Introduction

Good day to all! Let us turn to Acts chapter 15. Over the years, Acts chapter 15 has profoundly impacted me. The establishment of Mingding Destiny, or what is known as Chinese Mingding Destiny, is largely rooted in Paul's teachings and influenced by this chapter. I have titled this chapter The Truth of the Gospel Remains Among Us, a concept more clearly articulated in Galatians chapter 2.

Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation and laid before them (but privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order not to be running or having run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Galatians 2:1-5)

These verses describe this history, and I will summarize it for you. What exactly happened? Paul faced a significant challenge in his ministry.

The Challenge Faced by Paul

Indeed, we often face challenges in our ministry. Previously, the church was as small as an ant about to be crushed. The reality is often harsh. Whether you succeed or fail is often dictated by others. At that time, Paul faced such a situation, with his position in the church unstable. Peter and James only needed to send a letter asking Paul to step down, and Paul's ministry would have been over. The Jerusalem church was still very orthodox then, as the gospel originated from there. Peter was a major disciple of Jesus, and James was Jesus' brother, so Paul was no match for them. Moreover, some Jewish individuals came down and introduced different tunes in the Jerusalem church.

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)

They had this logic: Jesus was circumcised, so shouldn’t you emulate Jesus? But if you emulate Jesus to the point of observing circumcision, then it becomes problematic. This group questioned how Paul, an insignificant figure, dared to claim that he held the truth of the gospel. Paul could not have handled this without wisdom. Paul's position was unstable. Although he went to Jerusalem by revelation, what he was about to do in Jerusalem was very challenging! Paul did not want to embarrass the apostles Peter and James, so he did a lot of behind-the-scenes work with those who were influential and had a good reputation. This was no joke. Paul encountered great challenges in order to preserve the truth of the gospel. If the Gentiles were circumcised, both you and I would lose the pure gospel. We would need to believe not only in Jesus but also in Moses.

Paul said he feared that he was running or had run in vain, meaning he had run for nothing. Just one letter issued would be like a central government document, and Paul would be dismissed. We must understand how difficult the political environment was at that time. Therefore, Paul analyzed the historical situation, the challenges he faced, and all the opportunities available. Paul racked his brains to ensure that the truth of the gospel remained among us! Barnabas asked Paul why he was always frowning. Paul analyzed that the current situation was not good and that their past and present ministries might be in vain. At this point, Paul began to pray fervently.

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. (Acts 15:2-4)

Despite praying, Paul still had to figure out what to do next. If they went to Jerusalem and the people there took the initiative to speak, things would be easier. As long as they said that the Gentiles did not need to keep the law of Moses, then not eating blood, not stealing, and not killing would be fine. Doing some good deeds would also be acceptable. As long as Paul got what he needed, he would not eat blood or things sacrificed to idols. The key was to maintain the truth of the gospel from then on, without needing the law of Moses.

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (Acts 15:19-20)

Then why do we still study the Old Testament? Because the Old Testament is also the word of God! Everyone must understand that there was nothing wrong with the law of Moses at the time. People themselves misinterpreted it, thinking that they could be saved by keeping the law of Moses. In fact, the law of Moses and the Old Testament prophets all pointed to Jesus Christ and the glorious church to come. Moses himself wrote the Pentateuch, but they did not understand it. However, Jesus and Paul understood it. Paul was very wise. If those people in Jerusalem spoke first, things would be easy.

Everyone should know that even when handling worldly affairs, you should first consult with those who are influential and have a good reputation in private, and then hold a meeting. Even if you hold a meeting without consulting in private, you cannot speak freely. Paul's strength lay in doing the ideological work of Peter and James first. At this time, you cannot embarrass them. Wait until your position is stable and then talk about it. For the sake of the pure gospel, endure for now. Paul was definitely wise and smart enough.

But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5)

Paul did ideological work with Peter and James in private, but Peter and James also faced great challenges because they had established a relatively democratic church. In fact, the believers of the Pharisee party were very influential in the church, meaning that if they voted, they might even vote Peter and James out. I speculate that they argued for several days. Paul and Barnabas spoke of how God had favored the Gentiles, but those believers of the Pharisee party only said one sentence: You must keep the law of Moses, or you cannot be saved. These people's attitudes were very firm, but was it up to these people to decide whether they could be saved? God had already saved them, so what did they say count for? People become foolish when they are stubborn like this.

Until now, Chinese Mingding Destiny has also been striving to ensure that the pure gospel remains among us. Some people think that the Sabbath is Saturday, and Saturday is more powerful than Sunday. They like to engage in a lot of useless things. Brothers and sisters must know that there are some things in our minds that need to be cleared out. How many traditional concepts that do not conform to the Bible have been tainted in such a church environment in the past? Don't think that the believers of the Pharisee party understood the Bible. In fact, these people only understood the rules and did not understand God's heart. We must return to God's heart and know what God's heart is. Paul analyzed the current situation and understood what Peter and James' attitudes were towards this situation. He also understood what the state of the Jerusalem church was and what people cared about. Opportunities were created in this way. Let me quickly tell you first, and then I will explain in detail.

Paul saw that God initially wanted to raise up Peter as an apostle to the Gentiles, to let him be the first to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. But Peter did not want to touch this hot potato again and did not want to compete for this matter. Peter only wanted to preach the gospel to the Jews, so as to avoid these people disturbing him like flies and mosquitoes all day long. James was even more unwilling to touch this hot potato. In his view, the Gentiles were unclean and could not be touched. Therefore, Paul had room to negotiate. Peter and James did not care about spreading the gospel to Jerusalem, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They only wanted to stay in the temple in Jerusalem, praying and looking up to God every day.

Then it was easy to handle. Paul analyzed the situation in the Jerusalem church and the political forces very clearly. Paul used his wisdom to win what he wanted, which was to ensure that the truth of the gospel remained among us. As for whether it could exist among Peter and James, because James was above Paul, and James himself wanted to keep the law of Moses, that had nothing to do with Paul. But God called Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This was the position God gave him. Paul wanted to ensure that the truth of the gospel remained among us. Brothers and sisters must know that Chinese Mingding Destiny does not want to change others, but we must know that we must let the truth of the gospel exist among us. As long as we lead people, we must let them understand the word of God.

Peter's Attitude

After discussing for a long time, Peter remained indifferent and stayed out of it. Peter felt that he had preached the gospel to Cornelius' family before, and after preaching, he was thrown into prison. After Peter came out, he stayed far away for several years before sneaking back to Jerusalem. Many people analyzed to Peter that the reason he was arrested was most likely because he preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Of course, this is just my guess, and the analysis may not be accurate. However, Peter began to avoid seeing Gentiles, especially when people from the Pharisee party appeared. He avoided them even more because he had some obstacles in his heart.

After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. (Acts 15:7)

Peter said that God had chosen him among all people to let the Gentiles hear the word of the gospel through his mouth and to believe. In fact, Peter also understood very well, but he distanced himself from it. Peter felt that he had already sent Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This sentence threw the hot potato away, but he also had to state that God had called him in the beginning. Paul was just his subordinate and assistant. For related matters, look for Paul.

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15:8-11)

Peter actually understood everything, but he held the attitude that this matter had nothing to do with him. He just arranged for people to write letters to the Gentiles. It didn't matter if the Gentiles didn't keep the law of Moses, but he himself definitely kept it. This should also be what Paul and Peter had agreed on in private. As for what they talked about, you and I will never know, and we can only know through our guesses. You must also allow me to guess wrong.

However, the fact that Peter no longer did the work of an apostle to the Gentiles is worth studying. Later, Peter went to Antioch, and Paul invited him to dinner. Many Gentiles in Antioch believed in the Lord and were sitting at the same table with him. When Peter saw people coming from James' side, he panicked and immediately explained that he was talking to Paul. Paul was Jewish, so it was okay to talk to him. Paul was with the Gentiles, so that had nothing to do with Peter.

Peter's attitude was that he himself would no longer be an apostle to the Gentiles. As soon as he saw a Gentile, he would run away as quickly as possible. It was fine if there were no people from James' side, and they could continue to eat together. But as soon as James' group came, Peter quickly said that he was here to check if these Gentiles had eaten things sacrificed to idols. In addition, Peter not only pushed away the matter of the Gentiles, but also gave the position of the leader of the Jerusalem church to James. There is no record of how he did it. I have always been very curious. I really want to know what happened here, so I prayed and asked God: How did Peter become the second in command? God was always too lazy to pay attention to me, and I always asked. One day, God gave me a revelation, which is related to Acts chapter 15.

At that time, after Peter was arrested and rescued by an angel, he went to someone's house. Before Peter left, he handed over the management of Jerusalem to James. When Peter came back and wanted to be the boss again, he couldn't do it. James had made the basic situation very solid, namely the Christians of the Pharisee party. The reason why the Jerusalem church was later abandoned by God was not because James was Jesus' brother, nor because Peter gave up the title of apostle to the Gentiles.

It was because the Jerusalem church had already taken the path of adhering to the law of Moses, and did not walk on the path of the pure gospel. This gospel was not the gospel of Jesus Christ at all. Although they also honored Jesus as Lord, they still took adherence to the law of Moses as the foundation. This was of course also caused by James' attitude. I am saying this because Peter and James' attitudes have a great market in the church. In fact, the current church is similar to the Jerusalem church at that time.

James' Attitude

There is a sense of superiority in James, feeling that he is Jewish. It's like when you meet someone from Shanghai, you will find that people from Shanghai have a strong sense of superiority. The locals in Beijing also have a sense of superiority. When they hear you speak with a northeastern accent, they listen to it as a joke. James also has a strong sense of superiority in the flesh. He comes from a famous family. He is Jesus' brother, and his mother is Mary, who is also Jesus' mother.

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:41-48)

James' sense of superiority is definitely an attitude of the flesh. How do we know that he has this sense of superiority?

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God. (Acts 15:19)

Did everyone hear the sense of superiority? Therefore, we should not rely on the flesh when we believe in the Lord. The sense of superiority produced by the flesh is useless. What does it mean to not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God? This sentence is actually said to James' subordinates. The implication is that they are Jewish, so don't make things difficult for those who are not Jewish. This kind of statement works. He doesn't really want to endorse Paul and them. James feels that it is superior to keep the law of Moses, and does not feel that it is superior to believe in Jesus.

Although it sounds strange, this is James' attitude. Paul analyzed James' affairs very clearly. James' meaning is that they themselves keep the law of Moses, and don't make things difficult for the Gentiles. They are all second-class people. They Jews are the first-class people, and it doesn't matter whether those second-class people keep the law of Moses. However, Paul doesn't care, as long as the truth of the gospel remains among them.

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (Acts 15:20-21)

James's statement that Moses' books were read every Sabbath in the synagogues gives the impression that this was the standard. Perhaps the standard was not as high for those of lesser rank, but is the Mosaic Law the Gospel? Paul simply did not care about this; he only wanted what he wanted, by any means necessary. By the time Paul wrote Galatians, his influence in the church was so strong that no one could touch him. Galatians exposed Peter and James for who they truly were, a different state of affairs altogether. By then, Paul's position was secure; he was the apostle to the Gentiles, the big man in the Gentile churches.

If someone says, According to his opinion, no one should be troubled, we must be particularly careful. For example, if someone says, Regarding offerings, I will not trouble you; you can give or not give, such a person will find it difficult to uphold pure truth. We must be wary of this attitude. Why did James have this attitude? Because he catered to people's opinions and was unable to change the minds of the believers in the Jerusalem church. If I were Jesus' brother, it would be different; I would be assertive, insisting that everyone must believe in Jesus! We must recognize that the Mosaic Law is insufficient. In the past, adherence to the Mosaic Law led to the nation of Israel being destroyed and exiled, and it remains a dependent territory to this day.

However, in the past, few people were pleasing to God. Are we truly pleasing to God? God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, so that we can be saved through Jesus Christ, not through a minor operation on our genitals. We must deal with our flesh, bear our cross, and be disciples of Jesus Christ, not disciples of Moses. James's attitude makes me wonder if he truly believes in Jesus. James says that Moses' words are preached in every city, but he does not understand that Jesus' words are the words of God. Jesus has been upgraded, but James remains with Moses. People become ignorant and develop a strange sense of superiority, treating tradition as truth; this is James's attitude.

Many people will be upset by what I am saying, and it is normal to be upset. However, even with my analysis, you will not be able to find fault. Even the previous generation's expert, David Pawson, said that James's epistle is somewhat confusing. David Pawson's influence is greater than ours, but we, brothers and sisters, must know that our gospel views have surpassed David Pawson's understanding of God's Word in that era. Many people do not understand James's epistle. David Pawson did not understand it, and neither did I. Because James did not write it clearly, how can others understand it?

You must ponder my words slowly. Of course, if you want to challenge me and believe you can understand it, thinking that I am wrong about James, and if you can truly understand it and explain it clearly, then I will listen to you. James seems to know little. I suspect that James's understanding of God's Word was not very thorough when he was young. James never accepted Jesus. During Jesus' ministry, they looked down on Jesus, telling Him to stop making trouble and go home to be a carpenter.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50)

Are you able to discern what Yeshua truly meant by this statement. The brothers and sisters of Yeshua are those who are truly following the will of the Father. James, together with Mary, are not true followers of the Father. James is unable to manage or perhaps unwilling to restrain troublemakers from causing problems for the church established by Yeshua. As always, Paolos needs to carefully navigate his path whilst in Jerusalem.

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (Galatians 2:1-2)

There are few who can read Galatians and Acts as thoroughly as I do, and no one examines them as I do. Many think James speaks well. James's attitude is clear: he is a disciple of Moses, not of Jesus. We must understand what Jesus said and how to act, and how the Holy Spirit acts. The Holy Spirit has told them to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles together. Those of the Pharisee sect who want to cause trouble should be expelled. However, these Pharisees are treasures in James's eyes; James will not let them leave and must do ideological work to appease them.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. (Acts 15:19-22)

In other words, these Pharisees and James are Jews who believe in Jesus but must also keep the Mosaic Law, but they should not trouble others. This attitude is a bit problematic. Of course, if you think there is no problem, that is fine; ponder it slowly.

The State of the Jerusalem Church

In the Jerusalem church, at least half of the people were keeping the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees had a strong influence not only in the Old Testament temple but also in the Jerusalem church, so much so that it could be renamed the Pharisee Church, full of hypocrites. They cannot keep the Mosaic Law themselves but still preach it, resulting in the distortion of the Gospel. Although James is the physical brother of Jesus Christ, he does not regard the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Gospel. James prays in the temple all day long, his knees calloused like an old camel's knees, but he never does what Jesus did.

Jesus Christ's intention is to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. James did not do this; he listened to Moses and built Jewish synagogues instead of churches of Jesus Christ. Later in history, it is recorded that James had a good relationship with the people in the Jewish synagogue temple because they were of the same lineage.

Would Jesus feel disheartened seeing the state of the Jerusalem church? If not disheartened, He would not have used Paul as a backup, who was once a Pharisee who crucified Jesus on the cross and later brought the Jerusalem church into the state of the Pharisees. How did this come about? The Jerusalem church was born on the day of Pentecost with the descent of the Holy Spirit, with three thousand people believing, five thousand or more believing. These people believed in Jesus with religious sentiments, and after believing in Jesus, the traditional roots within them were difficult to change.

Even now, it is difficult to talk about Jesus Christ with evangelicals. I would rather talk about the Gospel with ten non-believers than with one evangelical because there is no way to communicate. Even if I did, it would be exhausting. So when I hear some of our brothers and sisters say that their parents are Christians, my heart sinks. Predictably, they will be told that we are heretics because they think only they are orthodox.

Tradition becomes faith, which clearly alters the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, the Jerusalem church had lost the pure Gospel and was ultimately abandoned by God. But in this situation, Paul wanted to get what he wanted. God's Spirit had gone to the Gentile churches. Paul's character played a key role in ensuring that the true Gospel exists among us.

Paul's Character Played a Key Role

Paul was not under the covering of the Jerusalem church at this time. If his position were secure, he would have written Galatians long ago, stripping Peter and James of Jerusalem clean. However, Paul's character is flexible and wise. Since God had called him, he would bow his head when necessary and get what he needed; his goal was very clear. What to eat or not eat is not important.

Although many words sound harsh, he does not argue with people; it does not matter at all. Paul greatly honors James and Peter, and after going, he performs the right-hand cross ceremony, that is, holding the right hand with the left hand and the left hand with the right hand. As long as he insists that Gentiles do not have to keep the Mosaic Law, that is shrewdness. Sometimes I really thank God that I have Paul's shrewdness, knowing clearly when to say what.

Paul not only has wisdom but also knowledge. Although he did not follow Jesus, but was called after Jesus ascended to heaven. But Paul's understanding of the entire Bible is not just a little bit beyond James, but heaven and earth. Paul uses Genesis to explain a lot, and his examination of Genesis should be similar to ours. Please forgive me a little and tolerate me praising myself here. Paul's understanding of God's Word and the Mosaic Law at that time was the ceiling level, how to point to Jesus Christ, and what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, are all described very clearly.

Paul also has an uncompromising character in his bones, and his standards are also very high. For example, Mark initially went out with Barnabas and Paul, but returned to Jerusalem halfway, and Paul never intended to take him again. And this time Mark wants to follow Paul and Barnabas again, but Paul insists that it is not possible unless Mark can explain clearly how he messed up last time.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. (Acts 15:36-39)

I also have this habit, and of course, my temper is not very good. For example, if I give you the position of a small group leader or teaching assistant, and you do not do it well and mess up. After giving you opportunities again and again, this time you come to ask to be a teaching assistant again, what did you do before? You have to explain what happened before! Serving God is not about coming and going as you please. If you are so casual, you can go to Jerusalem, where Peter and James want everyone, but it will not work here with Paul. It is not okay to hang around here all day long, to the point where we have no relationship with you. This is how I write it: if you mess up again, our relationship will be gone.

Paul's uncompromising character is very powerful. The truth of the Gospel is the truth, the requirements are the requirements, and the standards cannot be lowered. Only such people can pass down the true Gospel. Paul's character played a key role, with wisdom and persistence, knowing what is most important. What to eat or not eat is not important; it does not matter if you do not eat, the key is not to treat the Mosaic Law as the Gospel. Only what Jesus preached is the Gospel.

Barnabas's character is also fully revealed. He argued with Paul because he wanted to take Mark, because he understood Mark's weaknesses very well. In fact, so-called understanding everything is not necessarily good. After Barnabas and Paul quarreled, they parted ways with Mark. Paul took Silas because Silas has a character that is completely different from Mark, that is, disregarding his life for the name of Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, serving God must have this character, which determines a person's attitude in life. You cannot lower the standards a little today, lower them a little tomorrow, and lower them a little the day after tomorrow. After a while, there are no standards. Can that work?

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:40-41)

From then on, the Apostle Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles and began to insist on the pure Gospel. No matter where it comes from, even if it comes from James, it does not work. In fact, neither James nor Peter looked down on the Gentile churches, just like many people looked down on us at the beginning, questioning that we were not good enough.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things By mouth. (Acts 15:24-27)

This says it so well: Judas and Silas risked their lives for the Gospel, this is the character inside people.

Silas's Character

Silas's character is to risk his life for the Gospel, putting his life aside and wearing his head on his belt. In order for the truth of the Gospel to continue to exist among us, only in this way can we no longer cater to the flesh, and we do not need to care about our own life or death. If you follow me to believe in the Lord and want to receive grace among us, my best advice is to disregard your life. From then on, put life and death aside and take serving God as our Mingding Destiny. The reason why people get this or that disease is very simple: they are afraid of death. Those who are afraid of death cannot walk this path. It is normal for people to suffer a little. Like in the fourteenth chapter of Acts, the Apostle Paul was almost stoned to death, but it was nothing, he stood up, patted the dust, and left.

Summary

Everyone must be a person with character, telling themselves to imitate the character of Paul, the character of Silas, and the character of Jesus Christ. Put life and death aside, see through life and death, and in order for the truth of the Gospel to continue to exist among us, insist on walking this road of the cross. We are not putting burdens on others and not moving a finger ourselves. We are crucifying ourselves, dealing with our flesh, and being a priest after God's own heart, a disciple after God's own heart. Be a person with character, your character can shake the heavens and the earth, and can bring the power of Jesus Christ down from God's throne, because the core of character is faith.

May God bless everyone!