Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (v.6)

The four chapters from 14 to 17 explain to us the reason why God made the world in the first place. It explains why the kingdom of God is the kingdom of priests.

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

Theologians and ministers preach that Adam could have obtained eternal life by observing God’s command during the probation period. They preach that Adam was already perfect except for eternal life. Anyone who believes that righteousness is from observing the law is happy with this nonsense theory. From the beginning, our righteousness is from faith in God. Perfect faith is not changeable. But Adam and Eve became unfaithful by their own choice. If anyone thinks life depends on obedience to the law, he/she inevitably agrees to the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ. But we know the theories have significant flaws.

The four chapters from 14 to 17 explain that God made all creation to build the kingdom of His priests, who are one with Him. Theologians and ministers preach that Adam knew God and was holy and righteous. But there are two many differences between Adam and Christ. And verses 6 and 15 clearly tell us that Adam neither knew God nor kept His command. He did not love God.

Any hypothesis needs to be tested to see if it is the same as the reality. Our reality is the Bible. The Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ are based on the bad hypothesis. These theories are different from the reality. Their idea is that perfect obedience to the law is the only way to bring righteousness and life. Their hypothesis is wrong. From the beginning, Adam was not given the promise of eternal life through his obedience to God. When God made the covenant with the Israelites, it was for them to know that they could not please God with their works. Even if they could please God with their works, their works did not change their relationship with God. They remained as slaves. And God cursed them when they disobeyed.

Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest. (Psalm 95:11)

There are passages in the OT where God referred to the Israelites as sons and daughters. But we understand that He was referring to His elect among the Israelites. God saves only His remnant people chosen from eternity.

For though your people, Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. (Isaiah 10:22)

This has been God’s plan from the beginning. God trains His chosen through suffering and challenges. Once all the training is done, the kingdom is perfected. We will receive an imperishable body. With this in mind, we know that Adam was not given any promise of becoming the head of the church. Adam’s fall was a necessary step to know God. Therefore, PERFECT OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S LAW IS NOT THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE. Christ is the way. It is Christ’s person and works that enable us to be the children of God. Because He is the Son of God, He made us the children of God. Because He became the Son of Man, He paid for our sins as our only representative. Christ’s two natures are inseparable.

God made a conditional covenant with the Israelites just as He did with Adam and Eve. However, the saints are not under a conditional covenant but the one and eternal unconditional covenant through the Son. God planned and completed all the works for the Son to be our head. Christ is our Lord. Because the Son is one with the Father, we are also one with them. This is the foundation of Christianity.

Heretics preach as if they uphold the law. They say that we need to do this and that to be saved. But we know that there is nothing good in us. If we do anything good, we know that it is from God. Because we know that God’s grace is all we have, we love the Son. Because we love the Son, we preach the kingdom of God. Christ’s commandment is to love God and His people. This love is self-sacrificing. It is about speaking truth. It is also about preaching the kingdom of God. But I hardly see anyone preaching the kingdom of God.

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (vv. 12-15)