Like a chestnut tree

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (vv. 4-6)

In true Christianity, there is no confusion. Yet many ideas that arise from human imagination have caused, and continue to cause, confusion. There are many different doctrines. Some have been tested and rejected, while others have been refined and strengthened over time.

It is not difficult to become a believer. In fact, faith is a gift from God, and we cannot resist His grace. We did not know that we were God’s children until the Holy Spirit opened our eyes and enabled us to understand God’s Word.

Preaching the gospel to everyone is indeed the duty of every Christian. However, that does not mean the gospel should be compromised in order to persuade unbelievers. Christianity is destined to be hated by unbelievers. Yet many Christian leaders, who later proved to be false Christians, have taken the path of destruction. As a result, many Christians have returned to slavery. The only thing that sets us free again and again is God’s Word.

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, 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. (vv. 14-16)

Even though one may claim to be a Christian, one is not truly a Christian without knowing and speaking the truth. It is essential to belong to a church where the truth is proclaimed and where there are people who can teach and guide you.

We are often misled by outward appearances—people in fine clothes, impressive church buildings, and large congregations. Pagans follow what shines before their eyes. That is why Jesus told the Jewish leaders that they were blind. They could see external things, yet they could not recognize the truth that stood before them.

So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. (vv. 17-19)

It is natural to be angry at those who spread lies about God, yet people often misinterpret this verse:

All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. (v.31)

However, Paul is referring to the sinful attitudes and evil deeds that characterise unbelievers. We no longer belong to that group, nor should we live as they do.

Some also say that we should forgive everyone indiscriminately. Yet we do not have the authority to excuse or overlook the evil committed by those who deceive others and lead them astray. Judgment belongs to God. While we are called to put away malice and personal vengeance, we must not call evil good or pretend that falsehood and corruption do not matter.

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (v.32)

Forgiveness is not ultimately in our hands. We can forgive only when God gives us the heart to do so. God grants forgiveness according to His will and mercy. Indeed, God forgave those who crucified Jesus and persecuted Christians because they were His children, even though they acted in ignorance.

We, too, sin in ignorance. Sometimes we do not realise that we have sinned. If we claim that we do not sin and become proud, we show that the truth is not in us. True Christians respond differently from unbelievers when they become aware of their sins. Rather than justifying themselves or hardening their hearts, they repent, confess their sins, and turn again to God.

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:34)

And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation. (Luke 11:4)

… 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, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory. (vv. 6-13)

Until Jesus Christ came and revealed the Father’s plan for the Kingdom, the Israelites believed that they alone were God’s chosen people. Christ was hated by the Jewish leaders because He revealed the true meaning of being “chosen.” Bloodline and genealogy, in themselves, have nothing to do with being chosen by God for salvation. Even King David’s lineage included Ruth, a Moabite woman.

Therefore, no one should be misled by claims that a person is chosen by God simply because of physical descent from Abraham. Abraham became the father of all believers because he was declared righteous through faith. That saving faith was not his own achievement but a gift from God.

Then he believed in the LORD; and He credited it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8)

Paul spent his entire Christian life explaining this truth. Yet many who claim to be Christians strongly oppose what he taught. They assert that God saves every human being and attempt to support their view by quoting Paul’s writings. However, this is a simple misinterpretation of his teaching.

Paul devoted much of his ministry to explaining that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, are saved by faith. His message was not that every individual without exception would be saved, but that salvation is granted by God’s grace through faith and is not limited to a particular nation, ethnicity, or bloodline. The inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation was one of the central themes of his ministry.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“All people” does not necessarily mean every individual who has ever been born on earth, but rather people from all groups—both Jews and Gentiles. Faith may appear to be a condition for salvation, yet faith itself is a gift from God. Therefore, we conclude that salvation ultimately depends on God’s choice and grace, not on human effort or lineage. Some are chosen for salvation, while others are not.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” (John 3: 17-21)

As I have written before, we do not know who is truly chosen by God and who merely claims to be chosen in order to deceive others. However, I know that I have been chosen, and that knowledge humbles me because I know that I have done nothing to deserve it.

The Reformed tradition teaches the doctrine of election. However, many people dislike what they do because they place too much emphasis on heritage, lineage, or belonging to their community. In doing so, they can create an exclusive culture of the “chosen” while missing the very point of God’s grace. Some in the Reformed denominations become hostile or prejudiced toward those of different ethnic, cultural, or social backgrounds. They may act as though others are beyond God’s salvation. In this way, a denomination becomes hypocritical, like the Jewish leaders. Nevertheless, we should not make final judgments about individuals. We do not know whether there are true believers—or those whom God will bring to faith—in any community. God knows His own people and will save them according to His purpose.

Yet Christianity is not ultimately about my salvation or your salvation; it is about the Kingdom of God. We should not speculate about things we have not seen with our own eyes. Instead, we believe what God has revealed in Scripture. We have heard of the Kingdom through the testimony of God’s Word. The Kingdom is not a product of human imagination or philosophical speculation. It is real. It has substance, reality, and fulfillment in Jesus Christ and in the promises of God.

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— (1 John 1:1)

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (vv. 20-21)

And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. (vv. 1-3)

Those who are not saints wake up in the morning and spend the whole day living for themselves. What they plan and what they do are centered on themselves. Their daily activities may not appear immoral. In fact, many people have high ethical standards and live according to the moral expectations of society. They pay taxes, help their communities, and care for others. Yet they are still considered sinful by God.

Why is this so?

We often think that sin is simply a matter of breaking the law. In one sense, this is correct. As Paul explains in Romans 7, sin is not recognized as sin apart from the law. However, the law ultimately reveals much more than moral standards. It reveals the knowledge of God. The law points to God’s love displayed through the cross of Christ, and its ultimate purpose is to lead us to the knowledge of God’s grand plan for His Kingdom. This knowledge is inseparable from faith, for we cannot truly believe in God without knowing Him.

Someone may claim that they have never broken the law and have lived a morally upright life. They have never harmed anyone. They work hard, serve their community, and help their neighbors. Yet if they do not possess the knowledge of God, they are still living in sin.

With this in mind, we can confidently say that there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Neither truly knew God. Through Jesus Christ, the knowledge of God has been revealed. For this reason, Jesus is called the Word and the Truth. Therefore, whoever possesses the knowledge of God and believes in Him is saved, because ignorance of God is itself part of humanity’s sinful condition. Those who remain spiritually blind will not be saved.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (vv. 14-18)

The ultimate goal is the Kingdom of God. And the church is the Kingdom as the sole bride of God. Christ is the cornerstone.

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (vv. 19-22)

For this reason, we reject any teaching that says we are still sinners despite our faith and knowledge of God. Receiving the Holy Spirit by grace, apart from any prior merit of our own, and believing in God testify that we are no longer sinners condemned to eternal damnation. We have been set free.

We uphold the law as children of God, not because we fear that we might fall from grace, but because we know God and love Him. Our obedience is not the obedience of slaves seeking acceptance, but of sons and daughters who have already been accepted through Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight. He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (vv. 3-14)

There have been many objections to the doctrine of predestination, but at its core, the disagreement stems from differing understandings of who God is. Many people grow up in church and form an image of God that does not fully align with what Scripture teaches. Instead, their understanding is often shaped in a way that seeks to comfort and please everyone.

A common view portrays God as one who forgives everyone, saves everyone, never becomes angry, and always desires earthly prosperity for us. In this view, He gives whatever we ask and protects us from all harm. While such an image may attract more people to Christianity, it is not a true representation of God.

Before one can properly understand predestination, one must first consider deeper questions: Why did God create the world, and why will He bring it to an end? Does God have complete control over all things? Does He ordain and accomplish His plans, or does He merely foresee events and respond to them?

Those who reject predestination often, whether intentionally or not, lean toward the idea of salvation by works. It is difficult to deny salvation by works while also rejecting predestination. Likewise, the concept of the active obedience of Christ can be misunderstood in a way that unintentionally supports a works-based view of salvation.

God created the world and humanity for His Kingdom, and all things unfold according to His purposes. When we witness the evil in the world—war, famine, rape, exploitation, violence, and suffering—it is natural to feel sorrow and even anger. Yet we must also acknowledge the limits of our understanding. We do not see the full picture. What we do know from the Bible is that God has promised a coming Kingdom where He will wipe away every tear, and where there will be no more death, suffering, or pain.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

In considering predestination, we must also recognise that it is not our role to determine who is predestined and who is not. Within the church, we are often surrounded by people who profess to be Christians, and this can lead to the assumption that we should associate only with fellow believers. This mindset can be particularly strong in some Reformed circles, where, in my view, predestination is sometimes misunderstood or misapplied.

The truth is, we do not know who is truly saved. Our unity is not grounded in a social or institutional identity, but in the Word of God and the work of the Spirit. It is through the Word that we come to know God, and it is the Spirit who unites us in truth.

There is only one true church, that is the invisible church.

In the end, it is not the church community itself that should be our primary focus, but the truth of God. Our faith must not be built on the visible community on earth, but on God Himself.

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 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, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (vv. 15-23)

I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we too are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. (vv. 2-4)

There are people who speak the truth—the truth of God. This truth is logical and upholds the law. It sets us free from sin and from the death caused by sin. There is no doubt that godly people speak the truth. When saints speak the truth, its power is mighty because it is God speaking through them. That power does not come from a position, a title, a university degree, or a profession. Saints rebuke, admonish, and encourage as the Holy Spirit leads. Most importantly, saints love God and His people.

Saints understand that they are often treated as unimportant in society. We remain humble and are not interested in making ourselves appear important. Yet we speak up when the truth is threatened, because it is our life.

Many churches face various issues, one of which may be sexual immorality. Saints rebuke such things, but their words are often ignored. They are accused of being hypocritical and lawbreakers.

No one is innocent before the law. Our past, present, and future sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ. However, this does not mean that we should live according to the flesh.

Do not ignore what the Bible says.

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9)

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (vv. 7-9)

In this chapter, Paul addresses the Corinthians with the tenderness of a gentle father, desiring the very best for his children and laboring in prayer day and night for their growth in holiness, that they may be found without blemish. This reflects the character of the Father Himself, who blesses us abundantly. The highest of all His blessings is the Kingdom of God, where we will dwell forever in imperishable bodies and incorruptible spirit.

Yet we must be instructed and prepared for that Kingdom. Through many sufferings, our faith is strengthened, like silver refined seven times in the fire. As the Word dwells within us, we too are refined—purified and shaped according to His will.

The words of the LORD are pure words; Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

There may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, selfishness, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances within your church. Though false believers stir up trouble and seek to draw the faithful away, the saints are, through such turmoil, being trained and strengthened, so that their faith may grow more steadfast.

The devil strove fiercely against Jesus Christ, even leading Him to death. Yet through Christ’s suffering and death, eternal life was secured for us. In this, it is made clear that the devil, though called the prince of this world, is ultimately powerless and destined to perish.

God is the author of the story in which we live, sovereign over all things and able to bring His purposes to pass. Even suffering—though its purpose is often hidden from us—works toward our good in the end. The death of Christ was a stumbling block and a deep sorrow to His disciples at the time, but later they understood, as the Holy Spirit opened their eyes.

Many in this world experience suffering and ask God for its reason. Yet our understanding is limited, and we do not always perceive His purposes. Still, nothing occurs without meaning. All things move toward their appointed end: the Kingdom of God. There, we come to know God truly as our Father—one who loves us and cares for us. Though our bodies may perish, His Word endures forever, and in Him we are made one with the Word.

And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God— this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Luke 23:50-52)

For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well! (v. 4)

Theology, although it sounds intelligent and sacred, has led many astray. The truth is in the Bible, not in men’s words. Many scholars have argued over many different theories, but in the end, only one is true—that is, God. So if anyone finds more pleasure in reading men’s words than God’s Word, that is not a good sign.

All false theology leads us back to slavery. However, freedom does not mean we do whatever we feel like doing. True freedom comes from understanding God’s Word. We become able to discern what is true and what is not through God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

God has established an educational system for us to learn about Him—that is, the visible church. However, not all visible churches are able to teach about God correctly. In fact, many have gone astray and preach what is not true. They preach incomplete grace, which is not grace at all, and salvation by works.

The reason I strongly oppose Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ is that they lead people back to slavery. I am convinced that they are not based on truth but were shaped by human needs at the time. Theologians developed these theories to rule over people on earth.

What we need to remember is that Paul the Apostle went through all those sufferings to free us from slavery. He did it because it was God’s will. By the power of God, he was able to carry out the duties given to him. He was also strengthened by the love of God and His people. Eternal life and the Kingdom of God kept him going, and the Holy Spirit gave him strength.

Paul is no longer with us in the body, just like many other saints. But we are united under one head—that is, Jesus Christ. We will meet all our family members one day, and we will see God face to face.

For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes advantage of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. (vv. 19-21)

There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:3-5)

I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I intend to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (vv. 2-6)

God knows that we need material things to live on earth. But this does not mean that Christians will never die of hunger. We all eventually die. Yet God provides what we need until our time on earth comes to an end.

Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (vv. 26-33)

Jesus Christ established the church so that visible churches might teach, admonish, and help those in need. However, many visible churches have abandoned this duty. For financial and political gain, they have forsaken the truth and speak lies about God and Christ. They try to please the public so that they may be loved by them. But such love is false. Evil people rejoice when they hear lies about God. They are not God’s people. They pursue what does not truly exist until the day they die. They boast of their ranks and positions in society and in the church, yet they are not interested in the truth, nor do they respect those who speak it. They pretend to help others, but their hearts are not right. Therefore, their deeds are not regarded as offerings to God. Instead, their actions serve only to cover up their evil nature. Many people fall for their lies and follow them.

On the other hand, true Christians spend their time, money, and effort preaching the gospel without any hint of falsehood. They do it out of true love that is from God. They do so because they have the true Teacher, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit interprets and guides us as we read the Bible. Throughout history, there have been countless brothers and sisters in the faith. We also learn from them through the Three Ecumenical Creeds and the Three Forms of Unity. Yet even if someone does not know these core Christian doctrines, the Spirit still teaches them through the Word of God.

The attitude of true Christians is to preach the gospel without conditions. The gospel was given to us free of charge—it is the pure grace of God that does not depend on conditions. Therefore, there is nothing in us to boast about.

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the domain which God assigned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other people’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our domain, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the domain of another. But the one who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (vv. 13-18)

So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness. (v. 5)

God does not eat or drink as we humans do. He does not require material things to fulfill His needs. Everything belongs to Him, and He is not in need of our offerings. Yet God allows us to experience what it is like to be in need. He also gives us the heart to share what we have with others who are in need. This spirit of sharing is rooted in agape—sacrificial love.

No one can truly say, “I have everything; I need nothing,” because life is full of unexpected turns. One day you may be comfortably living in your own house, and the next you may find yourself with nothing. When we go through difficult times, we ask for God’s mercy. He moves the hearts of others to help us. In the same way, by knowing what it is like to be in need, we learn to help others who are in need.

God has given me material things. They are entrusted to me, and I have the freedom to decide how to use them. However, we should be careful not to make vows impulsively. Sometimes, in a moment of emotion, people make promises they cannot keep. Some churches even turn such vows into snares, stirring emotions with loud music and pressure during gatherings. As a result, some people give away all their wealth to their churches while leaving their own families uncared for. Would God truly be pleased with such offerings?

If you have made a vow without understanding the consequences and later regret it, pray to God for forgiveness. God has plans for each person, and the vow you made may not be in line with His plan. God is merciful and will forgive you. And if there is a penalty to bear, you can accept it as a lesson and grow from it.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” (Acts 5:1-4)

The death of Ananias and Sapphira shows that there were Christians who did not truly know God. If they had genuine faith, they would have confessed their sin and asked for forgiveness. They were given an opportunity, but they rejected it. They trusted only in what they could see—the miracles of the apostles and their reputation. They did not truly believe that God existed and that He knew everything they did. This is the fate of false Christians.

Concerning vows to God, it is better not to make them. God knows our sinful nature and the cunning of our hearts. We can quickly change our minds when it benefits us.

Having been born into a family that followed the Roman Catholic Church, I have probably made many vows since my youth—some of which I no longer even remember. I have also made vows to God that I do not think I have kept. If a vow truly needs to be fulfilled, God will remind me of it and give me both the heart and the opportunity to carry it out. The most important thing is agape, sacrificial love. Life is a continual process of learning. God corrects my mistakes, rebukes me, and guides me onto the right path.

The law is not meant to enslave us but to teach us about God’s sacrificial love. We do not exist for visible churches; rather, we belong to the invisible church. If you have made a vow and feel that you must fulfill it, pray to God. He will either give you the ability and opportunity to fulfill it with willingness and joy or set you free from it. Still, it is wiser not to make vows in the first place, because of our limited understanding and our sinful nature.

Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin. (Matthew 5:33-37)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.” (vv. 9-15)

God is love, and He pours His love into our hearts so that we may share with others what we have first received from Him. Paul and the other apostles did not live for themselves; they devoted their time, strength, and even their bodies to proclaim the good news so that others might be saved. They cared for brothers and sisters who were suffering persecution and supported those in need.

Many Christians continue to share this love faithfully. Yet it is sorrowful to see that some churches are more concerned with constructing buildings than nurturing living faith. The church is not a structure we enter once or twice a week. It is the people of God. Too often believers are led to think that a church building is the temple of God, but Scripture teaches that God’s temple is our body, where the Holy Spirit dwells.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

This does not mean that the Holy Spirit physically resides in my physical body in a material sense. Rather, it means that through the Holy Spirit, God and I are united. We belong to Him, and He abides in us. In this way, we share a spiritual union that cannot be separated. There are theological terms that attempt to explain this mystery, but we do not need to master technical language to grasp its truth. This union is reflected in the passages about the Lord’s Supper and in John 17, where Jesus speaks of believers being one with Him as He is one with the Father.

What I am saying is that many churches seem more concerned with constructing impressive buildings to display the greatness of their community than with caring for the poor. They collect tithes and various kinds of “offerings,” often directing large sums toward construction projects. A healthy Christian community is indeed vital for spiritual growth. However, it is troubling when excessive amounts of money are spent on buildings while genuine needs go unmet. In such cases, it can appear as though they are building their own kingdom rather than serving God’s.

When churches focus heavily on fundraising for physical structures, many problems can arise—division, pressure, pride, and misplaced priorities. A physical building is not the temple of God.

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? (Luke 12:42)