K134. We are under the law of Christ to do righteousness; not to earn righteousness

We cannot earn righteousness, but we can do righteousness and must do righteousness under the law of Christ. The Pharisees thought that they could earn God's righteousness:
1. by just doing the law & rituals of the old covenant or
2. by just thinking of God's righteousness without doing it
The Pharisees thought that they had earned the guarantee of God's righteousness, and therefore, they could never lose it no matter how they victimized others, deceived the people, or sinned again and again in the future.
But, we are under the law of Christ to do righteousness, to love others, to do good, and to sin no more. We can never earn righteousness by doing good or doing righteousness; neither can we earn righteousness as our guarantee for God's approval for all our future sins too. We may not be perfectly righteous, but we repent and do righteousness with our conscious effort to turn away from sin and live godly lives irregardless of how much we are assured of God's righteousness. This could be the main difference between:
1. a sinner who still thinks of repentance after he repented and
2. a Pharisee who thought that they were already righteous and that they had no more need to repent:
Joh 5:14 KJV  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Joh 8:11-12 KJV  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We do righteousness not to become righteous; but ..
Many will still argue, "If we cannot earn righteousness by doing righteousness, why do you still teach or command the people to do righteousness?" I will tell them, That's a good question. If you cannot do righteousness to earn righteousness, do you still do righteousness? Yes, I will tell you that you MUST still do righteousness ! Why? It is because we will still do righteousness to obey God. We do righteousness in obedience to God's will and commandments. We do righteousness not to become righteous, but we do it to become obedient servants who know and do the will of God the Father:
Mat 7:21-22 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Many still argue, "But the warning above is not for us or the believers in the churches; it is for the believers of other religions or other gods." I will tell them, Please go back to understand the whole context of Mat 7 starting from Mat 5:1. Isn't it a teaching from The Sermon On The Mount to the disciples who were mostly Jews? How can it suddenly become a teaching, doctrine, or warning for the non-believers, or the believers of other religions or other gods? Something is wrong with your explanation.
If God would care how the poor, the innocent, or the sheep, were victimized, taken advantaged of, or oppressed by the false prophets or Pharisees, please think, will He care how His sheep are treated or taught by us too? If God would care how the false prophets, the Pharisees, or His servants behave, will He care how we behave too? Will He care how we will do good, practice righteousness, do His commandments, or do His will too? Yes, of course. Will He have good opinion of us if we still do and think like the Pharisees, the false prophets, or the hypocrites? The answer is clearly NO.

We must not only do righteousness; we must teach doing it too
Some will still argue, "Ok, ok, yes, we must do righteousness. But why must you tell us to do and teach righteousness? We don't have to do and teach it if we are really righteous in Christ because we will do it automatically by the Spirit of Christ. Heb 8:11 says that we don't have to teach the believers. If we teach too much or always tell them 'do good get good' or do, do, do.. , we are not effective preachers. We would become legalistic like the Pharisees."
Heb 8:11 KJV  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.
I will tell them, Please read Heb 8:11 again. Do you know what you must not teach the believers? You do not teach them to know the Lord; but you can always teach them to know and do God's words and commandments in the scripture:
2Ti 3:13-17 KJV  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  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.
You said that if we always teach the people about keeping God's commandments or doing righteousness, we will become legalistic
1. Didn't Jesus teach and tell the people or the woman to sin no more (Joh 5:14, 8::11-12)?
2. Didn't He teach us to turn away from sin with the parable of the prodigal son?
3. Didn't He teach us to do good with the parable of the good Samaritan?
4. Didn't He teach us to keep God's commandments (John 14-15)? Was He legalistic?
Jesus would never teach His disciples to just know God or know His words too. His doctrine is always about doing the words of God. It is one thing just to know the Word or know God (John 1:1); it is another to know His words AND do His words. Knowing the Word will only show that we know God or believe God (the devils believe God too - Jas 2:19); but doing the Word will show that we tasted Him, ate His words, and have His words in our lives. Doing His words is like eating the flesh of the Word.
Joh 1:1-14 KJV  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God .. .. (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  (13)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We do not do good get good from men; we do good get good from God
I have heard of many hyper grace preacher's criticism against the 'do good get good' principles as self-effort principles. I will ask them, Do you know that the 'do good get good' principles are the law and the prophets and the doctrine of Jesus Christ?
Mat 7:12 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Luk 6:31 KJV  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Gal 6:7 KJV  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Eph 6:2-3 KJV  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
If the above principles are 'do good get good' principles or self-effort principles, they are good principles and they can be taught by the churches.
Many still argue, "But we should just do good without expectation of getting good. If we do good to get good, we are doing it with self-effort. We should expect God goodness and His free favor without us doing good or doing anything." I will tell them, Please read your Bible again. Did God say that you can expect His goodness and His free favor if you do evil? No, His judgements against sins and lawlessness, His warnings against doing evil, and His principles of what you sow is what you reap are all clear examples of 'do good get good' principles. We can never do good to get good from men, but we can certainly do good to get good from God. The Pharisees knew that the people must do good according to the commandments of God, but they changed the words of God until everybody would just 'confess' it:
Mat 15:5-7 KJV  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  (6)  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  (7)  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Jas 4:17 KJV  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Eph 6:2-3 KJV  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Rev 22:12-14 KJV  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Under the law of Christ, we do not just have high regard for God's laws
Luk 19:8-27 KJV  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  (10)  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  (11)  And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.  (12)  He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.  (13)  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. .. .. (20)  And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:  (21)  For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.  (22)  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow .. ..
Many said that the 'Ten Pounds' represents what we can do for God. But, I think that the 'Ten Pounds' is something given by God, much more valuable than what we think, and priceless.
Others will say, "Yes, of course, God's gifts are priceless. But, there is no more giving of God's laws; only giving of God's favours, grace, prosperity, wealth, or riches which we must still multiply; otherwise we will lose our salvation because Jesus talked about it after He mentioned to Zacchaeus about salvation." I will tell them, No. Please think, If you believe in grace, do you think that it is 'grace' for God to judge His people  based on how much (effort) they could do to multiply physical wealth or riches? No, if it is true, it is based on self-effort. Hence, I do not think that the 'Ten Pounds' represents wealth or riches; neither do I think that the 'Ten Pounds' represents grace. It's because you cannot do anything or any effort to multiply or add on to grace if it is really grace or really something which is given by grace. Hence, I prefer to think that the 'Ten Pounds' refers to God's commandments, God's words, God's principles, the doctrine of Christ, and something which we must keep and do.
However, many would just want to wrap the words of God in a 'napkin' to keep it and do nothing. They argue that they really treasure it and have high regard for it. But unknowingly or knowingly they made the words of God of none effect by wrapping it in their 'lawless napkin', covering it with a cloke of maliciousness, or deceitfully hiding it from the people with a lie. I believe that this is a rebellion which may cause many servants or preachers to lose their salvation, even though they may claim that they have repented like Zacchaeus.

Under the law of Christ, we do not just confess and confess ..
1Pe 2:15-16 KJV  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  (16)  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Mat 15:5-6 KJV  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;  (6)  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Hence, when they did not do or preach what God commanded them to do or preach, they rebelled against the will of God and became wicked servants (Luke 19:22) or false prophets (Mat 7:15):
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? .. (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Under the law of Christ, we do not just confess and confess.. and boast of how much we love God or how much we have high regard for His laws; we do !
Many still argue, "Yes, under grace, we still have the commandment to love, but we have no more commandment to do, do, do.. If we are still doing many things, we are still under self-effort. Hence, the Ten Commandments which told us to do this and that are no longer valid for us. It is because Jesus has given us the new commandment just to love. Haha .., no more do's and don'ts .. what a revolution, what a relief !"
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.
2Jn 1:5-7 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.
I will tell them, Please do not just read your Bible, please think. When Jesus gave you a commandment to love, did He give you the commandment just to love? Did He give you the commandment not to do anything? Please think again. A fish which does not swim is dead, so is a commandment or love which does not do. If you do not do His commandment, how can you walk in His commandment? If you do not walk in His commandment, you have denied the Word who came in the flesh and who gave God's commandments to us.

Under the law of Christ, there is still law or commandment
The hyper grace people have not only confused themselves with their 'pure' grace doctrine, they have confused others too. If you ask them, "Is there still law or commandment under the New Covenant or under grace?", very likely you will get all kinds of answers from them. Some say 'Yes'. Some say 'No'. Some say 'Yes and No'. Some said 'Yes'; then they say 'No'. Some say 'No' now, but they will say 'Yes' later. Some will keep saying, 'Yes, .. No, .. Yes, .. No, .. Yes, .. No ..' until all the churches are totally confused. You can never find out what they really want to say, but they will always tell you that they have a better revolution to replace all the keeping of the laws and commandments of God. They will boast that they have a better preaching to replace all the teaching of the churches on God's laws and commandments.
I will tell them, I don't care if you have a better revolution or better preaching; but if you are under Christ, you must keep the laws and commandments of God. Of course, you do not keep God's laws to be saved, but you must keep the law of Christ to be in Christ. You do not keep God's laws to be born again, but you must keep God's laws if you are God's people.
Heb 8:10 KJV  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:
You do not do good to be righteous, but you must do good if you are righteous. You do not do good to be saved, but you must do good if you are saved. You do not live godly lives to be a believer of Christ, but you must live godly lives if you are a believer. If you do not live godly lives, you are not a believer. It is the same law which is applied to the fish too. A fish does not swim to become a fish; it swims if it is a fish. If it does not swim, it is not a fish. For more stories about the fish, see: https://plus.google.com/103386467367636094616/posts/FUg75zhD4ye

Under the law of Christ, we will still confess our sins because we are the sons of God
Many think that confessing their sins will make them unrighteous or make them lose their righteousness. I will tell them, No, if you cannot earn your righteousness by confessing righteousness or doing righteousness, neither can you lose your righteousness by confessing your sins or confessing anything too. If the fish must swim because they know that they are the fish, the sons must obey because they know that they are the sons too. The sons, whether they are the good sons or prodigal sons, they will always confess their sins if they know that they are still the sons after sinning against their fathers. Hence, if a person could not repent or confess his sins to God even after he knew that he had sinned against God, he is not a son at all. The prayer of a true believer will always show if he is a child of God, not just because he will always call God the Father, but because he will always confess his sins to the Father whenever he knows that he has sinned or disobeyed God:
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.
Heb 12:5-9 KJV  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  (6)  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Many argue that they can never sin or do wrong in the sight of God because they have 'earned' the righteousness of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore they will never lose their righteousness, never need to confess any sin, and never teach themselves and others to claim 1 John 1:9. I will tell them, In the parable, if the prodigal son did not think of going back to the father and confess his sins to him, the father might lose his son forever. If our children disobeyed and refused to confess their sins, we may not be able to get them back too. Hence, it is normal for all the sons to confess their sins to their fathers. Even a prodigal son or a wicked son is still a son. However, if the son finds it hard to confess his sins to his father, something is wrong. This can happen because of three possibilities:
1. The son thinks that he can be the father
2. The son thinks that he is better than the father, or
3. The son thinks that he has no more father
It means that the son can no longer be the son.
Similarly, if the believers have no more God or no more law, the believers do not have to confess their sins to God the Father too. But, it means that the believers are no longer the children of God. If they were believers, they are now lukewarm believers. If they were fish, they are the dead fish. If they were branches, they are the dead branches (Joh 15:5-10). If they were servants, the are the ungrateful servants (Mat 18:32). They were bought by the blood of the Lord, but they are now the false prophets:
2Pe 2:1-2 KJV  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  (2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Mat 18:32-33 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
The Bible verses above are the great warning to those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ and think that all their future sins are forgiven and that they can never lose their salvation even if they speak evil against the way of truth and sin anyway they like against others.

Under the law of Christ, we are the doers of God's laws
Under the law of Moses, the Jews and the Pharisees would just want to think (like a 'fish'); but under grace, we must do. Many argued that believing and thinking of God laws would make us legalistic. I will tell them, No, thinking and believing like the Pharisees will make us legalistic; but doing God's commandment will make us God's people. The Pharisees were hypocritical and legalistic because they would only do the law ritualistically (without really doing it with the love for God and others). If we conclude and say that all God laws will make men think and behave like the Pharisees, we are lying. It is like saying that "all men are legalistic, adulterous, wicked, and hypocritical, but women are gracious, pure, and innocent. Hence, the women are always the victims of men". It is a sweeping statement. Do you know that there were men who became the victims too?
Hence, the revolution of Jesus Christ today will still offend many people who think like the Pharisees. They still live and think with a form of godliness which is dead in the eyes of God:
2Ti 3:2-7 KJV  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Jas 2:18-20 KJV  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  (19)  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? ..  (4:6-17) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble .. (15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.  (16)  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.  (17)  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Under the law of Christ, we are commanded to love and do righteousness
Under the law of Christ, we are commanded not just to love and think (and boast) about righteousness; we are commanded to love and do righteousness:
Mat 5:6 KJV  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Rom 6:17-23 KJV  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  (18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.  (20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  (21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  (22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  (23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 8:4-5 KJV  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (5)  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
1Ti 6:10-15 KJV  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  (11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  (13)  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;  (14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
2Pe 2:19-22 KJV  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (20)  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  (21)  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  (22)  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Under the law of Christ, we are subject to the law of God to do the law and the will of God
Hence, it is clear enough to all of us that the law of Christ or the holy commandment of Jesus Christ is not exactly same as the Ten Commandments in letters or words; but it is certainly a commandment to do all and fulfill all the righteousness of God's laws or commandments (including the Ten Commandments). It is also a commandment which proves that the Ten Commandments are still a commandment of Christ in the hearts and minds of all the believers whether they will do it knowingly or unknowingly; consciously or unconsciously; and mentally, spiritually, politically, .. etc. However, it won't be practised legalistically, abusively, blindly, radically, hypocritically, or carnally by the believers who are truly subject to the law of Christ:
Rom 8:2-7 KJV  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  .. (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. .. .. (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Hence, under the law of Christ, we do righteousness not to earn righteousness; but to do the will of God because we love God. However, if believers would deliberately refuse to keep, do, or practice righteousness, does it mean that they will lose the righteousness of Christ? No, no one can lose the righteousness of Christ by doing it or not doing it, because it can never be earned by anyone. However, a believer who always argued against doing righteousness under the law of Christ would clearly show us that he had not been subject to the law of God or Christ. If he had never been subject to or under the law of Christ, he was not in Christ and would not have received the righteousness of Christ in the first place. Hence, he did not lose God's righteousness when he rebelled under the law of Christ; he was not in Christ. It simply showed that he had not received any righteousness of Christ too:
1. even though he might confess earnestly or argue vehemently that he was "the righteousness of God in Christ" five hundred times or five thousand times .. under grace or with the number of grace ..
2. or even if he confessed it by taking the holy communion everyday, sat at the feet of the most anointed glamorous preacher in the world, and meditated on all the positive Bible verses on the righteousness of Christ
The ironical thing is: many believers can go through all the hassles to do the above and spend much (radical) effort to confess, preach, believe, argue, learn, and meditate on the righteousness of God; but they cannot simply do it because they think that doing it is self-effort or legalistic effort.

Why do we still honor, maintain, and keep the law of God in our hearts, in our churches, families, and countries today?
If we do not have any legal law or God's law, very likely we will still be controlled by bad laws or inferior laws introduced by the wrong people in the end. It is because that 'vacuum for law' can be filled up easily by anything which is from men if it is not occupied by God's laws or good laws. A lawless nation or kingdom may enjoy temporary freedom or idealistic environment where everyone seems to live happily with one another without law. However, sooner or later the people will realize that no law is a bad law. Do we know what will happen if there is no law in a country? The president would get any salary he wants without the law. Similarly, the pastor would get any salary too. I say this not because I do not trust our president or pastor, but because I know myself and my own weaknesses. It's because I know that, if I were the president of the richest country in the world or the pastor of the biggest church in that country, I can still stumble and fall because of my own human weaknesses. If I were given the opportunity to get any exorbitant incredible salary amount, very likely I myself and many others would just gladly go for the maximum without thinking of any constraint or law of God. There is a tendency for us to just justify all our greed and the lust to get more by thinking of only grace, unmerited favor, or unlimited abundance, as God's approval for our service to Him. Although I can argue that I always have the Spirit of God, the wisdom and the understanding of God, or self-constraint to curb my greed and warn me of the danger of going into the uncontrollable lust to get exorbitant wealth, I would still prefer to have the law of God in my hearts, in my conscience, in my churches, my companies, my countries, or my external environments to put a check on me too (in case my sober mind is not sober enough to help me to think well or my self-constraint is not strong enough to stop me from doing the wrong things).
Of course, we do not have the law to tell the people how much a pastor or a president should be paid, but we do have the law of God to tell us (pictorially) how much is too much, or how much is covetousness, or how much is wicked in the sight of God?
Luk 16:19-31 KJV There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  (20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  (21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  (22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  (23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom .. ..  (30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Luk 12:15-21 KJV  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (16)  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (20) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Can a preacher become wicked for prospering or getting too much?
Hence, if you ask me, "Between a monk and a pastor who both get the salary of $1,000,000,000.., who is more spiritual or more anointed?" I will say, They are both the same greedy wicked men who need to repent. With that kind of salary and the way they are boasting about it, getting it, and keeping it (without giving it away or restraining themselves from increasing it and receiving it), they show to God and men that they are greedy and covetous without the constraint and law of God. However, I have heard radical ignorant followers and widows (who have been brain-washed by their preachers) saying that they were willing to give anything to their idolized heroes until their heroes became their kings or princes because they believed that their heroes were God's anointed monks, pastors, priests, princes, prophets, apostles, leaders, or teachers who should live and be blessed like king David, king Solomon, or the multi-million dollar 'cook' who can 'feed' them spiritually. These poor followers who believed and supported their rich heroes with their finance and money were not poor materially or intellectually. They were poor followers because they did not know that they had been brain-washed to follow the religious boasters, deceivers, devils, or false prophets. They thought that everyone was jealous of them or jealous of their rich princes, anointed kings, or good looking pastors, when actually they had become too 'spiritual' (or too blinded) to think rationally:
Rev 3:17-18 KJV  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The Pharisee were the religious charlatans under the Old Covenant
The Lord was speaking about the 'poor' followers under the New Covenant in the church of the Laodiceans above. However, do we know that the Lord had spoken about the 'poor' followers and miserable widows who were deceived by the scribes to give ignorantly and blindly under the Old Covenant too? I believe that Jesus and His disciples stopped giving to the temple when they knew that the scribes and the Pharisees were hypocrites. This could be one of the main reasons why the scribes and the Pharisees hated the doctrine or teaching of Christ and His disciples. The doctrine of Jesus was a revolution against the scribes, the Pharisees, or the religious charlatans under the Old Covenant. What is a religious charlatan: see https://plus.google.com/103386467367636094616/posts/JwDrfiUAXUW
Mar 12:38-42 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. ..  (42)  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing .. (13:1-6)  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.  (3)  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,  (4)  Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?  (5)  And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:  (6)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

The false prophets are the religious charlatans in the end time
Jesus said it very clearly, There will be false prophets or religious charlatans under the New Covenant. They will keep testifying how their words can prosper you, liberate you, and give you all kinds of promises or assurance in the name of the Lord. However, they are actually the religious charlatans in the end time. They will come in the name of the Lord to preach Christ or to preach like Christ under the New Covenant. They will deceive many, even the elect (Mar 13:22). Hence, I believe that they will not declare it clearly, but subtly, gradually, progressively, convincingly, and then DECEITFULLY, to show that they are the Christ, like Christ, or another 'Christ' who has the lying power and words to deliver men or prosper men:
1. They may come and say, "As Christ is so am I (in everything). I am the Righteousness (of God) who can teach you a more excellent way. Listening to ME is like listening to Christ .. or vice versa. Haha .. "
2. They may say, "I come in His name to give you a better life and a better 'Christ' who has no more warning, judgement (or 'do good get good' principles), reproof, conviction, repentance, discipline, moral values, doctrine, demand, law, or commandment (of Christ) for you to do or keep; but only blessings, rest, finished work, unlimited supplies, ('MY') guarantee of forgiveness for all your future sin and lawlessness, effortless riches, unmerited favors, and abundance of grace for you to enjoy.. Haha, no wonder my God is too good to be true to me and many people are jealous of us .. "
3. They may preach subtly and say, "I am the Anointed (the Christ) who has the 'Rhema' words of God or the 'Now' words. Listen to ME; not the churches, not the law and the prophets (in Rev 11:10) , not the written words in your Bible. The old Christ and the churches still tell you to keep God's commandments or the Ten Commandments. But I am the revolution from the 'new Christ' and the new age. My name is: R e v o l u t i o n. I replace the Ten Commandments or the 'Decalogue'. We do not rule by the (seven) doctrine of Christ in Heb 6:1-3; we rule by lawlessness or by the desires of all sinners. We are truly of men, by men, and for men. Hence, we have the heart, the desire, and the name of men (which is the number of men 6 6 6) .."
Rev 13:1-18 KJV  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy .. (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The false prophets and the beast will give the people more laws
The beast may help the people to live or behave more 'godly' without the commandments of God, but we know that he is a liar. It is because we know that the people are still given more laws for buying, selling, or doing many things under his teaching, deception, or law again. The people may have to confess, eat, pray, or think according to his new set of mental rules or anointed instructions eg. they can only confess righteousness and not any other thing which will make themselves humble before God (eg. sins), hence they must confess or think of righteousness for a certain number of times in a day, they must eat holy communion to receive healing or blessing, they must have good opinion of God if they would like to prosper, they must give to the beast, his inner circle, his 'company', or his church, to prosper, they must esteem highly of his teaching or revelations, and buy only his books, CDs, DVDs, sermons, or talks, they must not judge, disagree, or think negatively against anyone, especially the anointed ones like himself (in another words, they cannot think outside the framework of his 'revolution'), they must not do this .. and that .. Please think, Under which law would there be more freedom? His 'anointed laws' or the laws of God? I would follow the laws of God, not because I can find more freedom in God's laws, but because I know that the freedom from men, of men, and for men (666) is just a deception in lawlessness.

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K133. Are we under Moses or under Jesus? (4)

Many say that we are justified by grace alone. However, if we really read the Bible, we will know that we are not only justified by grace, we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and by the blood of Jesus Christ too:
1. Rom 3:24 KJV  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
2. Rom 3:28 KJV  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
3. Rom 5:9 KJV  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

But, I do not like to take out only Rom 3:24, go around arguing with everyone, conclude that we are justified by grace alone, and condemn everyone who do not believe like us. Instead, I would say that we should not be quick to judge, we should be diligent in taking the words of God, and we should explain grace without radical exclusion of His words. For example, I would explain that we are justified freely by grace because of the blood of Christ which is given to us freely, but we must also believe that we are justified with faith in Him. Hence, I would still focus on Jesus Christ with our faith in His blood because we can all find Spirit, grace, faith, and blood for our justification in Jesus Christ.
4. Gal 2:17 KJV  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
5. 1Ti 3:16 KJV  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Justification under Jesus Christ vs justification under Moses
1. faith in Christ vs the deeds of the law  (Rom 3:28)
2. grace in Christ vs the law of Moses  (Joh 1:17)
3. blood of Christ vs the blood of the bulls and goats (Heb 9:13-14)
4. Spirit of Christ vs the law of the flesh (Rom 7:23-25, 8:2)
If we look at the comparisons above, we can see that justification by Christ is better than justification by the law of Moses. The justification by Christ is not only better; it is also the only valid justification for us today (for both the Jews and Gentiles). While there was limited justification by the law of Moses, the Jews and Gentiles today can no longer use it to justify themselves anymore. It is because God has foreseen the limitation of the first covenant and the corruption of it (by the Pharisees and the whole nation of Israel before the birth of Jesus Christ - see Malachi 2:7-8). While Jesus did say that He did not come to destroy the law and the prophets (Mat 5:17), but we know that He did come to 'destroy' the Old Covenant and the temple and with it the whole temple system which includes the law of circumcision, the law of sacrifices, and the leaven or the doctrine of the Pharisees (Mar 13:1-2).
1. The commandment to worship - Under the Old Testament, the Israelites must worship God in the temple with the ark of God; but under the New Testament, men will still worship God without the temple or the ark.
2. The commandment to obey - Under the Old Testament, the Israelites must obey God by offering annual sacrifices and circumcise themselves according to the law of Moses; but under the New Testament, men will still obey God without the law of Moses which demanded sacrifices and circumcision.
Hence, today we do not worship God or obey God according to the law of Moses on rituals and sacrifices, but we must still worship God and obey God according to the law of Christ or the Ten Commandments on loving God and doing good to others. The words and the doctrine of Christ prove that God's Commandment or the Ten Commandments are still applicable today in the hearts and minds of all the true believers (Heb 8:10:10:16). It means that if a believer says that he believes in Christ or believes in the law of Christ (has high regard for the law of Christ) but he would never keep or think of keeping His words, His laws, or His commandments, he is still a liar or a false believer.

The law and the prophets are still in the law of Christ today
Hence, the law and the prophets are still around today after the destruction of the temple because Jesus purposely mentioned that He would never destroy the law and the prophets (Mat 5:17). It means that the law and the prophets are in the law of Christ although they are no longer in the law of the Old Covenant, in the temple, in the law of circumcision, or in the law of Moses. How do we know that? Do you remember that God brought Moses and Elijah to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ in Mat 17:1-9. Moses and Elijah represents the law and the prophets. It means that the law and the prophets are still 'alive' under Christ. They are still 'in effect' under the law of Christ.
They are not dead although they did disappear before the eyes of the disciples. They are now in the law of Christ although nobody can see them. I have written in my previous posts that they could have been in Christ (in a different realm) after the transfiguration and at the time of Jesus' Crucifixion. This might also explain the spiritual realm which John saw in his vision about the death and the resurrection of the two prophets (somewhere in time in an unknown kingdom in Rev 11 or probably at the same time when Jesus was crucified before the birth of the church in Rev 12). And the rebellion and hatred against the law and the prophets will still happen in the end time. I have explained it in my previous posts ('Kxxx. Jesus is The Word who came in the flesh') and I do not wish to repeat it here.
The blood covenant was good (before the Pharisees and the Jews corrupted it with more and more temple laws or corban law) when the Israelites obeyed God according to the law of Moses during Moses' and king David's time. It gave acceptable offering to God if they offered their sacrifices with a heart, attitude, and faith like that of Abel:
Heb 11:4 KJV  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
The old blood covenant served its purpose as the atonement or justification for the sins of the Israelites with the limitation as explained by Paul:
Heb 9:19-23 LITV  For when every command had been spoken according to Law by Moses to all the people, having taken the blood of the calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and he sprinkled both the scroll and all the people,  (20)  saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God enjoined to you." Ex. 24:8  (21)  And he likewise sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the service vessels with the blood.  (22)  And almost all things are purified by blood according to the Law; and apart from shedding of blood no remission occurs.  (23)  Then it was needful for the figures of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves by better sacrifices than these.

We are justified by the words of Christ too
Hence, when John wrote Joh 1:17, he compared and contrasted between the two atonements or justifications of sins too: Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Contrary to what many had said, John's intention was not to show us which is greater (grace or the law?) or who is greater (Jesus Christ or Moses)? John was showing us that there were two justifications:
1. justification by Christ (under grace), and
2. justification by the law (under Moses)
Hence, the gospel is not just justification by grace only or by grace-based teaching only; it is also justification by Christ and based on doctrine of Christ too. Grace is not the end; grace is the means. Grace is not God or Jesus Christ; grace is a gift of God because grace came with the purpose to glorify Christ; not to glorify itself. Grace is a part of the justification because we are justified not only by grace; we are justified by faith in Christ and by the blood of Christ too.
So far, I have shown you that we are justified by faith, by the blood, and by grace. Strictly speaking, we are justified by Jesus Christ. Hence, in principle and Bible context, we are justified by the words and commandments of Christ too. If we disobey His words or commandments, it won't make sense to think that we are still justified by grace or by His blood:
Rom 2:13 KJV  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Mat 7:21-24 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Joh 8:51 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Joh 14:23-24 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  (24)  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Luk 8:15 KJV  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Hence, grace is great; but grace is never greater than Christ
Yes, the covenant under grace may be greater than the covenant under law of Moses, but grace is never greater than the law of Christ. Grace is never greater than the Word, the words of Christ, the law of Christ, or the commandments of Christ. If we must compare it with the other justifications, we must never say that grace is greater than the other justification by faith or by His blood; grace is never greater than faith in Christ, grace is never greater than the blood of Christ, and grace is never greater than the Word or commandments of Christ. The law and the words of Moses are obsolete; but the law, the doctrine, and the words of Jesus Christ will still speak to us with grace and truth:
Joh 1:14-17 KJV  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth .. (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
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.
Tit 1:3-4 KJV  But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;  (4)  To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Tit 2:10-12 LITV  not stealing, but showing all good faith, that they may adorn the doctrine of our Savior God in all things.  (11)  For the saving grace of God has appeared to all men,  (12) instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly and righteously and godly in the present age,
Please think, Can grace teach us without any words or doctrine from Christ? No. Hence, I would think that it is a figurative way of saying that grace can teach like a person, but ultimately it is the word or doctrine of Christ which teaches us. Please think again, How can we hear Him if He has never said anything or given us any commandment ? Obviously, when God told us to hear Him because He has given His words and commandments clearly to us through Jesus Christ; God would not want us to hear any others words which are given vaguely, evasively, relevantly, or deceitfully by men. Hence, false prophets or men would be very pleased if we turn away from the words of Christ and listen to them. They know that if we would just focus on grace alone and turn away from all the doctrine, teaching, or commandments of Christ, they can say anything they like based on any 'hyper grace' philosophy or corrupted law and convince us that they speak the words of God or the words of grace as God's prophets when they are not. Yes, their words may be full of grace, but if we analyze further, they are essentially just arguments, boasting, and confession of grace (or taking advantage of grace); however, they are void of any teaching, doctrine, or commandments of Christ. Instead, they will claim that it is their own commandment, their wisdom, their reasoning, or their philosophy which tells you to live godly lives or righteous lives.

Is grace a person, a God, or a thing?
1. In the Old Testament: Of course, grace can mean a person. In the Old Testament, wisdom was described as a person in Pro 7:4, 8:1, grace was also used to describe the favour of God (Gen 6:8), but can it be God or Jesus Christ? I do not think so because while we may say that God is love, we cannot turn it around and say that Love is God. Similarly we may say Jesus is grace; but grace is not Jesus Christ and we can never worship it as Jesus Christ. Common sense would tell us that while love is a part of God or one of the attributes of God, it cannot be God. Similarly, grace is an attribute of God too; it is not God. Grace is not everything. I have explained this and I will always say this to those who worship grace to undermine the other attributes of God or the doctrine of God.
2. In the New Testament: However, today I will explore further and find out what is grace in God's salvation or in the New Testament.

What is grace or faith?
Are we saved by grace? Yes. However, grace is not the 'real hero' who saves us; the real hero is Jesus Christ.
1. Grace is just the way of how something is given to us. When we are saved by grace, it means that we are saved freely by Jesus Christ or cleansed freely by His blood without us doing anything to deserve it.
2. Faith is just the way how we respond to something that is given to us too. Hence, when we are saved by faith, it means that we trust Jesus Christ and the blood of Jesus Christ for saving us.
It is called faith because we must believe that we are saved by Him first before we are truly and ultimately saved. For example, if we said that we had faith in the life guard before we plugged ourselves into the deep pool knowing that we cannot swim, it means that we believed in him first before we were delivered by him from the deep pool. We would listen to his instructions attentively, give total cooperation to him, and try to be relaxed in the water so that it would be easier for him to save us. Similarly, in the gospel, if a believer says that he has faith in Christ with the knowledge that he cannot save himself, it means that he believes in Christ first before he is delivered by Christ from this world too. He would live by all the laws and commandments of Christ, surrender to Him in total obedience, and stop struggling against God so that Christ will guide him in life. He is saved by faith while he is in the world but he is truly or ultimately saved when he is taken up into the heaven.
Now please think, If the life guard was not there, would it help if we would just have great faith in what a life guard could do for us? No, faith has no effect if there wasn't any life guard to save us. How about the gracious service guaranteed by the pool management to save anyone who fell into the pool? No, it is useless too if the life guard was not there. Similarly, we can go around and boast that we are saved by grace or by faith; but without Christ or the blood of Christ, no one can be saved too. Yes, grace and faith is important because it shows how we receive and how God gives His salvation to us; but without the blood of Christ, no one is saved.

In God's salvation, we cannot over-emphasize one to undermine the others
Hence, when we say that we are saved by grace, by faith, by the blood, and by the words of Jesus Christ, we cannot over-emphasize one or choose one at the expense of the others:

1. grace is the way how God save us (without us doing anything to obtain it)

2. faith is the way how we respond to it

3. the blood of Christ is the provision of God which must be there - without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22)

4. the laws of Christ is the words and commandments of Christ which we must obey to keep us in Him, like what was told in His parable: we are the branches; but He is the Vine (Joh 15:5-7)
Joh 15:5-7 KJV  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (6)  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  (7)  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

We are saved if we do and keep God's commandments under the law of Christ
Now we know that we are saved by grace, by faith, and by the blood, and that without anyone of them, we are still not saved. But are we saved if we are saved by grace, by faith, and by the blood if we do not keep the words of Christ?
In my illustration of the life guard, please ask ourselves, If we had assurance (grace) from the life guard, we had faith in the life guard, we were being saved by the life guard, are we considered as saved? I don't think so, we are really saved only when we came out of the pool. Hence, the words of Jesus in Joh 15:5-7 are still applicable to us while we are still in this world. If we have not been taken up from this world, we must still be diligent in keeping His words and commandments.
Please think again, If both you and the life guard were paddling in the swimming pool, the life guard might tell you to relax and expect no dangers. However, if both of you were in the shark-infested open sea, will he still tell you to relax and stay cool? No, he would warn you of the sharks which might snatch you away if you did not stay close to him (let's assume that the life guard was well armed against the sharks):
Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  ..

How do we know that we are under the law of Christ?
Do we know it by how often we confess it? No, if we keep His law and commandment, we would show the desire to do good to the others too. Otherwise, it is just blowing of hot air:
Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  .. (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The false prophets may insist that they know Christ, but we know that they have departed from the words of Christ because they can never show that they are under the law of Christ. They may do good to show others that they are still very gracious and loving but they do it schemingly to impress others to follow them. And their words are always confusing and misleading. There is no integrity in the way they preach their doctrine:
Mat 7:21-23 KJV Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Will we sin more if we are under the law of God or Christ?
I have heard of one preacher who quoted Joh 1:7 out of context to compare and contrast between grace and the Ten Commandments.
He claimed that he had received many testimonies from his followers. He said that one follower wrote: "I was raised in a family to believe and memorize the Ten Commandments, yet my family was dysfunctional and filled with violence and gambling, and I was taught to lie and cheat. When I was sixteen, a college friend got me born again. I felt so much joy but my joy after sometimes faded. I learned that I was saved from hell but I must still please God. I was told to do many things.. to keep God's commandments. A heavy demand was placed on me. Soon after I went church hopping but all the churches said we should keep God's laws to please Him. I felt that God was waiting for my next wrong doing to condemn me. As a result I became rebellious and I started to have premarital sex, had an abortion, ended attempting suicide more than once .. .. .. But after attending the church and listening to the grace revolution, I am seeing more right living now .. I don't boast in myself; I boast in the Lord .."  Then, he continued to say that many (all the churches) were 'harping' on holiness or behavioural changes.
Wow, obviously it is a promotion not for Christ or the law of Christ; but for himself or his book. It is not just a revolution against God's commandments; it is a revolution against all the churches who 'harp on holiness'. The implication seemed to say that the Ten Commandments, the law of God, and all the churches were the culprits for the rebellion, condemnation, and sinful life of his followers. That could be a strong crowd puller for certain people who had 'bad encounters' with some law (in their churches or communities).

(You may find his 'revolutionary' video in one of my posts shared privately. I have removed the link here on account of the weaker Christians who may become personal and get offended. But it does not mean that I quit pursuing on the matter 'legitimately' in some other ways or other posts until all the captives are set free, some of whom are my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ: Gen 14:14 KJV And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Imagine how Abraham still considered Lot as his brother and went all the way to save him even after the strife Gen 13:7,11. Abraham taught me something precious about brothers. He was not afraid to take the offensive against any king or leader who captured Lot.)

Anyway going back to what the preacher said, I will tell him, Whether you like it or not, the Bible always 'harps' on holiness, commandments, doing good, godly living, and character building too. Of course, you are entitled to complain against what you do not like to hear. But we will continue to pursue and say what the Bible says and I don't think God's preachers will say that we are 'harping'.
Now please think, If someone committed suicide in the swimming pool, could he blame the swimming pool for giving him the opportunity to drown himself? If he cheated others and went into jail, could he blame the law of his country? No, if he could not meet the demand of the law and went into jail, we don't blame the law of his country, his lawyers, or his parents; we tell him to blame himself and repent. If our children were not properly taught and offended the law, do we blame the law too? No. If no one should blame the law of his country for his crimes or his children's rebellion, can anyone blame the law of God for his own sins? No, it is absurd to even think of it or preach it. Only Satan would encourage us to do it with all the absurd excuses that we can find or we can learn from him.

Can we blame God or God's laws with all our excuses?
No, all our excuses will 'go into the drains'. Many think that it is absurd to blame the swimming pool for the death of anyone who committed suicide in it as they know that swimming pools are built for a good purpose.
But the irony is many cannot see the purpose of God's laws and God's heart when He wrote the commandments for them. As soon as they saw the death of anyone who committed a sin, violated God's laws, and died, they rose up and said that they would not want to have anything got to do with His laws or commandments. They forgot how many crimes had been judged and prevented by God's laws, how many children and adults had been taught and given solid principles based God's laws, how many good works had been done by the billions of people who followed His laws, and how many societies, communities, and countries had been blessed because they recognized the importance of law and order through the Bible, history of the Church, or law of God. But many would just want to shut their 'eyes' and think of only 'death' when they could still hear the laughters of their beloved children in their own swimming pools. The irony is they know the goodness of the swimming pools but they cannot see the goodness of God in giving them the laws or commandments.
They will still argue, "But we are justified by Christ not to have any law. You can't deny that we have total justification under the blood of Christ .." I will ask them, Do you know what's the difference between an excuse and a justification? An excuse is any reason or anything given which is vain, baseless, absurd, and lawless; but a justification is reasonable, legitimate, covenanted, or lawful. In another words, a justification cannot take effect without the law. Hence, our justification may not be under the Jewish law or the law of Moses; but it must be still under the law of a new covenant which is still the law of God and Jesus Christ.
The Bible explains that God's commandment is good and holy: it means that we can never blame God's laws because it was sin itself which took the occasion (unjustly took the advantage of law) to deceive and destroy us ..
Rom 7:10-13 KJV  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.  (11)  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.  (12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.  (13) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
But many ask, "How did sin take advantage of law to destroy us?" I will use the same picture in the garden of Eden in Gen 3 to illustrate this. Sin is like that serpent in the garden which knew that men would die if they disobeyed God's commandment. So, it took occasion by the commandment, deceived Adam and Eve, and by it slew them too. Hence, the serpent and sin could both take occasion by the commandment to destroy us only when we believed it that there was no more law; but only lawlessness:
1Jn 3:2-4 LITV .. (4) Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
Of course, we may blame the law if there is a bad law or bad governance. But when there is a bad law in a church or in a country, it should convince us more about the importance of a good law and the law of God. It should never lead us to blindly believe the lie and deception of Satan or serpent that no law is a 'good law'.

Are we saved if we do not do or keep the law of God or Jesus Christ?
I will tell them, Yes, we are not justified by the law, but are we saved if we do not do His laws? No, if we do not do His laws, it simply shows that we are not under the law of God or Jesus Christ.
Many will argue, "Yes, we are still saved even if we do not do the law of God. We can never lose our salvation because we are the believers. Anyway, we are the believers who know the righteousness of God. Will we think of breaking God's laws or commandments? No. Do we think of sinning? Come on please stop thinking negatively about us or accusing us .."
I will tell them, My question was simple: Are we saved if we do not do the law of God or Jesus Christ? Obviously you refused to admit the answer; but gave the vague reply, because of pride or lawless thinking. I do not want to argue with your lawless reasoning, I will just show you the following illustration and ask you to judge for yourselves and determine if there is anything wrong with your reply:
Supposed you had a son and you asked him, "Son, is it safe to cross the road when the traffic light is red?" and the answer you got from him was "Yes, I am still saved even if I break traffic rule. But because I am your clever son, I can never act foolishly. Anyway, I am an adult and I know when to cross and when not to cross safely. Do I look like someone who want to break the law? Come on, daddy .." Please think, If God is the daddy, what will He do?

Do we leave church or God just because we do not like any law?
Something is wrong if I leave my church just because I find that it is legalistic (in their dressing code or minor rules) too. However, I will leave the church only because it is no longer living under the law of God or Jesus Christ. Yes, when there is no more law in our church, more rebellious people may stay in the church; but it is also a dead church. When a church removes the law of God, God will remove them:
Rev 2:4-5 KJV  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (5)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (departing from the law of God is departing from our first love, and departing doing good to others is departing doing the first works)
Obviously, the testimony of 'revolution' read by the preacher above was created with the subtle intention to ask all the believers to depart (leave their churches) for the revolution or 'grace-based' churches. But I will tell the believers, Before you leave, please think. You will never find a perfectly non-legalistic church because there are always some hidden church rules which you will only find later (even in a perfect church or the so-called 'grace-based' church). Do you know that most God's churches are always considered as legalistic, not because they lay down unreasonable rules to ask you to dress conservatively or live godly lives? They are always accused of being legalistic by the unrepentant sinners because they preach repentance and keeping the laws and principles of God; not because of preaching basic church rules eg. telling the believers to read the Bible more often, go to the church every Sunday, take holy communion, pray, make confession, give thanks, observe silence while the pastor is preaching, respect the order of worship, and dress decently not to distract others. Please think if you cannot keep these simple basic rules of life in the church or community, how can you keep the law and commandment of God? If you think that basic rules of life, godly principles, or God's laws are legalistic and are not necessary, how can you say that you have high regard for God's law! Do you know that, if we still need the basic rules of life in the churches, how much more we need the law of God in the life of the believers too? If you have high regard for God's law, you will know the importance.
Please think again, If the snake still comes to us today, do we believe him and think that there is no more law from God or Jesus Christ?
Gen 3:1 KJV  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Yes, we should tell him that God's law is not obsolete yet. We do not have the law about the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil; but we still have the law of God to please Him:
1Th 4:1-3 KJV  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  (2)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  (3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Rom 8:7-8 KJV  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Yes, I would think that this is STILL a law which you cannot deny. Yes, you said that there is only a gospel for everyone; there is also a law for everyone too; it is the law of Christ.
Rom 12:2 KJV  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Eph 5:6-17 KJV  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  .. (10)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  (11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret ... (17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

What is a law?
I am not an English professor or linguistic scholar, so I cannot define a law based on its correct linguistic usage with many words; however, I can explain it based on my layman understanding by doing the compare-and-contrast explanation between 'a word' and 'a law':
1. A word can be a description, a condition, a promise, a blessing, an action, a name, a thing, or anything which does not have any requirement, reward, constraint, discipline, or effort to do something or not to do something;
2. but a law is more than a word. It is any of the above which has the requirement, reward, constraint, discipline, and effort to do something or not to do something. For example, when there is a law against littering, it means that there is a consequence of doing it; we can never use 'a word' to replace 'a law'. Similarly when there is the law of gravity, there is the constraint for the objects to fall down. We can never say that it is a 'word' of gravity too.
Now, with that understanding, I can explain what it means when we need to keep the words of God or the words of Jesus Christ:
Mat 7:24 KJV  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Luk 11:28 KJV  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Joh 14:23-24 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  (24)  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Rev 1:3 KJV  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Psa 1:2 KJV  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
I do not have time to list down all the Bible verses about keeping the words of God or doing the words of God. However, we can say that, based on our simple understanding, all these words are the words which require us to do something; not to do nothing. In another words, they are all the laws of God (which require us to do something). When we are told to keep the words, we are actually told to keep the laws of God.
Mat 7:12 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The words of the Lord above is still a law. Whether it a law within a law or a law of the law, the Lord's words show that there is still the law and the prophets in His laws. It also proves that the Ten Commandments which are in the laws and the prophets are now in the law of Christ too:
Mat 22:37-40 KJV  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord .. (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 are not justified by the law; but we are certainly justified (by His blood) to do the law of Christ to be under the law of Christ. However, it puzzles me to see so many believers being deceived to think that there is no more law. But false christs will have many vain and fake 'words of Christ' which have no more law or requirement for us to do anything. Obviously they said that with two most likely reasons:
1. to create a crowd puller so they can enrich themselves directly or indirectly with the 'sales' of their false doctrine, false assurance, or false liberty
2. to indirectly justify themselves, and argue that Jesus could not judge them even if they did not do His words or His laws (and show the fruits of doing His laws), that therefore Mat 7:15-24 is not a valid commandment or warning for the churches, hoping that they will escape detection:
Mat 7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets ..  (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord ..  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

When we keep the words of God, it is not just the words that we keep; we keep the laws of God too
Many would just want to hear the words of God without doing anything because they want to hear only words which are not demanding (or only 'pure words' which has no more requirement for them to do anything). In another words, they do not want to hear or keep any word or any law which requires them to do anything. They think that any law which tells them to do something to please God is self-effort. (I will tell tell to read Rom 8:7-8 again). They argue that any law, including the laws of God, will make them legalistic, rebellious, or hypocritical. Is it true? I say, No.
There are many types of laws. Hence, when the Apostles commanded the believers not to keep the law in Act 15:5, 24, Rom 2:25, and Gal 6:13, they did explain what type of law we should not keep.
Act 15:5 KJV  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Act 15:24 KJV  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
However, they did not tell us to reject all the laws of God. This is evident when Paul wrote in Heb 8:12 and 10:16 that we should still keep His laws in our hearts and minds. Obviously, there is not only a difference between the law of Moses and the law of Christ; there is also a difference when the  Apostles told the believers to take note of the justification by circumcision in the law of Moses. It means that they did not reject everything in the law of Moses. They still followed the Ten Commandments and principles of God in the commandments:
1Co 9:9 KJV  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Rom 13:8-9 KJV  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  (9)  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Eph 6:1-3 KJV  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

What is a license to sin?
I have said in my previous post K.132 that Jesus is the narrow way or narrow gate to the city of God in Rev 22:14. That would include His words, His doctrine, His laws, and His commandments too. Why are they narrow? It is because there are constraints, disciplines, and efforts in His words or laws. Of course, we can never use any constraint, discipline, or effort to earn our salvation because we can only depend on the blood of Jesus Christ for our salvation. But, it is perfectly alright and in the will of God to have constraint, discipline, or effort in the law of Christ. I will ask those who insist on living in Christ effortlessly, Do you find constraint or effort in the following Bible verses, especially those words that were highlighted? If we do, we ought to teach about it honestly:
1Co 16:13-16 KJV  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  (14)  Let all your things be done with charity .. .. (16) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
1Pe 5:4-10 KJV  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  (7)  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (8)  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  (9)  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  (10)  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Many will argue, "But Jesus said His way is always easy, or else He won't tell us to relax and carry His yoke .. Have you read His words?"
Mat 11:28-30 KJV  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I will tell them, Please read it again. Did He say that His way or His gate is easy? No, why did He say that His yoke is easy? A yoke is a wooden scale normally put on the cattle so that the bullock cart can move forward by the pulling of the cattle. Thayer defined it as " .. any burden or bondage metaphorically, or any slavery or troublesome laws imposed on one, especially of the Mosaic law, hence the name is so transferred to the commands of Christ as to contrast them with the commands of the Pharisees which were a veritable ‘yoke’; yet even Christ’s commands must be submitted to, though easier to be kept .." It means that His law or command is easy and that we must still keep His law or commandment. All His true believers who keep His laws and carry His yoke can tell you that it is easy too.
But today I want to explain further that there is a big difference between constraints and bondages.
1. Under the constraints or law of Christ, one will yield, discipline, or submit himself willingly as a bond servant (slave or instrument) of God's righteousness: 1Pe 2:15-16 KJV  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  (16)  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (Jas 1:21-25, Jas 2:12, Rom 6:13, 18-19)
2. But under the bondage of sin and the law of flesh, one would live with corruption and lawlessness: 2Pe 2:19-21 KJV  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (20)  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  (21)  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (Rom 7:14, 23).

Preaching the freedom of God with lawlessness (or without the law of God) is preaching the license to sin
Hence, there is liberty for both cases above; however, only the one in the first case is blessed because he did not make use of his liberty for wrongdoing. Why? It's because of the law of Christ. But what if we preach that there is liberty; but no law? It will be license to sin. I will explain with the following two illustrations:
1. In a supermarket, if I were to instruct my kids that they should grab everything secretly without paying  (as though there was no law), I gave them the license to sin.
2. Similarly, in a church, if I were to preach to my fellow brethren that they should do everything effortlessly without any constraint, any principle, or any law of God, I preached the license to sin too. They might not do as I said and sin like the devil, but in the sight of God, I had already become lawless, slothful, and wicked servant who was not fit to become His preacher too:
Mat 5:19 KJV  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 25:24-26 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:
I used to think that God's judgement for the servant was cruel when he was judged as a wicked and slothful servant just because of doing nothing. But now I realize that God was not judging ordinary people; He was judging a servant or a preacher who was given the privilege to use His 'talents'. The 'talents' are certainly not our natural talents, our resources, our money, our houses, our businesses, or our good works; the talents are His words or His commandments. Hence, when the preacher buried God's 'talent', obviously he would make it of none effect:
Mar 7:9-13 KJV  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (10)  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  (12)  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  (13)  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mat 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.
It is a wicked behaviour. It could be giving license to sin too !
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K132. Are we under Moses or under Jesus? (3)

Many think that coming to Jesus should be as effortless as eating their bananas in a resort world where they can just lie down on their reclining chair near the beach and enjoy the cool breeze from the sea. Obviously this is a man's created picture; not the picture which I saw when I read the words of Jesus. Jesus said that His way is a narrow way and he that can find it are few.

We are under Jesus to walk through the narrow gate or narrow way
Mat 7:13-15 KJV  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

1. Jesus Christ is that narrow gate or narrow way
I believe that Jesus is that narrow gate or narrow way who leads us to God. His way is narrow because there are restrictions or constraints. But the false prophets would preach another gate or way which is broader and wider with more religious freedom, more physical wealth, more 'spiritual' prosperity, more 'anointed' favours, more effortless success, more easy-believism, more 'liberty' of love, and more boasting and confession of 'self-righteousness'. They will try to convince you that they can bring you to a much better 'place' or a more loving 'God'; but it could be through their broader way of deceitfulness of riches, unrighteousness, and lawlessness too:
Luk 13:23-27 LITV  And one said to Him, Lord, are the ones being saved few? But He said to them,  (24)  Labor to enter in through the narrow gate, for I say to you that many will seek to enter in and will not have strength.  (25)  From the time the Master of the house shall have risen up, and He shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. And answering, He will say to you, I do not know you, from where you are.  (26)  Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.  (27)  And He will say, I tell you I do not know you, from where you are. "Stand back from Me all workers of unrighteousness!"
Mat 7:14-23 LITV  For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads away into life, and few are the ones finding it.  (15)  But beware of the false prophets ....  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"

2. His gate or way is narrow because it has God's commandments
I have just said that the strait gate or the narrow gate could be the gate with restrictions or constraints. To be more exact, it is the gate through which we will enter the city of God by doing God's commandments and instructions:
Rev 22:14-16 KJV  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  (15)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  (16)  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Hence, the gate is like the law and commandment of God. It is the word of God, but it is more than just the word which informs, assures, or promises about something. It is the word of instructions, godly advice, and do's and don'ts, which has rewards for obeying it, and consequences for not obeying it. Similarly, there are rewards for entering and judgement for not entering through the gate too. In another words, there is constraint which we must follow and it cannot be ignored simply by believing and thinking about hyper grace or by having good opinions about God.

3. God's commandments will lead us as the narrow gate (or tunnel)
I will tell those who believe only in hyper grace, Yes, of course, if you were the hero who travelled in a spacecraft in the science fiction, it would be cool to travel in super speed or hyper speed. But what you might not know is that before you could travel in hyper speed in space, you must have a sophisticated compass or radar system which could see beyond the stars and dimensions, detect all the obstacles in space, determine the exact space location, and compute that narrow path (or space tunnel) which you and your spacecraft could travel safely without crashing into any objects too. Hence, hyper speed in hyper space can only work if there is such a system which can find the narrow 'gate' in space. Similarly, it would be foolishness if we will just depend on hyper grace alone. Without the light and commandments of God, we can go nowhere:
Pro 6:23 KJV  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Psa 119:35 KJV  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
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.
The new commandment to love under Christ is actually not a new commandment. It was the same commandment which the lawyers, the Jews, and the disciples knew from the beginning:
Luk 10:25-28 KJV  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  (27)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
The Jews were taught to keep the commandments since young; but they might not know that there is eternal life and eternal light in keeping the commandments under Jesus Christ:
1Jn 2:8-11 KJV  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.  (9)  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  (10)  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  (11)  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Jesus has confirmed it: If we are under Him or under the light, we must keep His commandments or God's commandments; or else we are in darkness. Many argue that it is impossible for anyone to keep God's commandments. I will tell them, Please do not be confused by the lawless preachers. They will say, "If you want to walk in God's commandments, you must keep all God's commandments perfectly well first before you can come to Jesus. But, since you can never keep any commandment, you should just think about grace and you will be saved. Keeping of God's commandments is Plan A or the old way; but if Plan A cannot work, God will give us Plan B or the new way which will no longer require any obedience to His laws .."
I will tell them, Please read your Bible again. Did Jesus say that, if 'Plan A' cannot work, He will give you 'Plan B'? No. Jesus did not say that. Neither did He say that we must keep all His commandments perfectly well first before we can follow Him; but He did say that those who believe in Him must keep His commandments. It doesn't matter if we obey first and believe later or vice versa (believe first and obey later). What matters the most is: Will He be able to see true obedience from you at end of your walk in Him?
2Jn 1:5-7 KJV  .. (6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it ..
Joh 15:8-10 KJV  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  (9)  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  (10)  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.
Jesus would not expect you to keep His commandments perfectly well even after you have believed in Him. On the contrary, you can expect Him to give you more grace while keeping His commandments. However, if you are afraid, you are not willing to obey, you rebel (thinking that whoever give you the commandments are hard and legalistic), or you insist that He must give you 'Plan B' (to do nothing) before you would even try, you are not His disciple.
Mat 25:24-26 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:

4. We must not be confused about the law of Moses and the law of God (under Christ)
Please think, If the law is light, can we say that it cannot save, it cannot guide, it can only kill, it will bring curses and bondages, it will make us legalistic, it is inferior, and it is undesirable? No, if the law is God's words which instruct, guide, lead us to godliness, teach God's commandments, and bring light and understanding to the blind, how can we tell others to depart from His laws? Obviously, when Paul and the Apostles of the early church issued the decree to the believers not to keep 'the law', they were referring to a different law. The law that the churches rejected was not the law which teaches the people to pursue holiness and stop doing wickedness. In fact, the law and teaching of the Pharisees would never teach the law of righteousness, love, and doing good to others, except the law of circumcision, rituals, and rites which helped themselves to think that they were already righteous. But the Apostles would never tell us to abandon all the law of God which teaches God's way, counsel, instructions, and commandments of righteousness:
Psa 1:1-6 KJV  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night .. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Mat 21:32 KJV  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Rom 2:26-27 KJV  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?  (27)  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
Rom 6:12-13 KJV  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.
Rom 6:18 KJV  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 8:4 KJV  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 10:3-6 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 (of Moses), That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.  (6)  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
1Co 15:34 KJV  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
2Ti 3:16 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Heb 12:10-11 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.
The above are all the laws and teaching of God about righteousness. Obviously it must not be confused with the law of Moses practised by the Pharisees and the law of circumcision which has become obsolete:
Gal 2:21 KJV  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law (of Moses), then Christ is dead in vain.
Rom 3:20-21 KJV  Therefore by the deeds of the law (of Moses) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  (21)  But now the righteousness of God without the law (of Moses) is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

5. If we keep the law of God, we are men after God's heart
Obviously, the Apostles would only cast away the law which became obsolete, for example, the law of circumcision, sacrifices, rituals, ceremonies, and temple rules which the Pharisees had used to promote self-righteousness and enrich themselves:
Act 15:5-6 KJV  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.  (6)  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Act 15:24 KJV  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
Rom 2:25 KJV  For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Gal 6:13-16 KJV  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.  ..  (15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  (16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Today we are no more under the law of Moses to circumcise ourselves; but we are still under the law of Christ to keep God's commandments. We read about David's delight in the law of God. He was special in the sight of God because, although he was under the law of Moses, he was not like the Pharisees or the Jews who kept the law of circumcision without a circumcised heart. He was truly a man after God's heart and God's laws:
Act 13:16-23 KJV  Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, ..  (17)  The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, .. (21) And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis .. (22)  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.  (23)  Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Obviously Paul knew how king David was after God's heart and law too. Hence, he would never tell the believers to depart from the law of God.

6. We are not just hearers of God's words; but doers of God's words
If God's words do not require us to do anything, they would be just God's promises, God's assurance, God's knowledge, or God's wisdom. However, if they require us to do something, they are commandments or laws. Hence, when Jesus taught the disciples to be a doer of God's words, He wanted them and all of us to be the doers and keepers of God's commandments.
However, many argue that they believe only in the words of God; but not in any law or commandment of God. They believe in hearing only the word that has no more do's and don'ts for them. They boast that they can believe in a more effortless way of getting more prosperity, more favours, more righteousness, and more blessings by just hearing and confessing the words about hyper grace only.
Unknowingly, they believe only in hearing their own words. It is because the words that they will hear are only the word or teaching (taken out of the Bible context) that has no more law, no more commandment, no doctrine, no principles, no instructions, no demands, no do's and don'ts, no disciplines, no reproofs, .. and no constraints, and that will never point to the way of Jesus Christ!
Mat 7:21-24 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, ..  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Rev 1:3 KJV  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:10-15 KJV  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.  (11)  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  (12)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  (15)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

7. We cannot deny that there are rules and constraints everywhere
Many said that they left churches because the churches were legalistic and had many constraints or commandments. They thought that if they go to a church which preaches grace, it would solve all their problems. However, they may be disappointed to find out that a grace church is still equally 'legalistic' with its church rules and regulations too. Obviously they had the wrong concept about God's commandments because they were misled by the false doctrine and the false testimonies of some preachers who gave them the false impression that all the churches who do and teach God's commandment are 'legalistic and judgemental', and they lied that the people will sin even more after keeping God's commandments. Hence, they will still be disappointed to find out that there are still 'gates' and commandments in heaven (before entering into the kingdom of God).
I will ask them, Do you know why John saw a city with gates instead of a city without any gate or walls? It means that although the city of God is big and unlimited; we must still enter though the gate (which is a very small and narrow opening compared with the size of the whole city). It means that although
1. there is unlimited freedom and liberty in the city of God when we live in it,
2. there is very limited freedom when we enter through the narrow gate of the city
It means that we must still do and keep the commandments of God to enter His kingdom. However, false prophets will confuse us to think that teaching or doing any commandment of God is equivalent to compelling the people to be circumcised under the law of Moses and that it will take away their liberty in Christ. They will always quote the following Bible verses:
Gal 2:3-4 KJV  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:  (4)  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage..
Obviously they have quoted the words of Paul out of context again when Paul did not say that doing God's commandments was compelling the people to be circumcised and that it would take away their liberty in Christ.

8. Are we under bondage if we choose to constraint ourselves in Christ?
I will tell them, No, if we willingly constraint ourselves to do according to the law of God or live under the constraint of the law of God, we are not living under the law of Moses or under the law of bondages; but we are living in the will of God and no one can take away our liberty in the law of Christ:
1Pe 2:15-16 KJV  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  (16)  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Jas 1:21-25 KJV  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls  .. (25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 2:12 KJV  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
So, we will still go through the constraint of the law of God and we will still enter through the narrow gate in the kingdom of God. But, of course, we know that the walls and the gate in Revelation are just analogies or pictures which help us to understand the kingdom of God. We can also picture:
1. ourselves as the keys and
2. the gate as the lock
If we are rightly 'fashioned' or crafted according to the mould of the lock, we will not only enter it; we will unlock it too. Hence, a true believer who can enter the gate must be a 'key' himself. His life must be fashioned or moulded by the laws of God in his heart and mind (Heb 8:10, 10:16), or else he cannot open the gate and enter the city. Rev 22:14-16 above is not only a picture which shows that we are the 'keys'; it is also a picture which shows that there are many 'broken keys', 'rubber keys', 'bad keys', 'false keys', or 'imitation keys' outside the gate. There are many sinners who are outside the city; but few may find their ways to the gate only to realize that they do not have the keys. Some may even think that if they will just confess 'Jesus' or put 'Jesus' into the lock as the 'magic key', the gate will open. However, they will realise that they do not need to bring any key; they themselves are the keys if they are truly in Christ !

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