Like a chestnut tree

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is! For brothers to live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (v. 2)

All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (vv. 12-16)

In my opinion, the letter to the Galatians has the most logical flow among all Paul’s letters. Or it may be that the Galatians still have much relevance to today’s issues in churches. Paul admitted using human terms/arguments to explain the mysteries of God to persuade people in other letters. But I see little of that used in this letter. It is compact, clear, and straightforward. It is easy to see what was in Paul’s minds. There is no trace of the Covenant Theology or the Active Obedience of Christ.

As always, the conclusion or the summary is the most important. In this chapter, Paul talks about love among the saints. Love is the foundation of the kingdom of God. Paul seems to refer this love as the law of Christ to distinguish it from the Mosaic Law that condemns. Paul repeatedly connected this love with Christ’s death on the cross.

Paul never says that Adam could have saved all mankind if he had kept God’s command in the garden of Eden. Instead, he talks about new creation through Christ. The new creation could never be achieved through Adam.

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (v.15)

He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:18)

Those who support the Active Obedience of Christ (AOC) say that the idea can be found in Luther and Calvin. Both were educated under the Roman Catholic system. There may be a trace of the heretical teaching by the Roman Catholic scholars in their writings. But I am confident that both have not written anything that would weaken Christ’s work on the cross. Christians have been criticized for being antinomians by the legalists. Although the saints uphold the Law, we sometimes overly emphasize the Law to avoid such criticism. There are always people who misinterpret the freedom and indulge in sins within churches. The letters in the NT rebuke and admonish people in churches who are prone to fall into temptations. This does not mean our salvation depends on our works.

Those who follow the Covenant Theology (CT) believes that Christ came to fulfill a condition. And by His works, that condition was met. They conclude that Adam also had to meet a condition in the garden of Eden. They say that Adam had to work to earn eternal life. This theory lacks the understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.  It is true that the Son came for a purpose. For that purpose, the Son did everything commanded by the Father. But it is important to know that the Father provided everything for the Son to achieve the goal of making the kingdom. It is because the Father has the unconditional love for His Son. The Father’s glory is the Son’s glory and vice versa. The Son is one with the Father. If God puts a condition to reach a goal and meets the condition by HIMSELF, it is more appropriate to say that God has planned and fulfilled it. The word “condition” is used unnecessarily to distort the true nature of the Covenant of Grace. It is not the works that fulfill but the one who does the works. The nature of the covenant (or promise) between the Father and the Son is unconditional love. Adam was a shadow of Christ, but he was not like Christ. God tested him and he failed because of the nature of the relationship between the Father and Adam was not like that between the Father and the Son. Therefore, Adam needed Christ in the garden of Eden. By his works, he could achieve nothing. But Adam thought he was like God as we read Ezekiel 26-28.

The Father and the Son are united in love. God invites us to that relationship by being united with the Son. The conditional covenants exist for us to seek Christ. This is where the Federalism fails. There is no love in their theories. There are only the Law, sin, and punishment. When they use the word, love (or grace), it feels out of place. Their god tests, punishes, and saves to show his love and grace when he could have helped Adam and saved all mankind according to their theory. Their god deliberately promoted Adam’s disobedience. And their god delights in punishing and watching people suffering. They keep saying God inevitably punishes because He is just. They long for the garden of Eden without suffering. Then why did God give Adam a test that he could not overcome? The churches have become a place where people are beaten by the Law, feel guilt, fear, and work for salvation.

I have had a few opportunities to talk about the Covenant Theology with a few ministers. One graduated from the Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. I was shocked when he said the saints do not become better than angels at the end. I challenged him with 1 Peter 1:12. Then he changed his words and said that we become a little better than the angels. I could see that he learnt theology by books not through the words of God. If God does not give us more than Adam received in the garden of Eden, we can only conclude that Adam’s failure happened accidentally without a purpose. Adam’s failure teaches us how stupid we are without being united with God through the Spirit. But the Son of God is also the Son of Man with the Spirit, different from Adam. Only through Christ, the saints can become adopted children of God and live forever. We will never fall again. God gave Adam the test that he could not overcome so that we would wait for Christ. Adam’s failure leads us to seek adoption through Christ.

The Covenant Theologians have confused people and led them to salvation by works. They say that God was angry because Adam failed to keep His command. They emphasize on the Adam’s failure and beautify Adam and his life in the garden of Eden. With their theory, there is little understanding concerning why God made the world in the first place and why the saints become adopted children of God through Christ. In their theory, the depth of God’s love is shallow. The kingdom is rarely mentioned because they love to return to the garden of Eden. Their god appears to intervene only when men accidentally fail out of his control because he did not prevent Adam from failing. In addition, they made Adam equal to Christ and made him the only head of all covenants in the Bible. They say there are two covenant heads – Adam and Christ. But they see Adam has determined the fate of Christ, thus superior to Christ. They see Christ as a mere problem solver.

The AOC supports the CT because the theory sees that all God care is obedience to His commands, the Law. It sees that the demise of mankind is because of Adam’s disobedience. The CT and the AOC shift the focus from love shown on the cross to the Law. With the CT and the AOC, it is difficult to explain why God saves only some out of all mankind. They assume that there was a possibility of Adam to succeed and gain eternal life by his own obedience, which means all mankind could have been saved because of his obedience. However, God, who does not change, saves only a certain number of people. This indicates that Adam never had the ability or possibility to save all mankind by his obedience. Besides, the Bible never mentions of the probation period that the Covenant Theologians believe.

The AOC and the CT see that the cross is only for forgiveness of sins. The Covenant Theologians have failed to connect Christ’s resurrection with the saints’ eternal life. Paul and other apostles have repeatedly emphasized the importance of the cross.

My conclusion is that those theories were made in attempt to weaken Christ’s work on the cross. And those who nullify the power of the cross need to read the Bible again.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (vv. 18-23)

Paul was strongly against the circumcision group because they supported salvation by works. God does not approve of someone because of his/her works. If so, there is no grace. Grace is full, complete, and unchangeable. However, many Christians believe that they need 99% of grace and 1 % of works to be saved. Grace is always 100%. Anyone who received mercy and love from God through Christ is under 100% grace. This person inevitably produces good works because of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians think that good works must be shown outside and be recognizable to others as a proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

When Christianity become a national religion, and when there is no distinction between the civil government and church, the church authorities define and impose their version of a holy life on people. The consequence is false piety and pride. And that is what happened in the 17^th century England. The USA was built by the Puritans who were not afraid of murdering people and stealing others’ lands and properties in America. They did them because they were not true Christians. Yet, they went to church every Sunday and were fed the false sense of salvation by church authorities. In their own eyes, they were holy and just, were chosen by God, and were saved. They thought they were superior to the gentiles who had not heard of God. Rather than leading them to the Bible, they mistreated them and committed crimes. Thus, those gentiles mocked God. At present, there is a growing movement in previously colonized nations to reject Christianity.

You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written. (Romans 2:23-24)

Her mother country, the Great Britain, was equally bad if not worse. The current turmoil and strife in the world can be traced back to those Christian nations (including other European nations) who colonized other nations and killed people around the world. Those Protestants were no different from the Roman Catholics who persecuted Muslims for not following the religion during the Crusades. What the church authorities were really after was money as we find it in the church history. One cannot be forced to believe in God. Faith is the gift from God. Yet, they acted treacherously against the words of God. False Christians often think they are the Israelites in the OT and are given the authority to kill people for their unbelief. Their misinterpretations and misunderstandings of the OT are still present strongly within churches because ministers and theologians have chosen people (more precisely, money) over God. Many Christians appear to believe that their governments need to support Christianity. While they say that everyone needs to live according to the Bible, I doubt that they are living a holy life. Churches around the world tolerate both spiritual and physical adulteries well. Ministers speak lies about God at the pulpit. Sexual crimes committed by church leaders appear on the news on a regular basis.

When reading verses 19 to 23, one may think he/she can produce the fruit of the Spirit by works. One might say, “I have the Holy Spirit. I will try to produce good works.” The truth is that even reborn Christians do the deeds of the flesh everyday. Even though we wake up in the morning and renew our desires to produce the fruit of the Spirit written in verses 22 and 23, we go to sleep at night thinking we have done more deeds of the flesh than producing the fruit of the Spirit. It is true that the Spirit produces only good works. It is not that we are not made perfect in the sight of God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are perfect as we are, not because we do anything good from our own initiatives. We are perfect because we know that there is nothing good in us from the beginning. Adam was born as a slave. Yet, God made us His children. Nothing can make us fall again. If God had made the requirements of our salvation as 99% of grace and 1% of works, none of us would fulfill that 1 %. Salvation requires 100% grace. For that, we rejoice. We are like those beggars who were invited to the banquet written in Luke 14:16-24.

But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, because everything is ready now.’ And yet they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I purchased a field and I need to go out to look at it; please consider me excused.’ And another one said, ‘I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ And another one said, ‘I took a woman as my wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here those who are poor, those with disabilities, those who are blind, and those who are limping.’ And later the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and the hedges and press upon them to come in, so that my house will be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my dinner.’”

There are many Christians who refuse to believe that their good works are meaningless and even evil. They think they need some help from God to achieve salvation. When they are told their works do nothing, they get angry. They think they can produce more good works, get holier everyday, and receive better rewards than others at the end. Hence, they reject Christ of the Bible. They believe in their version of Christ, an anti-Christ. Even though one is grown up learning the Reformed doctrines and have vast knowledge on theology, he/she eventually refuse 100% grace if not reborn. Only those who are truly reborn by the Holy Spirit understand 100% grace.

Luther’s last words are believed to be “We are beggars, this is true”. Despite his theological errors and pride, he was a reborn Christian if he meant 100% grace in those words. And I believe he was a reborn Christian. The new covenant promises the Law written in our hearts. We put our hope in God’s faithfulness to the covenant He has established through Christ. We are perfect although we think we are not. We are perfect because we believe in God.

“For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. (vv. 1-2)

… 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 8:17)

There are so many important truths written in chapter 4. It would take hours, if not days, to explain the core Christian doctrines written here. But I’d like to focus on one thing, that is our adoption as children of God. If one truly understands this adoption, he/she will not fall into false doctrines.

In verses 1 and 2, Paul speaks of the divine election. The Father does not choose sons out of slaves. He does choose sons neither by foreseeing what they would become in future nor by examining their actions. He already knows who His sons are before they are born. However, until the appointed time, the children are no different from slaves, meaning they go through the elemental things of the world.

So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world. (v.3)

Paul emphasizes again here that salvation is not just by Christ alone but also by the Holy Spirit. Adoption is not possible without the Holy Spirit.

Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” (v.6)

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, …  (Titus 3:5)

Everything Christ did on the earth was focused on the making of the priestly kingdom of God. And the adoption is in the center of the kingdom. Many Christians want to believe that Adam was a son of God or an adopted son of God. But he did not have what a son of God must have – the divine wisdom that makes him know, understand, believe, and love God. Adam’s true status, a mere slave who does not know the Master’s business, became evident when he ate the forbidden fruit. Disobedience came because Adam was not a son of God. Adam did not have the Holy Spirit.

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

God does not only want people who obey Him but also, more importantly, understand, know, believe, and love Him. Therefore, we must be careful when we interpret the word, obedience, in the Bible. God’s ultimate goal of creating people is not just obedience to Him. Obedience, like any good works, is only a consequence of the new relationship with God.  

Therefore, it is absurd to say that Christ had to keep the Law perfectly (obey God’s commands) to gain righteousness for His church. Christ did not come to keep the Law but to fulfill it. What the Law truly requires is the adoption through God’s grace, mercy, and love. That adoption Christ fulfilled on the cross.

The Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ has many different theories because it was born out of human needs, not according to the truths written in the Bible. Many Christians struggle to understand them because the Bible speaks against them. Those doctrines focus on men’s salvation from men’s point of view. They lack in richness that the true gospel brings through the words of God. They were born because some evil people wanted to bring people back to slavery. I do not doubt that God will forgive those who spoke and wrote in ignorance. But now that God has started the third reformation, the doctrines must go. The church era is ending.

Do not worship churches or church authorities. But like the Galatians, many people in churches want to hold onto them, think that they would bring salvation. Without knowing God, there is no salvation because God gives every child His Spirit. And the Spirit testifies through the words of God that righteousness is NOT rooted in the Law because we are children of God, not slaves.

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)

If our righteousness is based on the keeping God’s commands, our adoption is conditional, not unconditional. As the relationship between the Son and the Father is based on the unconditional love, our relationship with the Father must be the same. It is the Spirit who teaches and nurtures us so that we become good children of God. Obedience comes naturally, not by some strange doctrines.

And you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so it is even now. But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:28-31)

The reason why I have been tireless criticizing the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ (AOC) is because they have opened the door to work-based salvation. They have led people back to slavery. The AOC, in particular, can lead either legalism or antinomianism. There is no middle ground. Besides, it started from Anselm’s heretical teaching.

From 2016, I have been shown that people are ignorant, and they are going back to Egypt in my dreams. I hardly had any knowledge on theology or the church history back then. But God has made me know His concerns and write them.

The church era is ending. Hold onto the true gospel. Do not be like the Galatians who went back to slavery.

So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4:16)

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (vv 2-3)

When interpreting verses 2 and 3, some people without understanding say that we must decide to believe in God to obtain the Holy Spirit. They insist that the first step of our salvation is from our own initiatives. However, Paul wrote that faith is the gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, we must not interpret verses 2 and 3 literally. Here, Paul is contrasting the Law to faith. Throughout his letters, we find that Paul’s idea of the Law is related to death while the Spirit gives eternal life.

For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM.” Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “THE PERSON WHO PERFORMS THEM WILL LIVE BY THEM.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (vv 10-14)

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it, killed me. So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. (Romans 7:9-13)

It is not that the Law is evil. Adam, our representative, chose the satan over God. From then on, we are dead. And the Law reveals that we are sinners. Even if some of us do not know the Law, we do not escape God’s judgments as Romans 1:20 explains. Paul tells us that righteousness that the saints receive from God is not based on the Law. The Covenant theologians claim that Adam had the Law in the garden of Eden and kept it perfectly until he ate the forbidden fruit. They say that Adam could have obtained eternal life as reward if he had kept it till the end of the probation period. And the Active Obedience of Christ (AOC) explains that the Law is the root of the righteousness that the saints receive to get eternal life. To their disappointment, Paul does not say any of what they say. Galatians 3 is particularly important in order to refute the false ideas about the Law and our righteousness.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:21-22)

The Covenant Theology emphasizes the word “tutor” in verse 25 and say that people need to be ruled by the Law so that they would be led to Christ. Therefore, it emphasizes the sins and punishment/hell more than righteousness that comes from faith. Some ministers/theologians believe that Christians would not keep the Law without the AOC doctrine. Thus, they reveal that all they want is to rule people under the Law. This is the sin of the Protestant ministers and theologians in the 17^th century. They brought the Law back to life to kill people. Now what we have in churches are people who think they keep the Law and are saved by their works. In the Reformed churches, people say that they are saved by faith but follow the Covenant Theology and/or the AOC. Thus, they are no different than the Pharisees who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants and yet, denied Christ’s authority and His work on the cross.

Paul does not support the Covenant Theology or the AOC. It is true that the Israelites were handed to other nations because of their idolatrous acts. But God does not judge people by actions only. The actions show what is in the heart of men. Adam was made upright, but he decided to believe in the satan. He was vulnerable to temptations although he thought he was wise. Therefore, the new and eternal covenant promises the change of the heart that gives God’s wisdom. This heart Christ had and gave to us by sending us the Spirit.

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

The Spirit gives the righteousness that cannot be removed. The Spirit gives faith in Christ. Paul explains us that righteousness that the saints receive is not from the Law. Although the Law Paul refers to is the Mosaic Law, the principle applies even to Adam who was given the command not to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam was given a conditional covenant. The Covenant theologians believe that Adam was given the Law to keep. Paul is refuting their idea by saying that the saints’ righteousness is not from keeping the Law. If our righteousness is not from the Law, Christ’s righteousness that is imputed to the saints is not from the Law. The Law, as Paul says, is for people who violate the Law (v.19). Adam was given the command to keep because he had the potential to sin and fall. Christ was born under the Law, meaning He became a man, to redeem those under the Law, meaning God’s chosen people. Christ came to fulfill the Law, not to keep the Law and gain righteousness by the Law. The apostles always connected Christ being a man with the ultimate sacrifice. Christ did not become a man to keep the Law perfectly to gain righteousness. Righteousness imputed to the saints is from the cross, Christ’s death and resurrection. Paul says in Galatians 3 that our righteousness has a different source apart from the Law.

What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. (vv. 17-18)

Righteousness that comes from keeping God’s command is only uprightness that Adam had. That uprightness does not lead to eternal life. Those who think they are righteous by the Law will be rebuked as Job was rebuked by God. No deeds can satisfy God unless the heart that produces the deeds is from God. The unconditional promise given to Abraham had been given to the Son before creation. The relationship between the Son and the Father is not based on the Law. Therefore, our relationship with the Father is not based on the Law because we are united with the Son and have the Holy Spirit. Christ’s glory is our glory.

I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. And now You, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world existed. (John 17:4-5)

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Galatians 2:14)

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (Romans 9:6-8)

Galatians 2:11-21 outlines the issues that the visible churches faced at that time. Circumcision was given to Abraham and his descendants as a symbol of God’s chosen people. However, circumcision was only a shadow of the real circumcision, the circumcision of the heart, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After Christ’s ascension, some Israelites joined the visible church, but they did not understand that circumcision done on the body was replaced by the ceremonial baptism. With their wrong understanding of circumcision, some Israelites tried to put a heavy yoke of the Law on the new members of the church. Paul explains here that true Israelites are the believers, chosen by grace, and that the Law does not lead to righteousness.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (Galatians 2:21)

Paul never says that the sinless Adam could earn righteousness by works if he had endured till the end of the probation period, which the Covenant theologians insist. It is because his understanding (and all apostles’ understanding) of righteousness has a different root. Paul’s understanding of righteousness is always connected to Christ’s death (and resurrection). Paul does not talk about only death of Christ but also His resurrection as the two events are inseparable. Paul’s idea of righteousness is from God because Christ has also said this:

… regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me (John 16:10)

Christ has never told us that our righteousness is from His perfect keeping of the Law apart from His work on the cross. This is why God has shown me that the Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ is rootless. Emphasis on the Law may appear to bring lawfulness in churches but keeping of the Law (agape) comes from God not from our own initiatives. True keeping of the Law is from understanding and knowing God, which the Word and the Spirit give. Distorting the words of God does not lead to lawfulness. On the contrary, it leads to death of churches, which we now face. That is what the false Christians intended to do as shown in Galatians 2:4.

Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. (Galatians 2:4)

The Covenant Theology has actually led people to legalism and false piety. Many Protestant churches have abandoned God’s absolute grace. The false Christians appear to live a pious and disciplined life. Many think their way of life will please God. But God does not approve of their works.

Galatians 2:14 may appear confusing to some. But its interpretation is simple.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew (Christian), live like the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) and not like the Jews (Christians), how is it that you compel the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) to live like Jews (Christians)? (Galatians 2:14)

Paul asks us how we as Christians can compel the idolaters to live like Christians when we live like the idolaters. Peter was proud to be a physical descendant of Abraham and was enticed by his pride. While he thought he acted like a chosen man of God, he, in fact, acted like an idolater, who does not know God. Many in the Reformed churches say that they are chosen by God and yet, they believe in the miserable doctrines that lead them to death.

The Covenant theologians believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s perfect keeping of the Law. Some interpret the Law as agape. But the majority of them interpret the Law as the written code. And they promote people to keep the written code written in the Ten Commandments. True Christians uphold the Law by the power of the Holy Spirit. However, we do not believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s keeping of the Law apart from the cross.

Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)

This faith is always connected to Christ’s work on the cross.

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. (Galatians 2:20)

Paul says that love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). However, he often explains the Law as the written code that condemns and brings death to people. The righteousness that the saints receive is God’s righteousness that comes from believing in Christ who died and resurrected for His church. Our righteousness is not mere uprightness that Adam had. Christ died and yet, the work is not only from Him but also from the Father. Christ believed in the Father because He is one with the Father. We receive His righteousness by believing in Him.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:18)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Romans 1:17)

We died to the Law. Christ came and paid for our sins as the sole representative of the saints, which Romans 5 explains. As He resurrected to life and lives forever, the saints who believe in Him live forever. Christ’s sinlessness is for the once-for-all perfect sacrifice, which the Book of Hebrews explains in depth.

These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes. (Psalm 50:21)

The biggest error that the Reformers in the seventeenth century have made is that they turned to speculative and miserable doctrines to please men, not God. Christianity is not for the majority of people but for few chosen. However, God was pleased to make a system (the visible church) through which His people were taught and trained just like He did in the OT.

There are many religions around the world. Religiousness is deeply embedded in our nature. Even those who say they do not follow a religion believe in themselves. All religions require people to do something for their gods. The Bible says that idols are people’s inventions. Our God does not require us to do something for Him from our own initiatives. It is God who does everything. Therefore, we know that anyone who says we can do something for God from our own initiatives is an idolater. One may think that people like doing nothing for their gods but on the contrary, people always seek new ways to please their imaginary gods.

The gospel tells us that grace is freely given to God’s chosen people. We do not gain faith by our own efforts. Faith is connected to the knowledge of God. That knowledge is not given unless the Holy Spirit enters a person. And the Holy Spirit speaks what is written in the Bible. He interprets the words of God. We are born spiritually dead like the dry bones in Ezekiel 37, unable to know and love God from our own initiatives. Moreover, Adam was unable to overcome the devil’s temptations although he was born upright. Adam did not know God as the Son does. Christ is the only one who truly knows the Father.

No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him. (John 1:18)

Christians want to believe that God’s grace is for all mankind. But we know that the Holy Spirit has come only to certain people. If indeed the Spirit has come to all mankind, we would not have what we face in this world – famine, war, greed, injustice, poverty, etc. The Bible tells us that there are evil people who blaspheme God. God separates the saints from those people who will be eternally condemned. Some say that people who do good works receive the Holy Spirit. Their definition of good works are the good works in the eyes of the world. Those good works are not connected to the knowledge of God. Besides, there are no good works from people who are born dead. God sees that there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10). Paul had much education under the Jewish religion. However, he considered everything as dung. The Jewish religion did not lead him to Christ.

But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because 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 mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:7-8)

Some ignorant people think that Paul’s education under Judaism led him to write what he wrote. The only benefit Paul received from Judaism was reading the Old Testament. When the Holy Spirit came to him, Paul realized that the Jewish knowledge of God was wrong. The Spirit gave him the true knowledge of God and the right interpretations of the words of God. In Galatians 1, he emphasizes that his mission and knowledge is given by God for a purpose. He mentions ‘man (or men)’ several times in the chapter and insists that he was not made an apostle to please men.

For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)

For many centuries, the Roman Catholic church ruled the Europe. Most people in the Europe were the Roman Catholic, and anyone against the church was considered a heretic. A Roman Catholic Order, the Dominicans, were called ‘Domini canes (hounds of God)’ and they spent much time studying the Bible, developed their theories about God, and persecuted anyone who was against the church. They openly adopted the ideas of Aristotle. Aquinas was a Dominican. And with his theories, the Roman Catholic church condemned the Reformers in the Council of Trent. Some theologians believe that Augustine, Luther, and Calvin followed the ideas of Plato and Aquinas and others followed those of Aristotle. Bringing Greek philosophers who did not know God into theology is an abomination. Even though they might have said some things right, their ideas are not better than pagans having their own ideas of an invented god. In any religion, there may be a glimpse of God there, but the pagans follow their own invented knowledge and theories. They are satisfied with their idols and never seek for truths that the words of God bring by the Holy Spirit. Some of them turn away from their sins and believe in the only true God when the Holy Spirit comes to them. All others remain blind and will be resurrected to eternal damnation.

I read that Luther relied on the Book of Galatians much. Luther was a God’s instrument to initiate the Reformation. But his knowledge had limits. We can see his limits by what the Lutheran church has become. If I remember it correctly, it was Luther who thought Adam did not need Christ in the garden of Eden. I may be wrong. Some of you who have more knowledge in this matter may know more about Luther’s idea of Adam in Eden. I think it is one of the limits that the Protestants had.

Paul emphasizes on the death of Christ continuously. He never mentions Christ’s perfect keeping of the Law as righteousness separate from the cross. Christ’s sinlessness is connected to once-for-all perfect sacrifice.

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? (Hebrews 9:14)

Did Paul and other apostles emphasize on the cross because Adam was so perfect that his descendants need only forgiveness of sins? The Covenant Theology came because the theologians considered that the cross represents only the forgiveness of sins. They thought that Adam and we need more than the cross. Therefore, the perfect keeping of the Law became a mean to gain eternal life in their theory. The Bible never mentions of the probation period of Adam that the Covenant Theologians talk about. I can only conclude that they have failed to see the true meaning of the cross. Paul and other apostles always connect the cross to adoption through the union with Christ. As the Son lives eternally, the saints who are united with Him live eternally. Those who follow the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ think that what God really wants is obedience to the Law. However, what they call the obedience to the Law is only false piety. They attempt to weaken Christ’s work on the cross by emphasizing the Law. And Paul tells us today that we must not depart from the gospel of Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:4-8)

The Reformation heavily relied on the letters by Paul. The Covenant Theology also relies on what Paul wrote. And the question is: Did Paul really think that the Law is the way to get eternal life?

Could Adam achieve the enhanced status of mankind by not eating the fruit for a probation period? Did Christ have to keep the Law to gain righteousness as a man? Does Christ’s righteousness from the Law give saints the eternal life? Is the eternal covenant of God work-based? What is the function and the meaning of Christ’s obedience?

It is believed that the Book of Galatians was written before Paul wrote the Book of Romans. Galatians will give us insight what was in Paul’s mind when he wrote and preached to Christians at that time.

When Christianity started after Christ’s resurrection and ascension in Acts 1, the visible church had similar issues that the Reformers had in the 16^th and the 17^th century. One is that the church had people who followed legalism or antinomianism. Another is that people struggled to understand the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, and the divine election (total grace). The word, Trinity, came much later, but the doctrine is already there in the writings of the apostles in the NT.

I understand that those issues were the main focus of most of the writings of the NT. It may appear that Paul and James had different ideas about works. But they wrote what they wrote because of the issues that presented in churches at that time.

I think the NT was written in a different way compared to the OT. God chose some to write the NT and they wrote as witnesses to the works of God. And their writings have the equal authority as God’s own words. Most importantly, God gave them the authority to interpret His words by the power of the Holy Spirit following what Christ did when He taught on the earth. Each has a different level of understanding. Although they were given the same task of preaching the gospel, their circumstances and tasks were slightly different. For example, Paul was given the task of building churches in Asia whereas Peter was sent to the circumcised (See Galatians 2:7). Each saint is given the same and yet different tasks in this world.

As I write here, I also learn. I am no theologian. But I know God is not pleased with the Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ. I do not doubt that God wants us to re-examine the meaning(s) of Christ’s death, which all apostles emphasized.  

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

Regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification have been studied by numerous theologians. They are all connected. Some theologians spend much time studying the Ordo Salutis (the order of salvation). The order of salvation is explained in Romans 8:29-30. No other words are needed. Once the Holy Spirit comes into a person at the appointed time by God’s plan, he is called for regeneration. From God’s point of view, this order of salvation is strictly for men’s understanding. God has chosen people to be His children before creation and shape them to be like Christ. That is the order of salvation. It is not something that men can speculate on. The Ordo Salutis has been discussed much because of people in churches who do not have the assurance of salvation. Those who have received the assurance, do not need more than Romans 8:29-30.

Regenerated men are surely justified, sanctified, and glorified. All is done by Christ and the Holy Spirit. Since the understanding of sanctification has become crooked, I’d like to talk a bit more about sanctification. Those justified are inevitably sanctified. The sanctification is immediate. Some may say it is continuous, but one does not become holier than before. Being holy or holiness is the unchangeable status of an elect. However, our knowledge grows over time and our faith gets strengthened. Our deeds naturally reflect our faith and knowledge of God. Therefore, the changes in our deeds become more obvious over time. However, this change may not be something men can recognize. Some people can fool others by their deeds. For example, one may confess faith before members of a church congregation, go to church for many years, participate actively in church activities, study the Bible, study theology, and/or become an elder of a church without having the Holy Spirit. One may even become a minister or a theologian. This is actually happening all around the world because theology has become men-oriented. We cannot say a person is a saint (reborn) just because he/she recites the Creeds and the Reformed confessions. But we are led by people in churches to believe that these are the signs of a saint. We cannot know who is a saint by merely observing deeds. We must remember that Arius fooled many by his pious life. However, God gives His people the assurance of salvation through His words by the Spirit. This is a gift of God, and it cannot be taken away by men’s efforts.

Salvation is not only about being saved from the second death. Salvation also indicates being born again as an adopted child of God, being co-heir with Christ. It is impossible for a person being saved from the second death and not being an adopted child of God. Ministers and theologians focus much on sin and punishment but not on this adoption and the kingdom of God. They say that sin, punishment, and the emphasis on the Law keeps the antinomians away. That is what the Reformed theologians and ministers intended in the 17^th century. But they are guilty of using the heretical doctrine (the AOC) to control many people and leading them to legalism and false piety. A saint is born of water and the Spirit from heaven to become a part of the priestly kingdom, which is God’s ultimate purpose of creation. This work of salvation is done by Christ and by the Holy Spirit according to the Father’s plans. Christ speaks the same thing in John 3:5.

… Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. (Titus 3:4-8)

Salvation is the sole work of God as all the Apostles confess in the NT. When God saves a person, He sanctifies him/her by His power. If anyone says, we have the Holy Spirit so we can initiate good works or God wants us to do good works with Him, he does not know how sanctification works. If we do anything good in the sight of God, we must know that the good works are from the Holy Spirit and yet, God invites us to be glorified together with Him. For that, we praise God for His love, kindness, and mercy. Our regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification happens because of what Christ (Truth) did – washing us and sending us the Spirit. Wrong understandings of sanctification leads wrong understandings of salvation and vice versa.

Not to us, LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. (Psalm 115:1)

You may have heard of the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) by N. T. Wright. If you haven’t, you can google and find some information. Basically, what it says is that justification is not by faith alone. Therefore, the theory denies that the Reformation is from God but from men. Because of what has happened during the Reformation, we have the Bible in our hands and do not seek to have our sins atoned for every Sunday during the mass. The Reformation freed us from the false worships and idolatry. But what the theory tells us is that the Roman Catholic church was right, and the Reformers were wrong. Therefore, it denies that God has full control over His churches and the world. It is an evil idea. Anyone wise should not even dream of studying such ideas. We do not eat a rotten fish to see if it is really rotten. The smell warns us not to eat it. It appears that Mr. Wright is receiving enough glory and praises from men on the earth. Those who receive much glory on the earth will not receive anything in the coming kingdom even if they claim that they have done something for God.

What I am concerned about is that the Protestant churches are not defending themselves from this evil idea. Those who say they follow the Reformed faith use the two-fold obedience of Christ, the active and the passive, to refute the NPP. Although they claim they are Calvinists, the Active Obedience of Christ (AOC) is from Anselm.

As the Protestant ministers and theologians focused on the Law and a moral life in the 17^th century, the understanding of sanctification changed. Sanctification of a believer is done by God alone. However, they say that it is achieved by men and God. If Calvin had said it, I would say that he spoke a lie in ignorance despite all the good works done by God through him. But I think the idea is from theologians in the 17^th century who wanted their new church to rule the nation and to maintain social and political stability. The result was Oliver Cromwell. John Owen who taught Cromwell had ambition in politics because he did not understand why God separated the civil government from the church. What we call the Reformed faith is not from Calvin but from John Owen and his followers. Therefore, the Reformed churches are wrongly claiming that they follow the Reformed faith when their origin is from the 17^th century England. This wrong understanding of sanctification have the devil a foothold. The two-fold obedience of Christ opened the door to the false understanding of sanctification. It is very absurd that people use the two-fold obedience of Christ to defend themselves from the NPP because the root is the same. People who are used to the Reformed doctrines born in the 17^th century England eventually follow the NPP. It is no coincidence that N. T. Wright is an English man, who has learned theology in England. And he is an Anglican. They still have the king as the head of the church because they are still confused.

Concerning this wrong idea of sanctification, it is still carried by well-known theologians. I once watched a Youtube clip by Michael Horton on sanctification. And I think his ideas are aligned with John Owen. The clip is by the Gospel Coalition (TGC). And it appears that the theologians and ministers in TGC claim themselves the new Calvinists. The new Calvinists are the Owenists or the new Owenists in my opinion. Owen is praised by many Reformed theologians and ministers. Most people do not know the errors of Puritanism. Some Reformed churches draw a line between the Reformed and the Puritan. But they share the same root. I am not given the task but there will be some people chosen by God to take down what John Owen had built. Theology must stay pure from human philosophies that originate from unbelievers.

The greatest error of the theologians in the 17^th century England is that they preached as if everyone could become the elect. Although they said that God saves only His chosen by grace alone, they gave the impression that anyone could be saved on the condition that they know that they are sinners and seek God’s grace (come to church). We do not know how many saints are in the world. There have been many deserters within churches. And we now see their treacherous acts clearly in churches who have abandoned the Reformed faith. Their idea of sanctification is merely going to church on Sundays, participating in church activities, obeying church authorities, etc. You look and see if there are many saints in the world. I do not think so. If there are, they quietly mourn over churches’ treacherous acts. I do not see anyone shouting that churches around the world are evil. The judgment has started with the white horse.

I once talked about a Presbyterian minister who taught me about the redemptive history of Israel in my early 20s. I had a chance to meet him again in 2019. Although God later showed me in my dream that he is His instrument, the minister spoke highly of Plato and Aristotle to my disappointment. I told him that God hates their ideas. In 2018, I came to know that many theologians study Greek philosophies. I wondered if they would enhance my knowledge of God and decided to buy some books. That night God showed me something in my dream. I thought in my dream, ‘What a waste. Why would I spend money on something I will eventually throw away?’ I did not know that it was about my decision to study Greek philosophies. The next morning my mother told me, “Whatever you are about to do, don’t do it. God warned me in my dream.” Then I knew that the same message was given both to me and my mother. God simply does not want us to study Greek philosophies or any human philosophies. There is the Biblical logic flows within the Bible. It is different from men’s ideas. At first, the Presbyterian minister did not like what I told him. But later I heard that he threw away most of theology books that he had. I consider that Anselm and Aquinas heavily relied on human logic and philosophies. Their theology is not for the elect only but for all men. John Owen and likewise theologians also wanted to develop theology for all men. They wanted to change England to a Protestant nation. They needed theology that could convince many people if not all people. All the Reformed theology books I saw have their roots in the 17^th century England when the treachery of Protestant churches started.

Before we move to another book of the Bible, I’d like to share my thoughts on certain topics. First one is about the Three Forms of Unity (TFU).

During the Reformation, many people wrote about their ideas about God. Luther, Calvin, and other ministers and theologians wrote books, articles, confessions, catechisms, etc. that shaped the Reformation. God gave them the heart and knowledge to teach others who had been oppressed by the Roman Catholic church for a long time. And ministers and theologians who supported the Reformation put much time and efforts on teaching people. Therefore, the words of God and their interpretations became the center of the public worship and education.

Among all the catechisms and confessions, the TFU is considered to have much reputation and authority. It consists of the Belgic Confession (BC), the Heidelberg Catechism (HC), and the Canons of Dort (CoD). The BC and the HC were written in the 16^th century whereas the CoD was written in the 17^th century. I consider that the BC and the HC are useful tools to teach people within churches about the Reformed doctrines. The CoD has a slightly different character because of its history. However, it is also a useful tool to teach people.

Most Protestant churches that originate from the Reformation despise the TFU or any Reformed confessions. Many Christians have not heard of them. Some people haven’t even heard of the Reformation. Ministers do not talk about them because they know that they are not following the Reformed doctrines. On the other hand, some churches (especially the Reformed) put too much emphasis on the TFU as if they are God’s own words. While they praise the TFU, they misinterpret God’s words and promote idolatry. They have wrong understanding of the covenants and righteousness. And most of the Reformed (if not all) follow the errors of the Covenant of Works and the Active Obedience of Christ, which are ironically not mentioned in the TFU.

The TFU has not been modified unlike the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as far as I know. They remain intact without being rewritten. I think the TFU, especially the BC and the HC, has little of men’s ideas about God. They teach us the central doctrines of the Reformation. And yet, they have their own limits simply because they are not the Bible.

Some ministers or theologians study German, French, Latin, Dutch, etc. to understand the original language used for the writings written by the Reformers. They study the TFU word by word and spend a long time studying it. While they admit that the TFU or any other Reformed confessions/catechisms are not infallible like the Bible, they study them as if they are God’s own words. The Reformation taught us certain truths about God. Yet, they left us issues that we face now such as the errors of the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ, righteousness, lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God, etc. If we interpret the words of God only through the Reformed confessions, we are likely to make errors. There are people who think they know the Bible because they learnt the Reformed doctrines from youth. If we try to learn about God from the Reformers’ point of view, we may know certain truths but cannot move forward. We end up putting ourselves in a small box and put a lid on it. It is time to read the Reformed confessions with a critical eye and see how it misled us to the error of the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ.

I read it somewhere that the idea of the Covenant of Works was started by Ursinus and Olevianus, who wrote the HC. However, this should not stop us using the HC for learning. The HC does not talk about the Covenant of Works like the WCF. Like I said, there are certain truths of God revealed and confirmed during the Reformation. If my dream was given by God, I was told, “Your mother has four daughters. The second one is the most beautiful. But the third one the most important.” And I saw myself assigned to serve the third daughter. The second reformation in the 16^th century was indeed the most beautiful. Many people were killed by the Roman Catholic heretics as they looked forward to coming of Christ.

Precious in the sight of the Lordis the death of his faithful servants. (Psalm 116:15)

I consider that the writings by the Reformers heavily focused on the letters of Apostle Paul. Although Paul had the right understandings of God, the Reformers overlooked some important truths that the whole Bible tells us. I’d like to go through some of Paul’s letters to address the limits of the Reformation concerning righteousness, the covenants, Adam, etc.

Paul was given the task of building visible churches outside Israel. He was sent to the gentiles who were not born under the Law. However, some of letters are written for the Jews who were born under the Law. During the Reformation, the Law, the Ten Commandments, was emphasized because of immoralities committed by the Roman Catholic church. Somehow the Law and sin became the center of the Reformation as we now see in the Reformed churches. I doubt that that was Paul’s intention. For the sake of the gospel, people beat one another with the Law when no one keeps the Law. Can the guilt caused by the Law bring someone to Christ? The Bible says no but people think it is how the gospel works.

In the new reformation, God teaches us about the kingdom because the time is near.