What is the fundamental reason human beings are superior to animals? It is because they possess the spirit, which is the divine nature of God. This spirit was given by God so that humans, as children of God, might attain the authority and glory of becoming children who fully embody His divine nature. This spirit refers to the divine attributes that God Himself must possess and that are fitting for one to become a child of God.
It is by no means the same as carnal affection, which fluctuates according to circumstances, like human love does. Rather, it refers to a love that is greater and broader than carnal affection—an unshakable love. This includes a loving heart, a merciful heart, a joyful heart, a gentle heart, a patient heart, a heart of self-control, a kind heart, a peaceful heart, and a heart of obedience.
This refers to the conscience within us. Because we have this conscience, even without being taught, when we do something bad that offends our conscience, we feel its sting and are unsettled without realizing why. Therefore, to act without offending the conscience means not to suppress or destroy the conscience (the spirit) that God has given us in order to make us His children. This conscience is the heart that the Holy Spirit helps, so that we may become more complete.
Because humans possess a spirit that animals do not, they can realize their wrongs and repent of them. Animals, even of the same species, will fight and kill one another over territory or group rivalry. This is the limit of love born from bloodline and carnal desire. However, because humans have the spirit—the divine nature—they can transcend bloodlines and love, care for, and serve people of other nations as brothers and sisters. It is because of this God-given conscience, the divine nature, that humans can love all people. This conscience (spirit) was established by the Spirit of God.
Yet humans, though God gave them this noble conscience (spirit) to make them His children, are living foolish lives by gradually killing their good conscience through worldly desires and cravings, resulting in jealousy, envy, hatred, lies, lust, and conflict. Even though they constantly feel regret, they cannot help but return to sin, driven by worldly desires, satisfaction, and cravings. Such corrupt habits ultimately lead to a hardened conscience that cannot even feel guilt anymore. These are the detestable forms of faith that forsake the privilege of being God’s children.
Because their consciences have already been devastated, they increasingly deny the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares. Instead, sin and greed take control, and they become bold in their sins. The faith and religion that seek worldly desires, satisfaction, and cravings have led to a distorted, false, and lawless attempt to serve both God and material things. As a result, churches now abound that offer only fabricated “Holy Spirits,” groundless claims of being born again, fruitless faith, and gifts that bear no evidence—merely to cover up their sins and greed with excuses and self-justifying arguments.
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)
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:(1 Timothy 1 : 19)
Though they constantly regret their actions and repeatedly reflect and make countless resolutions—hundreds or even thousands of times—they still inevitably return to sin, following a life bound to this world. These are people without conscience, who claim to have repented and been born again, yet remain trapped in sinful habits. They pursue worldly desires and greedy ideals without the sacrificial love of the cross—a love that feeds, gives, and cares—thus, they can only continue piling up more sin. These are the very ones who claim to have received the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, which is the divine nature of God.
They avoid the beautiful love and sacrifice of the cross—its suffering and its burden—given so that we might be formed into the divine nature that resembles God. Instead, they only desire the fruit and salvation that come from the love of the cross. Such people are no different from shameless farmers who expect a harvest without ever sowing seed. How can sprouts grow and fruit be borne in a field where not even seed has been planted?
Turning their backs on the sacrifice and suffering of the cross—which are the signs of salvation and resurrection—they press on with claims built on stubbornness and far-fetched insistence, feeling no pang of conscience. But how can such claims ever lead to their salvation?
If mere words and theories without practice could bring salvation, then countless prophets would not have needed to shed their blood, and the Lord Himself would not have come to this earth to show us the love and sacrifice of the cross as our example. Therefore, those who speak of salvation through words and arguments alone dishonor the love and sacrifice of Christ’s cross and disregard the holy will of the One who sent Him. They are deluded spirits who have reached the height of arrogance.
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.(Psalms 17 : 9~10)
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.(2 Corinthians 10 : 12)
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.(Isaiah 28 : 13)
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. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.(2 Peter 3 : 15~17)
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.(Galatians 1 : 6~7)
They are those whose consciences have already been seared, enslaved by their own greed—whose consciences are bound by excuses and justifications ruled by sin. Because their consciences have become desolate, they have already lost the proper standard and true center.(1 Timothy 4 : 1~2)(1 Timothy 1 : 19)(1 Timothy 1 : 5)(1 Timothy 3 : 9~10)
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.(Acts 24 : 15~16)
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.(Romans 9 : 1~2)
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:(1 Peter 3 : 21)
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.(2 Corinthians 1 : 12)
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.(Hebrews 13 : 18)
And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.(Hebrews 10 : 21~22)
Because God commanded us to practice the love and sacrifice of the cross—feeding, giving, and caring for others—as the path worthy of salvation, the tithes and offerings were established to fulfill this purpose. Yet today, churches and pastors that steal these tithes and offerings have distorted and fabricated false interpretations, turning the meaning of the Holy Spirit, rebirth, and salvation into lies and forceful claims. As a result, salvation is no longer about becoming children of God who grow into a beautiful heart that resembles Him through the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares for many neighbors. Instead, it has become a false faith that merely piles on more sin—where people repeat the same evil habits, sin again and again despite regret, and justify their wrongdoing with excuses and empty words. Consequently, their consciences become desolate, and their spiritual hunger, weariness, and emptiness only deepen, leaving them worse off than when they first believed. Most so-called believers today are nothing more than hollow shells—clinging to positions and appearances, armed with superficial acts of service and charity that amount to nothing more than hypocrisy and self-display.
These are believers who, without even offering a proper meal to their congregation, their sheep, their neighbors, or their brothers, still clothe their faith in loud prayers for the nation and the people. They teach and act as if their shallow, worldly acts of charity—acts anyone can do, including those who serve idols and work for secular companies—are somehow the sacrificial love of the cross. Thus, churches, pastors, and believers end up bringing disgrace upon the love of the cross through such shallow and worldly values.
They feel satisfied after giving worn-out clothes and unused goods to the poor and needy, and they boast in a few short hours or days of volunteer work—acts that are no more than moral deeds even unbelievers do—claiming they’ve fulfilled the love of the cross. Churches that teach and model this kind of charity are, without exception, like worldly corporations that advertise and promote themselves under the guise of virtue, using philanthropy as a means of self-glorification. These shallow churches emphasize love and charity only as tools for public display. In doing so, they trample on the holy will of God—who sent the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares—and they dishonor the sacrifice and blood of Christ. Their charity and service are cunning and deceptive, designed not to glorify God but to satisfy their own greed and desire for comfort. Thus, the world is overrun with brick-and-mortar churches that exist under the name of God’s temple and the gospel but only serve to satisfy their leaders’ selfish ambitions and gluttony.
In this world, more and more churches rise up, competing with each other for greater wealth and influence—symbols of earthly power. These churches, which lead and teach others, are officially recognized and approved by society, even while they disgrace God’s holy will and trample upon the blood and sacrifice of Christ. These people use God’s will as a stepping stone for their own greed, and Christ’s love and sacrifice as a foundation for sin. In truth, they harbor only selfish ambition disguised as faith in God, using the congregation to serve their own ends and burdening the backs of believers even more. They regard themselves as figures of respect and dominance, not as examples who serve the flock. Thus, the saying has come to pass: there are many pastors but no true shepherds, many churchgoers but no true Christians, many churches but no church of Christ.