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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