Many of us have forgotten, We need grace because we are sinners

Many of us have forgotten, We need grace because we are sinners?
Many of us know that we need grace because we are sinners. How can we forget about it ? However, it is sad to know that many preachers have forgotten about it. Many would just want to preach grace radically for favor, peace of mind, good opinion from God, prosperity, success, gold, wealth, power, health, and materialistic desires. They do not want to hear about sin or confess about sin. I will ask them, If you do not mention sin or preach against sin, you do not know the grace of God; you just want favor.
However, if we know that we are sinners or confess that we are sinners, the grace of God would come. Hence, I don't understand, How can we receive grace if we do not tell people that we are sinners? We don't have to pretend to be sinners; "we are sinners", and Paul confessed it not with the past tense; but with the present tense:

• Mat 9:13 KJV  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• Luk 13:2-6 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.
• 1Ti 1:15 KJV  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The knowledge that we are sinners is not just a past knowledge
Are we more righteous than Paul ? Certainly not. Yet he considered himself as the chief of all sinners. We are in no way better than him. Has it occured to us that when Paul said, "I am the chief of all sinners", he confessed his sins again even though he knew that he was righteous in Christ?  If you think that this is not clear enough, how about his confession in the following Bible verses:

• Rom 7:18-21 KJV  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Did Paul say that it was no longer a problem for him after he believed in Christ? NO. Did he use the past tense for his problem? I am not a Bible scholar but I believe that he confessed his sins again using the present tense. So, what's the problem if we, the believers, would still confess sins? What's the big deal? Will it bring curses to us because we confess our sins? No. If it is a big problem, Jesus would never teach His disciples to confess sins everyday. He would just ask them to say grace or give thanks for the daily bread. He would have commanded Paul or all His disciples to stop praying His prayer:

• Luk 11:2-4 KJV  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

But I have never heard from any of His disciples or the Apostles telling us to stop praying the Lord's prayers, except from certain radical grace preachers. Of course, I don't suggest that, therefore, we should whisper or confess our sins mindlessly, meaninglessly, and repetitively like the 'crazy birds'. We must confess sins with true repentance or change in the heart. Otherwise, I suggest that we don't confess it at all. What's the point if we would just want to confess publicly like the Pharisees in Mat 3:7-10?


The attitude of repentance as a sinner can never be obsolete in the hearts of believers
The attitude of repentance as a sinner can never be understood by the Pharisees too. When we confess our sins in true repentance, we acknowledge that we are the believers who will still need God's grace daily. Hence, this type of repentance or  'metanoia', which must also involve the dying of the 'old man' daily by taking up our cross, could never be understood by most of the Pharisees at that time:

• Joh 3:3-16 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God... (9)  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  (10)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  (11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  (13)  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  (14)  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• Luk 9:22-24 KJV  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.  (23)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  (24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Many of us are very familiar with John 3:16. We believe that we are saved by believing in Him. Have we asked, How do we believe? Do you think that the Pharisees had truly believed when they came to John the Baptist or Jesus Christ and said that they believed too? No, Jesus would tell them that it was meaningless for them to believe in Him if they could not accept what he taught or said. We are not surprised that many preachers today have believed in Christ and yet they have rejected Him because they could not accept what he taught or said. The Lord had prophesied that many would argue like the false prophets in Mat 7:15-23.
Many will argue that they are called the sons of God too, and therefore, they are totally righteous. They can never be condemned. They can never fall. They can never confess sin or repent. But I will tell them, Yes, we are called the sons of God, but does that mean that we can never sin, we are too righteous to repent, or we are there already. No, we still have 'a long way to go' if we are humble enough; otherwise, it's 'the shortest way to shame and condemnation' if we are arrogant:

• 1Jn 3:1-4 KJV  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  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.
• 1Jn 3:2 LITV  Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it was not yet revealed what we shall be. But we know that if He is revealed, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
• Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
   

True repentance can come only when we die to our self
However, Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, came to Jesus in the night. Probably he was convicted. He knew that he was a sinner; but he could not confess it before others. He chose to come quietly in the night. I don't think that was repentance. The repentance that Jesus preached is bold, sincere, and certain with the open confession of sins, declaration of change in his lives in the public with water baptism, followed by the inner change in the spirit through the Holy Spirit:

• Joh 3:1-12 KJV  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  (2)  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  (3)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  (9)  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  (10)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  (11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
• Luk 13:2-6 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 ...
• Joh 12:24-26 KJV  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.  (26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
• Joh 6:53-58 KJV  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  (54)  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  (55)  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  (56)  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  (57)  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  (58)  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
   

Repentance, baptism of death, and rebirth is necessary for The Word to dwell in us
Many of us think that eating the Son of man in Joh 6:53-58 is to eat the holy communion and mentally consume Jesus. Many think that the bread and wine in the holy communion are powerful elements which will bring prosperity and healing. However, eating them is meaningless without understanding the words of Christ in Joh 6:53-58.
When the Lord told His disciples to eat His flesh and drink His blood, He was not telling them to eat Him alive; He was telling them to eat His words. In another words, He wants all His disciples to seriously and diligently DO all His words and KEEP His commandments. For He is The Word in the flesh. He was the bread, the commandment, and the authority in the ark of covenant too. However, when He was resurrected and risen from the tomb, He became The manna (bread), the tablets of stones (commandments), and the rod (authority) which will dwell in the hearts of men. Hence, men can now have a better covenant relationship with God. Like the Old Covenant, God would still want to commune with us and reveal His will or command to us. However, the 'form' of worship has completely changed because The Word has now come in the flesh and dwelt among us:

• Joh 6:63-66 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.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
• 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.
• Joh 1:14 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.
• Joh 20:7-12 KJV  And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. .. (11)  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,  (12)  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
• 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:

Hence, where is the ark of covenant now ? Under the Old Testament, the ark of covenant was in the temple of God; but under the New Testament, we are the temple and our hearts becomes the ark of covenant:

• 1Co 3:14-18 KJV  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  (15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  (16)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  (17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  (18)  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 

In the end time, many antiChrists will start to reveal themselves when they start to reject Jesus as The Word who came in the flesh 
Hence, in the end time, Satan will leave the non-believers alone, but he will try very hard to remove the ark of covenant or the commandments of God from the 'temple' (which is our heart). When we see this is happening, we know that all God's prophecies have been fulfilled and the end is near:

• Mat 24:14-16 KJV  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (15)  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)  (16)  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
• Mar 13:12-14 KJV  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.  (13)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  (14)  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
• Dan 11:31-32 KJV  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  (32)  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
• Dan 12:8-13 KJV  And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?  (9)  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  (10)  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  (11)  And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.  (12)  Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.  (13)  But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
• Rev 14:12-13 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  (13)  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

Many of us think that the abomination of desolation will come only during the third world wars. However, what I see is the abomination which will make our hearts desolate. In the end time, it could be a spiritual war or a fierce battle between different words, doctrines, or laws. It will create tremendous desolation in the life of a believer or someone who wish to be made 'desolate', with no more God's words, God's laws, God's commandments, or God's glory.


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Righteousness came by grace, by faith, by Jesus Christ, or by the New Covenant?

Righteousness came by grace, by faith, by Jesus Christ, or by the New Covenant?
Of course, we can tell people that righteousness came by all of the above.

• Rom 5:21 KJV  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Rom 5:17 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
• Rom 3:22-23 KJV  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  (23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
• Rom 4:4-6 KJV  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  (6)  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
• 2Co 3:6-10 KJV  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  (7)  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, 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?  (9)  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  (10)  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
• Heb 8:9-13 KJV  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:  (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.  (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.
• Heb 10:15-29 KJV  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,  (16)  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.  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. ..  (26)  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? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
  (But can we twist it and argue that this warning is not for God's people? No, it says very clearly that God will judge His people; not other people. When He used the comparison of a sorer punishment, He confirmed again that He was comparing and warning two of His people - one who despised Moses' law under the Old Covenant, and another who will dishonour the Spirit of grace under the New Covenant. Please think, who were able to despised Moses' law? Of course, nobody except the Jews or God's people who were given the law? Similarly, who can dishonour the Spirit of grace? Of course, no one, except God's people who have been given the grace of God too?)

Righteousness comes by doing the words and the will of the Father too
From the Bible verses above (Heb 10:15-29), we know that righteousness comes by the new covenant. The Hebrew writer said that we are righteous, not because we are physically made righteous (see 1Jn 3:2 John said, We are not there yet), but because God is merciful to our unrighteousness. However, he did not say that it came by the new covenant and full stop. But he continued and said that we ought to live by the new covenant too. If we (both the Jews and Gentile believers) sin willfully by the new covenant, there is no more sacrifice for sins (Heb 10:26):

• Paul did say that there is no more offering for sin for the Jews because we (both the Jews and Gentile believers) are now under the new covenant (Heb 10:18). 
• But Paul also stressed that there is no more sacrifice for sin for the believers too if we (both the Jews and Gentile believers) sin willfully by despising the commandments of God in the new covenant, treating the blood sacrifice of God as our license to sin, and corrupting the grace of God (Heb 10:26). 

I will tell the radical grace preachers, Yes, we must preach the gospel that Paul preached, but we must also know that the gospel that Paul preached is the gospel that Jesus preached. That's why Paul would warn, emphasize, and teach (both the Jews and Gentiles believers) to will and to do the will 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.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
• Rom 7:18-25 KJV  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.   ...  (21)  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. (Did Paul say that he could never sin because he was under grace? No, if he could never sin, he would never said "O wretched man that I am! (v24)", confess that he was still brought under the captivity of sin (v23), and admit ".. the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do (v19)". Hence, if Paul still sinned or confessed publicly about his existing weakness or sins in his wretched man, why can't a believer or a sinner confess his sins and admit that he has sinned too? If Paul did not think that he could insult the righteousness of God by admitting or confessing it, how can we think that we will insult God's righteousness by confessing our sins? If Paul was not ashamed to confess about his sinful deeds or wretchedness, why should we be afraid to confess our sins ???)
• Php 3:13-19 KJV  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (15)  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  (16)  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  (17)  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (18)  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
• Php 2:12-13 KJV  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The righteousness of God does not come by lying, but by preaching the doing the will of God
Many will still argue, "But the righteousness of God does not come by works or by doing right. It is by grace. If we must do right, how can Abraham be righteous? He was a liar and yet God thinks that he is righteous. But the Bible said, As Abraham is righteous, so are we. This shows that the teaching of Christ to do right to be righteous is obsolete. It was the law teaching under the Old Testament..."
I will tell them, Yes, Abraham lie; but no one died. However, if you lie, millions will perish with your lies. Please think again before you lie.

• Abraham did not preach his lying as God's way of justifying all the sinners and liars; but you preached his lying as God's way of justifying all the sinners and liars
• Abraham did not preach his lying as God's revolution for grace; but you preached his lying as His revolution for grace
• Abraham was righteous in God's eyes because of God's mercy under the Old Testament but it should never be used as our license to lie because of God's grace under the New Covenant today.

If we always use the example of Abraham's lying to justify ourselves and others who lie, we are not preaching the gospel that Paul preached. We have not understood Paul's warning about sinning willfully in Heb 10:15-29. Neither have we preached the true and living God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:12-13). Certainly, a true preacher would know God's will. But if a preacher always uses the example of Abraham's lying to justify his preaching or lies, he could have preached like the Pharisees who might have used the example of Abraham's lying to justify themselves too. I don't think the Lord can accept us whether we preach lies under the Old Covenant or New Covenant:

• Mat 3:5-10 KJV  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,  (6)  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  (7)  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  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.  (10)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
• Luk 3:8-10 KJV  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  (9)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (10)  And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

Many Jews asked John the Baptist, What shall we do then? John gave different answers to different people. But to the false prophets, I believe that he would say,

"Stop lying and preach doing God's will !"

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Can we rebuke the lazy people?

Can we rebuke the lazy people?
Please do not try to be religious first when thinking about this question. Just assume that you were a teacher and you were working in the secular world. Will you rebuke the students who refuse to study? If you were a leader of your country, will you rebuke those who refuse to work? If you were the boss of a company, can you rebuke and fire the lazy workers? But if you  will just want to think of grace for the lazy people, you are not a good boss. If you are Mr. Nice to all the lazy people, you show the rest of the people that you are weak and confused in your principles.


God can rebuke the lazy people too
Now, you can think of the question in your religious belief or doctrine. Do you think that God cannot rebuke the lazy people too? If you are preaching a God who can never rebuke them, you show us that your God is weak and confused in His laws and principles too. But true God knows good principles and laws. True God knows what commandments to give to His people:

• 2Th 3:6-15 KJV  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.  (7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;  (8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:  (9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.  (10)  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.  (11)  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  (12)  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.  (13)  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.  (14)  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

I will ask the radical grace preachers, Did Paul give a command to the non-believers in the Bible verses above? No, he spoke it clearly as a commandment, not as a gracious request. It could be a stern rebuke against all those who are lazy too. Common sense tells us that we can rebuke the lazy people, lazy brethren, lazy students, or lazy workers in our society. But can God rebuke a believer or a church in our world?


Certainly, yes ! God can rebuke anyone, any believer, or any church in the world
How can we say that God can only say gracious words to the believers, that He would never give any commandment to the believers, or that He will never rebuke or reprove any believers or churches?

• Joh 16:8 KJV  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
• 1Th 4:9-12 KJV  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.  (10)  And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;  (11)  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  (12)  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 
• Rev 3:14-19 KJV  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  (15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  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.

Hence, the Bible is full of God's commandments, not just the Ten Commandments, for us (the believers) to love God and do good to others. It is not just commandments for us to work hard and preach honestly, but also to be godly men and women who can be moral examples for the people of the world too:

• Mat 5:13-19 KJV  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  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.

Again common sense tells us that, although we can rebuke the lazy people, lazy brethren, lazy students, and lazy workers in our society, we don't tell people to rebuke everyone like a mad man, neither do we condemn all those who need to discipline their students, workers, or children in our society.
Please imagine, If we were the teachers, and the lazy students argued that we were wrong to rebuke them for not doing their home work, something was wrong. If we were the bosses or CEO, and the lazy workers complained that we were wrong to rebuke them for not doing their works, something was very wrong too. 
Similarly, if the sinners or lazy 'brethren' in the churches complained that God is not a good God because He rebuked them, something is terribly wrong in the churches too. Please imagine, What would God think, If the lazy 'brethren' or believers (like the church of Laodiceans in Rev 3:14-19) would argue and tell Jesus, "No, you cannot rebuke us or reprove us because we believe in a 'God' or 'Holy Spirit' who can only have good opinion of us. Hence, you must have good opinion of us because we have good opinion of you too; otherwise, you are not our God .. "  ???


God's words will still judge and rebuke because Jesus is still The Word who came in the flesh and He will come again and judge, as The Word of God (Rev 19:13) 
Many will just want to argue, "But the bible is not a bunch of laws, moral principles, and doctrine. It is not just words after words or commands after commands for us to do many things or to think of right believing. Let me define it correctly, The Bible is all about Jesus Christ only. It is God's will for us to have stronger relationship with Jesus Christ only, to feel righteous, and to prosper more in the world."
I will tell them, If you think that the Bible has no moral principles to teach us, please do not quote from the Bible when you conduct marriage seminar or give advice to the married couples in your church. Otherwise, you would be very hypocritical if you condemn those who teach God's laws and commandments, while secretly conduct marriage seminar to teach moral principles of good marriage and God's commandment against adultery. I will tell them, Yes, the Bible is about Jesus Christ, but the Bible is also about God's words, God's will, and God's command to us too. How can we put asunder or divide what God is in the Bible? John said, The Word is God. The Word has come in the flesh. And the Word will teach because the Word is the principle and teaching of Christ for us to know how to live; not just to prosper, but to love and to do good to others too : 

• Joh 1:1-14 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. .. (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 
• Heb 5:12 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. ... 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. 
• 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. 
• 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 1:6-11 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.
• Rev 19:13-16 KJV  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Hence, I will tell them, I don't think anyone can deny that Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit can convict sins. If Jesus could convict the Pharisees by writing on the ground with His fingers and cause the Pharisees to leave one by one before Him (Joh 8:8-9), He can convict anyone, including the self-righteous believers, gnostic believers, agnostic believers, carnal believers, false believers, lying believers, or any kind of believers who think and argue that they can never sin or do not have any sin too.

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It's our obedience or Christ's obedience?

It's our obedience or Christ's obedience?
Many radical grace preachers say, "Of course, we are saved because of Christ's obedience. We have never obeyed and can never obey. However, Jesus fulfilled all the commandments of God and obeyed them for us so that we have no more commandments to obey or to keep. Yes, we know that the law preachers would argue and say that there are many Bible verses which still tell us to obey. But the meaning of obedience is to believe now, not to keep and obey any laws, principles, rules, and regulations. Or else, why did Paul tell us just to obey the gospel? He meant that we can just believe the gospel and be saved by the finished of Jesus Christ ... Because of the finished work of Jesus Chris, we have no more works in Christ, no more commandments, and no more do's and don'ts ..

1. 2Th 1:7-11 KJV  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  (8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  (10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  (11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2. 1Pe 4:14-19 KJV  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  (15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.  (16)  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  (17)  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.

I will tell them, Yes, I agree that we can never obey unless we have the obedience of Christ. But this would also mean that we can now obey because of Christ's obedience too. It means that we must still obey God or God's will. Obviously you have quoted the two Bible passages out of context when you explained that there is no more need to obey or keep God's commandments. Please read your Bible again. We don't have to go far or go through all the other Bible verses to show you why we must still keep God's commandments. Let us look at the two Bible passages again. Have you thought of reading the Bible verses before or after  the Bible verse which you quoted and explained about what is 'obey the gospel'? What did Paul say when he told us to obey the gospel in 2Th 1:7-11? God wanted all of us to be counted worthy of His calling to fulfill His will. What did Peter say when he told us to obey the gospel in 1Pe 4:14-19? He said, Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a transgressor of His laws. He said that we should suffer according to the will of God in well doing in obedience to the faithful Creator. Isn't it clear enough for us to obey the will of God and the will of God is to obey His commandments?


Before, we could not obey; but now we must obey because of the obedience of Christ
Hence, what can we say based on these Bible passages which should be quoted in context, with not only the teaching of Paul and Peter, but with the teaching of the Lord and the whole Bible? To obey the gospel of Jesus Christ is to do and keep God's commandments. Yes, before we believe, we can never know God's words and commandments. Hence, we can never keep His commandments too. But now we can keep His words and commandments because of Christ's obedience. Before, we could never obey; but now we must obey (by doing the will of the Father); otherwise we are not His sons or the disciples of Jesus Christ:

• Mat 7:13-27 KJV  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  (27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The obedience of Christ would mark the beginning of our obedience
They will argue, "Please don't twist the words of God to convince us to keep any commandment or law. You have quoted the words of God out of context. When the Bible tells us to cast down all our boastful imaginations or bring into captivity our thought to the obedience of Christ, it means that thinking of Christ's finished work only, not any law or principle. When we keep thinking of Christ's obedience or finished work, we don't have to think of any law to obey again because Christ has obeyed all the laws on our behalf. As Christ is, so are we !"

• 2Co 10:3-7 KJV  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  (7)  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

I will tell them, I don't know Who twist the words? If you think that you are Christ's, please think this again, that, as you are Christ's, even so are we Christ's. Please think again, Why do we need to bring into captivity all our thoughts to the obedience of Christ? It's because our thoughts are not obedient thoughts. Occasionally our lawless or sinful old man will rise up against the knowledge of God and rebel. It will exalt itself against God. That's why we need to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Obviously Paul was not talking about the non-believers because the non-believers could never bring into captivity their thoughts to the obedience of Christ. Obviously the obedience of Christ does not end the works of obedience. On the contrary, the finished work of Christ would only mark the beginning of a believer's works !



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Why must we do good?

Why must we do good?
Of course, normal people, including the non-believers, would think that we must do good. We become 'abnormal' if we think otherwise. However, many preachers have influenced the believers to think otherwise, to think abnormally, or to think lawlessly. They would preach and say, "We don't do good get good anymore. Under grace or the new covenant, we don't do and yet we get the good. It means radical grace! Doing good is no longer a must or a command for us; but an option which we will do because of grace and the finished work of Jesus. Hence, teaching people to do good or teaching it as a command of the Lord would be self-effort or law teaching. It is an hindrance which can prevent people from receiving the true grace of God. We should just preach Jesus, confess His beautiful name, think of Him, praise Him, worship Him, and have good opinion of Him. And He would teach us to do everything automatically and supernaturally through dreams, visions, and prompting of the Holy Spirit. In fact, He has done everything for us, including repentance, doing good, and keeping all the laws of God. He has done everything so that He has nothing left for us to do.. Under the new covenant, there is only grace;  no more law, no more commandment, and no more doctrine. Grace is not a doctrine. Grace is Jesus Christ. Grace is the gospel which can meet the needs of the people today because Law demands, but grace supplies .."
 But I will ask them, Did Jesus eat or go to the toilet for you? Obviously, lazy people would push every responsibility to Jesus. But when they fail and sin, they would just say, "It is His problem, not mine". Jesus has never told us that He would do everything for us. On the contrary, He told us to do more than what the Pharisees, priests, or Levites would do:

• Luk 10:29-37 KJV  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.

Please think again, Will Jesus change His mind and tell us that we don't have to do good because we have believed in Him and we are under grace? Certainly not. If we have truly believed in Him, we would all the more do what He said or commanded. However, those who wish to justify themselves would think or behave like the priest, the Levite, or the Pharisees. They would argue that their belief, their mind changing philosophy, their right thinking, their praises, their confession of the blood, their faithful taking of the holy communion, their generous giving to the churches, their faith in the transfer of wealth, their testimony of miraculous healing,  and their good opinion of God would exempt them from doing good to others. They can believe well, so can the Pharisee:

• Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Many of us think that the Lord rejected the Pharisees because they were not humbled. I will say, Yes, this could be part of the reasons. However, the Pharisees were never the doers of God's commandments too. They could believe well, but they could never do well.)
• Jas 2:19-20 KJV  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
• Mat 7:21-23 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

The serpent will influence us to depart from God's command to do good too
I will show more teaching of the Lord about His commandments to do good later. However, we should think a little deeper now, Have we been influenced by anyone to think that the Lord's commandment to do good is no longer a command for the believers. If you are alert, you would remember that the serpent had influenced Adam and Eve to think that God's command to them was no longer a command for them. The serpent was so good in his ways of speech that he could turn something that is clearly given and perceived as a command from God into something else:

• 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 3:1-5 KJV  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ... (4) 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.

Hence, I am not surprised that the serpent will tempt us again. Of course, he will only tempt  those who have the words and commandments of the Lord. He will ask again, "Hisss.., Hisss.., Yea, hath the Lord said, Ye cannot do this and that? Did He really really tell you to keep all the laws or commandments of God to do good? No, you have misunderstood Him .. He meant this... this.. you can never fall .. , isn't this too good to be true? , .. I tell you, For God doth know that in the day ye  open your eyes, ye are above His laws and commandments. You can never die. You can never be condemned by His words even if you fall or disobey because .." 
Of course, this is just a summary of what he will say. He can certainly preach more convincingly to deceive us like he deceived Adam and Eve. We should tell him, How can we be above the law of God even if we are under grace: Rom 8:7 KJV  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Hence, I am now convinced why Jesus would warn us that the devil will come again and try to corrupt His words, and why we must keep His commandments:

• Mat 13:24-30 KJV  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  (25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  (26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  (27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  (28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  (29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  (30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
• Rev 12:17 KJV  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
   

The Bible has taught us that it is a command from God for us to do good
The Lord and the Apostles would say that it is a must for us to do good. They would never say that it is an option or a hindrance:

• Mat 5:44-48 KJV  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  (45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  (47)  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
• Luk 6:9 KJV  Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
• Luk 6:35-36 KJV  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (36)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
• 1Ti 6:17-18 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
• Jas 4:17 KJV  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
• 1Pe 3:10-12 KJV  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

In fact, God's will and command for men to do good has never changed. We can see this since the time God gave the Jews His Old Testament and the Ten Commandments.


Grace and good works do not crash
Many preachers think that it would crash with grace if we do good and teach people to do God's commandments, God's will, or good works. However, I would think otherwise. I would think that grace and doing good must be preached together:

• 2Co 9:7-8 KJV  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  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:

In fact, the Lord has shown us that we receive grace to do good to others, not to do evil:

• Mat 18:32-35 KJV  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.  (35)  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
• Mat 25:40 KJV  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.

There are many reason why we must do good because of grace
1. We do not do good because we want to earn grace. We do good because it is a command from the Lord.

• 1Ti 6:17-18 KJV  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

2. We do not do good because we are compelled by an unknown force; we do good because we want to obey and please the Lord

• Heb 13:16 KJV  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 
• 1Pe 3:10-12 KJV  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

3. We do not do good because it is an option for us; we do good because we obey and it is His will for us.

• Php 2:12-13 KJV  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

4. We do not do good because we want to get good; we do good because we know that God is merciful and forgiving:

• Luk 6:35-36 KJV  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (36)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

5. We do not do good because we are good; we do good because we know that God is good and we want to be good too: 

• Mat 5:44-48 KJV  .. (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 
• 1Pe 1:13-16 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.
• Jas 4:17 KJV  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.    

Please think, If we must do good and tell people to do good, how can the teaching of doing good be self-effort? It can be self-effort only if it is preached as the law of the Pharisees. However, we know that the Pharisees would never do good. Hence, I would think that the law of the Pharisees which did not really teach the people to do good would be their self-effort to become righteous before God. Hence, any law or grace which tries to justify the people without doing good today is still 'self-effort' or 'self-righteousness' in the eyes of the Lord. It is like the works of the law of the Pharisees.


There are many reasons why we must do good because of the finished work of Jesus Christ
Many radical grace preachers could preach the finished work of Jesus very well. But it is so well that it become the finished work of the believers. Of course, I don't think that Jesus would tell us that His finished work is our finished work. His finished work is done once and for all. But our work is not finished yet if we are not finished or God has not finished with us.
We cannot add any law, work, or effort on to what Jesus has finished on the cross for us. But we can certain do good or add good works in our lives, not to save ourselves, but to fulfill the joy, the will, and the pleasure of the Lord in our lives.

• 2Th 1:8-12 KJV  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  (10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  (11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  (12)  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Jas 2:8 KJV  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

The will to do good is still a 'law' of God in every man's heart
If you remember what I said earlier, you would know that I have already stressed why we must do good. I said at the top of  this post, "Normal people,  including the non-believers, would think that we must do good". The concept that 'we must do good' is the law of God in every man, and this law will never changed even though men have departed from the law of God. Non-believers may not have the law of God which speaks to them directly or clearly as His command or voice, but consciously or unconsciously they know that there is always an 'anonymous' inner voice which may strongly disagree with them or strongly condemn their sinful behaviors. We called it - the conscience:

• Rom 2:14-24 KJV  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  (16)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.  (17)  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,  (18)  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;  (19)  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,  (20)  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.  (21)  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  (22)  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  (23)  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?  (24)  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
• Act 2:37-38 KJV  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  (38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Man's normal thinking will be corrupted to think deceitfully or lawlessly
But things would get worst when the normal people, including the believers, will lose that conscience or the law of God to do good.. I have said that it is a mystery of lawlessness which will first corrupt the normal thinking of the people and make them believe that sin can come from any law, especially the law of God. When this happens, many normal people think that:

• sin comes from the law 
• doing good is a law from the devil (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).

This will happen in the last days, when man's conscience will be corrupted easily and they will love to hear anything or any interpretation from the serpent. Have we marveled at the foolishness of Adam and Eve? How could they listen to the interpretation of Satan to depart from God's command and dishonor it when God's command was so clear and so direct to them? I don't think Adam and Eve were foolish; but they were deceived by Satan who was too cunning for them. Today Satan would still try to twist our normal and direct thinking on God's commandments again. Hence, we are not surprised that many people, including the believers, have begun to think like the devil and argue that sin does not come from lawlessness, but sin comes from the law of God (click here to watch this video) and that they will be saved even if they believe the devil, sin, and dishonor God's commandments.


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Did sin come from the law or from lawlessness?

Did sin come from the law or from lawlessness?
Many think that this is a strange question. "Who wouldn't know that sin come from lawlessness? If we do not have God's laws or disobey God's laws, we sin in the eyes of God. God's words have confirmed it:"

• 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.  ...   3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
• 1Jn 3:4 KJV  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

I will tell them, Normal people, including Adam and Eve, will read God's command and interpret that we would sin if we do not do God's will or God's command. But when Satan comes, we could be confused to think otherwise. The fall of Adam and Eve is a very obvious example and lesson for us. They were confused to think that they can just disobey God's command even though initially they had known that departing from God's command was a serious sin which could lead to death.


Satan can confuse us like he confused Adam and Eve
Today, Satan will still come again to tempt the churches and confuse us like he confused Adam and Eve. Don't ask me, How can he succeed to tempt God's beloved or the believers who know God's words? I can only say that we should never underestimate him. He can confuse all of us even though we know clearly that it is a sin to disobey God's will and command.  How can he manage to do that ? It was always a mystery to us, including Paul who has prophesied that lawlessness will come into the churches or into the hearts of the believers again in the end time. I will tell those who argue that the churches or believers can never fall, Please look at Adam and Eve who were smarter and more perfect than us. They had received God command in a much clearer way, and yet they could still fall. This should give us enough warning.
Secondly, Please think, Why did the Bible prophesy or warn that lawlessness will come into the churches? Why didn't the Lord warn the people outside the churches? Of course, common sense. It's because Satan would not need to tempt those who have already fallen. It is meaningless for him to tempt anyone outside the churches again.

• 2Th 2:3-12 LITV  Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  (4)  the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2  (5)  Do you not remember that I told you these things, I yet being with you?  (6)  And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time.  (7)  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. Isa. 11:4  (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.  (11)  And because of this, God will send to them a working of error, for them to believe the lie,  (12)  that all may be judged, those not believing the truth, but who have delighted in unrighteousness.
• 2Co 11:3-4 LITV  But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the purity which is due to Christ.  (4)  For if, indeed, the one coming proclaims another Jesus, whom we have not proclaimed, or if you receive another spirit which you have not received, or another gospel which you never accepted, you might well endure these.
   

Satan will tempt the churches again in the end time
However, recently I feared that the mystery of lawlessness has come. Many will ask, "On what basis?" I will say, On the basis that lawless philosophies and thinking has now become more rampant in the churches and it has been prophesied by Paul. Of course, lawless philosophies and thinking is not necessarily teaching which encourages people to sin and commit serious crimes. Lawless philosophies and thinking can be simply teaching which encourages people to depart from God's will and command. If we look around, we should have noticed that the teaching of many churches today encourages people to think of everything 'lawlessly' in the name of 'radical grace'. Although there are many things taught lawlessly by radical grace in the past, their lawlessness against God's will and command has always been very subtle and well hidden with occasional teaching of God's laws and commandments eg. with the teaching of Psalm 1, Psalm 34, and Deuteronomy 28. However, lately I heard that radical grace preachers have started to become more aggressive and lawless in their radical grace revolution. They preach that sin come from the law; not lawlessness !


 Satan can convince the churches to disobey God, like Adam disobeyed God
What does it mean when someone said that sin come from the law? It means that he could be challenging God's will and commandment or he will confuse the churches to think that they can depart from all God's commandments even though they had been warned to keep God commandments. Like Adam and Eve, they knew God's laws and commandments and yet they would depart from them. When they are deceived to think the sin come from the law; and not lawlessness, they would blame the law or indirectly blame God who gave them the law. It gave them legitimate ground to ignore, reject, and mock at God's laws, God's will, God's command, and God's sovereignty.. 

Hence, I am now helplessly seeing the churches following the steps of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God's command even though they had known that departing from God's command was lawlessness which could lead to death. Jesus warned us that teaching others to depart from God's will and command means rebellion and unpardonable sin too as it can lead to eternal separation from Him even though they may keep confessing His name:

• Mat 7:15-24 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

How did radical grace preachers preach that sin came from the law?
Many will ask, "Can there be anyone in their right mind preaching that sin came from the law; and not from lawlessness?" I say, Yes, I have heard it clearly and loudly from some radical grace preachers. Normal people, including Adam and Eve, will read God's command and interpret that we would sin if we do not do God's will or God's command. But they said, "Sin came from the law because sin come from the tree. As long as Adam and Eve did not eat from the tree, they would not sin. But the moment they ate from the tree, sin went into their lives. It means that the tree cause sin to come into the world; not lawlessness. Why do I say that the tree is the main culprit? It's because the tree is called the knowledge of good and evil. Please think, How do we know between right and wrong or between good and evil? Isn't it the law? Hence, the tree is a type of the law. If any man today takes in the law, he will know what is good and evil; but he will also fall like Adam and Eve too. From the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve knew sin. Similarly, from the law, we know sin too. So, the moral of the story is, Never take the law ! Sin comes from the law; not lawlessness. The churches have got it all wrong. They tell us that we must repent to keep all the laws of God. But my Jesus tells us that we take grace for true repentance. We don't repent to keep the law; otherwise, we keep sin in our lives, But we repent to receive grace."
I will tell them, Yes, that's very logical; but very lawless too. Normal people would never think like you. Yes, your thinking may earn the claps and approvals of all those who are afraid to think of the law of God, but it is not from God.

Please think, If sin can come from the law, then God, the giver of the law would be the giver of sin too. Are you saying that God is a sin giver? Of course, no, God would never give sin. Sin would never come from God. Sin came from men because men chose lawlessness and departed from God's law. There was no sin in the tree or in the fruit of the tree. But sin came when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Hence, sin would still come if they did not eat from the tree. Sin would still come if they chose to listen to the snake and eat something else or do something else to rebel against God's will or command. Similarly, sin would still come today if we do the same thing too. Sin would not stop coming into the world today just because men have stopped eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If today we (after becoming righteous like Adam and Eve before their fall) were to listen to the snake again and mock against God or God's words, sin would still come. 

• Gal 6:5-7 KJV  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.

I will ask them, Please think again, If sin comes from the law, can we call the law holy? No. But why did Paul said that the law is holy? It would show that sin does not come from the law; sin comes from the sinners:

• Rom 7:11-18 KJV  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.  (12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.  (13)  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.  (14)  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.  (15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I... (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Paul would never suggest that we should forget about the law of God
Paul said that sin came from him because he was carnal. But the law of God and the law of sin together would still torment him. What's the solution? Did he suggest that we should therefore reject and ignore God's laws so that we will feel less condemned? Certainly not. Please read on:

• Rom 7:25 KJV  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.  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 shows us that there are two laws:

• one is holy, just, and good (Rom 7:12). It is spiritual (Rom 7:14). It is of the Spirit (Rom 8:2). It is not of the carnal mind (Rom 8:7)  - It is the law of God
• the other is the law of sin, the law of the flesh, or the law from the carnal mind.

Hence, when there is a fight between the law of God and the law of sin in his life, Paul would suggest his solution:

• he would serve the law of God with his mind. It means thinking of God's laws instead of departing from God's laws or ignoring God's laws (Rom 7:25)
• he would walk after the Spirit. It means that he would listen to the law of God who is the Spirit (Rom 8:2)
• he would subject himself to the law of God or obey the law of God and please God (Rom 8:7-8)  

          

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