Introduction

Good day to all! Today, I will be sharing the sixth part of the Mingding Destiny series. After completing the previous series on the foundations of faith, I consulted with my colleagues about the next series. They suggested the Mingding Destiny series. Thus, we embarked on it, and now we've reached the sixth part, Striving Diligently. If you accept the preceding five sessions, you will undoubtedly strive diligently. Why? Because you recognize it as a treasure. Consider the previous session, Service Filled with God's Glory. How would you react? You would strive diligently, like an athlete on the Olympic podium winning a gold medal! If you are an athlete from the People's Republic of China winning gold, the national anthem of the People's Republic of China will be played; if you are an athlete from the United States winning gold, the American national anthem will be played. One day, we will stand before God to receive His rewards, be called faithful and good servants, and then be assigned to manage a city, five cities, or ten cities—this is God's election in eternity.

Being specially chosen by God is being seen as precious in His eyes and being called children of God. You must understand that as children of God, you can freely draw upon the resources of God's household. How will you respond today? You will certainly strive diligently. Will you strive diligently? You certainly will, or so it seems as I confidently say this. Are you certain? I am certain of you, but are you certain of yourself? Is this a bit difficult to understand? It is not difficult to understand at all.

Let me ask you, if you discovered a gold mine and thought obtaining a gold ring was a great treasure, then ran away without claiming the mine, wouldn't that be foolish? I often see people who, after believing in the Lord for a while, go off to pursue their careers, sell insurance, put God aside, and work overtime incessantly. What is that kind of thinking? Sometimes I like to say, Their brains are not functioning well! Please do not be offended by this, but it is truly a matter of not thinking clearly. Oh dear, I don't even know what to say. So if you have an opportunity to earn money, would you be content with earning just a little? No, you wouldn't, would you? Look at those who run mala tang restaurants; when a crowd of customers rushes in just as they are about to close, what do they do? Oh, customers are coming right to my door! Quick, sit down, sit down, let me cook mala tang for you. How can one not strive for that?

I have observed many interesting things among us. I ask, What happened? Oh, no, I can't come to the gathering, they say. I ask, Why can't you come to the gathering? Because I am preparing for the civil service exam. I am perplexed; how does preparing for the civil service exam prevent you from gathering? It seems that believing in the Lord interferes with their civil service exam. So many people, when preparing for college entrance exams, graduate school entrance exams, driver's license exams, or any other exams, push God aside. God, please step aside for a moment; I don't have time for you. I feel this is a tragedy!

It is not just children who do this, but many parents as well. Once, I went to a church and met an acquaintance walking into the church with the pastor. I asked, Why isn't your son attending Sunday service? Oh, my son is preparing for college entrance exams. I thought, What kind of thinking is this? Their brains are not functioning well. Later, did he get into college? Can you guess? He did not. Can he do well acting like this? It's a curse. Which is the treasure? Is it the civil service job, the college diploma, the graduate degree, or the driver's license? Which is the treasure? Of course, God is the treasure, but people do not know it; their brains are not functioning well.

If you have money in hand and want to invest in real estate, would you do it casually? You cannot be casual. I once met a real estate developer who is also a brother in the Lord. He said, Don't think that we businessmen have it easy. I asked, Why? We all grit our teeth and stomp our feet. He said this very interestingly. Have you noticed that when buying a 50-square-meter, 70-square-meter, or 100-square-meter apartment, people stretch and stretch until they grit their teeth and stomp their feet to make it happen? You all know that feeling. The developer also said that they stretch, they stretch again, grit their teeth and stomp their feet—it is all striving diligently.

If you are looking for someone to marry, would you pick someone randomly? I know that some brothers and sisters among us are seeking partners and going on blind dates! That's what it's called, blind dates. You must meet properly! Spending a lot of effort and time. If you don't spend time, strive diligently, and put in some effort, can you find someone good? You won't find someone good.

So, brothers and sisters, today our years are like a pig-slaughtering knife; once they're gone, they're gone. They only leave a pile of traces of time on our faces. The other day, I saw photos from forty years ago posted by my classmates; looking at those photos now, I am filled with emotion. Those are all traces left by the pig-slaughtering knife. The traces of time, forty years in the blink of an eye; life is not long. I am deeply moved; where has our time gone? A lot of it is spent playing mahjong. But how many people are striving diligently in Jesus Christ? I am afraid not many.

I think that a person's life is like taking a train. When I was young, I really wanted to ride a train. Seeing a train, I felt that riding it would be wonderful. Later, the first time I rode a train, it lasted for more than thirty or forty hours. Life is like taking a train; the first hour is so slow, so long. After enduring an hour, the second hour seems a bit faster than the first. At first, I thought riding a train would be great, but after getting on the train, I realized it was like sitting on a tiger bench—clang, clang, clang. Later, I realized why I used riding a train as an analogy. As you sit, once you pass the halfway point, the second half feels much faster than the first half; it seems shorter. The first half feels so long. Later, I thought, have you noticed? Many people are nodding in agreement. Time went by so slowly when we were young, but as we get older, time passes faster and faster. Later, I realized, oh my goodness, I don't seem to have many years left. I thought, this is not good. If there is no hope of eternal life, what will happen? Without the hope of eternal life, without the grace of eternal life, just muddling through until death.

A few days ago, near my home, I saw a funeral procession. A coffin was pushed into a hearse, and a long line of people followed, wearing mourning clothes and slowly pushing the car forward. Where were they going? To the crematorium. I thought, what a tragedy it is for a person to have no hope of eternal life.

I tell you all, I am a person who strives diligently, and I do not regret it today. I hardly waste any time. Whether it is doing work or being a Christian, I do it very seriously, not just ordinarily serious. I never slack off; if I can solve one more problem, I will solve it. I never think of solving one less. When I go to work in the morning and return in the evening, I fill my day as much as I can handle; I do as much as I can. I never slack off. To this day, I am very grateful. You might say, back then, I did not know much. It's not that I was very sensible, but I felt I should work hard. But looking back today, I am glad to have developed this habit of striving diligently. Later, I realized that I can do many things quickly and well. Why can I do so many things? Do you know why? Because I used to pack things in; if I could do one, I would squeeze in two; if I could do two, I would force in three. I pushed myself to the limit. After pushing myself to the limit, when I relax a little, there is still no pressure, and I can do more than others.

Do you know what pressure management is all about? Pressure management is like blowing up a balloon. It is difficult for someone who has never blown up a balloon before. Their cheeks turn red, and they can barely manage to blow it up. If the balloon has not been stretched, the pressure inside increases greatly even with just a little air. If you blow it up and then release a little air, there is still a lot of air inside, but the pressure is actually very low. This is a person's capacity.

Have you noticed, especially those who have had a lot of contact with me in our church, have you seen my way of serving and working? The workload is very high, but it is definitely not done poorly; it is done quite well! Later, I understood that you must aim for quantity. Without aiming for quantity, it is like a balloon that has not been blown up. Later, I came up with a sentence: Without quantity, where does quality come from? The quantity cannot go up. Ten years to forge a sword, grinding an iron rod into a needle—is that a sword? These ten years are not spent forging just one sword, but making one after another, perhaps making tens of thousands of swords, and finally creating a sword that can cut iron like mud. So, without quantity, where does quality come from? Think about this slowly.

Once, I was bragging to my colleagues: A hero does not dwell on past achievements, but I still have to mention it. I used to manage twenty projects simultaneously, and the workload of each project was immense, but my mind was very clear. As a result, the projects were done quite well. Why? Because my mind was clear. How was it clear? It was developed under high pressure. Without pressure, how can you develop? Under high pressure, there is nothing but to improve efficiency; there is nothing but to do things right. There is no other way; you cannot redo them because there is no time to redo them; you must get it right the first time.

After I finished saying this, yesterday a colleague said to me: Teacher, do you know? I can now manage three projects simultaneously without any confusion. A few days ago, he launched some projects and, during the implementation phase, the pressure was very high at the end. He said: If I had successfully launched these projects two years ago, I would have celebrated with champagne! I asked: Why didn't you open champagne? He said: It's no big deal; why open champagne? Isn't this normal?

Things that used to be celebrated with champagne are now considered normal. Why? Because they have improved; their level has risen! I tell you all, you must strive diligently because striving diligently expands a person rather than inflating them. The words expand and inflate cannot be used interchangeably; inflate is not a good word. When a person expands, their mind becomes increasingly sharp, and their judgment of things becomes increasingly clear. This is all trained.

If this colleague is already like this at thirty, what will he be like when he reaches my age? Later, I often said to my colleagues: You are more capable than I am. When I was your age, I was terrible; no one trained me. You are all so good. I am jealous of you; how did you have such a good teacher who trained you so well? I didn't have such a good teacher back then.

What I mean is, aiming for quantity is not about wasting time; it is about having the capacity, and that capacity is sifted out. In one's life, which people have high returns? People who strive diligently have high returns. Which people live well? People who strive diligently live well! Which people have less pressure? People who strive diligently have less pressure. Otherwise, people will be like small balloons. As I often say, their brains are like walnut kernels, their hearts are like peanuts, and a few green beans can fill them up. Such a small heart is a big trouble, right? Certainly not a state of being overwhelmed.

Today, brothers and sisters, you must know that the Apostle Paul who wrote the Bible was amazing; he was a great man. He was not overwhelmed at all; he was a wise master builder, as he himself said. Originally, I wanted to title this sixth part of the destiny series The Wise Master Builder, but after thinking about it, I decided to title it Striving Diligently. A wise master builder works wisely, but how did he become wise? Can he not be wise if he strives diligently? Whatever he squeezes out will be far more than what you do. The Apostle Paul did far more than the Apostle Peter and others; he was incredible. So we must learn from wise people.

Regarding learning to be wise, I tell you all, there is a concept called the tornado effect. Many years ago, I read a book called The Tornado Effect, which studied high-tech industries in Silicon Valley. You must know that high-tech industries are not like frying kuey teow—frying plate after plate. They do not operate that way. High-tech industries must cultivate something called the tornado effect. High-tech industries, such as China's Alibaba and Tencent, and America's Google and Facebook, have all formed tornados. Once a tornado starts, it pushes the enterprise into the sky. To cultivate the tornado effect, you must set up the factors that form the tornado. People are like that too. You must strive diligently and implement all the factors that form the tornado effect well.

Do you know? Our church has already entered a state of tornado; you don't need to push it; it pushes you. It's not me pushing the church; it's the church pushing me—how wonderful! When the church had not yet formed a tornado, it was very hard! How did we break through? To form a tornado, you must learn to strive diligently. In the process of striving diligently, I learned this secret. It is good for you to learn this secret from me; I am openly telling you all.

I was influenced by the concept of the tornado effect back then. I said: Building a church by driving each nail down one by one—when will it ever end? We cannot do it that way. I took the basic elements in the Bible that form the tornado effect and implemented them one by one, healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching the gospel. If I had to say, our church is best at healing and deliverance, best at studying the Bible, best at pastoral care, best at using high technology, and best at training leaders and providing training. These factors turn up the things that create the tornado effect, and once it turns, it goes up.

Later, I looked for this in the Bible, and our God is actually also a very powerful God! You know that the most important thing about a tornado is the Spirit of God. You must know that without the Spirit of God, everything is ruined. How do you possess the Spirit of God? You must build God's church according to God's Word. I put a lot of effort into studying this.

As time goes by, looking back today, oh, it’s all grace! If I were a lazy person, or if I were not a person who strives diligently, or if I were the kind of person who would say: I want to write the 101 course. I open the computer, and after looking at it for a long time, I don't type a single word. The computer looks at me, I look at the computer, and after looking at it, I feel dizzy and have a short nap. When I look at the computer again, there is not a single word on it, and I start to get annoyed. Am I right? That's probably how you are. That's not called striving diligently, that's called striving to waste time.

Some people say: Teacher, it takes me two hours to grade an assignment. I think to myself, how can it take two hours to do a ten-minute job? Did you misread the time, and see the minute hand as the hour hand? Why? A ten-minute job, and they spend two hours looking at the computer as if they were attending a matchmaking meeting? That's not called striving diligently, that's called striving. What can be done? Today I tell you what to do.

You must have the Spirit of God, a lot of praying in tongues. It is definitely worth it. After a lot of praying in tongues, many things will change over the years. As you grow, I dare to make a prediction that one day you will say these words: What kind of thinking is that? Their brains are not functioning well! As you grow, you can expect that one day these words will come out of your mouth. Why? Because after a person grows, they will look down and think like that. So their brains are not functioning well, that's because they don't know the abundant glory of God's grace.

Never neglect such a glorious calling and Mingding Destiny. Cultivate a habit of striving, like Ali Baba seeking treasure, like a mouse loving rice. Your capacity and volume will increase daily, and your mind will become sharper. Then, you will increasingly bear the glorious image of God. But never think that you have already attained it, that you are saved, never think that you can go to heaven; that is not the crucial thing, the crucial thing is to strive.

Today, you must understand that the idea that I have already attained it, I am already saved is not what the Bible teaches, that is their own idea. Treasure your time, and understand what the will of God is. This is salvation! Do you know you must strive? I have to frighten you a bit. I often say: Ghosts live in the church. Some people are terrified. Why? If ghosts live in the church, will that do? Some say: Our church has no ghosts. Who said that? Our church is a ghost-busting church. If there are no ghosts, what are we busting? Ghosts are just sparring partners. Don't expect to get rid of ghosts; expect to use ghosts to practice. Regularly KO them once, then KO them again.

Christians must know that God makes everything beautiful in its time, even the demons are created by God. So, Christians should not be afraid of demons, but should be afraid of not having demons. Of course, don't invite demons onto yourself. You want to experience God? I tell you, don't think, Oh, I haven't experienced God, I need a demon to experience God. That's experiencing a demon, not experiencing God. Can everyone distinguish this? How to experience God? By casting out demons!

If Christians do not strive, do not want to put in effort, do not want to solve problems, but only want results, I tell you, demons will make people stupid. People start taking shortcuts, wanting to earn quick money, wanting to invest a thousand dollars and immediately get back fifteen hundred, invest three thousand and immediately want to get back thirty-nine hundred. Wow! As a result, you were originally going to raise one hundred thousand, but after investing fifty thousand, 110 calls, saying you've been scammed. Fortunately, the remaining fifty thousand wasn't invested, otherwise you would have lost even more. You only earn three thousand dollars a month; how many months would it take to make up for fifty thousand dollars? That's very hard work.

So, once people want to take shortcuts and earn quick money, they are not far from being scammed. Only by striving to expand oneself, although it is slow, is actually fast. Only by making our own minds sharp, will we not be said to have dull minds. More problem-solving means more experience; that is the image of God. God is the God who helps us, the God who prospers us. God is not the God who makes us take shortcuts. The Spirit of God will give us wisdom and understanding. I tell you, it is inseparable from your striving.

Brothers and sisters, know that taking shortcuts is a very corrupt thing. Take a shortcut, a circumcision. Do you know what circumcision is? It's a small operation on the male genitals, removing the foreskin. What can that thing cut off? Those who are promiscuous will continue to be promiscuous. Like baptism, thinking that baptism will regenerate you; thinking that being laid hands on will impart some gifts; thinking that anointing with oil will do something. I tell you, although these are all in the Bible, they are not the thinking system of striving.

Chinese Mingding Destiny emphasizes striving and knowing God. Although this is the path of faith, it is also the path of striving. Chinese Mingding Destiny has no such thing as getting better all at once; there is no such thing. We only have striving, and striving is a portrait of faith. Because this is a treasure, grab a little and grab again, grab a little and continue to grab, constantly grabbing. The scripture I am quoting today is from the Apostle Paul, after years of establishing and pastoring churches, discovering that Jesus Christ is the supreme treasure. Until today, many Christians do not know that Jesus Christ is the supreme treasure, although they say so, they do not know how precious it is.

The Apostle Paul solved an age-old problem, which is the salvation of Jesus Christ. The salvation of Jesus Christ solved an age-old problem, which is that until today, no one, no method, can solve the selfishness within people, solve the carnal habits within people. Do you know? No matter what you do, you will still end up with the essential things within you. There is a story about a person who was a doctor by day and a murderer by night, killing people everywhere for many years. What kind of person is this? Saving people by day and killing people by night. This is a two-faced person. Until today, many people have duplicity. The scripture to be read today is a bit academic. We must know that Jesus Christ solved this age-old problem. Do you not think is a treasure?

Scripture

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Prayer

God! Today, let Your Spirit inspire us, inspire us with Your great love, so that we may know in our hearts that You are the supreme treasure, and let us count all things as rubbish for You. Let our brothers and sisters have such a mind, to discard all things and count them as rubbish for You, in order to gain this supreme treasure, Jesus Christ! Let us not have righteousness through doing the law, but righteousness through faith in Christ.

God! Today, inspire us to become people who strive, to imitate the Apostle Paul, and also to pay attention to the outcome of those who walk according to the example of the Apostle Paul. God! May Your Spirit inspire us, so that I can become a person who strives before You, so that I truly know what is the hope of Your calling, and what is the abundant glory of Your grace! God! Today, I will stand before You and, relying on You, become a person who strives, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Scripture Background

The third chapter begins by saying:

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:2-3)

This scripture has a very interesting phenomenon, that is, those to whom the Apostle Paul wrote to in Philippi, easily misled by dogs, evil workers, those who practice concision. This toxin, even until today, is very rampant in the church.

Why are these things mentioned in Philippians? Because in that era, adhering to and obeying the Law of Moses, there is such a record in Acts chapter fifteen, that James said: The Law of Moses has been preached in synagogues for over a thousand years, so we must keep the Law of Moses. Within the Law of Moses, one important thing is to keep the circumcision. As a result, this circumcision brought about a very serious misunderstanding. Is this the word of the Old Testament? Yes!

When the Apostle Paul wrote Philippians, the New Testament had not yet been formed, but Jesus had already been crucified. There was still a large group of people who wanted to follow the set of things of the Law of Moses, but the people of Israel could not keep it, no matter how much they tried. The history of the Israelites proved one thing, that the Law of Moses has no effect on people. They only proved one thing, that although the law is good, people cannot do it.

As a result, in the years of the Apostle Paul, James of the Jerusalem church, the fleshly brother of Jesus Christ, born of the same Mary. This James may not have read the Old Testament so clearly, so he promoted keeping the Law of Moses. His influence was very great, because he was the fleshly brother of Jesus Christ, of course he had influence. He said: I grew up with Jesus Christ, he is my brother! But these things all belong to the flesh, and then many people want to accomplish this salvation through the flesh.

The history of Israel has proven that the Law of Moses has no effect on people, but even after Jesus Christ was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, there are still people like this. Until today, if you see churches losing the power of the Holy Spirit, what is the reason? Because they are walking a path of righteousness through the law. But the Apostle Paul put forward a concept, which is righteousness through faith in Christ, righteousness through faith in God.

Why keep the circumcision? Because it’s easy! Believing in God, striving is so difficult, how difficult! Especially for lazy people, get a circumcision, have a surgery, and in two or three days, when the wound heals, it is over, thinking salvation has been attained. That is troublesome, it doesn’t work! The brain doesn’t work well, nothing works well. The Apostle Paul says:

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8)

This is not an empty word. I do not believe that these an empty words, because I believe that Jesus Christ is precious! The other ways don't work. Brethren, can we just try doing things apart from Jesus Christ? Does that work? Because you didn't behave well enough, you get cancer. You do not need to behave well, because you are already well. You can't behave well; the only way to heal is through the grace of God. So, that is why the path of faith works. If you walk the path of good deeds and the law, that does not work. The Apostle Paul is talking about the following: There are wrong methods but there is only one way that works. That way is only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you know what had happened? Why doesn’t this work? Hasn’t the Old Testament been revealed through God? It has been revealed through God. James, the brother of Jesus Christ, did not understand Moses’ law. If you understood everything about the law of God, you would realize that God’s will is based on faith. Do you know who wrote Genesis and Abraham? It was written by Moses. All of genesis is walking with faith. When you use good deeds in reading Genesis, you accuse Abraham of things that didn’t work, Isaac of things that didn’t work, and Jacob of things that didn’t work. They all had problems. All of these people walked with faith, just as the Apostle Paul said.

The Old Testament is pointing towards Jesus Christ but still, people did not understand. What about James’ scripture, who was the brother of Jesus Christ. However, I have a lot to say to you but you don’t want to hear it. There will be many people to guide you down the wrong path. One day, I will talk and release my studies on the scripture of James. There is a password. Judge me what you must! The Old Testament says that we are not justified by the law, but we are justified by faith. The righteous man will live through faith: this has been written in the Old Testament. Paul did not know this, because he would be trained by a Pharisee . He did not understand the scripture. It wasn’t until much later when Jesus Christ had selected Paul to preach the Gospel. Suddenly, Paul realized that Jesus Christ is truly precious.

How is this important? Because Jesus has power in the spiritual world. All jurisdiction, is attributed to our Lord Jesus Christ. Today through our faith, he has granted this access to you and me. It is definitely not through deeds or a little oil that we are able to access God. All these elements are extra bonuses, however faith is most important. Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.” This whole event has been written down so clearly in Romans 7.

For I have the desire to do what his good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)

There is a warring in man, which is an inner spiritual battle between the body and the soul. According to my inner man, the spirit is warring with the body.

For I have the desire do to what is good, but evil is right there with me. (Romans 7:21)

Is the devil there in your heart? It would be like this. The devil is attaching to the human body and creating crime and lust. This is how it is. Then, the Apostle Paul said,

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescues me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7: 24-25)

Apostle Paul has the greatest mystery of achievements from Jesus Christ. Trying to act on the law will not help. It is only with faith in Jesus Christ that you can succeed! Jesus Christ can come to deliver us. How does one “depend on Jesus” you may ask? Must we believe that one item? First, you must put in an effort to grow. What are you trying to find? Dedicate your whole lifetime to obtain this treasure. Pursue all that faith can reach.

This treasure is very important. Our bodies and hearts are in need of prayer. Know that this is a treasure! Why did we pray about this problem? Because of the lack of the treasure! I try to relay information about these treasures in a joking manner, but my words are not a joke. Jesus Christ gives us food, medicine, and money! Jesus is the treasure!

So what does the Apostle Paul say? Because the law has been set in place. If people act on the law, they can’t win because it will never be good enough. However today, we can depend on Jesus Christ to defeat these devils. If people aren’t perfect, they can defeat the devil because they depend on Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ is precious because there is no greater name that we can depend on in heaven or on earth. Brothers and Sisters have to recognize what the apostle has written.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Romans 3:7)

Don't take this lightly because one day, you will regret this gravely. The lack of leaning towards the grace of Jesus Christ will have you in the flames. So I will summarize what I have already said. Effort doesn’t have to be selling insurance, multilevel marketing, trying to be the richest man, and not of trying to catch a husband. Effort has to be done through leaning on Jesus Christ for that treasure. Without Jesus, how can we survive.

We are here today, others have already moved on. How far can we strive? We must have efforts to complete the pursuit.

Guard Against Erroneous Teachings

People are inclined towards instant results; let us all remember this term. I have used a rather colloquial term, instant, because they dislike striving diligently.

Once, I attended some discipleship training, and I observed the lecturer's disciples sitting below. The lecturer was above, and his disciple was wincing in pain. I enquired, What is wrong? He said he had injured his leg and was in pain. I thought, Since he is teaching, I cannot interfere haphazardly. Let me pray for you. But if I prayed for two hours, would he still be able to attend the class? So, I suggested he call me at night, as the pain would prevent him from sleeping. He agreed, saying the pain kept him awake at night. He called me at one in the morning, and I prayed with him until three in the morning. Was he not the disciple of the lecturer? Where was his master? I could not comprehend this. I prayed with him until three, and he recovered. This is my usual practice.

Although there are often instant healings, whether it is instant or not is not the key. The important thing is that, once in my hands, the person must recover. The next day, I attended the class again and saw him walking with his wife. Her husband said to me, Actually, you should not have prayed for two hours for healing. You should have sought to clap your hands and have him healed instantly. I thought this was a prevailing attitude. If he cannot be healed with one clap, he will never be clapped. If my clap does not work, I will clap, clap, clap until it does. I am not pursuing an instant healing; I am pursuing clapping until healing occurs, always clapping one minute more than the devil.

People in this world always have the idea of instant results, including many brothers and sisters among us, who always think they can instantly rise and walk. But that is not good. Later, in my ministry experience, those who healed slowly were willing to follow Jesus, while those who healed quickly, when I saw them the next day, said, I have not experienced God. I wondered, What kind of mind is this? They had just experienced God yesterday, and today they say they have not, simply because the healing was too quick. Circumcision, anointing with oil, and laying on of hands are all considered clapping. I gave them a new nickname: Clap.

Without walking the path of faith, they prefer a little circumcision or anointing with oil. Even if you are Jesus's fleshly brother, you may not recognize Jesus Christ. Without knowing the power of God, the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, these are like dogs. It is not instant for a person to fill their mind with knowledge. Let me tell you, even with a USB drive, you have to watch the progress bar. If you are copying a terabyte, it will take a long time. So, how can there be an instant healing? It is not easy for a person to fill their mind with things!

A father was distraught because his child scored six marks on an exam. Why? Because it is not easy to put the contents of the father's mind into the child's mind! He said, What should I do? I study this specifically, researching how to put what is in my mind into your mind. Therefore, I never count on clapping. I count on clapping, clapping, clapping until you are healed. I am not talking about slapping! This is a very corrupted thing, and many people even think they have already attained it.

Do Not Think You Have Already Attained

Do not think you have already attained because many Christians in that era thought they had. Ordinary Christians would ask me, Teacher, do you think I am saved? I would say, Yes, you are saved. You look old enough, so you must have been saved! I felt like people especially like this. There are also people who not only care whether they are saved but also frequently ask, Teacher, my family member died. Did they go to heaven? How would I know? To comfort them, I would say, Yes, they went. You will meet in heaven in the future. Thinking they have attained this is not important. The Apostle Paul wrote, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Many things are strange today. For example, when applying to university, if you have not been admitted, do not assume you have been. But can you assume you will get into heaven? Heaven has higher requirements than Qinghua and Peking Universities. The requirements are different. Today, many people think they have already attained, and this leads to lazy theology. There is also a false comfort given, called comfort theology. The reasons why Christians become foolish, poor, and lazy are all due to comfort theology. I am lazy, and laziness is justified because I am already saved, so what else do I need to do? This was very prevalent in that era and is still prevalent today. Then people become poor and spiritual, which makes no sense.

Woe to you who are rich, who did the rich offend? People just like to do these things. You must know for sure that when you go back and read the Book of James, it is all there. This is not faith! That is a myth of faith, a cover for laziness. What heaven are you going to? Laziness-filled heaven. That is not victory, not diligent pursuit. Do not think you have already attained.

Do you know that when I write a program, the simplest one is Hello world? Whether you are writing C, C++, or learning JavaScript, the first program is Hello world. After learning Hello world, you say, I have already attained? There is something wrong with your head. Many Christians stay at the Hello world level. No matter what language you are writing in, the first program is called Hello world.

The theological system written by the Apostle Paul is that of diligent pursuit. I wrote a book called a Bible study on Hebrews, which is called Strive for Perfection. How corrupt are these things? Today, if brothers and sisters tell you they have already attained, you know they are talking nonsense, that their brains are not working properly. Do you know that guarding against these erroneous teachings is something the Apostle Paul emphasized again and again?

The Character of Diligent Pursuit

When we learn Hello world, it is just the beginning. There is much more to learn. Even someone like me, who has a good understanding and deep recognition of software, is far from being an expert. There are countless masters! Isn't that right? Knowing God is far more complex than knowing a software language.

Therefore, if you cannot even write a software program well without diligent pursuit, using the same diligence to know God may not be enough. So, we must constantly know God, constantly ascend in a spiral manner, without end. Chinese Mingding Destiny speaks of endlessly knowing God, diligently pursuing God, constantly renewing, and not being satisfied with the status quo, because that is the ultimate treasure. Gaining 1% of the ultimate treasure, there is still 5%; gaining 5%, there is still 10%. Do not act as if you are amazing just because you have gained a little bit. That ultimate treasure is the key to dealing with the flesh. The flesh and demons are closely related. Sin, demons, and the flesh are all very important academic terms.

Some people find that exorcism is useless the more they do it. How powerful is this lie! When I went to a class, the lecturer came over and said, Do you know that exorcism is useless? I said, How is exorcism useless? He said, They come back after you drive them out. So, that means it is useless? Does coming back after being driven out mean it is useless? Have you heard this before? I believe it is easy for you to be misled by these things as well.

My research result is that if you drive away a smaller demon, a slightly larger demon comes; if you drive away a slightly larger demon, a larger demon comes; if you destroy the larger demon, an even larger demon comes. Over the years, I have had a feeling that I am about to drive out Satan himself, only to realize that I am still far away!

I used to think Old Ma was very powerful. After driving out Old Ma, I realized there was still a long way to go. Later, I concluded that no matter if they keep coming back or how a bigger one comes, I do not ask about it. They are my sparring partners, training my character of diligent pursuit, my spiritual condition, and how deep and high my knowledge of God is. How high I climb the spiritual truth determines how big a demon I can defeat. You must remember this: If you can defeat a small demon, that is like writing a Hello world in computer applications. What if a bigger demon comes? You have to keep practicing! You have to keep practicing until you become a heavyweight champion! In the spiritual world, constantly climb!

Our Chinese Mingding Destiny is a theological system of diligent pursuit. When exorcising demons, I am not afraid of you. Come again, and I will drive you out again. So, if the small one leaves, a big one comes; if the big one leaves, an even bigger one comes, it does not matter. Brothers and sisters, you must know that if you have a disease and it gets better, only to find that it comes back, why is it not eradicated? What eradication? It is called fighting and winning! Only fighting and winning counts! Move forward step by step. As long as you have not overcome it, keep doing it, keep training yourself until you overcome it! Each victory allows you to see God's promise fulfilled. This Jesus Christ is too precious! Relying on Jesus Christ, you can overcome increasingly larger demons step by step. Paul's theological views are becoming clearer and clearer!

To The Degree That We Have Progressed, By That Same Standard Let Us Walk

If you carefully examine Paul's logical system, I can probably understand some of it: To the degree that we have progressed, by that same standard let us walk, this is in:

Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 3:16)

Some people ask me: What if my faith is so small? It does not matter if your faith is small, take one step forward, do not be impatient. Things of life grow step by step. Anything that is born and grows three heads and six arms in three days is Ne Zha, a demon. Who raises a child like that? So, what is most feared is impatience. Some people are always impatient: I want to be faster, I want to catch up! The holidays are coming, and I want to do this and that during the holidays. This is not taking one step at a time, in what degree we have progressed, by that we walk.

Today, if we have the conditions, we do things that fit those conditions. If we do not have the conditions, we do things that we have conditions for first. This is called the path of faith. The path of faith is not seeing three big mountains and wanting to move them back as one seem fit. This is to the degree that we have progressed; by that same standard, we walk. For example, if I do not know how to type, I will learn to type first. I will not start by learning programming right away. Someone brings a phone and says, Teacher, I want to learn programming. I say, How will you learn? Do you have a computer? They say, No. How can you program without a computer? Program on a phone? How can you program on a phone? You have to walk according to your circumstances. If you do not even know how to type, how can you learn programming? People are really interesting.

Someone else says, Teacher, I am a little afraid of making videos. What is making a video? It is not a complicated task. But he says, I feel like I should be able to learn programming. I say, If you cannot even make a video with your phone, how can you learn programming? I think people are very interesting. So, in whatever situation we are, we walk according to that. We do first-grade work in first grade, and second-grade work in second grade. Do not be like a first-grader acting like a college freshman. College freshmen and elementary school first-graders are very different. Elementary school first-graders have not even learned all the words yet. Those who are ambitious and always impatient cannot do things well. They want to take shortcuts and will go down the wrong path. I know some people who do not like to do things properly in a down-to-earth manner. They always take shortcuts, and that is troublesome.

Summary

Among us, those who want to be perfect must always have this kind of heart, a heart of diligent pursuit! Restore the glorious image of God, not with a snap of the fingers. Our God has never preached the gospel of snapping. Only with one step at a time can we restore the glorious image of God when He created us. Demons are driven out one by one, people are changed little by little, and knowledge is learned little by little. All this brings about the character of a perfect human being.

Among us, young children who do not study steadily do not want to do the simple things and only want to do the complex things. If they do not want to do the simple things, and cannot do the complex things, are they not ruined? Brothers and sisters, you must know for sure that although you spend this time among us listening to me ramble, these are very, very important concepts. Diligent pursuit is the character of a perfect person, Amen! Begin to desire to be a person of diligent pursuit!

Today's sermon ends here. We will now collect today's offering. if you do not understand the meaning of giving, please do not give because God is disgusted, does not like it, and you are still very hard, like eating a big loss. No need to play vanity, in our midst no giving is not shameful, there is no contribution is a glory, commitment is just a basic need.

We put a poem to collect the day's offering, this song is many years ago, when the brothers and sisters查经书 in our study of Hebrews created, I encourage you to listen to the Bible study Hebrews, long nor much. that pursuit of the will live, if you want to have a living license, they seek and strive to go through Hebrews.

Great that pursue well, that live well! I hope you can catch a bit of the key from my nagging, that pursue well. Diligent pursuit a smaller pressure, and do not well more pressure. For example: not a good time, the pressure is more difficult, so take on holiday travel, and wait for you to come back later, the problems you still have many problems than when leaving, greater the pressure it does not solve the problem.

A victorious person, God has won and God has promised us victory through Jesus Christ! Who can save us from this dying body? Relying on Jesus Christ can be victorious! We must know for sure that our diligently pursuing this is a character, but our ability to make things happen is God! God is pleased with us. and this is key!

Everyone raise your hands, follow me in prayer: O God! I am defined to be a man of diligent pursuit! O God! May your spirit add strength to me, give me wisdom and intelligence, let me know you more, know Jesus Christ more, and know the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead! Let the gospel I have received be a powerful gospel! O God, you are the God who prospers me! O God, you are the God who makes me healthy! O God, you are the God who makes me creative! Today, before you, I want to receive your grace again and be inspired by your love to become a person of diligent pursuit! You are my treasure, I want to fully possess you, and I also want to be fully possessed by you! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!