K118. What would Jesus want us to preach?

Some will say, "Jesus wants us to preach only grace. Pure grace; not a mixture." Another will say, "No, Jesus want us to preach commandments". But many argue, "No, Jesus wants us to preach Him because He is the One who can save .." So, can we just keep arguing and criticising others who do not preach like us ? Should we preach pure grace or radical grace? Or preach like a religious revolutionist?
I will tell them, Why do we preach only this or that, and criticise others? Why do we preach like a revolutionist when our revolution is all about rebellious arguments and philosophies against God's words and commandments? Do you know that there are too many things we must preach in Christ and we cannot afford to waste our time preaching against everyone who cannot believe radically like us? Do we know that Jesus said, Go ye and teach all that He had commanded us to teach.. ? It means ALL; not partial, radical, or revolutionary wisdom which may fade according to time:
Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Did Jesus tell us to preach only love or only faith?
I do not have time to talk about 'all things whatsoever Jesus have commanded us to preach or teach', but I just want to say briefly or summarize that He wants us to preach all things, including:
1. Love, and
2. Works.
One lawyer had probably tested Jesus and challenged Him that he could love God more than any men; but Jesus looked at him and said, Do you truly love thy neighbour? How can you love thy neighbour if you do not love or do like the Samaritan? Your love for God is still in vain if you would only love and DO NOT DO like the Samaritan.
How about:
1. faith, and
2. works ?
James had said that faith without works is dead. I believe that James had learnt from Jesus too.

God's words cannot be preached individually and separately
Now, for those who like to compare and ask, "Yes, we all have love, faith, and works; but which is the greatest?" I will tell them, Yes, you know the answer: Love is the greatest. But do you think that Jesus would want us to preach only love? No. Jesus would always want us to preach love, faith, and works. He wants us to preach everything because they are all connected and they are in the loop, cycle, or process of producing and strengthening each another. It is impossible:
1. to love without faith
2. to have faith without love
3. to work with no love
4, to work with no faith
5. to love with no works, or
6. to have faith without works
Hence, God's preachers will never dissect it and preach it separately or individually if they know that the following would be linked and connected in a loop or:
Cycle: Love  ->  faith  -> works
God's preachers who truly obey the commandment of Jesus may even expound further, to preach more things and many things, for example:
Cycle: God's words -> God's covenant -> God's laws -> God's commandments -> doctrine -> repentance -> grace -> love -> faith -> fruits -> miracles -> principles -> works -> judgement -> hell -> prophecies -> kingdom of God .. ..
I will ask the hyper grace people, Is that a 'mixture' or a 'mixed truth' ? No, if God's preachers know how to preach the words of God, God's laws and grace can never be a 'mixture'.
Like the chicken and eggs, God's laws and grace are both the gifts and creations of God. Like the 'chicken and eggs' problem, the question is not: Are they a mixture? The question may be: Which comes first - chicken or eggs? God's laws or grace? or God's grace or repentance?
Before creation, God may 'crack His head' thinking which should He create first - chicken or eggs; but after creation, God is not bothered which one comes first. Both are His creations in a loop now. Similarly, God's laws and grace are both His gifts in a loop now. Why should we be bothered by the questions: Which one comes first? Or Which should we preach first? Or Which is more important? Or Should we put the cart before the horse or after the horse? I will tell them, No, I am not bothered by the 'chicken and eggs' problem or the 'cart and horse' problem. I will put the horse and the cart side by side - what say you?

God's words cannot be reduced or eliminated; it can only be summarized (to include more for us to do and learn)
Some preachers may ask, "Why do you make it so complicated? Which is the greatest truth in the words of God?" Jesus will still answer them and tell them the same thing that he told the lawyer:
Mat 22:33-40 KJV  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.  (34)  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.  (35)  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  (36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  (37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The lawyer might want to preach the easiest or the simplest truth based on his beautiful 'minimalistic' law; but Jesus simply summarized the Ten Commandments adequately and amazingly to include all the laws and commandments of God. He made the lawyer speechless ! I believe the lawyer had learnt his lesson. He should not reduce God's commandments to something that he could boast about. However, have we learnt our lesson? I am afraid that many of us are still thinking and boasting like the lawyer. And we can only be humbled by the words of Jesus.

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K117. Will Jesus tell us to stop believing in doing and teaching the Ten Commandments?

Many hyper grace preachers say, Of course, Jesus will agree with us to stop believing in doing and teaching the law. The Ten Commandments are under the law, but we are under grace. So, we should stop doing and teaching any law or commandment because He has told us to believe only in grace.
Jesus will not tell us to believe in turning away from our sins too because He has told us to believe in true repentance, and believing in true repentance is just to change our mind."

I will ask them, Who told you that? Are you sure you are hearing from God?

If you cannot hear clearly, let us hear again
You may have heard only a 'still small voice', but can you hear His 'loud and clear' reproof in the Scripture:
Mat 15:7-9 KJV  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  (8)  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mar 7:7-13 KJV  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  (8)  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.  (9)  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (10)  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  (12)  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  (13)  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mat 5:16-19 KJV  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Did you hear what He said? Did Jesus tell you to stop believing in doing and teaching God's commandments?

What should be taught in God's laws and commandments?
Did Jesus tell you to teach the law of circumcision, the temple law, the Corban law, the Pharisees' laws, men's laws, the easy laws, or the dummies' laws ? No. Contrary to what the Pharisees taught in their Corban law, Jesus taught from the Ten Commandments:
Mar 7:10-11 KJV  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
Mat 22:35-40 KJV  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  (36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  (37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

God's laws would still teach us to love God and men
Mat 5:43-44 KJV  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  (44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Please think, Where did they heard 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour'? Wasn't it from the Ten Commandments. Many preachers may still argue, "Since Jesus has given us the new law to love our enemies or a better law, we are no longer required to love our neighbour and obey the Ten Commandments." I will tell them, Before you can love your enemies, please make sure you can love thy neighbour first. If you cannot love thy neighbour as thyself, forget about loving your enemies. Obviously, His law to love your enemies must be built upon God's law to love thy neighbour. You cannot love God or your enemies if you cannot love thy neighbour. Jesus has explained it so clearly).
Luk 10:25-30 KJV  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  (27)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  (29)  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves .. (33) But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  (34)  And went to him, and bound up his wounds.. (36) Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Did Paul tell us to stop believing in doing and teaching the Ten Commandments?
You know what are God's commandments, but do you stop doing and teaching them. No, if Paul would still do and teach them, what's wrong if we do likewise? If we read Paul's letters, we can never get the impression that he would stop believing in doing and teaching the laws and commandments of God (including the Ten Commandments):
Eph 6:1-3 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.
Rom 13:8-9 KJV  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  (9)  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.
Rom 8:5-8 KJV  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.
2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Please think again, What is 'all scripture' in 2Ti3:16 above? Was it the New Testament? No, Paul did not have the New Testament when he told Timothy to do and teach from 'all scripture'. They had only the Old Testament. However, did Paul refer to the Old Testament laws and rituals? Certainly not. He was referring to the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Song of Solomon or Proverb) in the Old Testament which has the doctrine and principles to teach every man in the church, and that would include the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness from the Ten Commandments too.

So far I have only answered the hyper grace preachers' first part of their question at the top and explained why the doing and teaching of the Ten Commandments is not under the law.
I will now answer the second part of their question and explain why we must still turn away from our sins if we repent correctly or believe correctly. It doesn't matter if we can believe correctly or define repentance accurately. But it does matters if we will truly turn away from our sins. If there is no turning away from sins, all the definition or explanation of repentance would be in vain. Hence, because of the way most hyper grace preachers would use their definition of repentance to argue with us, we will not answer their question: "Do we need to repent?" Instead, we ask them, "Do we need to turn away from our sins?"

Did Jesus tell us to turn away from our sins?
Yes, certainly. Jesus did not tell us just to repent, change our mind, or believe; He told us to turn away from our sins or to sin no more too:
Joh 5:14 KJV  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Joh 8:11-12 KJV  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.  (12)  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Luk 13:2-5 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.
Luk 15:17-18 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,
Luk 16:29-30 KJV  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.
Luk 19:8-9 KJV  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Rev 2:15-16 KJV  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  (16)  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Luk 11:2-4 KJV  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.
Please think, Why did Jesus tell us to repent, pray, and confess our sins to God? Isn't it clear to us that He wants us to turn away from our sins? If we always rebel and give people the false impression that it is ok to live in sins or to do nothing about our sins, we become the false preachers. If we always tell the people to just ritualistically confess that the blood of Jesus without telling them to turn away from their sins, we have abused the grace of God  !
Heb 10:22-29 KJV  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. .. (26)  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?

Did Paul tell us to turn away from our sins?
If we still cannot see this, we are blind. Paul has just spoken in Heb 10:22-29 that he would not want us to sin, especially sinning wilfully like the Pharisees who used the blood covenant as their cover to sin even more. It would be a much sorer punishment for us if we do like them and sin with the thinking that we can now sin with a better covenant, or a better conscience to sin under grace.
I do not have time to quote all the Bible verses from Paul about turning away from sins. I will just show one more Bible passage below to explain why we must still believe in turning away from our sins, and it is not a shame to preach it to the church constantly. It is likened as regularly washing of our hearts, our soul (conscience), and our bodies (the church) with pure water as in Heb 10:22:
Eph 5:3-27 KJV  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  (4)  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  (5)  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  (6)  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  (7)  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  (8)  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  (9)  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  (10)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  (11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  (13)  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.  (14)  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  (15)  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  (17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  (18)  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit .. .. (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Have the churches been cleansed constantly by the words of Jesus lately?
I am afraid not. I have said that there are two type of cleansing.
1. Cleansing of His blood on the hearts of the believers - so that the laws of God can be put in their hearts and that all their sins and lawlessness will be forgiven (Heb 8:10, 10:16)
2. Cleansing of His words on the feet of the believers - so that they can walk and do in the will and commandments of God (2Jn 1:6), and be part of Christ (or else Jesus will say, "I never knew you" Mat 7:23)
The churches today may have been bought and cleansed by the blood of Jesus, but many have not been truly cleansed by His words. Many have fallen, listened to the words of the devil, and become dead branches. In fact, Jesus has shown us that the churches that belong to Him must be cleansed by His words; or else they are not part of Him:
Joh 13:8-10 KJV  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  (9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  (10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Many churches are not the churches of God. They were not 'clean' (saved) in the first place. They may keep washing themselves or their feet with the water or the word, but they are like Judas Iscariot. They cannot have the law of God or the Spirit of Christ in their hearts.
However, some churches may have been bought and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, but they reject the words, doctrine, or law of Christ. They could have fallen and become the dead branches, the seeds at the wayside, the foolish virgins, the foolish servants, the goats, the tares, or the rebellious churches in Revelation 2-3.
Jesus has not stopped cleansing us or speaking to us today. He is still calling, not only the sinners, but the churches and the believers, to repentance.

What is the washing or cleansing by His words?
I will tell the hyper grace preachers, If you are truly the strong believers in the words of God, you do not need to dissect the letters of John and preach or boast constantly that you are better than the agnostic believers in 1 John 1:9 who must confess their sins constantly or repeatedly. If you are truly the strong believers in the words of God, you will be constantly washed or sanctified by the words of God:
Eph 5:26-27 KJV  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
2Ti 3:15-17 KJV  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Washing by His words is sanctification, and sanctification is a circumcision of Christ
So, if you are truly the strong believers in the words of God, you would strongly believe in the constant washing or sanctification by the words of God too. What is 'sanctification' ? It is the New Testament term for the 'circumcision of the hearts':
1Co 7:17-20 KJV  But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.  (18)  Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.  (19)  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.  (20)  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Php 3:3 KJV  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Col 2:11-12 KJV  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  (12)  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

The churches who are truly washed by His words will preach sanctification and turning away from sins
I will ask them, So, was Paul against circumcision? No, he might be against those who preach or do circumcision by the law; but he was certainly not against those who preach or do 'circumcision' (or sanctification) by the words of God. So, please don't use the following Bible verse and quote it our of context to falsely accuse all those who preach sanctification as the Pharisees or the deceivers:
Tit 1:10 KJV  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
But, please think again, What is sanctification? Isn't it turning away from sins? If Paul and God's preachers are the strong believers who believe in the sanctification and preach spiritual circumcision (or turning away from their sins), how can anyone falsely accuse them as the ritualistic law keepers or deceivers, like the Pharisees?

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K116. Will Jesus heal or forgive us before we repent?

Yes, Jesus did that before the sinners repented in Matthew chapter 9:
Mat 9:1-31 KJV And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.  (2)  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee ..  (22)  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour .. .. (25)  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose .. (29) Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.  (30)  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.  (31)  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Matthew 9 is a chapter recorded with the most miracles. There were 4 miracles. But none of the sinners said that they repented. Does it mean that we are not required to repent? or that we should just expect grace without repentance? No.
Yes, Jesus will forgive and heal us before we know how to love and obey God too. Does it mean that we are not required to love and obey God?

Have we missed out on the key message of what Jesus preached?
In Matthew 9, Jesus healed many Jews according to their faith in Him and in His words (in what He preached). But have we missed out the most important message that He preached besides the deliverance and miracles ?
Mat 9:12-13 KJV  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  (13)  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Yes, Jesus healed the people before He preached repentance. Does it mean that He will still do the same before we repent? Yes. Does it mean that we do not have to repent, love, and obey God ? Of course, NO ! If we think of getting only His miracles, goodness, and grace without repentance or turning away from our sins, what's the difference between us and the Pharisees?
Mat 3:7-8 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:
Luk 19:8-9 KJV  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Grace or goodness (before repentance) cannot be preached like a formula
Hence, we know that Jesus will still forgive and heal us before we repent, but we do not always preach it or encourage it. Instead, we should always repent without any hesitation or reservation. If all those who sin would always expect or demand that God must forgive them first before they repent or turn away from their sins, their repentance can never be genuine. Hence, we preach repentance and let the Lord do His works. We don't try to do what only He can do. We don't go around and boast as though we are the one who can decide on how to heal and forgive others. If we try to preach grace as though it is a formula to God's goodness and forgiveness, it can never be the grace of God. Many hyper grace preachers think that they can preach the grace of God as a formula to all the forgiveness of their sins and lawlessness. The formula may sound wonderful to most of the sinners who can never repent, but it can never save them.

The grace and goodness of God is still conditional with repentance
Many will argue, "Mat 7:23 can never be applicable to us because God has forgiven all our lawlessness according to Heb 8:10 irrespective of whether we turn away from sins or not. It is unconditional. Hence, true repentance is just a change of opinion. Repentance is only a change of mind from unbelief in God to belief in God without any condition or any need for us to turn away from our sins."
I will tell them, Please read both Bible verses again:
Mat 7:22-23 LITV  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"
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.
Jesus said, In that day many will argue with Him and say that they have done many things in His name. Please think, Will they argue that their lawlessness has been forgiven unconditionally too? Yes, of course. I think they would say anything to justify themselves too.
Now think again, Is the forgiveness of God totally unconditional? I don't think so. God forgive our lawlessness only if we repent and depart from our lawlessness. It does not sense for God to forgive our lawlessness even if we still sin and embrace lawlessness.
Now think again, How do we depart from our lawlessness? Heb 10:16 has answered us: by having the laws of God in our hearts and minds. And also He adds, I will not at all still remember their sins and their lawlessnesses. This is a clear indication that God's forgiveness of our sins and lawlessness is conditional - we must still have the laws of God in our hearts.

The grace and goodness of God is still conditional even though it is given before we repent
Many will still argue, "You have not defined the grace of God correctly. If the grace of God is given before we repent, grace should be defined as unconditional. It is unconditional because it is given before repentance. You did not define repentance correctly too. Repentance is just change of mind; not turning away from sins."
I will tell them, I do not know why you want to keep arguing about this. Does it matter for grace to come before your repentance or after your repentance? From the doctrine of Christ, there must be repentance in the hearts of all His believers whether they repent before they believe or after they believe. However, if you keep arguing that grace must be always given to you BEFORE you repent, obviously you will never repent. You will just keep arguing or keep changing your minds !   

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K115. Is the gospel of Jesus Christ Word-based, Spirit-based, or grace-based? (4)

I have explained in K114 that our life in Christ must be both doctrine-based (word-based) and Spirit-based. It is because God's words cannot function well in the hearts of the believers without the Spirit of God; neither can the Spirit of God work in our hearts without God's words. I have explained (with the words of Jesus and the letters of Paul) that the words of God must be both doctrine-based and Spirit-based.
Now I will answer those who argue radically that the words of God or the gospel must be only grace-based or prosperity-based.

Is the gospel of Jesus Christ grace-based (and/or prosperity-based) only ?
Many will say, "Of course, the gospel of Jesus Christ is grace-based. But if you want to include the doctrine, the words of God, repentance, the cross, and the kingdom of God in the gospel, we would say that the gospel must be both grace-based and prosperity-based too; or else it is not complete. Many law preachers have accused us of preaching the prosperity gospel or the health and wealth gospel. But we are humble to say that we can prosper more because we preach grace-based and prosperity-based gospel. It is by the grace of God that we can enjoy life more abundantly and prosper more. So don't waste time believing in something that cannot satisfy you or prosper you. God would satisfy us with the good things in life (or abundant life) without telling us to keep any law or commandment. But the devil will use the law to accuse us, keep us under bondage, and make us sin conscious, so that he can keep accusing us until we become poor and lose all the joy of life. But the grace-based gospel has prospered us. Look at the size of our church, our people, our stage, our clothing, and our music today. We can boast that we have preached a better gospel, a better Saviour, and a better God. Our Jesus is too good to be true, Our Jesus is not an angry God. Our Jesus is firm and yet He is meek. Our Jesus is .. Hence, we love Jesus more than anything. We can love better. We can worship better. We can believe better. We can boast better .. It is because we are righteous and we are always righteous. We have become the envy of many people .. Haha .. Hallelujah, praise the Lord .. The sinners and others will fear and tremble before God because of their sins.. But we fear and tremble before God because of how righteous and blessed we are and how much we can prosper.. Wow.. we fear and tremble when we think of how good God is; not how much we need to repent .. haha.. Praise God .. "

Grace-based gospel with boasting and hypocrisy is not from God
Most of the hyper grace or radical grace preachers will boast like that, probably thinking that they can make other preachers jealous of them. Is there anything wrong with that type of preaching (or boasting) in the church? Most of the people or the sinners of the world would think that that is a fantastic preaching. Many ignorant believers would think so too. But Jesus would think otherwise:
Luk 18:9-14 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.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Many hyper grace believers think that the parable of Jesus can never be applicable to them because they preach grace, believe in grace, and boast in the righteousness of God; not in the law or in themselves like the Pharisees. But I would think, What's the difference? They may boast in grace; but the boasting is done in the same spirit and leaven of the Pharisees - hypocrisy. They may not fear and tremble now; they will learn to fear in that day when the Lord will judge them:
Luk 12:1-5 KJV .. he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  (2)  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known .. .. (5)  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Grace-based gospel with deceitfulness of riches is not from God
I am not against grace. But, when grace is exalted (or boasted in this way) to replace or eliminate the doctrine of Christ or the Spirit of God, it can never be the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, when it is preached with the combination of prosperity and deceitfulness of riches to remove the doctrine of Jesus Christ and the commandments of God, it becomes even more obvious - it is the temptation and the gospel from the devil. It will choke the words of God:
Mat 4:4 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.
Mat 4:7 KJV  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 4:10 KJV  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.
Mat 13:22 KJV  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Jesus has warned us in Mat 7:15, 20 that, by their fruits, we can know them too).

Grace-based gospel without keeping all the words of Jesus is iniquity-based (or lawlessness-based gospel)
We don't care how much they can love Jesus, preach Jesus, or worship Jesus; if they do not obey, keep, or do all the words, doctrine, and commandments of Jesus, they are not His true believers. They are false prophets. And they do not really love Jesus:
Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
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 7:23-28 LITV  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!" .. (24)  Then everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock .. (28)  And it happened, when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His doctrine.
However, many still argue, "We are set free by grace and truth; not by the doctrine, laws, and commandments of God. Please don't bring the people back to the law."
Joh 8:31-33 KJV .. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
I will tell them, Please read the Bible verses above again. Do you know where the truth comes from? The truth comes by His word. If the truth and grace comes by His word, ultimately it is His word which make us free. Ultimately, the gospel is word-based. The gospel is still based on His words:
Joh 1:1-17 KJV  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God .. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth .. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Prosperity-based gospel without the right spirit and focus is not from God too
We don't care how they may accuse us as condemning preachers. If we speak the truth in the words of Jesus, we speak in love. We do not enjoy exposing the lies, but if we truly love the Lord and His words, we cannot keep quiet.
I will tell them, The name 'Prosperity-based gospel' or 'prosperity gospel' itself has showed us that its focus or emphasis in the preaching of God's words or doctrine of Christ is on prosperity. So how can it be the gospel of Jesus Christ when Jesus said that the focus of His gospel is on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness:
Mat 6:33 KJV  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Many will argue, "But if we focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we will prosper sooner or later. If we will prosper because of the gospel, the gospel should be called the prosperity gospel or prosperity-based gospel. Hence, there is nothing wrong if we preach it as the prosperity gospel. And we are not ashamed to be called the prosperity preachers .. BUT WE ARE NOT MATERIALISTIC PREACHERS. We are good preachers. We will use our prosperity to help the poor. When we prosper, we can do more good works .. So what's wrong with the prosperity gospel?"
I will ask them, What are you trying to prove? You said that you are prosperity preachers. You are health and wealth preachers. You have prospered, even as thy soul prospereth (3Jn 1:2). Do you know what is your focus?
The Bible (New Testament) shows us only one verse about soul prosperity or material prosperity. But you preach your whole sermon on soul prosperity and material prosperity, without much preaching on spiritual prosperity, humility, and contentment based on the words or doctrine of Jesus Christ. It is quite difficult to convince the people that you are not materialistic. Do you know what's the ratio of the Lord's teaching or Paul's teaching on material prosperity to spiritual prosperity? It could be 1:1000 or 0.1:1000
1Ti 6:6 KJV  But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:3-5 KJV  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  (5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

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K114. Is the gospel of Jesus Christ Word-based, Spirit-based, or grace-based? (3)

I love the gospel because it is grace-based. But I cannot forever live in the Spirit and life of God by just thinking of grace only. It is because my life in Christ under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is word-based too. I must also think of His laws and His words too.
Rom 7:25 KJV  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Paul thanked God that he was delivered from his wretchedness. Yes, he was delivered by Jesus Christ. Yes, he overcame the law of sin and death by the Spirit of Christ too. But did he say, That's all? No. It means that we must have the obedience to the Spirit of Christ and the law of God to have our ultimate victory too:
Rom 8:2 KJV  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

How do we serve the law of God with our minds (Rom 7:25)?
Of course, it is by thinking or meditating on the law and the words of God:
1Pe 1:22-23 KJV  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  (23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Mat 4:4 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.
Rom 12:1-2 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
How do we know the good and perfect will of God? It is by the law of God, the seed, or the Word who is now in the Spirit of the law of Christ in our hearts and minds. Hence, I believe that the renewing of our mind must be done in the Spirit of Christ through the words and commandments of God too.

Is the life of Christ Word-based or grace-based?
Yes, we are already saved or cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ under grace. But, we must continue to be cleansed by His words and commandments. Hence, there are two types of cleansing:
1. being cleansed from sins unto salvation
2. being cleansed from sins unto sanctification
The first type is by grace through the blood of Jesus; the second is by the Spirit of God through the words of God. Jesus will cleanse us with both types of cleansing, or else we can never be part of Him. Joh 13:3-10 is the picture of how Jesus will cleanse us with both types of cleansing:
Joh 13:3-10 KJV  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  (4)  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  (5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  (6)  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  (7)  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  (8)  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  (9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  (10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

Our life in Christ must be continuously cleansed
Jesus said that those who are clean are indeed clean. But even though they are clean, they must still be continuously cleansed by Him, or else they have no part with Him. Hence, there are two types of people in our churches:
1. Those who are not clean, but they pretend to be clean by the words of God. And they can never be clean no matter how much they can pretend (like Judas Iscariot)
2. Those who are clean, but they do not want to be cleansed anymore. They want to be free. They think that they are set free from the truth and grace to obey no more law or commandment from God. They want to enjoy an 'effortless' life or 'lawless' life. They do not want to hear all the words or commandments of God. Hence, they would interpret God's words with their own thinking or hear the interpretation of God's words from the serpent (like the 5 foolish virgins, like the goats, like the dead branches, like the seeds fallen by the wayside).

How will Christ cleanse us continuously?
Is it by physical washing of our feet? No, Joh 13:3-10 is just a symbolic picture of how we will be cleansed by Him. Will He cleanse us with water ? No. Will He cleanse us by magic, by spiritual anointing, or by a supernatural force? Of course not. He will cleanse us with the words of God. What are the words of God? I have explained in K111 that the doctrine of Christ or the law of Christ would always include all the commandments and principles of God. The Pharisees (like the lawyer in Mat 22:35, Luk 10:25, Mar 7:11) would always look for the shortcut in God's commandments, but Jesus would expose them as the hypocrites and show them that there was no shortcut. Many Pharisees would just want to confess sin (Mat 3:6-8) or righteousness (Luk 18:11-12), but Jesus showed clearly that they could never understand the gospel without the true spirit of repentance i.e. in the law and Spirit of God.
Joh 3:5-12 KJV  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit .. .. (10) .. Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  (11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

There are many arguments for different base or focus for the gospel
Many believers today would argue that the gospel of Jesus Christ is only grace-based, miracle-based, healing-based, liberty-based, prosperity-based, or righteousness-based because they were looking for only those things that they can accept or like. Such focus is certainly not from the Spirit and law of Christ. They may argue that they believe in the words of God. But in reality, they have no regard for God's words or commandments as they would select only the promises of God and reject all the rest of God's words, warnings, correction, principles, or commandments as not useful to them. They argue that the gospel is prosperity-based, freedom-based, grace-based, favour-based, or effortless-based; but how about repentance-based, cross-based, word-based, doctrine-based, or kingdom-based?

But the arguments are all 'baseless' without the doctrine of Christ
The doctrine of Christ or the law of Christ is based on the words of God. Hence, the gospel is 'baseless' if it is not Word-based too.
According to the doctrine and teaching of Christ, we can confess faith, righteousness, grace, or blessing daily or repeatedly. But it would be all in vain if we do not have the law of Christ, the doctrine of Christ, or the Spirit of Christ, to do it:
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 .. .. (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:
Many argue, "Yes, Jesus told us to do the will of God the Father; but He didn't tell us to do His laws or commandments. Hence, what we will is His will and what He will would become our will too. Haha, hence, we can just go by the flow .."
I will tell them, How do you know God's will if you do not know God's words? And how do you know God's words if God's words have no instructions, laws, commandments, or principles for you to do? When Jesus said that we must do God's will, obviously He wants us to do God's will which is shown in God's laws and commandments; not to go by the flow or by what we think in our minds.
2Ti 3:15-17 KJV  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Did Paul say that only his letters were God-inspired for us ? Did he say that only the New Testament or the gospel by John was inspired? No, he said ALL SCRIPTURE are inspired for doctrine, for correction, and for teaching. Are we saved by the scripture? Of course not. But are we saved if we just throw away the scripture and learn to 'walk on water' like Peter? No, I am sure we will all 'sink' and perish. Hence, the question is not: To do or not to do to be saved; but do we have the law and Spirit of Christ to do it. If we have have the Spirit of Christ, we will do it. If we do not have the Spirit of Christ, we will always argue like the Pharisees who would never do the laws and commandments of God. The Pharisees might do the rituals or works of the law but they are 'lawless' in their spirit. From what they did, we know if they were not from God. Similarly, from what we do, we know if we are from God too.

So is our life in Christ doctrine-based or Spirit-based?
Many believers still argue vehemently that we should listen only to the Holy Spirit. I will tell them, Yes, of course, we listen to the Holy Spirit too; but do you know how the Holy Spirit will speak to you? Will He speak to you with His own still 'small voice', His own words, or His own new revelation? I don't think so.
Joh 14:10-26 KJV  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works .. (15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  (17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in 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.
Joh 16:13 KJV  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Do we notice the condition how the Holy Spirit is given to us? Jesus said, "If ye .." and "I will .." - it is a condition and a commandment. If we obey and do as He said, we have the promise of the Holy Spirit and His guidance; or else, we have rebelled and rejected the Holy Spirit.
Will the Holy Spirit operate by Himself? No, Jesus has said it very clearly. The Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear from the Lord. And whatsoever He shall hear from the Lord is whatsoever Jesus said or taught with the words of God - it means all the doctrine that He has taught !
Mat 22:33 KJV  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Mar 4:2 KJV  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Mar 12:38 KJV  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Joh 7:16 KJV  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Do we notice that Jesus used the word 'whatsoever' repeatedly in what we should do and teach? He said it emphatically or commanded that we must observe and teach ALL (not just part of what He has commanded us).
However, what if the believers know about this and still go against His command and preach only what they like or only the 'feel good' messages? What if the believers would just preach that everyone will go to heaven and that His teaching of hell (in Luk 16:19-31) is no longer applicable to them? They are rebellious believers. The Lord will say He never know them (Mat 7:15-23). 

Our life in Christ must be both doctrine-based and Spirit-based
Now, please read the words of Paul again. Yes, Paul told us to listen or follow the Spirit of God too. But did he explain how to follow the Spirit of God?
1Co 2:10-16 KJV  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  (11)  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  (12)  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  (13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  (14)  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (15)  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Now, please ask ourselves, How do we have the mind of Christ or know the mind of Christ? Isn't it simply by knowing and doing the words and doctrine of Christ? When we know and do the doctrine of Christ, we have have the mind of Christ and we have the Spirit of God to judge all things.

There must be God's commands if our life in Christ is both doctrine-based and Spirit-based
Many will still argue, "Of course, we know that our life in Christ is doctrine-based. Don't falsely accuse us. We have always preached the words of God. We preach grace. We preach Jesus. We preach goodnews. We have set many people free from the bondages of the law. Hence, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luk 4:18-19). Our words are the words of God. They are life and spirit .."
I will tell them, No, those are your words. They are not the words from the 'mouth' of God even though they are quoted from the Scripture. Jesus has said in Mat 7:15-23, Those who rebel and work lawlessness may still preach in His name and call Him Lord, but they are not from Him. Hence, the words that they preached or quoted from the scripture are not from His mouth. Jesus said that the words that are truly from the mouth of God are not the words that have only the words that we like to hear. They are ALL the words of God or EVERY word that comes out from the mouth of God, including the COMMANDMENTS of God. If we remove all (or part of) His commandments, we are not speaking the words of God; we are speaking like the devil:
Mat 4:4 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.
Of course, Jesus knew that it was good to have bread alone, but He would rather choose to live by God's commandments or by God's every word which includes God's commandments. Did Jesus say that it must include God's commandments (like the Ten Commandments or like the 'Thou shalt' and the 'Thou shalt not') ? Yes, He showed that there must be God's commandments in His subsequent replies to the devil:
Mat 4:7-10 KJV  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God .. .. (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.

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K113. Is the gospel of Jesus Christ Word-based, Spirit-based, or grace-based? (2)

Many argue that, since the gospel is only grace-based or faith-based, we are no longer required to obey to be saved, and that, since it is by Christ's obedience (not by our own obedience), the gospel can never be obedience-based, law-based, or commandment-based.

But is the gospel of Jesus Christ obedience-based?
I will ask them, We are not saved by love, but are we required to love? Of course, yes. Of course, we are not saved by love, but love is the highest principle in both the New Testament and Old Testament (1 Cor 13). Similarly, we are not saved by obedience, but are we required to obey like Christ too? Certainly. Of course, we are not saved by obedience, but obedience is the first thing God will look for in a believer (1Sa 15:22). I have explained it in K110 (Rom 12:16, Php 2:5-8, Php 3:15-16, 1Pe 4:1-2 ..) that we are expected to obey more (or to obey like Christ) because of Christ's obedience:
Rom 5:19 KJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Php 2:12-15 KJV  (12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling .. .. (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The gospel of Jesus Christ will still teach us to obey God
The question is not whether we have believed in the gospel that is grace-based, faith-based, or obedience-based; the question is whether we  have the faith or obedience of Christ to obey (God) at all.
Rom 16:25-26 KJV  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Why do we say that the gospel of salvation is still obedience-based?
Beside Php 2:12-15 which indicates that obedience can work out with great impact on one's salvation, our obedience to God can say much about our faith too:
Jas 2:20-23 KJV  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  (22)  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  (23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Heb 11:8 KJV  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Good Christians or good solders must learn to obey commands
Does it make sense to talk about obedience to God without talking or knowing about His commands or commandments? Of course not. Please think, How do the soldiers obey their army officers in the army? Of course, they must obey instructions and commands. It would be ridiculous if we say that they are obedient solders or good soldiers even if they do not know or do any command of their officers. Similarly, it is ridiculous for the Christians not to know or do any command of Jesus Christ too. Some of them argue that they have the obedience of Christ and therefore they do not need to obey anyone, including God and His commandments. Obviously they do not know obedience. In the army, everyone, including the commander in chief has learned to obey or else no one will obey them when they becomes a leader. Similarly, Christians must learn to obey God too as Jesus Himself has obeyed God and show Himself as the example of an obedient servant to us:
2Ti 2:1-4 KJV  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  (3)  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.
Php 2:5-12 KJV  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ..  (12)  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

It does not make sense to have obedience without any word or commandment of God
Many of us have heard and preached the obedience of faith. Of course, it is in the Bible. We have even read about it just now. It is of faith, and it is of obedience. It can be preached together. If there is faith; there is obedience and vice versa (i.e. when there is obedience, there is faith too). But do we know that obedience of faith would not make sense if it is preached without any commandment of God too?
Rom 16:25-26 KJV  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

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K112. Is the gospel of Jesus Christ Word-based, Spirit-based, or grace-based? (1)

I have explained in K111 that the law of Christ is the law of the Spirit. Paul had also said that he was delivered from the wretchedness of his struggle and condemnation in the flesh because he would serve the law of God with his mind (Rom 7:24-25) and walk in the law and Spirit of God (Rom 8:2-4). Hence,  I do not like to limit the gospel of Jesus Christ to a law based gospel, a Spirit-based gospel, or a grace-based gospel. Although I can argue based on Rom 7 and 8 that the gospel is Spirit-based in the mind of Paul, I would still prefer to preach it as the simple gospel that Jesus preached. If I would insist that it is Spirit-based or law-based, I would be no difference from the Pharisees who limit the law of God to a set of their own legalistic codes and laws which have no Spirit and life. The gospel should never be preached or framed as a formula-based religion just because we like it the most. Similarly, grace-based 'religion' is no exception. It would be a religion without exception if the people would always boast about it and confess it radically without really understanding the spirit of grace, humility, and repentance in the law and doctrine of Christ.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has a foundation or base which is as large as the kingdom of God
That's why it is called the gospel of the kingdom of God. I have explained in K111 that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of the kingdom of God. If it is the gospel of the kingdom of God, we should have the perspective as big as the kingdom of God too.
Mat 4:17 KJV  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 5:3 KJV  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:10 KJV  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:19-22 KJV  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.  (21)  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) But I say unto you..
Mat 7:21 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.
Mat 13:11-12 KJV  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  (12)  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 25:1 KJV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Hence, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not built on a fixed foundation based on or limited to the law, Spirit, or grace of God. However, if we must choose, we prefer to say that the gospel of Jesus Christ is Spirit-based because the Spirit of God is limitless, but we would not condemn those who do not preach like us. We would still need to have the spirit of humility and grace to include others in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ or the gospel of the kingdom of God.
If we have the perspective as big as the kingdom of God, we would never condemn others who preach a kingdom-based gospel, a Word-based gospel, a seed-based gospel, a faith-based gospel, a repentance-based gospel, a righteousness-based gospel, a cross-based gospel, salvation-based gospel, blood-based gospel, Bible-based gospel,  or a Jesus-based gospel.

If the preaching of grace alone cannot save, it means that the gospel of Jesus is not grace-based only
Many people who preach the grace-based gospel argue that the gospel of grace is the only true pure gospel because there is a lot of grace preaching. I will tell them, If grace ALONE can save without faith in Jesus Christ, without obedience, without repentance (from the sinners), without the fruits (from the 'branches' or believers), without the blood of Jesus, without the words, doctrine, or teaching of Jesus Christ .. etc, we will follow you preaching just grace alone. But if Jesus did not tell us to do so, we would not want to be so narrow minded that we could only see like the Pharisees. The Pharisees could never see why the gospel of Jesus Christ is Word-based, repentance-based, or Spirit-based. Many believers today may see slightly better than the Pharisees because they believe in healing, miracles, revolutions, and rest, but they are still very short-sighted about the word, the doctrine, and the teaching of Jesus Christ for the kingdom of God.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is Word-based too
However, the Bible warned us that many believers could be so blinded that they can not see the words of God in God's perspective. I believe that the devil will tempt the church again in the last day like he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The devil may not tempt us with the same question he asked Jesus, but he will certainly try to remove some important truth from the words of God. Hence, the devil will never eliminate the words of God totally when he comes to us with his temptation. He may even come to us quoting the words of God and tell us to think or meditate on the words of God, but he would always tell us to think of only one side of the words of God or the lob-sided which is out of the Bible context. Do we go around and say that everyone who preach wrongly are from the devil? No, we must know the words, doctrine, and teaching of Jesus to detect and defeat the temptation of the devil. Do we know why Jesus said the following words to the devil:
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.
These were the very first words before Jesus started to preach. These words could be His first doctrine to those who need to hear from God. The devil may teach us many 'spiritual' things, for example, to know God or to know the love of God or the prosperity of God; but he would deliberately leave out the vital part from the words of God. Jesus spotted his snaky plan and 'nailed him to the ground'. Jesus said to him that we must live by every word that proceeds out of God. In another words, Jesus would not want us to go radical by hearing only the words that we preferred; but EVERY WORD. Now please think, Will Jesus tell us to include hearing the instructions, commandments, warnings, or reproofs of God. I would think so. It is not only understood clearly from Mat 4:3-4 above; it is also shown clearly in His next two answers to the devil's temptations. Jesus showed us that we must still keep God's commandments or the Ten Commandments to worship God.
Mat 4:7 KJV  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God .. .. (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.

Jesus showed us how to detect those who misquote the words of God
There are many kinds of preachers today. However,  we are not concerned about those preachers who preach other religions or other gods here. We are more concerned about those who preach the words of God to us. It is because the false preachers who come to us with the words of God are more likely the ones who will deceive the churches and us in the last days. Many of us think that the devil will tempt the sinners or the world to sin more or to become more lawless; however, common sense tells us that the devil will never need to do that because, unlike the believers, the unbelievers will perish irrespective of whether the devil will tempt them or not. Neither will the devil tempt the sinner to depart from God's commandments too. The sinners may not kill or cheat based on their conscience or their laws; however, they do not know God or God's laws. They may believe in their conscience not to kill or cheat; but they do not know or believe in the Ten Commandments from God:
Rom 2:14-15 KJV  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Jesus warned us why we must love our brethren and walk in His commandments
Hence, Jesus will only warn the believers; not the sinners, to beware of the devil's temptation. His words would be applicable all of us, the believers, who will face the similar temptation from the devil or the false preachers.  They will come to our churches. But, how do we detect them?
Many may boast that they could preach the gospel very well, be it 'law-based', 'Word-based', 'Spirit-based', or 'grace-based'; however, if they always boast that they are more righteous or spiritual than others, and falsely accuse all other fellow preachers as the religious hypocrites or legalistic Pharisees, they cannot be from God. They could be the lukewarm believers who were neither hot nor cold and who acted evasively, schemingly, or wickedly against their brethren:
2Jn 1:5-10 KJV .. (6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. .. ..  (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:
Hence, the false prophets will falsely accuse God's preachers and tempt the believers to depart from God's commandments. They may preach and meditate on the words of God so 'diligently' that we thought that they were God's preachers; however, they are not. They may always quote the words of God for our benefits; but they have no true Spirit or law of God to keep it or do it. They may have all the promises of God or good words of God for us; but they are 'lawless' within.

The ultimate question is: Do we listen to Jesus Christ or the devil?
Many of us have been struggling to answer this question: "Can the believers fall or sin?"
We may not have the direct answer from Jesus, but after knowing the the words of Jesus to the devil (who will come and tempt us too), do we have any excuse for not knowing His answer, His words, and His warnings? No.
The devil will tell us that we can fall or sin in any way we like and yet God will still keep us safe and sound, but Jesus would tell us not to listen to the devil:
Mat 4:6-7 KJV  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Hence, it does not matter how we can answer the questions logically, for example, "Can we fall and sin ?" or "Are we saved forever?", the ultimate question is: "Do we listen to Jesus Christ or the devil?"

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K111. Is the law of Christ the law of the Spirit too?

I have explained in (K110) that Paul had made up his mind to do God's righteousness. From what he wrote in Rom 7:24-25,  we learned from him that if we listen and focus on the law of the rituals or circumcision, we serve the law of the flesh; but when we listen to the law of the Spirit, we serve the law of God because the righteousness of the law is found in us and we would walk in it:
Rom 8:2-4 KJV  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3)  For what 'the law' could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

What is the law of Christ or the law of the Spirit?
Many of us will still ask, "What is the law of Christ? Why do you think that it is the law of the Spirit? Will it include the Ten Commandments?"
I will tell them, Of course, the law of Christ is not the Ten Commandments; but it would still include the Ten Commandments. The law of Christ is all the words, laws, principles, teaching, doctrine, parables, and commandments of Jesus Christ, which would, therefore, include obedience to the Ten Commandments too.
Mat 22:37-40 KJV  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Mat 5:18-19 KJV  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 10:27-37 KJV  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live  .. (37) And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The Lord's teaching is not only for those who were under the law
However, many will say, "That is clearly the teaching of the Ten Commandments. It is only for those who were under the law."
I will tell them, Who told you that the teaching of the Lord is for those who were under the law. If Jesus taught it, it would not be the teaching under the law anymore. It would be the teaching for the kingdom of heaven. I have said that in K110 that the words, the law, and the Spirit of Christ can never be obsolete for the kingdom of heaven:
Mat 4:17 KJV  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 5:3 KJV  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:10 KJV  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:19-22 KJV  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.  (21)  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) But I say unto you..
Mat 7:21 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.
Mat 13:11-12 KJV  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  (12)  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 25:1 KJV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The Lord's teaching is the law of the Spirit
Of course, the teaching of the Lord is not only the teaching of the kingdom of heaven; it is the words and the law of the Spirit too:
Joh 6:63 KJV  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Many people still argue that the words and the law of Christ are like the do's and don'ts of the Ten Commandments. However, I disagree. Although His words have the Spirit of the Ten Commandments or the Spirit of the laws of God, His words are certainly different from the do's and don'ts of the Ten Commandments which were written on the stones, scroll, or letters. Moses laid before the people the commandments which were later written on the stones (Exo 19:7-8); but Jesus laid before us His commandments which cannot be numbered, counted, or written like a list of do's and don'ts (Joh 14:23-24). For example:
Mat 25:31-40 KJV  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.. (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Are the verses above a law or commandment of Christ? Yes. Has it become obsolete? Absolutely not. It is because the Lord has not come in His glory yet. In the parable, Jesus taught us to do like the sheep before His coming. Did He give us the commandment to give only one cup of water to one person? No. Did He tell us just to give water to those who are thirsty? No. It is clearly a command which is like the command He gave to the lawyer - we don't just do what the words or the law say; we do what the Spirit of the law says ! We do not just do ONE great commandment; we do ALL the commandments of God. It could be more than what we like to do (or bargain for):
Mat 22:35-36 KJV  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  (36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Luk 10:30-37 KJV  .. (30) And Jesus answering said, A certain man .. .. .. (36) Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Many people, like the lawyer, may suddenly wake up and realise that the laws and commandments of Jesus Christ become tougher and more than what they can do under the Ten Commandments. Can they now tell the Lord that His words are under the law, and therefore, they can have the 'wonderful' excuse or justification not to keep any of law or commandment? No, the law of Christ is the law of the Spirit and only those who are in the Spirit will keep His laws. However, those who are still in the flesh would argue that His laws are too grievous for them. To hide their inability to keep and obey the law of the Spirit, they will just find all kind of excuses. They may just say that all the law of Christ is like the Ten Commandments which are obsolete. I will tell them, The law of Christ can never be obsolete because it is of a higher law and it is of the Spirit.

What is the difference between 'the law' and the law of the Spirit?
1. under the Old Covenant, the Word or the law of God was the law of Moses or the Ten Commandments on the tablets of stones; but
2. under the New Covenant, the Word or the law of God is the Spirit of the Ten Commandment, the law of the Spirit, or the law of Christ in the hearts of the true believers.
The Israelites might have the 'exterior' of the law which was about the outward expression of their 'obedience' to the works of the law or to the ceremony of their sacrifices and circumcision, but their hearts were far away from the true essence of the law of God which is to really do God's commandments with true love from their hearts. That's why God found fault with the Old Covenant (Heb 8:8), not because His laws were inferior and had to be replaced by other laws (or by some kind of 'pure grace', 'hyper grace', or 'lawless' doctrine), but because men were 'inferior' to keep His laws. So God found a better way, a new way, or a new covenant, not to remove ALL His laws from the world, but instead, put ALL His laws into the hearts of His people.
Hence, all the true believers of God must have the Spirit of the law of God. Unlike the Israelites under the Old Covenant who might just follow the rituals and the works of the law blindly, the true believers today can now receive the Spirit of the law and delight in the law of God because Jesus, the Word who came in the flesh, died, and became resurrected, can now live in our hearts so that the righteousness of God might be fulfilled in us:
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. (The law that God put in our hearts is certainly not the law under New Covenant practised by the Israelites or the law of the flesh; it is the law of the Spirit that Paul preached.)
Rom 8:3-4 KJV  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Now, what if the churches would only preach 'change of mind' or repentance without any fruit or spirit of repentance? They would be worst than the Pharisees who could only focus on the 'exterior' of the law without the Spirit of God. They may focus on the 'exterior' of repentance too but there is no fruit from the true spirit of repentance. It would be a dead 'law' or dead 'repentance' which has no fruit and no spirit:
Mat 3:7-8 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:
Act 26:20 KJV  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and.. that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

We are still under the law (of Christ) in the New Testament
Many 'believers' will still argue, "Can you please stop bringing us back to the law again after we have been set free by the truth and grace of Jesus Christ (John 1:17) ? We are now in the gospel that Paul preached; not in the gospel that Jesus preached. We are in the gospel of grace; not in the covenant of the law. Hence, we hear only grace; not the law. God told Peter, John, and James, "Hear Him only (Mat 17:5) !" It means that we hear Jesus only. We hear grace only. We don't hear any law of Christ or the commandments of Jesus Christ in the New Covenant."
I will ask them, What happen if you still hear the law of Christ under the New Covenant? Will you harden your hearts? Or will you just close your eyes and assume that it isn't there? I hope that you will not go to the extreme and accuse all the Bible verses below are the words of condemnation or the words of bondages:
Gal 6:2 KJV  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1Co 9:21 KJV  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
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,  ..  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.

If we are the true believers, we must have the law of Christ
Many 'believers' will argue that there is no more law for them or in them to do God's righteousness. I will tell them, If you have no more law of Christ, you are not of Christ. They will argue, "But, we are the believers. We are always in Christ. Hence, we are forever saved". I will tell them, Yes, you are always in Christ if you are the believers. If you are the believers, you would have the law of Christ. Otherwise, you are just the 'believers'.
Joh 13:4-11 KJV ..  (5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet  .. (7) .. What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter .. (10) .. He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.  (11)  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
There are two lessons we learned from Jesus:
1. Joh 13:14-15 KJV If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  (15)  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (This is the commandment or the law of Christ too)
2. Not everyone is clean (or really 'clean' inside) even though he is seen being washed by Jesus (or by the words of Jesus). None of the disciples knew who among them was 'unclean' even though Jesus had given hints twice (Joh 13:10, Joh 13:26). Can this happen again in our churches today? I won't rule out the possibility and foolishly argue that this can never happen to our churches. It is possible to make foolish assumption and argue vehemently like Peter. Peter had learnt his lesson, but have we?
Joh 13:38 KJV  Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

The churches must learn from the Spirit of truth too
I did not intend to share more. But, since the Lord has shown me that there is something more we can learn from here if we continue, I have to continue. When I flipped over to the next chapter John 14, I realized that Jesus continued to teach after Judas Iscariot had left. JUDAS WAS NOT THERE when Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit. It means that Judas had completely missed the teaching of the Holy Spirit and he would never understand the purpose, the conviction, and the works of the Holy Spirit:
Joh 14:15-18 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (16)  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  (17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you .. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words .. (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.
Joh 16:8-14 KJV  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  (12)  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  (13)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  (14)  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The churches must be humble enough to repent when they are reproved
Now please think, Are there churches who can never understand the teaching of the Spirit or the law of the Spirit? I am afraid that there are churches who are so confused about the purpose and the conviction of the Holy Spirit that they call His conviction condemnation. Of course, if they do not know the law of the Spirit of the truth, they would think like Judas and they would call what is evil good and vice versa (i.e what is good evil).
Many 'believers' argue that the Holy Spirit can never reprove them of sin because the Holy Spirit can only reprove the world. They think that they can prove this based on John 16:8-14, and therefore, they can mock at any reproof of sins from the Holy Spirit as the condemnation from an angry devil. They think that they can just mock at any rebuke of sin or warning of God's commandment and judgement from God's preachers as the condemnation from the pulpit. They think that the Holy Spirit can only say the good things or righteous things about them even if they sin.
I will tell them to read John 16:8-14 again. Wake up please. If Jesus can reprove the church of the Laodiceans of their rebellion and sins in Rev 3, why can't the Holy Spirit reprove us and the churches? Of course, the Holy Spirit can reprove everyone in the world, including the believers or the churches in the world, unless they are no more in the world; but in heaven where they can never sin.
I will tell them, Do you know that the devil can appear smiling at you and say the righteous things about you, and he can still cause you to go down in hell and condemnation? Of course, there are angry devils who are condemning too. However, it is foolish to make it a general rule to say that anyone who is smiling at you is God, but those who do not smile at you are the devils.
I wonder if there is anyone whose father can never be angry with them even if they lie, rebel, or cheat? But, if I say that my father would never be angry with me even if I lied, rebelled, or cheated, either 1. I lied or 2. my father is abnormal. Of course, it is abnormal for God to smile at us when we sin because His holy nature cannot tolerate sins. But God can be angry and yet He will still give grace for us to repent. Only the devil will smile all the time and do nothing when he sees the people sinning. Now, please think again, Is your God an angry God or a smiling devil? I would rather believe in an angry God who is gracious to give us the grace to repent and turn to Him than believe in a smiling devil who tries to persuade the people to stop repenting from sins:
Act 17:30-31 KJV  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 26:19-20 KJV .. I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem ..  that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

The Spirit of truth will still lead us to the law of the Spirit
I will tell them, You said that your 'believers' are set free by the truth and grace of Jesus Christ because you do not have any more law based on Joh 1:17 KJV  "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
But do you know that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ through the law of the Spirit?
Joh 3:5-6 KJV  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Many think that if we are born of the flesh, we are born out of the womb physically. But when it was said to Nicodemus, it meant that those who were born under the law of the flesh (or under the law of circumcision) were born of the flesh. Nicodemus, like Judas, could never understand the law of the Spirit because they were born under the law of the flesh. Probably they might believe; but they did not want to repent or could not repent. They might believe up to the level where they could only call Jesus "Rabbi, Teacher, or Lord', but they have no true spirit of repentance to turn back to God to do God's will and commandments under the law of the Spirit:
Joh 3:10-12 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  (11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Mat 7:21-23 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:23 LITV  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"

The Spirit of truth will lead us to the law of the Spirit; not 'lawlessness'.
The law of the Spirit will teach us many things in the Bible. And it has been written in the New Testament in many Bible verses on how we can live under the Spirit too. However, nothing much has been written on how the law of lawlessness will teach the people. Will it teach the people or the believers to be more wicked only? I doubt so because the Bible has said that it will teach deceitfully. It will teach the people of the world to be more lawless or violent in their deeds; but it will also teach the 'believers' to be more 'lawless' in their mind, in their belief, in their confession, or in their spirit too:
2Th 2:7-12 LITV  For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst. .. (9)  His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders,  (10)  and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved.  (11)  And because of this, God will send to them a working of error, for them to believe the lie,  (12)  that all may be judged, those not believing the truth, but who have delighted in unrighteousness.
2Pe 3:11-17 LITV  Then all these being about to be dissolved, of what sort ought you to be in holy behavior and godliness .. (15) And think of the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him;  (16)  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unsettled pervert, as also they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  (17)  Then beloved, you knowing beforehand, watch lest being led away by the error of the lawless you fall from your own steadfastness.
Do we have any clear examples of how the lawless one will teach and pervert, as they do the rest of the Scriptures? It could be hard to detect and find one; however, I could think of one clear example:
He would lay before us all the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation as follows:

Genesis,  Exodus, .. Malachi, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, .. Acts .., Corinthians, Galatians, Hebrews, Hebrew 10:26, .. James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter ..  1 John 1:9, 2John .., Jude, Revelation 3, Revelation 13-14, Revelation 15-22

But he will start to expound on each book or letter with other Scripture, eliminate it book by book, letter by letter, verse by verse, or line by line, and convince us with his perverted lawless arguments on why they are not for us. In the end, the Scripture, after his 'anointed' preaching, would become so 'mutilated' that it looks like this:

Genesis,  Exodus, .. Malachi, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, .. Acts .., Corinthians, Galatians, Hebrews, Hebrew 10:26, .. James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter ..  1 John 1:9, 2John .., Jude, Revelation 3, Revelation 13-14, Revelation 15-22.

The Scripture is no longer God's Scripture to us after his mutilation or perversion !

When the law of the Spirit is taken out of the way, it is the end
If the devil has succeeded to change the Scripture, does it mean that he has won ultimately? No, God will never be caught by the surprise. If God has not judged the devil, it does not mean that the devil has won. It means that it is not his time yet; but it could means that the second coming of Christ is very soon, when the law of the Spirit will be 'taken out of the away':
2Th 2:7 KJV  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Isa 28:7-14 KJV  But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.  (8)  For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.  (9)  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  (10)  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  (11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  (12)  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.  (13) But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.  (14)  Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
Mal 2:8 KJV  But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Many think that the false prophets will teach the people to depart out of the way or out of the law into more violence or more criminal acts. But I think the devil and the false prophets are not very concerned about making the sinners more lawless; they are more concerned about making the people of God or churches to be more 'lawless' in their belief, doctrine, or covenant. When the law of the Spirit is taken out of the way (out of the churches), they know that the whole world will become theirs in the long run, or (the worst) in the next generation.::