When we say that we work hard, obey God's law, or do much in the Lord , are we boasting?

When we say that we work hard, obey God's law, or do much in the Lord , are we boasting?
Many radical grace preachers say that the Israelites boasted about their obedience to the laws of God and, therefore, God gave them the laws of frustration - see "It is a wicked lie to show that God gave His commandments out of frustration" in my another post here. 
When the Israelites said that they would do all that the Lord had commanded them and be obedient (Exo 24:7), did they boast? And, if we say that we will obey God, do something, or do more things in the name of the Lord, are we boasting too? Is it wrong to boast? When we say we obey God and pray, are we boasting in self-effort?  If this is true, then all the Apostles had boasted in self-effort too; this is ridiculous:

• Act 6:1-7 KJV  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.  (2)  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  (3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  (4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  (5)  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:  (6)  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.  (7)  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Of course, we don't simply accuse everyone of boasting just because they obey God or the Holy Spirit, to do something, to pray, to do church ministration, to do good to the widows and orphans, or to do and teach God's principles and doctrine. I would say that, yes, it requires much effort from ourselves to do good and to set a good example for our children, but it is one kind of 'self-effort' which can never be condemned as wrong; it is a great effort and good effort which we can still do and teach in our churches and families. If it is wrong to do so, we must throw away half of the Bible because there are too many Bible verses, Old Testament books, and New Testament letters which still teach God's principles, Godly values, sound doctrine, repentance's efforts to recompense, doing good, living godly lives, and walking after God's commandments.


A true believer or a great believer would not just pray and repent (change his mind); he would do and teach
I will tell them, Before you criticize any preachers and complain that they are preaching self-efforts or 'do good get good' principles, please pause and reflect for a while. You could have preach self-effort without knowing it too. When you preach and tell your followers to confess righteousness, confess long life (to live up to 120 years old), or follow your daily rituals of taking the holy communion to get more blessings, do you know that these are a type of self-effort too? Yes, you may boast that you can do all these 'beautifully and effortlessly' without doing it with your hands, physical effort, or hardwork (but with only your lips, your mouths, and your tongues); however, it is still consider as self-effort by God. He knows that you do all these confessions only out of deliberation to 'make' Him answer your desires. This is obviously one type of  self effort which is worst than the 'do good get good' principles. Why? It's because, in 'do good get good' principles, though we know that we will get 'good', but we still think of doing good to others based on the commandments and principles of the Lord. However, in your repetitive, radical, and ritualistic confession of your righteousness and long life in God, you will never think of doing any good to others. Obviously, when you boast or think that your confession is more 'effortless' than the 'do good get good' principles from the Bible, you do not have any thought or intention to do good to others. Hence, your self-effort is still as hypocritical as the Pharisees' effort which justify themselves before God.

• Luk 18:9-12 KJV  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  (10)  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.

In fact, Jesus would teach us to pray and confess His words with our minds to do good. Unlike the Pharisees who would just pray and confess the words of God hypocritically, a true believers of Jesus would pray and confess the words of God with his mind to do more good than others'. Unlike the Pharisees who twisted God's words and thought of getting more God's blessings 'effortlessly', a true believer of Jesus Christ would be taught by the Lord to pray, repent, and do works (and effort) meet for repentance:

• Luk 11:1-4 KJV  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  (2)  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 
• Mat 5:14-20 KJV  Ye are the light of the world. ..(16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. .. (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (20)  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
• Mat 3:7-9 KJV  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
• Luk 5:32 KJV  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• Mat 15:5-6 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. (We do not know what kind of tradition or commandments the Pharisee would teach; however, we know that it was very likely the tradition or commandments which tell people to do nothing and expect more from God effortlessly ..)        

** When a farmer, a soldier, and a Bible scholar say that they work hard, endure hard, and study hard, are they boasting too?
I will tell them, If doing a lot of works or always thinking of works without thinking of Jesus (or grace) would cause us to fall from grace, a lot of Christians would have fallen from grace too. For example, if Christian pilots are always focusing on flying the plane, will they fall from grace at the split second when their minds are not on the Lord? What if they suddenly realised that they had totally forgotten to pray while they were in the cockpits? How about the programmers or software engineers who became so focused in their works that they did not eat their lunch, not to mention praying or thinking of Jesus? .. 
I will ask the radical grace preachers, If you keep accusing everyone for falling from grace just because they think too much about their works or focusing too much on their jobs, you are no different from those whom you complained about - the legalistic repentance preachers who kept telling you to confess your sins every minute and second. If you think that it is ridiculous to confess sins all the time, do you think that it is reasonable for you to ask the believers to think of grace all the time? No, of course, there are times when we must tell the people to do something; not just to sit around and do the thinking only: 

• 2Ti 2:3-26 KJV  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  (5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.  (6)  The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.  (7)  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. .. (12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: .. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  (17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  .. (19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  .. (22)  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart ...

Of course, when we do something with a lot of efforts, including the preaching and teaching of God's words, principles, doctrine, do's and don'ts, and commandments to shun ungodliness or lawlessness, it does not mean that all our 'self-efforts' are under the law of Old Testament.

** How did Esau fail of the grace of God?
They will argue, "But Esau and Martha were both performance oriented people. Esau was a hunter and hence he was rejected by the Lord. Martha was also very busy with serving. Hence, the Lord rebuked Martha for being performance conscious. They fell from grace because they are law-conscious or performance conscious. That's why Esau failed of the grace of God:"

• Gen 25:27 KJV  And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
• Heb 12:15-17 KJV  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.
• Luk 10:39-41 KJV  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.  (40)  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  (41)  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

I will tell them, Martha was not rebuked by Jesus because she was performance oriented or busy with works. She was reproved by the Lord not because she worked hard; it's because she worked at the wrong time when the Lord was teaching and speaking to all of them. She did not treasure the teaching of the Lord. Please imagine what will your teacher or lecturer say if you would just want to do your own multitasking in his class (playing computer games, watching videos, and doing facebook chat)? 
Esau did not come to a place of no repentance just because he was a hunter who worked harder than his brother too. No. He lost his birthright and found that he could not change it because he did not treasure his birthright. Although I do not agree with the radical grace preachers who insisted that all the Jews and the people of the world (including the sinners) were living under grace before the covenant of grace was given, I do agree that some people had received the grace of God, and Esau was one of them. He received the birthright which he didn't work for it. However, he failed of the grace of God by despising his birthright and treated it cheaply by doing something that was stupid - ie. by selling it away with a bowl of soup to Jacob. This was recorded under the Old Testament. However, it is also recorded in the New Testament that believers who are under grace and have received grace today can still fail of the grace of God by despising it and treat it cheaply by doing something that is foolish too - ie. by sinning wilfully or by doing something which brings them to a place of no repentance and no turning (Heb 10:26). 
But many will argue, "No, we are under grace. We can never sin. That Bible verse (Heb 10:26) is not for us. We can never be judged no matter how we sin too. A believer can sin only if he is not grace-conscious or he has unbelief. Hence, the bitterness of Esau arose because of his lack of grace or failing to look diligently for grace (Heb 12:15); not because of his rebellion, sin, or lawlessness against the will of God."
I will ask them, Did you read Heb chapter 10 to 12 ? Please do not just quote Heb 12:15. Do you know that Heb 8 and 9 is about the new covenant, Heb 10 is about the laws and judgement of God for the people of God, Heb 11 about faith, Heb 12 about chastisement and holiness? So, if there is a word about the grace of God in Heb 12:15, it means that with the laws of God, faith of God, chastisement of God, peace of God, holiness of God, and the grace of God, the people of God would not feel bitter against anyone who live in the covenant or the will of God. We should not follow the footsteps of Esau. Neither should we say that law is greater or grace is greater, God forbid, because both are the gifts of God. Joh 1:16-17 KJV  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. However, I have no problem if anyone says that

1. grace is greater than the man-made laws from the Pharisees, or
2. law is better than the new perverted grace from the false prophets. (Heb 12:15 KJV 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; )   

Paul did boast about his work, his ministry, his effort, and his infirmities
Sometimes, we need to boast a bit because the false prophets has boasted too much when they boasted radically with exaggeration, lawlessness, and lies; whilst we will boast with the truth and the experience of our hardship, sufferings, persecutions, infirmities, true efforts, honest good works, genuine concerns, warnings, and ministries for the people. Hence, there is nothing wrong to boast if we must do it to clarify and contend against the deceptions, false accusations, and lawlessness of the false preachers.  

• 2Co 11:9-31 KJV  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.  (10)  As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.  (11)  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.  (12)  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  (13)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. .. (16) I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.  (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also... (30) If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.  (31)  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

The false prophets were rejected by the Lord not because of their obedience to do God's will and commandments; but because of their doctrine or works of lawlessness
However, many will still argue, "No, we don't boast of doing good, doing many things, obeying God, and keeping God's commandments. If we do that, we would fall from grace and make Christ of none effect, believe in the works of the law, and boast like the false prophets in Mat 7. Jesus rejected them because they believed in doing many things for Him, relied on their self-efforts, and fell from grace."

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .. (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Mat 7:23 LITV  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"

I will tell them, Yes, the false prophets above did boast about the efforts of their preaching, ministry, prophecy, casting of devils, and many wonderful works; however,  those efforts were their own efforts outside of the will or commandments of God. Obviously, if their efforts were good efforts within the will of God the Father, Jesus would never say, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (or work lawlessness)". Of course, any effort to obey God's laws and commandments would never be considered by the Lord as the curse of 'the law', the works of 'the Old Covenant law', or the working of lawlessness. 

** Why did Paul say that the law or the works of the law is now a curse?

• Gal 3:10-12 KJV  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  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 ... (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) 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.

There are two different major perspectives or views on the law:

• one is the static view of the law which concludes that all the laws are curses since the beginning or from the day they were given (this could have been preached as a radical lawless 'truth' by most radical grace preachers who cannot follow or keep any law or commandment of God); 
• the other is the dynamic view of the law which shows us that the law (of the flesh, circumcision, or the old covenant) was good; but when another law, the law of faith and the law of the Spirit came, the old law became a curse. 

When what is obsolete became a curse, it does not mean that any form of the law is  a curse   
I believe that Paul showed us the dynamic view of the law in Gal 3. The law was a good schoolmaster who became obsolete only after the new covenant came through Jesus Christ. The old law or covenant was not evil. It was not a curse. In fact, it was a blessing to the Jews who were under the law. It was a divine covenant or a special distinction under which the Jews became a peculiar people of God. So, all the laws including the commandments of God, the ark of covenant, the tabernacle, the ceremonies, the rituals, the festivals, the utensils, the sacrifices, and the circumcision were good works of the law.
But how could all these good things become a curse now? Does it mean that any form of the laws, commandments, ark, temple, festivals, sacrifice, or circumcision is a curse now? No, the Spirit of the law of God is not a curse. The commandments to obey God, to worship God, to love God .. are not a curse too. The Words of God, like the ark of covenant, the bread, the tablets, and the rod, are not a curse too. When we are now the temple of God (1Co 3:16), we are not a curse too. Is Pentecostal festival a curse too? No, of course not. How about the sacrifice of our sins or circumcision? Of course, the spiritual form of it can never be a curse to the believers. Hence, the Ten Commandments which was in the covenant of stones under the law of Moses has become obsolete, but the Ten Commandments which has now become the law in our hearts can never be obsolete. 

When the Windows Xp has become obsolete, it does not mean that all the programmingand codes for the operating system is obsolete too   
I have shown you why we cannot conclude that any form of the laws, commandments, or works is a curse. But many still argue, "If the law has become a curse, any form of the law is a curse.  We just don't care if it is a better law or better commandment. If it is a law like the 'do's and don't' laws, written codes of laws, legalistic instructions, or any rules and regulations which tell us to do good and live with godliness, it is the law of curse or self-effort."  I will ask them, Did you use Windows Xp, Ms Dos, or Dos command prompt many year ago ? Was it a curse to use it? No, it was a blessing when it was the only operating system for the PCs at that time. But after the Windows 7 or Windows 8 has come, Windows Xp or the old operating system could be a 'curse' (or a risk) now because of computer virus, file corruptions, security issues, and lack of user interface. But we don't go around and tell people that all the operating systems are obsolete and hazardous. 

• Yes, the old version of the operating system, Windows Xp, is a hazardous risk now; but the operating system in general is still required. The operating system is still required for all the PCs and laptops today. Hence, we don't tell people that there is no more programming codes or instructions for the operating system in Windows 8 just because the codes are too difficult for us to learn. It is ridiculous to do away with all the codes and commands which must still be compiled into Windows 7/8. Don't be a confused IT professional. 
• Similarly, when we talk about the law or covenant of God, we don't go around and tell people that all kinds of law and covenant are obsolete and useless too. Yes, the law of the Old Covenant and the law of Moses are a curse or a ministration of death now; but the commandments and the laws of God are not. The laws of God are still kept by the believers in their hearts under the New Testament (NT). Hence, I find it ridiculous when some preachers complained that all the laws and commandments of God are hard sayings for the believers. It is ridiculous to reject God's commands which must still be kept under the New Covenant. Don't be a confused NT preacher.

God's laws and commandments are given not because of men's boasting; but because of God's favour  
Did the Israelites boasted? 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".
 

The commandments of Jesus are given only to His disciples; not to everyone who just wants to follow Him for the bread, the gifts, the healing, or the miracles
Many will still argue, "No, God would never give commandments; God gives only gifts. Only the devil will give you long list of do's and don't or instructions to make you work like the ox or donkey. He is the accuser of the brethren. He will give you a lot of commandments and then judge you for not keeping all the laws. So, if anyone comes to you with God's laws and commandments, he is not from God. He is the accuser. He is the devil. He wants to bring the curse. Those who listen to him would love to do a lot of laws and boast, All that the Lord command, we will do .. 
Please think, If someone gives you a gift, do you pretend and say that he should give it to someone else who is poorer or someone who really need it? Or do you think that you should say something to show people that you are more humble and that you are not that worthy to receive it.. No, that's the problem of most Asians who love to pretend in their culture. They always say, "No, lah, we feel 'pai-say lah'. This is too good to be true." No, God wants us to cut the crap. Just say, Thank you and receive the gift ! Or else, we insult God who wants to give only good things to us. He would feel respected if we 'use' Him and use His gifts .."
I will tell them, Who said that God is only a gifts-giver? Obviously, this can never be true because the Bible has said that God is also a lawgiver too:

• Jas 4:12 KJV  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

In fact, God is a great lawgiver; Satan, "the Lawless One".

• 2Th 2:3-10 LITV  Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  (4)  the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2  (5)  Do you not remember that I told you these things, I yet being with you?  (6)  And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time.  (7)  For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst.  (8)  And then "the Lawless One" will be revealed, "whom" "the Lord" "will consume" "by the spirit of His mouth," and will bring to nought by the brightness of His presence. Isa. 11:4  (9)  His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders,  (10)  and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved.

I will tell them, You said that God can only give you gifts, not any laws or commandments. So, does it mean that you will accept anyone who will give you gifts? Do you know that Satan will always want to show you that he can give more gifts and better gifts than God? Will you follow Satan just because he can give you more gifts or better gifts? Will you reject anyone who would give you the commandments of God? I feel sorry for you - very likely, you have not only rejected God, the lawgiver; you have missed the Saviour who would also give us more words, more commandments, more principles, more sermons, and more doctrine than more miracles, more healing, more bread, and more prosperity:

• Mat 4:3-4 KJV  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  (4)  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• Joh 15:10-11 KJV  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Jesus might give gifts to many people, including the sinners, but He did say clearly that He gave His commandments to His disciples. In fact, He knew that only His disciples can keep His commandments. Hence, if you just want to receive gifts, you are not His disciples yet:

• Joh 12:48-50 KJV  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  (49)  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.  (50)  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
• Joh 14:23-26 KJV  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.
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
• Joh 6:26-66 KJV  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. .. (60) Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  (61)  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  (62)  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  (63)  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  (65)  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

** Is it wrong to feel unworthy?
I will tell them, You say that you are not like those who feel unworthy. But do you know who are those who feel unworthy? They are those who truly receive the forgiveness of God and favour of God. Are there biblical examples of those who felt unworthy and, as a result, received more favour? Yes, it is not just one; but many examples in the Bible:

1. The sinner who confessed his sin before God: Luk 18:11-14 KJV  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.
2. The woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears because she did not feel worthy to look up at Jesus and others: Luk 7:44-47 KJV And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  (45)  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.  (46)  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  (47)  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Please think, Did she do it with the same feeling like the feeling of someone who strikes lottery and thinks that it is God's favour? Did she feel so favoured, so worthy, or so excited that she kept kissing the feet of Jesus? No, her feeling was totally different from those who think that they are worthy; she felt unworthy instead. That's why she did the most lowly task of washing, kissing, and wiping the feet of Jesus which the Pharisees or those who think that they are too worthy or too favoured to do it.
3. The prodigal son who repented and thought that he was not worthy to be a son: Luk 15:17-19 KJV  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  (19)  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
4. The thief who admitted his sins, his due punishment, and his unworthiness before the Lord - Luk 23:40-43 KJV  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  (41)  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  (42)  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  (43)  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
5. Peter who fell down at Jesus' knees and felt unworthy - Luk 5:6-11 KJV  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.  (7)  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.  (8)  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  (9)  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:  (10)  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.  (11)  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  

I believe that all the people above had felt unworthy before God. Why did they feel unworthy? It's because they knew that they were sinners, they knew that they had sinned, or they had sin conscience in them. It's because, if they felt that they were very favoured or righteous like the Pharisees, they would never feel unworthy. Hence, I don't think that there is any wrong to feel unworthy before God or Jesus Christ. It is not wrong to have sin conscience to repent when we have sins or know that we have sinned too; it is wrong only if we have sin conscience to keep on offering the blood sacrifice like the Jews or the Pharisees who would never repent (or never have the sin conscience to repent).
I will ask the radical grace preachers, Are there people who would never feel unworthy (or sin conscious) to repent but would just keep thinking of God's favour or God's righteousness and believe only (and they think that to repent is to believe only)? Yes, only the Pharisees. If sinners would never feel unworthy or feel that they are sinful before God or others, they are not the sinners; they are the Pharisees and they are too righteous for Christ to save them:

• Luk 5:30-32 KJV  But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?  (31)  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  (32)  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• Mat 3:5-9 KJV  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,  (6)  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  (7)  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
• Mat 5:20 KJV  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (What did Jesus mean? If the Pharisees, who thought that they were too righteous to confess their sins or to repent, would be condemned before God, no one is righteous enough before God. It means that no one is too righteous to confess their sins or to repent. That's why Jesus would preach the gospel of repentance to everyone in the world, to ask them to repent, and not just to believe only. The Pharisees and the religious Jews (including the lawless ones, hypocrites, and the devils) might think that they could believe only, but John the Baptist and Jesus knew that they could never repent.)

Repentance is a kind of 'effort' which we must preach and no one can say that we are wrong
They will still argue, "But if we must repent with a lot of sin conscience, feeling of unworthiness, or thinking of sins, we will do our repentance with a lot of self-effort. Sin conscience always leads to self-effort. If we still want to do a lot of self-effort, we have not truly repented; we have fallen from grace.."
I will tell them, By the way, do you know why John the Baptist told the Pharisees to repent with fruits meet for repentance Mat 3:8. It means there must be 'effort' or 'works' in true repentance. Hence, Paul would never tell the believe to repent by changing their minds only. He would still preach the same repentance that the Lord and John the Baptist preached. It is a kind of self-effort which must be preached to everyone in the world in the name of the Lord:

• 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.
• Act 26:19-21 KJV  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  (21)  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

I will ask them, Do you know why the Jews wanted to kill Paul? Was it because Paul told them to repent, 'metanoia', and change their mind to be more godly or to give more tithes to the churches? No, Paul told them to repent and do works (effort) which showed that they had truly repented and they couldn't.  

Yes, 'effortless doctrine' can sell, but it cannot last
Many will finally say, "You can keep quoting many Bible verses which oppose God's grace and our effortless teaching; but how many souls have you saved? How many churches have you built? How many people have believed God because of your preaching? If you have done anything for anyone, I suggest that you keep quiet and mind your own business. If you are a pastor and you have only a few miserable members who listen to your preaching, you are not living in the will of God .."
I will ask them, Do you really say all these to your believers? Do you really think so? If you do, you have no respect for the preaching of God's words. Yes, you may boast about the millions of followers who listen to you because of your effortless teaching, you may boast that you are the bestsellers of your 'effortless doctrine', you may receive tons of testimonies and good reports from the internet, you may have brought many miracles to others, you may have done this and that, you may have done many wonderful works, ..  But what does it mean? It means that you have still boasted against the words of God and the doctrine of Christ with your own achievement, glory, deception, and self-effort . At the end of the day, you have still failed to do the will of God:

• Mat 7:20-27 KJV  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  (27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

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