Like a chestnut tree

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, namely, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. (vv. 1-2)

While they boasted of their knowledge and eloquent words, they had no discipline.

You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you! (1 Corinthians 4:8)

They allowed evil things to happen in their church. Even now, many churches permit immorality to run rampant without any form of correction. Church leaders pretend to take action—holding meetings, speaking with those involved, and so on—but in the end, no one is disciplined. They say we must love and forgive.

Sexual immorality and other crimes usually occur in secret. They are not exposed until someone brings the matter to light. Once revealed, both leaders and members often refuse to get involved. From their youth, they have been taught that the community must be protected from falling apart at all costs. In reality, there is no fear of God among them. God’s Word is trampled under their feet. All they care about is their fragile community—one that God will one day destroy with fire. This is because they have no understanding of God or His purposes. They speak of the Last Day and of judgment, yet they do not believe it. Instead, they malign and exploit others for their own gain and pleasure. It is no surprise that some religious leaders commit acts of sexual immorality or even crimes. Such deeds are hard to prove, for it is difficult to find two or three witnesses.

But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. (Matthew 18:16)

Only a few in the church of Corinth realized that something was terribly wrong. Their wisdom came from God. They reported the matter to Paul. While the church leaders were busy discussing theology and rules, the apostles, such as Paul, were praying to God day and night.

People judge by outward appearance, but God gives a new heart to His chosen. They may seem small and unimportant, yet their words carry power because their authority comes from God.

Many churches today are afraid to discipline or remove members because of money. They rely on funds to maintain their community and to pay ministers’ wages. But if such a system leads the church into temptation, it must be removed. Why do we need church buildings? Why can’t ministers have another job to earn their living?

God was righteous in closing the church doors through the pandemic, calling us to look back and repent.

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I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person. For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the evil person from among yourselves. (vv. 9-13)

Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. (v. 6)

The downfall of a church often begins with endless discussions about matters that God has not revealed in His Word. Likely influenced by Greek philosophy and the traditions of Judaism, the believers in Corinth began to follow the wisdom of men rather than the truth of God. Many within the church became confident in their own understanding, assuming they possessed the discernment to judge who was right and who was wrong. The abundance of teachers only fueled these divisions, turning edification into debate.

The early church was indeed a turbulent period, lacking the established confessional doctrines that later provided guidance and order. Yet even then, the true saints were able to discern the truth—not by human reasoning, but by the Holy Spirit, who leads the faithful into all truth.

For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. (vv. 15-17)

Many theologians and ministers today gain recognition and influence. They speak eloquently about God, write books, and appear in conferences and seminars. Yet not all of them truly know God. If they did, their hearts would be broken, and they would mourn in sackcloth over the spiritual decay that has overtaken churches throughout the world. The pulpits no longer proclaim the absolute grace of God. Instead, they teach distorted ideas about faith, salvation, and the law.

Much of this confusion arises from doctrines born of human reasoning, such as Covenant Theology and the so-called Active Obedience of Christ. These constructs insist that Adam was placed under a period of probation—a notion never found in Scripture. Some Reformers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, though zealous for truth, went beyond what God has revealed. Their hypotheses were built upon the Word of God, yet they drew conclusions that Scripture itself does not teach.

From the beginning, obedience was never the central issue. Adam’s disobedience merely revealed what he was—a creature without the divine knowledge that gives life. He was appointed as a steward of creation, endowed with wisdom, yet not with the wisdom of God. He did not truly understand his Creator. Would obedience alone have granted him eternal life? Certainly not. Such a theory is contrary to the testimony of Scripture. The mystery of Adam’s fall and Christ’s redemptive work is clearly explained in Romans 5: through one man came death, and through another came life. Obedience, therefore, is the fruit of rebirth in Christ, not the means to attain it. True obedience flows from being one with God—expressed not only in actions, but in a heart and mind transformed by the knowledge of His will.

In this present age, God is testing the words of men. Those who depend on law and deeds will be exposed as false, for faith comes only from the knowledge that God Himself imparts. To some, He has graciously opened their eyes to behold who He is—through Jesus Christ, the living Word, who has revealed the hidden mystery of God.

Those who uphold the doctrine of the Active Obedience of Christ often place undue emphasis on the law. Nearly all Reformed churches follow this teaching, yet they fail to uphold righteousness within their own communities. They profess to honour the law, but they do not keep it. This is a sign of a church in decline—just as Paul described in 1 Corinthians 5, where moral corruption was tolerated among believers.

Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power. For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power. What do you desire? That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness? (vv. 18-21)

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (vv. 5-9)

You may have noticed that I have not quoted the words of theologians. True understanding of God’s Word comes only as it is granted by God Himself. Yet, because of our fallen nature, we are inclined to exalt men rather than worship God. I cannot understand why, in so many churches, the words of men are esteemed above the Word of God. Theologians and ministers are unashamed to call certain men “great thinkers,” as though their insight arose from their own intellect and study, rather than from the wisdom of God.

But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. (1 Samuel 8: 6-7)

People often quote Luther, Calvin, and other theologians to defend their positions. Yet we must remember that they were but men—imperfect and limited. The mystery of the Kingdom of God is not grasped through human reasoning, but by the Word of God revealed through the Holy Spirit. No matter how eloquently one may explain it, the truth remains hidden until God Himself opens the eyes of the heart by His Word and Spirit.

When God grants knowledge, it does not remain as mere knowledge. It nourishes the soul, shapes the person, and inevitably bears fruit in the works of God. The believer’s deeds are thus inseparably bound to God’s own work. And when the final reward is given, it will not be on account of what we have done of ourselves, but because God has worked in us and through us.

Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.” So then, no one is to be boasting in people. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (vv. 18-23)

And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God. (vv 1-5)

Paul wrote the majority of the letters in the New Testament. Many approach his writings from an academic perspective, noting his learning and unique background compared to the other apostles. Perhaps this was part of the problem in the Corinthian church. Because Paul had been a Pharisee, trained in the Law, and highly educated, some were inclined to esteem him on that basis. Yet Paul himself insists that his authority did not rest upon his background or intellectual achievements, but upon the message of the cross of Jesus Christ, whom he had not known during His earthly ministry.

False teachers have often insisted that Paul preached salvation by works, but Scripture makes clear that he did no such thing. In this very chapter, Paul distinguishes between those who possess the Spirit of God and those who do not. Salvation rests not on human effort but on the eternal plan of God. Christ was ordained to die for His people before the foundation of the world; He was not sent merely to offer humanity a possibility of redemption, dependent on their willingness to respond. Rather, He came to accomplish the redemption of His chosen people through His blood.

… but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (vv. 7-8)

Thus, the wisdom of God is given only to those whom He calls, and it is the Holy Spirit who grants understanding. This indwelling of the Spirit is never earned by human merit or good works; rather, it is a gift of grace. The Scriptures testify that many sinners repented, not because they were better than others, but because the Spirit of God opened their hearts to believe.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner!” (Luke 7:39)

Had the Holy Spirit indwelt Caiaphas or Pilate, the crucifixion of Christ might not have taken place in the manner ordained. Yet the death of Jesus was decreed from eternity, and so both religious and political authorities, in their blindness, rejected Him. Multitudes followed their lead, though by the power of the Holy Spirit some later turned in repentance. This shows that without true knowledge and understanding, no one can confess genuine faith—for such knowledge is not discovered by human reason, but granted through the wisdom of God. Paul grasped this truth deeply, as does every believer who has been anointed with the Spirit.

We must never forget that the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ began with His public anointing by the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit now opens the hearts of sinners, imparts wisdom from above, and enables the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)

You are not a Christian because church leaders have approved you, nor because you attend services on Sundays or own a Bible in your home. You are a Christian only because God has granted you understanding and faith in His Son.

Many false Christians busy themselves with religious activity, yet have no desire for the truth. They join churches for the comfort of belonging, enjoying the benefits of a supportive community. While kindness and mutual help are commendable, such things alone do not make a true Christian fellowship. A genuine church must be built upon the truth of Christ, for without truth there can be no true communion in the Spirit.

After the resurrection of Christ, visible churches were established and grew rapidly. Yet with that growth came many struggles concerning doctrine and truth. It is for this reason that the New Testament letters were written—to instruct, correct, and guard the people of God in the knowledge of Christ.

Paul unceasingly emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit throughout his letters. Again and again, he reminds the church that apart from the Spirit there is no life, no wisdom, and no true faith. His words call us even now to open our eyes and discern what is taking place within the churches today.

But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (v. 14)

To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (vv. 2-3)

God chose to create a partner for Himself, and so He made the world. This partner is called the Church. She needed to be trained and nurtured, and God has refined her through sufferings. In the end, the Church will know, understand, and love her Husband. She will see Him face to face, and He will wipe away her tears.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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 21:1-4)

The most important part of our training is learning to discern what is true and what is not. The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide and teach us. By our own nature, we can only judge by what we see and hear, and at times we may be deceived. Yet, even when we are fooled, we eventually come to recognize what is true. Many false teachers disguise themselves as angels of light.

All the letters written by the Apostles were addressed to the chosen people of God, yet they were sent to visible churches where false believers were also present. These messages were meant to guide and instruct the saints who lived among false believers—those who sought to corrupt and destroy their churches. When false believers harm the church, they do more than cause division through gossip; they attack the sound doctrines of Christianity itself.

Today, most churches no longer uphold these sound doctrines. Instead, the saints are often treated as if they are the ones destroying the church. This is exactly what happened in ancient Israel: the prophets were considered threats to the nation and were persecuted. Churches now exist almost everywhere, and not many nations persecute them. It may appear to be a peaceful time for the church, but the irony is that true saints are being forced to leave, shaking the dust off their feet, because churches have become places not for Christians, but for false Christians.

Christianity has become a religion for philosophers—people who enjoy quoting Greek thinkers and their followers. People chase after ideas, not after Jesus Christ. The same problem existed in the church at Corinth, where people wanted to appear wise by discussing things they did not truly understand.

Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” or “I am with Cephas,” or “I am with Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (vv. 12-13)

The church in Corinth was turning Christianity into a religion of philosophers. Paul therefore reminded them that faith does not come from human ideas but rests entirely on God’s grace.

For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no human may boast before God. But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (vv. 26-31)

In the world, I try to be smart and to look smart, but those efforts are ultimately empty. God does not count worldly wisdom as true wisdom. That truth became even clearer when I was diagnosed with incurable cancer. I still strive to do my work well and to live peaceably with others, but I no longer see much point in pursuing greatness for its own sake. I simply do my job diligently and accept my wages, because I know this world is not the end.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)

We must remember that without Jesus Christ, we are not children of God. He Himself is our grace and peace. Therefore, the core doctrines of Christianity are the Trinity, along with the nature, person, and work of Jesus Christ.

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

I’ve been writing on this blog for some time, and my understanding of the Gospel has remained the same. The word Gospel means “good news.” While people may have different ideas about what is good, in Christianity this good news is the promise of free salvation. At first, faith might seem like a condition for receiving that salvation, but even faith itself is a gift from God.

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

Everyone whom God has chosen will hear this good news in one way or another—and they will be saved. Yet we do not know who these people are. What we do know is that each believer confesses that God sent Jesus Christ to save the world, and God knows who belong to Him.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

God has given us a system on earth to learn about Him—the visible church. We see church buildings and people who call themselves Christians. The visible church teaches about God, but it is only a shadow of the real church—the invisible church. Everyone who belongs to the invisible church is saved. The church is the bride of Jesus Christ. God created Adam and Eve with this purpose in mind. From the very beginning, He has been revealing His plan. The ultimate goal is His Kingdom.

There are many visible churches around the world, but not many truly teach the Gospel. In fact, many of them enslave people. They have chosen the path of the Pharisees who persecuted Christ and His church.

The reason I write on this blog is to share what I have come to realize: God is angry at the churches of this world. They no longer preach the good news but spread lies. The Reformation was beautiful, yet the Reformers were not perfect. What we suffer today is, in part, the result of the errors they made.

The first error was believing that the new covenant was merely a continuation of the old covenant. They did not understand the difference. Because of this, they concluded that Jesus Christ had to keep the law perfectly in order to impute righteousness to us – the Active Obedience of Christ. They made the new covenant conditional—thus, grace was no longer grace.

The second error was their desire to make Christianity a religion for everyone. They dreamed of building Christian nations. But Christianity was never meant to be a mass religion; it has always been for a relatively small group of people. In trying to make everyone in their nations Christian, they compromised the Gospel. Ironically, those who call themselves “Christian nations” now stand at the forefront of persecuting true Christians. They mock and ridicule those who speak the truth. Everyone thinks they understand Christianity, yet few actually read the Bible and understand it. And this, too, fulfills the prophecy.

Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
“You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have become insensitive,
And with their ears they hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’ (Acts 28:24-27)

In 2017, I was led to see the abominations within the new church that separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century. The most troubling teachings are Covenant Theology and the doctrine of the Active Obedience of Christ. They are not from Calvin. These errors left the separation—the Reformation—only half-finished. Today, both Reformed churches and the Roman Catholic Church proclaim the same message: conditional salvation.

Churches that proudly claim to speak the truth and insist they are the true church do not understand the Gospel. This realization made me both angry and sorrowful. And the disease seems incurable. I do not yet know if it is God’s will to let the churches of this age die so that true Christians might be freed. Like birds trapped in a slave house—freed, yet too weak to fly over the fence—many Christians perish within the confines of that house. This is also to fulfil the prophecy:

Nevertheless I must go on My journey today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside Jerusalem. (Luke 13:33)

What we must hold on to until the end is this one truth: grace is grace. Grace is not conditional.

This raises the question of how we should understand such unconditional grace. Yet false Christians love to argue about things they will never truly grasp. It often feels like a waste of time to explain to them how Christ’s death fulfilled the law.

At times, I even think it is a blessing not to have grown up in a Reformed church—or in any church at all. From a young age, many are immersed in complex theologies and doctrines, and when they are shown what the Bible actually teaches, they reject it. They believe they know the truth, yet they know nothing. In the end, they return to the slave house.

However, for those who come to see what is wrong, that early education can become a blessing. It helps them understand what the churches are doing wrong—and why God is angry.

Keeping the law as a means to gain salvation—as shown in the conditional covenant—has no place in the new covenant. Yes, Christ accomplished the work needed to save us. Some may call this fulfilling a condition. But we do not say our salvation comes from the works of the law. Salvation is a free gift. Old is old and gone. New is new.

We do not boast that we chose to believe in God, because even faith itself is not from us—it is the gift of God. People hate grace because they do not understand it.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

“I know that You can do all things,
And that no plan is impossible for You.
‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.
‘Please listen, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,
And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.” (vv. 2-6)

How can we repent if we do not understand what we have done wrong? How can we repent unless someone tells us what we have done wrong? This chapter begins with Job’s repentance. God never pointed out any wrongdoing in Job’s actions. Job’s friends rebuked him for alleged evil actions, which they could not prove. They merely assumed that Job must have committed some evil deeds to deserve such disasters. Job did not do anything wrong. But he needed education.

It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has. (v. 7)

God simply illustrated that He is one and only God who created all things. Is there any reason to doubt who He is? The concept of righteousness originates from God. And we humans doubt and judge God’s righteousness. How ridiculous! Job suddenly realises this and repents. We are made fearful and wonderful by God. Yet, we are not equal to God.

There is one who is equal to God, Jesus Christ. Although He was born as a human, He is from above.

And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.” Then they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I even been saying to you from the beginning? I have many things to say and to judge regarding you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I say to the world.” They did not realize that He was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” As He said these things, many came to believe in Him. (John 8:23-30)

The only begotten Son of God became human like us. He humbled Himself. Evil people accused Him of breaking the law, even though He is the law. He died for us to pay the ransom. We were born as slaves but were bought at a price. We no longer serve God as slaves but as His children. Were Adam and Eve children of God? No, their sin was not forgiven, for they had been made as slaves. They were once servants of God but sold themselves to the devil.

A true understanding of Total Depravity does not assert that Adam and Eve were holy and righteous before eating the forbidden fruit. Holiness and righteousness belong to God alone. They were not equal to God. They thought they were as great as God and therefore decided to rebel against Him.

It is sad to see that Total Depravity is understood literally without understanding what the Bible teaches. Adam and Eve did not have a probation period. Eternal life was not promised as a reward for their obedience to God’s command. Slaves do not become children by works.

The Book of Job addresses a profoundly important question: Are we equal to God in our own right? The answer is no. The key lies in knowledge. Job did not even realise that he lacked such knowledge. Knowledge is power. Where was Job when God created the world?

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, … (Job 38:4)

After Job’s repentance, his wealth was restored. The final chapter of the Book of Job is often quoted as a testimony of God’s goodness, with readers praising Him for the apparent happy ending. Yet one may ask: what if Job had not received material blessings at the end? Would that absence of restoration imply that God is evil? Even without renewed material wealth, Job died content because of his hope in the promise of God’s kingdom.

In reality, most readers would be reluctant to engage with the Book if Job’s story ended with sickness and poverty, for we are deeply preoccupied with material prosperity. Indeed, material resources are important for a comfortable life. Every few hours, we require food; after long hours of work, we require rest. All of us, to varying degrees, desire financial security and the social recognition that often accompanies it. Wealth can make the world appear beautiful and full of opportunities, and God is aware of these human inclinations.

Nevertheless, we must ask ourselves why Jesus chose to be born in poverty and to live without financial abundance. His life challenges us to reconsider our fixation on material wealth and to place our ultimate hope in something far greater.

The most profound mystery was revealed when Jesus Christ came. God graciously shares all things with those whom he chose before the foundation of the world. In order to deepen our understanding of God, He allows us to experience disasters and hardships. Yet God gives us the strength to endure and overcome. Days of depression and troubling thoughts often persist, yet at times we awaken renewed. Thus, we persevere until God calls us.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:16-17)

Nothing on earth is like him,
One made without fear.
He looks on everything that is high;
He is king over all the sons of pride. (vv. 33-34)

They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it? (Revelation 13:4)

We live on this earth as if we were going to live forever, but our life is limited.

Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years. (Genesis 6:3)

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is only trouble and tragedy;
For it quickly passes, and we disappear. (Psalm 90:10)

When Covid struck the world in 2020, I often heard ministers say, “Don’t be afraid. God is in full control.” Others claimed that God was testing their faith. Some churches even defied their local and central governments by gathering to worship on Sundays. If they had understood that God was angry at churches for preaching lies and enslaving people, they would not have done so. Instead, they rebelled against God, refused to repent, and resisted the civil government to which God had given authority.

God is indeed in full control of everything—even the devil. The devil acts only within the bounds of God’s plan. And the end of that plan is the Kingdom of God. The Book of Job addresses many of these deep questions.

Has God created evil? If not, is the devil self-made? And if self-made, does that make the devil another god equal to God? This chapter answers clearly: God created both light and darkness.

Can God be deceived by the devil? No. Everything unfolds exactly as God has planned.

The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these. (Isaiah 45:7)

How can God, who is only light and goodness, create evil? This is a philosophical question, and many have spent endless time discussing it in vain. Like children, we simply understand that God created all things for His purpose. We do not argue about it. God will fulfill what He has promised, and we patiently endure by the power of the Spirit.

When we live in darkness, we do not understand light. But when light comes, we then recognize what darkness truly is.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-2)

However, there are people who choose to remain in darkness because they do not love the light. This is not something we can persuade them out of. God has appointed some to be saved, while others are not. This is according to His plan. We do not yet know the reason, and it is meaningless to question it. If you love the light, you follow the light. If you hate it, you reject it. The light, as every Christian knows, is Jesus Christ. To know and believe in Him is eternal life and the Kingdom of God.

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. (Isaiah 9:2)

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. (John 1:4-5)

Adorn yourself with pride and dignity,
And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
Let out your outbursts of anger,
And look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him.
Look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him,
And trample down the wicked where they stand.
Hide them together in the dust;
Imprison them in the hidden place.
Then I will also confess to you,
That your own right hand can save you. (vv. 10-14)

We often act like God, boasting about our knowledge, health, wealth, and more, as if we made ourselves. Yet, we know nothing. Our judgments are full of errors. We only learn when God reveals what we have done wrong—and even then, our arrogant hearts often reject His rebuke. We try to find fault in God, stubbornly resisting Him.

In this chapter, God graciously reminds us of who we truly are—foolish and hypocritical. We rebuke God to make ourselves appear mightier than Him. In our hearts, we dream of rebellion, just as Adam did.

I want you to remember that Adam and Eve sinned before they ate the forbidden fruit. Their fault is not in their deed but in their hearts. They had no trust in God and no love for Him. Our salvation does not depend on our actions. However, theologians and ministers have no understanding. They preach Adam could earn eternal life by external obedience. God never promised Adam eternal life in exchange for obedience to His command. But that is what theologians and ministers preach. Adam’s fall happened naturally because he was not given the knowledge of God’s plan – His plan for the Kingdom through His only begotten Son, which can only be learned through suffering. Adam or Eve did not have the Holy Spirit. Adam and Eve were not like Jesus Christ. However, churches are full of Adam-worshippers. The Renaissance was a movement to praise mankind, not God. The worship of Greek gods and philosophers reveals what truly dwells in our hearts.

In both Adam’s and Job’s cases, calamity came because they needed to be taught. Such knowledge cannot be gained through words alone—it must be learned through suffering. In the same way, we face turmoil in our own lives for the sake of that knowledge. We may wish to avoid suffering, yet the truth remains: knowledge is never given without it. This does not mean we should inflict suffering, but when it comes, we pray to God for the strength to overcome it.

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 from the dead. And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but on man’s.” And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:31-38)

Christ suffered for us not because He lacked knowledge of God, but as our leader, He suffered so that we could endure our own sufferings and come to understand God.

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. (John 16:33)

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. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Because God has made her forget wisdom,
And has not given her a share of understanding. (v.17)

God continues to speak about His knowledge and power in this chapter. We must remember that the main focus of this book is righteousness.

Do you think this is in accordance with justice? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’ (Job 35:2)

While people boast about their good deeds, they commit injustice by thinking their righteousness is greater than God’s. You and I are no exceptions. We judge God every day, thinking, “I would do it differently,” or, “This is unfair. I’d punish those evil people if I were God.”

Indeed, God will punish those who commit injustice at the appointed time. We have no right to judge Him. We are mere creatures who understand little. We judge by what we see, hear, and touch—and even that information is often inaccurate. We form our own judgments according to our limited knowledge and experience. This is why God keeps asking us, “Do you know?” If God wanted to, He could wipe us out right now. But because of His promise and His love for us, God endures our foolishness.

Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the deer? (v. 1)

For God, knowledge is not what we understand. Our knowledge is merely information that humans gather from external sources—He is the Creator of all things. He planned and designed everything.

People often think science is contrary to Christianity, but that is far from the truth. Because of science, we can now grasp concepts that were once beyond our comprehension. It is fascinating to see how invisible organisms act and function in an orderly manner. Even harmful mutations, like cancer cells, still carry out what God has ordained them to do.

So where is boasting? Where does our knowledge come from? How can we claim to be greater than God when we know nothing? We possess knowledge only when God teaches us and gives us understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. (Romans 3:21-27)

Only God is righteous—and so are those whom God has made His children. We become righteous through faith in Christ because Christ is the embodiment of God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Christ is the Word and the Truth. Outside the invisible church, no one is righteous, because God designed it that way. The invisible church is the Kingdom where God rules His people.

This is not a hard science where one must gather information, analyze it, and draw a conclusion. It is a simple message—yet so many do not understand it. Job’s sufferings were necessary for him to grasp this truth: there is no one righteous other than God. We are made righteous because we become one with Him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Faith is not a tool or a method to become righteous; it is the defining characteristic of the saints. All saints believe in God and in Jesus Christ.

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)

Faith is a gift from God. Therefore, no one can say, “I made myself righteous by believing in God.” From the very beginning, humans did not possess faith—not even Adam and Eve. So how can anyone say, “I am saved by my faith”?

If faith is a gift from God (and it is), then it is absurd to claim that anyone has earned it through works. Sinless Adam and Eve did not have faith, so how could a sinful human produce anything good—such as faith—unless it were given by God?

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10).