Quote from Beautiful Mind on 2025-05-31, 4:54 am

The words of the Bible contain seemingly contradictory and confusing passages—some warning against relying on works, while others suggest that salvation comes through works. This causes much confusion. Today, countless churches, pastors, and believers, under the pretext of “faith based on works,” are actually avoiding their duty to be examples and models who spread the love of the cross throughout the world. As a result, they are dishonoring the love of the cross, and this is the reality we face today.

 

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.(1 Corinthians 1 : 17)

 

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.(Matthew 10 : 38~39)

 

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.(Luke 14 : 26~27)

 

The greatest reason why God, the source of love, sent Christ to this earth was to create human beings who are worthy to become His children and reach salvation. In order for this to happen, one must obtain the love of the cross, which is the very nature of God. That is why the love of the cross was given to us. Through the love of the cross, we are able to walk the path of salvation, the path of truth, and the path of life. That is why Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In other words, the true teaching of the cross is this: Just as Christ reached salvation through the love of the cross, you also must carry your own cross and follow Him to reach salvation and resurrection.

However, today’s deceitful and false pastors of Christianity refuse to act as examples and models of the cross for the role of light and salt. Instead, under the pretext of “faith through works,” they justify their own corrupted and compromised beliefs—beliefs mixed with the world and materialism. As a result, the congregations have also turned their faith into vain and detestable beliefs, merely seeking worldly ideals, desires, satisfaction, and cravings. This is the very reason why today’s world, churches, and faith are all inevitably heading toward judgment.

 

The most evil, cunning, and defiled people in the world often use the excuse of “faith through works” to justify themselves for not living out the love and sacrifice of the cross. It is a deceitful trick, crafted to rationalize a life of repeated sin, regret, and return to sin—a life driven only by words and theories. Now, believers who do not practice the truth have gone beyond mere misunderstanding, and openly dishonor the love and sacrifice of the cross, justifying it as acceptable. Therefore, everyone who upholds “faith through works,” regardless of their position or status, has become someone whose interpretation of Scripture is filled with lawlessness upon lawlessness, falsehood upon falsehood, and distortion upon distortion—twisting everything to suit their own desires. Their self-centeredness has already become their “faith” and their “word,” and even the sense of guilt in their conscience has gradually vanished. They have become desensitized, treating sin lightly and growing bolder in their evil habits.

 

The kind of “faith” they preach is always self-serving, based on fluctuating desires, confidence, resolutions, and the proud declaration of “I believe.” But this turns even a good conscience desolate. This is the false, corrupted faith that countless churches and pastors of today’s Christianity have spread. Their faith is filled with excuses that shift according to their convenience. The teachings and sermons they interpret and explain to suit their own taste have produced heresies upon heresies, and the gravity of this threatens countless believers. This is the undeniable reality the Church faces today. It is the tragic result of placing words first, while bearing no fruit of Christ born through the love of the cross.

 

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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.(Matthew 7 : 21~23)

 

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.(Matthew 16 : 24~27)

 

Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.(Psalms 112 : 6~9)

 

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.(Matthew 25 : 35~40)

 

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.(Proverbs 14 : 31)

 

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.(Jeremiah 22 : 16)

 

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.(Proverbs 19 : 16~17)

 

In the Bible, the faith of works and the love of the cross are clearly distinguished. The faith of works refers to human righteousness that arises from fluctuating zeal, conviction, and resolutions—because it stems from an attempt to serve God while also clinging to the world and material things.

 

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.(Matthew 5 : 46~48)

 

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.(Luke 6 : 32~33)

 

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.(Colossians 3 : 22~25)

 

Also, a key characteristic of human righteousness—that is, the faith of works—is that it lacks the true love of the cross. As a result, even in acts of service and charity, there is jealousy, strife, and hatred among them, leading to division. And even these acts of service or charity, which last only a few hours or a few days at most, inevitably fade away, for it is a faith that constantly wavers.

Since they pursue only their worldly ideals, desires, and ambitions, and because they lack the love of the cross, their behavior differs inside and outside the church. Their words and actions do not match, and the intentions they hold outwardly and inwardly are different. It is a hypocritical faith filled with double-mindedness. Always repenting yet returning again to sin, they become accustomed to evil habits—pushing forward vain reflections and empty regrets, never bearing the true fruit of Christ. They are merely churchgoers, not truly reborn, and lacking the example and fragrance of Christ.

As such, they cannot even love their own families fully. Their lives are filled with constant jealousy, envy, hatred, conflict, and the repeated sins of lust. Their prayers amount to nothing more than formalities and hypocrisy—so-called intercessory prayers that are, in truth, vain prayers seeking only their worldly desires, ambitions, and cravings. In doing so, they defile the holy name of God and the name of Christ.

 

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.(Luke 14 : 26~27)

 

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.(John 15 : 12~14)

 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.(Luke 9 : 24)

 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.(Mark 8 : 35)

 

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.(Romans 14 : 7)

 

In the Bible, the “faith of works” is clearly distinguished from the love of the cross. The faith of works refers to acts of love, charity, and service that any person with a conscience can perform—acts that are merely moral or ethical values. In other words, it is no different from the charitable work or service that unbelievers, idol worshippers, or even secular companies do. It is not the pure love of the cross, but service and charity rooted in self-promotion, advertising one’s religion or church, and hidden motives of pride and hypocrisy.

Today, many churches and pastors have reduced service and charity to mere tools for promoting and boasting about their churches and ministries. These acts are not the true service and charity of Christ, who followed the love of the cross to become light and salt to the earth. Instead, they are nothing more than the same kind of social contributions that any decent human or secular business would do. Yet, they are taught as if they stem from the love of the cross. Because of this, Christians today have come to justify what should be the sacrificial love of the cross—one that gives up even one's own life—as nothing more than moral and ethical acts of service and charity that anyone can do. As a result, the love and sacrifice of Christ, who gave up His very life, have become an object of ridicule even among pastors and believers. This is why today’s churches, pastors, and believers are headed toward inevitable corruption, lawlessness, falsehood—and ultimately judgment.

Having abandoned the noble love and precious blood of the cross, what standard, what testimony, what teaching, or what argument can they now offer to unbelievers or idol worshippers? Having rejected the love of the cross—which is the very evidence of salvation and resurrection—what, then, could ever lead them to salvation?

Can one be saved by their own enthusiasm and confidence, thinking it to be faith, while no longer feeling even the slightest pang of conscience? Or can momentary resolutions and self-assured declarations like “I believe!”—which inevitably waver—bring about salvation? When God’s Word is used merely as an excuse or means to rationalize a worldly and fleshly life—one that tries to serve both God and material things—how can anyone, in such shallow faith, ever attain the beautiful nature of God, which is filled with the love of the cross, and the true hope, faith, and love of Christ?

It was the shepherds (pastors) who invented the term “faith of works” to justify their teachings that were based only on words and theories, all while using tithes and offerings—meant to feed the poor and needy sheep—to satisfy their own selfish desires.

The believers, too, are caught in this corruption upon corruption, falsehood upon falsehood, and distortion upon distortion—because they serve both God and the world, seeking only to fulfill their worldly desires and ambitions. They pick and choose only the teachings and emotional messages that please their conscience. As a result, the pastors and believers who were meant to be light and salt to the world have become mere talkers, and churches and pastors have become full of hypocrisy and empty show.

The “faith of works” refers to the righteousness of the Gentiles—that is, the kind of righteousness that anyone in the world, even unbelievers, can do. It is not the righteousness born from the love of the cross that sacrifices even one's life, but merely the moral and ethical righteousness that any human being is capable of.

The duty of a true shepherd is to use the tithes and offerings to feed the poor and needy sheep, to give, to share, and to teach the example and model of love through service and charity—so that the believers may love, care for, and serve one another in the love of the cross. However, neglecting the true duty of a shepherd and instead pursuing selfish interests under the pretense of worship-centeredness and church-centeredness—justifying a teaching based solely on words and theories, and deceiving the eyes and ears of the congregation through mere show and imitation—is what the Bible refers to as the 'faith of works.'”

Even secular businesses engage in social service and charity to promote and advertise themselves. When pastors and churches steal the tithes and offerings—meant to feed the flock—and use only 3% to 5% of their finances for superficial and hypocritical acts of charity, pretending it to be the sacrificial love of the cross, they deceive both God and the eyes of the believers. This is what the Bible calls human righteousness, the righteousness of the Gentiles.

Putting up banners saying they’ve provided a single meal, using it to boast about themselves and their churches—while having stolen the tithes and offerings meant to feed the poor and needy—such detestable behavior is what the Bible calls the faith of works.

 

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;(Romans 9 : 31~32)

 

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.(Romans 3 : 20)

 

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.(Romans 11 : 6)

 

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.(Galatians 2 : 16)

 

Today, many pastors, insisting that faith cannot come through works, use this claim to justify neglecting the true example and model of feeding, giving, and caring for the poor and needy sheep through tithes and offerings. They have forgotten the true duty of a shepherd—to lead believers to become God’s true children by imitating God through the love of the cross. Instead, they have turned to false doctrines and ideologies, using them as tools to fulfill their own selfish desires. These pastors, who deceive believers with an outward appearance of holiness and pretense, are the ones the Bible refers to as having a “faith of works.”

 

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.(Romans 13 : 4~5)

 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:(Philippians 1 : 6)

 

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.(Matthew 16 : 24~27)

 

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 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 : 7~14)

 

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.(Matthew 5 : 13~16)

 

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.(Isaiah 54 : 17)

 

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:(Philippians 3 : 9)

 

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 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.(Matthew 19 : 16~17)

 

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.(1 Samuel 12 : 23~24)

 

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.(Nehemiah 9 : 20~22)

 

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.(Matthew 12 : 30~35)

 

In the Bible, the term ‘hypocrite’ refers to those who merely imitate and mimic. In other words, today’s many churches that rely solely on outward acts and forms—appearing holy and kind through legalistic worship rituals—are, through imitation and mimicry, actually denying the love of the cross, by which one even gives up their life. These are called hypocrites and possess a faith of works, based only on words and theories.

It refers to a kind of faith that only imitates, without truly following the cross that requires giving up one's entire life and self. Instead, it promotes acts of service and charity, which are merely moral and ethical values that even unbelievers in the world can practice. Thus, these acts—done with an outward appearance of holiness and kindness and with persuasive and skillful speech that misleads believers—are what the Bible calls a faith of works and hypocrisy.

 

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.(Galatians 6 : 12~13)

 

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.(Ephesians 6 : 5~9)

 

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.(Galatians 3 : 10)

 

Believers perform acts of righteousness to flatter and boast before their churches and pastors, while pastors carry out acts of service and charity—moral and ethical in nature—to boast of and promote their churches. This is, therefore, the righteousness of man. It is a worldly righteousness that receives its reward from people, and thus cannot have any reward in heaven. In other words, since they have already received praise, wealth, and rewards from people for their righteousness, what remains for them in heaven is only judgment for the sins that still remain.

 

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. 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. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 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.(Matthew 6 : 1~5)

 

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. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;(Matthew 6 : 16~17)

 

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.(Luke 6 : 24~25)

 

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways. Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these. Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.(Jeremiah 2 : 32~35)

 

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 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. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.(Matthew 23 : 28~31)

 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.(Matthew 7 : 5~20)

 

The characteristics and fruits of hypocrites are that both the teachers and the learners alike merely proclaim the love of the cross with words, or, by putting forward a faith of deeds, turn away from the true love of the cross. They are those who boast and promote themselves as if they had practiced the self-sacrificial love of the cross, when in reality, they have done nothing more than a few acts of kindness and charity—moral and ethical values that even unbelievers commonly perform—just for show. Or they are those who justify their inaction with excuses such as 'special ministry' or 'faith of deeds,' without feeling even a trace of guilt in their conscience.

 

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.(James 2 : 15~17)

 

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.(Ezekiel 33 : 31)

 

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.(Psalms 28 : 3~5)

 

Because they use the pretext of ‘faith of deeds’ to justify the shame of their inaction, they fail to become examples and models to the world. Instead, they remain trapped in wicked habits and foolish faith, relying only on words and theories while repeatedly sinning and repenting. As a result, churches today live in constant cycles of envy, jealousy, hatred, slander, schemes, lies, pride, lust, and division—driven by self-interest—and gradually come to take sin lightly or grow bold toward sin. That is why all forms of evil, falsehood, corruption, depravity, and lawlessness prevail. Is this not the very reason why the Word testifies that such churches in the end times will be torn down and burned on the day of judgment? (Matthew 24:1–2)

Those who ought to be witnesses of the love of the cross are not testifying to that sacrificial love, but instead use acts of kindness and charity—things even worldly people can do—to deny and defile the cross. According to their own desires, they justify their deeds and call them righteousness, but in truth, they are hypocrites, Pharisees, lawless ones, and possessors of a ‘faith of deeds.’ The very ones we must most fear and beware of—the antichrists—are the pastors trusted and relied upon by countless believers today who claim to testify of Christ. The greatest heresies have arisen from the very denominations Christianity boasts of and upholds as its standards: the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Holiness Church, and the Baptist Church.

The ones who killed God’s apostles, and Christ, and all His disciples were those who claimed to serve God and believe in Christ, yet rationalized their own interpretations and assertions with excuses and arguments that were not according to the Word. The fundamental reason they opposed, persecuted, and killed God’s apostles and Christ without truly knowing them was that their vain faith—created by self-centeredness—sought to serve both God and the world and its material wealth together.

 

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.(1 Corinthians 10 : 31~33)

 

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.(1 Corinthians 10 : 23~24)

 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.(Matthew 6 : 31~33)

 

Those who do not unite with the love of the cross but instead collude with the world and attempt to serve both God and material things distort the love of the cross by prioritizing worldly morals and ethics. Such abominable faith is called a “faith of deeds,” and those who practice it are called “hypocrites.” In the Bible, the original meaning of a hypocrite is someone who merely imitates or mimics.

Those who teach the Apostles’ Creed and speak of “communion with one another” often accuse believers who listen to sermons or attend gatherings from other churches or pastors—as opposed to their own sermons or services—of being hypocrites. This stems from a fearful concern that they might lose their own congregants. Although they teach the need for mutual communion, in reality, they block such interaction by using the word “hypocrisy” as a weapon—this is the true state of today’s Christian churches. It is the result of ignorant and uneducated pastors’ absurd interpretations.

The biblical term “hypocrite” refers to those who, by emphasizing worldly morals and ethics, engage in acts of charity and service, and by prioritizing worldly common sense and teachings, mimic and imitate the image of a true shepherd or a true Christian—those who are supposed to carry out the love of the cross that leads to salvation. Or it refers to those detestable pastors who, under the guise of pious and kind appearances—nothing more than pretense and hypocrisy—prioritize rituals and worship, rely solely on words and theories, and do not truly feed, care for, or serve the flock.

 

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.(1 John 4 : 7~13)

 

Those who put forward only the claim of “believing,” while in reality believing in nothing more than their own pride, ambition, and confidence to achieve their desires, do not possess the faith of Christ that works through union with the love of the cross and the hope of Christ. Instead, they have become conditioned by sermons filled with words alone—preached in worship that amounts to theft—and simply seek comfort and consolation in their weary and worn-out worldly lives. They boast with a few acts of charity, performed now and then, as if they have achieved something great. But how can such a fluctuating life—one that merely seeks its own comfort—ever produce the greatest law and commandment, which comes from a heart united with the love of the cross, a heart that seeks not its own but pleads and advocates solely for the poor and afflicted brethren and neighbors?

The greatest deception of these foolish people—who spend their entire lives chasing worldly worries, ideals, and desires that can never satisfy—is their excuse of “faith of deeds,” which is used to rationalize a life of inaction, filled only with shame and sin, devoid of conscience. Being tares belonging to the world, they pursue worldly tasks and seek worldly things. Therefore, their faith can only accumulate more sin and greed, driven by the desires and satisfactions of the world. In contrast, the wheat are those who, through acts of charity and service—feeding, giving, and caring for the poor and afflicted—grow in a heart that resembles the love of the cross, a heart that serves, cherishes, and supports one another, drawing nearer to God.

God is the source of love. Therefore, any faith that fails to testify to that source of love is dismissed as dead faith, as opposition, as an enemy, as tares, as hypocrisy, as a faith of deeds, and as antichrist. The love of Christ’s cross is a love that gives one’s entire life and being. But those whose faith is led by self-centered judgment and interpretation—corrupted by the habitual attempt to serve both God and material things—can only live and teach according to standards that are misaligned or even opposed to the Word. These are the churches, pastors, and believers who guide others with such distorted standards.

They believe based on faulty interpretations of the Word that suit their own tastes, and because their faith is driven by selfish motives and interests, they lack the true example and love of the cross. Their teachings are filled with forced reasoning and lies, leading to a proliferation of heresies within the churches. This is what the Bible refers to when it condemns the “faith of deeds.” Those who label the practice of cross-bearing love as “special ministry” or “faith of deeds” only to justify their own inaction—driven solely by words and theories—do you truly feel no pang of conscience?

What does worldly moral or ethical love—which anyone can do—have to do with salvation? s the supposedly Christlike service—claimed to follow the hope of Christ and the love of the cross that leads to salvation—truly found in the choirs and offering collectors, who, dressed in long robes and traditional hanbok with gentle appearances and kind-sounding speech, merely help justify a worship of theft? Is picking up trash or camping on the streets, merely to advertise and boast of one’s church—something even secular organizations do for public image—truly the service of Christ that embodies the love of the cross?

Is the 3% to 5% of tithes and offerings used for charitable acts—while the rest fuels church promotion and pastoral pride—truly the love of the cross that leads to salvation? Is it the love of the cross to run organizations that appear to serve the poor while hoarding vast donations to satisfy one’s own greed and selfish desires? Is it truly Christlike love to give away old, outdated clothes and shoes you wouldn’t wear yourself, then smugly feel as though you’ve fulfilled Christ’s command?

Are the pastors who stand in pulpits in long, seemingly holy robes, and those dressed in hanbok with kind-sounding speech and polished appearances—who are inwardly different from how they appear outwardly—truly reborn in Christ when their faith is filled with selfish ambition, jealousy, greed, hatred, and repeated sin despite their outward repentance? Can such a faith, driven by pride and self-confidence without conscience, be called the born-again faith?

Those who try to serve both God and material wealth are bound to continually commit sin. They cannot perform the love of the cross, nor can they ever truly follow God’s Word. The tithes and offerings, which were meant to nourish, give, and share with the poor and afflicted, have been twisted by selfish ambition into tools for personal gain. Such false religion, built on corrupted traditions and practices that no longer align with Scripture, is the root of the legalistic “faith of deeds” the Bible warns against.

These religious acts—disguised as tithes and offerings, meant to support and serve the poor—are actually designed by thieves in sheep’s clothing for the purpose of stealing. Because of this corrupted teaching, many believers have come to equate mere words like “I believe” with faith itself—becoming foolish believers with no true example or testimony to show.

Can a love that gives even one's life truly exist when driven by coercion, falsehood, appearances, and rituals? Is it not because there is no true love that people continue to sin—envying, hating, quarreling, lying, boasting, and lusting—while claiming to repent? If your sin proves that you are a slave to sin, how can you call yourself a shepherd of Christ who possesses the love of the cross, or a true Christian who has received the Spirit of salvation?

Is one truly a Christian if they do not live out the love of the cross? O you whose consciences have been numbed—who cannot even see your own pride—how dare you defile the love and blood of the cross with mere words?

 

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.(Luke 9 : 62)

 

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.(Lamentations 4 : 17)

 

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.(Romans 13 : 14)

 

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.(Romans 14 : 7)