The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls

https://pasteve.com/?m=bbs&bid=bcircles&uid=1357

Why do people work for companies? 

Some say that they feel happy while working in a company. Others say that they are having a happy work life due to good colleagues. There will be also people who find something worth by participating in community services in the course of working in a company. However, are there any people who continue to work for a company if they are not paid? The primary purpose of working for a company is to live on their salary. Even if they love their jobs or they are happy to work with other colleagues, people have no reason to work for companies if they are not paid.

Then, what’s the purpose of our faith in God?

Some say that they live a religious life to find peace of mind. Others say that they live a life of faith because they enjoy meeting people. Or there are people who are happy to participate in community services while attending the church. However, can these can be the ultimate purpose of our faith life?

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

The most important goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls. A life of faith without the salvation of souls is no more than a job without salary. Although they might feel happy or they think they obtain something worth, their efforts will be in vain in the end. The problem is that many churches teach different doctrines and different religious lives depending on their denominations. Which way of faith is the right one which leads us to the salvation of our souls?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers [depart from me, you workers of lawlessness – ESV]!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

Those who live a life of lawless faith which does not follow the will of God cannot enter the kingdom of heaven even though they call 'Lord, Lord', act as prophets who preach God, cast out demons or perform many miracles. They can obtain nothing while making many efforts.

Why should we do the will of God to get the salvation of our souls? It’s because the Word of God is the promise of salvation. 

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. (John 6:53-55)

Whether we can receive life or not depends on following this Word containing the promise of eternal life. Then, how can eat and drink the flesh and blood of Jesus?

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover… While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:19-28)

Jesus promised that the Passover bread is His flesh and the Passover wine is His blood. Therefore, faith without keeping the Passover cannot give us the salvation of souls. Those who do not observe the Passover worship God in vain. Religious life which results in the salvation of souls, the goal of faith, is that of receiving eternal life through the Passover of the new covenant. If you believe in God, please live a life of faith which leads you to the kingdom of heaven by following the will of God.

Although they knew the Bible

https://pasteve.com/?c=BibleColumn&sort=d_regis&orderby=desc&uid=1415

Is it sufficient just to know the Bible? 2,000 years ago, the Jews took pride in knowing the Bible more than any other people. To considerable degree, it was true that they knew the Bible. Then, did they recognize Christ? As a matter of course, they also had to recognize Jesus because the Bible testifies about Christ. Of course, they understood who Jesus was. So they crucified Jesus who said he came as the "Son of God" on the cross.

Jesus said he came as the "Son" of God, as if he had been a different being from God the Father Jehovah.

"Abba", Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)

"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

Jesus described God Jehovah as the Almighty One and Himself as a child who obeys the commands of the Father. That is, he regarded himself as the same position like us. Here, don't you have a question? Why did the Jews resent Jesus when he said he came as the Son of God, which might have not been any problem? Further, why did they crucify Him on the cross?

“… I [Jesus] and the Father are one." Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." (John 10:30-33)

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:17-18)

When Jesus said, "I and the Father are one," the Jews responded by saying "You, a mere man, claim to be God." Also, when Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working," they blamed him for making himself equal with God. Why did they understand "calling God his own Father" as "making himself equal with God"?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The Jews knew the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. In around 700 B.C., the prophet Isaiah foretold that ‘Almighty God would come as a Son.’ Therefore, the Jews got into rage when he said, "I and Father are one." They knew the Bible better than the disciples.

Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:8-10)

Philip was not able to understand the words of Jesus properly although he had been with Jesus. He could not understand why Jesus called himself the "Son of God" until he learned many teachings after Jesus ascended to heaven.

The Jews, who understood the word of Jesus by themselves, rejected Jesus and were destroyed after all. Philip, who realized after being taught from Jesus, was blessed. What's the difference between them? Just knowing the Bible is not sufficient. It's no more than mere acquisition of knowledge. To know the Bible means "to realize the words and put them in practice."

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) preaches Christ of the age of the Holy Spirit to great multitude of Christians: God the Holy Spirit in the male image and God the Mother, the bride in the female image witnessed by the Bible from the 1st Chapter of Genesis to the 22nd Chapter of Revelation. At this, most people says that they came to know God the Mother testified by the Bible for the first time, giving a slight nod. 

While seeing many people leaving, saying that they came to know Christ who has come as the Spirit and the bride in the Bible, I thought of the Jews. They also knew but did not believe.

Choose the path of life

https://pasteve.com/?m=bbs&bid=bcircles&uid=1455 

God has made us known the path of life to save our souls.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalms 16:11)

But, the problem is that there is also a path that leads us to death. Moreover, the path of death seems right to a man.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

It's not easy to tell from the path of life from the path of death with our common sense. For this reason, God said that we must forsake our own thoughts and obey God's thoughts.

Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:7-9)

Then, what is the way of life God has showed us?

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' (Jeremiah 6:16)

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first [the first works: KJV]. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:5)

Keeping and following the teachings that Jesus granted us at first -- it is the path of life. Some claim, "Isn't it better to celebrate Christmas than not to celebrate any day although it was the birthday of sun-god?” Others think it's better to keep Sunday rather than to keep Saturday which is the Sabbath day because most people rest on Sunday and more people can come to God. There are also people that it doesn't matter to erect a cross because they remember the sacrifice of Christ whenever they see the cross although it was once used as an execution tool and it was even used as a symbol of pagan religion.

But, there are no verses in the Bible which indicate that Jesus was born on December 25th, which specify that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday, or which teach us to erect the cross. The teaching Jesus taught originally and showed us as an example is the new covenant including the Sabbath day and the Passover.

Please do not forget the words of God: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads us to death." Any other gospel that deviates from the path of life is mere the path of death whatever people make any excuses. We should forsake our thoughts and acknowledge the ancient path is the good way, and then repent and do the first works: it's the path of life.

My Loving Son

My Loving Son

I saw a story on TV not long ago.

It was about a 50-year-old disabled man with intelligence of a three-year-old.

His aged mother who was almost 80, worked as a cleaning woman in an apartment, and supported her son all alone.

Her son couldn’t even eat or wash himself and didn’t want to be apart from his mother even for a moment.

Well, except for when he puts puzzles together.

It was the only thing that the son could do by himself.

Before the mother started to clean the apartment, she would give her son some puzzles, and while he puts the puzzles together, she quickly finishes cleaning up.

Seeing her son playing with puzzles, she was not only glad, but was also upset.

“Glad that at least he can put puzzles together, but sorry and upset that he has to stay still for two hours.”

At the end of the program, the mother left a video letter.

“My son, my loving son. I was so happy the day you were born.”

Though the man couldn’t do anything because he was born disabled, he was a “loving son” to the aged mother.

Even if a child is hurt, scarred, or disabled, the child is truly a loving child to his mother.

That maternal love surely comes from our Heavenly Mother.

For healing all of our lacks and flaws, scars, and difficulties, and protecting us from all kinds of hardships in this world,

I truly give thanks for Heavenly Mother’s love. 

사랑하는 내 아들

얼마 전 한 TV 프로그램을 보게 되었습니다.

나이는 50세지만 정신지체1급으로 3세 정도의 지능을 가진 한 남자의 사연이었습니다.

여든이 다 되어가는 노모가 아파트 청소를 하며 홀로 아들을 부양하고 있었습니다.

혼자서는 밥 먹는 것, 씻는 것조차 스스로 할 수 없는 아들은 노모와 한시도 떨어지려 하지 않았습니다. 

오직, 퍼즐을 맞추는 시간만 빼고요. 

아들이 혼자 할 수 있는 유일한 일은 퍼즐 맞추기였습니다.

노모는 아파트 청소를 할 때면 아들에게 퍼즐을 쥐어주고 퍼즐을 맞추는 동안 부랴부랴 일을 끝냅니다.

노모는 퍼즐을 맞추는 아들을 보며 기쁘기도 하고 속상해하기도 했습니다.

“퍼즐이라도 맞출 수 있는 것이 기쁘고, 퍼즐을 맞추느라 두 시간 동안 꼼짝없이 앉아있는 것이 미안하고 속상해요.”

방송 말미에 노모는 아들에게 영상 편지를 남겼습니다.

“아들아, 사랑하는 내 아들아. 네가 태어난 날 엄마는 너무나 기뻤단다.”

장애를 가지고 태어나 다 커서도 혼자서는 아무것도 할 수 없는 남자도노모에게는 ‘사랑하는 내 아들’ 이었습니다.

어떤 아픔, 상처, 장애를 가졌어도 어머니께는 사랑하는 자녀입니다.

그런 어머니의 모성애는 분명 하늘 어머니께로부터 나온 것이겠지요.

우리의 부족함, 상처, 어려움 모두 치유해주시고 

세상의 어떠한 시련에도 지켜주시는 하늘 어머니의 사랑에 감사드립니다.

Unrequited Love

Unrequited Love

By haru

The saddest love

While being eyeable, the desire remains

Being awake or asleep, longing never stops

Love that is stifled with yearning

Love that is unalterable

Love that is inextricable

Love that is unstoppable though disregarded

Love that is steadfast over time

Love that is never hideous without being comprehended

Love that laughs and cries for a sinner

Love that trusts, though the promise is broken

Love that moves to tears for an apology

Love that is engraved in the heart, even for a halfhearted gratitude

Love that waits, though the love for the world is greater

Mother’s unrequited love is solely for the sinner

Mother’s love becomes the spring sunlight, and warmly covers my heart

Mother’s love becomes the rain drops on a cool summer day, and moistens my thirsty soul

Mother’s love becomes the sweet fruit on an autumn day, and fills my hungry soul

Mother’s love becomes the warm blanket on a winter day, and melts my icy soul

At last, because of Mother’s everlasting love

This sinner returns to Mother’s arms

I repent

I thank

And I love

 

짝사랑

haru

세상에서 가장 슬픈 사랑

 

보고 또 봐도 보고 싶은 사랑

자나 깨나 그리운 사랑

그리움에 목메는 사랑

 

 

무엇으로도 바꿀 수 없는 사랑

아파도 끊을 수 없는 사랑

외면당해도 멈출 수 없는 사랑

시간이 흘러도 변함없는 사랑

이해받지 못해도 밉지 않는 사랑

 

 

죄인 때문에 웃고 우는 사랑

약속을 저버려도 믿어주시는 사랑

죄송하다는 말에 눈물 흘리시는 사랑

마음에도 없는 감사인 줄 알면서도 마음속에 새겨두시는 사랑

세상을 더 사랑해도 돌아오기만을 기다려주시는 사랑

죄인만을 바라보시는 어머니의 짝사랑

 

 

어머니의 사랑이 봄날의 따스한 햇살이 되어 저의 마음을 포근히 감싸줍습니다.

어머니의 사랑이 여름날 시원한 빗물이 되어 메마른 제 영혼을 적십니다.

어머니의 사랑이 가을날 달콤한 열매가 되어 배고픈 제 영혼을 채워줍니다.

어머니의 사랑이 겨울날 포근한 이불이 되어 얼음 같은 제 마음을 녹입니다.

 

 

 

어머니의 한없는 사랑 끝에

이 죄인이 어머니 품으로 돌아옵니다. 

회개합니다. 

감사합니다.

그리고 사랑합니다.

… until the kingdom of God comes

… until the kingdom of God comes (Edit)

Those who slander the World Mission Society Church of God (Witness of Ahnsahnghong) claim that they do not need to celebrate the Passover of the new covenant by citing Luke 22:

For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:16-28)

They say, “Since Jesus said that he would not keep the Passover until the kingdom of God comes, it’s not necessary to keep the Passover.” In other words, they say that the Passover must be observed in the kingdom of heaven because the kingdom of God means the kingdom of heaven.

At first glance, it appears that the Passover of the new covenant should not be celebrated on this earth according to their argument. It sounds plausible but given just a wee bit of thought, you can realize how non-biblical their insistence is.

What is the Passover of the new covenant for? It is the feast through which we can have the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:17-28.) If their claim is correct, sinners who are not entitled to enter the kingdom of heaven will celebrate the Passover at the kingdom of heaven (Revelation 14:5.) It is nonsense! Since they do not know about the basics of the feasts, they claim non-biblical claims such as they will celebrate the Passover in heaven or they will receive the forgiveness of sins there.

What does “the kingdom of God” mean?

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:29-31)

Jesus taught in parables that “the kingdom of God” is near “when the fig tree sprouts leaves.” Also, the book of Matthew clearly reveals when the kingdom of God comes through the parable of the fig tree.

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [he] is near, right at the door. (Matthew 24:32-33)

From these two verses, we can know that “the kingdom of God comes when the Son of Man or the Second Coming Jesus comes in the flesh.” Therefore, the words of Jesus “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:18)” mean that He will keep the Passover when He appears a second time. It implies that only the Second Coming Jesus is able to establish the Passover.

Then, what does it mean that the World Mission Society Church of God celebrates the Passover? It is evidence that the Second Coming Jesus, who is the only One who can establish the Passover, has come. That is, the kingdom of God has already come.

Will you still insist that the Passover should be kept in heaven while seeing and hearing every prophecy of the Bible and its fulfillment like this? You cannot enter the kingdom of heaven without having the forgiveness of sins on this earth. You still have an opportunity: You have to know the Second Coming Christ who established the Passover, before it’s too late.

[한글원문] https://pasteve.com/?m=bbs&bid=bcircles&uid=1423

A Letter from the Son, and Mother’s Reply

A Letter from the Son, and Mother’s Reply

There was an immature son who wrote a letter to his mother.

On the header it reads, “I love you Mom.”

Mom, I know that you are having hard times with me.

I always go out and play and never help you. I’m sorry, Mom.

But I know you’ll forgive me, right?

Mom. I love you so much. 

Do you also love me? 

Mom, even if you don’t love me, I’m really thankful that you’re my Mom.

Mom, I love you!

Of course the son wrote an unaffected and pure letter.

Then, the mother replied to his letter:

My son, do you know?

I love you not because you are the only one in this world.

It’s because I love you, and that’s why you are the only one in this world.

My son, do you know?

Even if I lost everything in this world, I don’t want to lose you for this world.

My son, do you know?

The only reason why I exist in this world?

That’s because of you.

I love you always.

From General Pastor’s sermon: ‘God is Love’

Always loving these immature children, and only considering us,

I give thanks, praises and eternal glory to our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.

I no longer want to be an immature child, and want to confess,

“Father and Mother, I love you!”

 

아들의 편지, 어머니의 답장

어느 가정에서 철부지 아들이 엄마의 생일을 맞이해 편지를 썼습니다.

서두에 ‘엄마 사랑해요’라는 제목을 적고서 이런 내용을 적었다고 합니다.

『엄마, 요즘 나 때문에 너무 힘들지?

매일 도움도 못되고 놀러만 다니고…. 미안해 엄마.

그래도 나 용서해줄 거지? 응?

엄마 나 엄마 너무 사랑해. 엄마도 나 사랑해? 히히히

나 엄마가 나 사랑하지 않아도 엄마가 우리 엄마라는 것만으로도 너무나 감사해

엄마, 사랑해!』

아들은 엄마에 대한 사랑의 마음을 어떤 가식도 없이 고스란히 표현했습니다. 편지를 받아본 엄마는 이런 답장을 했습니다.

『아들아, 너 그거 아니?

세상에 너 밖에 없어서 널 사랑한 게 아니라 널 사랑하니까 세상에 너 밖에 없다는 거. 

아들아, 너 그거 아니?

난 늘 세상을 위해서 세상을 다 잃어도 세상을 위해선 널 잃고 싶지 않다는 것을.

아들아, 너 그거 아니?

내가 이 세상에 존재할 수 있는 단 하나의 이유가 무엇인지.

그건 바로 너야. 

늘 언제나 사랑한다.』

-총회장님 설교 ‘하나님은 사랑이시다’中-

참으로 철부지와 같은 우리를 늘 사랑해 주시고 

오직 우리만을 위해주시는 아버지 어머니께

고개 숙여 감사와 찬송과 영원한 영광을 올립니다.

이제는 더 이상 철부지가 아닌 장성한 자녀 되어 당신께 고백하고 싶습니다.

“아버지 어머니, 사랑합니다!”