Today’s Christianity is by no means the faith of true believers who follow and obey the will of God. Because they serve God together with the world and material gain, they have become increasingly corrupted, accustomed to falsehood, and rationalized into presenting vain worship and services. In other words, tithes and offerings—which exist to feed, give, share, and care for the poor and needy sheep—are instead stolen and turned into a means of filling their own desires and amassing wealth. Thus the religion and churches that preside over this stealing worship are led by today’s so-called shepherds of Christianity.
As a result, there is no inner value that accords with the will of God and leads to salvation. Instead, what is left is only the outer shell—superficial doctrines that have no relation to salvation. These are people who believe not in the love of the cross, but in the appearance of the cross; not in practicing the will of God, but in hearing only words and theories of teaching. With cunning and shallow, calculated purposes, they parade humanistic love—something the world itself can do—in order to cover over their theft. They disgrace the love of the cross, for which Christ gave His very life, by turning it into charity for show, hypocritical service, and teachings of words and tongue only.
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, using the gospel as a tool to fatten their own bellies, joining with thieves to pile up sin upon sin. To justify their lawlessness and false claims, they discard the inward truth of the Word—its true center—and instead elevate superficial doctrines, theories, and literal values. They misuse isolated verses, severed from their true context, to falsely support their teaching. As a result, they become accustomed to vain worship and empty faith.
Their common trait is this: they are talkers who trust in their own obstinate arguments, driven by their own temperaments. They are arrogant ones who believe themselves to be trusting God, while in reality they trust in themselves—having been tamed by the world and allied with the world. They mistake their stubborn will and obstinate claims for faith, and in this way show themselves to be exceedingly proud.
Those who base their faith on the folly of measuring themselves by themselves cannot be transformed into the image of one who is complete and worthy of salvation. For instead of reflecting upon and comparing themselves with the Word, realizing their weakness and shame, confessing, and earnestly seeking God’s grace, by which each day they might put to death and correct their vain members, their stubbornness and obstinacy only grow day by day. As a result, their good conscience becomes increasingly desolate, and their lives are no different from those of the world—lives that are weary, worn down, impoverished in heart, burdened in faith, and empty in existence. Thus, the resolutions, zeal, and confidence that unconsciously spring forth from their own passions ultimately kill the conscience of goodness and uprightness. This results in the death of their spirit and leads them to destruction, for they have abandoned the center and standard by which right and wrong are judged. For this reason, they make themselves blind—without eyes to pursue the true way.
They have no ears to hear the true meaning that pierces the conscience, and no eyes to see what is true. Thus the Scripture says, ‘Having eyes, they see not, and having ears, they hear not.’ This is because they rationalize their ever-accumulating sins, laying waste to a good heart, so that they cannot possess true repentance or a contrite spirit.
The repentance they speak of is like that of a beast which, after offending its master, feels pain from the rod and only then reflects on its wrongdoing. These are foolish repentances, which arise only when curses and punishments come upon them because of their sins. Their faith is like that of children who merely cry out their pain and seek only comfort, but never attain true repentance. Because they serve God together with the world and material gain, they repeat the same empty cycle of sin, greed, vain regrets, hollow tears, and worldly sorrows—leading inevitably to destruction.
They are not ignorant of the fact that their faith and religion are twisted and deviate from the Word, contradicting it outright. Yet they deceive even their own conscience, rationalizing everything with their own interpretations and claims. In doing so, they bring forth sin that dishonors God and Christ’s name, making them objects of scorn and reproach to the world. Thus they are wordy talkers without any true example, without wisdom or conscience to turn back when measured by truth and the Word. Instead, they are faiths without conscience, desperate only to hide their sins, and cunningly justifying themselves so that they grow ever more brazen in their wickedness.
They follow the broad and easy teachings for stealing, serving God together with the world and material gain, so that they are doomed to destruction. Teacher and student alike are the same; shepherd and flock alike are the same. The faith they boast in is nothing but faith in themselves—the flesh—not in God. It is an empty religion that uses the love of the cross and the Word of God as mere theory, speech, and outward form, lacking the substance of the love of the cross that leads to salvation. It is nothing more than a foolish faith, trusting in their own proud thoughts and claims, joined in alliance with the world.
Faith without the true love of God can imitate, but in the end it collapses easily under trials and tribulations, breaking and falling like a faith that wavers. It is not a faith with inner depth, filled with the beautiful love that gives life and devotion to the utmost, but like a flower that quickly blooms and withers, like a spark that quickly ignites and is soon extinguished. They mistake their repeated resolutions, determinations, zeal, and momentary assurances for faith, yet these are nothing but fleeting resolves that cannot be carried out, plans that cannot be kept, and convictions that cannot be fulfilled. And yet, the foolish continually repeat this cycle, so that the faith and religion of most are of this kind.
The fruit and outcome of Christ are manifested only in those who, according to the Word of God and the written will of Christ, do not stumble over even the smallest jot or tittle, and whose conscience bears no offense. It is never the outward shell—the appearance, form, surface, or theoretical religion, church, and assertions—that leads one to salvation. Rather, it is only those who keep, do, and practice the Word as it is written, who possess the temple of the cross, who have formed the character of the heart, and in whom the love of the cross is testified according to the gospel and Word of Christ—only such as these come to salvation.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(John 3 : 16)
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.(Acts 16 : 31)
Those who belong to the world and play word games with these two passages are surely those who, having no true example or practice to follow, steal God’s holy things and the tithe, corrupting the love of Christ’s cross while putting forth pretense and hypocrisy. They conceal their unlawful, false, corrupt, and thieving worship, while giving precedence only to the words of those who regard it as right—mere talkers. Claiming to believe in Christ with a faith that is, in reality, faith in themselves, they are children of vipers. They have no fruit or evidence of Christ that is worthy of salvation—fruit that is obtained by keeping and practicing the Word as it is written. Instead, they treat their own forced resolutions, determinations, zeal, and confidence, belonging to their perishing flesh, as their god, and they call their fiery temper—used to justify their thieving worship, shame, vanity, and lies—the Word itself. This makes salvation seem cheap and easy, in order to draw more people to their congregations to fulfill their own greed and selfish desires. Such is nothing but a seemingly noble cause, yet it is only a brick-built church and a scheme of the devil, using appearances that seem solemn, holy, or pious.
Having abandoned the inward center that is fitting for salvation, they are left only to teach outward theories and worldly knowledge, which are unrelated to salvation. This is because they steal the tithe and offerings that ought to be used to practice the love of the cross—feeding, giving, and sharing—thus failing to form the divine nature of God, the temple of the heart, that is worthy of salvation. Lacking the heart united with Christ’s love, they exalt only the empty shell, rationalizing their thieving worship with man-made teachings of vanity and worldly common sense. Because they deify a worship of theft that is not centered on the Word, they justify theft, lawlessness, lies, traditions, and human commandments, venerating external wealth and material churches, and trusting in false altars dressed to appear holy. Such is the teaching and learning of the foolish. It is the faith of those who have received only the outward circumcision of the hand, not the circumcision of the heart, and who have undergone only a vain baptism of superficial value, not the baptism fitting for the forgiveness of sins. This is true alike of the teachers and the learners, the shepherds and the congregation.
What, then, is the true baptism of Christ? It is not the outward baptism recognized by men, but the baptism recognized by God—according to His Word, bearing spiritual testimony, and producing perfect fruit. It belongs to those who, having cast off the life of the world and of the flesh, have attained perfect repentance for all sins committed through their worldly life of the past, have received complete forgiveness of sins, and now walk the way of the cross, clothed in the hope and love of Christ.
Service that does not contain the true, beautiful love of Christ is nothing more than vanity, for it lacks the true love of Christ’s cross. Such service produces only prayers born of hypocrisy—vain displays that unceasingly repeat quarrels, strife, jealousy, hatred, greed, and lies—prayers without truth or depth, belonging to a faith that quickly grows cold. Thus, even among co-laborers and fellow servants, they raise disputes easily over the smallest visible gain, quarrel quickly, divide quickly, and though they seem to unite quickly, they split apart just as quickly, because they lack the heart’s center of love and unity. Without the beautiful love of the cross, which builds one heart of mutual love and care, they do not practice the sacrificial love of the cross—yielding, caring, cherishing, and bearing with one another. Instead, with selfish measures that judge only from their own standpoint, and with a willingness to embrace sin if it benefits their profit or desire, they exalt mere words. They are self-proclaimed Christians, but only in religion, sect, church, shepherd, and congregation.
Thus arise the countless proud assertions that exalt the self, producing heresy upon heresy, each bringing forth a multitude of wicked excuses and justifications. The result is nothing but churches and shepherds who further confound the world and lead believers into deeper ruin—faiths and religions that yield only this disastrous end.
Exalting confused doctrines rooted in selfish desire and greed, and boasting in their own intellect, such men are antichrists who possess the spirit of the flesh belonging to this world, teaching from lives conformed to the ways of the world. They are false teachers who carry the spirit of the world, leading to destruction; they are enemies of God, spreading leaven across the earth on the foundation of fleshly thoughts and claims that oppose Him—truly the offspring of vipers.
The faith of those who follow such teachings is always stagnant, a faith no different from that of the wicked world, bearing the fruit of destruction. They are slaves of sin, committing it as naturally as eating bread. They are pitiful people who, following their own temper and trusting in themselves, mistake their foolishness for faith. Outwardly they display kindness and compassion, yet in reality their faith is nothing but hypocrisy and deceit—cunning faith that conceals motives utterly different from what appears on the surface.
Within, they commit countless sins of hatred, jealousy, envy, greed, and falsehood, until their conscience itself withers away, leaving a shallow faith whose inner and outer intentions are completely divided. Like dogs returning to their vomit, they repeat the folly of sinning and regretting, building up only more sin throughout their lives until death. They endlessly repeat hundreds or thousands of empty resolutions they cannot keep, mistaking their foolish pride and assurance for true faith—never escaping the yoke of sin, remaining slaves to it.
According to their own interests and changing circumstances, their zeal, assurance, resolutions, and pride are always unstable, yet they present them as if they were the true faith patterned after the love of Christ, who gave His very life for us on the cross. Such shameless ones exalt a single word of determination—‘I believe’—as if it were genuine faith, mocking and ridiculing the holy love and sacrifice of the cross. Teacher and student are the same; shepherd and flock are the same. Such teaching and learning cannot contain the peace, meekness, gratitude, or joy of Christ.
The faith and resolutions of those without the beautiful love of Christ are ever fickle, a wavering faith that falls wherever the wind blows. Their obstinate thoughts and claims, which they mistake for truth and the Word, are in reality nothing more than faith in themselves, yet they continually repeat the folly of imagining it to be faith in God.
With nothing more than the fleeting resolve of saying, “I believe,” these shameless ones, who exalt themselves through their own zeal, conviction, and determination, trust in themselves and their own pride. They teach, with nothing but words, that such human resolve—which inevitably wavers with circumstances—is the true faith of the cross that laid down His very life for us. Such people mock and scorn the holy love of the cross. This is true alike of teacher and learner, of shepherd and congregation. Such teaching and learning can never contain, nor ever produce, the peace, meekness, gratitude, and joy of Christ. Their faith and resolutions, lacking the beautiful love of Christ, are nothing but fickle faiths, swayed like chaff in the wind, collapsing wherever the wind blows. Their obstinate claims and thoughts they equate with truth and the Word, yet in reality, they merely repeat the foolishness of mistaking trust in themselves for faith in God.
Those who regard their crooked and twisted thoughts—born of the standards of the world and the flesh—as true faith in Christ are those who can never, throughout their lifetime, perceive the truth. They are slaves of the flesh, vainly worshiping their own proud minds and thoughts. All alike are founded upon pride, springing from their own passions, in which they regard their thoughts, assertions, judgments, reasoning, and decisions as the wisdom and faith of God. Such ones teach others to follow worship of theft—worship born of outward hypocrisy and vain surface value, designed for their own gain and satisfaction. They mislead others into thinking that, by such empty worship, they may form the conscience needed to attain the divine nature and become true children of God. But in reality, they are blind, knowing nothing of the truth of salvation, nor of the worthiness required for it.
God does not desire worship; He desires the temple of the heart—the divine nature clothed with the love of the cross—that is fitting for salvation. If He had desired daily sacrifices and worship, then Jesus Christ would never have been crucified. The worship that was already abolished by the blood sacrifice of Christ has been carried on until today only because thieves, wishing to steal tithes and offerings, established rituals, traditions, and customs that thieves after them have preserved. Thus, through corruption upon corruption, perversion upon perversion, lawlessness upon lawlessness, falsehood upon falsehood, and decay upon decay, it has continued to this very day.
All worship today is meaningless, for it was already abolished by the blood of the cross. God desires love. The reason why people fail to understand the principle of reflecting their deeds and lives in the Word to discover and recognize their sin and shame is that they trust in their own corrupted will, pride, and assertions—trained by distorted, vain resolutions, determinations, zeal, and conviction that arise from their fleeting passions.
Foolish ones! Confess your sins and repent!
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. 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 : 15~23)
Reference Word
(Romans 2 : 17~29)(Titus 1 : 10~16)(Hosea 4 : 6~10)(Isaiah 29 : 9~14)(Matthew 15 : 7~20)(Romans 1 : 21~25)(Isaiah 59 : 8~11)(Matthew 23 : 28~33)(Isaiah 56 : 11~12)
The Salvation of Vain Claims
Salvation does not come because one asserts or judges oneself to be saved, nor does such a person become a savior. The fruit that does not unite with the holy will of God and the love of the cross can never enter the kingdom of God. The very purpose for which God created mankind was to make them His perfect children, granting them the divine nature—namely, the love of the cross—that is fitting for becoming children of God. Man was not created to eat well and live comfortably, but God sent the love of the cross into this world so that humanity might be formed into the divine nature befitting the children of God and become children of eternal glory.
Thus, God is the source of love. Therefore, the love of the cross, sent that we might be made into children of God who is the source of love, is the very nature of God, our eternal covenant, and the way, the truth, and the life that makes us worthy to become His children.
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)
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.(Luke 6 : 46~49)
Therefore, all who put forward only words and theories are, without exception, those who have betrayed the holy will of God and disgraced the love of the cross. They do not practice the love of the cross—feeding, giving, caring, and in that, esteeming one another, cherishing one another, and serving one another. Instead, they are abominable, exalting their own assertions and stubbornness as excuses. They are enemies, adversaries of Christ, and antichrists. They are like farmers who, having sown no seed and made no effort until the harvest, expect fruit by mere chance. Of what use are words and theories without practice? Of what value are the contents and wisdom of the Word without deeds? Is not the Word given for practice and action, and is not the love of the cross the very essence of this? If entry into heaven could have been gained by words and theories alone, without the Lord showing the example of practice, then what need was there for Him to be crucified and die upon the cross? Thus, those who exalt only words and theories are the ones who crucify the Lord a second time, dishonoring and mocking the love and sacrifice of the cross.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.(Hebrews 6 : 4~8)
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.(2 Peter 2 : 17~22)
The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.(Isaiah 59 : 8~14)
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.(Hebrews 12 : 11~17)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 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. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.(James 2 : 14~19)
By words and theories alone, salvation cannot be attained, nor the Holy Spirit received, nor rebirth achieved, nor repentance fulfilled. If there are those who, seeking to serve God alongside the world and its material pursuits, put forward words and theories to claim and discuss all of God’s ideals and values, then—without exception—it must be dismissed as falsehood and obstinacy. Because they lack the Spirit of love (the Spirit of God), which is manifested in giving, sharing, caring, and serving one another, their teachings and learning are nothing but abominable, for they exalt words and theories above good deeds. What results is a vain rebirth, always entangled in jealousy, envy, hatred, strife, falsehood, and quarrels, repeating themselves according to self-interest. What results is a vain repentance, in which, though they regret and reflect because of circumstances, they turn back again to commit sin—an endless cycle of corruption. Thus, it is a world and churches filled with abominable and profane spirits that blaspheme and disgrace the Holy Spirit, for their words and actions are divided, their outward appearance and inward reality are not the same, and all they do is heap up more sin.
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)
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.(3 John 1 : 11)
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.(Matthew 13 : 37~43)
By the teachings of those corrupted ones who seek to serve God alongside the world and its material pursuits, there arises a false spirit masquerading as God, a worldly spirit masquerading as a Christian, and a greedy spirit masquerading as an angel. Thus, people are led by the gods of the world, the gods of wealth, the gods of greed, the gods of lust, the gods of envy, the gods of jealousy, the gods of hatred, the gods of pride, the gods of strife, and the gods of contention. Becoming slaves of sin, ever repeating sin and desire within the entanglements of self-interest, they yet regard themselves as servants of God. But their pride has already desolated their conscience, so that they cannot hold to true standards or judgment. Therefore, most of their faith and religion is nothing but abominable and foolish belief, bent toward words, theories, and philosophies alone.
Within the commandment of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” all believers are condemned. The only way to escape this is by fulfilling the love of the cross—the divine nature of God that we must resemble—through giving, sharing, and caring, and in that love, esteeming one another, cherishing one another, and serving one another. For love shall cover a multitude of sins.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.(2 Corinthians 11 : 13~15)
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.(2 Chronicles 18 : 20~22)
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.(1 Corinthians 8 : 5~6)
O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.(Isaiah 26 :13)
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.(Ephesians 6 : 11~12)
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)
Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. 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.(Ezekiel 14 : 4~8)
And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:(Jeremiah 9 : 13~14)(1 Corinthians 12 : 1~2)
The true salvation of Christ belongs to those who, persevering and exercising self-control until the day of death, follow the hope of Christ and the love of Christ—counting it their goal, their ideal, and their value to live a life that forms the love of the cross, the divine nature of God by which we are made to resemble Him, and that is truly worthy of salvation. It is the salvation of those who, in love, care for, cherish, and serve their poor and needy brothers and neighbors, and who, with tears of supplication, intercede for their own weakness together with them.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.(2 Corinthians 9 : 7~9)
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)
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)
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:(Colossians 1 : 10~12)
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.(Romans 2 : 12~13)