Introduction

Good day to all! Today, I will share a topic with you, entitled To Make Us Holy and Without Blemish. The previous two series of sermons in the church, the scriptures were all from the Book of Ephesians. The first one was about Through the Church, to Make Known the Manifold Wisdom of God. I felt that I did not explain it clearly at that time. Why didn't I explain it clearly? Because I covered a lot of content, wanting to finish the Book of Ephesians in one go, resulting in an unclear explanation, and it is understandable if you didn't understand it.

My first sermon was basically an overview: Through the church, to make known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms the manifold wisdom of God. This sentence itself is not difficult to understand, but if the content within is listed, it requires chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse analysis. The second sermon, the theme was To Him Be Glory in the Church, which is a sub-division of Through the Church, to Make Known the Manifold Wisdom of God. Today's topic, To Make Us Holy and Without Blemish, is also a further refinement of the content of the first sermon. Many people feel that being holy and without blemish is impossible, but it is indeed written in the Bible. Today, I will clearly articulate this sentence so that everyone can understand it.

Recently, a sister developed a lot of urticaria on her skin, including boils on her scalp. Her problem was almost resolved a few years ago, so why did it reappear? Is it because the church's prayer is not effective? I tell you: It is because of the changes in the thoughts and intentions, bringing about dirt and filth, which surfaced from the skin.

Over the past few years, we have served many people. Some brothers and sisters, during prayer, developed a large lump on their body, which later festered, and eventually the lump disappeared. Some people, upon prayer, developed a hard, sharp pimple on their eye, which grew quite large, and after half a year of continuous dealing with it, it eventually went away. There are also some brothers and sisters who serve alongside me, and as they serve, various problems arise: nose swelling, dry skin, ulcers, etc. There is also a sister who used to have swollen feet, and recently they have swollen again, and both feet are swollen. She used to think it was an injury, but this time there was no injury at all. So, is this a demon? Or is it indulging the flesh and discerning good and evil?

It turns out that this is a way for God to make us holy. In the process of moving forward on the spiritual path, you will see the manifold wisdom of God. Why? Because the filth in people's thoughts and intentions will inevitably evolve into a manifestation on the body. I thank God that these all evolve into problems that are visible and tangible on the skin and appearance. If it grows in the internal organs, wouldn't that be cancer? It turns out that on this path to becoming holy, God often uses our bodies to reveal the filth in our thoughts and intentions.

I have concluded that some diseases are closely related to something in the thoughts and intentions. Indulging the flesh, bitterness, and discerning good and evil will all evolve into different diseases. A certain disease has a certain spirit behind it, and the reason why this spirit dwells in this person is because of the thoughts and intentions within this person. In other words, in the process of becoming holy and without blemish, it is to manifest the works of the devil, to manifest the unholy and filthy things within us. This is the manifold wisdom of God, the design of God.

Everyone must remember: the work of demons is not terrible, because the work of demons is also the wisdom of God. Today, the devil has done these things on people's bodies, and then revealed our intentions. In fact, the devil has done a lot of work in the church. Once, a demon said, I am here to help you build the church. I said, That's strange, how do you build it? The demon said, Look, I am driving people into the church. If I didn't create problems for him, how could he seek God in the church? This is how God makes the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms know the manifold wisdom of God. Originally, the demon didn't want to drive people into the church, but in the process of being corrupted, people's thoughts and intentions want to seek God.

Recently, some new brothers and sisters, including those who have not yet believed, all came to the church to seek because they were living a life of the flesh and loving the world, and were eventually made miserable by the demons. The demon also said: To take the dirty and filthy things out of the church, and the church will be holy and clean. These things are amazing. Whether it is angels or demons, their work cannot escape the manifold wisdom of God, which is to make the church holy.

After serving for a long time, we have come to realize a truth: God is in control of everything! This matter is not so far away from us. In fact, there are some denominations whose concepts seem that God is not in control, even though they verbally say that God is in control and all-knowing and all-powerful. At critical moments, they don't even believe that God can control speaking in tongues. How can God not control speaking in tongues?

So we have come to realize a concept that God is really in control! All the problems, in the matter of God making the church and people holy, demonstrate the manifold wisdom of God. In the process of building the church, God chooses treasures, while the demons choose trash. How does the church become holy? God puts the treasures in his eyes into the church; the demons take away the trash in God's eyes from the church. Isn't this God, through the church, making the rulers and authorities in the heavens know the manifold wisdom of God?

We must know that the devil cannot corrupt a Godly people. Anything that can be corrupted is not a treasure. So we have gradually realized a truth: Many people are God's elect. Since God has chosen these people, God will make them holy and without blemish to build His glorious church. We must believe in God. In fact, believing or not believing is the root of the problem. Whether a person can become holy is directly related to believing or not believing.

Today's topic may give you a little feeling: it seems to be talking about making us holy and without blemish, but it is not. It is about making the church holy and without blemish. Next, let's examine the scriptures together to see what the Bible actually says.

Scripture

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-10)

This passage seems abstract but is also very concrete. It is best to memorize this passage and store it in the depths of your mind.

Prayer

God, open our eyes and let us know what spiritual blessings we have received from you! Let us know that you have chosen us in Jesus Christ to make us holy and without blemish. And because you love us, prepared us, and predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. Lord, we offer thanks to you today. We know that in your eternity there is a good plan, which is to bring all things in heaven and earth into one. Lord, today we seek before you, asking you to speak to us personally, removing the filth in our thoughts and intentions. Let us be able to walk according to your will on the spiritual path and the heavenly path. Lord, you personally reign in our lives, lead us, and make us holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Basic Concepts Mentioned in This Passage

The basic concepts mentioned in this passage run through the entire Bible. The first basic concept is that God chose us in Christ. What is election? In the entire Bible, it is often divided into you and them. Jesus talks about what you are like, and what they are like. He speaks clearly to you, and speaks in parables to them, so that they will not understand even if they hear.

In fact, in God, there has long been an election, but we do not know who God has chosen. As for us, we are very clear that we have been chosen. How do we know that we have been chosen? In reality, there are many things that cannot be clearly explained in theory. Some people have not even read the Gospel of Matthew and Genesis, but when they come to church, they begin to believe and see God working in their lives; others also come to church, but do not see God working in their lives.

In the final analysis, it is all God's election. God chooses people, it is God actively choosing treasures. Among these nations, in the midst of surrounding chaos and disputes, seeing all aspects of life, there are some people we really do not understand, and we do not need to understand. We find that some people have absolutely no interest in God or the gospel, and their lives just pass by. But some people believe after hearing it. Believing or not believing really cannot be explained by reason. If it were not for God's election, we would not know where we would have gone on this path of faith to this day. You will find that this is all God actively doing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ, it is not that we can do whatever we want. The spiritual blessings in heaven and on earth include many things in heaven and on earth. If you have just come among us, you will learn the first lesson, The Spiritual Realm is Real. The spiritual world controls everything, whether it is the spiritual realm or the things on earth. The things we encounter in our lives are closely related to spiritual things.

Spiritual blessings include all blessings. We say that a person is blessed on earth, judged by earthly concepts. But in spiritual blessings, it includes not only heavenly things, but also earthly things. How can we receive spiritual blessings, and some people cannot receive them? This is God's election.

God makes us holy, it is not that we become holy ourselves, it is God who actively does it. How does God make us holy? As we mentioned before, after a sister's legs were swollen, she reflected on her thoughts and intentions. Why did they swell? It was actually because her thoughts and intentions had changed, and then she began to receive the word of God, seeing her filth. Foot swelling is actually the filth of the thoughts and intentions going out. The things in people's thoughts and intentions will be manifested through carnal things, which is how God makes us holy. This is all God actively doing. God has long predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.

These concepts: election, to make us, love us, give us, predestine us to be adopted as sons, all explain one thing, this is what God actively does. Why does He actively do this on these people? Because God is looking for treasures. When we understand the meaning inside, we will exclaim that it is so. We should not act as if we are being a good person: God, why don't you choose him? This is what God actively does, and it has nothing to do with us.

This passage also involves some basic concepts, such as grace. We receive this grace so that our sins may be forgiven, which is also what God actively does.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ (Ephesians 1:7-9)

This grace is what God bestows upon us with all wisdom and understanding, all of which God does on us. Why? Because God wants to accomplish a great plan, that all things in heaven will be united in Jesus Christ, according to what has been arranged, to be united when the time is fulfilled. We need to understand, to make us holy and without blemish. The question then becomes, does it refer to an individual or a church? If it refers to an individual, it will clearly speak of an individual; when speaking of us, it actually represents the church. So, does it refer to an individual or a church? Actually, it is both.

The holiness of the individual and the holiness of the church are closely related. It is meaningless to talk about the holiness of the individual without leaving the church. The entire Book of Ephesians speaks of the building of the church. If you read the Book of Ephesians without leaving the concept of building the church, you will be very confused. Today, we clarify this concept and summarize that God is doing this. If God is doing these things, then what are we worried about all day? We don't need to worry. What we need to do is to have loyalty in Jesus Christ.

Let us carefully read the first verse:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:1-2)

In other words, those who are not faithful are simply not chosen by God. Nor do we know if they are among the elect. Ephesians was written to those who are faithful in Jesus Christ. Faithfulness is, indeed, a choice we make; it is not determined after some calculation. We can choose to be faithful disciples in Jesus Christ or choose to be disciples without faithfulness.

Once we clarify these concepts, we know that what God wants to accomplish in us, to make us holy, is not something we achieve through our own cultivation. We must remember that holiness in a Christian is not the result of self-cultivation, but of God’s refining work in us.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3)

God will purify me, not only bestowing the baptism of water but also the baptism of fire, refining us. If Christians lack spiritual discernment, they might think that prayer is ineffective when they see boils on their body or the return of skin diseases. They fail to consider that “God is actively dealing with us to make us holy.” If we know that God wants to sanctify us, we will think, “Something within me needs to be cleansed, and God is purifying the defilement within us. I thank God that through these things, He is making us holy, and we will certainly be healed!”

The phrase “to make us holy” is not a personal issue but a matter concerning the church. When we see the phrase, “to be holy and blameless in his sight,” does it refer to the church or to individuals? Let us turn to Ephesians.

to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

After reading this, we realize that it refers to the church. Therefore, apart from building the church, you cannot fully understand the Epistles of Paul.

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)

Many who read:

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31)

Assume it refers to earthly marriage, but it does not. The Apostle Paul says this is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. Being holy and blameless is not about personal cultivation but about the church. Building a holy church is God’s intention, and the final outcome is that everything in heaven and on earth will be united in Jesus Christ.

The Source of Defilement

These problems that cause illness originate from the defilement within. Where does this defilement come from? Ephesians chapter 2 explains it clearly:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh, following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

The source of defilement is following the ways of this world. Once you follow the ways of this world, you submit to the ruler of the kingdom of the air. You will gradually realize what the ways of this world are related to. For example, people who follow the ways of this world often feel that when one gets older, they should do what people of that age do. As a result, they marry under the urging of their parents and experience a lot of pain.

I met a sister who said that if she could choose again, she would not choose the path of marriage because she has suffered so much. This sister had a close brush with death and was healed through prayer among us after contracting a terminal illness. Later, she followed the ways of this world and suffered a lot. It was very difficult. But thank the Lord, God has abundant mercy and wisdom, like the parable of the prodigal son, who, after suffering enough and eating pig food, wanted to return to the Father’s embrace. Later, this sister worked diligently in pastoral care in the church, and God also showed her great favor.

Following the ways of this world is submitting to the ruler of the kingdom of the air, which is Satan. When people gratify the cravings of the flesh and follow its desires, they obtain defilement. In the Spiritual World, there is a demon called Old Horse. Once people act according to the flesh, the spirit of Old Horse will certainly attack you.

We must know the source of defilement, which is the word living. By indulging in the desires of the flesh and following the inclinations of the heart, one obtains defilement. Have you noticed that people who live well generally do not comply with their carnal desires. If a child indulges in playing video games, can he become successful? Playing video games is not a kind of training. A person who wants to win an Olympic gold medal must undergo long-term, arduous training. No one likes this kind of arduous training, because it goes against their own preferences.

Following one’s own preferences is, in itself, following the prince of the power of the air, which brings a host of problems, and one obtains demons, bringing sorrow to the heart. What we need to deal with throughout our lives is the custom of this world and the lust of the flesh.

To live a holy life, we face some challenges. For example, can the Bible provide for our needs? Someone once said, “In China, people cannot survive without sinning!” This person thought he had made a good summary, but if we think carefully about this sentence, it is not true. How can someone who trusts in God not live well? How much can a person eat or use in a lifetime? If we examine carefully, do those who sin live well? What is the fate of those who follow the custom of this world, indulging in the desires of the flesh and following the inclinations of their hearts?

Therefore, brothers and sisters, on the path of pursuing holiness, we must constantly deal with the custom of this world, the desires of the flesh, and evil concepts. We must know for sure that holiness can not only provide for our needs but also provide very well. God will surely use these things to make us see everything in the world clearly, to make us holy, and to clear away the rubbish in our minds.

Some people think that there are three types of homosexuality: one type is because of emotional hurt in marital relationships; one type is promiscuous; and another type is that people are born with such an orientation. Whether we are born with such an orientation or not is unimportant. Whether we are homosexual or heterosexual, as long as we follow the inclinations of our hearts, we will be defiled. People do not live by following the inclinations of their hearts, but by the word of God. Those who follow their natural choices do not live well.

Today, we need to strive to deal with these unholy thoughts. We manifest some and deal with some. A person’s life is about constantly dealing with what he likes, which is solving the issue of holiness. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Without holiness, one cannot obtain God’s grace and cannot be united with God. Holiness is a path. When your unholiness changes from 98% to 95% and then to 90%, we will follow the custom of this world less and less, indulge our desires less and less, and follow our own inclinations less and less. This is the path of holiness.

There are not many secrets on the path of holiness. When the defilement within us is manifested, reflected in the head or various parts of the body, and various problems arise, do not be afraid. This is a path of holiness. When the defilement within us is removed, the body will become healthier and stronger. How can people be well if they are full of defilement? So there is no fear in manifesting problems. The most fearful thing is not manifesting problems. When there are manifestations, it means that there is still defilement within us, which is not removed all at once but is removed step by step.

Some people say, “God, why don’t you remove the defilement within me all at once? Why didn’t you destroy all the people of Canaan all at once?” God does not think that destroying all the people of Canaan in one breath is a good thing. God bestows all kinds of wisdom and prudence generously to us; this is God’s good intention. Many people have no faith in God. Even if their bodies are 95% healed, they will not feel good because in their concept, being healed means being completely healed. What is complete healing? How can people be completely healed if the defilement in their minds is not removed? Know that being holy and blameless is the key.

God Has Chosen Us

Everyone should know that it is not that God chooses us because we are holy, but that because we are defiled and need God, God chooses us. God chooses us to make us holy and blameless. We need God and desire God in our hearts because we live in the custom of this world, the desires of the flesh, and the inclinations of our hearts. We cannot turn back and live helplessly. We need a powerful God, so we choose to believe.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)

We need to know that we are chosen by God. How do we know this? Or what kind of people does God choose? When people hear the message of truth, which is the gospel of salvation. Originally, we lived in defilement and could not get rid of it. Now that we have God’s rich grace, all problems are solved. Why should we follow the custom of this world, indulge in the desires of the flesh, and follow the inclinations of our hearts?

This is how God chooses. God gives us the message of truth, and we feel that this is very good. How do we discern that this is good? When we first believed in Jesus, we knew nothing. It was not that we believed only after we had thoroughly studied it. Today, we are those who have heard the message of truth, which is the gospel of salvation; believed in Christ; and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. The inheritance is our property, and property is our value. The deposit guaranteeing our inheritance is like getting a title deed after buying a house, having the property rights of the house.

Whether the Holy Spirit enters a person’s heart is God’s choice. How does God choose? God chooses according to the faith in a person’s heart. If you believe in your heart, you will receive it; if you doubt in your heart, you will not receive it. How do people accept the word of God once they have heard it? When people have suffered enough in this world, they will choose to accept the truth.

A few days ago, I received a person who strongly agreed with what we preached because he had suffered enough in the custom of this world and lived very hard. All those who live very hard, when they hear the word of God and seek help in despair, know that they need Jesus Christ and need this powerful gospel. These are those whom God has chosen. Although God chooses many, few are truly chosen by God.

Once we believe in Jesus, our transgressions are forgiven. This is the most critical step in becoming holy. The demon is still in us, but it has become an illegal resident, and we can drive it out. The demon has created a lot of confusion in us, causing us to live in defilement, and people begin to sin, forming a worldly logical system.

Today, our transgressions are forgiven because God wants to bestow abundant grace on us with all wisdom and prudence. The demon has become an illegal resident in us. After we drive it out, our bodies become holy. This is the manifold wisdom of God, to make known his manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. When a demon lives in a person’s body, the person is deceived and lives only to live, eventually becoming Long’er and Fugui in the book To Live.

After our transgressions are forgiven, the defiled demon is driven out of our bodies. When our feet are swollen, skin diseases appear, ulcers grow in our noses, blisters appear on our tongues, or foreign objects appear in our eyes, this is all God doing the work of holiness. Our minds need to be cleaned, but not all at once. Instead, the defilement within us is removed step by step. This is God making us holy. God has abundant grace, and all the needs of our lives are met in God.

Today, we no longer live by the flesh. God has all kinds of wisdom and prudence, and God will give us all that we need abundantly. Those who trust in God lack no good thing. As a result, we become holy. All of this is within Spiritual blessings, and we begin to value this title and salvation. Not valuing salvation and title is a very serious problem because this, in itself, is God’s standard of choice. Almost everyone among us has experienced God, but not everyone values this title and Spiritual blessings.

Some time ago, I preached a sermon called “The Wisdom of Choice.” What do we value? If people lack wisdom, the ending will definitely be tragic. Esau and Jacob in the Bible were twin brothers. They were both sons of Isaac and grandsons of Abraham, yet they made completely different choices. In the end, Jacob became a blessing, but Esau became a curse.

But in the Bible, we see that Esau was not cursed, but lived well. He led four hundred soldiers, had a large family, and was very wealthy. This is worldly blessing; Esau did not have spiritual blessing. The choices we make determine whether we are treasures or trash in God’s eyes. Jacob’s pursuit was to return to God and be one with Him, just like his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.

Today, as we build the church, we must know that God is doing the work of selection. God wants to make the church holy, and we are co-workers with God, building a holy and blameless church together. It is not we who are choosing people, but God who is choosing people. When we have good intentions, we may not understand God’s actions. But in fact, God wants to make the church holy and blameless.

Some church pastors value their members so much that they follow their wishes. Their eyes see and their hearts consider only money. Such a church cannot become holy. If the pastors and members of a church continue to follow the customs of this world and choose according to the logic of this life, the church cannot become holy. Building a church cannot be according to one’s own will. What happens when a church pastor values the members’ offerings and considers only money? Jesus drove these people out because they had turned God’s temple into a den of thieves.

Therefore, we must pursue holiness in building the church. We, in Chinese Mingding Destiny, have a vision: to build a holy, united, glorious, truth-abiding, and victorious army church. We do not force people to join the church. Although we give grace to people, we never morally kidnap them. We bring people into the grace of God and let them choose whether to build a holy church with us.

Our church never pursues numbers, nor does it care about money. What we care about is building a holy and blameless church. As a result, God works with us. Our church never lacks money, nor do we take money from people. We constantly give to others. But if you look closely, many churches are very poor because people’s hearts are too dirty and too poor. Therefore, if we want to purify the church, we must not build it according to people’s will, but build it on the word of God. We must follow the example of Jesus Christ, cleansing the temple and cleansing the church.

Jesus saw a large crowd and said, “You must eat my flesh and drink my blood. My flesh is edible, and my blood is drinkable.” The people did not understand what He was saying, and many left, leaving only a few. Why didn’t Jesus bring back those who left? Jesus said to Peter, “Do you want to leave too? If you want to leave, then leave!” Peter said, “Lord, you have the words of eternal life. Who else shall we follow?” Our God is not pursuing the number of people in the church, but the holiness and unity of the church, with the power to fight.

May God Open Our Spiritual Eyes

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:17-19)

If we receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation today, may God’s Spirit grant us wisdom and revelation, open our spiritual eyes, and let us know the hope of God’s calling, and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. If we build God’s glorious church today, we will truly know God, know what hope we have, and know what glory our property certificates and title deeds have! Not only earthly ones, but also heavenly ones.

For us who believe, who are faithful in Jesus Christ, who build God’s glorious church, and who pursue holiness and unity, the power that is revealed is so great. This year, we will see the blind see, the lame walk, and lepers cleansed. The dead will also be raised from the dead. Let the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection manifest in us, and we will know how great God’s power is! The answer to all our problems in life is in Jesus Christ!

Our church is a church that solves problems through the power of God. I guarantee that God’s promises are yes and amen in Jesus Christ. If we cannot fulfill God’s promises, where is the problem? In the church, the church must walk the path of holiness! We must no longer force people to join the church; we must solve people’s problems. As for whether people want to follow Jesus or not, that is God’s choice.

We must know that all problems are caused by the spiritual realm. Today, let the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection manifest in our bodies, so that we who believe can see how great God’s power is. Then the problems in the spiritual realm can be solved, and we can escape the defilement of the world. Because we have no power in this world, this world is based on human power. If there is no power, blessing, and grace in this world, there will only be problems.

Let us ask God to open our spiritual eyes and know what hope there is in building the body of Jesus Christ. This is God calling us to do what is right in His eyes and to carry out His will. If we know that God has called us to build His glorious church, we will know what hope there is in His calling, what glory there is in the inheritance among the saints, and we will know how great the power He shows to us. That is the key.

Becoming Holy in Unity

Once we open our spiritual eyes and know spiritual blessings and grace, will we not become holy? We must pursue becoming holy in unity. Do not bring old logical systems, such as: how can I live without sinning? How can I not live without sinning? Under this spiritual blessing, seeing this wonderful grace in Jesus Christ, how can we not live well? Therefore, we must pursue holiness in unity, that is the key.

Let us open Ephesians chapter four:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

When we are on the road to pursuing unity, we will deal with the flesh and the defilement on our bodies. Brothers and sisters, know that we are a united church. We had a 72-hour prayer meeting before. Different co-workers came on stage to lead prayers, and the people below said that the people in this church are very united, because the calling, hope, and faith they preached were exactly the same. Because this is Chinese Mingding Destiny, Chinese Mingding Destiny pursues dealing with defilement. These things that cater to the flesh, love the world, and discern good and evil are all defilement.

Once we are not united, God will definitely deal with us. For example, if two people are not united, have conflicts, and lack patience and tolerance, grabbing each other’s hair and strangling each other’s necks, just like children fighting, this is the bestiality of the flesh. When we do these things, God will definitely deal with us, because God wants to make his church holy. Everyone must not have such thoughts, how can I suffer losses? As a result, they compete, are jealous, and compare themselves, lacking the effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

So don’t do this, because God will definitely deal with you. Whether you have this problem or that problem, I hope you can learn the lessons of dealing with the flesh. When we have these things in us, the church cannot be without strife. In fact, the political struggles in the church are no weaker than those in the world, and they are very fierce. Because the church was not built according to God’s word from the beginning, God let them do it.

Brothers and sisters, let us begin to become holy in unity today. Once we find a problem, you need to know where the problem lies. The problem lies in the defilement within us. Because our church wants to pursue holiness and unity, God is working in our midst, and God wants to deal with the flesh on our bodies. God wants to make you and me holy. How do you and I become holy? It is through unity that we become holy.

So God gave apostles, prophets, pastors, and evangelists to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Building up the body of Christ is the church of Jesus Christ, no longer like children, you pinch me and I pinch you. Brothers and sisters, be spiritual adults, able to discern good and evil, and will not be shaken by the customs of this world or the wind of heresy, and will not be deceived by the magic of the devil. But some people are willful, and even if they know it, they will not change it, and then they leave the church. Thank God, because his departure makes the church holy, and that is God’s choice and God’s work. We must put off the old self and the old self’s desires and become a new creation.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned about the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and former way of life, which is corrupt by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Colossians 4:21-24)

Brothers and sisters, we must know for sure that by pursuing holiness and unity, the church can plunder the enemy instead of being plundered by the enemy. In the Old Testament, whenever the Israelites wanted to live a small life, the whole country would decline, and other surrounding nations would come to bully the Israelites. Until the Israelites cried out to God, God would raise up a judge, and this judge would once again pull the Israelites out of their small lives and lead them to live a God-centered life according to God’s will. As a result, they subdued the enemies of the Israelites, which is God’s design.

If we are plundered by the enemy, we need to know that it is because we have defilement in us, we invite ghosts into us, and we have problems in us. Because we are not holy, not united, and cannot be united with the Holy Spirit, not one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. But one person has one faith, one person has one god, one person has one baptism, and one person has one lord. The Old Testament has shown us a very clear case, so what should we do today?

Today, once we begin to become holy and united, we will surely win the battle. In the victory of the battle, we will become holy. In the church, a place where people are perfected, we can each perform our duties and trample on the devil and the enemy in spiritual warfare! In the new year, we must ask the devil Satan and the enemy to repay double the stolen blessings! So becoming holy in battle is God’s design.

If our battle cannot be won, it is because the entire church is not holy. In the Old Testament, Joshua led the Israelites to defeat one day, and he did not understand: God, why did you let me be defeated? Later, God told Joshua: You don’t have to be like this, because there is someone inside who took the things that should be destroyed. How can it be holy to take what should be destroyed? So the Israelites were defeated.

But it’s not because of a defeat that we do things. We don’t judge heroes by one victory or defeat. After the church loses a battle, it quickly does cleaning work. After they removed Achan, the church was victorious again. The church is God’s army, and God is constantly making us holy in his army. God wants to constantly make the church holy and constantly make the church united. So our vision is to build a holy and united army church.

If we are elite soldiers in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, do we have to let go of some things? We definitely need to let go, because elite soldiers cannot be burdened by the world. In the coming year, let us begin to joyfully welcome God in our midst, constantly making us holy and without blemish. God wants to cleanse us with water through the word, to make us holy, to present us to himself, to build a glorious church, without stain, wrinkle, or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. We begin to look forward to the new year, God continues to lead us to victory, and we continue to advance on the path of holiness!

Brothers and sisters, every Sunday, we must open up the vision of our church and be familiar with the vision and mission of the church. We deal with the problems on our bodies little by little. I can tell you one very definite thing, you can’t not live a healthy life! You can’t not live prosperously! You cannot but live out the glory of God! This was God’s good will in us! This is God’s will, according to his own predestined intention, to let us know his will, so that when the time is right, all things in heaven and on earth will be united in Jesus Christ. We work with God in Jesus Christ to complete God’s good plan for us!

May God bless everyone!