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God did not praise Rahab for lying, but she was certainly prompted by His Spirit to protect those Israelites sent by Joshua. The Bible has many examples showing that God is also the creator of evil, and He has full authority to use evil for the purpose of salvation. Satan, is the evil spirit that God has created for tempting mankind. This is the first example, a fact that we ought to know. Without Satan, there should have no need of the sacrifice of Christ for salvation. Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Therefore we should not judge the lie of Rahab when she is serving God’s purpose. Rahab’s lie is a good example for us to know when a lie is permissible in the sight of God. But it is not permissible to lie for protecting the sins of the Christian churches (example the cover-up of paedophilia that has now been uncovered for the entire world to see). That kind of lie has been severely condemned by Christ and there is no forgiveness granted by God. Mat 18: 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! For conclusion, most lies are sinful when they serve the selfishness, greediness, pride and **** of men. But a lie that is prompted by the Spirit of God to serve His purpose like the case of Rahab, then who dares to condemn it when God has given His approval and protection.

In the sight of God, all children of Adam and Eve are born in sin Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Whether it is a prostitute, or a thief, or a murderer (example Paul), or a righteous scribe, God is giving the grace of salvation equally to all who repent and return to Him in obedience. Mat 19:17 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. Truly no one is perfect, because no one in this world has been able to observe God’s laws as it should be and not fails in any of them. Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. The prostitute was not honoured because of her prostitution, but she was a perfect example of repentance that God is expecting from every individual on earth. Christ did not despise any category of sinners as the Jews did in his time: Mat 9: 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 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. A humble repented prostitute is dearer to God than a proud Pharisee. The following story is a perfect example for us to learn about how God treats every sinner on earth, even if that is a prostitute: Luk 7:36-48 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Rahab had heard about the miracles performed for the Israelites in Egypt. She believed in His power and knew He was going to give them the land to the Israelites as He had done with the Amorites, Sihon and Og. She was certain in her faith because she had made the choice to hide the spies and betrayed the king of Jericho. Joshua 2: 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Faith is not something one can simply express with words and empty prayer. It is the truth that has to be nourished and grown within one’s heart. It must be cultivated through all activities of life. It is the oil that must be stored for our lamp when we need. The parable of the ten virgins given by Christ (Matthew 25:1-13) is the perfect example telling us that we must prepare for the End Time, when the nations on earth will experience their total destruction, and Christ will come back for the judgement of our world. The eternal punishment or salvation is very much depending on our decision in this life, whether we make the choice to live in obedience to God’s commandments and His laws, or to satisfy our ambition, ****, pride, and all kind of vanities that this world is offering. Having faith in Christ does not mean getting baptised and attending church services; we must show our preference through our journey on earth. Christ, though He has suffered for the forgiveness of sin, but this does not mean we can continue to live the way of the pagan world while professing him as our Saviour. Mat 7:21 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. Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Heb 10: 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.

The spies were sent to gather the information about the strength and weakness of Jericho city. It is natural that they had entered in a prostitute’s lodge because that is the only safe place for foreigners to come and go without being noticed by the local people. God is the controller of everything (Proverbs 16:4; 9), so I do believe He has directed those men into the house of Rahab, a woman who believed and fear the God of Israel (Joshua 2:9). Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Jos 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you

The Eastern meditation that is largely promoted among Christian churches is the art of the Enlightened Angel (or Lucifer). This is an old flattery that Adam and Eve were convinced and felt from grace. Genesis 3: 4-5 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. The meaning of the word “meditate” in the Holy Bible is: H1897 - הָגָה (hâgâh - haw-gaw') To murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication to ponder: - imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter. Christians practice meditation the word of God by studying and putting into practice God’s commandments and his law. The Almighty God of Christians is the living God, his Spirit truly lives with every Christian when they live by his word through all aspects of life. That is the difference between followers of Christ and the pagan world. Christian’s life is active full of energy, joyful and vivid as it is describe in the following verses: Psalm 19: 7-14 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Christians do not go into a dark room or a cave to meditate. They are the bearer of the Word of God, his commandments and his law. It is by living and abiding to God’s word that Christians make the difference and be the light of the world. Matthew 5: 14-16 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.

We should be very much fearful if we disobey God’s commandments and do away with his law. We can see that our society is degrading and going into damnation. We are experiencing the consequences of not respecting God’s law. There is nothing in this world that can give us true peace and joy, if we are not submitting ourselves to God. God’s law is our protection in this world. God’s law and commandments tell us what is right and what is wrong in this life. They act as a compass and a guide for us so that we can know how to live and act rightly in this life. God has given his law and commandments for our own good and for our own protection, for without them, we would just keep falling into one pit after another. Matthew 19: 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 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. “Be strong and courageous” by itself is an empty encouragement. We should read the next verse of Joshua 1 to discover the truth. The power that keeps Joshua strong and fearless is: Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Christian churches are leading their followers astray by preaching that God’s commandments and his law are only for Israel children, so they can just profess their faith in the name of Christ and can go on their own way of life. LOVE is not salvation by itself. Christians are being deceived by adhering into the falsehood of “loving one another” and boasting themselves in charitable works. The Christian churches are using LOVE as a reason to convince followers that they must accept all pagan religions through the ecumenical campaign to promote UNITY and PEACE in the world. The next step of promoting love is the acceptance of the LGBTI minority group and their rights of marriage. Truly, Christian faith can only be secured and strong if Christians fear God. To fear God is obeying and observing his commandments and his law. Therefore the sensible Christians would keep God’s commandments and his law, because they are the “oil of the lamp” that can guide them through the darkness of this world. Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life

It is true that God does not change and does not compromise his covenant with the children of Israel. The statement “I will never leave you nor forsake you” should not be a reason for us to think that God’s love is unconditional. We must remember that God has punished the children of Israel numerous times, even allowing the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem. Due to the disobedience of the children of Israel, God has let his curse on them to be fulfilled and scattered them to all nations in the world, where they must suffer greatly until the End Time. Deuteronomy 28: 15-68 15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. … 47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. ... 58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. ... 61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 62 And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. … 68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. Paul has warned us the Christian gentiles, “the grafted wild olive branches”: Romans 11: 17-21 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Christ was first sent to preach the Good News to the lost children of Israel, not to the gentiles. Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He initially instructed his disciples not to preach to the gentiles: Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The purpose for the Good News to be preached to the gentiles is to bring back the children of Israel to God. That is the reason for Christ to send Paul to preach the Good News to the gentiles. Romans 11: 1-16 1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ... 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Therefore, we the gentile Christians, should not boast about our faith in Christ while doing away with God’s commandments and his law. God is LOVE, but He is also JUSTICE, and only by obedience and observance of God’s commandments and his law that anyone can express his true love to God, and be worthy of the sacrifice of redemption that Christ has given to those who believe in Him. Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Mal 2:5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. Mal 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. Psa 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Psa 119:113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Psa 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Psa 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Joshua was faithful in striving to keep the Law, and in trusting in God. As a consequence he won great victories, conquering the enemies in the land. Joshua means ‘deliverer’ or ‘saviour’. He typified Christ, who with the church (the people believing in the Word of God), will constitute the Great Deliverer who is the only way for the children of Israel and the gentiles to come back to the Father, and to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. For conclusion, it is not right for Christian churches to do away God’s commandments and his law, because how can one show his obedience to God and doing his will in this life. We can only expect God to keep his promise of forgiveness of sin through Christ, if we also respect his commandments and his law.

God is faithful and loyal in his promise and his covenant with the children of Israel, but he also expect the same attitude from those who have signed up with him. Joshua 1: 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. The success of the children of Israel is conditioned by their observance of God’s commandments and his law. This is the key thing that Christian churches have dropped off when teaching the followers about the Christian faith. They encourage people to go forward and conquer to achieve the desires of their hearts, but they have neglected to tell people to observe God’s commandments and his law. The result is clear for all to see, the fruit of the Christian world is on its way to perdition and a total destruction of the entire world, after almost 2000 years of preaching the Good News and harvesting nearly 2 billion of followers. Thus, Christian churches have successfully conquered the world but it also fulfil all the prophecies of the Holy Bible. The Christian world today is very much advanced in its self-satisfaction and it has transformed the whole world into Sodom and Gomorrah of old. Therefore the warning of Christ is fulfilling right under everyone’s eyes: Matthew 24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. … 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. … 14 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:) What can Christians expect from God when they only call on Christ’ name but not doing the will of His Father? Matthew 7: 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. The first chapter of the book of Joshua is telling us clearly that God has kept his promise of the covenant with the children of Israel because of their obedience and observance of his law. It is not their faith in God alone that give them the success in conquering the Promised Land.

The condition that must be met in the context of Philippians 4:19-20 is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith must not be faulty by doubt. We must always have confidence in the blessings and providence of God that we will harvest the good fruits of our hard labour as well as our spiritual growth in faith. The Lord Jesus Christ’s promise always accomplishes for anyone who has faith in him and live in obedience to God’s commandments. The promise of the Lord Jesus Christ is we will have our sins purged by the sacrifice of His own blood; we will be justified by Christ who is our advocate and our judge when He returns; and we will be the citizens of God’s Kingdom when this earth will pass away and a new earth will be created by Christ himself (Revelation 21-22)

The financial gift should be an outcome of a loving heart to produce a good return to the heavenly account which is the spiritual account of every person. Giving by love and for love is very different to giving for fame. The amount of the gift of love may seem little or negligible according to the measurement of the world, but in can bring a huge spiritual return to the giver. Jesus has told us about true giving: Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. The gift that Christian make with their hearts will incur an interest for their hearts, it is not convertible to the material or temporal blessings. The temporal blessings is whatever God has provided through His creation for man to live and he must work hard to gain them. Any preacher who proclaims that by giving more the followers will earn more blessings, is a liar. His is a deceiver, or a false prophet. The most known historical deceiving propaganda in Christian churches, is the sale of indulgences of the Roman Catholic Church. Today, many other deceiving forms of giving are still running in all Christian churches to raise funds and to enrich the pastors and church leaders. Thus the ignorant followers are scammed by those religious thieves. This is the reason for Jesus to say: Mat 7:21 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. Mat 7:22 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? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Paul’s contentment was his satisfaction with whatever God’s provided. Riches of this world meant nothing to him because his treasure was in heaven. It is incorruptible and its value is everlasting. Jesus has told us: Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Paul’s needs were met by the supplies that God had directed to him through many channels (or people) and they sustained his life accordingly. Paul had no ambition as many other people in the world. He saw himself as a servant of Jesus Christ; in obedience he just fulfilled the task that Christ had assigned to him. For us, if we had the same contentment as Paul had, we wouldn’t have any ambition in this world. We would also live and serve God’s will just like Paul. The contentment that we discuss here can only be achieved if we also can discern that our purpose of life is for Jesus Christ’s Kingdom only. Without that vision, we certainly fall back into the love of vanities, power and fame of this world. Thus we will not be able to enter through the narrow gate of God’s kingdom. Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

All Christians know very well the “Our Father” prayer that Jesus gave as an example to His disciples; in that prayer there is the statement “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mat 6:11; Luk 11:3). This statement shows that followers of Jesus Christ do not wish to have more then what their basic requirements for living. Christians must not be hoarders of wealth in this world. The resources that God provides to earth must be plenty for everyone to live and enjoy life. Jesus has given many parables concerning the danger of the love of vanities or riches: Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Luk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: … Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Luk 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: … Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And Paul has again told us: 1Ti 6:17 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; 1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Here is just one verse from the Old Testament Pro 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Pastors and church elders who taught their followers to dwell in riches and vanities are certainly the false teachers and false prophets. How can Christians sing and praise God in magnificent and sumptuous temples while billion of other people on earth have nowhere to lay their head? How can Christians get together to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with delicious and copious meals while billion of other people are dying of hunger? The resources that God has provided are to be shared by all people on earth. At no time and for no reason they are for one to be richer than others. Christians are certainly walking on the large highway of destruction and their wealth will be the witness against their damnation on the judgement day. Mat 7:13 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: Rev 3:17 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: Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Their sentence has been sighted in the parable of the rich man and the beggar: Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Because of hoarding and greediness, today the world is in the most wretched state and awaiting for the wrath of God to fall upon it, though Christians have proclaimed the Good News to the four corner of the earth.

The Christian life is supposed to be constantly focussed on Christ. We are truly living for with Christ, for Christ and our objective is to be in the Kingdom of Heaven where Jesus Christ reign. Paul was not wrong to tell the followers of the Philippian church to keep their mind on the highest values of life which are also the values of Christ Jesus, the Saviour. If the Jews are to look up unto the bronze snake to be saved from death, then it is the same for Christians; they should constantly focus their life onto Christ, so they may live, not only in this world but also in the world to come after the resurrection of the dead. Mind control is necessary for success in both temporal world and eternal world. To accomplish a good work we must focus our mind to perfect it and to avoid mistakes. The same principle is applied to every aspect of life. If Jesus has declared: Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Then it is the good reason for us look up unto Him while living on earth. If Christ is the focal point and the centre of our life, then we certainly have peace, joy and love deep in our heart. Harmony will be the fruit of such life. Having said that, it does not mean we won’t have to face difficulties, challenges and adversities on this earth. But those difficulties, challenges and adversities will turn out to be the favourable opportunities for us to grow and to conquer with the grace of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. At the end we can also rejoice the victory of Jesus Christ who is our true Shepherd. Therefore we should always keep our focus on Christ so there is not a moment for us to dwell on any anxiety, or fear. This is because we have a purpose of life and a destination to go. We are not wanderers on earth like other non-believers around us. Amen.

First, Christians need to understand the purpose of life that they have in this world. Without that understanding, they will continue to struggle and feel uneasy with life. The more worry they have the less confidence and faith they have in God. Many Christians pray and make their requests known to God, but their relationship with Him remains in poor state. This is because they worship Him in the manner of the pagans. Here is a verse in the book of Hosea that tells us the reason: Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. The above verse does not apply only to the Jews, but is also to the gentiles, whoever wants to worship God of Jesus Christ, His Father, and the Creator of all. If Christians reject God’s commandments they will certainly fall into the same error. If Christians do not build their life on the Word of God, they can never have true relationship with Him. How can a person have good relationship with another without knowing that person? The same logic is true between man and God. Making our requests known to God, is like putting our food into God’s plate, but if there is no plate what can we do? Many requests have been presented to God, but receive no answer from Him. Why? And so, many Christians doubt about their faith, and have gone to seek peace and enlightenment in pagan religions. Jesus has given us the following parable: Mat 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. Mat 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. And Jesus has declared: Mat 7:21 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. If we want to have good relationship with God, we should know His will and show our obedience to Him first. Paul’s recommendation in Philippians 4:6 cannot be studied in isolation, because it is incomplete; so make our request known to God is not a condition to build our relationship with Him. Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. It is the same for the next verse: Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Jesus has said: Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. But He also said: Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: The peace that Christians may have is the result of knowing God and obeying to His will. Once Christians have shown their obedience to God’s will, they certainly will understand their purpose of life and receive the peace that Jesus Christ wants to give them. It is surely the peace that surpasses all knowledge of the earth. True followers of Christ will have to face persecution while living on earth, but they also walk through their journey joyfully and with peace of God, that the world cannot understand. Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Amen.

We first need to understand that the God we are worshipping is God of the living: Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore our worship unto God is a process of relationship that grows day and night and ties up man to his God in all aspects of life. Christians should not think that worshipping God only occurs in church or through a kind of ceremonial, or ritual like in other pagan religions. Jesus has said: Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. We should worship God in our thought, our activities, our work and our relationship with other people around us. Thus this implies the commandments: Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Once we can understand what it means worshipping God in Christian faith, then the form of prayer will follow naturally as we live. Does anyone talk to another with a kind of repetitive formula of words? Does a child come to his/her father and speak to him with a pre-written text? So, why many Christians are praying to God with repetitive words? Do they ignore the word of Jesus Christ teaching them how to pray? Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Christians should remember that praying to angels, and the spirit of dead men and women is a violation to the first commandment of God: Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Christians must never erect statues, or make images for worshipping God like the pagan religions. The pagan religions worship multitude gods of the dead hence they need images for worshipping. By making statues, images and symbols for worship, those Christian churches have violated the second commandment of God: Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Exo 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Any Christian church that violates the commandments of God are the ones of the false prophet (or Lucifer). God is our Creator and our Father, if we want to show our love to Him, we must abide by His commandments. How can Christians build relationship with God if they imitate the pagan’s worshipping manners? How can God be God of the living when we do not worship Him with our life? When we pray to God, we speak to Him with the language that we can understand. The Lord Jesus Christ did not teach His disciples to pray with strange languages that they could not understand. Many Christian churches today, are encouraging followers to “speak in tongues” (glossolalia is the technical term), a form of religious utterance that to the outsider is meaningless and is often confused with gibberish. That is a form of spiritualism practiced by many Christian churches to show that they are saved for being possessed by the “Holy Spirit”. Remember God has given mankind freewill, so He allows us to choose to follow Him or not. The Holy Spirit would never possess any human being either. Speaking new tongues in the New Testament (Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-13) is the work of the Holy Spirit that allows the disciples of Christ to preach the Gospel to foreigners. The disciples were aware of what they were talking about, and the Holy Spirit performed a miracle that allowed the listening foreigners to hear the messages in their native tongues. Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. What did Paul tell us about speaking unknown tongues? 1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 1Co 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 1Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 1Co 14:26 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 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Therefore, the churches that are showing off the gift of speaking unknown tongues are giving to foreigners an impression that their congregations being possessed by an unknown spirit, not a miracle of God’s Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ has warned us about the spirits that will deceive the followers of the churches. Mat 24:24 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. There are also many other forms of worship that have been introduced into Christian churches, such as meditation and mysticism. Those forms of worship also have their origins in pagan religions. All pagan religions are of Satan, hence Christians must not practise those kind of spiritual exercises to gain inner peace or enlightenment. If Christians engage themselves in those kind of spiritual exercises, they actually nullify the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By reaching enlightenment those individuals are walking on the way to become gods. This is the way that Satan taught Eve and Adam in the first place. Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: Gen 3:5 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. Now, in regards of “thanksgiving” which is an act of gratitude, a natural aspect of life. There can be no good relationship in a family, or workplace, or society without showing appreciation of the good deeds towards one another. It is the same between man and God. We cannot build good relationship with Him, if we do not have any appreciation of His good work for creating us, giving us the breath of life, providing a favourable environment for us to live and grow, protecting us from many dangers, and the most important one is giving us His Only Son as a sacrifice for our salvation. For those reasons, anyone who wants to worship God, should show his/her appreciation to God in the first place in his/her prayer, or petition. Thanksgiving will beautify our worship and prayers offered unto God. It is actually an expression of love that we show to God in our thought, through our work and our interrelationship with our brethren. Let’s show our appreciation to God through our journey on earth, and grow humbly in obedience and trust in the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

“Rejoicing in the Lord” is rather an experience of life which can certify the truthfulness of God and the relationship with Him. It is not a feeling, or an emotion, or an action. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a couple of parables about the joy of a person who discovers the truth of the kingdom of heaven: Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Being Christian, or have been baptised in the water, or be given the title “born again” does not assure anyone to have the true joy in the Lord. Many people may interpret that joy as an emotion experimented through a service of worship, but that kind of joy quickly disappears once the service ended; and if a disastrous event occurs then the believer may find himself in great fear and distress, and may lose his faith completely. The true joy of faith in Jesus Christ, sometime, may come only after a true repentance of person, whose many sins are forgiven; for example in the following story: Luk 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. Joy in the Lord is the fruit of the spirit that has been matured through faith in God. It is not a feeling of a moment. It is the end result of a process of growth in personal relationship with God through every aspect of life. The following typical verses of the Bible tell us about the joy of the people who put their trust in God: Job 8:19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. Job 8:20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: Job 8:21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Jer 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Luk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Joh 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Act 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Therefore, the statement “Rejoice in the Lord” that Paul wrote to the Philippians can be explained as an encouragement for them to keep faith in Jesus Christ, who is the true Saviour, in whom their eternal life is secured, and He will not fail to reward them with joy and glory. Whatever the challenge or difficulty they may encounter through their journey, they should use them as an opportunity to grow in faith in Christ Jesus. They will certainly experience the transformation within themselves and see its fruit, which is the everlasting joy. The effect of that joy is peace, harmony and unity in the Lord Jesus Christ. They will become true brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

First we need to understand why some of the baptised Christians in Paul’s time had lived their life in debauchery. Just like the Jews of old time, once people break God’s law they fall into sin. Exo 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. Exo 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. Exo 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Exo 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. Christians are not an exception; if Christians break God’s commandments, they too fall into sin. Thus, it is the reason for Paul to declare: Php 3:18 (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: Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) The Western world has been built for more than a thousand years under the influence of the Roman empire; though the Bible has been used as its moral foundation, but God’s ten commandments have been violated. Therefore its fruit is a sinful world and the majority of people are living for the flesh and the true god in their hearts is not Jesus Christ. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The Roman empire has expanded its territory to the entire world under the cover of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is now taken full control of the world via its multitude occult movements and organisations. It is fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 13:1-10. Any Christian who want to stay faithful to Christ Jesus, should deny that political and religious system, and return to the Gospel. They should abide to God’s commandments and live by the Word of God alone. They should expect to be rejected by the society and be persecuted like millions of Christians who shed their blood during the inquisition time (about 700 years, from 1231 A.D to 1826). Christians must always remember that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not on earth, hence their citizenship is not in this world. Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Many Christian churches have established their kingdom on earth, they have all claimed to have millions and billions of members, but they are all false kingdoms. They are all children of Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots. Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. No man can be immune from sin unless he keep God’s commandments. It is God’s commandments that will help him to show his faithfulness to Jesus Christ and be worthy to receive the grace of salvation that Jesus Christ has paid for him with His own blood.

Paul called people to follow Christ as he did, that is the example he set for others. Jesus Christ is the goal and His Gospel is our light of life. Paul did not call people to follow him but Christ. Every Christian needs to focus their life unto Christ Jesus, the Redeemer, and the only Saviour. Just as Moses raised the bronze snake on a stick for those who were bitten by snakes to look up to that image and be healed, that was the foreshadow example for all people in the world, if they want to be saved, they must look up unto Christ Jesus, who was raised on the cross as the ultimate offering for the forgiveness of sins. Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Any true Christian should carry the light of Jesus Christ into the world. It is not the candle stick that people follow, but the flame of the Gospel that people need for their life. The person who brings the Good News of Jesus Christ has nothing for anyone to imitate, but after receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ and experiencing its truth, they will in turn bring the Good News to other people from one generation to another. I do not hesitate to tell people to be the same Christ Light bearer as I do. Once the people can experience the truthfulness of the Gospel in their life, they will certainly have the courage, the joy and the zeal to bring the same Gospel to other people around them. I can’t see anything in Paul for me to imitate, but his message that certifies Jesus Christ is the true Lamb of God, and the only Redeemer of the world. In my turn, I also want to be the same messenger to the world, to testify that Jesus Christ is the only true Saviour, and only through Christ, one can obtain the forgiveness of sin and the hope of salvation. I have nothing to offer to the world except Christ Jesus. We should remember that Paul was a persecutor of the first Christians, but after being won by Jesus Christ, he had turn out to be the most zealous witness of the faith to the gentile world. In the next verses, Paul has declared (NIV, Phil 3): 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Clearly in Paul’s time, many false prophets and false teachers had appeared in the Christian churches to lead people away from God. In the present time the false teachers and false prophets are even more abundant. They have developed new doctrines and preach to the churches that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven, Christian should be more tolerant of the new trend of the society, they should focus only in kindness, compassion, loving care, living in harmony with other non-believers, and seeking to build a united world for peace and safety where all religions are accepted. Those who preach such messages are true enemies of Jesus Christ, their glory in this world will certainly be their shame when Jesus Christ come back for the judgement of the world. Being the faithful followers of Jesus Christ we should not accept those anti-Christ doctrines, and we should expose them loudly for the world to know. That is another example that Paul has set out for us to follow and do as he did.

God our Heavenly Father is yearning for the return of His prodigal sons and daughters (mankind which had chosen to listen to the flattery of Satan and fell into sin); He has sent His only Son to call them to repent and return to their heavenly home. The heavenward call is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which offer salvation to all men and women who repent and believe in Him. I have only experienced that call since I recognised and admitted my violation to God’s commandments. Otherwise, I might be a good Christian but always live a sinful life as many other non-believers. Many Christians believe that by doing good work, spending time in raising fund for charity, welcoming and accepting pagan believers as their own brothers and sisters, breaking down the walls that separate Christian faith and pagan faith, and performing miracles or supernatural signs, are the ways of securing their places in heaven. Unfortunately that is the sweet teaching of Satan in the Christian churches. It is the same kind of lie that he has taught Eve and Adam: Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: Gen 3:5 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. Jesus Christ has warned us: Mat 7:21 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. Mat 7:22 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? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. God’s Ten Commandments carry the seal of His perpetual covenant. Anyone who breaks God’s commandments does not do the will of God. Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. There are actually some billions of Christian in the world, but how many of them are keeping God’s commandments? The fruits of not keeping God’s commandments can be seen in every Christian family. It is an adulterous and sinful generation as Jesus Christ said: Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. That is the cause which prevents humanity from listening and understanding the Word of God. Though the Good News of Jesus Christ has been preached to the four corners of the world but it does not mean mankind has taken a step forward to repentance. In contrary many are joyfully walking on the highway to the total destruction. Mat 7:13 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: Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Indeed, we are having plenty of false prophets in the Christian churches, so Jesus Christ has added: Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? The remedy for anyone who wants to return to God is true repentance. That person must deny the sinful way of life. Christ followers must abide to God’s commandments. If the Christian world continues to claim that it is save by faith as a reason to discard God’s commandments then it is surely running straight into the lake of fire that has been prepared for Satan and his servant the false prophet. Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Did Jesus bless all who preach the Gospel? No, His blessing is only for those who teach people to obey to God’s commandments and keep them. Mat 5:19 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. The call of God is always in the word “REPENT”; in the New Testament this call was first pronounced by John the Baptist and then, continued by Jesus Christ. Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Let those who want to follow Jesus Christ repent and keep God’s commandments.

In my first conversion to the Christian faith, the past life and sins followed me. A simple baptism with the water and profession of the name Jesus Christ do not help me to live a new life. It is only a true repentance by recognising my past life is sinful, that I had offended God according to His 10 commandments, and I now truly want to be cut off from that sinful life style, then I start to experience the new life and its freedom and joy. Without abiding to the 10 commandments of God, I cannot look up to the heaven goal and fulfil God’s will for me on earth. Once cut off from that sinful life style I don’t need to look back again. The Word of God is the rock on which I build my house, and the 10 commandments are my compass of life. I just live humbly and have confidence in the promise of salvation of Jesus Christ. Just like Paul, Jesus Christ has won me, I can never win Him. I can look up to heaven with the full hope in His promise of salvation, while living on earth and fulfil God’s will. Once the Word of God is our base of life and His 10 commandments are our guidance, then we do not harbour hatred against anyone in our hearts. There will have no more forgiving to do either. One can very well hate an evil religious or political system on earth, just like sins, but that is not the same as hating someone. One can criticise a religious system as hypocrite like Jesus Christ did, but that does not input sin into himself / herself. Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. One can also express his /her anger against other’s wrong doing, but not inputting sin into himself / herself, because there is no hatred in his / her heart. How did Jesus Christ express His anger against the wrong doing of people in the Jerusalem temple? Joh 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: Joh 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; Joh 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. Joh 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. This is how Christians can live free of sin. They think and act according to the impulse of the Spirit of God. They live by the Word of God, not by the doctrines of men. They do fear of criticism of the world that they are intolerant to other pagan belief, or wrong doing of men. In today’s society, it has been preached that Christians must be more tolerant of pagan belief and the new trends of life. If that is so, then there is no need to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world from the beginning.

There are billions of Christians in the world today who have faith in Jesus Christ but don’t like to read the word of God. They prefer to spend an hour in the service of their churches; they may listen to the preaching of their pastors; they praise God and pray together with great emotion and gestures. But once going home, they continue with their usual way of life. The way of life that Paul has described as: Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. That is the way of life I can see in the Christian world. There is no difference to the pagan world at all. The issue is in the false doctrines that teach people to do away with God’s commandments. I know many Christians who hate the Bible, but adore their pastors, priests and ministers. They praise them for their inspiring sermons. They do what their churches tell them to, but they don’t want to know what God say in His word. Is it possible to be followers of Jesus Christ and not knowing His will? I would say, “No”. Is it possible to declare Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God, and rejecting His commandments? I believe, “No”. Is it possible to build intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and not liking His word? Again, definitely I say, “No”. God has given free choice to men. He allow them to make their own decision in their life to listen and obey to His commandments, or to follow their own ways. God has allotted a time for the wheat to grow and He will send His angels to do the harvest in due time. Are we cultivating God’s wheat or the tares of His enemy?

It is true that all who believe in Christ Jesus have their sins forgiven and inherit the righteousness of Him, but is it true that by a simple declaration with a few words and be baptised that we definitely obtain the free pass to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Confessing our sins is not merely asking God for His forgiveness, true repentance is the hard condition and the prerequisite of our salvation. No one can enter the Kingdom of Heaven by simply declaring their faith in Jesus Christ and continuing with their old way of life. Jesus has said: Mat 7:21 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. Mat 7:22 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? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. And Paul has also said: Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:16 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? Rom 6:17 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. Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. How can we avoid sin if we do away with the law of God? How can we repent from our old sinful way of life if we suppress the law of God? Who allow us to do away God’s law? Did Jesus abolish the law? No! Did the apostles abolish the law? No! Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Mat 5:18 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. Mat 5:19 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. Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Rom 2:14 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: Rom 2:15 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;) Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Indeed, we, the repented gentiles, are the law bearers in our hearts and our mind. The Mosaic laws have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ, but the ten commandments of God remain as the perpetual law that we must obey and keep them in our hearts and mind. Though we are not saved by keeping God’s commandments but we still keep them as an expression of love for God our Father in heaven. It is by God’s commandments that we make our true repentance; it is also by them we know how not to fall into sin again, and how to do His holy will. The false doctrine of Christian churches is deceiving the believers that they are saved by grace and they can do away with God’s perpetual commandments.

Saved by grace through faith in Christ is the new covenant that God has offered to mankind which surpasses the old one that He has made with Abraham, the father of the Jews in the flesh. Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. Heb 8:10 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: Heb 8:11 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. Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 8:13 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. The blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of sin has taken over the sacrifice of animals in the Mosaic laws. The commandments of God is now written in the mind and hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ. Christ is now the high priest and the advocate for those who are called to the faith. Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. God is now worshiped in spirit and in truth, no more religious rituals can overtake this new allegiance that God has offered to mankind through Jesus Christ. Paul did not deny the privilege of his Jewish origin, but recognised the Mosaic laws is now fulfilled by Christ Jesus, thus the circumcision of the flesh and the sacrificial blood of animals are now nullified. The new covenant is opened not only to the Jews but to the entire human world. We can see that false doctrines have been introduced by men and created new types of Jew-liked Christians. We have a multitude Christian clans, each of them are proud of themselves through their religious practices and rituals of their churches. Most of them deny the perpetual commandments of God, so they can invent their own ways of worship. They forget that Jesus Christ has never abolished His initial commandments given to mankind. Christians are following their own ways, they do not abide to God’s commandment and His word of truth. The fruit of the new wave of doctrines that come after the death of the apostles is the multitude of Christian churches. They are now calling for a new unification, but that is not for upholding God’s laws and His truth; they are trying to rebuild the tower of Babel. Their actions will fulfil the book of Revelation 13.

In today’s Christian churches, we can see a lot of confidence in the flesh such as being born again through the water of baptism, obtaining forgiveness of sin through the authority of the church, receiving communion by eating of a wafer representing the Body of Christ, and receiving other sacred rituals invented by the church. There are also some other kind of pride in the flesh by showing off the ability to speak in tongues (a kind of mysterious language that no one can interpret) and performing strange signs. Thus Christians are proud of themselves, and believe they are definitely saved and be the citizens of the kingdom of heaven. That is also another kind of false teaching, a form of anti-Christ teaching that is dominating the Christian world. Jesus said: Mat 7:21 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. Mat 7:22 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? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Obviously, I have had that experience and have quitted such Christian churches to embrace a new life in obedience to God commandments and live by the Word of God only. I have found my true freedom in Christ, the freedom of faith that is no longer bound by the rules of men and their false doctrines.