*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth. 

BY WILLIE WONG

This article is written to let you know what a Christian life is and how to lead a Christian life. First, it is absolutely impossible for an ordinary or average man (sinner) to live a Christian life. Only a Christian can live a Christian life. A monkey lives a life of monkey. A lion does not and cannot live a life of monkey. A bird cannot live a life of fish. Every animal lives according to its own life. Sinners live a sinful life. Only a Christian can live a Christian life. Before you can live a Christian life, you must first become a Christian. 

Jhn 3:5-8, “ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the   Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.   Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.    The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

Note: Water refers to the Word of God. Truly, truly, unless one is born of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which born of the flesh is flesh, man is born of the flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. A Christian is a born again by the Word and the Spirit. A Christian has a spiritual life which a sinner does not have. Without the Holy Spirit living inside, no one can live a Christian life.

Mat 4:4 , “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘ MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE , BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 

Note: A Christian does not live on bread alone, but live on the Word of God. 

Luk 7:25 ,   “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! ” 

Note: How true it is that luxuries are found in royal palaces. There are so many useless and worthless peoples who live in luxuries.

Live in luxury does not mean to live a Christian life. Something is seriously wrong with preachers who live in luxury.

Luk 15:32 , “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and  was   lost and has been found.’” 

Note: A sinner’s life is spiritually dead. You have not begun to live until you are born again and receive a new life in Jesus Christ. The life in Christ is to live forever. Lest you start in the wrong way, you cannot live a Christian life unless you have the Spirit of Christ living in you.

Jhn 11:25  , “ Jesus said to her, “ I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. ” 

Note: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He who believe in Jesus will live even if he dies because true believers will have the resurrection in spiritual, glorious and eternal body. 

Act 17:28, “ for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’   ” 

Note: On earth now all children of God in Christ live and move and exist. For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. 

Rom 6:8 , “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” 

Rom 8:12 -13 , “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.   ” 

2Ti 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ   Jesus will be persecuted. ” 

The world hates Christians because they live godly in Christ.

Rom 14:8 , “ for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. ” 

2Co 13:4, “For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. “

No one can live a Christian life without the power of God directed toward him.

Gal 2:19 ,   “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.   ” 

Note: What is a Christian life like? Christians live in Christ, live with Christ, live for Christ, and live to God. 

I.  How to be saved 

What must I do to be saved?  

The Jailer Converted 

Act 16:30-32, “and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “ Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.   ” 

Note: This jailer is a typical person how he and his household were saved. Jailer knew he was a sinner. He wanted to be saved. So he asked Paul and Silas who were imprisoned, what must he do to be saved. The way of salvation is the way of God. All other religions teach the way of salvation is the way of man. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ says,  Eph 2:8 , “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,  it is  the gift of God.” 

Note: Grace in is chariswhich means unmerited favor; loving-kindness; mercy; good will; benefit; bounty; unmerited divine assistance; – which occurs 159 times in the New Testament. Faith in Greek is pistis which means belief; conviction that Jesus Christ is the Messiah; reliance; trust; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament. Save in Greek is  sōzō which means to rescue from death and destruction; to make whole; to deliver or protect literally and figuratively; to preserve; to save body and soul from Hell;- which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. Gift in Greek is  dōronwhich means present; offering; something given freely; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament.  Salvation is the gift of God, no one can earn it. So it is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ you may be saved, and it is not what you have done. It is what Christ has done for you and me. 

What does salvation through Christ involve? 

Jhn 3:17 ,  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that   the world might be saved through Him. ” 

Note: Jesus Christ the Son of God came into the world the first time to save sinners. Jesus Christ is coming again the second time to judge the world. 

Jhn 10:9 , “I am the Door;  if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ” 

Note: Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He is the Door of salvation. If anyone enters through Jesus Christ, he will be saved. Salvation is only in Christ. 

Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.   ” 

Note: Jesus Christ is the Way, there is no other way to God. All man-made religions lead people astray. No man can find God by science or his efforts. This is the Truth. To believe in Jesus Christ is to receive eternal life. 

Rom 3:22 , “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction .” 

Rom 3:24 , “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus .” 

Sinners are unrighteous in the sight of God, but sinners can be justified as a gift by God’s grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ redeems sinners by dying on the cross for our sins. So we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Simply by believing in what Jesus Christ has done for you, you may obtain the righteousness of God and be justified, it means God counts not as sinner but as righteous.

Phl 3:9 , “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith .” 

Note: From the law no one can be justified because if you violate one law you violate all laws. So sinners need the righteousness from God on the basis of faith, not work.

There is no distinction whether you are male or female, free or slave, of any color or class. If you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of mankind, you will awarded the righteousness of God. By His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, a sinner can be justified as a gift of God. 

Rom 5:1 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ   .” 

Note: God considers every sinner an enemy. Having been justified by grace, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. A saved believer no longer fears God might hurt him. 

Rom 5:9 , “ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God     through Him.   ” 

Note: Having now been justified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (redemption), we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. The wrath of God in the judgment to come will fall upon the wicked and unbelievers. 

Rom 5:10 , “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.   ” Jesus Christ rose again from the dead by the power of God, He is able to save those who come to Him to the end. For Jesus Christ lives forever and ever.

Note: Sinners are enemies of God. The wages of sin is death. For that reason we all have to die, sooner or later. Through the death of His Son, we are reconciled to God, and having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Our Redeemer lives forever to save believers to the end. 

Rom 8:11 , “ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.   ” 

1Pe 1:3 , “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead   .” 

Note: The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in believers. God who raised Christ Jesus from the dead also gives life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in us. In Christ we have a living hope. 

Eph 1:7 , “ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace .” 

Eph 2:18 , “for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ” 

Eph 3:6 , “to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. ” 

Note: Redemption in Greek is  apolytrōsis  which means deliverance;  liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; according Strong’s Concordance,   deliverance effected through the death of Christ from the retributive wrath of a holy God and the merited penalty of sin   ; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament.  In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses (sins), according to the riches of God’s grace. Through Christ we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Through the Gospel, Gentile believers are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body of Christ, and fellow partakers of the promises in Christ. 

Heb 7:25  , “ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.   ” 

Heb 9:12, “and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” 

Note: Jesus Christ is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, through His own blood, He has obtained eternal redemption. Believers have been sanctified once and for all through the body of Jesus Christ. 

The process of obtaining salvation : 

1.  Repent. 

Mat 4:17 , “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “ Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” 

Mar 1:15 , “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the   Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the   Gospel.” 

Note: The Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of God. Repent in Greek is metanoeō  which means to change one’s mind; to be sorry for one’s past sins; to think differently; to turn around; to turn from sin to God; to turn from darkness to light; turn away from idols to the living God; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament. 

Why should one repent? 

Luk 13:3 , “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.   ” 

Note: Perish in Greek is apollymi which means to be destroyed; ruin; to be put to death; to be lost; to put an end to; to give over to eternal misery in Hell; – which occurs 94 times in the New Testament. Sinners will die in their sins and perish in Hell.  Mat 10:28 ,   “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.   Luk 12:4 -5 ,   “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.   But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! ” 

Act 17:30 , “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people  everywhere should repent .” 

Note: Overlook in Greek is hyperoraō which means to wink at; to take no notice of; excuse; not attend to; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Ignorance in Greek is agnoia  which means lack of knowledge; moral blindness; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Declare in Greek is apaggellō  which means to tell; show; bring word; to proclaim; to make known openly; to announce; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Ignorance cannot be excused anymore. God overlooked your past times of ignorance, but now God is seriously declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent. All people means you and you and you and me and everybody. 

Zaccheus Converted 

Luk 19:2-10, “And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.   Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.   When they saw it, they all    began     to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”   Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

Note: Zaccheus in Greek is    Zakchaios  which means   “pure”; but his life was corrupt. Although he was small in stature, he was big in determination. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a tree in order to see Jesus. He overcame the problems of crowd and his short stature. The crowd grumbled that Jesus had gone to be a guest of a sinner. Zaccheus repented of his sins and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” This is an example of faith in action, the result of true repentance. It is not possible for a man who believes in Jesus and not to repent.  Act 26:20 , “but  kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also     at Jerusalem and then  throughout all the region of Judea, and even  to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.” He who repents and turns to God will perform deeds appropriate to repentance.  Mat 3:8 ,   “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” In keeping with in Greek is axios, which means worthy; to meet; corresponding to; befitting; deserving; comparable or suitable; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. Jesus says, Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 

Many church members believe repentance is only once when you accepted Jesus. 

Rev 2:5  , “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. ” 

Note: A saved believer still can fall. Just do not fall from grace. Repent and do the deeds you did at first when you accepted the Lord as your Savior, when you first loved the Lord. 

Rev 3:3 , “So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it,  and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. ” 

Note: Keep what you have received and heard the Word of God and repent. Wake up from your spiritual slumber. 

Eph 4:25-32 ,  “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you  WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.  BE ANGRY, AND yet  DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,and do not give the devil an opportunity.  He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have  something   to share with one who has need.   Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment,  so that it will give grace to those who hear.   Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. ” 

Note: Do you lie? Repent and speak the truth. Do you get angry? Do not sin and repent. Do you steal? Repent and steal no longer. How many employees steal from their employers? I know a head-nurse who stole from her hospital. How many managers and executives steal from their corporations. One man told me he was in the Army, so many stole from the warehouse of Army. How many managers and executives use company petty cash as their own. Do you use curse and filthy word? Repent and use good word. How many times we grieve the Holy Spirit? Report and obey the Holy Spirit. Do you practice bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander with malice? Repent and put them away from you. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. Do you see we Christians need to repent whenever we fall short or miss the mark. 

Why Jesus has not come yet? 

2Pe 3:9 , “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.   ”

Note: Repentance in Greek is metanoia which means a change of heart or mind; sorry for one’s sin; compunction (for guilt); turn to the right path; change of mind to abhor sins and misdeeds; a recognition of sin and sorrow for it; remorse for one’s misdeeds or shortcomings; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament.

Act 2:38 , “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   ” 

Act 26:20 , “ but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and  also   at Jerusalem and  then  throughout all the region of Judea, and even  to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. ” 

2.  Believe. 

Faith is necessary for new birth, participation of divine nature, a new life. Faith is still necessary when a Christian ends his journey on earth and dies. Faith follows a Christian through his life. 

Rom 10:17 , “ So faith comes  from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. ” 

Note: Preaching the Gospel of Christ is of greatest importance. Without hearing the Word, people cannot believe. For faith comes from hearing the Gospel. 

Mar 1:15  , “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the   Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the   Gospel.” 

Note: Repent of sins and believe in the Gospel go together. Those who repent of their sins must believe in the Gospel, those who believe in the Gospel must repent of their sins. 

Luk 8:12 , “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. ” 

Note: The process of salvation is to repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you will be saved. 

Jesus says,  Jhn 5:24 ,   “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My Word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ” 

Note: He who hears the Word of Christ, and believes God who sent Jesus, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement (because his sins are forgiven), but has passed out of death into life. To be saved is to have passed out of eternal death into eternal life. 

Rom 10:9 , “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus  as    Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ” 

Note: If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Heb 11:6, “ And without faith it is impossible to please    Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and    that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. ” 

Why faith? Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Do you know unbelief is a great sin that can send anyone to Hell?   Jhn 16:9  , “   concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me .”     Jhn 8:24  , “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He,  you will die in your sins.”    Jde 1:5 , “ Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.” 

1Jo 5:13 , “ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. ” 

The Bible is written so that people who believe in the name of the Son of God may know that they have eternal life. 

Heb 11:3, “ By faith we understand that the universe   was formed by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.   ” 

Note: Form in Greek katartizō which means to make perfect; frame; fit out; prepare; perfectly joined together; put in order; arrange; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Scientists only study the things visible, even that, with all scientific instruments and tools, not very well and often fallible. The invisible is beyond scientific inquiry.   In human knowledge you understand and then believe. In spiritual knowledge by faith we understand. We understand the worlds (universe) were prepared or created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of thing which are visible. Faith is seeing the invisible. Scientists with all instruments, telescope and microscope, cannot see the invisible. 

Gal 3:26 , “ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ” 

1Co 2:5 , “ so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. ” 

Rom 1:17, “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed   from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS   man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 

Rom 3:28 , “ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. ” 

Rom 4:5 , “ But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness .” 

Note: Through faith in Jesus Christ we become sons of God. Our faith rests on the power of God, not wisdom of men. Believers live by faith. A man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. No one can be justified from works of the Law or his own merit. The one who believes in Christ who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. 

Rom 5:1-2 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.   ” 

Note: Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we also obtained grace in which we stand. No one can stand before God without grace. Believers exult in hope of the glory of God when Jesus Christ returns to earth. 

Mat 9:28 , “When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 

Note: Faith is simply believes that Jesus Christ is able to save sinners, not only to heal all diseases and pains. Blessed is the person who says, “Yes, Lord.” To say yes to the Lord, you need to say no to the devil. 

Mar 9:20 -24, “They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming    at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.  It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us! And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” 

Note: The boy’s father was wise to cry out to Jesus, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The man is wiser than many unbelieving scientists, theologians and philosophers. A man is hopeless if he does not realize he needs help. 

Jhn 1:12 , “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” 

Note: As many as who believe and receive Jesus Christ, to them God gives the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. 

Jhn 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.   ” 

Note: He who believes in Jesus Christ is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son God. You need not to be a killer, robber, and liar to be judged. Your unbelief has been condemned and judged already, it is a matter of time to be sent to Hell for eternal punishment. Do you see how serious is the difference between belief and unbelief, between life and death. 

Jhn 6:29 , “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 

Note: No one can be saved by his good deeds. This is the work of God, if you believe in Jesus Christ whom God has sent. 

Jhn 8:24 , “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 

Note: You will die in your sins; for unless you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, you will die in your sins. 

Jhn 9:38 , “And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. ” 

Note: All who believe in Jesus Christ worship Him, for He is our God and Savior. 

Jhn 10:26, “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.” 

Note: There are people who are so proud and arrogant that they declare they do not believe in Jesus Christ, not knowing they seal their own fate–eternal death. You do not believe because you are not of Jesus’ sheep. You live in this world without God and without hope. 

Jhn 20:31 , “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ” 

Note: The Holy Scriptures have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 

3.   Confess. 

Rom 10:8 -11 , “ But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus  as  Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.   For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 

Note:  Confess in Greek is  homologeō which means to profess; make confession; assent; to agree with; declare; not to deny; to admit; acknowledge; concede; to declare faith in; adhere to; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. All Christians confess with their mouths that Jesus is the Lord. Believe in Greek is pisteuō  which means to have confidence; to accept the word of; to fave a firm conviction; to put in trust with; to have faith in; to think to be true; to trust in Jesus or God for salvation; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. To confess Jesus is the Lord you use your mouth, to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead you use your heart. A person believes with the heart resulting in righteousness, and confesses with the mouth resulting in salvation. 

Mat 10:32 , “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in   Heaven.” 

Luk 12:8 , “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God .” 

Note: It is vital to confess Jesus Christ before men, so that Jesus Christ will confess us before the Father who is in Heaven. 

2Co 9:13 , “Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the  Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all.” 

Note: In addition to the confession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, Christians also have obedience to and make confession of the Gospel of Christ. To make confession of the Gospel of Christ is to proclaim to the people. Heb 4:14     , “ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ” Hold fast in Greek is  krateōwhich means to lay hold on; lay hand on; get possession of; take hold of; seize or retain; not to let go; to continue to hold; – which occurs 58 times in the New Testament.  Heb 10:23 , “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful   .” Hold fast in Greek is  katechō  which means to possess; keep; retain; keep secure; keep firm possession of; seize on; – which occurs 25 times in the New Testament. So Christians hold fast to the confession of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and our confession to the obedience of the Gospel of Christ. 

Not only we need to confess our Lord Jesus Christ, confess our faith, we also need to confess our sins.  Not to confess our sins to a Catholic priest, but to God.

1Jo 1:9 , “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” 

After a Christian is saved from everlasting death, he still has to confess his sins as long as he lives in this world. 

4.   Accept. 

Mar 4:20 , “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the Word and accept it and bear fruit , thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” 

Note: Accept in Greek is   paradechomai   which means to receive willingly; to take up; to delight in; to acknowledge as one’s own; to believe; to say yes; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Those who hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accept it in an honest and good heart will bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. 

Mar 10:15 , “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. ” 

Luk 18:17 , “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it  at all.    ” 

Note: Receive in Greek is  dechomai which means to accept gladly; to take up; to take hold of; to get; to acquire; – which occurs 56 times in the New Testament. Child in Greek is    paidion  which means little child; young child; little one; figuratively an innocent and unsophisticated person; – which occurs 52 times in the New Testament. We must receive the Kingdom of God with the innocence and simplicity and sincerity of a child. No one can come to Jesus Christ as president, politician, or prime minister. However, you may come to Christ as pimp or prostitute, thief or robber. All must come to Christ as sinners.

Jhn 12:48 , “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.   ” 

Note: He who rejects Jesus Christ and does not receive His sayings, the word Jesus spoke is what will judge him at the last days. 

Act 26:18  , “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ 

Note: The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of those who believe so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have be sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. 

2Th 2:10 , “and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. ” 

Note: Those who perish believe in all the deception of wickedness, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. They believe what is false and take pleasure in wickedness. 

Heb 12:28 , “ Therefore, since we receive a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” 

Note: To believe in Jesus Christ not only to receive forgiveness of sins, salvation and sanctification, but also receive the Kingdom of Heaven which cannot be shaken. Christians ought to show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe. 

II.  How to grow 

An infant grows because it has life. A doll cannot and does not grow, because it is dead. For a Christian to grow his spiritual life, he needs to study the Word of God, to pray to God, and imitate Christ. 

1Pe 2:2 , “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the  Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 

1Co 3:2 , “ I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it.  Indeed, even now you are not yet able .” 

Note: If you take a doll and an infant, how can you tell the difference. A doll has no life in itself, will never grow. An infant has life in itself, it can breath and cry and eat. New converts are like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it may grow. Just as babies cannot eat solid food, so young converts are not able to receive solid doctrine like sanctification and sacrifice. 

2Pe 3:17-18, “ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge    of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.   ” 

Note: Not only God knows everything; God knows the end from the beginning. Time and space do not restrict and limit the knowledge and foreknowledge of God. The Word of God always warns and forewarn believers beforehand. Be on guard in Greek is  phylassō which means to keep one’s self; beware; keep watch; observe; have an eye open; to preserve, observe, avoid; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament. Carry away in Greek is synapagō  which means to lead away with;  sweep away; condescend; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Error in Greek is planē  which means deceit; delusion; deception; falsehood; mental straying; fraud; wandering away from truth; wrong opinion; leading astray from the right way; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. There are many doctrinal errors and wrong opinions spread by false prophets and false teachers. Roman Catholicism is an error. Evolution is an error. Secularism is an error. Liberal theology is an error. Unprincipled in Greek is  athesmos     which means wicked; lawless; unscrupulous; evil; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Beware the error of the wicked which can carry people away and make people fall. Do not fall from grace. Steadfastness in Greek is  stērigmos  which means firm condition; moral and mental stability; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. It is possible for you to fall from steadfastness, therefore be on your guard. The following is a good advice for all believers of all times and places: 

Eph 6:11-13, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ” 

Note: Armor in Greek is  panoplia  which means whole armor; panoply; full armor includes   shield, sword, lance, helmet, greaves, and breastplate ; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. The full armor of God includes   THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,   the shield of faith   ,   THE HELMET OF SALVATION   , and   the sword of the Spirit   .  Scheme in Greek is   methodeia  which means wile; cunning arts; deceit; trickery; craft; deceitful devices; design; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Schemes of the wicked are the schemes of the Devil and more. The schemes of the devil are wicked and evil schemes and schemes of iniquity.The schemes of the devil are to take advantage of you. 

Luk 2:40 , “ The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”  

Note: The Child Jesus can be a model for young converts. A young convert needs to continue to grow by feeding on the pure milk of the Word of God so he can become strong, increase in wisdom, and grow in the grace and knowledge of God. 

Col 1:23 , “ if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. ” 

Note: Young believers need to continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, having root. Focus on the hope of the Gospel. 

1Ti 4:6 , “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly     nourished on the Words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” 

Note: A good servant of Jesus Christ,   in speech, conduct, love, faith and  purity ,  needs to show himself an example of those who believe. Constantly nourished on the Words of the faith and of the sound doctrine he is able to instruct young believers. A preacher of prosperity gospel who loves money and the world is not a servant of Christ. 

Phl 1:25 , “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith   .” 

Note: As his faith grows, a true believer will show progress and joy in the faith. 

1Pe 1:7 , “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ .” 

Note: A true believe has the proof of his faith, being more precious than perishable gold, even though tested by fire (tribulations), may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

Eph 4:15 , “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head, even Christ .” 

Note: Christians do not and cannot lie, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects conforming to the image of Christ who is the Head of the Church. Not a few preachers or pastors try to make their members their disciples. Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ, not any man no matter how famous he is. 

2Pe 3:18 , “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ” 

Note: Christians are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christians want to be rich in the faith, rich in good work. The supreme goal of a Christian life is to Jesus Christ be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. 

For Christians to grow, we need to study the Bible, pray to God, imitate Christ, testify for Jesus Christ, and do good deeds. 

(A.)  How to study the Bible. 

The Holy Bible is not like any other book. The Bible is the sole Book whereby Christianity is built and based upon.   The Bible or the Scripture claims to be the Word of God, although holy prophets and holy apostles were moved and wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and wrote them down. The Bible is right because God cannot be wrong. It simply means the Bible is not the teaching of man; it is the revelation of God. The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the basis of Judaism, mainly the Mosaic Law and the Prophets – from Genesis to Malachi, a set of 39 books. The New Testament is the basis of Christianity, written by apostles after the ascension of Jesus Christ – from Matthew to Revelation, a set of 27 books. Thus, the Bible is composed of 66 books. Unfortunately, the Jews still wait for the Messiah, they do not know or believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who was God and became Man some 2,000 years ago. For this reason the Jews believe only the Old Testament. Christians believe in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament because Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses. All the prophets spoke about the Messiah fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not like other books, it is the message of God to mankind. The central message of the Bible is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent into the world to die for our sins, rose from death for our justification. He ascended to Heaven sitting at the right hand of God, and He is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. Some humanists and modernists and unbelievers out of their evil heart of unbelief want a ‘different and better Bible’. There is no other Bible, there is no better Bible, there is only one Bible which is the Word of the Lord. Men may fake a Good Book. There is no other Good Book, the Bible is the only Good Book because it has the Word of life, and it teaches the Way of God in truth.   

The Bible was not conceived by man, or woman, or men. The Bible was not invented by human being or human beings. The Bible was not made by an institution or institutions. The Bible was not a product of culture, tradition, religion, custom, experience or experiment, discovery or wisdom of human beings. The Bible was not a fable, fiction, composition, novel, anthology, essay, philosophy of human mind. The Bible is the Holy Scripture, the Word of God. 

Jhn 10:35 ,“If he called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).” The Bible, the Scripture and the Word of God are synonymous. Word in Greek is  logos which means speech, a living voice, a conception or idea, what is said, decree, dictum, mandate, declaration, instruction, reason, revelation, oracle or utterance, the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, doctrine, teaching, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The Word of God came to holy prophets and apostles. 

What to Do with the Word of God.  

Peoples of the world and Christians are at least told to do the following. The Word of God speaks two groups of people: believers and unbelievers. What the Word of God tells Christians to do, unbelievers cannot do.   

(1.)  Hear the Word. 

Isa 28:14 , “Therefore hear the Word of the LORD, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem.” 

Isa 66:5 , “Hear the Word of the LORD, you who tremble at His Word: Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name’s sake, said: Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy. But they shall be ashamed.” 

Jesus says, Mat 13:9 , “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 

Rom 10:17 ,  “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” 

Note: Hear the Word means to listen to what God says and obey the Word of God. The Holy Bible is the Word of God.

(2.)  Pay attention to the Word. 

2Pe 1:19 ,  “And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 

Note: Pay attention in Greek is  prosechō   which means to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive, give attention to, take heed, devote thought and effort to; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. You do well to pay attention to the Word of God which a light like the morning star that shines in your hearts. 

(3.)  Believe the Word. 

Act 4:4 , “However, many of those who heard the Word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” 

Note: Believe in Greek is  pisteuō   which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, trust in Jesus or God as able to aid; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. To believe the Word is to take God at His Word. 

Act 15:7 ,“And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.” 

Note: It is the duty of man to hear the Word of the Gospel and believe. 

Eph 1:13 ,  “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” 

Note: To hear the Word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation and believe is to be sealed to receive the Holy Spirit. 

(4.)   Receive the Word. 

Act 8:14 , “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.” 

Note: Receive in Greek is  dechomai which means to take hold of, take up, give ear to, embrace, approve, make one’s own; – it occurs 59 times in the New Testament. We must receive the Word of God. 

Act 17:11 , “These were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” 

Note: Readiness in Greek is  prothymia which means readiness of mind, eagerness, zeal, spirit, inclination; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Search the Scriptures and receive the Word with readiness of mind and eagerness. 

1Th 1:6, “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.” 

Note: For followers of Jesus Christ to receive the Word in affliction means to suffer for the Lord and to be with joy of the Holy Spirit. 

1Th 2:13, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 

Note: The Word of God is the Word of truth. 

(5.)   Desire the Word. 

1Pe 2:2 , “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” 

Note: Desire in Greek is epipotheō which means to long for, pursue with love, long after; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. As newborn babes desire the milk so Christians should desire the pure milk of the Word. The Word is vital for spiritual growth. Christians are to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God are essential for Christian growth. 

(6.)   Taste the Word. 

Hbr 6:5 , “And have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come.” 

Note: Taste in Greek is  geuomai which means to try the flavor of, partake of, enjoy, feel and experience; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. The taste of the Word of God is good because of its promises and blessings. If you are a child of God, you must have experienced the divine providence and how God has blessed and helped you in many ways. 

(7.)   Keep the Word. 

Luk 11:28 , “But He said: More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” 

Note: Keep here in Greek is  phylassō which means to guard, watch, keep watch, guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate, observe; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. 

1Jo 2:5 ,  “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 

Note: Keep in Greek is  tēreō  which means to attend to carefully, take care of, observe of God’s or Christ’s command; – it occurs about 75 times in the New Testament. To keep the Word is to obey the commandments of God and do the will of God. 

(8.)   Remember the Word. 

Jhn 15:20 ,  “Remember the Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.” 

Note: Remember in Greek is  mnēmoneuō   which means to be mindful of, call to mind, hold in memory, keep in mind, make mention of; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Christians must remember the Word that Jesus said in the New Testament and keep it. To remember the Word of Christ you have to keep it in your heart. Here “yours” refers what the apostles later said and wrote in the New Testament. It does not mean what church leaders, theologians or pastors say. 

(9.)  Obey the Word. 

Jos 24:24 , “The people said to Joshua: We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice.     ” 

Note: Obey in Hebrew is shama`which means to hear, listen to, consent, agree, yield to, be obedient, give heed; – it occurs about 1,159 times in the Old Testament. God’s voice and God’s word mean the same. To obey God’s voice is to obey His Word. 

2Th 1:8 , “Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 

Note: Obey in Greek is hypakouō which means to be obedient to, submit to, harken to a command; – it occurs 21 times in the New Testament. To obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus is to obey the Word. Those who do not obey will receive retribution. Retribution in Greek is  ekdikēsis which means vengeance, punishment; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. What punishment for those who do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ says,     Mat 25:46 ,  “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Punishment in Greek is    kolasis  which means correction, penalty; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. What is eternal punishment? Body and soul suffer in Hell forever. 

(10.)  Be doers of the Word. 

Jam 1:22 , “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 

Note: Doer in Greek is  poiētēs which means a performer, practitioner, one who obeys or fulfills the law; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. One who hears the Word, but does not do it, deceives himself. A good illustration is the Western powers that claim to be Christian, but they practice imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, and hegemonism which are totally contrary to the Word of God. 

Luk 6:46 , “Why do you call Me: ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” 

Be doer of the Word is to do what the Lord says. 

(11.)   Hold firm the Word. 

Phl 2:16 ,  “Holding out the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” 

Note: Hold out in Greek is  epechō which means to have or hold upon, hold toward, hold forth; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. 

Tts 1:9 ,“Holding firm the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” 

Note: Hold firm in Greek is  antechō  which means to hold to firmly, cleave to; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Believers must hold out and hold firm the Word of life in this ungodly world. 

(12.)   Speak the Word. 

Act 4:31 ,  “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.” 

Note: Speak in Greek is  laleō  which means to utter a voice or emit a sound, use the tongue or the faculty of speech, talk, tell, use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts, make known by speaking; – it occurs about 296 times in the New Testament. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is not meant to speak in tongues, but to speak the Word of God with boldness. Boldness in Greek is  parrēsia which means freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, open, frankly, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, assurance; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament. 

Act 16:32 ,“Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” 

Phl 1:14 ,  “And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.” 

Note: What is the difference between speaking the Word and preaching the Word. Speaking the Word is informal, preaching the Word is formal. We should pray that the Word of God can be proclaimed everywhere without fear. In some countries that have state religion, you will lose your life or your head to preach the Word of God. If one of their citizens is converted to Christianity, he/she will be beheaded. That kind of oppressive religion should be outlawed in all civilized nations. Religious freedom should mean preaching and practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear. 

(14.)   Preach the Word. 

Act 8:4 , “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” 

Note: Preach in Greek is  euaggelizō which means to evangelize, bring good news, announce glad tidings, proclaim glad tidings; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. There is a wrong idea among believers. They think to preach the Word is only the job of preachers. Christians everywhere must preach the Word to unbelievers. 

Act 8:25 ,“So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” 

Act 15:35 ,“Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.” 

2Ti 4:2 , “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 

Note: Here the word preach is kēryssō which means to be a herald, to officiate as a herald, publish, proclaim openly; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be preached by TV, radio, movie, printed matter, record, DVD, and the Internet. 

(15.)  Spread the Word. 

Act 13:49 ,“And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.” 

Note: Spread in Greek is diapherō  which means to bear or carry through any place, carry in different directions, to different places, spread abroad; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Preachers must preach the Gospel; all Christians must spread the Word. Today the Internet is the most effective and fastest means of spreading the Word of the Lord throughout the world, and the cheapest means. 

(16.)  Bear witness to the Word. 

Act 14:3 ,“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” 

Note: Bear witness in Greek is  martyreō  which means to testify, affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, be a witness of the truth; – it occurs about 79 times in the New Testament. Every born-again Christian is a witness to the Word of His grace; even most believers do not have the gift of performing signs and miracles. A Christian life is a living testimony to the grace and power of God. 

(17.)   Teach the Word. 

Act 18:11  ,“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.” 

Note: Teach in Greek is  didaskō  which means to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, explain or expound a thing; – it occurs about 97 times in the New Testament. Not everyone can teach the Word. Ministers must be equipped to teach sound doctrines. The strangest things are professors of theology and ministers who do not know the Word but teach everything to deny and repudiate the Word. Such are false teachers. You wonder why they exist in seminaries and churches today. Actually it is a fulfilled prophecy, 

Jud 1:4 , “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

2Pe 2:1 ,“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Any doctrine that denies Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world is a destructive heresy and false doctrine. 

(18.)   Labor in the Word. 

1Ti 5:17 ,“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who  labor in the Word and doctrine.   ” 

2Ti 2:15 , “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

Note: This task is assigned to the preachers and Bible teachers. Labor in Greek is  kopiaō which means to toil with wearisome effort; – it occurs about 23 times in the New Testament. What I am trying to do is to put the Word and fundamental doctrines of Christianity on the Internet absolutely free, rightly dividing the Word of truth, proclaiming and promoting the Kingdom of God and Christ. Rightly dividing in Greek is   orthotomeō  which means to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. To explain the differences between law and grace, between work and gift, between reward and punishment, between heaven and hell, between this life and the life to come, between things below and things above, between the worldly and the spiritual, between the eternal life and eternal punishment, etc. is rightly dividing the Word of truth. Among those who labored in the Word and doctrines that I admire most are G. Campbell Morgan, J. C. Ryle, John Bunyan, etc. 

(19.)   Glorify the Word. 

Act 13:48 ,“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” 

Note: Glorify in Greek is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, do honor to, hold in honor, make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor, render it excellent or illustrious; – it occurs 62 times in the New Testament. There is nothing like the Holy Bible because it is the Word of God. There is nothing like the Word of God because it is truth, nothing but the truth, trustworthy to accept and believe. To glorify the Word of the Lord is to glorify God. Those who glorify the Word of God do not commit idolatry (bibliolatry). To glorify the Word of God you cannot glorify the words of men. Those who glorify the words of men are guilty of idolatry. The church of Jesus Christ must obey the Word of God. 

Ezr 7:6 -12 , “ This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was   a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,    which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was     upon him. For Ezra had   set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to   teach   His  statutes and ordinances in Israel. Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest,  the scribe,   learned in the words  of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel: “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace. And now ” 

Note: Ezra in Hebrew is Ezra’ which means   Ezra = “help” , he was a co-worker with Nehemiah; – which occurs 22 times in the Old Testament. Ezra was a most remarkable learned man, gifted, a scribe and priest, learned in the Words of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel. Ezra was a model student of the Word of God. He who studies the Bible must set his heart.  Set in Hebrew is  kuwn which means to prepare; to make ready; to be securely determined; to apply one’s mind to do something; to direct;   – which occurs 237 times in the Old Testament. Heart in Hebrew is  lebab which means mind; soul; the seat of senses, affections, and emotions of the mind; the mode of thinking and acting; the seat of will and purpose; intellect and wisdom; – which occurs 250 times in the Old Testament. Study in Hebrew is darash  which means to search; seek with care; enquire; investigate; to apply oneself; – which occurs 167 times in the Old Testament. Practice in Hebrew is `asah  which means to do; perform; execute; keep; maintain; accomplish; bring about; put in order; follow; fulfill; work about; – which occurs 2,642 times in the Old Testament. Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it because he wanted to teach God’s statutes and ordinances in Israel. 

2Ti 3:14 -17 , “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 

Note: Timothy was blessed to have known the Sacred Writings from childhood. I am grateful to have studied the Bible from childhood. Convince in Greek is pistoō  which means to be assured of; to be firmly persuaded of; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Christians are convinced the Word of God is true, and Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Sacred in Greek is hieros  which means Sacred Scriptures because inspired by God; holy; pertaining to God; consecrated to God; worthy of veneration; deserving respect; – which occurs 74 times in the New Testament. Writing in Greek is  gramma  which means Scriptures; a document or record; that which has been written; the sacred writings of the Old Testament; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. The Sacred Writings are able to give us the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Scripture in Greek is  graphē  which means   the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents ; a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture   ; Holy Writ; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament.   Inspire in Greek is theopneustos  which means to be given inspiration by God; divinely breathed in; to influence by divine inspiration; to communicate supernaturally; to bring about; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Luk 24:27 , “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” From Moses to all the prophets, they speak concerning Jesus Christ. Profitable in Greek is  ōphelimos which means helpful or serviceable; advantageous; beneficial; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. A Chinese philosopher said, It is profitable to open a book. Although I had studied the world’s great masterpieces, I can assure you there is nothing more profitable or beneficial than the study of the Holy Bible. All the more a servant of Christ must master the Word of God in order to be adequate, and equipped for every good work. 

Jhn 5:39 , “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me .” 

Note: Search in Greek is  eraunaō  which means to examine into; to seek; to investigate; to look into carefully; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Testify in Greek is   martyreō  which means to bear witness; bear record; to give honest testimony; attest; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures testify about Jesus Christ. Everything we know about Jesus Christ we learn from the Scriptures. 

Years ago when I was young, an American professor advised me: Study the Gospel of John 100 times. Study the Book of Romans 100 times. Now I am old, it was a good advice. Here is a plan for your self-study of the Bible. You begin by reading carefully the Gospel of John, do it consecutively, do not skip chapter. Read every verse, pay attention to every word. If you study the Gospel of John carefully, you will have the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the central message of the Holy Bible. Then read the Book of Romans the same way you read the Gospel of John. If you study the Book of Romans, you will understand the Christian faith. When you finish the Book of Romans, then start with the Gospel of Matthew and finish the whole New Testament. Afterwards you begin with Genesis and finish the whole Old Testament. Since the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament, it is profitable that you focus more on the New Testament. You do not need to use commentary. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you and lead you into all truth. If you are acquainted with the Scriptures, probably you will find many commentaries are wrong with private interpretations. Of course you may need a good dictionary to find the meanings of a word or the words you do not know. You can study the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. You can also study the Bible by topics, such as atonement, baptism, confession, faith, forgiveness, glorification, grace, judgment, justification, reconciliation, redemption, regeneration, repentance, salvation, sanctification, etc. To do topic or word study, you need a concordance. The best concordance is  Strong’s Concordance,  it is provided free on line on the Internet. 

Strong’s Concordance with  
Hebrew and Greek Lexicon http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html 

Those who make  Strong’s Concordance  available and free on line is doing a good work. I cannot do my studies and writings about many subjects published on the Internet absolutely free without Strong’s Concordance ; otherwise it will take a long time and much greater efforts. 

(B.)  How to pray. 

It must be said that we pray to God only — never pray to Mary, Apostles, Angels, Saints, dead people (including your parents or loved ones), ancestors, demons or spirits, sun, moon, stars, animals, trees, mountains, rivers, seas, idols, images, statutes, etc. 

Many are confused about what a prayer is. Even preachers think reporting to God is prayer. Some preachers even preach to God when they pray. Prayer is not reporting to God, for God knows everything and He does not need anyone to report to Him what is happening in the world. Preachers should not use prayer as a sermon, preaching to God and men. Preachers should not pray long prayers during Sunday service as if long prayers were indicative of their devotion. Old people are unable to stand up for long prayers. Do not confuse public prayers with private prayers. Preachers may pray all night alone by themselves in their own homes.  

Luk 6:12 , “It was at this time that He (Christ) went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”  

When the Lord taught His disciples to pray, the prayer was not long.  Pastors should not pray long prayers in public and let old people stand a long time. Some preachers mistake long prayers for devotion. Preachers and believers can pray long prayers in their own rooms alone. 

See   Mat 6:9-13.  Basically,  praying is asking God, asking God for a favor or mercy. 

The Bible teaches us how to pray : 

(1.)  Pray at all times in the Spirit. 

Eph 6:18, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” 

Note: Prayer is supplication. To pray is to make supplication. To pray at all times in the Spirit does not require bowing your head, closing your eyes, and saying your prayer audibly. It is making your heart’s wish in the Spirit to the Lord at all times. Let your spirit get in touch with the Spirit of God with sighing and supplicating. To pray to God is simply to ask God for mercy, for help, for salvation, for forgiveness of sins. You can pray: God, have mercy on me!

(2.)  Always offering prayer with joy. 

Phl 1:4 , “Always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all.” 

Note: To pray with joy is to pray with delight. It is a joy that believers can pray to God about anything at any time. 

2Th 1:11 , “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.” 

(3.)    In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. 

Phl 4:6 , “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

Note: To pray with thanksgiving is to pray with gratitude. To pray is to make known your requests to God. Christians ought to be anxious for nothing, be prayerful in everything, and be thankful for everything. 

(4.)  Continue steadfastly in prayer. 

Col 4:2 , “Continue steadfastly in prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” 

Note: Prayer is not a one time performance. We need to continue steadfastly in prayer. 

1Th 5:17 , “pray without ceasing.” 

(5.)  Be watchful in your prayer. 

1Pe 4:7, “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound mind and watchful in your prayer.   ” 

Note: To be watchful is to keep alert. Why is it necessary to be watchful in your prayer? The end of all things is near. We live in perilous times. The coming of the Lord is near. 

(6.)  Pray in every place. 

1Ti 2:8 , “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray   , lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.   ” 

(7.)  Pray in the Holy Spirit. 

Jde 1:20  , “ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit . ” 

What is to pray for?  

There are endless things we can pray for, but pray for most important things. 

(1.)  Pray that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified. 

2Th 3:1 , “ Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you .” 

(2.)  Pray for believers to be filled with the knowledge of His will. 

Col 1:9 , “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it,    we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you   may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding .” 

(3.)  Pray that the fellowship of Christian faith may become effective. 

Phm 1:6, “ and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.   ” 

(4).  Pray for believers to prosper and be in good health. 

3Jo 1:2 , “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you   may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.   ” 

(5.)  Pray to have a good conscience and conduct ourselves honorably. 

Heb 13:18 , “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably    in all things.   ” 

(6.)  Pray for those who are suffering, including the sick. 

Jas 5:13 , “ Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.   ” 

(7.)  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

Psa 122:6 , “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
“May they prosper who love you.   ” 

(8.)  Pray for those who persecute you. 

Mat 5:44 ,   “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” 

(9.)  Pray for those who mistreat you. 

Luk 6:28 , “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ” 

(10.)  Pray for all the saints. 

Eph 6:18 , “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints .” 

Note: The saints mean all living believers (brothers and sisters) on earth now, not dead Christians who are with the Lord. 

(11.)  Pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. 

Eph 1:18 , “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” 

(12.)  Pray that your love may abound still more and more. 

Phl 1:9 , “ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” 

The physical posture of prayer includes sitting, standing and kneeling. Here are some important points to remember: 

Mat 14:19 , “Ordering the people to sit down on the grass   , He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward Heaven , He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds   .” 

Luk 22:41 , “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray.” 

Mat 6:5 , “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.   ” 

Mat 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room   , close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ” 

Mat 6:9 , “ Pray, then, in this way: 
‘Our Father who is in Heaven, 
Hallowed be Your name.   ” 

Mat 14:23  , “ After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.   ” 

Mar 6:46 , “After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.   ” 

Luk 6:12 , “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray , and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. ” 

Luk 9:28 , “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.   ” 

Note: Jesus often went off to the mountain to pray without fear. We must have common sense. Jesus was not afraid of any danger, beast or robber. The safest way is to pray in your room alone. 

Act 10:9  , “On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ” 

Luk 18:1 , “ Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart .” 

Luk 18:9-14 , “And He also told this parable to some people who   trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:  Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’But the tax collector, standing some distance away   , was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘ God, be merciful to me, the sinner !’  I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

Luk 22:40 , “ When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 

Rom 8:26 , “ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words   .” 

1Co 14:15 , “ What is the outcome  then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. ” 

Eph 6:18  , “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit , and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” 

(C.)  How to imitate Christ. 

To imitate Christ is to learn from Christ. 

Mat 11:29 , “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ” 

Note:   Yoke in Greek is  zygos which means metaphorically, used of any burden or bondage, it is so transferred to the commands of Christ unlike the Mosaic Law; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. I believe it spiritually refers to the cross. So Jesus says,  Mat 10:38, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ” Gentle in Greek is  praÿs which means mild, kind, meek; not violent; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.  1Pe 3:4 , “but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. ” Humble in Greek is tapeinos    which means lowly, lowly in spirit, of low degree, not arrogant or haughty; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. In heart means not in appearance. As a comparison, there was an American prosperity gospel TV evangelist. He was so arrogant that he pushed a flight attendant and declared, Do you know who I am? Those who learn from Christ and take up the cross to follow him will find rest for their souls. 

Heb 12:2 , “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Endure in Greek is    hypomenō   which means to suffer, to take patiently; to persevere ;  under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ  ; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. To learn from Christ is to take up the cross, endure the cross, fixing our eyes on Jesus and follow after Jesus. 

(1.)  Christians must learn the obedience of Christ. 

Heb 5:8 , “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. ” 

Note:  Learn in Greek is  manthanō which means to understand, to increase one’s knowledge; to gain knowledge or understanding; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Obedience in Greek is  hypakoē   which means compliance, submission, act of obeying; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. We can learn obedience from sufferings.  To suffer is to feel pain. Sufferings cause pain. Pain makes man think. We learn many things from sufferings. Psa 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. ” 

2Co 2:9 , “For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. ” 

Note: Can we put ourselves to the test to prove our trustworthiness? Christians must learn to be obedient in all things the Lord commands. 

Rom 15:18 , “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.” 

Note: What Christ has accomplished for us are tremendous and precious and eternal. What Christ has accomplished through His servants are recorded in Heaven. What we have accomplished for Christ will be remembered forever. Our obedience to Christ must be proved by word and deed. 

2Co 9:13 , “Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for  your  obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all.” 

Note: Our obedience is to our confession of the Gospel of Christ. Our obedience to the Gospel of Christ glorifies God. 

2Co 10:5 , “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and    we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 

Note: All speculations and imaginations against the knowledge of God must be destroyed and we are taking everything thought captive to the obedience of Christ. To obey Christ we must reject all speculations and lofty ideas of unbelieving theologians and philosophers raised up against the Word of God. I have studied the so-called lofty ideas of theologians and philosophers, they are vain and not worthwhile. 

(2.)  Christians must learn from the humility of Christ. 

Phl 2:8 , “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ” 

Note:   Humble in Greek is  tapeinoō which means to make low, bring low, metaphorically to bring into a humble condition; to abase one self by humble living; to have a modest opinion of one’s self; to behave in an unassuming manner; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Our glorious Lord became Man in appearance as a man; obeyed the will of the Holy Father by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Death on a cross was the cruelest form of Roman empire punishment. 

Phl 2:5-7 , “Have this mindset in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,  and being made in the likeness of men. ” 

Note: Humility of Christ is revealed in the mind of Christ,   Mind or mindset in Greek is phroneō which means thought, opinion, view, concern, affection; the complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons; mentality; intellectual ability; mental capabilities; a mental attitude or inclination; a person’s way of feeling and thinking; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. God wants believers to have the mind or mindset of Christ, to deny oneself.  Christ preexisted in the form of God, but He emptied Himself. Grasp in Greek is    harpagmos which means to rob, seize, hold fast, retain; to clutch; to lay hold of; to take or seize eagerly; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Unbelievers live and labor to grasp fame and fortune, money, power, and pleasure. Empty in Greek is  kenoō which means to make void, to make of no reputation, to abase; to lay aside; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ emptied Himself so as not to grasp equality with God. 

Christians must have the mind (or mindset) of Christ. We must learn to empty ourselves – empty our pride, position, pleasure, power, possession, privilege, prerogative, perspective, prejudice, preconception, prejudgment, presumption, pretext, purse, knowledge; etc. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, we must first empty ourselves. 

2Co 10:1, “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ” 

Note: Humility in Greek is  praÿtēs which means meekness, gentleness of spirit, mildness of disposition, lack of pride or arrogance; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The exalted Son of God has humility. 

Act 20:19 , “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews.” 

Note: Serving the Lord requires all humility. 

Col 3:12 , “So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

Note: The elect of God must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Tit 3:2 , “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ” 

Note: Most people think you need to show all humility to the rich and powerful and people of high position. Christians in imitating Christ show all humility to all men. Humility is a special quality: If you think you are humble enough, you are not humble at all. 

1Pe 5:5, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to    your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.     ” 

Note: The reward of humility is the blessing God gives grace to the humble.       

(3.)  Christians must learn from the sufferings of Christ. 

Phl 3:10 , “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” 

Note: To have fellowship of the sufferings of Christ is a higher level of knowing and following Christ. Fellowship in Greek is  koinōnia which means communion, communication, joint participation, sharing, intimacy, partnership, social intercourse, association; companionship; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. To deny oneself is to be conformed to His death. 

Why we must learn from the sufferings of Christ?     At least 4 reasons: 

(1.) Col 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my   share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” 

Note: To do our share of sufferings on behalf of the body of Christ which is the Church is to fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. This is a high spiritual truth. The meaning is what is wanting in Christ’s affliction on behalf of His body the Church is to be borne by me willingly in order to repay for all the benefits freely I have received from the Lord. Affliction in Greek is thlipsis which means tribulation, persecution, trouble, anguish, oppression, burden; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. To share Christ’s afflictions is to suffer with Him. 

(2.) 1Pe 4:13, “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ , keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.     ” 

Note: To share the sufferings of Christ is a guarantee to rejoice with exultation at the revelation of His glory. To suffer for Christ now is to rejoice with Christ when He comes in great power and glory. 

(3.) 2Co 1:5, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” 

Note: To have sufferings of Christ in abundance is to have abundant comfort through Christ. This is the abundant spiritual life. 

(4.)  Rom 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ” 

Note: It is important to know what is worthy or not worthy. How can one know what is worthy or not worthy? By comparison. Comparison is to judge of one thing in connection with another. Comparison is a a measure to wear the merit or value of something against another thing. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. So it is worthy to suffer for Christ. 

1Pe 1:22, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart .” 

Note: Purify in Greek is  hagnizō which means to make pure, cleanse; to sanctify morally; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Obedience to the truth can purify our souls. Not only we must know the truth, believe in the truth, speak the truth, testify to the truth, listen to the truth, practice the truth, walk in truth, and we must also obey the truth. We must learn obedience to the truth.  Jhn 17:17, “ Sanctify    them in the truth; Your word is truth. ” The more you know the truth in Jesus Christ the more you can be sanctified. 

Heb 12:10 , “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He  disciplines us for  our good, so that we may share His holiness.  ” 

Note:   Discipline in Greek is  paideuō which means to train up, chasten, chastise, teach, instruct, correct, educate, penalize, punish; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. God disciplines His children for our good so that we may share His holiness.    Heb 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ” Without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

Act 26:18 , “ to open their eyes so that they may  turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an    inheritance  among those who have been  sanctified by faith in Me. 

III.  How to Develop Christian Character. 

It is not enough for one to be born again, to be saved, he needs to develop the Christian character. Just as it is not sufficient for a baby is born, he needs to grow up to be a mature man.

Rom 5:3-5, “And not only   that,   but we also   exult   in tribulations, knowing that   tribulation    produces perseverance;   and   perseverance   produces    character; and   character   produces   hope.   Now   hope   does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.   ” 

Note: Tribulations (sufferings) produce perseverance, and perseverance produces character. Exult in Greek is  kauchaomai  which means to rejoice; glory; boast; vaunt; to leap for joy; to express great happiness; – which occurs 39 times in the New Testament. Tribulation in Greek is    thlipsis  which means suffering; affliction; trouble; anguish; persecution; oppression; distress; pressure; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Perseverance in Greek is  hypomonē  which means patience; endurance; steadfastness; constancy; continued effort to be or do despite difficulties; continued determination; tenacity; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament.   Character in Greek is dokimē  which means tried character; proof; experience; a specimen of tried worth; trustworthiness; approvedness; distinguished attributes; distinctive characteristics or qualities; main or essential nature; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Hope in Greek is  elpis  which means expectation of good; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; – which occurs 54 times in the New Testament. Hope in Christ will never disappoint. The hope in Christ is glorious. Disappoint in Greek is  kataischynō  which means to be put to shame; dishonor; disgrace; confound; to fail to meet expectation; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. There is no disappointment in Christ. There are too many disappointments in this world. Unless you are born again, you do not know the experience or meaning of the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has given to us. All unsaved people are without the Holy Spirit. All unbelievers live without God and without hope in this world, no matter whether he is king, queen, prince, princess, president, prime minister, general, tycoon. 

1Co 15:33 , “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character .” 

Note: Bad company corrupts good character. A man is known by the company he keeps. Bad in Greek is kakos    which means evil; harmful; wicked; wrong; worthless; depraved; troublesome; injurious; pernicious; baneful; destructive; ill; of a bad nature; – which occurs 56 times in the New Testament.   Company in Greek is homilia which means companionship; communion; intercourse; association; fellowship; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. Corrupt in Greek is phtheirō which means to defile; to destroy; to perish; to ruin; to shrivel or wither; to degrade; to spoil; to rot; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament.   Character in Greek is ēthos  which means manners; custom; moral habits; good morals; distinctive character; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. 

Phl 1:11 , “May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.   ” 

Note: Christian character (or righteous character) is produced in Christian life by Jesus Christ, the fruit of salvation. The righteous character will bring much glory and praise to God. 

Heb 1:3 , “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and   He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in Heaven. ” 

Note: Jesus Christ the Son of God radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God. Christians conform to the Image of Christ should also radiate the character of Christ. Before we have the Christian character, Jesus Christ had cleansed us from our sins. 

Rth 2:1 , “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side. He was a prominent man of noble character from Elimelech’s family. His name was Boaz.   ” 

Note: Boaz was a prominent man of noble character. Nowadays the richest the man, the worst is his character. 

Rth 3:11, “Now don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you say, since all the people in my town know that you are a woman of noble character. ” 

Note: Ruth was a woman of noble character because she was a woman of virtue and excellence. Boaz was a man of noble character and 
Ruth was a woman of noble character, their marriage was made in Heaven. 

Pro 12:4, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. ” 

Note: A wife of noble character is a virtuous woman, an excellent wife, a worthy wife, a noble wife, a good wife, a worthy woman. 

Pro 31:10 , “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.   ” 

1Ki 1:52 , “Then Solomon said, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground, but if evil is found in him, he dies.” 

Note: Character in Hebrew is chayil  which means virtue, uprightness, fitness, and integrity; – which occurs 245 times in the Old Testament. Solomon said if Adonijah is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground, if evil is found in him, he dies. 

Act 17:11 , “ The people here were of more noble character   than those in Thessalonica, since they received the   Word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.   ” 

Note: Noble character in Greek is  eugenēs  which means well born; noble-minded; high in rank; outstanding qualities; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Those who received the Word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so are of more noble character. 

Eph 5:4 , “Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character    – but rather thanksgiving. ” 

Note: Out of character is Greek is anēkō which means not fitting; not proper; not convenient; unbecoming; discreditable; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Christians cannot use vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting — all of which are our Christian character. 

2Co 2:9 , “ I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything.   ” 

Note: Character in Greek is dokimē  which means approved, tried character; trustiness; proof; approvedness; distinctive attributes or qualities of an individual; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The proof of Christian character is to be obedient to God in everything. 

Phl 2:22 , “But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the Gospel ministry like a son with a father. ” 

Note: You can know a person by his proven character. Timothy has proven his character because he has served with Apostle Paul in the Gospel ministry like a son with a father. To serve with Paul in the Gospel ministry is never to live in luxury, but to suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, and endure persecutions and afflictions. 

Heb 13:5 , “ Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 

Note: Character in Greek is  tropos  which means manner of life; conduct; way; fashion; deportment; mode or style; turn of mind; distinctive qualities or features of an individual; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. The Christian character is free from the love of money and being content with what one has. Content in Greek is  arkeō  which means to be satisfied; to be sufficient; to be enough; to be contented; happy and satisfied; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ will never desert Christians, nor will He ever forsake us. 

1Pe 1:7 , “so that the proven character of your faith    — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.   ” 

Note: The proven character of faith is more valuable than gold, may result in praise, glory, and honor at the coming of Jesus Christ. 

An ordinary person corrupted in the world by lust cannot have Christian character, just like a monkey cannot have human blood. Having become partakers of the divine nature, Christians are equipped to build or develop Christian character. All Christians need to develop Christian character. Character is built by the process of addition. Christian character is built by adding one Christian virtue to another. Only Christians can have Christian character. It takes Christian character to live the Christian life. 

1Pe 1:2-3, “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 

Note: Foreknowledge in Greek is  prognōsis  which means forethought; pre-arrangement; divine knowledge beforehand; supernatural knowledge; divine knowledge of all events before they happen; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. God knows everything from the beginning to the end. God knows all things beforehand and before they happen. Predestination has something to do with the foreknowledge of God.  Jhn 6:64,   “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.   ”Jesus has foreknowledge and knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him because Jesus is God. Christians are God’s special people. A Christian is a chosen one according to the foreknowledge of God, by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, according to God’s great mercy caused to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to be purified by His precious blood in order to obey Jesus Christ. 

2Pe 1:4 , “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become    partakers of   the  divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. ” 

Note: Promise in Greek is  epaggelma which means a self-committal; a binding declaration of assurance that something is given or to be done; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Precious in Greek is timios  which means especially dear; honorable; of great value; of great price; highly esteemed; very valuable; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. God’s promises are more precious than precious stones. Magnificent in Greek is    megistos  which means exceeding great; very great; greatest; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Partaker in Greek is  koinōnos  which means partner; sharer; associate; companion; fellowship; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Divine nature is the opposite of human nature. Corruption in Greek is  phthora  which means destruction; perishing; what is perishable; moral decay; ruin; eternal misery; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Lust in Greek is  epithymia  which means desire for what is forbidden; concupiscence; unholy longing or craving; – which occurs 38 times in the New Testament. The love of money, power and sex is the lust in the world. Granted by God’s precious and magnificent promises, believers may become partakers of the divine nature. With the divine nature, believers can produce the Christian character. 

2Pe 1:5-9 , “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your   faith   virtue; and to   virtue    knowledge;    and to   knowledge self-control   ; and to   self-control    patience; and to   patience    godliness;   and to   godliness     brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness   love.  For if these   qualities   be in you, and abound, they make    you that ye shall    neither    be    barren nor unfruitful in the    true    knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacks    these things is   blind, and cannot see afar off, and has    forgotten that he was purified from his old sins.   ” 

Note: Add in Greek is  epichorēgeō  which means to add as a supplement; furnish; present; aid or contribute; provide; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Apparently the Christian character is the addition of some excellent qualities. 

The Scriptures identify 8 qualities of Christian character: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  Christian character is adding quality to quality, quality upon quality.   Faith in Greek is pistis  which means belief; assurance; moral conviction of the truth; belief that Jesus is the Messiah; trust in God or Christ; fidelity; according Strong’s Concordance: “a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the   Kingdom of God” ; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament.   Virtue in Greek is  aretē  which means moral excellence; moral goodness; modesty; purity; an eminent endowment; a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament.   Knowledge   in Greek is  gnōsis which means the general knowledge of Christian faith; science; general intelligence or understanding; the fact of knowing something; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament.   Self-control in Greek is  egkrateia which means temperance; the virtue of mastering one’s desires and passions; self-restraint; continence; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.   Patience   in Greek is    hypomonē  which means perseverance; enduring; steadfastness; endurance; constancy; unswerved from original purpose; loyalty to faith and piety even facing greatest trials and sufferings; steadfast waiting for; sustaining; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament.   Godliness in Greek is  eusebeia  which means holiness; moral righteousness; reverence; piety towards God; the quality of being godly; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament.   Brotherly kindness in Greek is  philadelphia    which means brotherly love; the love which Christians cherish for each other; fraternal affection; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament.   Love in Greek is  agapē    which means charity; affection or benevolence; – which occurs 117 times in the New Testament. 

Faith  is the first and foremost basic quality of Christian character. Faith can be little or great, weak or strong. Believers obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. By grace believers have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. Faith can grow strong and increase. If you have faith you do not doubt. Have faith in God, not the world, wealth, power or man. Christians become obedient to the faith. Believers must continue in the faith. Believers stand firm in the faith. Our faith does not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Christians walk by faith, not by sight. Christians live faith in the Son of God. Believers received the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith. We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.   By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.    Without faith it is impossible to please God. Just as the body without    the    spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.    Christians are told to fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life. 

Virtue  is moral excellence.   Phl 4:8 , “ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things  are  of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is  anything    praiseworthy   —     meditate on these things. ”  2Pe 1:3 , “   as His divine power has given to us all things that    pertain  to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 

Knowledge of good and evil we all have. Knowledge can increase. He who hears the Words of God has the knowledge of the Most High. Wisdom and knowledge are necessary for a ruler. The workers of wickedness have no knowledge. The Lord teaches man good discernment and knowledge. The youth lacks knowledge and discretion. The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come  knowledge and understanding.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,  and the knowledge of the Holy One is   understanding. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,    but he who hates reproof is stupid. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly. The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.  Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,   and he who hurries his footsteps errs. There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;  but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. Apply your heart to discipline   and your ears to words of knowledge. A wise man is strong,  and a man of knowledge increases power. Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge  results in    increasing pain.  Those who believe in Jesus Christ have the knowledge of salvation, and the forgiveness of their sins. Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.   Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!   Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.   For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit.   For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.   We are    destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are  taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ . That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.    And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.    Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.    Secular academics, unbelieving theologians and scientists have   what is falsely called “knowledge”.  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.  For this reason also, since the day we heard  of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and  attaining  to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding,    resulting     in a true knowledge of God’s mystery,    that is,     Christ    Himself.     In Christ  are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.    And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— . God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And I pray  that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.  Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him  be  the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 

Self-control  has a lot to do with one’s destiny. A man   will   die for lack of self-control;   he will be lost because of his great foolishness. Better to be patient than powerful;   better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.  Governor Felix became frightened as Apostle Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control.  Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  There is no law against the fruit of the Spirit, such as self-control.  So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.   In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.   You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!   Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 

Patience   in Chinese is a knife in the heart which is unbearable.  By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.  Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.   Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?  Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? 
Will the LORD’s Spirit have patience with such behavior? 
If you would do what is right, 
you would find my words comforting. 

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.   We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.   But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!   We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy.   Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  But God had mercy on me    (Paul)  so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of   His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.  Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—. 

Godliness   is divine quality.   As for you, if you will follow Me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all My commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.’   May   Your priests be clothed in godliness;   may   Your loyal servants sing for joy. The godliness of good people rescues them;  the ambition of treacherous people traps them.   Godliness guards the path of the blameless,  but the evil are misled by sin. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. The LORD detests the way of the wicked,   but He loves those who pursue godliness.   Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward,  and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.  But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.  These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 

Brotherly kindness   can be defined as sincere love of the brethren. 

The affection of Christ Jesus produces brotherly kindness.   What is desirable in a man is his kindness,    and    it is     better to be a poor man than a liar.  He has told you, O man, what is good;    and what does the LORD require of you    but to do justice, to love kindness,    and to walk humbly with your God?    I believe brotherly kindness can be defined by  Zec 7:9,   “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother.” 

Love is the greatest for God is love. Love is the greatest motivation.   Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.   Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so  bring wrath on yourself from the LORD?     Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.   I love the LORD, because He hears    my voice    and     my supplications.   Hatred stirs up strife,   but love covers all transgressions.  Better is a dish of vegetables where love is  than a fattened ox    served    with hatred.  Better is open rebuke    than love that is concealed.   For love is as strong as death,   jealousy is as severe as Sheol.   Hate evil, love good,   and establish justice in the gate!   He has told you, O man, what is good;    and what does the LORD require of you    but to do justice, to love kindness,   and to walk humbly with your God?    So love truth and peace.  “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus’ ideal is the highest moral.   “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” 

And Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”   A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   Let     love    be    without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of  the law.   Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.  Love is patient, love is kind    and is not jealous; love does not brag    and    is not arrogant. Love never fails.   But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual    gifts,    but especially that you may prophesy.  Let all that you do be done in love. 

If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. 

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;   and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.   Through love serve one another. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;  and  that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.   Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;   and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the   Church and gave Himself up for her.   Beyond all these things  put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.   May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.  But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.   Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but    rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and   purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.   For the love of money is the root of every evil; which some having aspired after, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves with many sorrows.    So that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children. And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.   Let love of the brethren continue.   Make sure that  your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.”   Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.   Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.   Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.    But whoever keeps His   Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.   Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.   See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such  we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.   By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.  We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.   Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.   This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.   We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.   For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.    Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.   Those whom I (God) love, I (God) reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 

IV.   How to Bear Fruit. 

Mat 3:8 , “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance   .” 

Note: In keeping with in Greek is    axios    which means worthy;   having the weight of another thing of like value;    worth as much ; befitting; corresponding to; deserving; comparable or suitable; agreeing with; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. Believers must bear fruit agreeing with repentance as   Zaccheus   did. 

Rom 7:4 , “ Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.   ” 

Note:   Join in Greek is    ginomai   which means to be married to; to become a man’s wife; to come together with one accord; – which occurs 536 times in the New Testament. Christians are married to Jesus Christ through the body of Christ the Church, spiritually speaking. Believers are joined to Christ who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 

Mar 4:20 ,   “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” 

Note: Believers bear fruit in different degree, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. One should not be satisfied with the least. 

Luk 8:15 ,   “But the    seed  in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.   ” 

Note:   Perseverance in Greek is    hypomonē    which means patience; enduring; patient waiting; patient continuance; steadfastness;   loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings   ; constancy;   unswerved from    purpose; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament. To bear fruit one needs to hold fast the Word in an honest and good heart with constancy and patience. 

Jhn 15:2 ,   “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every   branch    that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.   ” 

Note: Jesus Christ is the True Vine, believers are the branches. Prune in Greek is    kathairō    which means to purge; to cleanse of filth and impurity; to expiate; to remove the superfluous; to cut away what is unwanted; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. I believe the Lord disciplines believers as a vinedresser cultivates and prunes grapevines.  Pro 22:15 , “ Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;    the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.   ” The rod of discipline removes foolishness bound up in our heart.  Heb 12:10-11 , “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He  disciplines us for    our    good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” The Lord disciplines us because He wants us to bear more fruit, to train us to share His holiness, and to yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 

Jhn 15:4 ,   “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither   can   you unless you abide in Me.   ” 

Note: Abide in Greek is    menō    which means to remain; dwell; not to depart; to continue to be; to endure; to stand; to maintain unbroken fellowship; to hold fast; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so Christians cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Christ. Independence for a Christian is death.  1Co 1:30 , “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” 

Jhn 15:16,   “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and   that    your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.   ” 

Note: We did not choose Christ but Christ chose us. No one can by his efforts or wisdom find God.  Heb 12:27 , “ This   expression,    “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   ” 

Remain in Greek is   menō   which means to abide; continue; endure; not to perish; to survive, live; to last; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament.   If you do something good for yourself, it may last for a life time. If you do something good for mankind, it may last several generations. If you do something good for Christ, it would last for eternity. Power, position, possession, money, wealth, mansion and all worldly things can be shaken. The good fruit in Christ would remain which cannot be shaken. The good deeds in   Christ would remain.     Heb 13:14 , “ For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking    the city which is to come.   ” The City which is to come and eternal is the New Jerusalem, the Holy City.     1Co 13:13, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.   ”     1Jo 2:17, “ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 

Hear ye, hear ye: 
The one who does the will of God lives forever. 

1Co 3:12 -15 , “Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is    to be    revealed with fire, and   the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.     If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.   ” The work genuinely, sincerely, and honestly done for Christ will remain and receive a reward. 

Rom 7:4 , “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.   ”     Jhn 15:8     ,   “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and    so     prove to be My disciples.   ”     Phl 1:11     , “   having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which    comes     through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.   ” Christians do not bear fruit for self-glory, but for God. The fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ is to the glory and praise of God. 

Jhn 15:8 ,   “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and    so     prove to be My disciples. 

Note: Christians have two purposes in bearing much fruit, first to glorify God and second to prove we are disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Rom 7:4  , “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might   bear fruit for God.   ” 

The Bible explains various kinds of fruit:  

Heb 13:15 , “   Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is,   the  fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. “ 

Note: Most church members do not know that the fruit of lips that give thanks to God is offering up a sacrifice of praise to God. The fruit of our lips must continually give thanks to His name. 

Gal 5:22-23 , “But   the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,     gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   ” 

Note: Fruit in Greek is    karpos which means work, act, deed; fruit as plucked literally or figuratively; an effect, result; advantage, profit, utility; product; – which occurs 66 times in the New Testament. 

The fruit of the Spirit includes 9 virtues:

Love   in Greek is    agapē    which means charity, affection, good will, benevolence, brotherly love, kindness; – which occurs 117 times in the New Testament. Love is a big word in Christianity. 

1Jo 4:7-8    , “Beloved, let us love one another, for   love is from God   ; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.   The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.   ” Hate is from the devil. Liars, killers and robbers cannot be children of God. Warmongers, imperialists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, racists, and terrorists do not love, do not know God and they are children of the devil.     1Co 13:4     , “   Love is patient, love is kind    and    is not jealous; love does not brag    and     is not arrogant   .” 

Joy    in Greek is    chara    which is gladness; cheerfulness; calm delight; happiness; bliss; – which occurs 59 times in the New Testament. The state of early Christians,     Act 13:52     , “   And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.   ” Christianity is not pessimistic like Buddhism. Christ enabled Paul and Silas after having been beaten with rods, struck with many blows, thrown into prison, and their feet fastened in the stocks; b   ut about midnight   they    were praying and singing hymns of praise to God.   Phl 4:4  , “   Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!   ” 

Peace    in Greek is    eirēnē     which means rest; quietness; a state of tranquility; harmony; concord; felicity;   exemption from the rage and havoc of war   ;   the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ   ; fearing nothing from God; – which occurs 92 times in the New Testament.     Jhn 14:27     ,   “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”     If your heart is troubled and fearful, you have no peace.   The peace of Christ can be portrayed in a fierce gale of wind, the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up, Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.     Jhn 16:33     ,   “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”    Jesus has overcome the world, Satan, and death. 

Patience    in Greek is    makrothymia    which means long-suffering; endurance; perseverance in bearing troubles and ills; forbearance; steadfastness; longanimity; fortitude; constancy; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament.     Jas 5:10     , “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.   ” It is well for us to study the prophets as an example.     Jas 5:11     , “ We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and   is    merciful.   ” Endurance in Greek is    hypomonē which means patience, enduring; steadfastness; not swerved from faith even in the face of trials and tribulations; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament.     Heb 10:36     , “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” 

Kindness    in Greek is    chrēstotēs    which means moral goodness; gentleness; benignity; the quality of being generous and helpful; usefulness; moral excellence; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament.     Eph 4:32     , “   Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.   ” 

Goodness    in Greek is    agathōsynē    which means uprightness of heart and life; virtue or benevolence; kindness; beneficence; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.     Phm 1:14     , “but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.   ” Good deed must be done by free will, not by compulsion. All who become rich by fraud, theft and monopoly eventually become philanthropists to compensate their guilt. To raise $100 in the name of charity, keep $99 and give out only $1 is not good deed, it is robbery. In the name of Gospel to establish a foundation to enrich oneself is not goodness, but religious theft. 

Faithfulness    in Greek is    pistis    which means fidelity; assurance; loyalty; trustworthiness; conscientiousness; dependability; character that can be relied on; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament.     Lam 3:23     , “   They    are new every morning;   Great is Your faithfulness.   ” The faithfulness of God is great.     Pro 25:19     , “    Like    a bad tooth and an unsteady foot    is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.   ” Ask yourself how many persons you can count on in time of trouble. 

Gentleness    in Greek is    praÿtēs    which means meekness; mildness of manners or disposition; humility; quality of being gentle; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament.     Jas 3:13     , “   Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.   ” 

Self-control    in Greek is    egkrateia    which means temperance; the virtue of mastering one’s desires or passions; self-discipline; self-restraint; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.     1Co 7:5     , “   Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.   ” A good example of self-control is Joseph:     Gen 39:7      -10    , “ It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”   But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me    here,    my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.   There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this   great evil and sin   against God?”   As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or  be with her.” 

Eph 5:8-9 , “ for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light     (for the fruit of the Light  consists  in all   goodness and    righteousness and truth).” 
Note: Children of Light bear the fruit of the Light. The fruit of the Light consists of three virtues: goodness, righteousness and truth. 

Goodness    in Greek is    agathōsynē,    the same original word used in    Gal 5:22-23 ,     one virtue of the fruit of the Spirit.

Righteousness    in Greek is    dikaiosynē which means the condition acceptable to God; integrity; virtue; purity of life; correctness of thinking, feeling and acting; justice; what ought to be; moral correctness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament.     Phl 3:9     , “   and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from   the    Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which   comes    from God on the basis of faith.” 

Note: No one can have a righteousness of his own derived from the Law, for no one can fulfill the the righteousness of the law all the time. Through faith in Christ we obtain the righteousness which comes from God by grace.  1Jo 2:29 , “ If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.” Everyone who practices righteousness is born of God. Warmongers, aggressors, dictators, robbers, imperialists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, racists, and terrorists practice unrighteousness. So they cannot claim to be Christians.     1Jo 3:7     , “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” Christians, make sure no one deceives you. The one who practices righteousness is righteous.     1Jo 3:10     , “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” The children of God practice righteousness and love the brotherhood. The children of the devil do not practice righteousness and hate the people. The children of the devil lie, kill, and rob. 

Truth    is a virtue of the fruit of the Light. Truth is Greek is  alētheia    which means verity; objectively what is true; in reality; in fact; things as taught in the Bible; things pertaining to God or Christ; that which is free from falsehood, deceit, pretense, or simulation; everything as it is really is; the body of real facts; factuality; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament.     Psa 119:160     , “   The sum of Your word is truth,     And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.   ”The sum of God’s Word is truth.     Jhn 1:14     , “   And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.   ” God became MAN in the person of Jesus, and Jesus is the Truth.     2Co 13:8     , “   For we can do nothing against the truth, but   only    for the truth.   ” Those who do evil and walk in darkness do not practice the truth. 

Phl 1:11 , “having been filled with    the fruit of righteousness    which    comes     through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Christians are filled with the fruit of righteousness. The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 

Heb 12:11 , “ All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields   the peaceful fruit of righteousness.   ” Warmongers, aggressors, dictators, imperialists, militarists, supremacists, and terrorists do not bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness.     Jas 3:18     , “   And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.   ” Those who make peace bear the fruit of righteousness. 

How Christians should walk in this world?  

Col 1:10 , “so that you will   walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,    to please    Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” 

Note: Walk in Greek is    peripateō     which means to make one’s way, to progress; to live; to conduct oneself; to behave; to regulate one’s life; to be occupied with; – which occurs 105 times in the New Testament. Figuratively, to walk is to live.   Those who walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God.     Jhn 8:12     , “   Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world;   he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness   , but will have the Light of life.”    Those who follow Jesus will not walk in the darkness. Warmongers, aggressors, oppressors, dictators, imperialists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, racists, and terrorists walk in darkness so they do not follow Jesus. 

Rom 6:4 , “ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might   walk in newness of life.   ” 

2Co 5:7 , “ for we walk by faith, not by sight—.” 

Gal 5:25 , “If we live by the Spirit, let us also  walk by the Spirit. ” 

Eph 5:2 , “ and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. ” 

Eph 5:8 , “ for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” 

Eph 5:15 , “ Therefore be careful how you  walk, not as unwise men but as wise.” 

Col 2:6 , “ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him   .” 

1Th 2:12 , “ so that you would  walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own Kingdom and glory.” 

1Th 4:1 , “ Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us  instruction   as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. ” 

Note: Please in Greek is areskō  which means to strive to please; to accommodate oneself; to seek to be so; to be agreeable; to give pleasure or satisfaction; to gratify; to submit to the will of; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament.  This instruction is clear. Christians ought to walk and please God. Something is wrong in our walk if it does not please God. 

1Jo 1:7 , “ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ” 

Note: Walk in the Light means to walk as children of the Light,   walk in the light of  God’s  countenance, walk in the light of the Lord. Fellowship in Greek is    koinōnia    which means communion; communication; contribution; association; joint participation; social intercourse; having the share; partnership; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament.     1Jo 1:3, “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. ” Cleanse in Greek is  katharizō    which means to make clean; to purge; to purify from wickedness; to sanctify; to remove stains and dirt; to free from the defilement of sins and faults; to consecrate; to free from the guilt of sin; – which occurs 35 times in the New Testament.   Self-abasement, self-affliction,   self-mortification   ,   self-inflicted acts of ascetical practices  of Roman Catholicism and monasticism such as    castration     and     flagellation , etc.   cannot cleanse us from our sin. Thank God the precious blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

1Jo 2:6 , “ the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” 

Note: This is the highest standard, to walk in the same manner as Jesus walked. That is to walk in Jesus’ steps.

2Jo 1:6 , “ And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.  This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. “  ”

Note: Commandment in Greek is    entolē which means an order, precept, command, a prescribed rule; an injunction; – which occurs 67 times in the New Testament. Mar 12:29    -31  , “Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;  AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’  The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Jhn 13:34 ,   “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ”  Jhn 14:21,  “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 

Rev 3:4 , “ But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” 

Note:   A few in Greek is    oligos    which means a small number; a little quantity; puny number; not many; – which occurs 49 times in the New Testament. Those who worthy are few. Soil in Greek is    molynō     which means to defile, stain, pollute, contaminate;   used in New   Testament    of those who have not kept themselves pure from the defilements of sin, who have soiled themselves by fornication and adultery; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. A few people have not soiled their garments.  Mat 17:2 , “And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became   as white as light. ”   This is the highest reward: those who have not soiled their garments will walk with Jesus Christ in white. There is nothing black or dark in Heaven. There is glory and holiness everywhere, no darkness anywhere. 

The purpose of serving the Lord is gathering fruit for life eternal. 

V.   How to serve the Lord. 

Deu 10:12 ,   “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” 

Note: The Lord God requires all His children to fear the Lord, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord our God with all our heart and all our soul. 

Mat 6:24 , “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.   ” 

Note: No one can serve two masters. We cannot serve God and wealth (money). If we love God we will hate wealth. If we serve God we will be devoted to God and despise wealth. Prosperity gospel preachers and followers want to serve two masters. If you are a servant of God, you cannot be a servant of wealth. If you are a servant of money, you cannot be a servant of God. 

Act 26:7 , “the promise  to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve  God  night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. ” 

Note: Christians must earnestly serve God night and day. 

Rom 1:9 , “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the  Gospel of His Son, is my witness as to   how unceasingly I make mention of you.” 

Note: To serve God you must serve in your spirit, not lips.     Jhn 4:24  ,   “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

Rom 7:6 , “ But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. ” 

Note: To serve God in your spirit is to serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. 

1Th 1:9 , “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living true God.”serve a living a

Note: To serve the living and true God, you must turn from idols to God. Primitive peoples worship idols of their work made of fingers and hands, made of silver and gold, wood and stone, etc. 

2Ti 1:3 , “ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.” 

Note: To serve God, we must serve with a clear and good conscience. There are world leaders who are liars, killers and robbers and yet they think they serve God who have evil conscience, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 

Heb 9:14 , “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” 

Note: Those who serve the living God, their conscience must first be cleansed from dead works by the blood of Christ through the eternal Spirit. 

Gal 5:13 , “ For you were called to freedom, brethren; only  do     not    turn     your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ” 

Note: Christians not only serve God, Christ, but through love serve one another. 

Col 3:24 , “ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” 

Note: To serve the Lord Christ we will receive the reward of the inheritance. 

To serve the Lord Christ, one must live in Christ, live for Christ, live with Christ, and live through Christ. 

(1.)  Live in Christ 

Gal 2:20 ,   “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the   life    which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.   ” 

Note: Crucify with in Greek is    systauroō     which means to impale in the company with literally or figuratively; to put to death by nailing to a cross; to mortify; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. To crucify with Christ means it is no longer I live, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and died on the cross for me. 

Eph 3:6, “    to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the   Gospel.” 

Note: To live in Christ means to be fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body of Christ, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. 

2Ti 3:12 , “   Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.   ” 

Note: If the world loves you and you are popular, it proves you do not live a Christian life. Godly in Greek is   eusebōs   which means piously; devoutly; righteously; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.   Persecute in Greek is    diōkō     which means to suffer persecution; to trouble, harass or molest one; to be mistreated; to put to flight; to treat people unfairly and cruelly; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament.   All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

Phl 1:21 , “ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.   ” 

Note: Gain in Greek is   kerdos    which means advantage; lucre; profit; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Apostle explains: 

Phl 3:7-8,  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as   loss    for the sake of Christ.   More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but   rubbish    so that I may gain Christ   .” To live is Christ is to gain the surpassing values of knowing Christ Jesus. To gain Christ is to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.     2Th 2:14     , “   It was for this He called you through our Gospel,  that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” 

THIS IS THE SECRET OF HOW TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE  

Phl 4:11-13, “ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live  in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Note: Learn in Greek is   manthanō     which means to increase one’s knowledge and experience; to understand; to be apprised; to be imbued with  knowledge; to gain knowledge and experience; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. The Christian life is a process of learning and growing. Christians have many things to learn: learn to fear God, learn to observe, learn what it is and why it is, learn God’s righteous judgments, learn God’s commandments, learn God’s ways, learn to do good, learn righteousness, learn the meanings of God’s words, learn from Christ, learn what is pleasing to the Lord, learn to practice piety, learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, etc. Content in Greek is    autarkēs  which means to be   contented with one’s lot, with one’s means   ; to be sufficient for oneself; to be strong enough to need no aid or support; to be independent of external circumstances; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. Circumstance is event or condition. Circumstance controls men, and no man controls his circumstance. God is greater than any circumstance. Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was. Learning to be content in whatever circumstances is more valuable than getting a Ph.D. Get along in Greek is    tapeinoō     which means to bring low; to bring into a humble condition; reduce to meaner circumstances; to abase oneself by humble living; to bring down one’s pride; to have a modest opinion of oneself; to behave in an unassuming manner; to humiliate;   to submit oneself in a lowly spirit to the power and will of God   ;   – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Do you know why secular academics and scientists, theologians and philosophers cannot be saved? They are unwilling to submit themselves in a lowly spirit to the power and will of God. Paul knew how to get along with humble means. To live in prosperity is easy, to get along with humble means is difficult. A man’s biggest problem is he does not know how to live. Warmongers, aggressors, dictators, oppressors, liars, killers, robbers, imperialists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, and terrorists do not know how to live.    In everything and in all things Paul had learned the secret. What is the secret? “   I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.   ” Strengthen in Greek is  endynamoō which means to be made strong; to increase in strength; to enable; to empower; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Christians can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthen them.   “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” 

Eph 3:16-19, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;  and  that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. ” 

Note: Grant in Greek is    didōmi    which means to give; to supply, furnish; to furnish, endue; to permit, commission; bestow as a gift; offer; hand out; – which occurs 414 times in the New Testament. According to the riches of His glory, Jesus Christ grants believers to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. The inner man means our soul, within. To be rooted is to be grounded, to be firm. To ground is to lay a basis for; to establish; to make stable. Christians who are rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Comprehend in Greek    katalambanō     which means to apprehend; to attain; obtain; to lay hold of; to take possession of; to understand, perceive, learn; to appropriate, seize upon; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Surpass in Greek is hyperballō     which means to exceed; excel; pass; to transcend; to throw beyond the usual mark; to throw over and beyond; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Poor secular academics and unbelieving scientists do not realize there are things beyond and over their knowledge and they cannot comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of the Divine attributes and power such as the love of Christ, the wonder of creation, t   he depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God   , etc. Just as an ameba cannot comprehend man, so man cannot comprehend God. The fullness of God is greater than the expanding universe. 

1Pe 4:11, “ Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so   as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 

Note: To live in Christ is to do so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 

(2.)  Live for Christ. 

Rom 14:8 , “ for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.   ” 

Note: For Christians, if we live we live for the Lord, or if we die we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Christians belong to the Lord. This is the meaning of living for Christ. 

2Co 5:15 , “ and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.   ” 

Note: Why Christians no longer live for themselves? Jesus Christ died for believers in order to save them, so that they live no longer for themselves, but for the Lord who died and rose again on their behalf. 

1Pe 4:2 , “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.   ” 

Note: To live for Christ is to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. The will of God is the supreme goal or purpose of a Christian life. 

Heb 11:13 , “ All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ” 

Note: To live for Christ is to confess that we are strangers and exiles on the earth. 

1Ti 6:9-12, “ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a  snare  and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into   ruin and destruction.   For   the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.   But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 

Note: How should a man of God live for Christ? The cited Scriptures provide the instructions. A man of God or a servant of Christ should never want to get rich. That is exactly the problem of prosperity gospel preachers and followers. They love money and the world. The bankruptcy of the Crystal Cathedral pierced themselves with many griefs. Man of God or servant of Christ must pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life, and make good testimony of Jesus Christ to many. If your pastors do not follow the Scriptures cited, separate from them. 

1Ti 4:12 , “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but  rather  in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. ” 

Note: Young preachers should show themselves in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity as an example of those who believe. There are somethings seriously wrong with preachers and evangelists who live in luxury: own mansion of multi-million dollars; drive Mercedes, wear $10,000 suit, whose wives wear $30,000 mink coat, eat $1,000 dinner; fly private planes, and have large sums of money in bank accounts. 

Th 1:3 , “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.” 

Note: Christians who live for Christ, do the work of faith and labor of love. Maintain steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. 

Heb 12:2 , “ fixing our eyes on Jesus, the   Author and   Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. “ 

Note: Christians fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith. It is wrong to fix your eyes on man, whoever it is. Jesus set an example for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We look to Jesus. 

(3.)  Live with Christ 

Mat 28:20 , “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” 

Note: Jesus returned to the Father, ascended to the highest Heaven. He did not abandon His disciples and said them: Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the word. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with believers of all generations until the end of the world. At the end of the world, the Lord will return to establish the Kingdom of Heaven to reign with the saints forever and ever. 

2Ti 2:11 , “ It is a trustworthy statement: 
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him.” 

Rom 6:8 , “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” 

2Co 13:4 , “ For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God    directed     toward you.   ” 

1Th 5:10 , “ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.   ” 

Note: Jesus is with us while we are awake on earth. When we are asleep (die in Christ), we will be with the Lord in Paradise. 

1Th 5:13 , “ and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.   ” 

Note: While we are alive, Jesus Christ is with us. The Lord also wants us to live in peace with one another. Christians must not be divided. 

(4.)  Live through Christ 

Jhn 1:3 , “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.   ” 

1Jo 4:9 , “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” 

Note: Manifest in Greek is    phaneroō    which means to show; to be made known; to appear; to make visible; to render apparent; to make evident or certain; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. It is the love of God that Jesus Christ came into the world to die for sinners on the cross.   Through in Greek is dia    which means by, with, for sake of; for the cause of; because; by the means of; by reason of; on account of; for the reason of; thereby; by way of; by means of; – which occurs 512 times in the New Testament. Jesus saved us so that we might live through Him. 

Rom 8:11 , “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.   ” 

Note: In our mortal bodies Christ lives in us through the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us. 

2Co 1:5 , “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.   ” 

Note: Although the sufferings of Christ in this world are ours in abundance, so also our comfort in abundant through Christ. 

2Co 3:4 , “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.   ” 

Note: We have confidence through Christ toward God. 

Why do we have confidence toward God? 

Rom 5:1 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ   .” 

Note: We have confidence toward God because we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Mediator between God and men. 

2Co 5:17-18 , “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  Now all    these     things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 

Note: God reconciled believers to Himself through Christ. The old things passed away, behold, new things have come from God. 

Heb 13:20-21 , “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the   Great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant,    even     Jesus our Lord,  equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom    be     the glory forever and ever. Amen.   ” 

Note: The Great Shepherd through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus Christ our Lord, equips children of God in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight. To live in Christ, to live for Christ, to live with Christ and to live through Christ is to be equipped in every good thing to do God’s will, working is us that which is pleasing in the sight of God, and to the glory of God forever and ever. Amen. 

1Co 8:6 , “yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.   ” 

Note: For Christians there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things. We exist or live for God. There is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things. We exist or live through Jesus Christ. 

VI.   How to Testify for Christ. 

Many church members think to testify for Christ you testify with words. More important Christians testify Jesus Christ with their lives. 

Jhn 13:35 ,   “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Note: If Christians have love for one another, by this all men will know we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. Loving for one another is the hallmark of Christians. 

Jhn 15:8 ,   “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and    so     prove to be My disciples.   ” 

Note: Prove in Greek is    ginomai    which means to become; to begin to be; to be made; to come into being; to be established; to show oneself; to verify; to make it clear; – which occurs 536 times in the New Testament. Christians bear much fruit, by this God the Father is glorified, and to make it clear they are the disciples of Jesus Christ. If the proof of pudding is in the eating, a believer is proved to be a disciple of Jesus Christ by bearing much fruit. A good tree bears good fruit. 

Jhn 8:31 , “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,    then    you are truly disciples of Mine   .” 

Note: If we continue in the Word of Jesus, then we are truly disciples of Jesus. A disciple does what the Master says. 

Jhn 14:23 , “ Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.   ” 

Note: If anyone loves Jesus, he will keep the Word of Jesus. God loves those who keep the Word of Jesus. God will be with them. 

Act 4:13 , “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and    began     to recognize them as having been with Jesus.   ” 

Note: Observe in Greek is    theōreō     which means to see; behold; look on; perceive; consider; to be a spectator; look at; take a view of; discern; find out; take note; to watch carefully; – which occurs 53 times in the New Testament. The world is watching carefully what Christians do, not only what they say. Confidence in Greek is    parrēsia    which means boldness; freedom in speaking; free and fearless confidence; cheerful courage; all out-spokenness; certitude; a feeling of having no doubt; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament.     Psa 71:5     , “   For You are my hope; O Lord GOD,    You are    my confidence from my youth.   ” Uneducated in Greek is    agrammatos     which means unlearned; illiterate; unlettered; without learning; having no formal schooling; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Untrained in Greek is    idiōtēs     which means ignorant; rude in speech; unlearned; unskilled in any art; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The word idiot is derived from the Greek word. It is interesting that the Jewish rulers and elders and scribes and the high priest understood that Peter and John were uneducated and untrained men. They may lack formal schooling and unsophisticated, but John wrote the Gospel of John which is a masterpiece in Greek. I consider the Gospel of John the greatest book in the Holy Bible, of course Apostle John was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Amaze in Greek is thaumazō    which means to have admiration; marvel; wonder; showing great surprise; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Recognize in Greek is    epiginōskō    which means to take knowledge of; perceive; acknowledge; understand; to know well; denote; signify; – which occurs 48 times in the New Testament. The Jewish religious establishment understood and recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus, they had been associated with Jesus, they had been under Jesus. Anyone who has been with Jesus would be understood and recognized by the world. 

Many think to testify or witness for the Lord is through the word only. We have shown above the importance of testifying through the deed. 

Who should testify?  

Jhn 15:26-27  , “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father,    that is     the Spirit of   Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you  will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.   ” 

Note: Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit, that is the Spirit of Truth, to the disciples from the Father, who testifies about Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the sole Representative of Christ on earth, not the pope an impostor. The Spirit of the Lord dwells in the Church, the Body of Christ, and in believers.     Jhn 16:13     ,   “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.   ” Disciples would testify also, because they had been with Jesus from the beginning. The twelve special disciples were the Apostles.     Mat 10:1     , “   Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.   ”     Mat 11:1     , “   When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.   ” 

Luk 6:13, “And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: ” 

Note: Jesus chose twelve disciples and formally names them Apostles. Disciple in Greek is    mathētēs    which means a follower, pupil, learner, one who follows one’s teaching; adherent; – which occurs 261 times in the New Testament. Apostle in Greek is    apostolos    which means messenger; he that is sent; constant companion; delegate; an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ; specifically the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ; – which occurs 80 times in the New Testament. Judas lost his position, Jesus called Paul to be an apostle. 

Luk 10:1, “Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.   ” 

Note: In addition to the original twelve disciples, who were appointed Apostles, Jesus also appointed seventy other disciples, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where Jesus Himself was going to come to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. 

Luk 6:17, “Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and    there was  a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.” 

Luk 19:37, “As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen .” 

Note: Large crowds of believers and followers were also called disciples. 

Jhn 4:1-2 , “Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John  (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were).” 

Note: Soon Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John, although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His twelve disciples were. 

Jhn 6:66 , “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.   ” 

Note: Even in the ministry of Jesus, many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. It is nothing a surprise if some believers backslide and turn away from the truth. 

Mat 28:16-20 , “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.   When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in   Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”  

Note: After the Resurrection and just before the Ascension, the Eleven disciples (Judas committed suicide) proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. There Jesus gave His great commission. Authority in Greek is  exousia     which means power, right, command; jurisdiction, privilege, force, ability and strength, divine authority over all; rule; the power to control; might; the power of authority and right; – which occurs 102 times in the New Testament. All authority has been given to Jesus Christ in Heaven and on earth. So everything and everybody is subjected to Jesus Christ in Heaven and on earth – the whole universe. All disciples from the twelve to the present, must go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Make disciple in Greek is    mathēteuō     to teach; instruct; to be disciple; to become a disciple; to enroll as a student; to follow instructions; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. When you win a believer or follower of Jesus Christ, you make him disciple of Jesus Christ. It is most shocking to see there are megachurch preachers or TV evangelists who try to make people their disciples. John the Baptist said,     Jhn 3:30     ,   “He must increase, but I must decrease.   ” False preachers try to increase themselves at the expense of Jesus. Nation in Greek is   ethnos    which means the human family, Gentiles, peoples; people group; race; – which occurs 162 times in the New Testament. Baptism is conducted in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus validates the doctrine of Trinity, the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit – the One True God, there is no other. The Roman Catholic Church which is the apostate church committed the blasphemy by adding the Holy Mother. Mary was not and is not the Holy Mother. Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit to give birth to Jesus. God is Self-Existent and Eternal, He cannot have a mother. And lo and behold, the Lord Jesus is with all believers always, even to the end of the world. Jesus is coming again at the end of the world. 

Act 6:7 , “ The Word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.   ” 

Note: By spreading the Word of God, the number of the disciples continued to increase from Jerusalem to the end of the world. Many Jewish priests were becoming obedient to the faith. A Jew can be converted to become a Christian. A Christian cannot become a Jew. An atheist can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become an atheist. A homosexual can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become a homosexual. A Muslim can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become a Muslim. An evolutionist can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian cannot become an evolutionist. A warmonger can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become a warmonger. A terrorist can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become a terrorist, etc. 

Act 11:26, “ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.   ” 

Note: Historically, disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch to this day.  Antioch was then the capital of Syria. 

What to testify ? 

Luk 24:45-48,     “ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.   And   He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.   And you are witnesses of these things.   ” 

Note: Mind in Greek is    nous    which means understanding;   the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining   ; the capacity for spiritual truth; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. Jesus opened their minds so that they can understand the Scriptures. Secular academics, unbelieving scientists and theologians and philosophers do not believe and cannot understand the Scriptures because     2Co 4:4     , “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the   Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.   ” The Apostles, disciples of past and present, are witnesses of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

Jhn 10:25 , “Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. ” 

Note: Testify the works that Jesus did.     Luk 7:22     , “   And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.   ” The primary work of Jesus was to come into the world to save sinners, the secondary work was to heal the sick and perform miracles to the glory of God. 

Jhn 1:29, “   The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!   ” 

Jhn 1:34 ,   “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” 

Note: John the Baptist testified that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He also testified that Jesus is the Son of God. 

Rom 1:16, “   For I am not ashamed of the   Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentiles .” 

Note: The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, Jews and Gentiles. 

1Jo 4:14 , “   We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son    to be     the Savior of the world.   ” 

Note: The Apostles testified that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. 

Act 1:22, “   beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these    must     become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 

Note: The Apostles and disciples testified of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Act 8:25 , “ So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the   Word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the Gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.   ” 

Note: Solemnly testify in Greek is    diamartyromai    which means to testify earnestly; to seriously affirm; to give serious testimony; to attest earnestly; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Preaching the Gospel is no joking matter. It is a matter of life or death: to believe it you live, to reject it you die.   The Apostles solemnly testified and spoke the Word of the Lord, and they were preaching the Gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 

Act 10:38-43,   “You know of  Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and  how  He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.     We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God,   that is,  to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.   And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.   Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” 

Note: The Apostles testified of the Risen Christ, who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. 

Act 14:21, “ After they had preached the  Gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.” 

Note: The disciples obeyed Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel to all nations. 

1Co 15:1-11,     “ Now I make known to you, brethren, the   Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,   by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the   Word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that   Christ died for our sins    according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that   He was raised on the third day    according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.   After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;  then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;   and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the   Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then    it was    I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” 

Note: Paul made known the Gospel of first importance is that Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 

1Jo 1:1-3 , “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. ” 

Note: The Apostles testified and proclaimed what was from the beginning, what they had heard, what they had seen with their eyes, what they had looked at and touched with their hands the Word of Life, so that we (all believers and followers) too may have the eternal life and have fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true historical Jesus. 

How to testify?  

Luk 24:49 ,   “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” 

Note: Endue in Greek is endyō    which means to put on; to clothe with; to have on; to invest with; to provide; endow; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament. The Apostles and disciples cannot witness for Christ until they receive power from on high. Just visit many dead churches today where the occupational pastors put the congregation to sleep. Some churches have money, but they don’t have power. A preacher filled with the power of the Holy Spirit can reach many souls. At the Pentecost, Apostle Peter preached and   those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 

1Co 12:27-28 , “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.     And God has appointed in the   Church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations,  various kinds of tongues.   ” 

Note: The Church is the Body of Christ, and Christ is the Head of the Church, not the pope, an impostor. All disciples and believers and followers of Jesus Christ of all generations are individually members of the Church, not a local church. God has appointed the hierarchy of the Church, first Apostles. But Peter is not the keeper of the Heavenly gate. 

1Ti 3:15 , “but in case I am delayed,    I write     so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the   Household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.   ” 

Note: A preacher ought to know how to conduct himself in the Household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Many false preachers think they are exempt from judgment, they can do anything they please. 

Phl 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the   Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” 

Note: Those who preach the Gospel must conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Crystal Cathedral was the center of prosperity gospel which is false gospel, at first attracted many who wanted to get rich, finally it went bankrupt and was sold to the Roman Catholic Church for many millions of dollars. The ministry of its founder was discredited. Prosperity gospel is a version of capitalistic gospel which appears fashionable in America. There have been quite a few prosperity gospel preachers who fell from grace and disgraced themselves and even went to jail. Gamaliel advised, “   for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;   but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”     But the Church that Jesus Christ builds, the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 

Tit 2:10 , “not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.   ” 

Note: Adorn in Greek is    kosmeō    which means to embellish with honor; to garnish; to put in order; to honor; to gain honor; to ornament; to enhance; to make more attractive; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. All believers, disciples and followers of Jesus Christ stop stealing, but in showing good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. By good behavior we can honor the Gospel. 

1Pe 3:1-2  , “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any    of them    are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.   ” 

Note: Christians win souls not by word alone, it is just as important to win people by good behavior. Wives submissive to their husbands may win them with their chase and respectful behavior. 

Gal 2:20 ,   “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the    life     which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.   ” 

Note: To have Christ lives in you is a powerful testimony for Christ. 

1Ti 6:12 , “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.   ” 

Note: Christians make good confession by fighting the good fight of faith and taking hold of the eternal life. To witness for Christ may require suffering for Christ and suffering with Christ. 

1.   Suffer for Christ. 

Phl 1:29 , “   For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” 

Note: Most Christians may not know this truth. Grant in Greek is    charizomai    which means to do a favor to; to freely give; to bestow; to show oneself gracious, kind, and benevolent; to permit as a favor; to allow; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. God has granted graciously salvation to those who believe for Christ’s sake, not only to believe Him, but also to suffer for Christ’s sake. Suffer in Greek is to    paschō    which means to bear pain; to undergo evils; to experience hardship or trouble; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. Why? God grants that those who suffer with Christ will glory with Him. 

Mar 8:31 , “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer     many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.   ” 

Note: Jesus the Son of God suffered many things, rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and died on the cross. After three days Jesus rose again from the dead. 

Heb 5:8 , “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.   ” 

Note: The Son of God learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Learn in Greek is   manthanō    which means to understand; to increase one’s knowledge; to be imbued with the knowledge of Christ; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ does not need to increase His knowledge for He knows everything. For Christians to suffer for Christ will be imbued with the knowledge of Christ. Obedience in Greek is    hypakoē     which means obeying; submission; compliance; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Why did Christ learn obedience through sufferings? The answer is found in the following Scriptures: 

Phl 2:8-11 , “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.     For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,     so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,   and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   ” To the glory of God the Father. 

2.    Suffer with Christ. 

2Th 1:5, “This is     a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the   Kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.   ” 

Note: Experiences of suffering with Christ may indicate of God’s righteous judgment so that we will be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God. 

Jde 1:3 , “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.   ” 

Note: To contend earnestly for the faith is not easy, it may entail persecution and suffering. But don’t lose heart. 

1Jo 5:4 , “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 

Note: By faith Christians will overcome the world and have victory in Jesus Christ. 

In conclusion  

To live a Christian life is to live in Christ, for Christ, with Christ and through Christ. To live in Christ means you have the new life born of the Spirit. To live for Christ means you follow Christ and imitate Him willingly to serve Christ and suffer for Him. To live with Christ means you hold fast to the faith and the presence of Christ is with you day by day. To live through Christ means Christ enables you to testify for Him and do the good deeds and do the will of God.

You cannot live a Christian life. First you have to become a Christian. To become a Christian you need to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Let the Holy Spirit into your heart to give you a new life. That is to be born again.

Do you want to receive a new life in Christ? You can do it right now.

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 9, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Copyright © 2018 – 2025 by Willie Wong enter

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BY WILLIE WONG

This article is written to let you know there have been some good and great people who practiced righteousness and justice; but this kind of people are disappearing …

Heb 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

The following is a list of the people outside the Bible, who are dead and yet they speak, who had been great inspiration and influence on my life. The people are not listed in the order of importance, I do not have the wisdom to know the order of importance.

1. MARTIN LUTHER

1. Martin Luther Lived: Nov 10, 1483 – Feb 18, 1546 (age 62)  https://cn.bing.com/search?q=PICTURES+OF+MARTIN+LUTHER&form=QBLHCN&sp=-1&pq=p&sc=0-1&qs=n&sk=&cvid=8825E04C99634F5A962D8ADD881F88ED

Bing.com ignorantly and probably deliberately confuses the great Martin Luther with a black preacher of a false gospel who adopted the name of the great preacher, and mixes them together like fish eyes with the great pearl. The black false preacher was a certified immoral man by the F.B.I. 

https://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html

https://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html

GIVES YOU LUTHER’S 95 THESES.- https://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html

Many years ago  

I ventured to say that outside the Holy Bible, Martin Luther is the greatest man ever lived. Now I am old, and I have not changed my mind. In my opinion Martin Luther is the greatest man ever lived outside the Holy Bible. It means not to compare Martin Luther with any Bible characters. He was the man who dared single-handedly challenged the powerful Roman Catholic Church for its false doctrines and wrong teachings and the man who shook up the mighty Roman Empire. Martin Luther did not establish a new church or a new religion, he brought the apostate church and the world back to the Holy Bible. Here is a man who absolutely believes in Sola Scriptura (in English by Scripture alone). The Christian doctrine that holds the Holy Scriptures are the sole infallible and inerrant source of authority for Christian faith and practice. Do not confuse Martin Luther with someone who debased himself in adopting the name of Martin Luther; who preached a false gospel; the man who certified by FBI as an immoral man cannot compare himself with Martin Luther, just like do not confuse a fish eye with a pearl of great price. In April 1521, Luther appeared before Emperor Chrales V to defend what he had taught and written:  “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me!”

These powerful words still ring a bell in my heart and soul. There are people paid to defame Martin Luther and distort the history of Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church is such an apostate church straying from the truth so much that it can be called another religion.

Quotes of Martin Luther: (do not confuse the black false preacher adopting his name).

“God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.”

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

“From the beginning of my Reformation I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of His Word, the Holy Scriptures; for as long as I have God’s Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion.”

“The whole being of any Christian is faith and love. Faith brings the person to God, love brings the person to people.”

“Christians fight best on their knees. Whatever good may be done is done and brought about by prayer.”

“Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness, I am your sin. You took on you what was mine; yet set on me what was yours. You became what you were not, that I might become what I was not.” 

You can have free sermons of real Martin Luther.

http://sermons.martinluther.us/Luther_Lenker_Vol_1.pdf 

2. John Bunyan

Lived: Nov 28, 1628 – Aug 31, 1688 (age 59)

https://cn.bing.com/images/search? John Bunyan was a celebrated non-CONFORMIST.

The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) is a masterpiece worthwhile to study, the most characteristic expression of the Christian QUOTES OF JOHN BUNYAN: “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart..”

“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.”

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.”

“The reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from man’s mouth, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things.”

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

“The difference between true and false repentance lies in this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as Eve, against the serpent, or something else.”

“If people really see that Christ has removed the fear of punishment from them by taking it into Himself, they won’t do whatever they want, they’ll do whatever He wants.”

“No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures.”

“In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God.”

“The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer.”

“Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men.”

“Hope is never ill when faith is well.”

“I have often thought that the best Christians are found in the worst of times.”

“You have chosen the roughest road, but it leads straight to the hilltops.”

“I would say to my soul, O my soul, this is not the place of despair; this is not the time to despair in. As long as mine eyes can find a promise in the Bible, as long as there is a moment left me of breath or life in this world, so long will I wait or look for mercy, so long will I fight against unbelief and despair.”

“To lay hold of and receive the gospel by a true and saving faith is an act of the soul that has been made a new creature, which is the workmanship of God… Wherefore whoever receiveth the grace that is tendered in the gospel, they must be quickened by the power of God, their eyes must be opened, their understandings illuminated, their ears unstopped, their hearts circumcised, their wills also rectified, and the Son of God revealed in them.”

“Whatever contradicts the Word of God should be instantly resisted as diabolical.”

“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised.”

“He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide.”

“No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness.”

“Great grace and small gifts are better than great gifts and no grace.”

“The Lord uses his flail of tribulation to separate the chaff from the wheat.”

“An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.”

“It could be a sign of pride in your life if a word of reproof or admonition is not able to be received with the same grace, whether it be given by the poorest of saints or the most educated person.”

“Our sins, when laid upon Christ, were yet personally ours, not his; so his righteousness, when put upon us, is yet personally his, not ours.”

“As your faith is, such your hope will be. Hope is never ill when faith is well, nor strong if faith be weak.”

“And, indeed, this is one of the greatest mysteries in the world; namely, that a righteousness that resides in heaven should justify me, a sinner on earth!”

“In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”

“Faith receiveth the promise, embraceth it, and comforteth the soul unspeakably with it. Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet that God will have me an heir of glory.”

“Nothing can hurt you except sin; nothing can grieve me except sin; nothing can defeat you except sin. Therefore, be on your guard, my Mansoul.”

“The road of denial leads to the precipice of destruction.”

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the Man Christ without, and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the word of God.”

“Humility is the light of understanding.”

“At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, did you believe? But, were you doers or talkers only?”

“It is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out.”

3. DR. HAROLD KOONTZ

Lived: May 1909 – Feb 1984 (aged 75) – Management for Nixon awarded professor, the king of management. Dr. KOONTZ was a world class professor at UCLA, and world-known Chancellor of International Academy of Management for many consecutive years.

On March 13, 1981 Dr. Koontz  wrote a letter of recommendation for me, “I have known Mr. Wong well for some eight years, having first come to know him when he was a student in my graduate class in Advanced Management Theory. I am glad to say that in this class of forty highly intelligent and motivated M.B.A. and Ph.D. students, Mr. Wong received the highest grade in this class.” 

Dr. Koontz told me personally that he wrote twice to President Nixon and did not get a reply. I showed Dr. Koontz the two letters that President Nixon wrote me personally and officially. 

https://www.joincake.com/memorial-pages/dr-harold-koontz/#obituary

4. DR. J. ARTHUR MOUW

DR. ARTHUR MOUW | TRIBAL CONVERSIONS IN …

DR. Mouw was a good Personal friend. As far as I know, Dr. Mouw was the famous Missionary to Borneo, he had never been to Africa.

• 5. DR. HAROLD RONNING

A Clinical Psychologist who taught me The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). I also assisted him in children counseling.

• 6.  DR. D. EDMOND HIEBERT

A seminary professor & a good friend.

7. PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON

Lived: January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994 (age 81)

https://williewongthought.hpage.com/the-nixon-i-know.html

In 1972 before President Nixon took the journey of peace to China, on February 4 President Nixon wrote me a letter shown below. Nixon arrived in China on February 21, 1972, some 50 years ago. I was an original proponent of the strategy to open up with China. Nixon’s trip to China changed the relationship between America and China, changed China, changed America, and changed the world for the better.

The following is a personal letter from President Richard Nixon dated February 4, 1972.

 RESPONSE TO POMPEO’s POMPOUS SPEECH AT THE NIXON LIBRARY.

1.YES. “U.S. engagement with China is a dismal failure,” not because President Nixon’s grand China policy was a failure; but because all the successors of President Nixon did not and do not follow his step in seeking a “just and lasting peace” for the world. All Nixon’s successors, both Democratic and Republican presidents, and American politicians of both parties have relentlessly and persistently sought “absolute military supremacy in order to have world dictatorship and domination.” The American president and politicians, without doubt, want to continuously dictate and dominate the world. They threaten other nations with their strongest military power and largest nuclear weapons. That was not Nixon’s policy. They maintain and reinforce America as the sole evil empire in the world, no more a Republic. What the former presidents and current president have been doing since Nixon are an open book, although they may shamelessly lie, misrepresent and distort history. For they are expert in deception. The current president is a demagogue, proven shameless liar, and a warmonger. He is a disgrace to the Republican Party, to America, to all patriotic Americans. There is no need to provide all the facts and evidence of his evil deeds and schemes, they will be voluminous and encyclopedic. All you have to do is to watch the news on TV. American mass media are deliberately making so much fake and false news and they are hostile and biased against China, Russia, etc. There is no doubt, American president and politicians are leading America to the wrong path and to the path of self-destruction. They are oppressing peoples of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Venezuela, etc., and they can rise up to testify to the American war atrocities, injustice, and brutality. Millions of refugees can also rise up to testify against the American evil empire which has been established by American presidents and politicians since Nixon.

2. The United Nations, the members of the United Nations, most reputable international institutions, and all nations of the world oppressed by the Axis of Evil led by America (excluding Japan, Australia, Canada, UK, EU, NATO, etc.) can testify what the American government has done since Nixon. They can also testify what China has done since Nixon. The only nation on earth which has lifted up 750 million Chinese from poverty is China. The poor and backward country has become the second largest economy in the world by hard work and thrift. In comparison, the population of poor Americans has increased a great deal since Nixon. The Nixon era was the golden age of American history. In the last 40 years China has achieved most spectacular successes in all fields and fronts than any nation on earth. China has aided more than 100 nations without strings attached. Out of envy and jealousy, American presidents and politicians as well as European politicians target and treat China as an enemy. Why the whole world is worried about American unilateralism, including American European and Asian allies? Now America stands alone in the world in spite of its military might.

3. Since Nixon’s trip to China, American presidents and politicians have attacked and engaged in numerous unjust wars and bloody military interventions to this day. Since Nixon, China has not attacked or occupied one single nation. On the contrary China has aided more than 100 nations in many ways, and most recently in helping many nations to fight against the CORONAVIRUS pandemic which the Pompous Pompeo and other politicians falsely accused China of inventing and spreading of the COVID-19. These malicious accusers have been discredited and denied by large group of impeccable international scientists and specialists. Why to call on nations to induce change in the Chinese government when Beijing’s actions never threaten Americans and our prosperity? China has never threatened the security and prosperity of any nation or its people. In fact, China trade has contributed greatly and tremendously to American prosperity. Why Chinese tourists are most welcome by all capitalistic nations? American farmers, retail business and others can testify to the benefit of China trade. China has changed for the better is the truth no honest man can deny. Ask most Americans has America changed for the worse since Nixon? This is a well-known fact for the whole world to see. Can America change from an evil empire back to a respectable Republic?

4. American model of democracy has failed so miserably that a great number of Americans express their disapproval and disappointment in protests and demonstrations across the nation since the public murder of a black suspect by a white policeman televised life on TV. Ask yourself if American democracy is good and right, why so many Americans protest and demonstrate in demanding justice, equality and true freedom? Why does the American income disparity become the largest gap in the world? When one percent of population rules over the ninety nine percent, do you call it democracy and freedom? When presidents and politicians incur the largest deficits and debts in the world, is that demonstrating America succeeding? How can there be unrest on American streets in so many cities across America if the American democracy is a glorious success? Why does the Homeland Security powers turn against Americans? Why chaos in Hong Kong is a shining scene, but chaos in America is not. Why do most Americans think China has done well to protect its people from CORONAVIRUS pandemic, while most Americans do not believe their government has done a good job in protecting Americans?

5. Be honest, and study history. You will find out Western powers, Great Britain, Japan, and the United States have wronged China too many times since the infamous Opium Wars. Strangest phenomenon is the recent facts, that America, United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, etc. have planned and funded some young Chinese traitors and terrorists to create riots and terrorism in Hong Kong. Those Chinese terrorists killed, burned, looted, bombed, robbed, smashed doors and windows of public and private properties, created obstacles in public transportation, attacked and wounded police force, caused chaos, lawlessness, fear and unrest among Hong Kong residents and businesses for more than a year; the former U.S. presidents and current president and American and European politicians called those riots in Hong Kong a fight for freedom and cheered and applauded those anarchists and criminals. Now that China has enacted a national security law to protect Hong Kong and its sovereignty, the evil legacy of British empire which never practiced democracy or freedom in its colonies, America, and others hypocritically say that Hong Kong is losing democracy and freedom. America, UK, Australia, EU, Canada, etc. have violated the sovereignty of China and interfered in China’s internal affairs without shame or reason. In comparison with the recent demonstrations and protests conducted by Americans across the country after a black man was killed in public on TV by a white policeman and with Hong Kong riots; the City of Portland is a case in point. The mayor was among the crowds hit by tear gas. The federal agents are armed well like the military. The current president calls those American protesters “thugs”, “terrorists”, “anarchists”, etc. Well are they not American freedom fighters all over the country? When terrorists did evil in Hong Kong Western politicians called them freedom fighters. When Americans protest and demonstrate against injustice and government corruption they are called thugs, terrorists and anarchists. This double standard and duplicity would even embarrass the devil.

6. The United States is the only nation which is having military bases all over the world to target China and Russia with the largest quantity of weapons of mass destruction. America is daily conducting military exercises and operations in China’s and Russian air space and territorial waters threatening the peace and stability of the world, how is that they call it China threat and Russia threat? No China plane or warship ever get close to American east and west coast. The increasing provocative and oppressive military, diplomatic, trade, economic, financial, technological, etc. actions against China and Russia, etc. loom large in the horizon that an all out nuclear war is preparing and leading by the United States. Can any honest, conscientious, and patriotic American say such American engagement is good to America and good to the world? Do you see American president and politicians are committing suicide by leading America and the world to the brink of total destruction? Who has the truth and standing in the truth? Let the God of Righteousness be the Judge, and let Americans have the right to form their own opinion without fear or retaliation.

7. Jesus says, Mat 12:36, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment.” The Day of Judgment is coming. How can European and American imperialists and colonialists and Japanese militarists give an accounting for what they have done to the world in the last 500 years or more in terms of genocide, massacre, mass slaughter, slave labor, sex slavery, robbery, burning, torture, looting, oppression, exploitation, occupation, etc. The Judge of the Living and Dead may ask American and European politicians about the so-called China virus, China threat, etc.

8.  With boldness I predict the incumbent will lose big in the November presidential election, not because his opponent is good (I will not vote for Biden), but because the great majority of American voters are disgusted with the wrong policies, black lies, incompetent leadership and dismal failures of the incumbent.

9.  Let the oppressed nations and impoverished peoples of the world rise up to form a New World Order. A New World Order where the days of white supremacy rule are numbered and over. A New Word Order where unilateralism is discarded, where imperialism is dead and buried, where lies are on the run, and where multilateralism and justice will govern the world, and where nations and peoples will work together for the common good, for peace, progress and prosperity.

Willie Wong, 7/24/2020

So, I introduced myself as follows:

I am a Christian by grace, a Chinese by race, an American by nationality. In Management I am a Koontzian, in Politics I am a Nixonian, in English I am a Ruskinian, and in philosophy I am Willie Wong Thought.

I have two most precious letters from President Nixon, one is shown in this article. Dr. Koontz told me personally that he wrote to President Nixon twice and never received a reply. I asked Dr. Koontz what he wrote to the President about. Dr. Koontz said that he gave full support to the President. I said to Dr. Koontz there were hundreds of millions of Americans who supported Nixon and the President could not have time to thank everyone of them. The faculty, professors and students of Xian Jiaotung University asked me what did I write to the Presidents (besides Nixon) about, I told them I wrote to some American presidents about the most important matters.

In memory of President Nixon, I wrote the following:

FOURTEEN WAYS TO SAVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

8. DENG XIAOPING

Lived:  August 22, 1904 – February 19, 1997 (age 92) 

The paramount leader of China.

 “It does not matter whether it is red cat or black cat, what matters is the cat catches rats.” 

9. JOHN RUSKIN

Lived: Feb 08, 1819 – Jan 20, 1900 (age 80)

“Man’s only true happiness is to live in hope of something to be won by him, in reverence of something to be worshiped by him, and in love of something to be cherished by him, and cherished forever.”

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”ns.”

“In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”

“The true end of education is not only to make the young learned, but to make them love learning; not only to make them industrious, but to make them love industry; not only to make them virtuous, but to make them love virtue; not only to make them just, but to make them hunger and thirst after justice.”

“People are eternally divided into two classes, the believer, builder, and praiser…and the unbeliever, destroyer and critic.”

“Kind hearts are the garden, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the blossoms, kind deeds are the fruit.”

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives, the cumulative experience of many masters of craftsmanship. Quality also marks the search for an ideal after necessity has been satisfied and mere usefulness achieved.” 

“What we think or what we know or what we believe is in the end of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do.”

“When we build … let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think … that a time is to come when these stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor, and the wrought substance of them, See! This our fathers did for us!”en I was at the Great Wall, looking around, and looking down I could sense and echo whatn

10. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Lived: (February 27, 1807, U.S.— March 24, 1882)fulumbers,

   Life is but an empty dream! soul is dead that slumbers,

   And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;her than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting, field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,e not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;in.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait. 

Things I have learned from Longfellow: Over tars I

(1.)  And things are not what they seem.

   (2.)  Life is real! Life is earnest!

   (3.)  Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

     Is our destined end or way;

   (4.)  Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   (5.)  Be a hero in the strife!

   (6.)  Act,— act in the living Present!

        Heart within, and God o’erhead!

   (7.)  Lives of great men all remind us

     We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

     Footprints on the sands of time;

   (8.)  Let us, then, be up and doing,

     With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

      Learn to labor and to wait. 

I labor and wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

11. Helen Keller

Lived: June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968

Now I venture to say outside the Holy Bible, Helen Keller is the greatest woman ever lived.  She did not have the physical beauty of Marilyn Monroe, but Helen Keller is the most beautiful woman in heart and soul. It was the most beautiful heart and soul who can say something so

noble and notable like the following:

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. –  

Helen Keller was an American author who was blind and deaf. Helen Keller represents an excellent and extraordinary accomplishment in the face of disabilities and difficulties. It is the highest human spirit that soars above human frailties and failures and overcoming them. When I think of Helen Keller I also think of millions of American single women who could not support themselves, and deliberately have sex with many men who do not love them and who do not want to support the woman they had sex with and the children they produced. What a contrast? What excuse for healthy single women without handicap of any kind unable to support themselves and cause their daughters going through the vicious cycle of generations on welfare! The life of Helen Keller itself demonstrates the greatest possibility of human achievement. I never find anything I disagree with Helen Keller.

Quotes of Helen Keller:

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. 

Often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.h

I can not do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do.n

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.nite

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achievedrving from 1969 until 1974. Wscandal, Nixon could

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.ave been the greatest American president of modern times. I te an The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings. It makes us patient, sensitive, and Godlike. It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.article called, The Nixon I know:

You will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles..”

Better to be blind and see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and see nothing.ost pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision.”

12. Abraham Lincoln

Lived: (1861-65)

Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president, the greatest American president who preserved the Union during the civil war, brought about the emancipation of the slaves and delivered the Gettysburg Address. 

It was reported that Lincoln received his formal education — an estimated total of 18 months — a few days or weeks at a time. Lincoln was truly a self-made man. But Lincoln had the treasure of the Holy Bible, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress and Aesop’s Fables — which I also had in childhood. At the university I took the course of American Presidency, and had read the four volumes of Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sandburg. It is not difficult to say that Abraham Lincoln is the greatest American president in history. But where is Lincoln today in America???

I believe Abraham Lincoln made himself immortal in history by his character, expressed in words and deeds.

Quotes of Abraham Lincoln:

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”k back.”

“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.end of World War II, American leaders try to ensla 

13. Blaise Pascal

Lived: June 19, 1623 – Aug 19, 1662, his faith in the light of it.

Quotes of Blaise Pascal:

Blaise Pascal said everything truely and beautifully which I could not do the least..

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.”

“If I believe in God and life after death and you do not, and if there is no God, we both lose when we die. However, if there is a God, you still lose and I gain everything.”

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

“Either Christianity is true or it’s false. If you bet that it’s true, and you believe in God and submit to Him, then if it IS true, you’ve gained God, heaven, and everything else. If it’s false, you’ve lost nothing, but you’ve had a good life marked by peace and the illusion that ultimately, everything makes sense. If you bet that Christianity is not true, and it’s false, you’ve lost nothing. But if you bet that it’s false, and it turns out to be true, you’ve lost everything and you get to spend eternity in hell.”

“There are only three types of people; those who have found God and serve him; those who have not found God and seek him, and those who live not seeking, or finding him. The first are rational and happy; the second unhappy and rational, and the third foolish and unhappy.”

“We must learn our limits. We are all something, but none of us are everything.”

“Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.”

“Happiness is neither within us, nor without us. It is in the union of ourselves with God.”

“The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.”

14. George Frideric Handel

Lived: February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759 (age 74) 

TQuotes of George Frideric Handel:I wrote it It.  k“Learn all there is to learn, and then choose your own path.”

“What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one’s faith! How wonderful to be a member of the evangelical church, which preaches the free grace of God through Christ as the hope of sinners! If we were to rely on our works-my God, what would become of us?”

“I shudder to think of that God would do something like that through me.”

“It pleased the Almighty, to whose great will Holy Will I submit myself with Christian submission.”

15. Isaac Newton

Lived: Jan 04, 1643 – Mar 31, 1727 (age 84)ressed me most was when Quotes of Isaac Newton:

“I know not how I seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with while the vast ocean of undiscovered truth lay before me.”

“What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean.”impressed me very much:

“Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.”

“All knowledge and understanding of the Universe was no more than playing with stones and shells on the seashore of the vast imponderable ocean of truth.”

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”

“Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.”

“A Heavenly Master governs all the world as Sovereign of the universe. We are astonished at Him by reason of His perfection, we honor Him and fall down before Him because of His unlimited power. From blind physical necessity, which is always and everywhere the same, no variety adhering to time and place could evolve, and all variety of created objects which represent order and life in the universe could happen only by the willful reasoning of its original Creator, Whom I call the Lord God.”

“All my discoveries have been made in answer to prayer.”

“He who thinks half-heartedly will not believe in God; but he who really thinks has to believe in God.”

“There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.”

“A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true, for if the things be false, the apprehension of them is not understanding.”

“This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”

“The best way to understanding is a few good examples.”

“Plato is my friend, Aristotle is my friend, but my greatest friend is truth.”

“If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been due more to patient attention, than to any other talent.” 

“To arrive at the simplest truth requires years of contemplation.”

“The wonderful arrangement and harmony of the cosmos would only originate in the plan of an almighty omniscient being. This is and remains my greatest comprehension.”

“As a blind man has no idea of colors, so we have no idea of the manner by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things.”

“I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

“If two angels were sent down from heaven -one to conduct an empire and the other to sweep the streets -they would feel no inclination to change employment because an angel would know that no matter what we are doing, it’s an opportunity to bring joy, deepen our understanding and expand our life.”

“No being exists or can exist which is not related to space in some way. God is everywhere, created minds are somewhere, and body is in the space that it occupies; and whatever is neither everywhere nor anywhere does not exist. And hence it follows that space is an effect arising from the first existence of being, because when any being is postulated, space is postulated.”

“It is the perfection of God’s works that they are all done with the greatest simplicity. He is the God of order and not of confusion. And therefore as they would understand the frame of the world must endeavor to reduce their knowledge to all possible simplicity, so must it be in seeking to understand these visions.”

“God is able to create particles of matter of several sizes and figures and perhaps of different densities and forces, and thereby to vary the laws of nature, and make worlds of several sorts in several parts of the Universe.”

“The other part of the true religion is our duty to man. We must love our neighbour as our selves, we must be charitable to all men for charity is the greatest of graces, greater then even faith or hope & covers a multitude of sins. We must be righteous & do to all men as we would they should do to us.”

“We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy.”

“And from true lordship it follows that the true God is living, intelligent, and powerful; from the other perfections, that he is supreme, or supremely perfect. He is eternal and infinite, omnipotent and omniscient; that is, he endures from eternity to eternity; and he is present from infinity to infinity; he rules all things, and he knows all things that happen or can happen.”

16. Golda Meir

Lived: May 03, 1898 – Dec 08, 1978 (age 80)

Golda Meir, ria mother in Israel

When she pleaded the case of Israel like a grand mother, she could make you cry.”

1. Israel And Without Palestineinians who are actually Arabs.

2. For Israel to exchange land for peace is basically unjust and wrong. There cannot be two states in the Promised Land. 

3. There are neighboring nations so called around the State of Israel which did not exist before. There are Arabs, and so-called Palestinians are also Arabs. It would be logical and proper for those Palestinians to join the Arab nations; they will not have assimilation problem, just like water mixes with water, oil with oil.

4. Israel is different from all other nations in the world. Israel is God’s holy nation since Abraham, set apart, it cannot be mixed with other races or nationalities or religions.

5. Palestinians cannot claim reparations or compensations because they had de facto occupied the Promised Land for a long time. Just like Hong Kong belongs to China from the beginning. The evil empire of Britain abused, oppressed, and attacked China to loot China’s national treasures and robbed Hong Kong.

6. The British Empire also took India as a colony, and illegally and unilaterally made the colony look bigger and larger through making the Indian map by carving out large territories of China into the British colony of India. The conflict of India and China today was caused by the evil deeds of British Empire and a legacy of injustice. The United Kingdom has never done anything for justice to come out to explain the fact to the Indian government and clean up the geopolitical mess once and for all.

7.  For the same reason, just and lasting peace can only be achieved, not by Palestinians robbing the part and parcel of the Promised Land, for Jerusalem is the eternal Capital of King David by authority of God. The God of Abraham will fight for Jerusalem. Palestine is also a toxic legacy of the evil British Empire. It is good and right for the leaders of the United Kingdom to come out and speak the truth. Britain created Palestine, and illegal Arabs moved in to occupy the Promised Land. Palestinians did not pay anything for free occupation of the Land of Jews for hundreds of years. Since the re-establishment of the State of Israel, Palestinians have neither legal right nor entitlement. It is useless and waste of time to claim what does not belong to you.

8. I wish Palestinians well, not violating justice and equity, but by peaceful joining other Arab states of their choice. The sooner Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas get out of the Jewish land the better for them and for the world.02

QUOTES OF GOLDA MEIR:

“One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present.”

“We can forgive [the Arabs] for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with [the Arabs] when they love their children more than they hate us…”

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”

“There is no such thing as a Palestinian people… It is not as if we came and threw them out and took their country. They didn’t exist.”

“The only way to eliminate war is to love our children more than 

we hate our enemies.”

“Don’t be humble… you’re not that great.”urned right instead of left, we’d have had the oil, the Arabs 

would have had the sand?”m, to struggle.”

“My dear, old age is like an airplane flying in a storm. Once 

you’re in it there’s nothing you can do. You can’t stop a 

plane, you can’t stop a storm, you can’t stop time. So you 

might as well take it easy, with wisdom.”asp than to make them think.”

“To be successful, a woman has to be much better at her job than a man.”

17. William Ockham

Lived: 1287 – 1347 (age 60) to explain reality.”

Quotes of William Occam:to be correct.”

“God’s existence cannot be deduced by reason alone.”

“It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.”

“For nothing ought to be posited without a reason given, 

unless it is self-evident (literally, known through itself) 

or known by experience or proved by the authority of Sacred 

Scripture.””

“No more things should be presumed to exist than are absolutely necessary.”

“Entities should not be posited unnecessarily.”

“Plurality should not be assumed without necessity.”

18. Francis Bacon

• · Lived:  January 22, 1561 – April 9, 1626 (age 65)

Quotes of Francis Bacon:

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake.

It’s not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.

A little science estranges a man from God;
a lot of science brings him back.

Truth can never be reached by just listening to the voice of an authority.

Prosperity discovers vice, adversity discovers virtue.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.”

19. JOHANN WOLFGANG von GOETHE

Lived: August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832 (age 82)  

Martin Luther and Goethe almost persuaded me to take up German.d man as my second language.

Quotes of Goethe:

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. Whatever you think you can do, or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, power and grace.

A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

None are so hopelessly enslaved, as those who falsely believe they are free. The truth has been kept from the depth of their minds by masters who rule them with lies. They feed them on falsehoods till wrong looks like right in their eyes.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

20. Woodrow Wilson

Lived: Dec 28, 1856 – Feb 03, 1924 (age 67) 

The only Democrat President that I had respect for.

You can study his 14 Points, https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/peace/fourteen-pointsns in his QUOTES OF WOODROW WILSON:

“I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world - no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.”

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.”

.

“As a matter of fact and experience, the more power is divided the more irresponsible it becomes.”

“If you lose your wealth, you have lost nothing; if you lose your health, you have lost something; but if you lose your character, you have lost everything.”s lost its character.

“Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men’s views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.

The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy.”ocracy, freedom, and justice.

If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”ies.

My urgent advice to you would be, not only always to think first of America, but always, also, to think first of humanity. You do not love humanity if you seek to divide humanity into jealous camps. Humanity can be welded together only by love, by sympathy, by justice, not by jealousy and hatred. I am sorry for the man who seeks to make personal capital out of the passions of his fellowmen. He has lost touch with the ideal of America. For America was created to unit mankind.”

I have always been among those who believed that the greatest freedom of speech was the greatest safety, because if a man is a fool, the best thing to do is to encourage him to advertise the fact by speaking. “

The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make.”

21. Immanuel Kant

Lived: Apr 22, 1724 – Feb 12, 1804 

Father off Kantianism.. His greatest contribution was to the fie.

QUOTES OF IMMANUEL KANT

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.” “Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal law.”

“Most men use their knowledge only under guidance from others because they lack the courage to think independently using their own reasoning abilities. It takes intellectual daring to discover the truth.”

“Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.”

“Look closely. The beautiful may be small.”

“The only thing permanent is change.”

“Give a man everything he wants and at that moment everything is not everything”

“All perception is colored by emotion.”

“It is never too late to become reasonable and wise.”

“Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play.”

“The wise man can change his mind; the stubborn one, never.”

“A single line in the Bible has consoled me more than all the books I ever read besides.”

“Great minds think for themselves.”

“Morality is not properly the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.”

“It is through good education that all the good in the world arises.”

“One is not rich by what one owns, but more by what one is able to do without with dignity.”

“Genius is the ability to independently arrive at and understand concepts that would normally have to be taught by another person.”

“The human heart refuses To believe in a universe Without a purpose.”

“Man’s duty is to improve himself; to cultivate his mind; and, when he finds himself going astray, to bring the moral law to bear upon himself.”

“Space and time are the framework within which the mind is constrained to construct its experience of reality.”

“Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.”

“It is not God’s will merely that we should be happy, but that we should make ourselves happy.”

“The only thing that is good without qualification is a good will.”

“One cannot avoid a certain feeling of disgust, when one observes the actions of man displayed on the great stage of the world. Wisdom is manifested by individuals here and there; but the web of human history as a whole appears to be woven from folly and childish vanity, often, too, from puerile wickedness and love of destruction: with the result that at the end one is puzzled to know what idea to form of our species which prides itself so much on its advantages.”

“The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.”

“***Three Conditions of Happiness*** If you have work to do If you have someone you love If You have hope Then You are Happy now!”

“If an offender has committed murder, he must die. In this case, no possible substitute can satisfy justice. For there is no parallel between death and even the most miserable life, so that there is no equality of crime and retribution unless the perpetrator is judicially put to death.”

“It is not necessary that whilst I live I live happily; but it is necessary that so long as I live I should live honourably.””

“A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.”

Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”

“We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without.” 

22. John Wycliffe

Lived: 1330, —died 1384  Dec 31, 1384 

John Wycliffe was an English theologian and philosopher. He was more known as a Biblical translator, an influential opponent to the Roman Catholicism. Wycliffe was rightly called, “The Morning Star of the Reformation.” A great truth grabbed the man who believed the Bible should be available to the people in their common tongue. He translated the Latin Vulgate into common English. He was persecuted for his stand against Papal authority. His body was exhumed and burned along with many of his writings. Wycliffe set himself up against the most powerful organization on earth — the Roman Catholic Church — because that organization was wrong. No organization can be above the Word of God. Wycliffe suffered his first stroke and died in his second stroke. It is wrong to link the faith of Wycliffe with the British Empire.

 QUOTES OF JOHN WYCLIFFE:

Visit those who are sick, or who are in trouble, especially those whom God has made needy by age, or by other sickness, as the feeble, the blind, and the lame who are in poverty. These you shall relieve with your goods after your power and after their need, for thus biddeth the Gospel.”

“All Christian life is to be measured by Scripture; by every word thereof.”

“The gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere – any additional rules made to govern men’s conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Ability is that sufficiency which cometh from God.”

“I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.”

CONCLUSION

Everyone described and cited above have flaws and failures, they were all human after all. I have deliberately overlooked them. Nonetheless they had lived and done and said something so and they do inspire and influence people even today. SOME of them were my personal friends and they were very dear to me even to this day. I do this simply in memory of them. You may do the same by providing the list of your people and share with the world. I do not want to provide a list of historical people whom I despise and detest most. Just forget and ignore them you will live happier. If there is not one drop of tear in your eyes after you have honestly and heartily read this article, then I have failed. Why? Great truths can move people to tears. It is very bad and sad that the world represented by the Internet considers John Calvin as a great theologian. I am telling you John Calvin is a false teacher who teaches wrongly that God predestines certain groups of people going to Heaven, and certain groups of people going to Hell. No, anyone who comes to Christ may be saved. Jesus Christ Himself says,  Jhn 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” Believe and follow Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Do not follow a false teacher however popular he may be????? Calvinism is contrary to Christianity.

Western democracy, all forms of government, totalitarian, authoritarian, etc. Only make the world worse. The only hope for the world is the second coming of Jesus Christ to set up the Kingdom of Heaven, to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever.

If you are an unbeliever or the wicked, the second coming of Jesus Christ is your judgment day, your day of doom. But you can escape the judgment to come by now repentance of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and so you may be saved and your sins may be forgiven to receive the eternal life, and become an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.

You can do it now. Believe and be saved. Lord Jesus, come! 

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 17, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Copyright © 2018 – 2025 by Willie Wong

*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth. 

BY WILLIE WONG

Some false theologians and scholars hold the opinion that the Holy City, New Jerusalem, should be interpreted figuratively, not literally. Jerusalem is the figure of the Church of God. I believe where the Bible is figuratively speaking, it should be figuratively interpreting. When the Bible is clearly and plainly making statements of fact, they should be interpreted as statements of fact. The Holy City, New Jerusalem is a place–more real than Shanghai, London or Paris. The Holy City, New Jerusalem is the capital of the Kingdom of Heaven; the eternal abode of the Saints, Christians, and Children of God. Everything the Revelation says about the Holy City, New Jerusalem, is faithful and true. Do not let false theologians and scholars fool you.

The Holy City, New Jerusalem means the Holy City, New Jerusalem. It does not mean the Church, the Body of Christ. The more Bible knowledge I have, the more tired and weary I am of those theologians who misrepresent the truth of the Bible. The Church is not the Holy City; — the Church is a holy assembly, holy priesthood, holy people, holy temple, and a holy nation; never a holy city. Christians can be sure grace and truth have come by Jesus Christ and that Christ is the truth. I reluctantly mention the predestination doctrine taught by John Calvin was and is wrong. So I do not wish to mention the spiritualizing theory of so-and-so is also false and wrong.

Biblical interpretation is a big subject which is not the subject of this article. So I am not dwelling on it. While in passing I want you to know that spiritualizing method of interpreting the Bible is unsound and should be rejected by all believers. You need to take the Word of God as faithful and true.

With all my heart, I hold Revelation Chapter 21 is no figure or parable. In fact, I believe it is the fulfilment and answer to Jesus following statement, 

Jhn 14:2-3, “In My Father’s home are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.”

I believe with all my heart and mind, the Holy City, New Jerusalem of Revelation Chapter 21 is the place Jesus has prepared for His followers. I also believe,

1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written:

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

The Holy City, New Jerusalem, of Revelation Chapter 21, is also what God has prepared for those who love Him. Every word as it is written is FAITHFUL AND TRUE. Therefore, do not let unbelieving theologians and scholars fool you, Revelation Chapter 21 is real as it is written. The Holy City, New Jerusalem is real. They are prepared for those who love God and Jesus Christ. They are the Kingdom of Heaven where God will dwell with His children for ever and ever.

◄ Revelation 21:1 ►

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 21

Re 21:1-27. The New Heaven and Earth: New Jerusalem Out of Heaven.

The remaining two chapters describe the eternal and consummated kingdom of God and the saints on the new earth. As the world of nations is to be pervaded by divine influence in the millennium, so the world of nature shall be, not annihilated, but transfigured universally in the eternal state which follows it. The earth was cursed for man’s sake; but is redeemed by the second Adam. Now is the Church; in the millennium shall be the kingdom; and after that shall be the new world wherein God shall be all in all. The “day of the Lord” and the conflagration of the earth are in 2Pe 3:10, 11 spoken of as if connected together, from which many argue against a millennial interval between His coming and the general conflagration of the old earth, preparatory to the new; but “day” is used often of a whole period comprising events intimately connected together, as are the Lord’s second advent, the millennium, and the general conflagration and judgment. Compare Ge 2:4 as to the wide use of “day.” Man’s soul is redeemed by regeneration through the Holy Spirit now; man’s body shall be redeemed at the resurrection; man’s dwelling-place, His inheritance, the earth, shall be redeemed perfectly at the creation of the new heaven and earth, which shall exceed in glory the first Paradise, as much as the second Adam exceeds in glory the first Adam before the fall, and as man regenerated in body and soul shall exceed man as he was at creation.

1. the first—that is the former.

passed away—Greek, in A and B is “were departed” (Greek, “apeelthon,” not as in English Version, “pareelthe”).

was—Greek, “is,” which graphically sets the thing before our eyes as present.

no more sea—The sea is the type of perpetual unrest. Hence our Lord rebukes it as an unruly hostile troubler of His people. It symbolized the political tumults out of which “the beast” arose, Re 13:1. As the physical corresponds to the spiritual and moral world, so the absence of sea, after the metamorphosis of the earth by fire, answers to the unruffled state of solid peace which shall then prevail. The sea, though severing lands from one another, is now, by God’s eliciting of good from evil, made the medium of communication between countries through navigation. Then man shall possess inherent powers which shall make the sea no longer necessary, but an element which would detract from a perfect state. A “river” and “water” are spoken of in Re 22:1, 2, probably literal (that is, with such changes of the natural properties of water, as correspond analogically to man’s own transfigured body), as well as symbolical. The sea was once the element of the world’s destruction, and is still the source of death to thousands, whence after the millennium, at the general judgment, it is specially said, “The sea gave up the dead … in it.” Then it shall cease to destroy, or disturb, being removed altogether on account of its past destructions.Revelation 21:1 A new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 21:2 The new Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:3-7 The blessedness of God’s people.
Revelation 21:8 The judgment of the wicked.
Revelation 21:9-27 A description of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Chapter Introduction
This chapter begins with the vision of the new heaven and the new earth, …mentioned Revelation 20:1-3, in which (as was said) the church should enjoy great quiet and peace. 

1. That interpretation carrieth on the history in order; whereas, according to the other, we must say the history, Revelation 20:1-5, was interrupted by the battle with Gog and Magog, and the account of the day of judgment, Revelation 21:7,15.
2. In reason, as the close of the former chapter gave us an account of the issue of the day of judgment, as to wicked men, so this should give us some account how it should fare with the saints.
3. We shall find some things in the new Jerusalem here described, which will agree to no state of the church upon earth: see Revelation 21:22,23.
A new heaven and a new earth; a new and glorious state of things relating to the church.
For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea; for now there was an end to the world, and all the troubles that the people of God had met with in it, as well as the material earth, heaven, and sea, were passed away. This new heaven was prophesied of of old by Isaiah, and more lately by Peter, 2 Peter 3:13”.

◄ Revelation 21:2 ►

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. And I John—”John” is omitted in A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas; also the “I” in the Greek of these authorities is not emphatic. The insertion of “I John” in the Greek would somewhat interfere with the close connection which subsists between “the new heaven and earth,” Re 21:1, and the “new Jerusalem” in this verse.

Jerusalem … out of heaven—(Re 3:12; Ga 4:26, “Jerusalem which is above”; Heb 11:10; 12:22; 13:14). The descent of the new Jerusalem out of heaven is plainly distinct from the earthly Jerusalem in which Israel in the flesh shall dwell during the millennium, and follows on the creation of the new heaven and earth. John in his Gospel always writes [Greek] Hierosoluma of the old city; in the Apocalypse always Hierousaleem of the heavenly city (Re 3:12). Hierousaleem is a Hebrew name, the original and holy appellation. Hierosoluma is the common Greek term, used in a political sense. Paul observes the same distinction when refuting Judaism (Ga 4:26; compare Ga 1:17, 18; 2:1; Heb 12:22), though not so in the Epistles to Romans and Corinthians [Bengel].

bride—made up of the blessed citizens of “the holy city.” There is no longer merely a Paradise as in Eden (though there is that also, Re 2:7), no longer a mere garden, but now the city of God on earth, costlier, statelier, and more glorious, but at the same time the result of labor and pains such as had not to be expended by man in dressing the primitive garden of Eden. “The lively stones” were severally in time laboriously chiselled into shape, after the pattern of “the Chief corner-stone,” to prepare them for the place which they shall everlastingly fill in the heavenly Jerusalem.”

◄ Revelation 21:3 ►

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

A Voice from Heaven of Blessing and Judgement, Revelation 21:3-83. out of heaven] Read, out of the Throne; cf. Revelation 19:5.
the tabernacle of God] i.e. the Shechinah, the divine Presence, see on Revelation 7:15. So in the next words,
he will dwell with them] Lit., have His tabernacle with them, the verb being the same as in St John’s Gospel John 1:14; though the prepositions “among” and “with” are different.
his people] The word is a plural: peoples, though used in modern English, at least as a Gallicism, is scarcely (see however Revelation 10:11, Revelation 17:15) admitted in the English of the A. V. It would not do to translate “His nations,” for in Hellenistic language, representing O. T. usage, “the nations” means Gentiles, and “the people” Israel. Here therefore the use of this word in the plural has a special significance: all nations shall be God’s people, in the sense that one nation only has been hitherto.
(and be) their God] There is considerable authority for the omission of this clause. If it be retained, it is a question of taste whether to insert the words in brackets, or to render “God Himself, their own God, shall be with them”—something like Psalm 67:6. There may be a reminiscence of the name Immanuel: there certainly is of Jeremiah 24:7 &c.; Ezekiel 11:20 &c.; Zechariah 8:8, whether on St John’s part or only on that of his copyists.”

◄ Revelation 21:4 ►

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes – This will be one of the characteristics of that blessed state, that not a tear shall ever be shed there. How different will that be from the condition here – for who is there here who has not learned to weep? See the notes on Revelation 7:17. Compare the notes on Isaiah 25:8.

And there shall be no more death – In all that future world of glory, not one shall ever die; not a grave shall ever be dug! What a view do we begin to get of heaven, when we are told there shall be no “death” there! How different from earth, where death is so common; where it spares no one; where our best friends die; where the wise, the good, the useful, the lovely die; where fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, all die; where we habitually feel that we must die. Assuredly we have here a view of heaven most glorious and animating to those who dwell in a world like this, and to whom nothing is more common than death. In all their endless and glorious career, the redeemed will never see death again; they will never themselves die. They will never follow a friend to the tomb, nor fear that an absent friend is dead. The slow funeral procession will never be witnessed there; nor will the soil ever open its bosom to furnish a grave. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 15:55.

Neither sorrow – The word “sorrow” here – πένθος penthos – denotes sorrow or grief of any kind; sorrow for the loss of property or friends; sorrow for disappointment, persecution, or care; sorrow over our sins, or sorrow that we love God so little, and serve him so unfaithfully; sorrow that we are sick, or that we must die. How innumerable are the sources of sorrow here; how constant is it on the earth! Since the fall of man there has not been a day, an hour, a moment, in which this has not been a sorrowful world; there has not been a nation, a tribe – a city or a village – nay, not a family, where there has not been grief. There has been no individual who has been always perfectly happy. No one rises in the morning with any certainty that he may not end the day in grief; no one lies down at night with any assurance that it may not be a night of sorrow. How different would this world be if it were announced that henceforward there would be no sorrow! How different, therefore, will heaven be when we shall have the assurance that henceforward grief shall be at an end!

Nor crying – κραυγὴ kraugē.” This word properly denotes a cry, an outcry, as in giving a public notice; a cry in a tumult – a clamor, Acts 23:9; and then a cry of sorrow, or wailing. This is evidently its meaning here, and it refers to all the outbursts of grief arising from affliction, from oppression, from violence. The sense is, that as none of these causes of wailing will be known in the future state, all such wailing will cease. This, too, will make the future state vastly different from our condition here; for what a change would it produce on the earth if the cry of grief were never to be heard again!

Neither shall there be any more pain – There will be no sickness, and no calamity; and there will be no mental sorrow arising from remorse, from disappointment, or from the evil conduct of friends. And what a change would this produce – for how full of pain is the world now! How many lie on beds of languishing; how many are suffering under incurable diseases; how many are undergoing severe surgical operations; how many are pained by the loss of property or friends, or subjected to acuter anguish by the misconduct of those who are loved! How different would this world be, if all pain were to cease forever; how different, therefore, must the blessed state of the future be from the present!

For the former things are passed away – The world as it was before the judgment.”

◄ Revelation 21:5 ►

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5.  And he that sat upon the throne said] The first time that He speaks. The reference is rather to the eternal throne of Revelation 4:2 than to the judgement-throne of Revelation 20:11, so far as the two can be distinguished.
Behold, I make all things new] Some O. T. parallels are alleged, e.g. Isaiah 43:19; Jeremiah 31:22; but really the only close parallel is 2 Corinthians 5:17; and the meaning of this passage is, of course, even fuller than of that.
he said unto me] Read only, he saith. It is doubtful whether the speaker is still “He that sat on the throne;” for a similar command to “write” has been given already,—Revelation 14:13, Revelation 19:9; cf. Revelation 10:4—either by an impersonal “voice from heaven” or by the revealing angel. The question is best left open. The repetition of the words “He said unto me” in the next verse is a reason against ascribing all three speeches to Him that sat on the throne; the fresh mention of a revealing angel in Revelation 21:9 is perhaps a stronger one against supposing an angel to be speaking here; and the form of the words themselves against their referring to an impersonal voice.
Write: for] Or perhaps, “Write, ‘These words are’ ” &c.: lit. that these words are”.…
true and faithful] Read, faithful and true, as at Revelation 3:14, Revelation 19:11, and still more exactly Revelation 22:6.”

◄ Revelation 21:6 ►

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Benson Commentary

Revelation 21:6-8. And he “that sat upon the throne” said to me, It is done — All that the prophets have spoken is fulfilled. This is the consummation of all things: and now all the promises of God, and the desires of his faithful servants, shall be fully accomplished I am Alpha, &c. — Greek, το αλφα, και το ωμεγα, the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end — The latter clause explains the former; the everlasting. I will give unto him that is athirst — That sincerely and earnestly desires it; of the fountain of the water of life — Refreshing consolation, which shall abundantly satisfy his most enlarged desires and most exalted expectations; happiness which shall ever flow in upon him, as water from a perpetually flowing fountain; freely — Δωρεαν, as a free, unmerited gift. He that overcometh — To do which is much more than to thirst; shall inherit all things — Which I have made: the whole creation shall be laid open to his enjoyment. And I will be his God — A source of complete and everlasting blessedness to him; and he shall be my son — And consequently mine heir: the inheritor of my eternal kingdom, yea, and a joint-heir with my only-begotten and well- beloved Son. But the fearful and unbelieving — Who have not courage to face the difficulties which an open profession of my religion requires, and therefore do not overcome; and the abominable — All who indulge themselves in abominable vices to gratify their lusts; and murderers — Of the bodies, souls, or reputation of their fellow-creatures; and whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars — All who allow themselves, in their words or actions, to violate the eternal and immutable laws of truth and righteousness; shall have their part in the lake, &c. — All these shall have their portion with Satan, to whose party they joined themselves, and whose will they obeyed; and shall with him undergo the punishment of the secured death. Let this therefore be recorded, that every future generation of men may carefully peruse and seriously consider it; that every sincere believer, however weak, may be encouraged, and that every obstinate sinner may be terrified, and, if possible, awakened; and that none, in the day of my final judgment, may complain that they have not been warned and cautioned, with the greatest plainness and the greatest solemnity.”

◄ Revelation 21:7 ►

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. He that overcometh] Carries back our thoughts to the promises at the beginning of the book, Revelation 2:7, &c. There is perhaps some significance in the Father thus taking up and repeating the language of the Son. all things] Read, these things; viz. the new heavens and earth, and the things in them which, like them, have just “come into being.”
I will be … my son] Lit. I will be to him a God, and he shall be to Me a son. The form of the promise therefore resembles 2 Samuel 7:14, at least as closely as Jeremiah 24:7, &c.: and the sense combines that of both. The finally victorious share in the privileges, not only of God’s people, but of the Only-begotten: see Revelation 3:21.”

◄ Revelation 21:8 ►

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable . . .—Better, But for the cowardly and unfaithful (or, unbelieving) and defiled with abominations, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and for all the false, their part (is) in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which thing is the second death. The list here given points to those classes of character which cannot find a place in the Holy City. Nothing that defileth shall enter in. The less glaring faults stand first, the cowardly and unbelieving. There is a high and holy fear in which the Christian passes the time of his sojourn here (1Peter 1:17); but there is a base and selfish fear, a fear of man, which brings a snare; those who have faith enter boldly the strife, following the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, and conquering by faith. The cowardly sink into companionship with the faithless and unbelieving, with the workers of iniquity. The abominations spoken of here have reference to those mentioned in Revelation 17:4. The characters, it has been thought, form four pairs. Fear and unbelief go hand in hand (Deuteronomy 20:1-8; Matthew 8:26); the workers of abomination and the murderers, the fornicators and the sorcerers are united as those who sin in secret; the idolaters and the false, as those who change God’s truth into a lie. (Comp. Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5; Philippians 3:19.) These who are thus shut out from the heavenly city stand in contrast to those who are admitted; yet among those admitted arc such who have sinned through fear, faithlessness, and fleshliness. Sin indeed excludes from the city, but it is sin loved sin unrepented of, which alone can close the gate of the city whose gates lie open day and night.”

◄ Revelation 21:9 ►

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And there came unto me one of the seven angels,…. Either the first of them, as one of the four beasts is the first of them, Revelation 6:1 or it may be the last, and very likely the same as in Revelation 17:1

which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues; that is, the wrath of God poured out by them on the antichristian party; see Revelation 15:1.

And talked with me, saying, come hither; see Revelation 17:1.

I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The “Lamb” is Christ, who is often so called in this book; see Revelation 5:6 Revelation 19:7 and is the Son of God, the heir of all things, the Maker and Governor of the universe, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; and who, as Mediator, has all accomplishments and qualifications to recommend him as a bridegroom, such as beauty, riches, and wisdom: the bride, his wife, is not any particular believer, nor any particular church; not the Gentile church, nor the Jewish church only, but all the elect of God, consisting of the raised and living saints at the coming of Christ; who will make up one body, one general assembly, and be as a bride, prepared and adorned for her husband: these were first betrothed to Christ in eternity, and were openly espoused by him, one by one, at conversion; and now being all gathered in by the effectual calling, the dead being raised, and the living changed, and all glorified, the marriage is consummated, and they are declared publicly to be the bride, the Lamb’s wife; See Gill on Matthew 22:2. And now, though John had had a sight of her before, Revelation 21:2 yet that was but a glimmering one, at a distance, he being in the wilderness, Revelation 17:3 wherefore the angel calls him to him, and proposes to give him a clear, distinct, and particular view of her, in all her glory; and a glorious sight this indeed! to see the bride brought to the King in raiment of needlework, and the queen stand at his right hand in gold of Ophir. This is a sight of a quite different nature from that of the filthy strumpet, which the same angel proposed to give to John in Revelation 17:1.”

◄ Revelation 21:10 ►

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he carried me away in the Spirit,…. John was in an ecstasy, as in Revelation 1:10 and in the thoughts and apprehensions of his mind and spirit, it seemed to him as if he was carried away from one place to another; for this was not a corporeal sight, nor were any of the visions he had, but what was represented to his mind or spirit; it being with him as it was with the Apostle Paul when he was caught up to the third heaven, who knew not whether he was in the body or out of the body. The Ethiopic version renders it, “the Spirit brought me”; not the evil spirit Satan, who took up our Lord corporeally, and carried him to an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of this world, and their glory, Matthew 4:8 but either a good angel, or the Spirit of God:

to a great and high mountain; to such an one was Ezekiel brought in the visions of God, when the frame of a city and temple was shown him, with their dimensions, Ezekiel 40:2 as here a city is shown to John, with its wall, gates, foundations, and their measures: and he was brought to such a place, partly that he might have the more plain and full view of it; and partly to suggest unto him, that now the church of Christ was established upon the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills, and was a city on a hill, which could not be hid, Isaiah 2:2.

And showed me that great city; which is no other than the church, the bride, the Lamb’s wife; just as the apostate church, all along in this book before, is called the great city, Revelation 11:8 but now that being demolished, there is no other great city in being but the church of Christ, called a city before; Revelation 21:2 here a “great one”, not only because of its prodigious large dimensions, Revelation 21:16 but because of the number of its inhabitants, being such as no man can number; and because it is the residence of the great King, the tabernacle of God will be in it; though this epithet is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin and all the Oriental versions: “the holy Jerusalem”; called “the new Jerusalem”, Revelation 21:2 here “holy”, in allusion to the city of Jerusalem, which was called the holy city, Matthew 4:5 on account of the temple in it, the place of divine worship; but here this city is so called, because it is the residence of the holy God, Father, Son, and Spirit, inhabited only by holy men, made perfectly so, and encompassed by holy angels.

Descending out of heaven from God; See Gill on Revelation 21:2.”

◄ Revelation 21:11 ►

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Having the glory of God – A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of God. The nature of that splendor is described in the following verses.

And her light – In Revelation 21:23 it is said that “the glory of God did lighten it.” That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity – the “Shekinah.” See the Luke 2:9 note; Acts 9:3 note. The word here rendered “light” – φωστὴρ phōstēr – occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a lightgiver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a “window.” It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.

Like unto a stone most precious – A stone of the richest or most costly nature.

Even like a jasper stone – On the jasper, see the notes on Revelation 4:3. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.

Clear as crystal – Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper – as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word “crystal” here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.”

◄ Revelation 21:12 ►

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12, 13) And had a wall great and high . . .—Or, better (for the construction is continued), Having a wall great and high, and having twelve gate-towers, and at the gate-towers twelve angels, and names inscribed which are (names) of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel: from the sun-rising (i.e., facing east) three gate-towers; from the north three gate-towers, from the south three gate-towers; from the sun-setting three gate-towers. On this arrangement of gates Numbers 2, Ezekiel 48, and Revelation 7 should be compared. In the encampment in the wilderness (Numbers 2) the tribes were arranged as follows: on the east, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun; on the south, Reuben, Simeon, Gad; on the west, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin; on the north, Dan, Asher, Naphtali. There is perhaps allusion in the present passage to this wilderness encampment, and to the re-adjustment of the order of the tribes in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 48); but there is more than order here: the gates lie open to all quarters; there is no refusal of admission to any people. The representatives of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, are (Revelation 7:9) in the city of Christ; in Him there is neither barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but all are one. The diversities of human nationality and character, of age and race, and climate, are brought into one communion and fellowship. (Comp. Note on Revelation 7:4.) “The wall great and high” is mentioned to assure us of the security and peace of that city where no foe “or thief approacheth” (Isaiah 26:1; Zechariah 2:5).”

◄ Revelation 21:13 ►

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. – On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. The following are the dispositions of the tribes in the Old Testament: – Order in Numbers East 
Judah.
Issachar.
Zebulun. North –
Dan.
Asher.
Naphtali. South –
Reuben.
Simeon.
Gad. West –
Ephraim.
Manasseh.
Benjamin.
Order in Ezekiel 49:30. East –
Joseph.
Benjamin.
Dan. North –
Reuben.
Judah.
Levi. South –
Simeon.
Issachar.
Zebulon. West –
Gad.
Asher.
Naphtali. Revelation 21:13”

◄ Revelation 21:14 ►

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14.  And the wall … twelve foundations] Probably each of the twelve sections into which the wall is divided by the gates rests on an enormous jewel, reaching from gate to gate. This symbolises the solidity as well as the beauty of the divine structure: and was itself symbolised by the enormous size of the stones used in the foundations of the earthly temple. See St Mark 13:1 and parallels. Had is literally having, a solecism like that of Revelation 21:12.
twelve names of the twelve apostles] Expressing the same doctrine as St Paul in Ephesians 2:20, and (probably) our Lord in St Matthew 16:18. It is absurd to suppose that there is any pointed insistance on the Apostles being only twelve, St Paul being excluded: to introduce thirteen or fourteen would have spoilt the symmetry characteristic of the whole vision. We might just as well say, that there ought to be thirteen gates for the thirteen tribes; counting Ephraim, Manasseh and Levi all as coordinate with the rest. Really, it is idle to ask whether the twelfth name was that of St Paul or St Matthias. St John does not notice his own name being written there, though of course it was (cf. St Luke 10:20); the Apostles are here mentioned in their collective and official, not in their individual character. (See on Revelation 5:5.)
of the Lamb] His identity is taken for granted with the Jesus of the earthly ministry, as in Revelation 14:1 with the Son of God.”

◄ Revelation 21:15 ►

And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

Benson Commentary

Revelation 21:15-16. And he that talked with me had — Like the angel who appeared in vision to Ezekiel; a golden reed, &c. — A measuring-rod, with this circumstance of illustrious distinction, that it was golden; to measure the city, &c. — In the several parts thereof; by which measure was signified the greatness and extent of the city, with the exact order and just proportion of every part: to show figuratively that this city was prepared for a great number of inhabitants, how small soever the number of real Christians may sometimes appear to be; and that every thing relating to the happiness of this heavenly state was prepared with the greatest care and exactness. And the city lieth four-square — Upon measuring it appeared that the city was an exact square, of equal length and breadth, and of a very large extent. For it appeared on measure to be twelve thousand furlongs — Or one thousand five hundred miles, not, it seems, in circumference, but on each of the four sides. Jerusalem was thirty-three furlongs in circumference; Alexandria thirty in length, ten in breadth; Nineveh is reported to have been four hundred furlongs round, Babylon four hundred and eighty. The length, and the breadth, and the height of it — That is, says Bishop Newton, of its walls and buildings; are equal — Are everywhere of the same beauty, strength, and proportion. For this equality, as Grotius observes, seems to belong to the walls and buildings compared with each other, not with the length and breadth of the city. For to understand the height of the city, whether of its walls or buildings, to be equal to the length or breadth of it, would make its houses and walls to be out of all proportion. For how large soever men may conceive the extent of the city, and of the contiguous buildings, houses twelve thousand furlongs high are beyond all propriety in the boldest figures….  Nor is it easy to say what end could be answered by making the height of the buildings so enormous, unless to render the city a perfect cube, for which no reason can be assigned; a perfect square rendering the emblem full as perfect. The truth is, the numbers themselves are evidently typical, taken from twelve, the number of the apostles, multiplied by one thousand. For as before, the number of the members of the Christian Church was represented by one hundred and forty-four thousand, the square number of twelve multiplied by one thousand; so this manner of numbering will very properly signify a city, of which true Christians are to be the happy citizens and settled inhabitants; a city which shall have incomparably greater extent, and more strength and beauty, than ancient Babylon, Rome, or any other seat of empire ever known in this world.”

◄ Revelation 21:16 ►

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

According to NLT, New Living Translation:

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Full copyright information is provided here. Visit the New Living Translation website.

For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.

Rev 21:16, “When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.”

According to AMP, Amplified Bible (AMP).

Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 2015 by

The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved.

For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Rev 21:16, “The city is laid out as a square, its length being the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod—twelve thousand stadia (about 1,400 miles); its length and width and height are equal.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the city lieth four square,…. To the four corners of the world, from whence its inhabitants come, and denotes the regularity, uniformity, perfection, and immovableness of it.

And the length is as large as the breadth; this church state will be all of a piece, perfect, entire, and wanting nothing.

And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs; or fifteen hundred miles; a monstrously large city indeed! such an one as never was upon earth; see Ezekiel 48:35 … here being room enough for all the twelve tribes of Israel; that is, for all the elect of God; for as in Christ’s Father’s house, so in this kingdom state of his, there will be many mansions, or dwelling places, enough for all his people. This city will hold them all. The Jews (h) say of Jerusalem, that in time to come it shall be so enlarged, as to reach to the gates of Damascus, yea, to the throne of glory.

The length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. A perfectly uniform state! according to the Ethiopic version, it is in length twelve thousand furlongs, and every measure equal, so that it is so many furlongs in length, breadth, and height.

(h) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 24. 1.”

The Holy City, New Jerusalem, it is a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.

The Holy City, New Jerusalem, is such an enormous city unheard of. It can house all the redeemed of all ages and generations. Only God knows the number of His children, probably between 1 to 2 billions. Such a mega City will take a long time to get acquainted, it will take even longer to get to know its residents.  I am very excited and thrilled about everything written about the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

I do not know whether “friendship” is allowable in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Because friendship implies preference, favoritism, and selfishness. No matter what, I shall comply with the Mandate of Heaven, and obey willingly the Will of my Heavenly Father.

Given a choice, however, I sure want to make friends with Abraham, Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Moses, David, Jonathan, Nathan, Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, Stephen and all martyrs, Paul, John, John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Jesus, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, etc. Regarding angels include Michael, Gabriel, and the angel who used great chain to bound Satan. On the history of the world I would like to make friends with Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Mouw, D. Edmond Hiebert, Blaise Pascal, Helen Kelly, Augustine, G. Campbell Morgan, J.C, Ryle, Charles Spurgeon,

ATHANASIUS OF ALEXANDRIA, Charles H. Mackintosh , etc.

◄ Revelation 21:17 ►

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Benson Commentary

Revelation 21:17-18. And he measured the wall thereof — That is, Lowman thinks, the height of the wall; one hundred and forty-four cubits — The square of twelve: about seventy-two yards high, according to the lesser cubit, or about eighty-six yards according to the greater, a height sufficient to express the most perfect security against all attempts of any surprise by an enemy. Doddridge understands these cubits of the thickness of the wall, with the same view, namely, to signify the great strength of the city, and that it might defy all assailants. According to the measure of a man — A measure common among men; that is, of the angel — For such was the measuring-rod, made use of by the angel. And the building of the wall was of jasper — The wall appeared to be built with unparalleled strength and magnificence, not of brick, or squared and polished stones, but of some precious stone, as solid, firm, and beautiful as a jasper. And the city was of pure gold — Namely, its houses and other buildings, separate from the wall; like unto clear glass — Or crystal. It seems it is the city in general, and not the gold, which is represented as shining like glass or crystal. It is not easy to understand how pure gold should shine like crystal: but a city adorned with crystal, set in gold, may easily be supposed to shine in that manner.’

◄ Revelation 21:18 ►

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

And the building of the wall of it – The material of which the wall was composed. This means the wall above the foundation, for that was composed of twelve rows of precious stones, Revelation 21:14, Revelation 21:19-20. The height of the foundation is not stated, but the entire wall above was composed of jasper.

Was of jasper – See the notes on Revelation 4:3. …

And the city was pure gold – The material of which the edifices were composed.

Like unto clear glass – The word rendered “glass” in this place – ὕαλος hualos – occurs in the New Testament only here and in Revelation 21:21. It means, properly, “anything transparent like water”; as, for example, any transparent stone or gem, or as rock-salt, crystal, glass (Robinson, Lexicon). Here the meaning is, that the golden city would be so bright and burnished that it would seem to be glass reflecting the sunbeams. Would the appearance of a city, as the sun is setting, when the reflection of its beams from thousands of panes of glass gives it the appearance of burnished gold, represent the idea here? If we were to suppose a city made entirely of glass, and the setting sunbeams falling on it, it might convey the idea represented here. It is certain that, as nothing could be more magnificent, so nothing could more beautifully combine the two ideas referred to here – that of “gold and glass.”

Perhaps the reflection of the sunbeams from the “Crystal Palace,” erected for the late “industrial exhibition” in London, would convey a better idea of what is intended to be represented here than anything which our world has furnished. The following description from one who was an eyewitness, drawn up by him at the time, and without any reference to this passage, and furnished at my request, will supply a better illustration of the passage before us than any description which I could give: “Seen as the morning vapors rolled around its base – its far-stretching roofs rising one above another, and its great transept, majestically arched, soaring out of the envelope of clouds – its pillars, window-bars, and pinnacles, looked literally like a castle in the air; like some palace, such as one reads of in idle tales of Arabian enchantment, having about it all the ethereal softness of a dream. Looked at from a distance at noon, when the sunbeams came pouring upon the terraced and vaulted roof, it resembles a regal palace of silver, built for some Eastern prince; ‘when the sun at eventide sheds on its sides his parting rays, the edifice is transformed into a temple of gold and rubies;’ and in the calm hours of night, when the moon walketh in her brightness, the immense surface of glass which the building presents looks like a sea, or like throwing back, in flickering smile, the radiant glances of the queen of heaven.”

◄ Revelation 21:19 ►

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19)  And the foundations of the wall . . .—Better, The foundations of the wall of the city (were) adorned with every precious stone. We may compare the adornment of the harlot (Revelation 17:4). Her robe was decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. …. The comparison reminds us, in a vivid and figurative way, of our Master’s often-repeated teaching. He that saveth his life, loseth it; he that loseth, saveth it; he that is content to pass by the dazzling attractions of the world, refusing splendour from the outstretched hand of Babylon, will win the true spiritual riches. There is no man that has turned away for Christ’s sake from the attractions of the world-spirit, that hath forsaken houses and lands for Christ’s sake and the gospel, but shall receive manifold more, &c. (Mark 10:28-31). The “jewels of right celestial worth” are part of the heritage of him who can nobly hold cheap the degrading hire of the world. (Comp. Isaiah 54:12.)

The foundation are various. There were in the foundation of the Church diversities of gifts and administrations, but the same Lord and the same spirit. In the heavenly city we have harmony, not monotony; variety, not sameness; unity, not uniformity. The stones are not arranged in the order of the high priest’s breastplate, but according to their various shades of colour, beginning from the foundation.

1. Jaspis, dark opaque green.

2. Sapphirus, Lapis-lazuli, opaque blue.

3. Chalcedon, an Emerald of a greenish hue.

4. Smaragdus, bright transparent green.

5. Sardonyx, white and red.

6. Sardius, bright red.

7. Chrysolite, our Topaz, bright yellow.

8. Beryl, bluish green.

9. Topazion, or Peridot, yellowish green.

10. Chrysoprasus, a darker shade of the same colour.

11. Hyacinthus, Sapphire, sky blue.

12. Amethystus, violet.

“Chrysoprasus is probably an error for Chrysopaston, a dark blue stone, studded with gold, by which substitution all the shades of blue will follow each other.” (See King, On Gems.)

With this blended harmony of colour the foundation-stones would encircle the heavenly city as with a rainbow belt. In the seer’s view the light of the heavenly city would shine with hues that betoken the advent of the morning. The varying tints would glow like pledges of a dayspring from on high.

“Along the tingling desert of the sky,

Beyond the circle of the conscious hills

Were laid in jasper-stone as clear as glass

The first foundations of that new, near Day,

Which should be builded out of heaven to God.

Jasper first, I said;

And second, sapphire; third, chalcedony;

The rest in order;-last, an amethyst.”

The foundation-stones are twelve. “As twelve, they indicate their numerical completeness (Revelation 7, 14); as shining with a common lustre, their unity; as stones of different hues, their manifoldness; as brilliant stones, the glorification of this earthly life through the light of Heaven” (Lange).”

◄ Revelation 21:20 ►

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

The fifth, sardonyx – This word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The “name” is derived from “Sardis,” a city in Asia Minor (notes on Revelation 3:1), and ὄνυξ onux, a nail – so named, according to Pliny, from the resemblance of its color to the flesh and the nail. It is a silicious stone or gem, nearly allied to the onyx. The color is a reddish yellow, nearly orange (Webster, Dictionary).

The sixth, sardius – This word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It is also derived from “Sardis,” and the name was probably given to the gem because it was found there. It is a stone of a blood-red or flesh color, and is commonly known as a “carnelian.” It is the same as the sardine stone mentioned in Revelation 4:3. See the notes on that place.

The seventh, chrysolite – This word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It is derived from χρυσὸς chrusos, “gold,” and λίθος lithos, “stone,” and means “golden stone,” and was applied by the ancients to all gems of a golden or yellow color, probably designating particularly the topaz of the moderns (Robinson, Lexicon). But in Webster’s Dictionary it is said that its prevalent color is green. It is sometimes transparent. This is the “modern” chrysolite. The ancients undoubtedly understood by the name a “yellow” gem.

The eighth, beryl – This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The beryl is a mineral of great hardness, and is of a green or bluish-green color. It is identical with the emerald, except in the color, the emerald having a purer and richer green color, proceeding from a trace of oxide of chrome. Prisms of beryl are sometimes found nearly two feet in diameter in the state of New Hampshire (Webster).

The ninth, a topaz – This word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. The topaz is a well-known mineral, said to be so called from “Topazos,” a small island in the Arabian Gulf. It is generally of a yellowish color, and pellucid, but it is also found of greenish, bluish, or brownish shades.

The tenth, a chrysoprasus – This word χρυσόπρασος chrusoprasos does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It is derived from χρυσὸς chrusos, “gold,” and πράσον prason, “a leek,” and denotes a precious stone of greenish golden color, like a leek; that is, “apple-green passing into a grass-green” (Robinson, Lexicon). “It is a variety of quartz. It is commonly apple-green, and often extremely beautiful. It is translucent, or sometimes semi-transparent; its hardness little inferior to flint” (Webster, Dictionary).

The eleventh, a jacinth – The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It is the same word as “hyacinth” – ὑάκινθος huakinthos – and denotes properly the well-known flower of that name, usually of a deep purple or reddish blue. Here it denotes a gem of this color. It is a red variety of “zircon.” See Webster’s Dictionary under the word “hyacinth.”

The twelfth, an amethyst – This word, also, is found only in this place in the New Testament. It denotes a gem of a deep purple or violet color. The word is derived from α a, the alpha privative (“not”), and μεθύω methuō, to be intoxicated, because this gem was supposed to be an antidote against drunkenness. It is a species of quartz, and is used in jewelry.”

◄ Revelation 21:21 ►

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls,…. Denoting the purity and preciousness of Christ, by whom the saints enter, and of the saints who enter in thereat, as well as of the place into which they enter.

Every several gate was of one pearl; the pearl of great price, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only gate, door, and way into this happy state: this shows that this account cannot be taken literally, but mystically, for no such pearl was ever known, large enough to make a gate of.

A pearl is a hard, white, shining body, usually roundish, found in a shell fish resembling an oyster, but is three or four times the size of the common oyster; and which ordinarily yields ten or twelve pearls, and sometimes more. Those of the largest size that have been known are that of Cleopatra, valued by Pliny at centies H S, or at 80,000 pound sterling; and that brought in 1574 to Philip the Second, of the size of a pigeon’s egg, worth 14,400 ducats; and that of the Emperor Rudolph, mentioned by Boetius, called “la peregrina”, or the incomparable, of the size of a muscade pear, and weighing 30 carats; and that mentioned by Tavernier, in the hands of the emperor of Persia in 1633, bought of an Arab for 32,000 tomans, which, at three pounds nine shillings the toman, amounts to 110,400 pounds sterling (p).”

But what is one of these pearls to make a gate of, for a wall which was an hundred and forty four cubits high? Revelation 21:17. The Jews say (q), that the holy blessed God will bring precious stones and “pearls” of thirty cubits by thirty, &c. and place them “in the gates of Jerusalem”, as it is said, Isaiah 54:12 which must be understood also not in a literal but mystical sense: and L’Empereur (r) makes mention of an ancient commentary on Psalm 87:1 which says, that the holy blessed God will make a gate at the east (of the temple), and in it two doors, each of one pearl. So R. Joshua ben Levi says (s), that there are in paradise two gates of agates or diamonds; some render the word rubies.

And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass; denoting the preciousness and delightfulness of the saints’ conversation one with another; and the purity and cleanness of it, there being no mire and filth of sin in these streets; and the sincerity and openness of it, each one walking in his uprightness; which will be seen and known of all, as clearly as anything can be beheld in a transparent glass. So the Jews say (t) of paradise, that the ground is paved with precious stones, the lustre of which may be compared to the light of burning torches.

(p) Chambers’s Cyclopedia in the word “Pearl”. (q) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 100. 1. & Bava Bathra, fol. 75. 1. & Yalkut, par. 2. fol. 54. 1.((r) Misn. Middot, c. 4. sect. 2. Vid. Yalkut Simconi, par. 2. fol. 54. 1.((s) Yalkut Simeoni, par. 1. fol. 7. 1.((t) Sepher. Avodah Hakkodesh, fol. 46. 1.”

◄ Revelation 21:22 ►

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Benson Commentary

Revelation 21:22-27. And I saw no temple therein — The whole city being, properly speaking, a temple; the Lord God and the Lamb surrounding, filling, and sanctifying the whole, and being more intimately present in every part of it, and with every individual, saint or angel, than had ever been known on earth. And the city had no need of the sun — To give light to its inhabitants; for the glory of God — Infinitely brighter than the shining of the sun; did lighten it — The illustrious manifestation of his presence rendered every other light unnecessary. It seems the whole city appeared to St. John like a luminous object, sending out rays on every side, which he knew to be the consequence of God’s dwelling there in a peculiar sense. And the nations of them which are saved — From the guilt and pollution of sin before they leave this world; shall walk in the light of it — In a higher degree than they could possibly do on earth: for they shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face; shall no longer know in part, but shall know as they are known. And the kings of the earth — Those of them who have a part there; do bring their glory and honour into it — Not their old glory, which is now supposed to be abolished, but such as becomes the new earth, and receives an immense addition by their entrance into this city. Or the sense may be, as Doddridge thinks, “If you were to conceive all the monarchs upon earth uniting all their treasures to adorn one single place, they could produce nothing comparable to the glory of this city.” And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day — That is, shall never be shut; for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory, &c., of the nations into it — Whatever is most desirable among all nations seemed to meet together to adorn that place, where good men of all nations shall dwell and reign with God for ever. Or all that can contribute to make any city honourable and glorious shall be found in it; as if all that was rich and precious throughout the world was brought into one place. And there shall in nowise enter any thing that defileth — Greek, κοινον, common; that is, unholy; or that worketh abomination — That is impure or vicious; or maketh a lie — Is chargeable with hypocrisy, falsehood, or deceit; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life — Namely, true, holy, persevering believers. This blessedness is enjoyed only by such, and such as these only are registered among them who are to inherit eternal life.”

◄ Revelation 21:23 ►

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(23) And the city had no need of the sun . . .—Rather, And the city hath not need of the sun, nor of the moon that they should shine on (or, for) her; for the glory of God enlightened her, and her lamp is the Lamb. The Shechinah is again alluded to. Light is the emblem of knowledge and holiness. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1John 1:5). Christ the Lamb, came as the Light of the World. Now in the heavenly Jerusalem is the light seen as a lamp that burneth. The imagery is drawn from Isaiah. “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory” (Isaiah 60:19). No more will there be needed subsidiary or intermediate luminaries. He who makes the righteous to shine like stars, and causes His churches to shine like lights in the world, will be Himself the Light and Sun of His people: they shall see Him as He is. It is again to be noticed that the emblem of the Lamb is used to describe our Lord in this verse, and in the last, as it was also in Revelation 21:14. The memory of Christ’s work on earth is never obliterated: still in the intense splendour and joy of that city of light the remembrance of Him who was led as a lamb to the slaughter gives depth and fulness to its joy.”

◄ Revelation 21:24 ►

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the nations of them which are saved,…. In distinction from them that will be deceived by Satan, Revelation 20:8. These are not all the nations of the world, which will be gathered before Christ, the Judge, for all will not be saved, there is a world that will be condemned; nor the Gentiles only, which shall come into the church state of the Jews when called, for that state is not here designed; and besides, all Israel shall be saved then; nor the living saints at Christ’s coming, who shall have escaped, and are saved from the general conflagration; for these, with the raised ones, will be caught up together to Christ, and descend and dwell together on earth, and make one church state; but all the elect of God, both Jews and Gentiles, whom God has chosen, Christ has redeemed, and the Spirit has called out of all the nations of the earth: these are only saved ones; such are already saved, not only are determined to be saved, and for whom salvation is wrought out by Christ, and to whom it is applied at conversion, and who are representatively set down in heavenly places in Christ, and are already saved by hope and faith, and with respect to the certainty of salvation; all which may be said of saints in the present state; but these will be such, who will be actually and personally saved, will be in the full possession of salvation, enjoying all the blessings of it: they will be partakers of the first resurrection, and the glories of it: the tabernacle of God will be with them, they will be free from all sorrows and death, and will inherit all things: the Syriac version reads, “the nations that are saved”; who are redeemed and saved by Christ: this may teach us how to understand those phrases, which seem to favour general redemption, as all men, the world, the whole world; see Isaiah 45:20. These words, “of them which are saved”, are left out in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, but are in all the copies. These nations are the inhabitants of this city, and they shall walk in the light of it, which is Christ; they shall enjoy it; they shall have the light of life, and be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light, and that continually: they shall not only come to it, but continue in it, and walk at it, and by the light of it: the walk of these will be different from the walk of saints now, who walk by faith, and not by sight; but these shall walk by sight, enjoying the beatific vision of God, and the Lamb. The Jews say (b), that Jerusalem, in time to come, will be made a lamp to the nations of the world, , “and they shall walk in its light”, or by the light of it, which is the sense of Isaiah 60:3 “the Gentiles shall come to thy light”; see Isaiah 9:1

and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it; by whom may be meant either mystically all the saints, who will be kings as well as priests unto God, and will reign as such with Christ in this state, will cast their crowns at his feet, and give him all the honour and glory; or literally, the kings of the earth, who shall have relinquished antichrist, hated the whore, and burnt her with fire, and who will have been nursing fathers in the spiritual reign; or rather all good kings that ever have been in the earth: not that they will be kings of the earth at this time, for now all rule, authority, and power, will be put down; nor will any worldly riches, honour, and glory, be brought by them into this state, nor will they be needed in it; but it is to be understood of who have been kings on earth, though not of their having brought earthly riches and grandeur into the interest and churches of Christ; as David gave much towards the building of the temple, which was begun and finished by King Solomon his son, and as Constantine greatly enriched and aggrandized the church when he became emperor; but the sense seems to be this, that such who have been Christian kings on earth will prefer the happiness of this state to all their riches and greatness here; and that could all the glory of the kings of the earth be put together, it would not equal, but be greatly inferior to the glory of the new Jerusalem; Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of the inhabitants of this place; see Revelation 20:6 besides, these shall do all homage, and submit to Christ the King of kings in the midst of the church, which may be meant by “glory” and “honour”.

(b) Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 56. 3.”

◄ Revelation 21:25 ►

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day,…. Which does not design the free communication between the living saints on the new earth, and the raised ones in the new heaven, as some have thought, for these shall be together, and make up one body; but rather the universal collection, and free admission of all the saints from all parts into this city; though it seems best to interpret it of the safety of the inhabitants, see Jeremiah 49:31 who will have no enemy to fear, and therefore need never shut their gates; the beast and false prophet will have been taken, and cast into the lake of fire long ago; ungodly men will be destroyed in the general conflagration, and Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit during the thousand years:

for there shall be no night there; this is a reason given why it is before said the gates shall not be shut by day, since it is unusual to shut gates in the day, unless in time of war, because there will be no night in this city, and so no need of ever shutting the gates; the night time being the season for thieves and robbers, and for enemies to make their incursions, and to surprise: but here will be no night; either literally, times and seasons, as measured by the revolutions of the sun and moon, will be no more, they will not have the use they have; at least this city will stand in no need of them. The Jews say (c), that the world to come will be , “all day”: or mystically and figuratively, there will be no night of spiritual darkness and desertion, of drowsiness, sleepiness, and inactivity, of error and heresy, or of calamity and distress of any kind; all which are sometimes signified by night in Scripture; see Sol 3:1 Isa 26:9.

(c) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 91. fol. 79. 4.”

◄ Revelation 21:26 ►

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. The glory of the nations are the people of God, who, though they are reckoned the filth of the world, are the excellent in the earth; these will be brought into this city, and be presented to the King of it, in a glorious manner, and that by the kings of the earth; either such who have been ecclesiastical rulers over them, who will introduce them as their joy and crown of rejoicing; or who have been political governors of them, their fathers and protectors; or the sense is as before, that whatever is great and glorious in the nations of the world, will be counted as nothing in comparison of the glory and magnificence of this state, and not to be mentioned with it: the Arabic version renders it, “the nations shall bring glory and honour to it”; in the sense before given..”

◄ Revelation 21:27 ►

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Matthew Poole’s Commentary

And there shall in no wise enter into it: in the Greek there are two negative particles, which though in the Latin they make an affirmative, yet in the Greek make a stronger negative, which we translate in no wise, or by no means.
Any thing that defileth: this strongly denying particle is brought to make the bar excluding all unclean persons from heaven evident. And alas! How often had this need be denied, to make men and women, mad of their lusts, believe it! The word translated, that defileth, signifieth, what is common; nothing, no person that hath not by a holy life separated himself from the world, and all sin and wickedness, and dedicated himself to God.
Neither whatsoever worketh abomination; no profane or lewd person.
Or maketh a lie; nor any false or lying hypocrites, nor any idolaters, for idols are lies.
But they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life; none but those whose names are written in the book of life, predetermined to salvation, and redeemed with the blood of Christ. Some am not pleased with this sense; but what other thing can be meant? This is, at least, the sixth time we have met with this phrase in this book, Revelation 3:5 Revelation 13:8 17:8 20:12,15. It is also mentioned, Philippians 4:3. And what else can be meant in Moses’s prayer, Exodus 32:32? It is twice {Revelation 13:8 17:8} said, that names were written in it from the foundation of the world. God hath a particular, certain, infallible knowledge who are his, and had it from eternity; and whence he should know it, without willing of it, is very hard to conceive. It is called the Lamb’s book, to let us know, that the act of redemption by Christ bears proportion to the counsels of election.”

If you repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, you can obtain forgiveness of sins, and your name may be written in the Book of Life and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. I would like to explore the New Heavens and New Earth. It will take eternity; thank God I will have eternity.

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 8, 2025
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