What is the greatest sin?

What is the greatest sin?

Of course, there is no such thing as the greatest sin in the eyes of God. In God's eyes, any sin is a sin and it is serious enough to bar anyone from entering into His presence. Hence, when I say, "What is the greatest sin?", I am not talking about which sin is more serious in the eyes of God. Neither am I asking which sin is the most dangerous sin in the opinion of non-believer. No, I am referring to the most dangerous sin which a believer can commit. It is not idolatry, killing, stealing, or committing adultery. Of course, a true believer who has repented may still sin and fall into any of these sins, but that is not a big problem in God's eyes because a believer can still be forgiven if he truly believes and know the words of God:

• 1Jn 1:7-10 KJV  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (8)  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

So, the sin of idolatry or committing adultery may not be the greatest sin which will lead a believer to total destruction; the greatest sin is: 

"The sin of not reading the Bible and believing what we read" 

(but instead hearing and following the evasive teaching of men) 

The Lord has given us many serious warnings against the false prophets 
But, many believers have been deceived by the false prophets to think that all the warnings of the Lord have become obsolete. Now I understand why Jesus would keep telling us to take heed or beware. He is not telling us to take heed so that we will not lie, steal, or commit adultery; He is telling us to take heed lest we read His words and believe other men's interpretation of His words. For He knows that there are false prophets who know the will of God or the law of God and yet they will interpret it contrary to what God means. Many think that sinning wilfully is limited to sinning intentionally or taking grace for granted; however, the Lord shows us that we can sin wilfully in the way we preach or lie with His words too:

• Mat 7:15-27 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (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.
• Joh 14:23-25 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.
• Luk 6:45-47 KJV  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.  (46)  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:
• Heb 10:26-29 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  (28)  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  (29)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
• 2Pe 2:19-21 KJV  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (20)  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  (21)  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

Grace is greater than our sins, but there is 'one sin' which makes grace ineffective or 'infective'
The greatest sin is the sin that is committed by the believers, not by the sinners. It is not the sin of committing offence; neither is it the sin of rejecting Christ by a believer (Why? It's because a believer who sins or rejects Christ can still be forgiven if he can repent and come back to Him again).

But, it is the sin of rejecting all the words or doctrine of Christ, and still  deceiving ourselves and others that we can follow Christ without any repentance

This is the only type of sin which the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse or cannot overcome? Why? It is because:

1. Heb 10:26-29 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  
2. Heb 6:4-6 KJV  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  (5)  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  (6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Many think that Judas Iscariot had committed the unpardonable sin because he betrayed and rejected Jesus. But Peter had betrayed Jesus too. Why was Peter forgiven?
The sin of betrayal could be the greatest act of offence to the master by a follower or a disciple. For example, in the eyes of the people, following someone as their kungfu master without keeping the traditions or doing the will of their master is despicable in the past. But, Bruce Lee has changed all this when he became famous and helped glorify the kungfu art. Although Bruce Lee improvised many stunts he learned from his master (Yip Man), his master would probably understand that it could be a good thing. After all, we are all human and people can always improve, become better than us, and outshine us. Hence, Bruce Lee did not have to repent. But, can we do likewise in Christianity, or do like Bruce Lee and think that we are doing Christ a favour by changing or improving on His doctrine? I am not sure if anyone has really thought about it, but I am sure there are already many 'celebrity' preachers or pastors out there, who think that they can preach or 'act' like Bruce Lee, and boast that they are still the 'donkey' or 'ass' who gets the glory from Christ !


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Who's the richest pastor in the world?

Who's the richest pastor in the world?
There are now a lot of talks on "Who's the richest, the greatest, or the most anointed pastor now?"
I think, This is the craziest world we are living in. People are now beginning to think that 'pastor' is one of the best occupations. Although we know that there are still many poor pastors, the impression that the pastors are the richest people in the world is a norm now. Thanks, but no thanks to the mega church pastors' prosperity gospel. No one can deny the dilution, corruption, or perversion of the gospel now. Many non-believers are now having the wrong impression on the gospel of Jesus Christ.


Many pastors today do not really know how to 'prosper' in the Lord
To defend on their 'prosperity' or 'priest and kings' status, many pastors would argue and justify why they must prosper, be wealthy, be famous, and be favoured by the people of the world. If they cannot reign like kings or prince, they would say that at least they can reign like Paul or John who tells them that they can prosper too:
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.
However, I will tell them to read the words again. Did Paul and John prosper like what you think? No. Obviously, they were talking about the 'prosperity' which you can never understand. Only the true believers will understand what John meant with these words.


Are pastors answerable to God or men?
Many pastors claim that they are not answerable to anyone; but only to God. Obviously, they are deceiving themselves and others. If they read the Bible, they would know that they should not think like the people of the world and justify themselves for the riches or freedom they can enjoy like the people of the world.
While the people of the world would mostly agree with them because they think that all the money earned or collected through legal means belong to them, and hence, it is not a sin to earn more, to keep more, to enjoy more, to be happy, and to indulge in exorbitant spending of their own money, but God would certainly judge all His servants who boast and live in a manner without being mindful of Him or others. In fact, many of them think that they are not even answerable to God and that God would ONLY have good opinion of them. However, the Bible tells us clearly that:

• God's people are answerable to God: Luk 12:15-21 KJV  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (16)  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Many will argue that these Bible verses are not for them; but for the non-believers. I will tell them, The Lord did not specify if the rich man is a non-believer, believer, or pastor. If any of us behave like him, be sure that God will still judge us even if we confess vehemently that we are not answerable to God.)

• God's people are answerable to men: Luk 16:19-31 KJV  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  (20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  (21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  (22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  (23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  (24)  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  (25)  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  (26)  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  (27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  (28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  (29)  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Many will argue that this is not applicable to them again. They will say that Lazarus is a Jews under the law, and hence this warning is not for them who are under grace. I will tell them, If you are truly under grace, you would know the will of God and live with 'Lazarus' in your mind. Otherwise, this Bible passage is still for you even if you argue vehemently that the teaching of the Lord has all become obsolete.)

**How are we answerable to God or men?
So, if you are the real kings or princes who inherit great wealth of the country, you may not be answerable to anyone in the world. But if you are a 'king', a 'priest', or a 'celebrity' pastor in the spiritual kingdom of God, you are still a disciple of Jesus Christ. If you are a disciple, you are certainly answerable to the Lord who gave you His commandments to love and do His commandments. If you remove all His commandments and think that you can never be condemned for any rotten attitude to God or men, you have been deceived by the devil or the 'lawless one' who will rise (or has risen) in the end time ..
In fact, Jesus did not destroy or remove the commandments of God. His doctrine of the two parables of the rich man above and all His New Testament teaching is still clearly based on the commandments of God. If we all know God's commandments, we will know that we are answerable to God or men:

• God's people are answerable to God: Luk 12:15-21 
  1. You shall have no other Gods but me
  2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
  3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
  4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy
   
• God's people are answerable to men: Luk 16:19-31
  5. Respect your father and mother.
  6. You must not commit murder.
  7. You must not commit adultery.
  8. You must not steal.
  9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbour.
  10. You must not be envious of your neighbour's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour.

Hence, when any pastor or preacher say that we do not need to keep the Ten Commandments or any commandment of God, they are indirectly telling us that we are not answerable to anyone, including God or men ! They think that they have made it more convenient for the people to believe God, but in reality, they have made it more difficult for the sinners to repent and keep the commandments of the Lord. 

Joh 7:14-17 KJV  Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.  (15)  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?  (16)  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  (17)  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Joh 14:23-25 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.  
Luk 6:47 KJV  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Hence, if you think that the Ten Commandments are too many, you can just tell yourselves that you are answerable to God and men with the two commandments of loving God and loving men. But whether there are ten commandments or two commandments, they are the same as the one commandment that Jesus gave to us: Keep His commandments and Do His commandments. They are all the same !

• Mat 7:21-24 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (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:

If we know the will of the Father, it would be more than doing the Ten Commandments.


Is it a sin to be rich?
Of course, there is nothing wrong for us to be rich pastors, rich bishops, or rich elders. To be rich is not a sin. However, to prosper without doing the will of the Father is a sin. What is the will of the Father? The non-believers will never need to answer this question. But, if we are pastors, preachers, or believers in the covenant of grace, we must do the will of the Father:

• Joh 5:30 KJV  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
• 1Pe 4:2-3 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:
• 1Jn 2:16-19 KJV  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  (18)  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

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