Is Christianity all about justification by faith alone?

Is Christianity all about justification by faith alone?
Of course, if we quote from Paul's letter, yes, justification is by faith alone. But did Paul say, Christianity is all about justification by faith alone? No. Christianity is more than just justification by faith or by grace.

** 1. Yes, Christianity or living in Christ includes justification by faith, 

• Rom 3:28 KJV  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
• Rom 5:17-19 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  (18)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  (19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
• Gal 3:24 KJV  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

2. but it also includes living by faith and living by walking and keeping the commandments of God too.

• Joh 15:5-10 KJV  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (6)  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  (7)  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  (8)  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  (9)  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  (10)  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  
• Act 1:1-3 KJV  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  (2)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  (3)  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  
• Heb 8:10 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: 
• 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. 
• 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?)
• Rom 8:6-8 KJV  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 13:9 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.
• Eph 6:1-143 KJV  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth ... (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.
• 1Jn 2:3-6 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.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  
• 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. 
• 1Jn 5:2-5 KJV  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  (4)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  (5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 
• Rev 12:17 KJV  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 
• Rev 14:12 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

3. It is a commandment to obey the ten commandments too
 Hence, when Paul said, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!" in Rom 6:1-2 - it means a clear commandment not to live in sin, a commandment not to sin with grace, and a commandment to still honour our parents with grace:

• Eph 6:2-3 KJV  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
• 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. ..(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.

** If we can teach more principles and commandments under the New Testament, it does not mean that we are all legalistic preachers
Many radical grace or hyper grace preachers will argue, "Why do you quote so many laws and Bible verses? Do you want to 'beat' everyone with your legalistic teaching? Is it necessary to beat a few 'black sheep' with such condemning laws, commandments, and judgement and implicate all the rest of us who preach grace?"    
I will tell them, If you think that all these Bible verses are condemning to you, so be it. When nobody taught anything about the laws and commandments of God, you would say that there is no more law under grace. But, if we can show you all these Bible verses about the need to repent, and the need to do and teach God's commandments, you complain that we are teaching legalistic doctrine. Do you still read your Bible and believe that it is the words of God? How can you abandon all the laws, commandments, and doctrine of God written in the New Testament and tell people to follow your own set of evasive 'standards, rules, and principles' in the name of grace or lawlessness. Please don't be 'ding dong bell' preachers who try to teach godly values or principles based on your own set of philosophies and standards, condemn all the laws of God, and steal credit from His words and commandments.
They will still argue, "No, we have been unjustly misunderstood. We have never taught any godly rule, standard, or philosophy; we preach only 'pure grace'. Have you read how Jesus forgive the adulterous woman and the thief on the cross before they could even repent or confess their sins? Have you read how the father forgave the prodigal son too before the son could finish his confession of sin or repentance? Hence, Jesus would never give a long lecture of laws or commandments to the sinners before He could forgive them or heal them. He just said to the thief, "Today you are with me in paradise", to the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn you, sin no more", to Zacchaeus, "This day is salvation come to this house", and to all the sick, blind, and lame, "You are healed .." Similarly, we do not need to teach any principles, laws, commandments, doctrine, and repentance. We will just preach grace. And people will just repent and live godly lives effortlessly. In fact, Jesus and the Apostle Paul had never taught any do's and don'ts, commandments, or repentance. They preached only grace and grace would just lead the people to repentance. They told the people to hear and believe only. Hence, today we do not need to hear many laws, commandments, or teaching; we just need to hear HIM only."   Please see "We do not preach only looking or hearing Jesus; we preach doing the will and the words of the Lord too" in my previous post.     

If Jesus gave a long lecture of laws or sermons, it does not mean that Jesus is a legalistic preacher too
I will tell them, You said that Jesus did not give a long lecture of laws and doctrine to the adulterous woman or the thief. Please think. If you were stuck on cross, like the thief, do you think that Jesus will give you a long lecture of His laws and doctrine ? No. He will not give you any long lecture if you are being charged like the adulterous woman or busy in the midst of a court proceeding too. This is just common sense. But He would certainly give you a long .... long sermon if you are ready to hear, repent, and do what you are supposed to do:  

• Mat 5:1 KJV And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  (2)  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,  (3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted...   (7:21) 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 .. (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:  .. (28)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  (29)  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. .. (8:1) When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

Of course, Jesus would not give long lecture of laws or doctrine to the scribes, Pharisees, sinners, or believers who cannot keep His words or commandments. In fact, many people cannot hear or listen to Him for very long. After a while they will say that His teaching is just an hard saying which is obsolete, impractical, legalistic, negative, demanding, moral-conscious, poverty-conscious, sin-conscious, cross-conscious, death-conscious, full of suffering, illogical, and not applicable to them: 

• Joh 6:13-66 KJV  Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, ..  (14)  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (15)  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone... (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus... (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.  (27)  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed...  (41) The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven  ...  (60) Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? ...  (66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (Many disciples followed Jesus, not because they truly wanted to worship Him as their God; but because they wanted Him to satisfy all their needs and selfish lusts. therefore, in reality, they do not worship God, they still worship themselves as gods.) 

Is Christianity all about justification by faith alone or all about faith alone ?
Hence, I would never deny that justification is by faith alone or by grace alone. We can only be justified by faith alone. Yes, we know that radical grace preachers can find many Bible verses to support their argument that justification is by faith alone. But they can never use few of their Bible verses about justification by faith to drown the presence of other Bible verses which command us to live by walking and keeping the commandments of God. In fact, I have found more Bible verses which tell us to live our lives in Christ by keeping the commandments and the words of God. If I start to list down all the commandments of the Lord in the gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I could list out more than what you can see from those highlighted Bible verses above. If we still keep the words of Jesus Christ and start to do and teach from His sermon on the Mount, we can never finish writing them down. It's because there are more commandments and higher or deeper commandments in the Spirit of the law of God that is taught by Jesus Christ.
Hence, I will tell most of the radical grace preachers, How can you preach Christianity as justification alone (although justification by faith is one of the doctrine of Christ Heb 6:1-3) ? Don't you know that the Bible has judgement (by God's words) too, or sanctification (by the Spirit of God) too ? We do not just have justification by faith in Christ; we have sanctification by the Spirit of Christ too, we have the living and walking by the commandments of God too, we have hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, by the doctrine and principles of Christ, by repentance, by laying on of hands, by baptism into His death, by ....

• 1Co 1:29-31 KJV  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
• 1Th 4:1-8 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:  (6)  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  (7)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  (8)  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
• 2Th 2:6-17 KJV  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  (7)  For the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  (8)  And then shall that Wicked (the Lawless One) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  (9)  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  (10)  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  (11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  (12)  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  (13)  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:  (14)  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (15)  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.  (16)  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,  (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
• 1Pe 1:2-3 KJV  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  (3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
• 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.

**  Do we need to always feel, think, confess, or ask for grace as God's children? 
I have three very lovable nephews, Richard, Amos, and Alex, who liked to play chess with me when they were young, notably when they were 10-15 years old. Although Alex was the weakest chess player, I would never give anyone of them a chance to win me. I saw it as a kind of good training for the boys in those days. 
One day, the young Amos said, "Uncle, please let me win. Just once?" But, as usual, I still won. He became angry, threw tantrum, and refused to eat his dinner .. He thought that I was very ungracious.
Richard would just tell me off and play with other children. 
Alex, on the other hand, would never complain whenever he was defeated. It would just make him even more determined to win me. As a result, he would always like to challenge me until he grew up, win me, and finally became a champion in the school chess competition. He did well in his study too.  
Of course, all three of them know that I am gracious now, after they have grown up. They now know that I am the same gracious uncle who played chess with them when they were very young, that I love all of them, and that I would give them my assistance as much as I could. But they also know that I would be happier if they could develop strong character and independence in life. Similarly, God is like a gracious father to all his children too. But God would still prefer all His children to develop Christ-like character, walk in His truth, and live life without always demanding 'effortless' favour, grace, or justification, and behaving like the immature tantrum-throwing kids.  

• 3Jn 1:1-4 KJV  The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.  (2)  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.

But many will still argue, "God is not like you. God is much better than you. He is more gracious. His grace is unlimited. If we are the sons of God, He will never let us fall; He will always let us win, effortlessly ! He is our Psalm 91:11 KJV  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. But if He is the God who let us fall or fail, He would not be a gracious God. In the end time, if anyone of us realise that we have fallen and we are being judged by Him, we will tell Him that He is not fit to be our God .." 
I will tell them, When you realise it, it may be too late; you will be as speechless as the man who realised that he had no 'wedding garment' before the King (Mat 22:12). 

1. Do you remember how Satan tempted Jesus when he told Him that He is the son of God and quoted Psalm 91:11 to Him too? However, Jesus knew that, if we listen to Satan, we can lose our 'garment' and become naked like Adam and Eve too, and that, if we reject God's commands or depart from the words of God by thinking of only the words that we want to hear, God's glory will depart from us. Mat 4:6 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.  
2. Do you remember the servant who thought that the forgiveness and favour of his lord was 'unlimited' too? The servant had probably thought that grace was 'greater than all his past, present, and future debt' regardless of whether he behaved righteously or unrighteously.  He had strongly believed that he was rightly, radically, totally, permanently, and unconditionally justified by the favour of his lord regardless of whether he behaved righteously or unrighteously. However, he had so much faith in the justification that he began to behave radically too. But what happened? Mat 18:32-34 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

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.)

Justification is by faith, but Christianity is by the words and teaching of Christ
We are saved by faith or belief in the words of Christ. Yes, everyone who believe will be saved. But have we read all His words, understood His words, and believed in Him?

• Joh 3:14-21 KJV  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Have we read all the words of Christ and had right believing? Did He say that we are saved only if we believed, or if we just believe that He is the begotten Son of God? No, He said if we believed in Him, we would believe and do all the things that He had said or commanded us to do. He said that we would do the truth; otherwise, we do not believe in Him.

• Joh 14:6-31 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (7)  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him .. (12)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ... (15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.  ..  (21)  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him ... (23)  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  (24)  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.  (25)  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.  (26)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you .. (28)  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.  (29)  And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.  (30)  Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

We should eat only pure honey; but it does not mean that we should only eat honey all the time
Honey must be produced by the bees. It can be pure honey only if it is not mixed with sugar or other things. However, can we practically survive on honey alone? No. It's because our stable diet is not honey; it's bread and butter, or meat.
Similarly, in Christianity, we have justification and it must always be justification by faith alone. But our spiritual food is not justification alone; our spiritual food is the 'bread' of God or the words and commandments of God.

• Mat 4:4-6 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (5)  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,  (6)  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ...      (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  (11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with just sugar or sweets. We do eat pure sugar or pure honey. There is nothing wrong if we want to add more sugar in our coffee according to our individual preference too.  However, if someone tells us that we must eat only sweets or take sugar all the time and replace our main diet with it, we should tell him to get lost. Similarly, we know that there is nothing wrong with the goodness, supplies, protection, or grace of God too. However, if someone tells us that we must think of His goodness only to replace thinking of all His words and commandments in our walk with the Lord, we should tell him to get lost too. I have talked about grace with the same illustration in my previous post and, hence, I do not wish to repeat what I had said. You can read about the "sugar and poison" illustration in my previous post here. 


Justification by faith is not an end by itself
Many will still argue, "Of course, Christianity is about life changes and godly living. But do we know what cause our life changing experience? The real thing which will bring our life changing experience is the gospel or heart transformation. It is certainly not the Ten Commandments or the law of God.. Only Jesus can keep all the commandments of God. Only He is gracious and generous enough. But we can never do and be like Him. Hence, Christianity and the gospel is all about justification by faith; not about behavioural modification by the law or the word of God.. as proven by the following Bible verses ..

• Rom 3:28 KJV  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
  Rom 5:1 KJV  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
  Gal 2:16 KJV  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
  Gal 3:11-13 KJV  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
• Gal 3:24-26 KJV  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
• Jas 2:24 KJV  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 

I will ask them, Yes, we are justified by faith, but did the Bible stopped there? Did you read the last Bible verse which says that we are not justified by faith only? It means that justification by faith is not the end of everything. Justification is the beginning of more works by a believer. Having being justified by faith, a believer does not keep boasting about it without any heart transformation or good works. Having being justified by faith, it does not mean that a believer has no more law or commandment of God in his heart, mind, or life (Heb 8:10, 10:16). No, on the contrary, having being justified by faith, the law and commandment of God will become more established in the heart and life of a true believer and this is the ultimate result which will bring the real heart transformation and character, from faith into grace, in the hope of the glory of God, to glory in tribulation, to patience, to experience (and character and heart transformation), so that we can truly have the love of God shed abroad to others around us ..    

• Rom 5:2-6 KJV  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  (3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us ..
• Rom 5:4 LITV  and patience works out proven character; and proven character, hope.

Many radical grace preachers said that they are the believers of justification by faith; not believers of behavioural modification or educationalist. They argued that as Christians, they should only contend for the gospel; not for laws, justice, freedom, morality, human rights, godly values, family values, or civilisation for the society, and therefore, the teaching of the laws and commandments of God should have very little impact on their society. When they said that, we know that they are liars or 'ding dong bell' preachers who can never teach probably. I will ask them, Please be honest. Do you still teach marriage seminar ? Do you still advise the spouses to remain faithful to one another? Do you tell the young kids to honour their fathers and mothers. If you think that it is not important to content for laws, justice, morality, or family values for the society, why do you still teach the married couples and children to obey God's commandments, doctrine, and principles ? Don't you think that it is very hypocritical to criticise others as the law teachers or Pharisees when they teach from God's commandments too, including the Ten Commandments?

• Eph 6:1-3 LITV  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  (2)  "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise, Ex. 20:12  (3)  "that it may be well with you, and you may be long-lived on the earth". Deut. 5:16
• Rom 13:8-9 LITV  Do not continue to owe no one, nothing, except to love one another. For the one loving the other has fulfilled the Law.  (9)  For, "Do not commit adultery," "do not murder," "do not steal," do not bear false witness, "do not lust," Ex. 20:13-15, 17 and if there is any other commandment, in this word it is summed up, in the words, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18
• Eph 5:31 LITV  "For this, a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh." Gen. 2:24
• 1Ti 3:12 LITV  Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their own houses and children well.
• 1Jn 1:6 LITV  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and we walk in darkness, we lie and are not practicing the truth.
• Act 15:19-21 LITV  For this reason I judge not to trouble those from the nations turning to God,  (20)  but to write to them to hold back from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and that strangled, and blood.  (21)  For in every city from ancient generations Moses has those proclaiming him, having been read in the synagogues on every sabbath.
• 1Co 7:19 LITV  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of God's commands.
• 1Ti 4:7-8 LITV  But refuse the profane and old-womanish tales. And exercise yourself to godliness.  (8)  For bodily exercise is profitable to a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life now, and of that coming.
• 1Ti 6:3-14 LITV  If anyone teaches differently, and does not consent to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching according to godliness,  (4)  he has been puffed up, understanding nothing, but is sick concerning doubts and arguments, out of which comes envy, strife, evil-speakings, evil suspicions,  (5)  meddling, of men whose mind has been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness. Withdraw from such persons.  (6)  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we have brought nothing into the world, and it is plain that neither can we carry anything out.  (8)  But having food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these.  (9)  But those purposing to be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all evils, by means of which some having lusted after it were seduced from the faith, and they themselves pierced through by many pains.  (11)  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.  (13)  I charge you before God, He making all things alive, and Christ Jesus, the One witnessing the good confession to Pontius Pilate,  (14)  that you keep the commandment spotless, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Do we understand what is the good fight of faith now? It includes doing, teaching, and living in godliness. How can we say that it is just the fight of the gospel to prosper or to know God only?)
• Jud 1:3-19 LITV  Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.  (4)  For certain men stole in, those of old having been written before to this judgment, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God into unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ.  .. (7)  as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these, committing fornication, and going away after other flesh, laid down an example before-times, undergoing vengeance of everlasting fire.  (8)  Likewise, indeed, also these dreaming ones even defile flesh, and despise rulership, and speak evil of glories.  (9)  .. (11)  Woe to them, because they went the way of Cain, and gave themselves up to the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the speaking against of Korah!  (12)  These are sunken rocks in your love feasts, feasting together with you, feeding themselves without fear, waterless clouds being carried about by winds, fruitless autumn trees, having died twice, having been plucked up by the roots;  (13)  wild waves of the sea foaming up their shames, wandering stars for whom blackness of darkness has been kept to the age. .. (16)  These are murmurers, complainers, going according to their lusts, and their mouth speaks proud things, admiring faces for the sake of gain.  (17)  But you, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (18)  because they told you that at the last time there will be mockers following ungodlinesses according to their lusts.  (19)  These are they setting themselves apart, animal-like ones, not having the Spirit.

Hence, the problem with many radical law preachers, faith preachers, gospel preachers, or grace preachers is not because they preach too much faith or too much grace; it is because they preach it so radically and erroneously that it eliminates or undermines the importance of all the other teaching of the Lord, including the teaching of repentance, keeping of God's commandments, godly living, heart transformation, life changing experiences, doing good, and doing and teaching the words, the principles, and the doctrine of Christ.        
Ironically while many radical grace preachers would argue that Christianity is all about justification by faith and falsely accused others for preaching about many laws, doctrine, and principles, they never complain about themselves who always preach about  success, blessing, wealth, and prosperity. They may argue and say that they can preach about prosperity because it comes from faith or grace. I will tell them, So will doing good, obedience, godly living, and walking after God's commandments come from faith and grace too. If you can preach prosperity or many other things which come from faith, why can't we preach the words, doctrine, principles, and commandments which produce faith and fruit too?  


Neither is the commandment, a pure heart, a good conscience, faith, forgiveness of sins, or grace an end by itself too

• 1Ti 1:1-8 KJV  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;  ..  (5)  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  (6)  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;  (7)  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.  (8)  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 

According to Paul, the end of the commandment - of the whole Christian institution - is love. And this can only subsist in an heart purified by faith, and is always attended with a good conscience. In another words, Christianity can never be preached from a narrow perspective based on an individualistic or radical view on just a gift of God or on how much faith, grace, or forgiveness of sins one can get. Christianity must be preached from a broad embodiment of all the doctrine, principles, and commandments of God, which are kept and practised with a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith. At the end of all these, we should see love

• Rom 8:4-9 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.  (9)  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
• 1Co 13:8-13 KJV  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  (11)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  (12)  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  (13)  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

      
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