. Simon had received such warning from Peter. If Simon refused to repent and accept chastisement, he would not reach that place of repentance any more than Esau sought it carefully with tears.Both of them would only reach that place of no turning point:
    • Heb 12:6-17 KJV  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  (10)  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness ...  (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (15)  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  (16)  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  (17)  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (please read "How did Esau fail of the grace of God?" in my next post here.)
    • Eph 4:29-31 KJV  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  (30)  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  (31)  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
    I will ask the radical grace preachers, If God's warning of the gall of bitterness is still valid for our churches, can we still preach that "God has forgiven all our future sins" even if we do not repent? No, God forbid.
    If all our future sins have really been forgiven without our repentance, there is no meaning for God to give us any warnings like those Bible warnings above. Please think, if God were to forgive us even if we continue to sin without repentance, all His warnings above or His judgement against those who do not repent would have no credibility. All His words of warning, judgement, and commandment would become false and unreliable. And the sinners or believers who sin would reign, with no warning, no law, no commandment, no doctrine, no Word, no God, and no one to judge them. They may become the real 'gods of this world' who can still live in lawlessness and sins.
    Some of them may still argue, "No, God has truly forgiven all our future sins because we have truly believed or repented.  And, hence, our repentance made twenty years ago is still valid for the future sins which we will commit now or many years later". I will tell them, This is obviously your lame excuse. How can your repentance be re-used or recycled like a commodity? Obviously your argument or repentance has no sincerity at all. I wonder if your wife can accept it if you argue that your repentance made twenty years ago is still valid today when you commit adultery again, now, or many year later. Of course, your wife is not a fool to believe you, neither is God !             

    Hence, whenever a false preacher says that God has forgiven all his future sins and he knows that God would never say it, he is deceiving himself and others that God cannot judge him and that he is greater than God.. Don't believe him.. he is a false christ:
    Mat 24:23-26 KJV  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

    But many will still argue, "If we subscribe to the thinking that we will always fall, we will always sin, we will lose our salvation, we will surely fall. But, if we think that we are like God, we would always be saved, we are forever righteous, we will live as God's holy ones. As He is so am I. As He thinketh, so do I .. As He is God, so am I .. haha.. Can you see it ..?" I will tell them, No, I can only see the same type of deceit and temptation from Satan who told Eve that she should be like God too, think like God or judge like God:
    • Gen 3:4-5 KJV  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
    I will tell them, I don't always think that I will fall or I will always sin, and hence, I don't see any reason why I must think that I am as God or I am like God or I am always holy like God. If I don't subscribe to the thinking that I will always fall, neither will I subscribe to your hypocritically or radically righteous thinking that we are always holy and forever like Gods.. For you info, I don't have to be like God to be a forgiven sinner. Hence, it is certainly a lie for us, the sinners, to be like God, to be forever forgiven or accepted by God.

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    Friday 13 June 2014

    Grace is not the license to sin. It means ..

    Grace is not the license to sin, what does it mean?
    It means that grace is not license to live in lawlessness too. Many radical grace or hyper grace preachers may know how to preach grace, but do they know or agree with what it really means? I am afraid that they may not. Most of them know and argue vehemently that grace would never give them the license to sin; but they may not know or agree that grace would not give them the license to live in lawlessness or to depart from the law of God too:
    • 1Jn 3:3-7 LITV  And everyone having this hope on Him purifies himself even as that One is pure.  (4)  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  (5)  And you know that that One was revealed that He might take away our sins, and sin is not in Him.  (6)  Everyone remaining in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has not seen Him, nor known Him.  (7)  Little children, let no one lead you astray; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous.

    It means that grace does not give us the license to live in lawlessness
    It means that grace does not give us the license to continue to live unrighteously or practise unrighteousness too. Grace does not give us the license to depart from the law of God too. Grace will show us that we are forgiven only if we have the law of God in our hearts. In another words, grace will give us the 'license' (empowerment or strength) to have the law of God in our doing, thinking, preaching, and teaching too:
    • Heb 10:15-17 KJV  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,  (16)  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
    • Tit 2:1-14 KJV  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:.. (7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, .. (10) Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all thing. (11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 
    • 1Pe 4:1-19 KJV  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. .. (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   ..   (5:2)  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; .. (5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble... (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. .. (12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

    But the true grace of God will teach us to do and teach all the commandments, principles, and doctrine of Christ too:
    • Mat 5:16-19 KJV  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.
    • Rom 7:22-25 KJV  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Did Paul say that he could never sin because he was  under grace? No, if he could never sin, he would never said "O wretched man that I am! (v24)", confess that he was still brought under the captivity of sin (v23), and admit ".. the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do (v19)". Hence, if Paul still sinned or confessed publicly about his existing weakness or sins in his wretched man, why can't a believer or a sinner confess his sins and admit that he has sinned too? If Paul did not think that he could insult the righteousness of God by admitting or confessing it, how can we think that we will insult God's righteousness by confessing our sins? If Paul was not ashamed to confess about his sinful deeds or wretchedness, why should we be afraid to confess our sins ???)
    • Rom 8:4-8 KJV  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.
    • Rom 6:12-15 KJV  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  (14)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  (15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
    • 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. 
    Hence, grace will still teach us what we should do. Paul asked, Shall we sin, because we are under grace? No. He said that there are still do's and don'ts for him under grace and he must still think, delight, serve, obey (yield to), do, and teach the words, the commandments, the law of God, and the doctrine of truth and righteousness. 
    • 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.
    • 2Jn 1:3-10 KJV  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.  (4)  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.  (5)  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.  (6)  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:
       
    If grace is not the license to sin, is grace the license to lawless thinking, lawlessness, or departure from God's laws?
    No. But many radical grace preachers argue vehemently and say, "We can only agree that grace is not license to sin. But we won't preach that grace is not license to lawlessness or departure from God's laws. It's because grace has no more law and hence we can still live with lawlessness or sin under grace. It's because no one can keep the laws. We are not under the law to obey any law. We are under grace. We are not under any obligation to keep any law .. When we are under grace it means that we are always under the light even if we sin, live in lawlessness, or practise lawlessness .. Once we are under the light, we are always under the light no matter how lawless are we .. or how much we sin .. "
    I will tell them, What's the difference when, on one hand, you argue vehemently that grace is not license to sin, but on the other hand you would just keep saying that grace has given you the freedom from keeping any law of God? Are you saying that grace has given you the license to depart from God's laws and to live in lawlessness? If that is the case, you are not different from the Pharisees who had made the commandments of God of none effect with their lawless teaching and false doctrine:
    • Mat 15:5-9 KJV  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.
    • Mar 7:11-13 KJV  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  (12)  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  (13)  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
    Today the false prophets are not so stupid that they will still make the commandment of God of none effect by going back to the law again. They know that most of the people in the world are no longer under the law. They know that they are not the Jews who are still under the law. However, they will make the grace of God of none effect by saying that grace is license to have no more law of God or no more obligation to obey any commandments of God. Most of them may paint a great picture about the grace of God initially. But as we probe further and we will know that they have all departed from the law of God. They no longer follow the words or the law of God; they followed their own thinking or whatever that they think that is good to them:
    • Jud 1:4-5 KJV  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.  (5)  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

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