K131. Are we under Moses or under Jesus? (2)

I have said that a believer, under Moses or under Jesus, is under a blood covenant to do the law of the covenant. However, will the believer still be under the covenant if he harbours in his mind to do only one or some of the law in the covenant? No, if the Israelites would not keep all the commands of God under Moses, they could never be under Moses too. Similarly, if we do not want to keep all the commandments of Jesus Christ, we cannot be under Jesus Christ too. Of course, it is another story when we are still not perfect and we still need the grace of God for our sins and failures. Whether we like it or not or whether we can keep all His commandments, we are still under the covenant of Jesus Christ to do ALL His commandments.
Many think that it is great to be under grace because law is a thing which is given, but grace is a person which came by Jesus Christ:
Joh 1:14-18 KJV  And the Word was made flesh .. (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  (18)  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
I will tell them, If you want to compare and contrast, you should compare what it means to be under Moses and what it means to be under Jesus Christ. It is because both law and grace are from God. Law is a thing or a gift from God, so is grace. The focus of the contrast and comparison is not on the law or grace; it is on Moses and Jesus Christ (who is the Word that became flesh). We need to compare and contrast to discern God's words because there was a fixed, consistent, and clear pattern when God spoke to men or commanded men: i.e. God spoke to the Israelites under the Old Covenant through Moses; but to the Jews and Gentiles under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Obviously there would be important instructions, laws, and commandments given to them and us under both covenants. If the Bible showed us that they would spend forty days and forty nights with fasting in the presence of God before they talked or preached to the people (Exo 34:28, Mat 4:2), we'd better listen to them.
Mat 4:2-17 KJV  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred .. .. (17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 17:5 KJV  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
God has also shown us clearly that we will no longer hear from Moses or Elijah. Hence, we will still hear from Jesus because we are under Jesus. If this is so, I do not understand why some preachers will still insist that we must hear from 'grace' which came from Jesus? I will ask them, Do you know that 'grace' at most can tell us vaguely or teach us indirectly with sound doctrine in Paul's letter to Titus only: Tit 2:1-12 KJV  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine .. (11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ..; but Jesus Christ can teach us with all His doctrine, warnings, commandments, detailed sermon on the mount, and many Bible verses from the Gospel of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John? Hence, believing in the 'doctrine of grace' or 'teaching of grace' based on Tit 2:12 alone is likened to giving up the whole forest just because of one tree. It is foolishness and blindness.

We are still under Jesus to repent and confess our sins
However, there are believers who prefer to think that they are already perfect and righteous and, therefore, they have no more conscience of sins even if they still sin under Moses or under Jesus (under the covenant). They think that God wants them to think no more of sin conscience and repentance if they sin. But they are deceiving themselves. The Pharisees had probably thought about this and even taught among themselves to think of such justification under the law too.
I will tell them, Yes, we have no more sin conscience to offer animal sacrifices under the law, but Heb 10:2 did not say that we have no more sin conscience to offer confession of our sins in repentance under grace. The Hebrew writer warned (Heb 10:26-29) that if the Jews under Moses were judged by God severely for sinning against the covenant, how much sorer the punishment would it be if we who are under Jesus sin in the same way, sin wilfully, or sin against the blood covenant too.
Many think that they have no more need to confess sins because they believe that 1 John 1:9 is written for others; not for them. However, I would rather say that 1 John 1:9 is for all of us who are under the covenant because:
1. we never know when we will need it or who will need it; but if we need it and we confess it in repentance, we can still be forgiven
2. but we know that the false prophets can never confess 1 John 1:9. It is because they think that it is not for them and they would never repent even though they may think that they have repented; they have only believed.
I will tell them, Do you know John who wrote 1 John 1:9 was taught by the Lord to confess his sins daily:
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.
Did John argue with the Lord or ask, "Why must I forgive others?", "Why must I pray for forgiveness of our sins everyday?", "Why do I need to pray for bread everyday?", "Why can't I pray for it once and for all, including forgiveness for all my future sins, bread for all my future consumption, and healing for all my future sicknesses too?", "Why must we keep praying and confessing it everyday even if we have not offended anyone?", "What happen if we forget to pray?",  .. No, John had never questioned the Lord. He knew that everything would be taken care of if he would just obey. But, now, when he wrote what he had been commanded by the Lord, many would think of all the questions that they can think of to argue with the Lord. Of course, many of those questions could be valid, logical, and even biblical too. John could have asked those same questions to Jesus when he was told to confess his sins too. But why didn't John ask the Lord?
Many will argue, "But we are now washed by the blood of Jesus. We are righteous. Don't you think that that prayer is obsolete now." I will tell them, Yes, you could have asked the same question to the Lord too if you were John. But if you were John, why would you still write 1 John 1:9 and tell us to confess our sins.
Many will still argue, "If I were John, I would just tell the agnostic believers to confess sins; not the true believers or true disciples .." I will tell them, Do you know why John did not say that this is for the believers or non-believers; or true believers or false believers? It is because confession of sins is for everyone who sins, regardless of whether he is a true believer or false believer. Do you know why John said "If we .." instead of "If you.." or "if they.."? He confirmed again that he would not want to differentiate who could sin or who could never sin. He would just say it in the simplest way to show us that it is applicable to ALL OF US if we sin.
They will argue, "No, we can never sin. We are not the agnostic believers who always sin. We are true believers who are righteous .."
I will tell them, Please read your Bible again. Obviously John had foreknown your argument or probably argued with some of you before he wrote:
1Jn 1:8-10 KJV  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins ... (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Many will now say, "Oh yeah, er.. er .. (speechless).. Oh, you have misunderstood us again. We don't mean to argue against 1 John 1:9. We believe in confession of sins too but we just want to tell people that we do not have to confess sins to get forgiveness of sins. Instead we confess our sins out of the knowledge that we have been forgiven, that we are righteous, and that we have no more sins."
I will tell them, If you have no more sins to confess, please don't confess. If you think that you are righteous, why do you confess sins? Please stop playing with words. If you think that you can only confess that you are righteous or that you can only confess righteousness, just say so. Please don't go one big round or beat around the bush to say that you still do the confession of sins; but it is for a different purpose. You have managed to confuse us, but you have also slapped your own mouth. I mean figuratively, no offence.
I know that there are many Bible verses which said that we are the righteousness of God, but the Bible did not say that we must boast about our righteousness, confess it as a repetitive mind exercise, or confess it to get something in return. I do not care if you want to do it for those ridiculous reasons, but if you teach vain confession to undermine the importance of repentance and confession of sin under the Lord's covenant, I will ask you to show the Bible verses for your confession. If you cannot quote any Bible verse which shows us the need to confess it so that you will feel more righteous, that you will prosper, or that your will receive more grace, very likely it is just your mind psychology to make yourselves and others to feel better. You may still go back to 1 John 1:9 and deliberately interpret that it is about the confession of 'righteousness'. However, I will give up arguing with you. It's because you cannot read or think anymore.
Some may quote from the following Bible verses and argue, "Haha.. We can prove that the Bible did tell us to confess righteousness. We have found the Bible verses below."
Isa 45:24-25 KJV  (24)  Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.  (25)  In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
I will tell them, Please do not quote these verses out of its context. Please open your eyes and read the verses with (v23) too:
Isa 45:23 KJV  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Wasn't it a confession by the Lord. Of course, we can follow Him and confess it too. Obviously these Bible verses did not show us the reason why we must confess it or the need to confess it. However, if we use this Bible passage in the Old Testament to replace the confession of sins in repentance and humility under the New Testament, something is terribly wrong with our righteousness doctrine or the interpretation of the Bible.
Repentance or confession of sin is not like slipping into a Jesus' costume, thinking that we are fine if we would just do it or confess it ritualistically, mindlessly, or meaninglessly, or if we would just do like the Pharisees without bringing any fruit of repentance.
Some people used the parable of the wedding garment to describe what they should do when they come before God: "Just slip in a wedding gown and God will never see any of your sins", they said.
Mat 22:11-12 KJV  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
I will ask them, Please read the gospel again and find out what Jesus said about repentance, fruits of repentance, or turning away from sin. If you think that Jesus would just want you to come to God mindlessly, effortlessly, carelessly, or lawlessly, very likely you still do not have the wedding garment.

We are still under Jesus to be under the conviction of the Holy Spirit
Many still argue, "We are no more under the conviction of the Holy Spirit to turn away from sin because Jesus told us in Joh 16:8-11 that we can only be convicted of righteousness. Only the world and Satan will be convicted of sin to turn away from sin. But a believer is always convicted of righteousness; not sin. A believer can NEVER be convicted of sin because he has only righteousness. However, many legalistic churches today still teach many laws, condemnation, or conviction of sin. They do not know how stressful our world is and how many people have committed suicides because of their guilt feelings and condemnation."
I will tell them to read Joh 16:8-11 again.
Joh 16:8-11 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.
Before you split the world into 3 different realms for the believers, non-believers, and Satan, do you agree that the Holy Spirit can convict or reprove all (anyone in the world) of sin, righteousness, and judgement? The Holy Spirit can reprove the whole world of sin because they do not believe on Jesus. The Holy Spirit can reprove the whole world of righteousness because Jesus went to His Father and we do not see Him too. The Holy Spirit can reprove the whole world of judgement because Satan is judged. When Satan is judged, the whole world is no longer under Satan; the whole world would be under the judgement and reproof of God too. Of course, the Holy Spirit can reprove the world of righteousness. If He can show the world (all of us) what is righteous, He can also show all of us what is sin too. He can point out our wrongdoings, reprove us, teach us, or correct us too. We may argue that we can never be wrong or in error because we are the believers, the anointed ones, or the beloved disciples of Jesus Christ; however, Peter and John who were the beloved had been corrected or reproved by Jesus too. It is insane to teach that Jesus can convict Peter of his arrogance, but the Holy Spirit cannot. Some of you may ask, "What if Peter committed suicide because of too much guilt or condemnation above what he could bear?" I will say, If Peter committed suicide, it could never be the fault of Jesus or His words. Similarly, when Judas Iscariot committed suicide because of his own guilt or condemnation, it was his own decision. We could never blame the churches, blame the words, blame the teachings, blame the doctrine, or blame the commandments of God. It is ridiculous to use any bizarre situations or happenings to the people to twist His words, His commandments, and His conviction to suit ourselves when we refuse to obey His correction or conviction. If we stop preaching His words, His commandments, His correction, His reproof, or His conviction just because we listen to men's threatening with their depression, their condemnation feeling, and their suicides, we can never be God's preachers:
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.
Many people preach that grace is Jesus and that grace is the solution to men's problem. I will tell them, Yes, grace is good, and grace is effective, and grace is something which all the sinners would like. But, grace cannot replace God's words. Grace cannot take the place of God. Grace is only part of the story or lesson when the prodigal son came back to the father. The next question or next lesson is: How do we live AFTER we have turned back to God?
Luk 15:29-32 KJV  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:  (30)  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.  (31)  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.  (32)  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
No matter how legalistic we are or how well we can keep the commandments of God, we must always remember that we were all like that prodigal son who had rebelled against God too. Now, if we see many who can still come back to God and receive even more favours after giving up God's commandments, do we feel like giving up too? Are we jealous of them because they seem to have more favours without keeping or doing the commandments of God? God the Father will still say to us, ".. Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.. " (v31), but do we believe His words and keep doing His commandments? God the Father may tell us, "Don't be lost again."

We are still under Jesus to turn away from sin
Many say that repentance is just metanoia, just change of mind, or just a 'mind business' only. I will tell them, If repentance is just about the mind or the philosophy of the mind, how about the fruits of repentance? John the Baptist and Jesus Christ might not be particular about your definition of repentance, but do you know that they were particular about the fruits of repentance:
Luk 3:8 KJV  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Luk 13:5-6 KJV  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Obviously the fruit is anything which shows turning away from sin. It is not necessarily good work or charity work although it could be included when a sinner starts to turn away from sin. Zacchaeus' repentance was one of the examples which show turning away from sin with the fruits of repentance. The parable of the prodigal son was another example of turning away from sin when he turned from what he used to enjoy. Obviously If there was nothing to show turning away from sin in their hearts or lives, there was no fruit of repentance too.
There are so many other Bible verses which show us that Jesus wants (commands) those who are under Him or believe in Him to turn away from sin. I can only show the two most obvious commands from Him here:
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 KJV  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
If you are still not sure how He would preach against sins, please read His sermon on the mount again. There are still many things you are ignorant about His sermon. When you think that you could preach your own "let-go-and-let-God" sermon fantastically to prosper others effortlessly, do you realize that it was from His sermon? However, you have twisted it and tell others to get more things in the world effortlessly and 'lawlessly' (without any law of God) instead:
Mat 16:24-26 KJV  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  (26)  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

We are still under Jesus to learn from Him what is above the law
When we read about what Jesus had preached in His sermon on the mount, we knew that it was not an ordinary sermon. It was not only revolutionary; it was offensive to all the Pharisees who would only want to 'keep' the law of Moses. The law of Jesus Christ was above the law because it has requirement way above what the Pharisees could do:
a. Under Moses, they could not kill; but under Jesus, they should not be angry with their brothers without a cause (Mat 5:22)
b. Under Moses, they could not commit adultery; but under Jesus, they should not look on a woman to lust after her (Mat 5:28)
c. Under Moses, they could divorce their wives with a notice; but under Jesus, they should never divorce their wives (Mat 5:32)
d. Under Moses, they could not swear falsely; but under Jesus, they should always speak the truth even though do not have to swear at all (Mat 5:34).
e. Under Moses, they could take revenge; but under Jesus, they should do good to those who demand from them (Mat 5:39-42)
f. Under Moses, they should love their neighbour and hate their enemy; but under Jesus, they should love their enemy and do good to all men (Mat 5:43-44).
Most hyper grace people think that the law of Moses was already hard enough or legalistic enough for them. So, when Jesus added on to what Moses had already said, it was almost the impossible for them too. They think that Jesus said it with the intention to stop the Jews, the Pharisees, the hypocrites, or anyone from keeping any law of God.
I will tell them, Yes, most of the Pharisees and Jews would find it difficult to keep the law of Jesus when they would only want to keep the law of Moses 'comfortably' and hypocritically. But do you really think that it was Jesus' intention for the Pharisees and the hypocrites to stop keeping any law even after Jesus had explained his intention clearly?
Mat 5:45-48 KJV  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  (47)  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Jesus certainly meant it. It is certainly His wish for all who are under Him to live above the law of Moses; but of course, not to live above all God's law or to be immune to all God's law.
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.
I have shared quite a lot on the Lord's sermon on the mount. However, many think that His sermon is inapplicable to them and use the metaphors of 'operation theatre' and 'one-eyed jacks' to describe others who still do and teach His sermon. They may think that it is amusing to say it but it is insulting to others and themselves. I have explained it here - https://plus.google.com/103386467367636094616/posts/FUg75zhD4ye

We are still under Jesus to take what is harsh and give what is 'soft' (grace to others)
It means that under the law and doctrine of Jesus, the believers would keep the law of God more radically so that they would become more gracious to others. They are taught to be real men who can be harsh to themselves not because they can cut themselves, and act like Rambo without feeling pain, but because they have a stronger will to care for others and protect the weaker ones. Unlike the Pharisees who were harsh to others; but lenient to themselves, the believers under Jesus would place higher or harsher standards on themselves to live according to the doctrine and the Spirit of the law of Jesus Christ. They will correct themselves more harshly before they will correct others too. They would never feel ashamed to teach, keep, and live by the laws and principles of Jesus. They have positive thoughts and faith in the teaching and doctrine of the Lord because they know that the words of the Lord are higher than theirs, and hence, they would always be glad to keep all of them. Hence, they would never judge others before others judge them first. However, many false prophets in the last days will judge first. They are always quick to quote from the following Bible verses immediately and think that everyone who questions them is judging them:
Mat 7:1-5 KJV Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged ..
The above are the most quoted Bible verses; but also the most abused Bible verses when they are used without proper understanding and humility, or used only as a self-defence or a tool to stop all others from correcting us or speaking out the truth.
However, when the false prophets start to quote the Bible verses and accuse others of judging them, what will you do? Will you agree with them not to judge at all? Or will you please them by repeating what they preach against all others who speak the truth?
Well, I will not flow along with their 'no-judgement-no-condemnation' doctrine. I will question them, Haven't you preached that the doctrine of the Lord in the sermon on the mount is too harsh for you and your believers? If you have said that His sermon is not applicable to you, why do you still quote from Mat 7:1-5 which is still part of His sermon on the mount? You are contradicting yourselves. However, when I say this, I am not judging you; I am just asking those who know the truth and who have read the words of the Lord to judge you and your words.
Do you realise this: In the same chapter after Jesus said, Do not judge (Mat 7:1), He did not just stop there; He continued to tell the believers to beware of the false prophets (Mat 7:15). But how do we beware of them? We beware of them by discerning or judging their fruits (Mat 7:15-16). It means that Jesus wants us to judge rightly and wisely; not rashly, blindly, mindlessly, lawlessly, or foolishly.

We are under Jesus to walk through the narrow gate or narrow way
Please refer to: https://plus.google.com/103386467367636094616/posts/VYHc7jMRL52

We are under Jesus to follow and do His righteousness; not our own righteousness
Many think that self-righteousness is doing any law of God or doing like the Pharisees. However, I have searched the Bible and I realised that self-righteousness is not stated or defined as so in the Bible. The closest explanation or definition I could find from the Bible is from:
Rom 10:3-5 KJV  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.  (5)  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
However, the Bible verses above did not say that the Pharisees were self-righteous just because they did many laws of God or did much righteousness of God. Instead, the Bible showed us that the self-righteous were those who were 'ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness'. Obviously the self-righteous were not limited to the Pharisees or hypocrites who followed the law of Moses only; they could be any religious people, believers, non-believers, and false prophets who would try to establish their own righteousness, their own moral standards, or their own philosophy and tradition apart from the law of Christ too.
Today many Christians think that they are more righteous than others just because they do not keep any law of Moses or law of circumcision. However, it is still considered as self-righteousness (or establishing their own righteousness) if they would always keep arguing, confessing, or establishing that they are righteous (in their own eyes) without following or doing any law of Christ.

We are under Jesus to do ALL God's commandments
Many will say, "Of course, we know that! However, we do not have to tell everyone to do ALL that the Lord has commanded us to do .."
I will tell them, If it is a commandment which we do not have to tell everyone, then it is not a commandment at all.
1. Do you know that the false prophets can tell you that they know God's commandments too? They may even say that they believe God's commandments too, but they would just believe and full stop. Similarly, the devils believe too, but they would just believe only (Jas 2:19)?
Hence, when the devils come and say that they have the faith to believe, they have no real intention to believe. The false prophets will come and say that they have God's commandment to love too, but we know that they have no real intention to love. James has taught us that, whether they have the faith to believe or commandment to love, it must be consistent with what they say and what they do:
Jas 2:8-11 KJV If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well .. (10) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (11) For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Hence, we know that when some preachers said that they would keep ONLY the commandment to love, ONLY certain commandment, or ONLY certain doctrine, or ONLY certain revolution, or ONLY the words of certain preacher, we know that they have turned away from God. James said it very clearly, We must preach and do ALL the words and commandments of God. It is ridiculous to twist his words and say that since no one can really love (our neighbour), there is no more commandment for us to love (our neighbour) or that since no one can keep all the laws, there is no more law of God for us.
2. Do you know that the false prophets are really the false prophets in the Lord's warning in Mat 7:15 (wolves in sheep's skin) because they know how to hide themselves? They would never tell you to rebel or go against ALL the commandments and the will of God directly; however, they can subtly or craftily convince you that it is 'wrong' (legalistic) to do, teach, or keep ALL the commandments of God. They are so good with the twisting of their words and God's words that you will just enjoy, listen, and rebel against God subconsciously without knowing it.
3. Do you know that the devil can quote God's commandments too? He quotes God's commandments not because he loves to keep God's commandments and wants you to keep all of them; but because he wants to confuse you so that you will keep only his words or only the commandments that you like to hear: 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.

Are we boasting if we say that we will do all that the Lord commanded us or wrote to us (in us)?
I will ask them, Will you say that those who confess I can do all things in Christ according to the written words (Phi 4:13) are boasting too? How about those who do, teach, and sing that they would worship God and love God in all that they do too? When we say according to the words of the Lord that men shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God, are we boasting? Will God give us more commandments to do or more things to do as a punishment because we want to do every word? No, I find it ridiculous to make such assumption. Yet, we still hear the same ridiculous interpretation by many hyper grace preachers who claimed that the Israelites were boastful when they said, "All that the Lord commanded, we will do (Exo 24:3-8)" and that's why God gave them the law so that they would all be killed by the law in the wilderness (because they boasted that they could do all the words or commandments of God)? And hence, the law kills!
I will tell them,
1. Please read your Bible again. Paul did not say that all the laws kill; he said, the letter kills (2Co 3:6). There is a difference on how you interpret it. If all the laws kill, we should not have any law of the Spirit of Christ at all. But if the letter kills, we should go beyond the letters of the law and find out what the Spirit of the law of God says in Christ. Obviously Paul was talking about the second interpretation. He explained that, under the Old Testament, the law through the letters of stones could only reveal judgement and death. But under the New Testament, the law through the Spirit of Christ is life.
2Co 3:6-8 KJV Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (7)  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious .. (8) How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
2. When I say that I can do all things in Christ or I will do all things that He commanded me, who can judge if I say it with humility, or with boasting, without them seeing my face or knowing my heart? Similarly, it is ridiculous for us to conclude that all the Israelites were boasting without us seeing their faces, their postures, or their hearts too when all we know is that they had said "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient (Exo 24:7)". I think in today's context it is quite reasonable to answer and say, "Amen, yes, Lord we will do all things in Christ, and be obedient" after the pastor preached and prayed for the people in the church. However, I would think that it is a clear boasting only if all the people say, "Yes, Lord, we can never sin! We are always righteous! We don't have to hear from the Lord what to do anymore!"
3. Even if the Israelites boasted, we cannot conclude that God judged them just because they boasted. God would be evil if He would kill people just because they boasted before they could even obey His commandments. It would a lie if we say that we must not teach or tell people to keep all that the Lord commanded us because the Israelites were 'killed' by God's commandments too. There is a great difference between the following two interpretations:
a. If we interpret that the Israelites were condemned by their rebellion against God's commandment, we are interpreting according to the words of God
b. However, if we interpret that the Israelites were condemned mercilessly, murdered, or 'killed' by God's commandments (but we deliberately do not mention any of their sins, lawlessness, wickedness, or rebellion), we are lying

A. The Pharisees did not do good under the law
Do we remember the lawyer who asked Jesus, "Which is the great commandment .."? Probably he was thinking that he could just do the great commandment which he liked and omit the rest of the commandments which asked him to love and do good to others.
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?
Mat 23:23-24 KJV  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  (24)  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
The lawyers, scribes, and Pharisees were religious leaders who were probably well financed to do their religious duties. They showed that they were greatly blessed and highly favoured by God. They wore expensive clothes and enjoyed special favours and privileges (in our modern time, they might be a small group of people who could buy luxurious cars and aeroplanes 'for God'). They would just empty God's treasury for the decoration of their great temple, sacrifices, and many religious rites to show outwardly that they were greatly thankful to God's success, prosperity, and favours, but they cunningly and wilfully omitted everything that helped the poor and the widows.
Hence, the lawyer's intention was very clear to Jesus. When the lawyer asked with the question 'which is ..' instead of 'what is ..', the lawyer wanted Jesus to choose only one commandment which might show how much they had done for God and obeyed God. Jesus knew what he was thinking and gave him the answer that shocked him and made him totally speechless. Obviously Jesus said it in such a way that it still included all the commandments that he might not do and teach:
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.

We would love God's commandments if we are truly under Jesus
Obviously Jesus' answers or commandments to the lawyer above was not what he loved to hear. However, if we love Jesus' answers and the way He answered the lawyer, we would love God's commandments. It is not enough just to say that we have high regard for His laws and commandments. The questions are: When we said that we have high regard for His laws or believe that there are God's commandments under grace, do we honestly love and do God's commandments? Or do we just want to believe and obey like the lawyer (finding loopholes in the law to do only what we like)? Do we know the real meaning of a commandment? Do we know why Jesus said that it is a commandment to love; but not just a thought to love, a religion of love, or a belief of love? I believe that Jesus wants His words to be obeyed, taught, kept, and reminded constantly as true commandments; not as a thought, a religion, or a belief which can be corrupted with men's option to do their own philosophies. A true great commandment from God would always has great rewards and serious consequences depending on whether we will choose to obey it or disobey it.
Many will argue, "But today we just need to keep one commandment; it is a new commandment, a new relationship, or a new belief in God. It is no longer a commandment like the do's and don'ts, but rather a revolution to love and believe only. It has eliminated the Ten Commandments or any God's commandments which tell us to do and obey many things. 'To love and believe only' means to rest and do nothing. If we rest well, we would feel less stressful to obey anything in the future. We can tell God that we will do more for Him and keep all His commandments in the future (but now we are not willing to do anything).  So, unlike the Ten Commandments which are full of do's and don'ts, Christianity is all about love and belief only. That's why John confirmed it in the following Bible verses .."
1Jn 3:22-23 KJV  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  (23)  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I will tell them, If Christianity is all about love and belief only, Jesus would not have spoken it or given it as a commandment; He would just tell us to love and believe. But, if He has given it as a commandment, obviously He would want us to obey it or keep it as a commandment. There are many non-believers who can love too but only the believers who love and do His commandments are under Him. There are many non-believers who can believe too but only the believers who believe and do His words are called the Christians. Did Jesus tell us just to keep loving and  believing Him based on 1Jn 3:22-23 only? No, we must read the whole Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which have all His commandments, warnings, doctrine, and teaching. It would be total blindness if we would just keep memorizing only 1Jn 3:22-23 and telling the believers just to believe in a new commandment to love, love, love, ... and believe, believe .. only. However, it is a shame to tell you that there are preachers who keep talking about the new commandment in 1Jn 3:22-23 while they would tell you that all the teachings of Jesus in the gospel and in the sermon of the mount are obsolete.
I will tell them, Yes, you may look stylish and cool just to tell the sinners that "Christianity is all about right believing only". But do you know that false prophets can argue and convince many that they have the right believing or right doctrine too. Hence, Jesus commanded and warned us again and again that we must check what they believe with the fruits or with what they would really do and teach too (Mat 7:15-24). Hence, I would say that Christianity is also about total surrender and obedience to the words and doctrine of Jesus Christ.  So, if anyone says that he 'believes' only in a 'grace-based' gospel, but he spoke or acted like someone who could never surrender or obey the doctrine and commandments of Jesus Christ, we can just dump his 'grace-based' gospel and stop listening to him.

We are under Jesus to know God's commandment as eternal life
The Bible showed us that a lawyer asked Jesus about eternal life:
Luk 10:25-27 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 ..
There was another lawyer (or probably the same lawyer?) who asked Jesus about God's commandment too:
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?
My question is: Did all the people of Israel know nothing about eternal life or God's commandment? Were they ignorant or were they wrongly taught by the scribes and the Pharisees? I think the answer is: Yes.
I have said that the lawyer(s) who asked Jesus about inherit eternal life and God's commandment could be the same person. But it doesn't matter if they were really the same person; what matters is that the answer Jesus gave to him (them) showed that the people of the whole nation including the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers were all ignorant of eternal life and God's commandment. Can you imagine what if your pastor asked someone else, "What shall we do to receive eternal life" or "Which is the great commandment"? Hence, when the lawyers and the Pharisees (who were supposed to be the teachers or experts of the laws and commandments) asked Jesus those questions, it simply shows us that the people and the lawyers themselves were ignorant of eternal life too. They might be testing Jesus when they asked him about eternal life; in reality, they did not have the answer as they seldom preached about eternal life to the people and they would never think about eternal life. They were interested in their worldly life. They tested Jesus just to find out what He would say about keeping (or not keeping) the commandments. In fact, they had already known the commandments (Lev 19:18) before Jesus asked one of their lawyers to quote the two commandments to Him (Luk 10:27).
Hence, I believe that Jesus brought a great revolution to the town when He preached about eternal life and connect it to keeping the commandments of God. It was not only mind-boggling; but nightmarish to all the Pharisees, scribes, and the religious hypocrites because they have been thinking of justification by doing only the law of Moses ritualistically or only the works of the law hypocritically without doing good to others which was also required by the law too. They were a group of people who felt very comfortable to keep all the law of Moses until Jesus came or until Jesus brought in the doctrine of eternal life by linking it with the keeping of God's commandments. Of course, eternal life is more than keeping of God's commandments; it is believing and doing all that the Lord said:
Mat 19:16-22 KJV  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? .. (21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  (22)  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mat 25:45-46 KJV  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  (46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Mar 10:29-30 KJV  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,  (30)  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Luk 10:25-26 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?
Joh 6:53-54 KJV  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  (54)  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (Of course, Jesus did not mean eating His flesh literally; He certainly meant that all those who follow Him must not only believe; but 'eat' His words too. He is the Word in John 1:14, and hence, the words which came from Him is His 'flesh', and His 'blood' too.)
Joh 3:5, 16 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 .. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 6:63-64 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. (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Joh 10:26-28 KJV  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.  (27)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (If we listen to Him and keep His commandments, no one can pluck us out of His hand, not even Satan - see Rev 12:17 also).
I did say and think without much certainty that the Jews and the Pharisees were ignorant of eternal life. So, I did a search on the Old Testament myself, and I can now say that my guess was quite correct because 'eternal life' was not recorded in any of the scripture before Jesus Christ or before the New Testament. It meant that there was no doctrine of eternal life before Jesus started to preach about it. The only closest Bible verse that I could find about eternal life was from the last chapter of the book of Daniel, but it was sealed up for the end time or for the coming of Jesus:
Dan 12:2-9 LITV And many of those sleeping in the earth's dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and to everlasting abhorrence.  (3) And those who act wisely shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and those turning many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. (4)  But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, to the end time. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased .. (9) And He said, Go, Daniel! For the words are closed up and sealed until the end time.
1. We have heard how a 'lawless' hypocritical lawyer who asked "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luk 10:25). Jesus gave him the answer to do all God's commandments; but without giving him the invitation to follow Him.
2. How about the obedient law-keeping young man or young ruler who asked a similar question "What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Mat 19:16, Luk 18:18, Mar 10:17)? Jesus also gave him the answer to do all God's commandments; but with an additional invitation to ask him to follow Him: Mar 10:21 KJV Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Obviously, there was a big difference between Jesus' response to the scheming lawyer and His response to the sincere young ruler. Does it mean that, since they did not have eternal life whether they obeyed or disobeyed all God's commandments, we do not need to keep God's commandments too? No, on the contrary, what Jesus answered to them would be the same to us too (and to everyone whether we are a sinner, a hypocrite, a preacher, a pastor, or a deacon). His answer was clear and confirmed (more than four times in all the Gospels) that we must all keep God's commandments if we are looking for eternal life; but for the young ruler who was sincere to keep God's commandments, he must still see beyond the letters or the codes of the laws in his obedience to God. He must not just obey the law of God physically or keep the physical laws which can be seen by men; he must also believe and obey in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:23, Joh 14:17). He can only do that through the power of being born again in Jesus Christ (Joh 3:3-6). But, first, (for him during that time when Jesus was still on earth), he must believe in His words by selling everything and follow Him! When he did not do it, it simply showed that he could not believe! It showed that (unlike the lawyer) he was sad; but it won't help either (Mar 10:22).
Joh 15:26-27 KJV  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  (27)  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Obviously, it was a special privilege to sell everything and follow Him from the beginning (of His ministry). Not every believer has that privilege; but every believer is asked to take up the cross and follow Him (Mat 16:24, Mar 8:34, Luk 9:23).
Many hyper grace people challenge us not to believe Jesus' invitation to the young ruler as a sincere invitation; but as a harsh saying or impossible saying which would make him feeling sad and giving up all God's laws or commandments. However, I beg to differ. Yes, Jesus did make the young ruler sad (Mar 10:22); but if he went away feeling sad and stopped keeping God's commandments, he would become worst after meeting Jesus. It would not be an honourable thing to think that Jesus' intention was always to remove the keeping of God's commandments in His replies to the people.  
When Jesus said "Yet, one thing you lack: .." to the young ruler, He did not say it would replace God's commandments. Instead, He said it as a continuation, an addition, or something more than what the young ruler had done:
Mat 19:21 KJV  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luk 18:22 KJV  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Of course, to the young ruler, it was easier for him to keep all the Ten Commandments than to sell everything and follow Jesus. We may criticise him, judge him, and despise him for being under the law and being selfish and hypocritical; however, how many of us can sincerely say that we can give everything to the poor and follow Jesus if He would tell us to do so too? Many will still go away feeling sad and think that His word or His way is too narrow for them.
Joh 14:6 KJV  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I have explained why Jesus is that narrow way or narrow gate to the kingdom of God too. If we believe that He is the narrow gate, His words would be the key to eternal life. His words will make us into 'keys' which will unlock the gates of heaven too. Of course, we need not argue whether we have the keys to prosper on earth. We should just look at how Peter and many disciples had suffered on earth (even though they had the 'key') and we should know that Jesus was not talking about the key to prosperity on earth. Ironically, many preachers today still preach and think that they have the real key when they prosper, and delude others who want to prosper at the expense of getting the real key to eternal life.

B. Ironically the false prophets did many good under lawlessness (but based on their own law or philosophy without doing and teaching the will and the law of God)
Today we do not have the Pharisees, scribes, or lawyers in our churches. But we still have religious people in our churches. They could be leaders or pastors who can prove that they are not the Pharisees by doing many good works. However, the Lord knows their hearts. The Lord knows that they do not love God's words and commandments because they are the false prophets who preach 'rubbish' doctrine just to draw people and show that they are greatly blessed and highly favoured by God too:
Mat 7:15-24 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  .. ..  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:23 LITV  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"
Many will argue that they do not preach 'rubbish' doctrine. Some may argue vehemently that they have never even preached any doctrine (???). They argue that, it is because, whenever they preach grace, they do not preach it as a doctrine; they preach Jesus only because grace is Jesus Christ, and, therefore, they can preach Jesus and the name of Jesus more than any other preachers.

In that day, many (not just a few) will argue against God's words
Obviously false prophets would not like the Bible verses above which talk about them. They will argue that those verses are obsolete and not applicable to them. I do not want to repeat what I have said about their lies and excuses. However,
1. I will remind them that the words of the Lord above can never be obsolete because the words are in alignment with all the rest of His warnings to beware, to watch, to be diligent, and to take heed of ..
Mat 24:11-12 LITV  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.
Col 2:8 LITV  Watch that there not be one robbing you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.
2. Secondly, when the Lord said ".. in that day" in Mat 7:22, the Lord meant something which will happen in the future. Many still argue that this Bible verse was for those who were in Israel and that it is not relevant to us now. I will ask them, Has Jesus started judging the world? No, He will start to judge only after He comes again to the world. They may still argue that this Bible verse is only for the Jewish believers, agnostic believers, lukewarm believers, or some other believers from other religions, or .. .. Well they can keep on arguing, but it will just show that they become more and more like the group of the believers who will say many things and keep arguing with the Lord in that day (Mat 7:22). It proves to the world that Mat 7:22 will also becomes more and more like a prophecy which is happening in our time now.

Now in this time, do we prosper effortlessly (reign in life) under Jesus?
Many still argue that we must reign in life or prosper like them, or else we have not believed rightly. They will quote many Bible verses to prove it. For example,
Mar 10:28-30 KJV  Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.  (29)  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,  (30)  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Many of those who have prospered will argue, "God prosper me so that I can prosper others. I am not that smart. But please think, If I can prosper, so can you. On what basis will God prosper us? Of course, based on God's words or the words of Jesus above. Did Jesus speak to Peter or us about material prosperity? Of course, when Jesus told Peter that he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, lands, .. etc in Mar 10:30, it means really houses, lands, .. etc NOW, IN THIS TIME; not in the future or in heaven. However, many traditional preachers today still preach about much suffering and poverty now in this time. It is the kind of negative message which will draw away our faith for prosperity now in this time. They are the thieves who come to steal and destroy with their many laws, and do's and don'ts in Christ. The do not know the grace and favour of Jesus Christ. They can never prosper like us. So, they become jealous and falsely accuse us .. "
I will tell them, Please do not just read; please think. Yes, you are right to say that you have read correctly when Jesus spoke to Peter that he shall receive a hundred fold more houses, lands, .. etc now in this time in Mar10:30. But do you think that Peter had really received more houses and more lands before he died?
Many will still argue, "Contrary to what you think, yes Peter was very rich. He pastored the biggest church or the 'mega church' like ours in his time. We believe that all the disciples received an hundred fold more houses, lands, .. and etc and they reigned in life because they forsook everything to follow Jesus. That's why we should all prosper too. But if you don't, you need to wait, or you need to repent. You may still live under your self-effort and do not really know the grace or favour of God yet."
I will tell them, I am not bothered if you must think that Peter had many lands or houses. But if you argue it to promote your own prosperity or to promote your own 'rubbish' doctrine against the Lord's teaching and doctrine about simple and contented living, I will challenge the basis of your doctrine with the words and doctrine of Jesus:
1. When Jesus said that Peter or those who follow Him shall have houses, lands, mother, children, wives, .. and etc now in this time, of course, He did not mean it physically or literally. Please think, How can you have many more wives now in this time? Your wife will kill you.
2. Secondly, when Jesus said that we shall receive all these now in this time, of course, He did not lie. You may have received or laid up all these in heaven now in this time (even though you do not see it now). It has been done now:
Mat 6:19-21 KJV  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mat 19:21 KJV  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luk 12:21 KJV  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

A true believer knows what is reigning in life under Jesus
So, if a pastor is still poor now in this time, does it mean that something is wrong with him? If he is still a poor pastor in a small church in a small village even though he has preached faithfully to everyone in his area, does it mean that he has not preached better than a glamorous pastor who preaches in a mega church in a big city? No, he may be poor, he may be small; but he has laid up for himself treasure now in this time in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. He may not reign like a superstar pastor who reigns in a mega church or big television network, but a poor pastor is certainly not an inferior pastor in God's eyes.
If a believer is still poor now in this time, it does not mean that something is wrong with him too. If he is still a poor teacher in a small school in a small village even though he has taught well with much effort and responsibility, it does not mean that he is less successful than a gorgeous pastor who teaches effortless doctrine in a mega church. No, a poor teacher might not teach effortlessly, but he could tell his students proudly that he still believes in doing hard work and that it is still one of his principles to teach them to work hard even though he himself might not prosper effortlessly like those who live in the big cities. Why could he say that? It is because he knows that being under grace is not all about effortless teaching, effortless preaching, or effortless reigning in life and material wealth now in this time; it still involves much effort to lay up treasures now in this time.

What we think about reigning in life may be different from what God thinks
God does not measure our success just based on how many souls we have saved, how many big churches we have built, or how beautifully we can preach in His name; God would judge if we ourselves would do what we preach and what He said too. Hence, whatever we boast now could be just vanity or hypocrisy (the leaven of the Pharisees) even though we think that those things are treasures, grace, or favours in our own eyes now in this time; but to God they are all abomination:
Luk 12:1-2 KJV  In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, 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.
Jesus warned about the leaven and told the disciples to beware of those glorying in many things in life because it will not just spread from one believer to another under the Old Covenant; it will spread over to the believers under the New Covenant too:
1Co 5:6-13 KJV  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  (7)  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  (8)  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  (9)  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  (10)  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  (11)  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  (12)  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  (13)  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Gal 5:4-9 KJV  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  (5)  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  (6)  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.  (7)  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?  (8)  This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.  (9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Many argue that the leaven of the Pharisees (or the leaven of hypocrisy) is the leaven of the law, and hence, if they would just reject all the law of God, they would not have any leaven. I will tell them to read the Bible verses again. If the leaven of hypocrisy can spread over from the Pharisees to the believers today, it means that the leaven can be a leaven under the law or under grace, under circumcision or under uncircumcision. It can spread in both the New Covenant and Old Covenant if we are not alert. We should never say that it is caused by the law. Why? It is because the Bible shows clearly that it could spread like a leaven whenever or whosoever tries to justify himself about his sins (without turning away from sin, without the true Spirit of the law, or without the true Spirit of righteousness). The Pharisees had tried to justify themselves with the law (Gal 5:4 without the true Spirit of righteousness but with hypocrisy), and hence, they could have fallen from grace. Hence, if a believer (or whosoever under grace) would also try to justify himself (without turning away from sin but with 'lawlessness'), he is still spreading the same leaven. He could have fallen from grace too.

What did God say about reigning in life under Jesus Christ?
Many still believe that being under grace means being under effortlessness or being under lawlessness in everything. I have shown you in my examples above that what a pastor preaches, a teacher teaches, and a believer believes, under Jesus is not necessarily all about effortlessness (no more effort from our part) or lawlessness (no more law from God's part).
But many will still argue, "Do you know the real meaning of 'reigning' in life? It means that you are in control, you are the boss, and you call the shots. Please think, How can you call the shots if you are still that little poor pastor, poor teacher, or poor believer? You have no influence, and you would be the lazy pastor who hid his one talent in Mat 25:24 or the miserably poor lukewarm preachers whom the Lord will spue out in Rev 3."
1. God wants us to reign as a faithful servant
I will tell them, You are right to say that the servant who hid the talent was a pastor; but I would think that he was not a lazy pastor. He was a greedy or selfish pastor,  because he 'dug a hole' and 'buried' the talent into it. To be more exact (if we must interpret it more spiritually), the pastor was a 'lawless' pastor who would just bury all the talents (God's words and commandments) that he has received:
Mat 25:24-29 KJV  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  (25)  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  (26)  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Please think, Can it be a valid excuse if the pastor said to the Lord that he must 'dig a hole to bury' all His words and commandments just because he was afraid of them? No, the Lord would say to him that all the more he should have invested (do and teach) them so that the talents (God's laws) will grow and multiply in more people. Hence, the final judgement to him would just confirm what kind of pastor he was originally - he was a lawless pastor; but in the end, he became even more lawless than before after his only 'talent' (or God's law) was taken away from him or from his heart totally (Mat 25:28-29).
2. God wants us to reign over sins
I will tell them again, Please do not just read the following Bible verses about reigning in life; please think.
Rom 5:17 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom 5:19-21 KJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (20)  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  (21)  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:11-13 KJV  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
1Co 4:6-8 KJV  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.  (7)  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?  (8)  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Please think, What did Paul mean when he said that a believer will reign? It means reigning over sins. Did Paul say that a believer must reign like real kings or like king Solomon? No. If a believer do not reign like a real king now in this life, does it mean that he would reign effortlessly in his job, in his school, or in his church? Of course, I do not deny that many believers indeed reign in their working places, in their schools, or in their churches, but I believe that many of them work hard and they would never teach their children to believe and do everything effortlessly. The false preachers will tell you that he never tell his children to work hard, but secretly he would tell his children to do otherwise. Joseph the prince of Egypt might seem to become the second man to Pharoah effortlessly, but he had actually gone through a lot of hardship. At the end of his lesson, I believe that he would still tell all his descendants that they should all stand up for what they believed in, like what he did (flee from Potiphar's wife) and be prepared to face the music (go to prison).

A believer will not give up sound doctrine if he truly reigns in life
Hence, when a false prophet gives up sound doctrine, he will give up debating in doctrine. He will just want to focus on what could prosper. He would boast about his prosperity. He would boast that he is greatly blessed or favoured like Jesus, like Joseph, like Mordecai, like king Solomon, like king David, or like Paul. He would boast that he is so rich in the will of God that he has made everyone jealous of him. We should tell him, Oh, yes, you may be rich but you are miserably poor. God allowed you to prosper, not because of the reasons you boasted about; but because of some other reasons which you and me do not know (I also understand that God allows the false prophets to rise and prosper in the last days for 'a reason' which we can argue until the cows come home).
But, I would always advise the people, Please do not boast if you are under Jesus. I have many friends who boasted about the 'prosperity gospel' and they would argue with me constantly. But when they repented and turned away from the prosperity lie or the Pharisees' trick which was used to suck money from the poor and the widows, I sincerely rejoiced with them and I would stop bringing it up again. I believe that not everyone who argue with us, boast about themselves, or preach the prosperity gospel is a false prophet. I will just forgive and forget it if I can see their sincerity in their repentance.
1Co 5:6-13 KJV .. (8)  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth  ..
However, from my experience, there are some false prophets who show very 'short-lived repentance', because soon after, they would resume their nonsense and start to boast and argue with us and other churches again. Many will argue and ask me, "Why do you keep warning the people about false prophets or lawless prophets? Don't you think that the law prophets or legalistic prophets are equally bad too?"
I will tell them, The law prophets who are greedy may be legalistic and may take advantage of the law to enrich themselves selfishly. However, the lawless prophets would do more harm than them because the lawless prophets are more deceptive, offensive, and aggressive against the laws and commandments of the Lord. The lawless prophets are more likely to be the false prophets of the end time who will boldly bring in lawlessness and the abomination that will make desolates the sanctuaries (churches). In another words, they are the prophecies which the Lord had already warned us clearly in the last days.

A false prophet will hope that a believer will give up sound doctrine
Hence, a false prophet will always feel frustrated whenever we use sound doctrine to answer him. If we do that, his eyes would just roll back and turn white. But if we start to use or speak God's commandments, he would end the conversation as quickly as possible and flee away. He may claim to be from God or under Jesus Christ, but we know that he is not.
Mat 4:10-11 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.  (11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
A false prophet would confuse us so much so that nobody is sure if he is preaching Jesus as his Lord, as a doctrine, as a gift, as a means, as a 'santa claus', or as his 'Jeanie' . When they claim that their love is Jesus, their grace is Jesus, or their prosperity is Jesus, they have knowingly or unknowingly limited God and replaced that position, which can only be reserved for God, with an only attribute which they like eg. love, grace, or prosperity. When they do so, they have obviously done a very dishonourable thing to God. They may claim to have preached a gospel revolution under Jesus Christ; however, it could be just a 'confusion' revolution, 'controversy' revolution, 'lawlessness' revolution, 'rubbish' revolution, or 'lukewarm' revolution. I can say that their revolution is not a good, humble, and sound revolutions even though they may prove convincingly that many proud or jealous preachers have misunderstood them or falsely accused them. It is too obvious to God's people. If the revolution is designed only to raise applauds, controversies, confusion, and disputes against the doctrine and commandments of Jesus Christ, it is not a gospel revolution of Jesus Christ even though it may draw millions or even billions of people.

What is a lukewarm revolution?
I do not deny that Jesus would spue out the lukewarm people who are not hot enough for Him or do enough for Him. However, I believe that Jesus is more likely to spue out the lukewarm people who do and preach lukewarmness, lukewarm doctrines, or lukewarm behaviours. Hence, lukewarm revolution is a movement with the large-scale influence of the lukewarm preaching and doctrine. It can be a very subtle change of mind which will cause the downfall of many people when they do and teach the reversal of repentance. Instead of telling the people to repent, turn back to God under the New Covenant, and keep God's commandments, the lukewarm revolution will tell the people to depart from the covenant and God's commandments. I have explained why the lukewarm behaviour is wicked in the eyes of the Lord and why it is more likely to be spue out by the Lord in the last days in my previous posts. Hence, lukewarm revolution is a last day's phenomenon which will be judged severely by the Lord; not because the people who join it are not cold enough or hot enough when following the Lord, but because their love would grow cold after following the 'lukewarm' doctrine or 'lawlessness' doctrine. When they follow the 'lukewarm' doctrine (the 'hot-and-cold' doctrine or the 'dual-standards' doctrine), they would depart from the teaching and doctrine of Jesus Christ:
Rev 3:15-16 LITV  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot.  (16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.
Mat 24:11-15 LITV  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.  (13)  But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe.  (14)  And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.  (15)  Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand) ..
It will be a clear sign to us and the world when the abomination which desolates starts to appear. It could be a place, a country, a church, a civilisation .. which becomes a desolation as a result of God's judgement:
Dan 11:31-36 KJV  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  (32)  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.  (33)  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.  (34)  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.  (35)  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  (36)  And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Dan 12:10-13 KJV  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  (11)  And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.  (12)  Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.  (13)  But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
When we start to see many so-called 'king(s)' or 'prince(s)' rise up and promote themselves, magnify themselves, or prosper against God or God's covenant, we know that it is the end time. When many start to corrupt the gospel of Jesus Christ, convert the doctrine of the Lord in the gospel or the doctrine of eternal life in Dan 12:2-9, and equate it to a mere prosperity gospel or a covenant blessing (which was already understood and taught by the Pharisees who knew Abraham), we know the end is near: Mat 3:8-9 KJV  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: (9) And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Jesus has warned us not to believe the false prophets even if they look like Christ or preach like Christ. When Jesus said it twice, "Believe it not" in  Mat 24:23, 26, it is a serious warning. Hence, when a false prophet is under this category of warning and he could show us that he has much anointing, many healing testimonies, and fantastic miracles, I can only believe 20% of what he says.
Why only 20%? It is because 80% are lies, exaggerations, clever fabrications, twisting of words, figurative of speech, imagination, collaboration, and desperation; the other 20% are ignorance and coincidences. I believe that some believers are ignorant and they would just attribute any recovery of their sickness as a miracle brought about by the teaching or doctrine of their favourite preachers. So, probably the remaining 10% is coincidence which is under the will of God as God would just allow it to happen, not because God performed it to help the false prophets to deceive the people; but because it may be just the unusual phenomenon which happens under usual working of His laws and the law of nature. Please do not be mistaken, I do believe in miracles, but I would never believe in the miracles of the false prophets.

Do we need God's commandments to love or believe?
I have said at the top of my post that it would be total blindness if we can only tell the believers to love, love, love, ... or believe, believe .. I did not mean to be rude. If we cannot explain what to love in God's words or commandments, we can only preach in that manner.  However, if we know the words of Jesus in the gospels, we would know that He has commanded us clearly to
1. love God,
2. love our neighbour, and
3. love our enemies
Similarly, the Lord has other commandments on how to believe and repent too. I would not want to go through all those commandments again. However, it is clear to us that there must be the teaching of God's commandments to love, to believe, and to have faith. Many will still argue, "Do you need God's commandments to have faith or to know about faith?" I will tell them, Of course. Talking about faith, we may think of Abraham.
Gen 15:1 KJV  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
We all know that Abraham received the exceeding great reward. Did God tell Him to do nothing to receive it? No. Did God give Him a commandment? Yes, certainly.
Jas 2:19-23 KJV  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (20)  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.
From the Bible verses above, we can see Abraham's faith. Please think, Would there be faith if there is no God's commandment for Abraham to do anything? If there is no commandment, there is no requirement for faith to do anything too. If there is no requirement for faith, it could never be a covenant of God.
Hence, it is ridiculous to tell the believers that there is no more requirement for God's laws and commandments; but only nothing, if they would just have faith, just believe, just repent, or just love in anyway they like. If it is true, it would be dead faith, blind belief, vain repentance, and hypocritical love. The gays and the homosexuals would say that they all 'love' too and that they would just want to 'love' (their 'spouses') in the name of Jesus Christ, but would you say that they are all saved under grace too.

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K130. Are we under Moses or under Jesus? (1)

We can say in our modern words that we are no more under the old 'CEO', we are under the new 'CEO' or the new commander-in-chief and His name is Jesus Christ. Many will also say that we are no more under the law because we are now under grace. Of course, it is perfectly alright to say that. However, preaching and confession of being under grace has also become more and more vague, liberal, controversial, radical, lawless, contradicting, confusing, enticing, egoistic, mystic, and paganistic today as more and more lukewarm people (evasive preachers) rise and start to argue on law vs grace (or grace vs law). Hence, today we are in a more urgent time (to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and specifically) than all other times in the church history. You will find that it is no longer enough just to say that "we are under grace" and full stop. It is because lukewarm people can twist it and argue it in anyway they like without keeping any law of God. Hence, it is now necessary to be more specific when we say "We are under grace." Yes, we can all say that we believe in Jesus Christ (Rom 10:10-11); but it could mean all different beliefs when we say we believe. For example, one may say he
1. believes in Jesus without believing in repentance or turning away from sin; and another may say he
2. believes in Jesus with the belief that he must repent and keep all the words and commandments of the Lord

Hence, I have purposely listed all the possible explanations of the Old and New covenant in the following sentences (something like 'faith statements' of law and grace for comparison) in ascending order of details in order to make my point clearer. You may not agree with each one of them; however, it should give you some idea on the importance of the importance of details when it comes to our faith or understanding of our belief in Jesus Christ:

1. We are not under the law, but we are under grace

2. We are not under Moses, but we are under Jesus Christ

3. We are not under the law of Moses, but we are under the law of Christ

4. We are not under the law of Moses to do the laws of God, but we are under the law of Christ to do the laws of God

5. We are not under the law of the Old Covenant to do the law of the Jews, but we are under the law of Christ to do the law of God

6. We are not under the law of the Old Covenant to do the Jewish law of circumcision, but we are under the law of Jesus Christ to do all that the Lord commanded us to do

7. We are not under the law of the Old Covenant to do the Jewish law or the book of the laws given by Moses, but we are under the law of Christ (1Co 9:2) to do and teach the doctrine of Christ which includes all His doctrine (of repentance), His parables (of doing good), His commandments (to teach and do all His words), God's laws (Heb 8:10, 10:16), and all that He had commanded us to do

I like the last one (No.7) above because it is the clearest description of what we intent to preach without misleading the people of God. The first one (No.1) above is the simplest but it still requires a lot of explanation and preaching if the people are not sure of the doctrine (teaching) of Christ and the right belief in Christ. Of course, we are under grace, but I prefer to say that we are under Jesus Christ. Will that affect any of my blessing or status under grace? No.

Being under grace means being under the law of the New Covenant
Now what is the next point I want to make? You might have heard how the hyper grace people taught convincingly that the Israelites were under the curse of the law because they obeyed the law or because they boasted and said, "All that the Lord commanded us, we will do" too?
I will ask them, Are we under the law of Christ to do no more law and believe only in 'pure' grace? Does it mean that, if we do, teach, or confess every word, law, or command of Christ, we will be under the curse of the law, like the Israelites? No, if there is no more law, there is no more covenant and no more God too. How can we be under the curse of the law if we do the law of God or the law of the New Covenant which includes all the commands of the Lord and the Apostles to do good and to obey the Ten Commandments?
The false impression (that those who do or want to do all God's laws will be under the curse of the law) is not only ridiculous; it is a subtle false accusation that all those who preach and teach according to the words of Jesus Christ are legalistic and under the curse of the law too:
Mat 28:19-20 KJV  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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.
Many hyper grace people argue that they believe in the words of God; but reject the Ten Commandments or God's commandments.Their explanations of the difference between God's words and God's commandments and their reasons of believing only in God's words about blessing and resting are totally bizarre and confusing. Hence, we should not waste our time arguing against their lawless or baseless philosophies. We will just show them the words of Jesus above. No one can deny Him and deny His words that the commandments of God are God's words and His words, and His words are the commandments of God and God's words too. The confirmation that the Ten Commandments are His words is so clear when Jesus said it in the following Bible verses:
Mat 15:6 KJV  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mar 7:12-13 KJV  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.
I will ask them, Does it make sense to do and teach no more laws and commandments if we know that many are still preaching like the Pharisees today? Will Jesus keep quiet if He knows that their so-called original codes of godly conduct, honour, favour, or respect for His laws and principles of prosperity are actually similar to the Pharisee's corban law or easy-believism which were deceitfully taught to hide men's sins, lawlessness, ungodliness, hypocrisy, and rebellion? The Pharisees could argue that they had high regard and godly honour for the law of God and righteousness too. But when they lied against the law of God or twist the words of God, they made the commandments of God of none effect (Mat 15:6, Mar 7:11-13).
Today we are no more under the old covenant. But does it mean that we have no more law and commandment or no more need to do and teach any law and commandment?
Heb 8:10-11 KJV  For this is the covenant .. I will put my laws into their mind .. (11) And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Yes, the Bible verses above did tell us not to teach the people to know God. Why? It is because the words or laws of God will teach them. But, how can the people know His words or laws if we just do nothing or teach nothing?
Rom 10:10-21 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation .. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? .. (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  (17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (18) But I say, Have they not heard? .. (19) But I say, Did not Israel know? ..  (21)  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Did Israel hear ? Yes, but barely. Did they believe, have faith, or obey? No. Most of the Israelites died in the wilderness. Can we conclude and say that "since NONE OF THEM CAN KEEP ANY LAW, we do not need to do or teach any God's laws too" ? NO, that can never be our excuse of doing nothing or teaching nothing.

I will explain the real reason why the Israelites were under the curse or punishment of the law at the end of the post. The reason is certainly not because they received God's laws, they turned to God's laws, they obeyed God's laws, or they preached God's laws. But, before we embrace all the false explanation or lawless teaching of the lukewarm people, have we known what they believe? Many of them claim that they believe in Jesus (Rom 10:10-11), preach in the name of Jesus, and "hear Him only", but in reality they have denied Jesus.

Being under grace does not mean we can deny Christ and be saved
Many argue, "Why do you always quote and teach from Mat 7:15-24? NO ONE DENIES JESUS CHRIST TODAY. Obviously you have quoted a redundant and obsolete Bible passage which was for those who were under the law; but it can never be applicable to us or the churches today. Yes, it can also be judgement for the religious priests, monks, or false prophets who preach other gods and other religions too. Yes, in the last days, the religious monks and false prophets will all become afraid, kneel down, confess Jesus as Lord, and ask Him, 'Didn't we do this and that for you because we thought that all the idols that we worshipped were You?' That's why the religious monks will call Him 'Lord, Lord ..' in that day. And that's why Jesus said that He never knew them. However, if we believe in Jesus (Rom 10:10-11) and if we sin the worst sin, He would never say that He never knew us. He knew us because we believe in Him. And if He knew us, He would never say harsh words to us .."
1. His warning is still applicable to those whom He knew - I will tell them, Of course I hope that what you say is true. I do not enjoy hearing warning and judgement too. However, I will keep quoting those Bible warnings if people keep hearing the false interpretation by those who keep denying the words of the Lord, especially if the false prophets are the ones who keep arguing, "Have we not prophesied, preached, or done this and that ... and we can never be condemned !"
I will ask them, Do you know that Jesus knows all the sinners, including you and me? Hence, when He said, He never knew you, it does not mean He never knew who you are; it means He rejected you. Similarly, when your girl friend or boy friend said, "I never knew you", it does not mean they did not know you; it means they rejected you too.
2. His warning is still applicable to us today - I will tell them, Of course, we know that Jesus would never say those harsh words to His disciples. But, it does not mean that His warning to us is obsolete and redundant. Do you know why Jesus said 'in that day' .. ? It is in the future when He will judge ALL His servants. I will ask them again, Do you know why the Lord would warn about the false prophets as the 'wolves in sheep skin' in Mat 7:15-24? It is because they could be the 'believers' or 'preachers' in our churches carrying our cross and preaching in the name of Jesus (even in the blood of Jesus Heb 10:26-29 - by sinning wilfully against the blood covenant given by grace) too. Do you know why the Lord said 'beware' in Mat 7:15-24? 'Beware' means 'Be aware'. 'Beware' means serious warning or a commandment to be alert. Hence, does it make sense to tell all the believers or the 'sheep' to relax and sleep instead? Please think, If the sheep or we can never be 'eaten', destroyed, or deceived by the false prophets, would Jesus say, 'Beware of false prophets'? No. And, of course, when Jesus said that the false prophets are like wolves in sheep skin, He did not mean that they can literally eat us up or kill us physically; He meant that they could draw us away from God. They could even influence us to become one of them.
Act 20:29-31 KJV  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Hence, I can understand why many lukewarm preachers (especially the false prophets) would keep complaining that we are preaching condemnation whenever we would warn the people or preach from Mat 7:15-24. They are afraid to warn others because they are afraid that they are the one they should warn others about.

THE OLD COVENANT VS THE NEW COVENANT
I know that there are many questions about the relevance of comparing Moses with Jesus by using illustration of them as CEOs. Many argue, "How can you compare Moses with Jesus who is a God?" I will tell them, Yes, Of course, I agree that Moses was of a much lower rank because he was a mere man. But, Jesus is both a man and a God.

1. The first Bible comparison between the Old and the New covenant
There is a reason why the Bible used the comparison between Moses and Jesus:
Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
It is because one represents the man who brought down the law of the Old Covenant, but the other man brought down the law of the New Covenant. They represents the laws and covenants they brought with them too. The two men who can represent God's covenants are, of course, Moses and Jesus Christ; not Paul, Joseph, or any other men. Strictly speaking law and grace came from God because Moses and Jesus Christ came from God too. They were given by God.

2. The second comparison between the Old and the New covenant
The next comparison can be found in the following Bible verses:
Heb 8:8-10 KJV  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  (9)  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  (10)  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
However, we should read them to answer the question: are there laws under the New Covenant too? Absolutely yes.

3. The third comparison between the Old and the New covenant
The next comparison can be found in the following Bible verses:
Heb 10:16-30 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 .. .. (26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth .. .. (28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy.. (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?  (30)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Again there is not only law, there is also God's judgement of His people under the New Covenant. When the Bible warned of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye .., wasn't it a comparison of punishment between those under the Old Covenant and those under the New Covenant? Hence, sinning wilfully could be sinning against or taking advantage of the blood covenant. It is an evil conscience and abomination which can never be committed by the people of the world. The people of the world were never in the picture when the Hebrew writer did the comparison between the two blood covenants.
Heb 10:2 KJV  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins .. (22) 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 .. ..  (29)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye ..

4. The fourth comparison between the Old and the New covenant
I will now give the fourth comparison to explain why Moses and Jesus are both compared in the deliverance of God's people. If the people under Moses must keep the law of Moses to be considered as God's people, how much more should we keep the law of Jesus Christ too? This has already been shown in Heb 8:8-10 and Heb 10:16-30 above. However, the Bible shows us that Jesus is still our commander-in-chief. Many think that Jesus has been taken away in a cloud and, hence, their new 'CEO' or commander-in-chief on earth is Paul, Grace, or the anointed preachers now. But no matter how anointed they are or how convincingly they can preach or argue, I can only accept Jesus Christ as the only One who can really guide and save us. The reasons are:

a. We are still under Jesus Christ; not Paul, Moses, or Joseph, because He is still alive; but Paul, Moses, and Joseph have died

b. We are still under Jesus Christ; not 'Pure Grace' (or any super grace as a person or God), because Jesus Christ is still the only God who can hold the supreme command and He is still giving us His commands and laws today; but 'grace' ('radical grace', 'hyper grace', or whoever call himself as grace) can never call himself as The Word or the commander-in-chief who will command or judge in the end time (Rev 19:13). Please think, When the Bible explicitly says that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17), what does it mean? It means that grace and truth are under Jesus Christ, they are not Jesus Christ, and they are subject to Jesus Christ.

c. We are still under Jesus Christ because we will still keep the commandments of God in the name of Jesus Christ:
Rev 12:17 KJV  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 14:12 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
If the people under Moses must keep the law of Moses, so must we keep the law of Jesus Christ too? If the people under Moses could perish without doing the law of Moses, of how much sorer punishment would we receive if we do not keep the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ too.
Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 15:10 KJV  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1Jn 2:3 KJV  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
I will ask the preachers, especially the hyper grace people, Yes, you may say that you believe in Jesus, but are you really under Jesus Christ? If you do not know, obey, or do any of His commandments, you are not under Him. You said that "Grace is greater than your sins" or "Grace is greater than all laws", but do you know what you said? How can grace be greater than your sins if your intention is to tell the people not to confess their sins or turn away from their sins? How can grace be greater than God's command if your motive is to deceive the people that there is no more law or commandment for them?

d. We are still under Jesus Christ to do the law of God
Many still argue, "Yes, we are under Jesus Christ; but we are not required to do any law because Jesus Christ is the law in us. Hence, we have no more need to do or teach any God's laws because Jesus Christ is the law who will teach us and we will hear Him only.."
I will tell them, I do not argue if Jesus Christ is the law or Jesus Christ is grace. It doesn't matter which description is more correct as long as we do not depart from the law of God. Yes, the Bible did say clearly that Jesus came to fulfil the laws; He did not come to destroy the law. However, if you say that Jesus has fulfilled the laws and became the laws, and therefore, there is no more law for us to do, let me ask you, Do you agree that Jesus is love? Is there still a need for us to love after Jesus has fulfilled love? Of course, Yes. Jesus is grace or forgiveness too, is there still a need for us to forgive and show grace too? Yes, of course. Similarly there is still a need for us to do the law of God too - in fact, all the more we should do it if we are the children of God! Many lukewarm preachers say that they do not do and teach the law of God but they would 'advise' their believers to live a life that is glorifying to Jesus Christ. I will ask them, How do you advise your believers? Is it based on your own spiritual words, your popular human cultures, your traditional moral values, your liberal social rules, your mind control philosophies, your romantic love experience with your wife, or your positive motivational psychologies? Of course, no. How can you teach them to live a life that is glorifying to God if you do not teach based on the teaching and commandments of Jesus Christ. If you must teach based on His doctrine and commandments, how can you say that there is no more laws and commandments of God.
You said that you are under Jesus because you obey God and hear Him only. But do you know that there are two types of hearing when Jesus told us about hearing Him:
1. Hearing and hearing only
2. Hearing and doing
Luk 8:21 KJV  And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Mat 13:18-19 KJV  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  (19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away..
Do we understand or hear what He said? If we understand what He said, we will know that it is a command from Him to hear and do what He said. Hence, being under Jesus is not all about right believing only or believing in grace only; it is to know what we hear and do what we hear too. I don't think anyone can dispute this.

e. We are still under Jesus Christ while we are STILL GOING through our 'wilderness' on earth. Why ? If we have entered into the rest or the promised land, we would not be told to labour (to work out or do something) to enter into it:
Heb 4:11 KJV  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Php 2:12 KJV  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.
Hence, we have not reached our 'promised land' yet. If we have not reached the end of our race yet, we are still required to do and keep all the laws, commandments, and doctrine of Jesus Christ, lest we perish like the Israelites too:
1Co 9:21-27 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 .. (24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain .. (26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I .. (27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Heb 12:1-29 KJV  ..  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, .. .. (10) .. that we might be partakers of his holiness.  (11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness .. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  (15)  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  (16)  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau .. (28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  (29)  For our God is a consuming fire.
I will tell those (hyper grace people) who think that there is no more law, no more doctrine, no more chastening, no more effort, and no more teaching of doing good or doing righteousness; they think that they have entered into the rest and therefore they should just rest. I will ask them, Did you read the highlighted words, verbs, or doings above? Are you told to yield the 'peaceable fruits of righteousness (Heb 12:11)' effortlessly or enter the rest effortlessly? Are you told to think of doing nothing or to teach that there is no more law, no more chastening, or no more effort to do anything under grace revolution? No. Please read the highlighted words again. If you still cannot see any effort to do good or live godly lives under grace, you may be blind or you do not read your Bible or you have 'rest' too much.
Some may argue, "But Heb 12:28 above wraps up everything: it says that, therefore, 'let us have grace'. It concludes that we should just have grace (rest) and forget everything else. Don't you agree?"
I will tell them, No, please do not just read; please think. Yes, the Hebrew writer concludes with Heb 12:28. But it tell us to have grace BY DOING all the above; not by doing nothing, that we may serve God acceptably. Don't you agree?

f. We are still under Jesus Christ because, like the Jews who were under the blood covenant through Moses to do the commandments of God, we are under the blood covenant through Jesus to do the commandments of God too. I have explained in great details (in K058, K073, K076, K081, K082, K086, K123) why the transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a similar 'picture' about the giving of God's covenants too. Jesus is The Word who came in the flesh (1-5)'. Both the new and old covenants showed the picture of giving of God's commandments to men: through the Old Testament (the Ten Commandments) and New Testament (the One command to the people to 'hear His Son'). Both covenants showed the picture and confirmation of bright light, cloud, and glory from God (Exo 24:15-18, Mat 17:5). Both covenants showed that God Himself spoke and gave His commandments directly to men, through Moses and Jesus Christ .. There were many similarities in the picture about the giving of both covenants and I do not wish to repeat what I have said in my previous posts. However, I want to highlight something which I did not mentioned when I wrote about the similarities in both covenants
- the shedding of blood for the covenants.
We know that Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross not long after He was transfigured. But do we know that Moses sprinkled blood on the people too after the book of covenant was read to them?
Exo 24:3-8 KJV  And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do .. ..  (7)  And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.  (8)  And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
I will tell the hyper grace people,
1. Those words from the Israelites above do not indicate that they were boastful, they loved laws naturally, they always liked to obey God, and hence, God gave them the laws.
2. But those words do indicate to us that God gave His laws and commands to His people: He gave His command to Adam and Eve, He gave His commandments to the Israelites under Moses, and hence, He would give His commandments to those who are under Jesus Christ too.
Many still argue, "No, no, no. We do not see any giving of God's commandments under the New Covenant; we see only the giving of God's grace!" I will tell them, Please read the following Bible verses again:
Joh 17:14-22 KJV I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world .. .. (22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Do you know what had been given when He said that it was also the glory that God gave Him? Of course, it is His commandment which God has given Him. Do you remember what He said to His disciples before He prayed to God?
Joh 15:10-20 KJV If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you .. (20) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

g. We are still under Jesus Christ because we are under the blood covenant. If we are under the blood covenant, the whole chapter of Heb 10 is for us because it is an obvious comparison between two blood covenants for God's people only; it is not for the non-believers. Hence, the serious warning about the sorer punishment under the New Covenant in Heb 10:25-29, in comparison with the Old Covenant, is clearly applicable only to the believers. Hence, we can never deny the requirement of obedience to the blood covenant under Jesus Christ.

Were the Israelites under the curse of the law because they boasted or they obeyed all that the Lord commanded them?
We are now ready to explain the REAL reason why the Israelites were under the curse of the law, the curse of death, or the severe punishment under the blood covenant. The reason why they were under the curse of the law was because of their disobedience or sinning against God's covenants; not ordinary sinning because of weakness in the flesh. They were judged severely not because they committed adulteries or murdered other people; but because they tampered with God's covenants, corrupted God's covenants, or took advantage of God's covenants for ungodly gains:
1. Heb 10 has explained it so clearly. If those who were under the Old Covenant could be judged severely, of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall those be thought worthy, who disobey under the New Covenant? If we disobey under the blood covenant of Jesus Christ, we would be under the curse of the law too.
2. Heb 12 has explained it too. If those who were under the New Covenant would labour, strive, and run the race to enter into that rest with grace (Heb 12:28), how much more shall we (or those who are truly under Jesus Christ) follow and obey under grace too (Heb 12:15)? Hence, if we shall follow and obey under the blood covenant of Jesus Christ, we can never be under the curse of the law.

Will God judge under the New Testament?
It is ridiculous to tell the sinners that God cannot judge them if they will just confess, believe, or repent in the way or revolution that some preachers preached (without any preaching about the fruits of repentance or turning away from sin). They will never repent. They may think that God cannot judge them because they are under the New Testament. However, is it true? No, they have been deceived.
Many argue, "No, God will never judge the believers. God is grace. Under the Old Covenant, God is angry with us; but under the New Covenant, God is happy with us. He is no more an angry unapproachable God who would zap anyone near the foothill of Mount Sinai. We are all now in Mount Zion without any wrath of God .."
I will tell them, Only the obedient will stay in Mount Zion. If you have the same attitude like that of the Israelites, Pharisees, or the false prophets (Mat 7:15-23), and argue in the name of the Lord or in the blood covenant of the Lord, you can still be judged severely.
Heb 10:26-30 KJV  For if we sin wilfully .. (28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy .. (29) Of how much sorer punishment .. (30) .. The Lord shall judge his people.
The Lord is not just grace; the Lord is still a judge in both covenants. If God judged Israel under the Old Covenant, God will judge the churches under the New Covenant too. If God judged Solomon and broke his kingdom in two, God will judge the churches and separate the sheep and the goats too. If God judged Ananias and Sapphira in the early church, God will judge the end time churches too. If God judged Miriam and Gehazi with leprosy (Num 12:9-10, 2Ki 5:27), God will judge with pestilence too. If God judged Israel while Daniel, Jeremiah, and His prophets were still in the nation, God will judge any nation, even if there are Christians in that nation too. No amount of positive meditation or confession can guarantee total deliverance from national or worldwide judgement when God has decided to judge. A true believer of Jesus Christ will not confess any Bible verses blindly just to think of escaping any judgement of sins in the world; instead, a true believer will just go back to repentance and focus his eyes unto God for the redemption that is drawing nigh as the days of God's vengeance is drawing near too. If any prophets, christs, preachers, pastors, anointed 'donkeys', or 'frogs'  say that they can give us the fantastic immunity or protection from God's judgement by just laying their hands on us, blessing us with anointed words, praying for us, putting our names in the list of their anointed websites, by receiving donations from us, or by teaching us a better confession, very likely they are the lying prophets.
Act 26:20 KJV  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
The Bible has shown us that the only way is to turn to God - i.e. to repent and turn away from our sins when God's judgement starts to pour out to the world in the last days, like the days of Noah:
Mat 24:37-46 KJV  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (40)  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (41)  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (42)  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  (43)  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up  ..
Luk 17:26-32 KJV  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  (27)  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  (28)  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  (29)  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  (30)  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  (31)  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.  (32)  Remember Lot's wife.
We remember that the Israelites were under the Old Covenant too. But the Israelites remembered only Egypt:
Num 11:4-6 KJV  And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?  (5)  We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: ..
Similarly, in the end time, many believers under the New Covenant will remember, look back, and desired the things, and doing the things, of the world too.

We are covenanted to do all that the Lord commanded us to do
I have come to the end of my post. But many will still ask, "Do you remember that you said at the top of your post that you will explain the real reason why the Israelites were under the curse or punishment of the law at the end of the post. But we do not see any reason why it should be a curse to us if we do not do all that the Lord commanded under the New Covenant. Like what we have said, the Israelites were under the curse of the law because they boasted and said, All that the Lord commanded we will obey. However, we have never boasted like them. Instead, we are more humble under grace not to do any law or anything. We know that we can never obey or do any law. So, we do not think of doing it or obeying it. We just acknowledge that we can never keep any law under any law. So, how can we be ever under the curse of the law if we are not under any law?"
I will ask them, Suppose you were the Israelites, do you remember that Moses sprinkled the blood on the people after reading the book of the law or covenant in Exo 24?  But, do you think that your silence or argument of showing no consensus to the covenant would be valid when you faced God's judgement later in Exo 32:25-28? No, if you had already been covenanted by the blood to obey the law of God, you must keep the law of the covenant whether you liked it or not. Similarly, when the blood of Jesus has been shed for us, can we still use the same excuse for not doing all that He had commanded us to do? No, certainly not. Do you know why The Word will still appear with His blood in the end time or judgement? It is not because God loves the shedding of people's blood:
Rev 19:11-13 KJV  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and .. he doth judge and make war .. .. (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
It is because the blood shows that God will remember our sins no more, that God will remember His blood covenant with His people, and that we must remember our blood covenant with God too in such time as this. The question we should ask ourselves is not "how much abundance, riches, 'meat', or 'quails' can we 'eat'?", but "how much can we stand up for God in such time as this?"
Rev 12:11-17 KJV  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death .. .. (17) And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Many will realise in that day that those who keep saying 'amen' to God, preaching powerful sermons, singing beautiful praises, and writing positive comments or posts on our websites are not really Christians. They pretend to know the grace or covenant of God but they are in reality lawless people, non-believers, or immoral lovers who would take advantage of any religious movement, hyper grace doctrine, or lawless revolution to destroy or weaken the laws of God so that they can vote for a more liberal society where they can gratify their selfish ungodly desires and, as a result, bring in more abortions, more lawless conducts, more immoral behaviours, and more persecution of the godly people. Many may think that it is a great revival to have so many supporters of a Christian revolution or a 'lawless-based' revolution flocking into our churches, but ironically it could be the beginning of a lawless strategy or lawless society to gradually destroy or weaken God's laws in our nation, generation, or churches purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ:
Act 20:28-31 KJV  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
If Paul was not afraid to warn everyone who was purchased under the blood covenant and pray for them day and night, something is wrong if we say that it is not right to give any warning to the believers.

We can never be under the curse of the law if we do the law and doctrine of Christ
Many will still argue, "You said that we will be under the curse of the law if we do not do the law of Jesus Christ. But contrary to what you said, the Bible tells us that we would be under the curse of the law if we do ANY law:
Gal 3:10-13 KJV  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. .. (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law ..
They will continue, "Hence, it means that if we do any law (including the law of Jesus), it is considered as the works of the law, and if it is the works of the law, it is a curse of law. But I must say that we have high regard for the holy law, but unfortunately, it is a holy curse."
I will tell them, What? What kind of holy .. is that? You do not have high regard for the law of God; and yet you want to say that His law is a holy curse? Please read your Bible properly, The works of the law (of Moses) is a curse (to us who are under the law of Jesus Christ); but the law is not a curse !
Do you think that God would say to the Israelites that they were under the curse if they would do everything according to the law of Moses? No, it could never be a curse for the Israelites (at that time) because they were under the law of Moses to do ONLY the law of Moses. Similarly, we can never be under the curse too if we are under the law of Jesus to do the law of Jesus. We will be under the curse ONLY IF we still do the law of Moses, the law of the flesh, the law of the world, or other laws after we are under Jesus. Obviously the law and doctrine of Jesus is totally different from the law of the flesh and the world. But the law of Jesus is 'delicately' or wondrously different from the law of Moses. We can say that the two laws are different because one is physical but the other is spiritual; or one is a reflection but the other is the real glory:
1Co 13:12 KJV  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
2Co 3:18 KJV  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
What does the illustration of the reflection from a glass or mirror mean? It simply means that if we need to do and keep what is only a reflection of the real one or the real glory, how much more we should keep the real one? If the law of Moses is a reflection of the law of God and the law of Christ, it means that the law of God can never be obsolete. God's laws would become stronger, better, and more glorious through the law of Christ. The law of Moses or the 'mirror' was good for the Israelites during their time (it was not a curse). But the 'mirror' would become a curse if we still keep it and look at it today when the light or the true glory has come. It is because the 'mirror' will block our vision on the true light. Hence, we will no longer do the law of Moses which relates to the physical religious rituals about sacrifices, circumcision, and rites. But we must still do and keep the law of Moses which relates to the spiritual teaching, the Spirit of the law, and the Ten Commandments. Why? It is because they are the very reflection which is from the real glory or the Spirit of the law of God. Please think of the illustration of the mirror and its reflection again: We may throw away the mirror, but can we 'throw' away the reflection of how we look in the mirror? No, we may throw away the mirror, but our look will always remain the same regardless of how many mirrors we throw away. Similarly, God's laws do not change. Hence, we are still under the law of Christ to do all the laws of God.
Many hyper grace people may argue that they would still conduct marriage seminars, youth conferences, and children Sunday school to teach their people to love their spouses, flee youthful lust, and honour their parents. However, they may not know that they are under the law of Jesus Christ to teach the law of God and give honour to His words and commandments. They may appear to have taught God's commandments; but they have mixed God's commandments with a lot of their words, wisdom, rules, argument, justification, dilution, and confusion to make the commandments of God of none effect. At the end of the day, they would convince all their believers that they have never taught any commandments, but their wisdom based on their understanding of 'grace'.
I will tell them, Do you know that marriage itself is a commandment of God and honouring your parents is one of the Ten Commandments. Hence, it is quite a marvel if you say that you teach marriage seminars, youth conference, and children Sunday school without teaching any God's commandments. You may prove that you can teach the people based on your own understanding of grace, behavioural science, or your own moral conscience and experience, but you may exalt yourselves against God if your motive is to secretly teach the people with God's words or commandments but craftily withhold the credit that is rightly due to Him or His words.
It shows that you do not have God's laws in your heart. You may argue vehemently that you have high regard for God's laws but your 'regard' is to change His law in every possible manner so that it is no longer a God's law (which demands) but something else (which will draw more people to you). So, you may teach many seminars and conferences, but you do not really have regard for any of His laws in your heart.

Can we be legalistic by doing and teaching too many God's commandments?
Of course, it is possible for any churches to be legalistic even if they do not do or teach any God's commandments; that includes the hyper grace churches, lawless churches, liberal churches, or gay churches too. Why? Contrary to what most of the liberals teach, a legalistic church or people is not always the people who do and teach a lot of God's laws and commandments. We becomes legalistic only when we start to bring in more rules or extend more rules from the teaching of God's commandments. For example, God commanded us to worship Him; but we command the people to dress up and queue up before the worship. We tell them to stand up while singing, and then kneel down while praying. And then we ask them to pay up. That's why the Pharisees were legalistic people; they added many rules to God's commandments too. Church leaders can even profess that they do and keep God's commandments too, but they add many rules and regulation just to benefit themselves and gratify their own lawless desires.
Of course, I am not saying that we must break all the rules (there are still many good rules and they are common sense); I am just saying that any hyper grace or liberal churches could still be very legalistic even if they do not do or teach any God's commandments. Hence, we should never falsely accuse any brethren, any families, or any churches of being legalistic just because they keep the laws and commandments of God. Pasting or not pasting the Ten Commandments on the wall of the schools will not make any schools becoming or not becoming a legalistic school; it is how they will run the schools that will determine if they are legalistic. In fact, some traditional churches or schools could be more loving and caring, and even more gracious, than many so-called liberal churches or modern schools. Many traditional schools and institutions practise the law of God genuinely and teach the children diligently to follow good values. However, it is sad to know that many modern schools today can no longer function like the old schools anymore because they can only teach their children to acquire skill and knowledge for future career development; but no more moral, social, behavioural, or spiritual development. Many may think, "Why is there such a big drastic change in our school system when it is compared with the older or traditional school system?" I can only say, There are too many changes in the way men think and look at things today, and one of the most possible changes is how many churches and Christians have departed from the laws of God, stopped becoming the light of the world, and focused mainly on the pursue of prosperity and recognition in this world. Many churches have evolved, like the modern schools, into liberal churches with motivational philosophy for more prosperity, more power, and more popularity; not doctrine for the spiritual development of a humble, holy, and godly believer. This could have a great negative and undesirable impact on the preservation of a good moral ethic for the general human civilisation on earth too:
Mat 5:13-19 KJV  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  .. (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.
Hence, when the churches start to depart from the law of God, they stop becoming the light or the salt too, and the world will start to deteriorate. Many may protest and say, "No, our churches can never deteriorate. They will shine brighter and brighter. So your warning is false and negative .." I will tell them, Yes, the Bible did say that we will shine brighter, but do you know when we will shine brighter?
Mat 13:38-43 KJV The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one .. (41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  (42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

God does not give many commandments to men
Only the Pharisees gave and enforced many religious rules or rituals when the people came to worship in their temples or synagogues.
1. God gave Adam only one command in the garden of Eden.
2. God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments at mount Sinai.
3. God gave the disciples a command to hear Jesus during His transfiguration.
I have explained why there was cloud, glory, and light. It means God's covering and protection for the men. But now let us look at what God has really commanded men. Do we still obey many commandments? Will obeying one commandment, or ten commandments, make us legalistic? No. I know that there are people who think that obeying only one commandment is ok (ie to love God and Jesus only); but when they are asked to obey other God's commandments, they think that it is legalistic. Do we remember the lawyer who asked Jesus, "What is the great (or the greatest) command:
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 10:25 KJV  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Obviously when the lawyer asked which one was a great commandment (or the greatest of all the Ten Commandments), he was thinking of doing only one that he liked the most or the one that could cover all his sins (ie. by just having good opinion about God and doing nothing else).

1. Obviously Jesus knew the thinking of the lawyer but He gave him the answer that he could not deny:
Jesus said it in a way that answer his question i.e. Which is the (one) great commandment; but it also includes all the commandments which commanded him to love his neighbour too. I believe that he was totally speechless. What does this incident teach us? It shows that there are people who would like to go for shortcut when it comes to obeying God's commandments. Many will still argue, "Yes, we are under Jesus to love, but there is no more Ten Commandments under grace. Do you know Joh 13:34 and 1Jn 2:8? It means that Jesus has given us a new commandment to replace all the commandments which still tell us to do and obey. The new commandment is different and it is the opposite to the Ten Commandments. Now we will just love."
I will tell them, Please read your Bible again. Jesus did not give us a new commandment to replace God's commandments. Jesus said it in a new way which includes all God's laws and commandments, not in the legalistic way that the Pharisees would teach; but in the Spirit to do and keep the law of God.
1Jn 2:7-8 KJV  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.  (8)  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
2Jn 1:5-10 KJV  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.  (6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed..
1Jn 3:23 KJV  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Joh 13:34-35 KJV  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  (35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Now let us think, What is this new commandment that Jesus has given us? Is it to love? Yes. Is it just one commandment? Yes. Will it replace, remove, or destroy all the Ten Commandments? No. But it certainly fulfilled all the Ten Commandments. Yes, we may say that love is the commandment, but love does not take away the Ten Commandments. It is not the opposite of the Ten Commandments. When we love, we do and fulfil the Ten Commandments.

2. Obviously God know the thinking of the lawless men in the end time too, but He will give them the answer that they cannot deny:
God will say it in a way that answer all their question i.e. What is the new commandment; it will still include all His commandments which commanded them to love their brethren and their neighbour too. Many will be speechless when they are asked, "Where is the love, the glory, the commandment, or the garment that I have given you or commanded you?"
Mat 22:11-12 KJV  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  (12)  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

The commandments of God are not grievous
Many hyper grace people are giving the false impression to their believers that the teaching of God's commandments in other churches have made the church people legalistic. Unknowingly, they have departed from the law of God themselves, like the 'prodigal son', thinking that all the commandments of God the Father will make them legalistic or make them behave like the 'elder son'. Many argue that they know God's commandments, but in reality they are ignorant.
I will tell them, God's commandments are not grievous or demanding. How can the teaching of God's commandments make us legalistic? The thing that is demanding or makes people legalistic is not God's commandment; it is men's interpretation or men's addition to the law, for example, God tells us to read the Bible. But preachers may interpret or demand that the people should read the whole Bible in two years' or three years' time. Of course, they may say it out of good intention. What they say may make them appear legalistic. It may mislead some believers to do it like a ritual. It may even backfire and discourage some from reading the Bible at all. However, I would not argue if what they say is right or wrong here. I would say that it is their own command; not God's command, and it should not be confused with the law of God or used as an excuse to give the false impression that the law of God is grievous, demanding, or legalistic. Many think that there is only hate, judgement, or demand in the law of God, but how many know that there is still the ingredient of love in the laws and commandments of God too?
1Jn 5:2-3 KJV  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
I will tell the hyper grace people, If you must say that God is demanding, please do not say, "His law is demanding" or "His grace is supply but His law is demand". You may say that His chastening is demanding. Why?  God may chasten us; but God would never chasten us with His laws or covenants:
Heb 12:10-12 KJV  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  (11)  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (12)  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Hence, God will never chasten us with His laws; God will chasten us with His love. God will never chasten with His laws; God will judge with His laws.
I will tell them, Even if God's law is demanding, do we have a choice? Can we reject or remove God's law? No, we obey it. Oops, I know what you are thinking. Please don't even think that the blood of Jesus is given to help you to remove His laws. I have said that we are all covenanted by His blood to do and keep His laws (Heb 8:10, 10:16). Jesus did not come to destroy, remove, or replace God's laws. If you are still not satisfied with the example above, I will give you another example: Do you know that it is God commands for us not to be greedy, lustful, or sexually immoral? But how many of us (including Paul) can truly say that we are no longer greedy under grace or that we have no more need to confess sins? No, no one. But please think,
1. Can we say that, since no one can keep God's command or stop sinning, we can just become greedy preacher or false prophet thinking that we have no more law to judge us under grace? No.
2. Can we say that, since no one can keep God's command or God's law, we can just marry anyone we like, including the people of the same sex? No.
If we say No, it means that we must still keep God's laws and commandments and that God's commandments are not grievous.

But many will still argue, "No one is going to get saved if you say that they have to first stop sinning. No one can and no one ever could stop sinning. That's why Jesus came to die to pay for our sins. Imagine, who will clean himself first before he takes his bath? Similarly, no one can be holy before he comes to Jesus too."
I will tell them, No, of course, we do not keep God's commandments by our flesh or by our strength. But we should have the Spirit of God to keep His commandments. Jesus would not want us to wallow in our 'mud pool'. He wants us to come out of our mud pool first and take up our cross. Of course, we don't have to clean ourselves first but we must come out of the pool first. When we turn from the mud pool, it means that we turn away from sin too, we turn like the prodigal son, we turn to God the Father, we repent, we will hate sins and stop sinning, we will have faith to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will keep the words and commandments of God .. ..

Even though we are chastened in every way in our constant unending struggling against our human flesh, hidden greeds, natural lusts, or evil lusts (unnatural love for the same sex, for incest relationship, for the babies, or for the animals), we have no right to complain that God's law is too grievous for us. If we are influenced to give up and depart from the law of God, we should just return like the prodigal son who thought that departing would give him better living and the total freedom (relief from his father's 'grievous' commandments or requirements). He realized that he was wrong only after he repented and returned home. But can we say that he had repented if he would just return home but he would still have the same mentality that his father had only 'grievous' commandments for him?
Hence, I am not surprised that many are still having the same mentality even though they may think that they have returned home. They may even think that all other churches who still keep the commandments of God and do not follow them are the 'elder brothers' who do not accept them. However, they may not realise that a lot of those whom they consider as the 'elder brothers' were the 'prodigal sons' who have already returned home, but they themselves are still wandering in the world, with their 'lawless' illusion and thinking that they can live without any God's commandments. They can never understand or believe what Jesus said even though they know it:
Mat 4:4-5 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (5)  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple ..
The devil knew it too, but he refused to understand it or believed it. He would just keep changing the 'topic' and avoid going deep into the discussion of the truth of God's words.

Many think that 'Right Believing' is just doing like the prodigal son by just turning back to God or feeling the love of God again and fullstop. However, do we know that feeling the love of God is only part of the gospel. Do we know why Jesus preached 'repent AND believe'?
Mar 1:14-15 KJV  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  (15)  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mat 4:17 KJV  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Many think that repenting or 'metanoia' is just changing their mind from not believing to believing, from believing in doing many God's laws to believing in doing no more laws, or from thinking of doing many things to thinking of doing nothing. They think that 'metanoia' means everything they need to do is in the mind, through the mind, and by the mind alone. They think that Jesus would just tell them to do everything effortlessly and passively in the mind, including repenting and believing in Him too.
However, I think that 'Right believing' involves our efforts and sometimes painful sacrifice to turn away from sin (repent) AND turn back to God's words and commandments too (believe). It is something which we must do actively. It is incomplete to do one without the other.

Did Jesus teach us to think that we can never fall?
I know that the hyper grace people are still not happy with the gospel plan by the blood covenant. They will argue, "Yes, the blood covenant to do the will and commandments of God sounds biblical, but it is scary to most of the sinners who still innocently indulge in sins. Why don't we just show them the covenant of grace instead of the covenant of blood and condemnation. We should just preach the assurance of God's love while we are still yet sinners or sinning. Of course, God's grace should be greater than all our sins no matter how much we sin or how much we want to sin. We should tell the people that we can never fall. When we think that we can never fall, psychologically we will all feel good and feel more comforted to follow Jesus Christ, right? Who can deny it? It is a fact which everyone should know. We don't need any psychologist to teach us, right? In fact, Jesus is the one who taught us that the more we are forgiven, the more we will love God too."
I will tell them, You are very right only in your own thinking and psychology; not in God's eyes. I don't think Jesus has taught us to just expect forgiveness or the love of God at the expense of godly living, turning away from sin, sinning no more, or doing His commandments. Do you remember the woman that Jesus had forgiven? Do you know that Jesus taught us, with His grace given to the woman, to turn away from sin?
Joh 8:11 KJV  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
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.
I will tell them, If you are not satisfied that this is the teaching of Jesus Christ to the sinners, do you still remember how He taught His disciples, especially Peter who is one of the strongest, if not the best, of all His disciples? If Jesus had taught the strongest not to think of how capable he was or to boast how he could never fall, we had better sit up and listen. If Jesus taught us to be diligent, to watch, and to beware, it means very clearly that He would never teach us to think that we can never fall too. If we are very used to a careless, earthly, sensual, liberal, lawless, or licentious life, it is time we should change our mind and repent - it means that we should turn away from any lawlessness, any lawless lifestyle, or any lawless thinking, and start to keep His commandments !
Jas 3:14-15 KJV  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  (15)  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jud 1:17-20 KJV  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  (18)  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  (19)  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.  (20)  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost ..

What is being under Jesus Christ in our relationship with men?
I have focused a lot on the meaning of being under Jesus Christ in the eyes of God. But now I hope to end this post by talking about the meaning of being under Jesus Christ from our perspective. Being under Jesus is not just about salvation in Christ; it is a revolution.
1. Under the law of Moses, the Jews were required to do the rituals of the law, the works of the law, or the religious duties of the law eg. the law about sacrifices, tithing, circumcision, priesthood, and the temple. However, all these were done outwardly or physically.
2. Under Jesus Christ, we do the law of God in the Spirit. We do it by the Spirit. When we do it by the Spirit, we can certainly do more than what we can do physically. We can do better than what we can do in the flesh and we can help more people with the love of Christ.
Hence, Paul or Martin Luther was not the first man who preached revolution to the churches. Jesus Christ started it first. It was a shocking spiritual revolution to all the Pharisees and Jews of the whole nation who were interested only in doing the law outwardly (by the flesh) without the Spirit of the law. They had in essence departed from the law and the glory of God. Ironically, they thought that the revolution to do the law of God by the Spirit was a revolution against God. So, they crucified Jesus hoping that no one else would speak against their hypocrisy, rebuke them about their lawlessness, or teach the people to turn away from them. The selfish Pharisees would:
1. rather teach religious rules and justification by works of the law so that they and their small group of religious people could continue to control the people and get their tithes and offerings, including the tithes from the widows and the poor
2. than teach them the truth about true obedience to the law of God by loving God and loving the people. Ironically many churches or religious organisations today think that they are helping the poor or loving the poor, but in reality, they are asking the poor to help them to become more famous, more powerful, and more boastful.

Hence, there are many things we must teach in our churches:
1. Being under Jesus means that we do not just teach with our words or God's words, we teach with our life and testimony. We show others that we are men of words and integrity. We are consistent and faithful in keeping our promises:
Rev 12:17 KJV  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Have we asked What is the 'testimony of Jesus Christ'? It is certainly not just testimony to teach us how to be richer; it is something which we show after keeping the commandments of God.
2. Being under Jesus means that we do not play with words and create controversies to scheme against other fellow preachers so that, when they come and correct us, we falsely accuse them as jealous preachers or condemnation preachers. That's why it is difficult to correct someone who is inconsistently right or wrong when they have 'schemes'. They may not be genuine believers: Rev 3:15-16 KJV  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
3. Being under Jesus means that we are bold to admit wrong and repent even if we are humbled by our wrong doings. we do not cover our back by twisting around with our words, doctrine, or confession.
4. Being under Jesus means teaching rightly and clearly or speak the truth with the boldness of God. We are wise, discerning, and alert. Sometimes, we have no choice but to warn the people of lawlessness, wrong doctrine, false doctrine, exploitation, and hypocrisy.

Being under Jesus is a revolution itself
The hyper grace people were almost correct when they said that we need the revolution in the end time too, because many churches are still sleeping and are ignorant about the gospel revolution of Jesus Christ. However, we realise that their 'revolution' is nothing more than jumping from one 'hot pan' to another when they tell the people to turn
1. from doing the works of the law
2. to doing no more law of God.
They become worst than the Pharisees when they would still deceive and entice the unsuspecting people to pay them for bringing such 'revolution' to the people. They argue that, when the people give to them by faith, the people give to God, and therefore, it does not matter whether the people know if they gave to the right people or godly people. Does it sound familiar? Do you remember, how the Pharisees had said the same thing about their 'corban' law too, that if the people did according to what they said, the people would be free from doing any God's commandment too (Mat 7:10-13)? Lawless preachers or false prophets today may not say exactly the same thing, but they will do it very craftily. They may not quote the corban law; but they will quote the widow's giving to influence more people to give to them:
Mar 12:38-44 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,  (39)  And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:  (40)  Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.  (41)  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  (42)  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  (43)  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  (44)  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
I will ask them, Yes, the poor widow might or might not know that the Pharisees, scribes, and all those in the whole temple system were hypocrites, and she still gave sacrificially. So do we follow what she did? Is that what Jesus would tell us to do too?
No, I can certainly tell the people that Jesus would not want us to give to the hypocrites or those who have departed from the law of God. If God would not hesitate to destroy the whole temple system including His laws on sacrifices, tithing, circumcision, priesthood, and the buildings, He would not hesitate to destroy any revolution which teaches the people to depart from the law of God too.
If we have read the Bible verses above, we must continue to read the following Bible verses, immediately after what Jesus said about the poor widow:
Mar 13:1-2 KJV  And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!  (2)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
If Jesus and His disciples did not follow the old priesthood system to enrich the Pharisees, we do not follow any new revolutionary system to enrich the modern day 'tele-Pharisees' or 'tele-preachers' too.  By the way, Jesus did state the fact about the widow's greater giving than the rest of the people, but He did not commend her to the disciples or said that the widow did the right thing. Instead, He showed the disciples that all those she gave and the rich people gave would all be gone, lost, and destroyed, together with the whole temple system and buildings (Mar 13:1-2). Many may summarize His doctrine in Mat 12 into two main teachings:
1. Beware of the scribes who devoured widows houses (Mar 12:38-40), and
2. the giving of the poor widow (Mar 12:43)
If we read only the giving of the poor widow, we may form only the positive picture of a very noble sacrificial giving widow; however, if we link the giving of the poor widow with what the scribes had done to the widows' houses in Mar 12:38-40, we would think differently. Obviously the widow was not only poor materially, but also poor ignorantly and miserably. I believe that Jesus had wisely mentioned all these to show us that we need to pay more attention to the schemes of the greedy religious people (not to pay them any more money) because, in the future, there will be
1. many more 'religiously greedy people', and
2. many more 'religiously poor people' too
Many believers in the last days are 'poor' believers in the eyes of the Lord (Rev 3: 17), not because they are poor materially; but because they are poor ignorantly and miserably when they still place all their hope, money, and faith radically in a false religious system which is as lawless or hopeless as the hypocritical religious system of the Pharisees.

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