What is eternal life?

Yes, eternal life is a promise of God in the Bible:

• Joh 3:15-16 ISV .. so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (16) "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.

King James Bible said it is everlasting life. It is a life that has no end and we will live in it forever.
However, have we all received this eternal life and become eternally saved now? Yes and No:

a.) Yes, we have all received eternal life 
It is because of the finished work of Jesus Christ and the power that has been given to Him. We are destined to eternal life:

• Joh 17:1-4 KJV  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:  (2)  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.  (3)  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  (4)  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
• Joh 10:25-29 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. 
• Act 13:46-48 ISV  Then Paul and Barnabas boldly declared, "We had to speak God's word to you first, but since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are now going to turn to the gentiles.  (47)  For that is what the Lord ordered us to do: 'I have made you a light to the gentiles to be the means of salvation to the very ends of the earth.'"  (48)  When the gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord. Meanwhile, all who had been destined to eternal life believed .. (Yes, when we are destined to believe, destined to reign, or destined to prosper, or destined to be saved, we did not do anything so that we can believe. But it does not mean that we are destined not to do anything.)

b.) No, we are not all forever saved yet
It is because Jesus would never say, You have eternal life, and therefore, you are forever saved now. On the contrary, He warned us that there are 'sharks' in the ocean and 'wolves' on the land. Imagine that you are swimming in the open ocean and that you will be drown with exhaustion at any time soon. Will you say that you are forever saved now after you have found a rubber swimming tube and climbed onto it? The rubber tube will not save you totally from the sharks; but you are quite saved (if you do not jump back into the water or splash on the water to attract more sharks) until you go to the end of the ocean and reach the land. I know that this is a bad analogy, but this can be the picture of many believers who are thinking that they are saved forever now, without knowing that there are still 'sharks' in the ocean (or wolves in the land Mat 7:15). If this is not so, Paul would not tell us that there are wolves after we have believed too (Act 20:29). Did Jesus say that you have eternal life from Him, and therefore, you are saved forever now? No, we are not there yet because God has not finished (with) us yet. We have not finished what we are supposed to do yet. We are still called to serve, not as the servants of sin, but as the servant of righteousness, to do righteousness. Although we are called to serve with the assurance of eternal life, we must still have a faithful servant's attitude, not an arrogant servant's attitude  (Mat 18:33), or a prodigal son's attitude (Luk 15:13):

• Jud 1:17-21 ISV  But you, dear friends, must remember the statements and predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (18)  They kept telling you, "In the last times mockers will appear, following their own ungodly desires."  (19)  These are the people who cause divisions. They are worldly, devoid of the Spirit.  (20)  But you, dear friends, must continue to build yourselves up on your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit,  (21)  and remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life. (Do you realise that to remain in God's love as you look for the mercy .. is to remain in repentance or to remain in an attitude of repentance also ?)
• 1Ti 6:9-21 ISV  But people who want to get rich keep toppling into temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them into destruction and ruin.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with much pain. (11)  But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.  (12)  Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep your hold on eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses.  (13)  In the sight of God.., I solemnly charge you  (14)  to keep this command stainless and blameless until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (15)  At the right time God will make him known. ..  (17)  Tell those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  (18)  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and to share.  (19)  By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the life that is real.  (20)  Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.  (21)  Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith. May grace be with all of you!
• Rom 6:15-23 KJV  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  (16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  (18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.  (20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  (21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  (22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  (23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Mar 10:29-31 KJV  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,  (30)  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.  (31)  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Please think, If everyone will just have eternal life without doing anything, does it make sense for Jesus to say this? Does it make sense for Him to tell us, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant' if we do not serve. No, if we are called 'servants', we must do something to be worthy of the call.)

Do you realise that every Bible passage above has the word 'eternal life'? The word of God is eternal life because it is His commandment too.

• Joh 12:49-50 ISV  For I have not spoken on my own authority. Instead, the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and how to speak.  (50)  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me."
• Rom 7:10-12 KJV  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.  (11)  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.  (12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good .. (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.  ... ...  (8:7) 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.

Are we totally saved from ignorance or wolves? (according to the parable of the sower)
I have used the analogy of the ocean, the sharks, and the rubber tube to describe how some believers are saved temporarily only if they will still jump back into the sea. They will still perish in the ocean (of sin) or die because of the deadly attacks (from the sharks).
In fact, Jesus have a better analogy when He warned us that there are those who received eternal life; only to lose it in the end because of

1. their sin and stupidity (ignorance). 
2. and the deception from the false prophets (wolves)

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said clearly that there is only one type of seed (His word and commandment); but different types of people, including those who have believed or the believers who have received the seed (of eternal life). Many will still perish in sin and lose their salvation because of the deception (from the fowls of the air). I can visualize how frustrated Jesus must have felt when He knew that there are 'believers' who will still perish after receiving His word or commandment (which is also the seed or eternal life Joh 12:50). They will still lose it in the end because of their stupidity or sin, or because of the deception from the false prophets. In fact, Jesus had described it perfectly with His parable of the sower:

• Luk 8:11-15 KJV  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  (12)  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  (13)  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  (14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  (15)  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.

It is amazing to know how Jesus can use such a simple parable to explain the irony of why many believers may receive eternal life and yet they may not be saved eternally, because many can receive the seed which is eternal life and still lose it in the end.
I believe that Jesus is not very concerned whether we can interpret eternal life very accurately. He is more concerned about whether the believers who have received His word will take heed and live:

• Luk 8:18 KJV  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

However, if we always twist His words, nullify His words, or give false assurance to the believers and those who believe, He will judge our motives and intention with His words and with His right version of the interpretation which will  show us who are the false prophets that He has warned us about. Do you know why the parable of the sower is recorded in all the three gospels in Mat 13:18, Mar 4:14, and Luk 8:5?  It is not just the indication of importance for the believers; it is also the indication that His words cannot be nullified.

• Joh 6:63-68 KJV  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  (65)  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father .. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  (67)  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  (68)  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Many argued that only Judas Iscariot would follow Jesus without believing in His words. However, (v66) above shows that, besides Judas Iscariot, many of His disciples did not believe in His words too after following Him for a while. Today there are still many disciples who walk no more in His words even though they may still follow Him, 'eat' with Him, or 'live' with Him. Like Judas Iscariot, they are only professing Christians or believers. 


Can we blame others who make us lose His Word or make us lose our eternal life?
Now, if we go back to the top and look at John 3:16 again, do we still think that Jesus meant that everyone who will just believes in Him would have eternal life? Yes, many will say that they believe in Him and believe in His words; but how many will really believe in Him and believe in His words? But the fruits or the way they teach His words or do His words will tell if they are really His disciples. That's why Jesus knew that many false prophets will preach anything, in His name, including eternal life, but they are no more His disciples. He knew that many will change His words, give false promises to the people, and confuse them that God must forgive them (or give them the eternal life which guarantees eternal salvation) regardless of how much they will sin (without any repentance). But Jesus will ask them, "My word is eternal life. Did I say that everyone who receives my word will be forever saved regardless of how they sin or do iniquity? If you keep my word now; only to change it later for the people, I do not know you .."

• Mat 7:22-23 KJV  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.

I had a dream last night. I dreamed that my wife and I passed by a cake shop. It was still quite dark in wee hours of the morning when the shop was not opened for business yet. There were many empty boxes of different shapes and sizes on the tables outside the shop. Out of curiosity, my wife peeped at one of the boxes which had a small opening, and she said, "I saw something interesting, Dear. Please open it for me to see what's inside?" I obliged and unfastened some of the ropes which tied the box, lo, and behold, a very big and delicious cake appeared before our eyes after I opened it. My wife grabbed one piece of the cake and ate it. She said, "This cake is delicious. You should try it too." Knowing that my wife is a cake lover, I could understand her response. I took a piece of the cake too. However, at that very moment, the cake shop opened and someone was about to come out. My wife immediately shouted, "Quick, Dear, Let's pay them and say, We love your cakes very much and can't resist to try it. Please tell them that we would like to buy the cake with a payment .., quick.. before it is too late .." I dug deep into my pocket and found some money and I was about to run into the shop.. However, I woke up suddenly.   
God did not appear to me and speak to me after the dream that night. But I kept thinking about it while lying on my bed, wondering about what would happen if I paid the shop owner. What happen if the shop owner was ungracious. What if he refused to accept my payment and reported me to the police? Could I argue that it was just a piece of cake and he should never make a big fuss over it? I could have run away without paying him! I started to wonder again, Probably, I should have just run away without paying him because it would save us from all the trouble. Later, I realised the seriousness of the problem. I could lose everything because of a piece of cake. I could lose my integrity, my reputation, my job, my freedom, and .. etc if the shop owner decided to press more charges against me. I realised that, if that happened :

• I could blame my wife for his love of cakes
• I could blame the shop owner for his ungraciousness
• I could blame any law which can charge me in court for a small crime like this
• I could blame any one or any thing (including anyone who teaches my wife to love the cakes ..)

Yes, we can blame anyone or anything too (including the false prophets or the serpent) when something goes wrong. Yes, we may lose His word or lose our eternal life when we are instigated by by the false prophets too. However, do we always blame others, except ourselves?
Many of us, like my wife and me, could only see the 'cake' (or the gift of grace in our life); but we have forgotten that there are still laws in our world (or God's laws in our life too). I thought I was different from others; but it turned out that I was like most of the people too.


God has warned us about it not only in my dream; but in His words too
I did say to myself (in my dream before I woke up), "No, I am not like others; I am always a man of integrity and principle. Why should I run away? I should not feel guilty just because of a piece of cake which I do not love? It is ridiculous to let anyone condemn me because of a piece of cake. It is so unfair.". But now I think that I should have stopped my wife from peeping into the box and doing the unthinkable. I should be the one to be blamed. I thought I was a man of integrity and principle; but it turned out that I had no principle and integrity to stop my wife from eating the cake. Hence, I should be the first one to repent (in my dream). After some more pondering during the day, I realised that the same thing had happened when we were in the garden of Eden (as Adam) and that it will happen again when we are the churches of God (as the bride of Christ). Adam did not do His job well when he allowed his wife to take the fruit without saying anything; but Jesus Christ would make sure that His bride (the Church) will know and do the will of the Father:

• Gen 3:4-9 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.  (7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.  (8)  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.  (9)  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (Many claim that all the believers can never be deceived and that they would be saved forever after they believed. However, Paul warned the church that the same serpent may come again, not to the world again, but to the churches. Please read the next Bible verses below)
• 2Co 11:1-4 KJV  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.  (2)  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  (3)  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  (4)  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him .. (13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  (16)  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.  (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.  (19)  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.  (20)  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. (The false prophets may promise us freedom from the law of God; but in reality, it is bondage under sin and lawlessness again.)

We are warned that the temptation of the serpent to the churches will come. The serpent will not tempt the sinners of the world again because they are already fallen. It will tempt the churches. Today many of us, like Eve, think that we can eat from any 'tree' or any 'cake' because of grace. We have taken it for granted until we thought we can do anything or 'eat' anything in the name of radical grace. We may continue to listen to the temptation of the serpent and do foolish things until it is too late when we realise that we have no more time to repent ..
 

Many think that the serpent will tempt only Adam and Eve (not the churches). They proclaim that the churches can never fall and conclude that the words, parables, and the warnings of Jesus about our sins (ignorance) and the deception of the false prophets (wolves) are no more applicable to us. They preach that we should therefore hear only the gospel that Paul preached, not the gospel that Jesus preached, because the gospel that Jesus preached (with all His warnings for them to keep His words and to depart from sin) cannot give them enough guarantee for true eternal life. So, they tell everyone to turn to the gospel that Paul preached, thinking that the gospel of grace preached by Paul is the true gospel of grace. However, Paul did not give such promise. He was still afraid that the churches could fall into the temptation of the serpent in 2Co 11:1-4. Otherwise, why would he give such a serious warning to everyone (night and day with tears), especially to those who were purchased by His own blood:

• Act 20:25-32 KJV  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  (26)  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  (27)  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  (28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  (32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

How should we look at eternal life in the Lord's perspective?
We know that there are many definitions of eternal life according to our own perspectives. I have also explored quite thoroughly with the words of God on eternal life too. But what is the Lord's perspective of eternal life? We know that eternal life is given by grace. Eternal life is considered as the grace of God:

• Joh 5:24 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
• Joh 6:63 KJV  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
• Joh 6:68 KJV  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
• Joh 12:50 KJV  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
• Mat 19:17 KJV  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
• 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.

God's words, eternal life, or the bread of life, is like the bread that we take daily too. But do we know how God give His bread to us? Did God say that He will promise us His 'monthly bread', 'yearly bread', or 'forever bread'?

• Mat 6:8-13 KJV  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  (9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

No, Jesus told us to pray for daily bread. Similarly, the bread (life or grace) of God is given like the manna too. It is given like the bread on a daily basis because He wants us to depend on Him everyday. If we continue to walk with Him daily, He will give us enough of His bread, enough of His words, enough of His life, and enough of His grace on a daily basis too.We should not worry if we have received all things for the future. We should just keep walking with Him with the 'daily grace' which is enough for us:

• Mat 6:25 KJV  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
• 2Co 12:7-9 KJV  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Hence, if we know eternal life in God's perspective, do we still feel threatened just because someone tells us 'what is eternal life' in their own perspective? No, we should have enough grace or assurance of God to continue to walk with Him and depend on Him, no matter how eternal life is defined in our own words or their words! Please do not think that God is unfair or unjust because He didn't promise us or give us total deliverance from all our pains, from all the 'thorns', or from the danger of all the 'wolves', from evil, or from temptation. He is just and faithful to deliver us, even if we sin. But we must still seek to walk with Him and depend on Him. We must be humble enough to always repent and confess our weaknesses or sins to Him according to His words too (1 John 1:9).
Jesus did not only tell us to pray for daily bread; He told us to pray for daily deliverance from temptation and evil too. Why? It's because there are still 'sharks' in the ocean and 'wolves' in the land! If this is not so, He would not warn us repeatedly of them, from the beginning to the end of His preaching, even before He was about to be taken up. His warning can never be obsolete; otherwise, the Apostles would not need to warn us about the 'wolves' or the false prophets in their letters again and again, we would not find any false prophets in the book of Revelation too. Yes, we may still find many inhumane dictators, mad kings, lawless tyrants, terrorists, con-artists, and all kinds of lawlessness rising from the world in the end time; but we know that false prophets (who take away the soul, life, or salvation of the believers) can only rise from the churches. Only the antiChrist may be able to destroy the spirit of the believers who are ignorant and drawn to them:

• 1Jn 2:16-22 KJV  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  (18)  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.  (20)  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.  (21)  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  (22)  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (Obviously John is talking about the Christian believers who went out from us. The antiChrist can never come from outside. They come from within; so, they will know how to take away the 'seed' (or the life) from the believers. Today we may be on red alert against the crimes and the lawless people who may destroy our bodies from outside; but are we equally alert against those who will rise from within and destroy the churches and the real temples of God?)    
• 1Jn 4:1 KJV  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
• Rev 16:13 KJV  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.
• 2Pe 2:1 KJV  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
• Mat 7:15 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
• Mat 24:23-25 KJV  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.
• Mat 24:11-15 LITV  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.  (12)  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.  (13)  But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe.  (14)  And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.  (15)  Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand) .. (Obviously this prophecy was not only for the Jewish believers; it is for us, for the Gentile believers today and in the future too (when this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations v14). Obviously it talks about the believers who will be kept safe if they endures to the end. The sinners are not saved in the first place and therefore, it does not make sense to say that they will be kept safe if they endures to the end too. Please recall, We could find only a few evil prophets or Baal prophets in the Old Testament; but in the end time, in the New Testament, it is written, we will find many false prophets rising after Jesus Christ has risen .. Hence, the argument that this prophecy has become obsolete could be a lie from the false prophets who want to protect themselves. The tribulation, persecution, pollution, pestilence, terrorism, wars, inflation, economic disasters, drastic climatic changes, tsunamis, earthquakes, storms, famine, and etc, are all signs of the end time. We should be afraid enough to start doing something to prevent it or face it. However, are we afraid enough to discern the deception of the false prophets to reject it, or to expose it before it spread quietly to destroy us or the 'temples' of God? I believe there is a reason why, when Jesus mentioned all the signs of the end time eg. tribulation, persecution, .. etc, He specifically mentioned about the deception of false prophets, not just once or twice, but thrice in Mat 24! It could be His strongest warning to the churches; it should be more serious than any signs of the end time for us, the believers.)  

 

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Are we totally saved from ignorance or wolves? (according to the parable of the sower)We have discussed about this question quite thoroughly with the words of the Lord in the post above. Now, we will explore more on another related question:
 
Are we servants or sons? (according to the parable of the prodigal son)
I know that there is this 'hot' debate on whether we are servants or sons. This is always brought up because most radical grace preachers think and argue that they should have enough radical grace not to keep any commandment or do any work in the house of God. They argue that they are the sons; not the servants. Yes, they may have the basis to argue with many quotations from the Bible; but it is applied out of context to tell the believers not to do anything after the believers have believed in the finished work of Jesus Christ. They argue, "When you work, God rests; but when you rest, God works .." I do not want to go into all those vain typologies which they have quoted mostly from the Old Testament about God's rest (or God's command for us to do nothing). I will study the words and the parable of Jesus more instead:

• Luk 15:11-32 KJV  And he said, A certain man had two sons:  (12)  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  (13)  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  ..  (17)  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee .. (25) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. .. (28)  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.  (29)  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:  (30)  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.  (31)  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.  (32)  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

We learn from the parable that the sinners are like the prodigal son. But do you agree that there are believers who are like the prodigal son too? They may be the children of God; but they still think that they should live like the sons of the world; not the servants of God any more. So (after listening to all kinds of false teaching and wallowing in it), they told God the Father one day, "Ok, that's enough; I am sick of staying in this house of slavery and bondage with lots of law keeping and working like a servant or an 'ox'. I quit and leave !" So, they go to the 'God' of the false prophets or the 'God' of this world, who promises a different kind of rest and effortless prosperity to them, and 'live like the son of the world'. They think that they should be the son; and not a servant to do anything. But they have forgotten that they are still servants to God to do the righteousness of God.

• 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. (We were all 'swimming' and struggling in the ocean of sin and would die in it one day. But the gift of God has set us free so that we can do better, not continue to 'swim' or 'wallow' in it; but to obey and serve Him better, in life.)

However, there are also other believers who think that they should be the servant; and not a son too. So, they become very jealous when they see their brothers coming back to the house and receiving the blessing of a son again. But, God the Father will tell them, "You are also a son. You will inherit what I have. But your brothers who come back were dead and are alive again; and were lost, and are found." Please think, When God the Father said that their brothers are alive again, does it mean that their brothers have received better privilege, better favour, and better freedom or grace now, with no more responsibility, no more law keeping, or no more working? No, in fact, they have repented and come back to the very same house that they had hated as the house of slavery. But they have now changed their mind to keep the command and the law of God willingly. They will do the very first work that they had hated to do too. In another words, they have changed their mind; but the house and the law of God will never change.  

• Rev 2:2-5 KJV  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  (3)  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  (4)  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (5)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• Joh 14:11-15 KJV  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.  (12)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father .. (15)  If ye love me, keep my commandments. (So, how do we believe? Do we just believe that Jesus has no more work for us, or do we believe that He has greater work for us because we keep His commandments?) 

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Sound doctrine will keep us in sound mind

Sound doctrine will keep us in sound mind ..
And a sound mind will keep us from harm, foolishness, and lawlessness.

I read the story of the tragic death of a victim who killed her mother and then plunged to her death from six floors this morning. One of the captions in the link strikes me. It says, "Deaths could be prevented, say doctors".
I never know that people of unsound minds or psychiatric patients can end up in such a tragic manner - harming themselves and others (I've decided to removed the link to the incident from my post due to consideration for the family of the victim). The victim had been hearing 'voices' and thinking that people were all trying to harm her, accuse her, and cast a spell on her. If the victim refused to go for 'sound' treatment and became so disillusioned, how much more we, the people of God, need sound doctrine? We never know when the 'spiritual tragedy' will strike. But there are symptoms. If we keep thinking or believing that other churches, other believers, or other preachers of God's words or repentance are trying to condemn us, judge us, or curse us, we need to see the 'doctors' and have 'sound' treatment. Don't keep 'ignoring' the problem; but confess it, admit it, and ask for 'help'. God can still deliver us if we are humble:

• 1Jn 1:5-10 KJV  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (8)  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Yes, I agree with the doctors on seeing them; but ..
Yes, if we have mental problems, we should see the psychiatrists. But, if we have spiritual problems, we don't see the psychiatrists or the preachers who act like the psychiatrists or preach like the psychiatrists. We see God's preachers who deal with the spiritual problem squarely; not 'ding dong bell' preachers or eloquent preachers who can only deal with the thinking or mental problem.

• Eph 4:11-23 KJV  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (17)  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;

Sound doctrine may be boring to many people. It may not be always positive words which are casual, analytical, or impressive to the human mind. But it is essential for the growth of all mature believers. Sound doctrine must have the Word of God which includes God's law, commandment, and principle. Without it, it sounds more hollow than any human wisdom !

Yes, I agree with the radical grace preachers on preaching the good things; but..
if the gospel is just about making people feeling good, relaxed, or positive, it is no different from the mental treatment given by the psychiatrists. God's preachers must do something more. They must know that they are not called to do a psychiatrist's job. They must know that the sinners are called to repentance; but they are called to preach it. I will tell the radical grace preachers, I am not bothered if we should preach grace first or repentance first, but we must preach both. It's because grace cannot replace repentance, neither can repentance replace grace. Yes, you may prove that you must preach grace first, it doesn't mean that preaching of grace is more important, and therefore it can replace the preaching of repentance or the need to repent.  We need both.
Although radical grace preachers seem to be more spiritual than the prosperity preachers who 'hard-sell' the gospel, they are worse than than the prosperity preachers. They may argue vehemently that they preach only grace or Jesus, but they are more deceiving than the prosperity preachers. It's because when they preach only grace to 'blur' the gospel of repentance or the need to repent, they become worst than any preachers who preach only health and wealth that 'blur' the gospel and the need to repent too. They could have abused the Spirit of grace. I believe that only some preachers and believers will sin wilfully when they take advantage of grace and block the message of repentance. They may just want to use the blood sacrifice, the holy communion, the miracles, and the prosperity, to justify themselves against the need to repent and the need to preach repentance.

• Heb 10:26-29 KJV  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  (28)  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  (29)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
• Heb 6:4-12 KJV  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  (5)  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  (6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  (7)  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:  (8)  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.  (9)  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.  (10)  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  (11)  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  (12)  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Yes, I agree that we must preach the gospel of grace, or ..
grace that can lead to repentance. But preaching of grace will also lead to preaching of repentance too. We can never omit or deny the focus of the Lord's message and His commandment to preach repentance. Although the Lord always healed the sick and helped the poor, the main focus of His message is still repentance and it is always His commandment for us to preach it.
If we reverse the focus or switch the focus by saying that we do not need to know repentance or do not need to have the will to repent, we are not preaching the true grace of God; we are preaching lies.

• 1Pe 4:17-19 KJV  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (18)  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  (19)  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.. 1Pe 5:2-5 KJV  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  (3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  (4)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  (5)  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble .. (12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

 

 

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We all have our own 'Lazarus'

We all have our own 'Lazarus'

• Luk 16:15-31 KJV  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.  (16)  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  (17)  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail... (19)  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  (20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  (21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  (22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; .. (27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  (28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. .. (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Many would think that there is no more 'Lazarus' in our world, churches, or lives, but only plenty of rich believers, CEOs, tycoons, millionaires, and prosperity preachers.


But does it mean that the poor won't see any 'Lazarus' because they themselves are the 'Lazarus'?
Many believers, who think that they are poor or they are too poor to help others, would conclude that the teaching of the Lord on the rich man and Lazarus is no longer practical for them. Hence, they love the teaching of the radical grace preachers who conclude that all the teachings of Jesus, before His crucification, are Old Testament teachings for the Jews or for those who were under the law. They feel that radical grace is the New Testament message which has set them free from the teaching of the Lord on God's laws and commandments to love and help those who are in needs. Hence, they would justify that as long as they confess the name of the Lord and criticise those who pray or believe like the Pharisees, they would be the grace or New Testament believers who can never be condemned or judged, even if they do not keep any God's commandments to help the poor.
I will tell them, The parable of the rich man and Lazarus was not only a real case in which a beggar named Lazarus had died; it was also a parable of the parables for everyone in the world, including the sinners, Jews, and the believers. Why? It is from law and the prophets (see v16 above) which will not pass away until everything is fulfilled at the judgement day when the Lord will judge both the 'sheep' and the 'goats':

• Mat 25:31-46 KJV  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  (32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  (33)  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  (34)  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  (36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  (37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  (38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  (39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  (40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  (41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  (42)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  (43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  (44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  (45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  (46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.   

Does it mean that the preachers are more righteous because they have believed God?
Many preachers would say, "Oh, those 'goats' can never be us because we are the believers. Believers, according to the Bible, can never be 'goats'. If we have been set free and given the power of grace to be the children of God, to be sheep, or to be the light of the world, how can we be in the darkness or become 'goats' again? No, it is impossible. Once we are saved, we are forever saved. Once we are justified by faith, we can never be condemned again. We can never be condemned just because we have sinned a few sins. No, all our sins have been forgiven - past, present, and future sins.. Don't let any false prophets rob you of the assurance of God's salvation .."
I will tell them, Of course, the true believers who do the words of God can never be the 'goats'. However, if you sin and twist the words of God, you can be the 'goats' even if you do not sin like the Gentiles. How can you give a false promise to the believers when the Lord did not say that we can sin and still be righteous. Yes, the Lord did say that all our sins are forgiven because we have repented; but He did not say that all our sins are forgiven even if we do not repent and do His words. Please think, If all our future sins are forgiven without us doing anything, why did Jesus tell the disciples to pray like this:

• Luk 11:1-4 KJV  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  (2)  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

However, many radical grace preachers deceive us and say, "If we will sin a few sins in the future, those sins will be all forgiven too .. It's ok to keep thinking about this, so that should you sin again, you will know that you are always forgiven .. and this will make you love the Lord even more .. " I will tell them, No, this will only make people love you more .. because the Lord did not make such a false promise. No, if you confess, make plan, or think of sinning any sins in the future without any repentance, how can all your future sins be forgiven based on your self-confessed, past, or obsolete repentance which you have made many years ago when you first repented or believed (10, 20, or 50 years ago)? No, you can't deceive God even if you boast and argue that you did it from a genuine heart of belief or repentance many years ago.
Hence, I don't think that the preachers today are exempted from seeing any 'Lazarus' in their lives too. If they are honest themselves, they would not only teach others; but also themselves. They would not just keep criticising against the scribes and Pharisees who could not see any 'Lazarus' in their lives; they would also reflect and ask themselves, "Have I 'walked by the other way' to avoid seeing any 'Lazarus' in my life too?" :

Luk 10:23-37 KJV  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:  (24)  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.  (25)  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  (27)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  (29)  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  (31)  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  (32)  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  (33)  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  (34)  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  (35)  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  (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.       

In fact, there are many 'ways' which we use to avoid seeing any 'Lazarus' in our lives. We may not walk by the other way, like the priest or the Levi in the 'parable of the good Samaritan' above. We may not follow many Old Testament laws, circumcision rules, and temple rituals, to avoid seeing any 'Lazarus', like the priest or the Levi in the parable. However, today when we come before the Lord, do we still use 'our ways' to avoid seeing any 'Lazarus' in our lives? We may have sung many beautiful songs and praises, prayed fervently and enthusiastically, worshipped with many fantastic sounds and musical instruments, and heard very anointing messages from the pulpits. However, have we used all these to blind our minds from seeing any 'Lazarus' in our lives? If we do, we do not know the Lord and His words.
   
 
Does it mean that the rich men today won't see any 'Lazarus' because they don't see any beggars at their doorsteps?
No, neither do I need to help the rich men to see it. I do not want to talk too much about it. If they are the non-believers and they do not know the Bible, God can still speak to them in many other ways. If they are self-deceiving, they may still argue with God and say, "No, where, where is 'Lazarus'? I don't see any beggar at my doorsteps. In fact, I don't even see my neighbours; let alone beggars. However,  I do see more and more security guards for our pastors and churches. I know of some pastors who would preach with two big 'black angels' beside them.. oh, yes, I mean, 'two strong security guards in black uniform' sitting or standing at both sides of their pulpits below. Today we are all living in well protected home and  churches, including the pastors who are setting an example for us. Few people or neighbours can come near to us because of our affluent and modern lifestyle. Therefore, it is normal for us to hardly see any neighbour or 'Lazarus' like it was during the time of 'the good Samaritan'. If you still want to find any 'Lazarus' as your neighbour today, please go to the third world countries. But, as far as good work is concerned, we have done enough for everyone around us here. So, don't bother us, please .."  But one day, the Lord will make them reflect. He will ask them, "Have you 'walked by the other way' to avoid seeing any 'Lazarus' in your life too? Have you understood, Who is my neighbour?"
But I will now tell the radical grace preachers, If the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was only for the Jews who were rich or only for those who had beggars at their doorsteps, then the teaching of the Lord would be too miserably limited or lacking for the whole world. It would not have any great impact to the world. No, if the words of the Lord is powerful enough, it should be preached as the light and salt to the world, and even as the sword of the Spirit too. It should bring a shaking conviction and shock to those who are still 'sleeping'. 

• Mat 7:15-29 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits ...  (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 ... (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.
• Mat 22:33-46 KJV  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.  (34)  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.  (35)  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  (36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  (37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  (41)  While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ..  (46)  And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
• Mar 1:15-22 KJV  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel ... (22)  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
• Mar 4:2-9 KJV  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,  (3)  Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: .. (9)  And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
• Mar 11:17-18 KJV  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.  (18)  And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
• Joh 7:15-17 KJV  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?  (16)  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.
• Rom 6:16-18 KJV  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  (18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
• Rom 16:17-19 KJV  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  (18)  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  (19)  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
• Tit 2:7 KJV  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
• 2Jn 1:9-10 KJV  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:

The 'Lazarus' message is still relevant for many of us, especially the believers 
Many may still wonder, Why do I talk about the 'Lazarus' message; not about the grace message? Apart from the reason that it is the Lord's message, I want to talk about it now because it has been greatly distorted or ignored by many preachers. The 'Lazarus' message is the Lord's teaching which will reveal that radical grace and 'prosperity gospel' have no place or very little place in the heart of a true follower of Jesus Christ:

1. Radical grace teaching gives the hidden message to everyone, including the millionaires and the rich, that everyone is a 'Lazarus'. Hence, everyone thinks that he or she is still the 'Lazarus' who still needs more grace, more favour, more success, more blessing, and more prosperity. In another words, everyone would be influenced to think that God's grace is not sufficient and, therefore, they need radical grace and confess it radically as taught by the radical grace preachers. They need to hear more radical grace, confess for more radical grace, pray for more radical grace, and prosper more with radical grace. That's why this will also, sooner or later, lead them to believe and accept the 'prosperity gospel'.
2. But the 'Prosperity gospel' is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives the same hidden message to everyone, including the millionaires and the rich, that they are not rich enough, successful enough, healthy enough, or spiritual enough, to help anyone. Hence, many may still think that they are too poor to do anything for the 'Lazarus', except for praying, thinking, or confessing for more and more prosperity, even though they have already prospered enough. Hence, if they are the millionaires or billionaires, they would still keep confessing for more and more and more and more .. But, when will they stop confessing (or thinking) and start doing something for the 'Lazarus' ?  God knows ..

• Luk 12:15-22 KJV  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  (16)  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  (22)  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

He who has eyes to see, let him see
I believe that the Lord want all of us to see beyond our mental desires and the natural. I have explained why the Lord want us to hear beyond our hearing or think beyond our thinking too. I have explained why the Lord would never tell those, who have ears to hear, to hear only; or have eyes to see, to see only; or have brain to think, to think only; or have faith to believe, to believe only (see "Jesus did not say, Hear only; He said, Hear , Receive, & Do" in my previous post here.). Obviously, the rich man who created barns after barns of commodities in the parable above had seen only bigger barns or more barns in his mind; he could not see greater suffering or more suffering of the people as a result of his 'hogging' - a selfish act which is used to block the regular supply of the basic goods in the market and then sell it later to the needy with an inflated price. 
Similarly, many religious preachers or false prophets today could have blinded themselves and others from seeing the true spiritual situation around them too. They may not do religious businesses or practices to sell pigeons, oxen, sheep, utensils, holy water, circumcision service, or sacrifices in the temples, like the Pharisees; however, they create and sell 'barns after barns' of deception / false doctrine in CDs, DVDs, books, and TV broadcasts, to blind the people from seeing the needs of other people. They just want to see bigger, better, and greater blessings for themselves or for the 'old man' (or 'rich man') inside them. They see 'barns' for themselves; and not 'people' who are like 'Lazarus'. If they were rich, they want to be the 'prince'; if they were the 'prince', they want to be the 'king'; if they were 'king', they want to be 'gods'..., and this will keep them going .. They preach and boast that this is the only type of pursuit which may require much effort, which is better than the effort of keeping the commandments of God, and which they consider as a justified course of action. They boast that it will always lead them to a greater inner peace within their souls, and this will also lead them to greater grace, greater favour, greater prosperity, greater maturity, greater anointing, greater wisdom, greater holiness, and greater righteousness. Is this a spiritual truth or hypocritical lie? God knows.  


We do not teach 'Lazarus' vs another 'Lazarus' (or 'law' vs 'grace'); we teach both 'Lazarus'
Many will still argue, "What you see is not what we see.. Obviously, what you see is the 'Lazarus' which is 'the Law' (or the beggar) that produce lacks, poverty, failure, sins, judgement, demands, cynicism, negative reports, and death. But what we see is the other 'Lazarus' which is the 'Lawless' solution to the problem of 'law' in our world today. It is also the revolution, rest, resurrection, righteousness, and life.. As far as I and my household are concerned, we will only think of the second 'Lazarus'.. Haha.. we are the blessed ones because we always see ourselves as the righteousness of God .. Amen."
I will ask them, Is that another fantastic contrast of your 'grace' vs 'law' (or 'grace' against the 'law') arguments? Yes, of course, you can brainwash your thoughts or the thoughts of others to think only of the second 'Lazarus' and to have more inner peace without seeing the 'poor Lazarus', but it is not the will of God. You can't tell people to read only the gospel of John and reject the gospel of Luke just because you do not want to think about the poor 'Lazarus'. Do you know that we can still learn many important teachings and commandments from both the Old and New Testaments too?

1. Of course, we can still learn much about the will of God from both the Old and New Testaments; or else why do you still flip to the Old Testament for references?
2. Of course, we can also learn many important lessons from the records of both the 'poor Lazarus' (in Luk 16:15-31) and the 'resurrected Lazarus' (Joh 11:39-45); or else we would not find the gospel of Luke in the New Testament too
3. Of course, we can also learn many important lessons from both the laws of God and the grace of God; or else Jesus would not do and teach from the laws and commandments of God when He taught His disciples

It is ridiculous to use the gospel or any teaching of Jesus to preach against the law of God
Many will now change their preaching. They will say, "Ok, you are right. We must still preach about the 'poor Lazarus'. We do preach about the 'poor Lazarus' now. But he is a type of 'grace', whilst the rich man is a type of the 'law'. You will find that 'law' and 'grace' can never mix because the rich man (who represents the 'law') was below and Lazarus ('grace') was above after both of them died. They could not cross over to each other. The rich man was a type of the law because he died without Christ. He was a hypocrite. He was a believer of the law. He did everything by self-effort. He was under the law .."
I will tell them, Please stop preaching like the 'old broken record' again.
Firstly, do you know that you have quoted everything out of context whenever you preach against the 'law' or the law of God? Obviously you do not know the difference between the law of Moses (or the 'law' which is the old covenant) and the laws of God. You are totally confused and you become a total confusion which brings misunderstanding to everyone in the churches.
Secondly, have you really read your Bible carefully? How did you know that the rich man was under the law when the Lord did not say that he was a Jew or a Gentile? Yes, of course, you could make assumption and claim that your assumption is biblical and spiritual. So could we. We can agree with you that the rich man was a Jew and that he was under the law. But can you please use your anointed brain to think also, If everyone or every Jew under the law was hypocrite, why did Jesus say that only the rich man was found in hell? Where were all the other Jews or those who were under the law? Did Jesus say that all of them were in hell too? No, Lazarus could also be a Jew and he could be under the law too. He was obviously not in hell. Please stop using any Bible examples or typology to preach lawless doctrine or teach against the law of God if you are not familiar with the law of God, please.   

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What is the doctrine of Christ? Is it Christ + nothing = Everything?

What is the doctrine of Christ? Is it "Christ + Nothing = Everything"?
No? Should it be: "Christ + Everything  = Better thing or more thing" ?

Well, I am not concerned if radical grace preachers would argue that "Christ + Nothing = Everything" or "Christ + Everything  = More thing".  
I am not interested in how well they can debate on the doctrine of Christ as "Christ + nothing" or "Christ + everything effortlessly". I would think that whether the doctrine of Christ is 'nothing', 'everything', or 'all things',  a true believer of Jesus Christ can never do nothing or teach nothing according to the words of Christ:

• Mat 5:18-19 KJV  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (19)  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

A true believer of Jesus Christ will always do and teach all the principles and the doctrine of Christ. He will not stop doing or teaching the words of Christ if there are still many 'baby' believers who need to be taught to do all things for Christ:

• Heb 5:12-14 KJV  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (6:1-3) 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 7:12 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
• Mat 11:27 KJV  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
• Mat 21:22 KJV  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
• Mat 28:20 KJV  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• Joh 5:20-21 KJV  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.  (21)  For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
• Joh 14:26 KJV  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ..  (Joh 15:10-15).. 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. .. (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.  .. (Joh 16:15)..  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (Please ask, Do 'all things' include the words or commandments of the Father too? I would think so.)
• Rom 8:28 KJV  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. .. Rom 8:32 KJV  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
• 1Co 13:7 KJV  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
• 1Co 14:26 KJV  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.. 1Co 14:40 KJV  Let all things be done decently and in order.
• 2Co 2:9 KJV  For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
• 2Co 5:17 KJV  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• 2Co 6:4-8 KJV  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  (5)  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  (6)  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,  (7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  (8)  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;.. (10) As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 
• 2Co 9:8 KJV  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
• Eph 1:11-12 KJV  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  (12)  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
• Eph 1:21-23 KJV  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  (22)  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  (23)  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
• Eph 3:9-10 KJV  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  (10)  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
• Eph 4:15 KJV  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
• Eph 5:13 KJV  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
• Php 2:13-14 KJV  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  (14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
• Php 3:8 KJV  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
• Php 4:13 KJV  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
• ..
• ..
• (There are too many Bible verses which show that we must do all things; not nothing. If you do a search on your Bible with 'all things', you can find more Bible verses which tell us to do all thing in Christ - I found 157 verses).  

Yes, we ARE the sinners who were naked and had nothing. But, we have now 'prospered' (being properly 'clothed' with riches of Christ). Yes, We ARE sinners who have been forgiven of our sins (or debts) and set free to walk in the truth and to walk after God's commandments, but this won't make everyone prosper like a millionaire (or like an 'effortless' prosperity preacher) 

• 3Jn 1:1-4 KJV  The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.  (2)  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  (3)  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
• 2Jn 1:6-11 KJV  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

However, there are many believers in our churches who still live under nakedness, think of nothing, and do nothing. The doctrine of Christ would not teach us to focus on doing nothing or thinking of nothing; it focus on doing all things in Christ. Hence, we should ALWAYS teach the believers to think of all things and do all things, not nothing, through Christ who strengthen us. We don't boast about doing nothing, thinking of nothing, or having nothing; but all things and more things in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

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