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Surely it’s not just worshiping another god. At what point is something an idol? Is it a sin to, say, have hobbies that I really enjoy and look forward to? Or is it only a sin if I choose it in the morning instead of prayer and Bible reading? I’m sorry I’ve had so many questions and concerns lately! I don’t mean to be such a bother. You don’t have to comment if it’s too much trouble or if I’m being annoying. I guess I’m just in that phase. More questions and concerns than answers.
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That is an excellent question. A hobby itself becomes an idol, for it exists for one’s own pleasure. In other words, any object of enjoyment that follows after the flesh of man becomes an idol. This is why it is said that those who follow the nature of the flesh are by nature the children of wrath. In worldly terms, people define sinful pleasure as drinking, gambling, sex, or drugs. But in fact, according to the standard of the Word of Scripture, sinful pleasure(lust) refers to all the enjoyments and delights of those born of the flesh. For example, every momentary enjoyment and delight that arises from the flesh is called sinful pleasure(lust) in the Bible.
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities…(2 Peter 2 : 10~22)
The momentary happiness, blessing, and success that follow after one’s own lust can only result in piling up more sin, for they are tied to an endless cycle of greed upon greed. This is precisely the reason why all the ideals of worldly life that follow the unsatisfied nature of the flesh are called secular. Instead of satisfaction and gratitude, there can only be an ever-increasing lust and desire of the flesh, so that sin cannot cease. Therefore, the faith that follows the desires of the flesh—worshiping God alongside the world and material things—becomes a carnal faith that inevitably leads to judgment, for it produces every kind of lust, corruption, heresy, and falsehood. All human joy and delight that follow the desires of the flesh, instead of satisfaction, bring forth endless and unsatisfied cravings, which are the fundamental cause of a lifetime of sin repeated without end. This is why the Word of Scripture says that in the flesh there is nothing but sin. In other words, every value that belongs to the world and the flesh, not following after the holy will of God and His love, is idolatry.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.(Romans 1 : 21~25)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.(1 John 2 : 15~17)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.(James 4 : 3~4)
Instead of believing in God more deeply, relying on Him, and pursuing the gratitude and joy of following Him, you too inevitably develop the desire to become absorbed in hobbies and love them more, and thus you cannot help but abandon the holy will of the God of love. Since the faith of most Christians is only for their worldly blessings, success, happiness, and comfort, they all end up serving God together with the world and material things. As a result, they only teach and learn distorted interpretations that justify every kind of corruption, heresy, and falsehood, so that most faiths follow nothing more than human teachings, inspirations, and knowledge that depart from the Word of Scripture.
Yet within Christianity there are no teachers or learners who lead people to obtain the mighty power of God that works in the life of Christ—a life that aims for the hope of Christ by following the love of the cross that denies even one’s own life. It is this power that causes people to be reborn, renewed, and transformed, to be set free from sin, and to put to death the habits and members of the evil nature of the flesh that inevitably repeat sin, so that they may become children of light who do not commit sin. Instead, almost all pastors of Christianity, having left the evil habits that inevitably repeat sin untouched, mislead weak believers to keep relying on their own will, repeating awakenings, resolutions, and determinations, while teaching them as though these were God’s instructions and inspirations, though they are merely human teachings and emotional impressions. Thus they cause believers to flounder all their lives on the path of sinners, where sin can only be repeated.
Most of these pastors themselves, not even realizing that they are slaves to sin all their lives and children of the devil, raise their voices from the rock of pride, as though they were children of God who serve as examples like light and salt, pretending to be true Christians and pretending to be saved.
…He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.(1 John 3 : 8~9)
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. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness….(Romans 6 : 17~18)
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.(Romans 8 : 21~25)
Unaware that they themselves are none other than devils who spend their entire lives only repeating sin, they follow a carnal faith that cannot escape the evil nature and desires of the flesh, which compels them to continue in sin until death. Yet without realizing or knowing this, they act as though they were children of God serving as examples like light and salt, as though they were the true people of Christ set free from sin, as though they were children of salvation possessing the power of truth born of love. The proud attitude of such Christians has not become a model or example like light and salt to the world, but rather has dishonored the love of the cross of Christ who gave His very life. They despise the holy will of God, who desires to make us His children possessing love that is worthy of salvation by following His love.
Today’s Christians have come to accept as normal a faith that is driven only by vain prayers, seeking nothing but their own lusts and greed belonging to the world. They should remember that in the past, those who became the greatest adversaries and enemies before God were none other than the religious people who claimed to believe in Him. Instead of following the Word of Scripture, they have idolized religion, chasing after man-made doctrines, commandments, and creeds, and abandoning the life of a true Christian who pursues the hope of Christ. Like Esau, they pursue only their own happiness, blessings, and success—a carnal faith belonging to the flesh.
Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.(Hosea 8 : 11~12)
They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.(Micah 3 : 10~12)
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. 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;(Romans 2 : 8~12)
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.(Jude 1 : 17~19)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.(Galatians 5 : 19~21)
Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them. For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.(Amos 5 : 11~12)
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.(Luke 21 : 5~6)
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.(Zechariah 5 : 4)
Now is the time to truly reflect upon these Scriptures. You must consider carefully whether the faith you hold is not merely the faith of a slave to religion—slaves who, bound by religion, spend their entire lives repeating sin without end. Or is it a carnal faith, corrupted and false, serving God together with the world and material things only for one’s own lusts, blessings, success, and comfort, inevitably repeating sin until death? Or, according to the Word of Scripture, are you carrying your own cross, living as a servant of righteousness, pursuing the power of God, and setting your goal upon the hope of Christ for the life of Christ? You must have a clear standard. According to this, the measure of your judgment and salvation will be determined.
What do you believe in God for? What matters most is for what purpose you believe. In short, judgment and being saved is determined by whether your faith is a carnal faith that, serving God together with the world and material things, seeks only blessings, happiness, success, and prosperity according to the desires of the flesh, or whether the goal of your life is the hope of Christ—following the love of Christ that denies even one’s own life and sacrifices everything—and thus living the life of a true Christian.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.(2 Corinthians 7 : 10)
Those who ask only for worldly concerns—such as problems of family, business, work, love, children, and health—are those who belong to the flesh, which leads to judgment and death. But the children of love, who follow the love of Christ and abide in the love of God, receive the gift of divine power: to be led into the love that supplies the strength of God, which surpasses the human limitation of endlessly repeating sin despite a lifetime of awakening, determination, and resolve. It is the shepherd of God who leads people to obtain this power of God that transcends human limitation. Sermons of pastors that stir only emotion, determination, and resolve—while still leaving people bound to endlessly repeat sin—are not the truth itself. It is now time for you to soberly reflect and discern before God: for what have you lived, and what must you now do?
The faith of Christianity has become, in this world, a belief that inevitably turns into the greatest enemy and adversary before God, even becoming antichrist. Why do you think so many denominations and so much theology have arisen today? Theology is the core tool by which religion and denominations are put forward to secure their own power, authority, and selfish gain. The theology of today’s Christianity, which has despised the Word of God, has been created out of a humanistic philosophy that inevitably deifies man, having completely forgotten the very Word of the Scriptures. The very Word of God has become a tool that, through man-centered interpretations and explanations, inevitably produces heresies upon heresies, being misused so that humanity itself becomes deified.
The faith of all mankind is not a faith grounded on the Scriptures, but rather a carnal faith that seeks only personal happiness, family success, and blessings. Because they serve God together with the world and material things, they inevitably pursue every kind of lust, corruption, heresy, and falsehood. Thus, their own thoughts, claims, standards, and judgments become their faith, become the Word, become Christ, and become God. In this way, they end up deifying themselves. And so, though they are in reality children of the devil and slaves of sin, endlessly repeating sin throughout their lives, they teach and learn as though they were beautiful Christians living the life of Christ in His love, or as though they were children of God. The pitiful result of such pride is that their consciences (spirits) die, to the point that they no longer even feel the pangs of guilt, and this becomes a great cause of why they cannot help but commit sin until the day they die. It is the blind leading the blind, not even knowing that the spirit is the conscience.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.(2 Thessalonians 2 : 3~12)
The reality of the faith of all religionists today is that, because they spend their whole lives piling up sin, their consciences become increasingly desolate, and thus their faith grows ever more impoverished and thirsty, while their lives become more and more weary and worn by the world. This is the pitiful reality of religionists today. Yet even now, those who still pursue only their own happiness, success, ideals, and blessings according to their lusts are, without exception, taking their sins ever more lightly; and furthermore, they are becoming bolder and shameless regarding their sins, falling into a disgraceful faith, turning into monsters who no longer feel even the pangs of conscience (spirit). This is the state of most carnal faith.
Because of pride in their own claims, standards, and judgments, their thoughts become absolute without their realizing it, and their judgments become absolute—leading to a self-deification, acting as if they themselves were God. Since the majority of such long-standing faiths have become hardened and obstinate, teaching and learning in this manner, it is the tragic reality that most Christians spend their whole lives endlessly repeating sin.
True repentance in Christ—repentance that reflects oneself against the Word of God and leads one to turn back and be born again—is revealed only in those who desire to live the life of Christ. This is the repentance of Christ (Romans 5:5; 1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:11).
The repentance of religionists who ceaselessly repeat sin is meaningless. The very purpose of repentance is the repentance of new birth, in which one no longer commits sin. Therefore, whoever goes on repeating sin, whoever they may be, is not a true Christian. A true Christian does not commit sin; the children of God, having been set free from sin, do not sin.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.(1 John 5 : 18~19)
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.(1 John 3 : 5~10)
Religion is something made by man; therefore, no matter who the religious person is or what religion they believe in, they can never escape the limitations of humanity. Unlike the children of love who follow the will of God and abide in the love of God, the majority of Christians have long since become slaves to religion made by men, bound to endlessly repeat sin throughout their lives. They have become slaves to words of inspiration and human teachings, to awakenings, resolutions, and determinations born of the flesh, which can never overcome sin, and thus they remain slaves to sin within their evil bodies and corrupt habits, repeating sin until death.
The truth of God is the power of God revealed in His love. The truth is that God’s love is poured into our hearts, leading us to obtain the divine power by which evil human habits—habits that no amount of awakening, resolution, or determination can overcome—are put to death. The power of God that sets us free from sin and leads us to be born again is love. Within love is power, within love is wisdom, and within love is truth. Therefore, it is not the human knowledge, study, learning, and theories gained by human intellect and head, as men pursue (Colossians 2:2–23; Galatians 4:9–11; Isaiah 28:10–13; Proverbs 19:27–29).
Those who continue to repeat sin prove that they belong to the world, and the Word of Scripture already testifies that such are the children of the devil. You, too, are not a Christian, and thus you have come to today’s outcome. Here I set forth the only way to escape from that. Persevere to the end—unto new birth—and you will see the path of life. Continue to read again and again until the end, and you will see the path of life. If you go to the site ‘The Altered and Deleted Bible’ and look at the content below, you will find every answer you have been seeking, and you will also be shown how you must now live.
And because their faith is that of lifelong listeners who seek only their own happiness, success, ideals, and prosperity—instead of the beautiful sacrificial love of Christ and the holy will of God—even the social service, kindness, and charity that anyone in the world can do are paraded as if they were the love of the cross that lays down one’s life; thus Christians have become a laughingstock to the devotees of every false religion. Most such Christians act one way inside the church and another outside; their outward show and inner reality differ; their words and deeds do not match. They perfect only a duplicitous craft that pretends to be holy, kind, courteous, humble, and good. These are Christians who cannot escape the human limit of repeating sin until death. This is because neither all religions nor Christianity was made by God; they were made by humans for their lusts—therefore, within Christianity, not even a mustard-seed of faith, evidence, or fruit appears.
…Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.(Ezekiel 14 : 4~11)
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.(Isaiah 66 : 1~4)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.(1 Corinthians 12 : 1~2)
This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.(Jeremiah 13 : 10)
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.(1 John 4 : 1~8)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;(1 Timothy 4 : 1~2)
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.(Isaiah 66 : 1~4)
Because people serve God together with the world and with material things, they end up teaching and learning every kind of corruption, heresy, and falsehood, and thus all kinds of deceiving spirits are at work. To those who seek the world, the god of the world works; to those who seek material things, the god of material things works; to those who seek lust, the god of lust works; and to those who seek carnal desire, the god of carnal desire works—disguising themselves as if they were God or Christ.
All human beings, from a very young age, are inevitably raised indiscriminately under these seven hidden emotional sins: the spirit of envy works in those who envy, the spirit of jealousy in those who are jealous, the spirit of hatred in those who hate, the spirit of pride in those who are proud, the spirit of lust in those who harbor lust, the spirit of anger in those who harbor wrath, and the spirit of falsehood in those who practice lies. In other words, it is the same seven demons that once worked in Mary Magdalene. Those who possess the abominable seven emotions of man have neither received the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth), nor received power, nor received gifts. Everything they claim is nothing but the working of demons, identical to the shamans who serve false spirits.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.(Proverbs 26 : 24~28)
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.(Luke 11 : 24~26)(Matthew 12 : 43)
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.(Mark 16 : 9~11)(Luke 8 : 2~3)
Those who have not even a mustard seed of faith, who cannot help but repeat sin until death, are children of the devil. Yet they claim themselves to be children of God, true Christians, shepherds of God, receivers of the Holy Spirit, speakers in tongues, workers of power, prophets, or witnesses. They rationalize the signs and wonders of demons—the very phenomena found among shamans and false religions who serve other spirits, never found in the Scriptures—as though they were from God, as though from Christ, as though from the Holy Spirit. Within Christianity, they teach communion with spirits as though it were receiving the Holy Spirit; they call incantations and sorcery that summon spirits “tongues”; they call fortune-telling and divination “prophecy”; they call every kind of demonic wonder “the miracles of God.” And because they serve God together with the world and material wealth, their prayers—being for nothing but worldly ideals, hopes, happiness, blessings—are prayers for lust in which demons must inevitably work. Thus those who seek the world receive the god of this world; those who seek wealth receive the god of wealth; those who seek lust receive the god of lust; those who seek carnal passion receive carnal passion—as if such were God, or Christ, or an angel, disguised and masquerading.
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.(Matthew 17 : 20)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.(John 15 : 7)(Mark 9 : 23)
For over two thousand years, no power, evidence, or fruit of faith as small as a mustard seed has appeared, Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, (1 John 3 : 21~24) because this is a fleshly faith that serves God together with the world and with material things, inevitably pursuing every kind of lust, corruption, heresy, and falsehood. Since it is a faith of the flesh that cannot but repeat sin until death, they remain sinners who cannot but be reproved before God until the very end, and thus no miracle, no power, no evidence, nor fruit as small as a mustard seed has ever been revealed. The children of God and true Christians are known by their fruit. The fruit of the flesh, in which sin is repeated, is nothing but sin.
A faith that is not measured by Scripture but believes by one’s own thoughts, claims, standards, and judgments is, in effect, saying that the self is the Word, the Christ, and God. Repentance is begin by bringing our lives—bound to repeat sin until death—into the light of the Word to expose what is wrong. Repentance that still repeats sin is worthless. The very purpose of repentance is the repentance of new birth, in which one no longer commits sin. Therefore, whoever goes on repeating sin, whoever they may be, is not a true Christian. A true Christian does not commit sin; the children of God, having been set free from sin, do not sin. (Romans 6 : 17~23)
To lead people to receive the love of God is the work of a true shepherd of God, and that is the truth. The Word declares that the love of God comes and supplies us with love. Yet today, there is not a single Christian who truly lives according to such a Word. In other words, what they call the Word, the Spirit, prophecy, tongues, and truth, comes from those who do not have even the evidence, the power, or the fruit of faith as small as a mustard seed. Do not follow the teachings of man that exalt only the inspiration of words, without the evidence appearing as the Scripture says. Instead, follow the true shepherd who leads so that the evidence and the fruit described below will surely appear.
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.(Ephesians 4 : 15~16)
hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.(Romans 5 : 4~5)
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.(Colossians 2 : 18~19)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works…(Titus 2 : 11~15)
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.(Titus 3 : 3~7)
The love of God comes into our hearts and nurtures us. If there is a Christian who does not understand this meaning, then depart quickly from that church and from that pastor. For God is love. Any spirit, gift, power, tongues, or prophecy that does not abide in this love of God is 100% the spirit of Satan—it is the work of demons, pretense, falsehood, corruption, and heresy. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” (2 Corinthians 13:4) Just as this Word declares, to lead believers to receive the gift of power by which love is supplied is the work of God’s shepherd, the truth of God, and the gift of God. Faith and belief that do not show even the power, the fruit, or the evidence of a mustard seed are nothing but dead faith, the faith of the adversary, and the fleshly faith that stands as an enemy against love.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.(1 John 4 : 7~21)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3 : 16~17)
All the words of God, His ideals, His power, and His truth exist in order to make us children of love, resembling God who is the source of love. It is not by the will or zeal of man born of the flesh, but by pursuing the love of God and receiving the supply of the power of His love, that He leads us to fully do good works. Therefore, a true Christian neither lives nor dies for himself.
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.(1 Timothy 4 : 6)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.(Romans 14 : 7)
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.(Romans 13 : 8~10)
Do not follow the teachings of man that, failing to lead you to receive the love of God in which the power of God works, only stir up awakenings, resolutions, and determinations by relying on oneself through the inspiration of words throughout a lifetime. The teachings of man, which endlessly repeat awakenings, resolutions, and determinations but can never go beyond the limits of man, only puff up the hearts of believers like leaven that soon dies out when one turns away. They are nothing but intellectual, academic, theoretical, and emotional values that twist and falsify the interpretation of the Scriptures. By such means, one can never escape the limits of the flesh, and no matter how much one learns, hears, perceives, or knows, whoever follows the teachings of man is nothing but a child of the devil who only repeats sin.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.(2 Corinthians 10 : 3~6)
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.(2 Peter 3 : 16~17)
Whoever continues to repeat sin, no matter who they are, is nothing but a child of the devil. Remember that He came to call sinners. Repent, as He commanded: Repent! Receive the power of God’s love that puts to death the evil habits of man that can only lead to the repetition of sin. Please, read the Scriptures. The Word of God testifies to this: “My people, blinded by sin, are a people who have eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear—they are ignorant and senseless.”
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.(1 John 3 : 8)
What matters most is for what purpose you believe. In short, everything is determined by whether your faith is a carnal faith that, serving God together with the world and material things, seeks only blessings, happiness, success, and prosperity according to the desires of the flesh, or whether the goal of your life is the hope of Christ—following the love of Christ that denies even one’s own life and sacrifices everything—and thus living the life of a true Christian. Those who ask only for worldly concerns—such as problems of family, business, work, love, children, and health—are those who belong to the flesh, which leads to judgment and death. But the children of love, who follow the love of Christ and abide in the love of God, receive the gift of divine power: to be led into the love that supplies the strength of God, which surpasses the human limitation of endlessly repeating sin despite a lifetime of awakening, determination, and resolve. It is the shepherd of God who leads people to obtain this power of God that transcends human limitation. Sermons of pastors that stir only emotion, determination, and resolve—while still leaving people bound to endlessly repeat sin—are not the truth itself.
It is now time for you to soberly reflect and discern before God: for what have you lived, and what must you now do? God calls the weak and the shameful sinners.
It is love that leads those who follow God’s true shepherd to receive the evidence, the signs, and the fruits of God’s power. The unshakable love of God’s truth becomes our strength, guiding us to obtain the authority of God that delivers us from the evil habits of man and the path of sinners, where sin can only be repeated. The truth of love is the very beauty of abundant liberality, overflowing gratitude, and praise within the love of God. A shepherd is therefore needed so that these fruits and evidences may be borne.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works…(Titus 2 : 11~15)
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? 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. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(Romans 6 : 16~18)
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.(1 Peter 4 : 1~2)
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.(1 Timothy 4 : 6)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.(Ephesians 4 : 15~16)
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.(Jeremiah 23 : 21~22)
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.(James 5 : 19~20)
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.(Daniel 12 : 3)
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. 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.(Malachi 2 : 5~6)
The true shepherd of Christ is a shepherd of love who leads souls away from the path of sin and onto the right path.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of love, and only those who possess the love of God can enter it.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:(Colossians 1 : 13~14)
Whoever, by the beautiful love of God being poured out, cannot lead others to obtain the divine power that transcends the limits within the evil human habits by which one can only go on repeating sin—whoever they may be—is not a shepherd sent by God. God’s shepherd comes only in accordance with what is written in the Word of Scripture. Teaching and learning that put forward the human mind and intellect, founded on words, theories, knowledge, and scholarship, do not have the power of God at work; therefore, one can never depart from the sinner’s path on which sin is only repeated throughout a lifetime.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.(Matthew 12 : 17~21)
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.(Isaiah 42 : 1~7)
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.(Malachi 3 : 1~3)
And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.(Isaiah 19 : 20)
This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.(Acts 7 : 37)
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.(Revelation 15 : 3)
Consider and ponder why, in the last days, those who survive will sing the Song of Moses. I only hope you remember that, for all who treat the words of Scripture as nothing more than old tales and regard salvation as a matter of their own opinion, the punitive judgment set before them will be a continuum of unimaginable terror, anxiety, and fear for mankind. Anything that bears no witness in Scripture is, before God, an adversary, an enemy, and an antichrist.
That judgment is at the door is something anyone can sense by observing the course of the world. But regarding how the Word of God will work in the world, remember carefully that it will be fulfilled exactly as Scripture itself declares. Your salvation depends on your choice.
Do you ever feel like God doesn’t answer when you pray? – The Judgment Day