The Ten Commandments are not the same as the law of Moses

 

The Ten Commandments are not the same as the law of Moses

1. The Ten Commandments were written by God and were put into the ark
Exodus 25:16, "And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee."
The Ten Commandments have already existed long before the earth was created and before they were written on the tablets. That's why Cain was judged for killing Abel even before the Ten Commandments were written on the stones. As they are laws from God since the very beginning before the foundation or creation, they are forever. Unlike the law of Moses which can pass away, the Ten Commandments are permanent in the hearts of the believers.

2. The law of Moses was written by Moses and was put in the side of the ark
Deu 31:24-26 KJV  And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,  (25)  That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,  (26)  Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Joh 7:19-22 KJV  Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? ..  (21) Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.  (22)  Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man ..

Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses to make God's laws permanent in our hearts
Joh 7:16-18 KJV  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  (17)  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  (18)  He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
If any man will do His will, he shall know that the doctrine of Christ is of God. He shall do His will and do His commandments too. Yes, the law of Moses or the Old Covenant was fulfilled and replaced by grace or Jesus Christ; but the Ten Commandments or God's laws will become more established in the hearts and minds of His people through Christ:
Heb 8:4-10 KJV  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:  (5)  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.  (6)  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.  (7)  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.  (8)  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  (9)  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  (10)  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

The law which is written by Moses is given by Moses (by man)
Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We can elaborate the Bible verse and say that the law of Moses was given by Moses, but the grace of God was given by Jesus Christ. If the tone of writing by John was to compare and contrast that one came from man (through Moses) and the other came from God (through Jesus Christ), we would think that the law of Moses is from man; not from God. In another words, the law of Moses was written by Moses. It also means that there is another law which was written or given by God, the Ten Commandments. Hence, we need to differentiate between the law which was written by Moses or man and the law which was given by God:
Isa 33:22 KJV  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
Jas 4:12 KJV  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
The law which is written or given by Moses
Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We can elaborate the Bible verse and say that the law of Moses was given by Moses, but the grace and truth of God was given by Jesus Christ. If the tone of writing by John was to compare and contrast that one came from man (through Moses) and the other came from God (through Jesus Christ), we would think that the law of Moses is from man; not from God, even though the law of Moses is good. In another words, the law of Moses was written by Moses. It also means that there is another law which was written or given by God, the ultimate Lawgiver or the Giver of the truth. Hence, we need to differentiate between the law which was written by Moses and the law which was given by God:
Isa 33:22 KJV  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
Jas 4:12 KJV  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Psa 119:141-142 KJV  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.  (142)  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Mal 2:6 KJV  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

We do not obey the law of Moses; we obey the law of God
The law of Moses showed the judgement, oath, and curses to the transgressors of God's laws, but it is the law or commandment of God which will ultimately show the way or voice of God that men must obey. Hence, the law of Moses might show men God's commandments or the Ten Commandments; but it is not the Ten Commandments. The law of Moses was only a shadow under the Ten Commandments:
Dan 9:10-13 KJV  Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.  (11)  Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.  (12)  And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.  (13)  As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
The law of Moses was considered as the covenant or oath for the Jews who were under the shadow of death while waiting for their Messiah (or the Truth) to come:
Luk 1:71-79 KJV .. (72)  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;  (73) The oath which he sware to our father Abraham .. (76)  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;  (77)  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,  .. (79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Heb 8:4-5 KJV  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:  (5)  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Heb 10:1-2 KJV  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

We were not under the law of Moses; we were under law of sin and death
When Jesus came (or grace and truth came), the shadow was gone. The law of Jesus Christ has now replaced the law of Moses. If you were the Jews, you must be dead to the law of Moses in order to be alive under the law of Christ. However, if you are a Gentile, you do not need to be dead to the law of Moses. You will just go right to the law of Christ from your lawlessness. Unlike the Jews, we are not delivered from the law (of Moses); we are delivered from lawlessness. We are not delivered from the oldness of the letter or the 'pain' of circumcision; we are delivered from ignorance and godlessness. If we are the Gentiles, we do not pretend to be the Jews and deceive ourselves that we are the 'Jews' who wants to be justified by the law of Moses, by the law of circumcision, or by the works of the law:
Gal 3:24-26 KJV  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 2:15-16 KJV  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  (16)  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 7:4-24 KJV  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  (5)  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  (6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  (7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  (8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.  (9)  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died .. (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We are not under the law of Moses; we are under the law of Christ
However, does it mean that the law of Christ will replace all the Ten Commandments or God's commandments? Absolutely not. Please read on what Paul would say in the next chapter:
Rom 8:1-8 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (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.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Paul said that there is no more law of Moses; but there is now the law of Christ or the law of the Spirit. Why is it now the law of the Spirit? It is because the law of God is no longer governed or administered through a man or through Moses; but through the Spirit. If we do not walk under the law of Moses, do we walk under lawlessness or under no more law? Absolutely not. We must still walk under the law of Christ and under the law of God too. If the law of Moses cannot disannul the promise or covenant of Abraham which was given long before the Israelites received it through Moses (430 years later), the law of Christ cannot disannul God's commandments which were established long before they were written on the two tablets of stones (thousands of years later) too:
Gal 3:14-17 KJV  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  (15)  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  (16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  (17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
1Co 9:21 KJV  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

1. Jesus is in our hearts now: We know that the Word was God, the Word became the flesh (Jesus Christ), and dwelt among us (Joh 1:1-18). Hence, Jesus was God who became man. Is He still God today, after He died (or even before He died)? Absolutely yes. But where is He now? He is in our hearts now.
2. The law of God is our hearts now: Similarly, the law of God was established before the creation of the foundation of the earth. Hence, the Ten Commandment was the law of God which was written on the stones. Is it still the law of God today, after the tablets of the stones were gone? Absolutely yes. But where is it now?
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:
Heb 10:16-17 KJV  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
3. He is the Light in our hearts now: Guess what if we have His laws? If we are God's people who have His laws in our hearts, we are forgiven too. Yes, Jesus is grace, but more importantly, He is the law. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the law because He is the Word or the law who came as the light of the world:
Pro 6:23 KJV  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Joh 14:6 KJV  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 1:4-12 KJV  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (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:
Mat 25:1-13 KJV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom .. (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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Men can live better without the law of God - is it a lie or truth?

Men can live better without the law of God - is it a lie or truth?
Many radical grace preachers today, especially the hyper grace preachers who think that grace cannot 'mix' with the laws, will say, "Of course, it is the truth. Without the law, men would know no sin and would not be judged by the law. Abraham lied, but his lie was not judged as sin because there was no law to judge sin. Hence, Abraham was judged as righteous in the eyes of God instead. Similarly, the Israelites who murmured, rebelled, and wandered in the wilderness were not punished or judged by God before the giving of the laws or the Ten Commandments too. God was gracious to them until they boasted and asked for the laws. They boasted and said, "All that God commands, we can do..", and therefore, God gave them the laws. As a result, it brought death which was first mentioned only after the Ten Commandments were given. It showed that the laws and commandments would bring death because it exposed sin and judged sin. Today, the laws and commandments can still bring death. The Israelites who died in the wilderness is a type of us who are legalistic and who boast about God's laws and commandments. May God help us to see the lesson that God had taught the Israelites - Never ask for the laws.."
I will tell them, The law of God is not like what you say. Please read your Bible again. 

• Exo 19:3-8 KJV  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;  (4)  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.  (5)  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:  (6)  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  (7)  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.  (8)  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

1. The law of God was not given because they boasted for it. It was given because it would show that they were God's people. Today, God will still give His laws to us to show that we are His people too (Heb 8:10, 10:16).
2. If the law of God was given just because His children boasted for it, God could never be a good father. Please think, Will you give your children something which is not good just because they boast, insist, cry, or even throw tantrum to ask for it? No, if you are a good father, you will never give in .. Neither will God.     
3. Do you really think that you can enjoy quail and manna without judgement on your rebellion because there is no law to judge you? Do you remember what the Lord has taught us about the servant who thought that he could bully others and no one could judge him (Mat 18:32-34)? Probably he thought that he had great favour too. But he was judged more severely.
4. Do you really think that you can lie and you would be as righteous as Abraham because you have Christ? Yes, Abraham could lie, but you cannot lie. Why? Abraham could lie, not because there was no law, but because, when he lied, no one perished. But, if you lie as God's preachers, many people will perish because of your lies or lawless doctrine.
5. If everyone who answers and says "All that you command, we will do.." is boasting, many people who obey would be falsely accused as boastful people, including the Israelites who obeyed God in the following Bible verses too: Jos 1:10-16 KJV  Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ..  (13)  Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,.. (16)  And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. I think it is ridiculous to make such rash conclusion on all the soldiers who give salutes to their officers and say, "Yes, sir" too.            

Men have no choice but choose to obey or rebel - this is the law of God
Some may still argue, "The law of God is like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It's because it gives us the ability to discern, do, and select either good or evil. Hence, we should depart from the law and go for grace instead.. Yes, the law is holy and good; but it is still like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It will bring death, like it had brought death to Adam and Eve .. it is a danger to go near.. We can choose to reject the law.. "
I will ask them, Do you know that money, prosperity, power, and favour can all become good, or evil too? It depends on how you use it. So, if God gives you money or wealth, does it mean that it is the curse of death like the law to you too ? No, it depends on how you will use your money too. Hence, if God gives you the law, it is not a curse. It can be a blessing if you obey; it is a curse only if you rebel. If God has given you the law, He has given you the choice. You must still choose, whether you like it or not, to obey or rebel. You cannot reject the law or the choice given to you and think naively that, if you do not have the law, you do not have the choice, and therefore, you do not have to obey (or rebel) and you would never be judged by the law.
I know that not many of us would explore so deeply on these possibilities of rejecting God's laws with our own justification. However, if we do, we could have been influenced by a form of lawlessness or lawless thinking which is false peace to the lawless or the disobedient. I hope that it is still not too late for us to repent.     
            


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Is there law after grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17)?

The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17)
Most preachers who want to preach grace radically would know this Bible verse. Of course, it is all right to quote this Bible verse to preach more about grace. But if our motive or intention of preaching it is just to preach against God's laws and commandments, we have quoted it out of context. When the gospel of John says that the law was given by Moses .., does it mean that we have no more law or commandment from God? No, if that is the spirit or intent of the gospel, it will not tell us to keep God's commandments in John chapter 14 and 15.
Before I explore further on how most radical grace preachers have used this Bible verse to preach against God's laws or commandments, let us read it again:    

• Joh 1:16-23 KJV  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. .. (19)  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? ..  (23)  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Now let us set the record straight once and for all. Does it mean that all the law was given by Moses? Of course, not. I may not be certain which law or how many laws were given by Moses; but, I am very certain that not all the laws were given by Moses.


There are two main types of laws
Let us not argue whether the Ten Commandments were given by God or Moses now (I will discuss more about it next time). However, we can know clearly that there are laws given by God, laws given by Moses, laws given by Christ, and laws given by men. To simplify matters, we would not want to talk about the laws given by men; we talk about the laws given by God. The laws given by God, Moses, or Christ, an be classified into two main categories:

1. The law about Christ (or the law which reveals about the coming of Christ)
2. and, The law of Christ (or the law which is taught by Christ)

Please think, Which type of law can be obsolete?
Of course, the first type of the law, the law about Christ (or the law of Moses which mirrored the Lord's death, sacrifice, and ministry) could be obsolete after Christ has fulfilled the law.

• Joh 12:33-34 KJV  This he said, signifying what death he should die.  (34)  The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
• Luk 24:44-48 KJV  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things. (Many preachers would preach only the first part of the truth that the law about Christ has been fulfilled. But this will open the eyes of the people only partially if we do not show them that the fulfilment of the law about Christ is to lead us to keep the law of Christ or the doctrine of Christ, with repentance. We should never omit the latter part of the truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ in v47)  
   

However, the second type of the law, the law of Christ, can never become obsolete
Of course, this is common sense; but it is also the truth. If grace and truth came by Jesus Christ; but His words or His law will become obsolete, how can we still believe in grace and truth that is taught by Jesus Christ? Hence, when we preach that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, we must preach the law of Christ and show the believers that it can never be obsolete; but that it must be in the hearts and mind of all the believers too.

• Rom 7:21-25 KJV  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Unlike the non-believers, all believers of Christ have now the law of Christ in their mind. But another law which is already in the life of all the sinners will keep warring against the law of Christ in our mind - it is the law of sin in the flesh or the old man. It is not subject to the law of God)
• Rom 8:2-10 KJV  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (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.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  (9)  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (10)  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
• 1Co 9:20-21 KJV  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;  (21)  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
• Gal 6:2-9 KJV  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  (3)  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  (4)  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  (5)  For every man shall bear his own burden.  (6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  (7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  (9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Hence, under the law of Christ, of course, it is not just believing or doing nothing)
• Php 2:5-8 KJV  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Hence, the law of Christ will always start from our mind and it will always remind us of the cross)
• 1Pe 4:1-6 KJV  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
• 1Pe 1:13-17 KJV  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  (17)  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: .. (23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever .. (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.(Hence, this is the law of Christ; this is grace.. this is the gospel that we should preach)

The law of Christ will show us that we must be doers of God's words
We now know that the law of Christ is not just believing only; there are laws too. In fact, there are many parables, sayings, words, teachings, doctrine, principles, and commandments of Jesus Christ too.

• Heb 6:1-3 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.
• Mat 7:24-28 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: .. (28) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  (29)  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
• Joh 14:23-25 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  (24)  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.  (25)  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
• Joh 15:10-15 KJV  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  (12)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  (13)  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  (14)  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  (15)  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
• Mat 4:4 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
• Mat 7:21 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Joh 8:25-32 KJV  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  (26)  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.  (27)  They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.  (28)  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  (29)  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  (30)  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  (31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The law of Christ is based on the words of the Father
Hence, it is clear to us that the words, sayings, and law of Christ are still based on the words, commandments, and will of God the Father. The law of Christ will never tell us to be hearer of God's words only; but doers of God's words. It can never be just believing only. When the gospel of John (Jn 3:16) told us that for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish .., it did not mean believing Him as the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour, or God only; it meant believe what He said, believe His words, or believe His commandments. When we believe what He said, naturally we would do His words. This is grace too. It is because only those who truly know grace or have grace can hear His voice, follow Him, and do His words:

• Joh 10:25-30 KJV  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.  (26)  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.  (27)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  (30)  I and my Father are one.
• Luk 14:27 KJV  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
• Joh 8:30-32 KJV  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  (31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
• Joh 13:35 KJV  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
• Joh 15:8-11 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.  (11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

If we know that we are sinners, we know that there is God's law 
Hence, all these show that there is law in Christ. When we quote John 1:17 The law is given by Moses; but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, we could never use it prove that there is no more law in Christ. On the contrary, it shows that there is law and grace in Christ (but, of course, there is no more law of Moses).

A true believer who repents and confesses his sins knows God's laws
Please think, Why do we have to confess that we are the sinners or that we have sins before we accept Jesus Christ? It is because we need grace, and only when we know that we are the sinners, can we know the great value of grace. But why must we confess that we are the sinners? Why are we sinners? Is it because we are born sinners without any reasons? No, there must be a reason why we are born sinners. Is it because we are Adam's descendants? Yes, all the descendants of Adam are sinners. But what's the real reason? Hence, we must still go back to the root problem of sin: Why are all the descendants of Adam considered as sinners? In short, it is because Adam sinned - Adam sinned against God by disobedience, and disobedience would be meaningless if there is no law or commandment.

• 1Jn 3:3-5 KJV  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (4)  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  (5)  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Hence, it is ridiculous if we confess that we are the sinners; but deny that there is law. It is impossible to preach the gospel of repentance by telling the people that they are the sinners and that they can just change their minds, without telling them that there is God's law and that they have transgressed against God's law through Adam. However, if the sinners know that they have transgressed against God's law, they will know the value of grace and know why they need to repent. They will be born again with a heart and mind to keep the law of God conscientiously by the Spirit of God (with the mind of Christ to abide and continue in the words and the law of Christ). Yes, they may still fall or feel wretched like Paul. They may still need to war against the lawless flesh or the lustful desires of  'the sinful man', but they will be saved under the grace of God. When they keep the law of God, they will always be kept under the grace of God.  

A true believer, who do God's will, will still obey God's laws
Please think again, How do we know that a believer did not sin after he believed and became a true believer of Christ? Is it because he always confess that he is the righteousness of God? Is it because he never confess that he is a sinner or because he keep thinking and preaching that he is righteous? No. Is it because he did good works, prophesied, cast out demons, or preached the goodnews? No, we know that he did not sin because he obeyed God's commandments or he did the will of God ! If he did many things for God, but still disobeyed (like king Saul), how can we say that he did not sin? Hence, a true believer must still obey God's laws, besides doing good works, casting out demons, and preaching the words of God. He would not think, "Since I have committed adultery, sinned, or broken one law, it does not matter if I break all the laws of God." Instead, he will just keep on keeping the law of God no matter how many times he failed or how many laws he has broken.That is the true spirit of a believer, given by the Spirit of Christ.

::

What do we say about the Ten Commandments?

What do we say about the Ten Commandments?
I am not interested to preach the Ten Commandments as the gospel. The Ten Commandment is not the gospel. However, they are the words of God. Like the love of God, peace, joy, patience, goodness, faithfulness, meekness .., the words of God or the sword of the Spirit helps the believers in many ways. Many ignorant believers classify or mistaken the Ten Commandments as the law of Moses, the Mosaic law, the Old Covenant, or the law of death. Well, I won't waste my time arguing with the ignorant who insist that all the laws and covenants of God are useless.  Of course, we are not required to keep the Old Covenant now. However, when we compare it with the New Covenant, we can still learn something from it. Under the Old Covenant, the names of all the tribes were engraved on the ephod and breastplates of the high priest; however, under the New Covenant, the laws of God are engraved on hearts of the believers. Both covenants show the beautiful pictures of the love of God to His people and the love of His people to Him. But this pictures of love could become ugly when the preachers of either covenants are corrupted with lawlessness or crafty motives.  

Hence, if there are crafty preachers who capitalize on the controversy between the old and the new covenants so that they can falsely accuse God's preachers who still do and  teach the law and principles of God faithfully and correctly under the new covenant, we should question them on how well they know about the Ten Commandments or God's commandments? I would ask them on what basis they preach that the Ten Commandment are the law of Moses and therefore the commandments are not applicable to the believers under the new covenant? If the commandments are not applicable, why did Paul still teach the believers about them in Eph 6:1-3 and Rom 13:9-10? Hence, if we must be accurate about our biblical stand on the Ten Commandments or the law of Moses, we can say that the law of Moses is obsolete; but not the Ten Commandments which are still the basic principles and commandments in the doctrine of Christ and faith in Christianity, for eg. We worship God and love God; not the idols. We still keep the law of God and Christ to love our parents, our wives, and others too; however, we do not follow the law of Moses (or the covenant) to circumcise ourselves and sacrifice animals:

• 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 ... (24) 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: .. (27)  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.  (28)  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;  (29)  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

        




God's words or commandments may not save like grace; but we cannot live without the words or commandments of God (Mat 4:4)   
Compared with the traditional grace preachers, modern grace preachers (those who claim that they preach better grace or pure grace today) are very much aggressive against the teaching of the Ten Commandments or God's commandments. However, they preach it with a perverted basis that any law, commandments, or do's and don'ts, are hindrances to the preaching of their radical grace doctrine, effortless prosperity, or revolution. They claim that it will mix law and grace and stop the people from thinking of pure grace. But I think that this is nonsense. If thinking of God's laws, God's commandments, or God's words will corrupt their so-called 'pure grace', God would be unjust to give any law, command, or word to Adam in the first place.
Hence, I would think that, contrary to the philosophy of 'pure grace' or 'radical grace' preachers, thinking and understanding of God's laws and words should bring us closer to the grace of God; but departing from them will only separate us from God and His grace. Thinking and meditating on God's laws and words should make us understand more on God's way, God's will, men's sins, and the need for men to repent:  

• 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.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
• Luk 24:44-48 KJV  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things. (These Bible verses show us that we still teach God's doctrine based on what Jesus said; not entirely on what Paul preached or the gospel that Paul preached, as vehemently argued by the radical grace preachers)

The glory of the Lord will appear again (in the ark, in the temple, or in us)
Yes, the glory of Adam was forfeited (Gen 3:7, Psa 8:5), the glory on the face of Moses had faded, and the glory of the Old Testament has also disappeared with the loss of the ark of covenant, the tablets of the testimony, the manna, and the rod. But it does not mean that the glory or the commandment of God has become obsolete. It is because the glory of the ark, the commandment, or the word will still shine again (Heb 8:10,10:16) when every prophecy of God for the church is fulfilled in the end time in the book of Revelation:

• Rev 11:19 KJV  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
• Mat 17:2 KJV  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
• 2Co 3:1-8 KJV  Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?  (2)  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:  (3)  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. .. (7) But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  (8)  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? ..
• Heb 8:10-13 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: .. (12)  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  (13)  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (When God's laws are in our hearts or mind, there is grace - because God will be merciful to our unrighteousness, and .. )

1. Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath - He is the law of Sabbath too
Jesus came and fulfilled everything in God's words, including God's laws and commandments, not to abolish them, but to made them become more established. Hence, He did not abolish the law of Sabbath; He became the law Himself.

• Luk 6:5-6 KJV  And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.  (6)  And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

Hence, all those who believe in Him do not just keep His laws physically, but more so spiritually. We do not just worship God once a week ('physically' in our churches) in our rest day; we worship God in our rest everyday 'spiritually'. Jesus showed us that we do not keep the law of Sabbath by doing nothing; instead He showed us that we keep His law of 'Sabbath' or rest by doing more:

• Luk 13:15-17 KJV  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  (16)  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?  (17)  And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
• Rom 3:31 KJV  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

2. Jesus fulfilled the Words so that we will not just keep them physically or superficially, but spiritually
God gave us the Ten Commandments called the Decalogue (the 'Ten Words'). If Jesus has fulfilled the law of Sabbath in the Decalogue, He fulfilled every word in it. For example, the Commandments tell us not to make for ourselves any physical idol or carved image of any likeness (Exodus20:2-17); but Jesus said that we cannot make for ourselves any spiritual idol of any form, including mammon (Mat 6:24,Luk16:13) and self (Joh 12:24):

• Luk 16:13-15 KJV  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  (14)  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.  (15)  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
• Joh 12:23-25 KJV  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  (24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  (25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

3. Jesus fulfilled the Words so that ..  
..

What Jesus did should wake us up to repentance
I don't have time to explain every word or every commandment that Jesus has fulfilled in the Decalogue. But the two examples of the commandments above will show clearly why the Ten Commandments have been fulfilled by the Lord, not to make us rest and 'sleep' without any law of God, but to make us rest and keep the laws of God more 'fruitfully'.
We have seen many explanation and definition of the Ten Commandments as 'the Decalogue' (or the 'Ten Words' in English). But do we know that the Ten Commandments can be explained and shown more graphically and meaningfully in other languages too? For example,

The 'Decalogue' or the 'Ten Words' in English = the '十字' in Chinese translation.  

Hence, when Jesus was on the cross, He was on the 'Ten Words', the 'Decalogue', or the '十字架'. He died on the cross so that we will keep His commandments in our hearts. He is the Word who came in the flesh ..

• 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. (For the law or the Words were given by Moses .. but now the Words came by Jesus Christ. There is a big difference: last time the words were given from a distance; but now the Word is with us and in us!)
• 1Jn 4:2-3 KJV  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world ..
• 2Jn 1:7-11 KJV  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 

All the believers who repent will know the doctrine of Christ or what Jesus meant when He told us to carry our cross (unless we are stuck on the cross like the thief who could not do anything):

• Luk 14:27 KJV  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

However, when most of the radical grace or hyper grace preachers preach the death of Jesus Christ today, they do not see the cross that bear the death of Jesus; they see only the blood, the gory, and the 'drama' of how much blood will flow from the cross to cleanse their future sin or lawlessness. However, to me, it means nothing if we do not know, carry, or keep the cross or the commandments of the Lord. If we are not ready to carry our cross, we are not His disciples yet.
Today Jesus is not on the cross any more. He has risen from the dead. But He has left behind the cross, a very simple cross (or a simple command) that ..

• Mar 8:34-38 KJV  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (35)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  (36)  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  (37)  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (38)  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (I will tell those who argue vehemently that Jesus words were obsolete because they were said to the Jews under the law, The emphasis of the word 'Whosoever' above will show clearly that your argument or explanation is a lie.)

Jesus would never want us to do and teach like the Pharisees

Under the Old Testament, the Pharisees taught the commandments of God with the 'shortcut' and 'loophole' to avoid doing them, and accuse others for not doing like them:

• Mar 7:10-11 KJV  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  (11)  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
• Joh 8:6-7 KJV  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  (7)  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Under the New Testament, Jesus came and taught the commandments of God with the parables and illustrations to show us that we ourselves (including the Pharisees) must repent, and do and teach the commandments of God:

• Luk 10:25-37 KJV And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? .. (27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself .. (29) But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves ..  (36)  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

However, in the end time, or today, we have no more Pharisees who still teach God's commandment with 'shortcut' and 'loophole' to avoid doing it; but we have many false prophets who will teach God's law with false doctrine, false law, or 'false grace' to avoid doing it. They may profess that they know Jesus, but Jesus will profess that He does not know them because they work lawlessness.

• Mat 7:23 KJV  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness).

Working lawlessness is not limited only to doing lawlessness. 
Working lawlessness could mean loving, preaching, teaching, inventing, creating, entertaining, hiding, mixing, multiplying, or thinking lawlessness:

• Mat 24:11-12 LITV  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.
• 2Th 2:7-10 LITV  For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst.  (8)  And then the Lawless One will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume by the spirit of His mouth, and will bring to nought by the brightness of His presence. (9)  His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders,  (10)  and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved. (Lawlessness can be a mystery. Many antinomian preachers will hide themselves. They are not obvious, but they are dangerous)

Many will argue, "No, we can never be lawless in our behaviours, thinking, or teaching. We still tell the people to confess that they are sinners. We still preach against sins. We preach that the wages of sin is death"

• Rom 6:20-23 KJV  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.

I will tell them, Did you meditate or at least think, What is sin? Do you know that, if there is no transgression against God's law, there is no sin? Hence, if there is no law, there is no sin too. Hence, how can you preach against the wages of sins when you do not know or believe in the law of God? Hence, how can you say that you confess that you are sinners when there is no more law? If there is no more God's law, it makes no sense for you to preach that you are a sinner or that the wages of sin is death:

• 1Jn 3:3-4 LITV  And everyone having this hope on Him purifies himself even as that One is pure.  (4)  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Working lawlessness and doing righteousness are far apart
They will still argue, "But many believers associate righteousness with a list of things that they have to do .. But the Bible tells us in 2Cor 5:21 that God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We are not righteous because we do right. You are righteous because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross!"
I will tell them, What you said is partial truth. Yes, Jesus did not give us a list of things that we have to do; He gave us no list. But it does not mean no list to do anything. On the contrary, it is no list to do more things. It is because we are no longer under the law which is limited by a list of things which we must do; it is now an invisible list which is under the Spirit of the law of Christ for those who do not walk in the flesh:

• Rom 8:1-10 KJV  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (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.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  (9)  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (10)  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Please think, What kind of mind do you will have if you are in Christ? You will mind the the things of the Spirit, the things which please God, or the things which are in the will of God. It means that you must have the law of God in your mind, or else you cannot be subject to the law of God (v7) and walk in the law of the Spirit of Christ. However, if you are not prepared to do so, please don't say that you are thinking of the cross.)

Doing righteousness is keeping God's law or doing the will of God
They will still argue, "But God's commandments do not save; grace saves. We need the grace revolution .. If we break one commandment, we break all the commandments. That's why Jesus use the Ten Commandments to condemn the Pharisees so that no one need to keep any commandment to be righteous.. Jesus did not teach us to keep the commandments; He used the commandments to bring the people to the end of themselves so that they know that they can never and should never keep any law .."
I will tell them, Did Jesus say it? No, this is only your presumption. Jesus did not say it. Obviously you could have quoted it from the letter of James and change the spirit and the intent of it:

• Jas 2:8-11 KJV  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:  (9)  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  (10)  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  (11)  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Please read the above again. Please read (v11) too. Can you say that you are really righteous because you've never committed adultery? No, James is saying, No one can boast that he is righteous just because he has never committed adultery or looked at another woman. But, if he killed or lied, he is still guilty of sin and he is still considered a sinner. In another words, no one can boast that he is righteous even if he kept all the law or behaved better than the Pharisees. The spirit or the teaching behind the letter of James chapter 2 is not to throw away the law of God; it is to know what is transgression of the law, who are the transgressors of the law, and why we must be humble enough to confess our sin or guilt if we do not keep God's law. If we read on, we should know the spirit and the intent of the letter - if we do not do the words of God, we can still be judged (even if we are the believers who 'believe'):

• Jas 2:12-20 KJV  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  (13)  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.  (14)  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  (15)  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  (16)  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  (17)  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  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?

So, if we are bold enough to quote from the letter of James on God's law, we should be 'men' enough to admit that faith without works (or without doing the law of God) is dead too ! Many believers who believe can claim that they have kept all the law of God perfectly well through the work of Jesus Christ, but without work or doing it, it is a dead proclamation too! James compared those who believe without work to the devils who also believe. This should be clear enough to wake all those who insist that they are 'forever' saved, 'radically' saved, or 'effortless' saved even if they still think and live like the 'old man': 

• Eph 4:17-24 KJV  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  (19)  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  (20)  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

God's words or God's laws may not save; but they can show and expose lawlessness 
I believe Paul would not give any radical promise to the believers who argue that they will enter heaven even if they have no work. Paul would rebuke them if they keep arguing and thinking that radical grace would cleanse all their past, present, and future sins, and that the Holy Spirit can never convict them of any sin. Yes, they may claim that they are the believers; but their arguing spirit has shown that they are not the true believers. They could have believed like Simon:

• Act 8:12-18 KJV But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (13)  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done .. (18) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money .. (20)  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. (If Simon, who thought, believed, and did, like a faithful believer, could be rebuked and asked to repent, anyone who thinks that he is a believer and that he could never fall needs to beware too.)

I will tell them, You said that God's commandments do not save; grace saves ..  Yes, I agree. But love does not save, peace does not save, joy does not save too .. Does it mean that there is no more love, no more peace, or no more joy? Does it mean that we cannot preach love, joy, or peace? No. Similarly, God's commandments do not save; but it does not mean that we do not have any God's commandment or we cannot teach any God's commandment.

• 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.

I love the grace revolution that was preached by Paul because it exposed the lawlessness and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and those who were the law teachers; God's laws and covenant had become so corrupted by them that nobody could understand and follow the law - it became the ministry of death instead.
However, sadly the grace revolution today is not preached with the same purpose and intent that Paul had. It has been 'repackaged', not to reveal and condemned the lawlessness of the Pharisees or lawless men, but to remove all the law of God including the law of Christ. This type of revolution will not bring the people of God to a better covenant or the new covenant; it will bring them to more confusion and lawlessness instead.
     
     
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What is the lawless lies or the lies of the antinomians?

The 'lawless' lies or the lies of the antinomians
I have talked about the thinking of the antinomian preachers quite extensively in my previous post 'Can we judge?' Now I will talk about what they preach:
One of the greatest lies of the antinomians is: You can preach prosperity, the blessings of Deuteronomy, or 'sin no more'; but not the commandments of God, especially the Ten Commandments.
I will ask them, Both the blessings of the Deuteronomy 28 and the Ten Commandments were taught by the Jews under the Old Testament; but why do you tell people to preach only the blessings of God; not the commandments of God? Do you know that the serpent or the antinomians can only preach the blessings of God that is good, pleasant, and desirable; but not the commandment of God?

• Gen 2:16-17 KJV  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ,, Gen 3:4-6 KJV  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  (6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 

They will say, "Of course, 'Law demands, Grace supplies'. We should preach only the blessings which are good, pleasant, and desirable. We will never preach condemnation and judgement. Only the devil will preach condemnation and judgement, and keep asking the sinners to repent, but we have a better and more positive gospel. It is called the gospel of 'radical grace'. Yes, it is too good to be true; but it is the only true gospel which can save you and make you prosper effortlessly. Yes, we deny vehemently that we've taught license to sin. We still tell people to sin no more. That's because Jesus still tell the people to sin no more (Joh 5:14, Joh 8:11), but He did not tell them to keep the Ten Commandments. In fact, He used the example of the plucking of the eyes (Mat 5:27-29) to show us that we can never keep any law and therefore it is of no use if we keep any law."
I will tell them, Please use your common sense if you can still think. What's the difference between asking people to 'sin no more' and asking them to 'keep God's commandments'? Isn't it the same? Please tell us, What does it mean when you tell the people to 'sin no more'? Is it just telling them to do good, be considerate, and behave themselves? No, it is to keep God's commandments (or repent, turn from lawlessness, and return to keeping God's commandments).

• 1Jn 3:3-4 LITV  And everyone having this hope on Him purifies himself even as that One is pure.  (4)  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Sin is lawlessness; hence to 'sin no more' is to do and teach 'no more lawlessness'

Those who do and teach 'lawlessness' have lost their first love and rejected Christ
Many will still argue, "What's the big deal if we do and teach 'lawlessness'? Anyway, we do not tell the people to sin; we just tell them to have no more law. That is the gospel that Paul preached. It's because under grace, there is no more law. Isn't that the New Testament ?"
I will tell them, Do you know that the gospel that Paul preached is based on the gospel that Jesus preached? Before you preach the gospel that Paul preached, do you understand the gospel that Jesus preached? The gospel that Jesus preached is more than the gospel that Paul preached. It extends beyond Paul's teaching on grace. It extends into the future and into the book of Revelation that was written by John, where we will still find God's  laws, judgement, warnings, rebukes, and prophecies.

• Rev 22:11-16 KJV  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.  (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.

I have said that the teaching of the Lord has prophecies which extend into the future (see my previous post in 'Can we judge?'). The teaching and the prophecies of the Lord extend beyond the time when the Jews or the Pharisees were judged. It will surely extend into the future when the false prophets, antinomian preachers, and antiChrist will be judged. Yes, every believer can now build their 'houses' on the Rock because they have received Christ by grace; but they have not received their 'houses' by grace. They must build their 'houses' themselves according to the words and commandments of Christ. If anyone preaches otherwise, he could be a false prophet. It's because he has rejected the words and teaching of Christ. He may preach a 'better' gospel, a more 'effortless' gospel, or a fantastic gospel, but we know that he preaches 'lawless' lies which multiply and produce lawlessness, and it will ultimately cause the love of many to grow cold in the last days:

• Mat 7:15-24 LITV  But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves.  (16)  From their fruits you shall know them. ..  (20)  Then surely from their fruits you shall know them.  (21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven.  (22)  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"(24)  Then everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock;
• Mat 24:11-25 LITV  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold. .. (24) For false christs and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  (25)  Behold, I tell you beforehand.
• Rev 2:1-5 LITV  To the angel of the Ephesian assembly, write: ..  (2)  I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and that you cannot bear evil ones; and you tried those pretending to be apostles and are not, and found them to be liars.  (3)  And you bore up and have patience and on account of My name you have labored and have not wearied.  (4)  But I have against you that you left your first love.  (5)  Then remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works. And if not, I am coming to you quickly, and will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (The church of Ephesus may have the love for others or the obedience to God's commandment to love others, to labour, and to do good to others, but they have grown cold in their love for God, which is their first love.)

From their fruits you shall know them
They will argue,  "How can you judge us as the antinomians just because we don't do or teach the law of God? Don't you know that we save more souls than the law preachers? we can cast out demons, we pray in tongues, we do many miracles .. In fact, everyday we receive tons of testimonies from the internet, from our emails, and from those who are healed because of our 'lawless' teaching. It proves that teaching without the law is more effective than the teaching with the law.. It proves that we are more anointed preachers. The Pharisees and those who still keep the laws and commandments of God can never do like us.. We preach Jesus more than they do .."
I will tell them, Yes, you are right: You are more 'anointed' than the Pharisees, you preach Jesus, and you can prophesy. But what you said has also proved that the warning of the Lord against the false prophets in Mat 7:15-24 is not about the Pharisees and those who were under the law; but about you (who can do miracles, prophesy, and preach in His name). You have proved that the prophecy of the Lord is not obsolete because you are the prophecy. Please stop deceiving the people that the warning and prophecy of the Lord is obsolete and that it is only for those who were under the law. No, it is for us to beware of the false prophets who will rise in the end time. It is an important prophecy which tells us how to know if they are the false prophets. It is by the fruits of what they do and teach:

• Mat 7:15-24 LITV  But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves.  (16)  From their fruits you shall know them. Do they gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  (17)  So every good tree produces good fruits, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruits.  (18)  A good tree cannot produce evil fruits, nor a corrupt tree produce good fruits.  (19)  Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into fire. (20)  Then surely from their fruits you shall know them.  (21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven.  (22)  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?  (23)  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!"(24)  Then everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock;

If we read the highlighted words above again, we shall know that it is not the fruits of the good works in outward appearance; but the fruits of what they do and teach subtly which can bring long term irrevocable influence or impact to the church and the world. 'Lawless' teaching may seem to bring effortless prosperity, divine health, fantastic favours, and supernatural transfer of worldly wealth to the people in the short run, but in the long run, it will bring disaster and sinking sand to all of us. It has bad foundation without the teaching of Christ who tells us to build our 'houses' on the rock instead of lawlessness.


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What's the difference between those who do and teach God's commandments and those who don't?

What's the difference between those who do and teach God's commandments and those who don't?
Many radical grace preachers will say, "Of course, many differences! But the main difference is: those who do and teach are not the grace preachers; they are law preachers. They are critical, demanding, inconsiderate, law-conscious, sin-conscious, cold, hypocritical, legalistic, ... and they will behave like the Pharisees who would always go around judging others. They are the 'fire and brimstones' or 'dooms and glooms' preachers. They can only preach repentance, repentance, repentance, and nothing else .. But do you know that Jesus is different? Whenever He met the sinners, He would look them into the eyes and said, "God has forgiven you all your sins, past, present, and future sins.". He said to the thief on the cross, "Today you are with me in paradise..". He said to Zacchaeus, "Today is salvation come to this house". He said to the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more". He said to the prodigal son, "Say no more. You are already forgiven whether you confess your sins or not .." He said to Samaritan woman, "You said well, 'I have no husbands..' in that saidst thou truly". What would Jesus say to the sinners or us today? He would say that He would never condemn us even if we sin. He loves all the sinners and us who still sin, lie, steal, murder, commit adulteries, and break all the commandments of God. In contrast, Jesus would hate the Pharisees or the self-righteous who still keep the commandments of God, boast about how well they can keep, do, and teach the laws of God.. Jesus never rebuked the sinners. In fact, Jesus said good things about the Samaritan woman. He complimented her for saying the truth. He said to her, You said well, 'I have no husband'. In another words, Jesus said to her, You've said it beautifully .. you are cool .. "
I will ask them, Are you sure, Jesus never rebuked the sinners? Please read your Bible again. If you think that you are a believer and therefore you can still sin, you would be the first one to be rebuked. You may think that you are under grace, but your behaviour or thinking is no difference from those who sinned under the law or who sinned like the Pharisees. Hence, Jesus would rebuke all the sinners whether they will still sin under the law (like the Pharisees) or sin under grace (like the false prophets). Jesus would not rebuke the sinners only if they will repent. The sinners who have been forgiven by Jesus in your illustration above are all the sinners who would repent or who had repented, even though the word 'repent' or 'repentance' was not mentioned there. It did not matter if repentance came first or forgiveness of sins came first. It did not matter if Jesus forgive their sins first or if they repented first. It did not matter if Jesus preached repentance to them first or if Jesus forgave them first. The important thing is: there must be both repentance and forgiveness of sins for any sinner who come to God. It means that there must still be the preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins when we preach the gospel today - repentance and remissions of sins must be preached together in His name:    

• Luk 24:45-48 KJV  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.

Jesus did not always preach compliments (or say the nice things) to all the sinners
I will tell them, You said that Jesus did not rebuke the Samaritan woman because she sinned and she said it matter-of-factly that she had no husband; but He complimented her. Do you use that example to conclude that Jesus will complement the false prophets too because they can say it matter-of-factly and say it well too? No, Jesus does not complement all sinners. There are many sinners who do not deserve His compliments if they do not know repentance or if they fake their repentance, like the Pharisees:

• Luk 13:2-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  (7)  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8)  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  (10)  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

Many radical grace preachers argue that the Bible passage was a rebuke or warning only for the Pharisees or the Jews who were hypocrites. But I will tell them, Yes, Jesus might have rebuked and warned the Pharisees or the hypocrites who were there when He preached it to the congregation in the synagogue; but His rebuke and warning is still the same to all the sinners who are outside the synagogue today too.


Jesus would always convict the sinners (or believers who sin) to repent

• Joh 16:7-13 KJV  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  (8)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  (12)  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  (13)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

I will ask the radical grace preachers, What is the meaning of  'reprove'? Is it to judge, condemn, or eliminate? No, it is to rebuke, correct, convict, or teach. Of course, it will use harsh words or hard sayings; not  smooth words or vain words, to teach.  Hence, when Jesus or the Holy Spirit reproves the world or convicts the world of sin, they do it to bring sinners (or believers who sin in the world) to repentance. Hence, most sinners who repent will see it as the conviction unto righteousness; but those who cannot repent will see it as the conviction unto judgement.   

• Rev 3:17-20 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.  (19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  (20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
• 2Ti 4:2 KJV  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
• 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
• Tit 1:11-13 KJV  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  (12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  (13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (This Bible verse is still a great warning against some preachers if one of themselves confessed that they themselves are always liars - he said it well and this witness could be true.)
• Heb 12:6-14 KJV  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?  (10)  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. .. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

The attitude of a believer still matters a lot when it comes to God's rebuke, reproof, or commandment
So, if we have been rebuked, reproved, or chastened, what should we do? Do we vehemently argue, always justify ourselves with the thinking of grace, accuse all others who bring rebuke as the devils, listen only to those who brainwash us or bring the false inner peace to our souls, or simply shut our ears to any teaching of reproof, warning, or commandment of God? No, if we have been convicted, we simply open ourselves to all the words of God and understand that we still need more grace; we don't become provoked against any word of rebuke or commandment from God:

• Heb 3:7-16 KJV  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,  (8)  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  (9)  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  (10)  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  (11)  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  (12)  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  (13)  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  (14)  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  (15)  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.  (16)  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

Those who do not do and teach His commandments are the least in the kingdom of God

• Mat 5:16-19 KJV  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Rev 22:13-15 KJV  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.

Now, we are ready to talk about the difference between those who do and teach God's commandments and those who don't. Of course, the attitude is different. Those who still do and teach God's commandments can only keep doing it if they have the attitude or conviction to keep doing it. But those who cannot do it will argue and find all kinds of excuses not to do it. They may just say that they are more righteous than those who still do and teach the laws of God, and hence, they don't have to do it anymore.  They will boast, "We are not like the Pharisees or the law preachers who are the hypocrites. We do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal, do not practise sorceries, illusion, delusion, or deception to impress others, do not say vain things in the pulpits, do not joke about our sex, do not horn impatiently at other drivers who cut into our lane, do not say vulgarities when angry, do not deal dishonestly with others, do not visit pornography websites, do not ignore those who come to our churches with needs, do not kick the dogs, do not falsely accuse others who preach the laws, do not speak hypocritically against others .."  However, God knows.
I will tell them, It is better for you to do and teach nothing than to preach many things arrogantly against His words and commandments and later find that you are an enemy of The Word of God.
Of course, it is a known fact that all of us are not perfect and we can never keep all the laws of God perfectly well. But can this give you or your fellow preachers the justification to preach against God's will for us to keep His words and commandments? No, God forbid.

** Those who do not do and teach God's commandments will try to twist His words
Hence, those who do not do and teach His words and commandments are not only different from God's preachers; they could be worst than the sinners or the non-believers who do not know God. It's because:

• They could be the false prophets or the enemies of The Word of God. And they will find all kinds of justification to falsely accuse those, who will still do and teach The Word of God. They will accuse all others who do not preach like them. They will influence other to think of them or condemn them as the hypocrites, Pharisees, legalistic, ungracious, or angry preachers who sin more than the false prophets. Rev 19:13-19 KJV  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God .. (19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
• They could be the thieves of the words of God. I will tell them, You have said well,"We do not commit adultery, we do not steal, we do not lie (or bear false witnesses), do not practise sorcery (or worship other Gods) .... ". You have said it beautifully in your marriage seminars or youth seminars when you taught beautifully about your love for your spouse and your obedience to your parents too. Obviously you knew God's commandments very well after studying the Old Testament more than those who never read their Bible. Although you preached against sins and lawlessness using your own words and did not quote the Ten Commandments as the do's and don't in the Old Testament, you can't deny that you have plagiarized from there. Hence, how can you say that you have better teaching than the words or commandments of God? How can you claim the credit and boast that your teaching about loving your wives and obedience to your parents is your own teaching and it is better than the Ten Commandments of God, after the people have listened to your plagiarized commandments and do not sin, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie .. etc.  Obviously, you have sinned against God not because you have told the people not to sin, not to dishonour their parents, not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to lie .., but because you have lied or become a lie yourselves !
• They could be 'hybrid twisters' of God's commandments (See "If we find that he is a 'hybrid twister" in my previous post here). Obviously, people who twist the words of God has motives. It does not matter whether their motives are genuinely good or evil. But in the sight of God, if they twist His words to help the sinners (to sin or not to sin), they would always be considered as false prophets. Many may think that they should never be condemned because they twisted the words of God for a very noble course - ie. to help the sinners to live better lives, more successful lives, or more prosperous lives, with more inner peace and comfort; but less conviction of sins and condemnation; and therefore, they should have all the justification to preach anything they like,  stop preaching any negative word (eg. 'commandments, laws, doctrine, warnings, or repentance'), and replace it with better word (eg. 'grace, words, love, peace, right believing', .. etc). Many have argued that 'Grace can teach, Grace supplies'; but 'God's laws or God's doctrine cannot teach; it demands, or if it can teach, it would not teach better than grace'. I will ask them, Does it make sense to create such a stupid argument and draw people into it? It is like creating a stupid scenario by asking, "Which one can teach? God can teach, or God's words can teach?" I will tell them, What's the difference? I am not bothered whether you insist that 'grace can teach, Jesus can teach, Holy Spirit can teach, the Ark of Covenant can teach, the laws of God can teach, or The Word of God can teach' based on which of the following Bible verses:

• Col 3:16-17 KJV  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  (17)  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
• Tit 2:1-4 KJV  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine .. (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
• Tit 2:11-12 KJV  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
• Joh 16:7-11 KJV  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  (8)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ..
• 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
• Heb 8:10-11 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:  (11)  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 
• Psa 1:1-2 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.
• Mat 3:8-9 KJV  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  

Of course, God can cause many things to teach. God do not rely only on grace to teach. However, if you insist that only the stones can teach, only your foot, your shoes, your doctrine, or your 'grace' can teach better and because of this you can always teach better than God's doctrine, God's commandments, God's warnings, God's principles, God's laws, God's words, or the Bible, something is wrong. If you still insist, I can say that my birds, my dogs, and my fishes at home can teach too. Amen. 

The true doers of God's words are those who do and teach God's commandments
Many will still argue, "For your info, we are still God's preachers. We still preach many good things or positive things from the Bible. We do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal, do not practise sorceries, illusion, delusion, or deception to impress others, do not say vain things in the pulpits, do not joke about our sex, do not horn impatiently at other drivers who cut into our lane, do not say vulgarities when angry, do not deal dishonestly with others, do not visit pornography websites, do not ignore those who come to our churches with needs, do not kick the dogs, do not falsely accuse others who preach the laws, do not speak hypocritically against others ..  So, how can you say that we don't do and teach the words of God. We are still the doers of God's words. We still do the commandments of God, err .. .. although we don't always teach the commandments of God like the Pharisees do (or like you do) ..  "
I will tell them, You said well, "We don't commit adultery, don't kick the dogs, don't get angry, .." in that saidst thou truly. You said beautifully and graciously, like the Samaria woman:

• Joh 4:17-19 KJV  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:  (18)  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.   

However, please think, Can you say that everyone who do not commit adultery, do not kick the dogs, do not get angy .. is the doer of God's words too? If this is true, are all the monks, gurus, priests, and believers, from other religions doers of God's words too? Do you know that there are many non-believers who live more righteously than us but the Lord would never say that they are the doer of His words? Hence, we are not a doer of God's words by just obeying or doing the commandments of God; we must do and teach the commandments of God based on the words that proceed out of the mouth of God; not from the mouth of the false prophets. That's why Jesus said that we must live by the written words of God; not by the words of the 'ding dong bell' preachers who keep confusing the people or the words of those who will tempt us to depart from the commandments or the written words of God:

• Mat 4:4 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
• Mat 7:15-24 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .. 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:
• Rev 22:13-15 KJV  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.
• Jas 1:22-25 KJV  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (23)  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  (24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  (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.
• Mat 13:23 KJV  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
• Mar 4:20 KJV  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
• 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.
• Mat 5:16-19 KJV  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18)  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Many preachers think that if they preach and tell the people not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to lie, and not to sin without saying that they are preaching God's commandments, the people would obey  God's commandments better. I will tell them, Please don't deceive the people. If you say that grace will teach them not to commit adultery and then tell them that they do not have to keep the commandment, do you think they will truly obey God? You may think that all of them will obey your 'words of grace teaching' not to commit adultery, but not all of them will obey it when they know that it is no longer a God's commandment which they must keep. Yes, you may have successfully and creatively (deceitfully) taken away their fear of being judged by a God's commandment, but at the same time you have also made His commandment of none effect with your own doctrine:

• Mat 15:5-11 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,  (8)  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  (10)  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:  (11)  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

When you twist the commandments of God, make them of none effect, and spew out false doctrine from your mouth, you do not defile yourselves only; you defile all those who hear from you also.    

• Rev 12:15-17 KJV  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  (16)  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  (17)  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
• Rev 16:12-15 KJV ..  (13)  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  (14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.  (15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

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