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Joshua made Israelites to confirm their loyalty to the Most High by promising their strict observance of the law and renew their covenant with God and wrote everything in the book of law: Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. Jos 24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. Being a creature of God, I ought to pledge my loyalty to Him, my Creator. Being a believer of Christ and His Father, I also make my promise to serve the Most High alone and observe His commandments and His laws. I serve the Most High through my daily duty in the society wherever I live. I observe His commandments in my best at all time. I love my neighbours as myself but it does not mean I have to embrace their pagan ways and gods. God’s law is the law of the Spirit and it set me free, as Paul has said: Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. And John has also confirmed of that freedom, the defeat of the devil: 1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Christian Churches have deceived the entire world by suppressing God’s commandments and His laws from their daily observance. They preach a deceitful doctrine, they have kept people under the power of Satan, so people continue to offend God but believing they are saved by grace alone and by professing the name of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church is the WOLF under the skin of the LAMB, and so are her multitude Christian Daughters. Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. I have listened to God’s call: Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For the judgement of Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, is coming as Christ has announced: Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Christians are very much relaxing in living in a multicultural society because they do not observe the first four commandments of God (especially the Roman Catholic Church): You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make idols. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. For thousands of years Christians have already adopted pagan traditions starting from the Roman Catholic Church. So the last step for Christian Churches to do in the period of End Time, is to accept and recognise all pagan gods and their beliefs. They have organised the ecumenical movement just for that purpose. I cannot see any difficulty for Christians to amalgamate themselves with other pagan followers. Loving sinners must not be used as a reason for loving pagan gods and their ways. False Christian teachers and ministers often use the theme “Loving Sinners” as a good reason to defend their spiritual fornication. They can convince people of the world but they cannot change God’s curse and condemnation to those who deceive the ignorant people. Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The false gods to be thrown out are the pagan gods that pagans are worshipping. They are Baal, Buddha, Krishna, Allah, Ashtoreth, Apollo, etc and their traditions are included. Joshua reminded the Israelites to keep God’s commandments and His laws and do not stray into the pagan ways and their beliefs: Jos 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; They must conform themselves to the first commandment of God: Deu 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Joshua was very clear that Israelites must stay away and do not learn or copy anything from the pagans: Jos 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: Jos 23:8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. It is a misconception to put man’s passions as a kind of foreign gods. While allowing the worldly passions taking over one’s life, man will fall into sin for violating God’s commandments and His laws. God has condemned the spiritual fornication of Christian Churches that they are doing through their ecumenical movement and welcoming pagan beliefs and their gods as legitimate companions with the Most High. Christian Churches are following the Roman Catholic Church to offend the Most High and challenging His almighty authority: Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Rev 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Inter-religious marriages between Christians and pagans are very prone, thus Christians put themselves to the risk of accepting pagan gods, their teaching and traditions. Solomon was an example: 1Ki 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 1Ki 11:2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 1Ki 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1Ki 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 1Ki 11:6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 1Ki 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 1Ki 11:8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And he had provoked God’s anger: 1Ki 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 1Ki 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 1Ki 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Therefore, Christian Churches should not be surprised when Christ rejects them upon his return: Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Christians who denied God’s commandments and His laws can never be “holy”. They have never truly repented from their sins; their faith are not built on the “rock” (God’s Word) and they are not living under God’s grace. Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. How can Christians purify themselves if they know not God’s commandments and His laws? (2 Corinthians 7:1) The reason for Christians continue to sin is because they do not abide to God’s commandments and His laws. If Christians are observing God’s law then they will not fall into the law of sin as Paul has said: Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. As long as Christians continue to deny God’s law, then they cannot be better than the Israelites who broke God’s law and they have had suffered the consequences of the curse of God (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) until the present time. The Christian world will certainly suffer and be condemned as Christ has said: Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Unbelievers and proud people often think the success depends on their effort and good planning. The believers know that God will bless the work of those who work hard and help them to achieve the desire success. Anyone who have faith in God will always remember the following verses: Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Pro 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. God never support or work for anyone who does not listen to His command and does not abide to His commandments and His laws. Christ has also given us the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The conclusion of the above mentioned parable shows that God even removes His blessing from lazy people: Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Therefore no one can expect that God will prepare a ready meal for them to eat. Christian Churches should not expect blessings and support from God if they have denied God’s commandments and His laws.

Acsah is the daughter of a faithful man of God, hence she inherits the characters, the education of her parents, and the most important one is being faithful to God by keeping His commandments and His law. That is the most beautiful character of God’s saints. In the Old Testament, I know the story of Ruth, the Queen Esther, Rahab in Joshua, and in the New Testament there are Elizabeth mother of John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Christ, Mary Magdalena and her sister Martha, and Priscilla wife of Aquila. They are all the women who has given good examples as faithful servants of God. Note: God’s saints are not the same as the beatified dead people in the Roman Catholic Church. In the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Churches, “saint” is a title.

We know that along the history of Israel, the keeping God’s commandments and His laws faithfully is the primary condition for selecting a leader. God only blesses and supports the faithful men and help them to be wise and successful. Caleb is a wise father, so he has used his daughter as a prize for a successful man, which certainly should be a faithful man of God. His daughter future will be in the hands of a blessed man and he also have a good son in law to share the load of his work. We can see in Joshua 15:15-17 and Judges 3:9-11, another saint of God of Israel added to the line of Joshua and Caleb. Jdg 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. As per the above verse, we know that the Holy Spirit has come upon Othneil and filled him with wisdom and strength to conquer Chushanrishathaim.

Before we can talk about Caleb boasting on his faith in God, we need to bring back the reason for the distribution of the conquered land to the 12 tribes: Jos 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. Jos 14:5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. We can see the conquering of the Promised Land was not finished yet, and Joshua was old. There was a need for strong and faithful men to complete the work. Hebron was an important city and being occupied by the Anakims. Caleb was a man of faith, he knew that God was with him and kept him strong for fighting though he was quite advance in age. Being the leader of a large tribe of Israel, it was right for Caleb to volunteer himself for that important task. Caleb was not boastful about himself, but about the promise, the blessing of God and his strong faith that God will help him to complete the work. For this reason Joshua blessed him and granted his request without hesitation: Jos 14:13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. It is not right for us to judge the saints of God in the Bible. They are faithful men and they walk with God through their lives. They are men who observe God’s commandments and His law faithfully. Christian leaders are often proud of themselves and boastful about their success in building big churches, gathering large number of followers and especially the large sum of money in their bank accounts. Certainly they have been blessed with excellent interpersonal skills to attract many followers, and their ambition to conquer the world in the name of Jesus Christ is great. In this world, God confides many talents to every person; it is up to every individual to invest those talents. But the final judgement of man’s life is not about his riches, his status, his success and his fame in the world. He will be judge according to his faithfulness to God. For this reason Christ has said: Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Indeed, Christians should rather question about their faithfulness to God, before boasting about their faith.

Following the Lord, God of Israel, “wholly” or “wholeheartedly” means to walk with Him faithfully, abide to His commandments and His laws in obedience, with all our hearts and all our souls, so that is having faith in Him as our Father, Creator, and Saviour. This definition brings us to the word of Christ: Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. The metaphor that Christ gave above implies the meaning of “following the Lord wholly, or wholeheartedly”. The majority of Christians have failed in following God of Israel because they have discredited God’s commandments and His laws. Therefore they are not following Him; they are professing a false faith in God, a faith that is built on sand, as Christ has said: Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Christian do hear the Word of God, but they do not abide to His commandments and His laws, therefore their faith does not have the rock to stand on. Caleb and Joshua differ from the rest of the house of Israel in the following prerequisite condition: Deu 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Claiming to have faith in God is not a statement pronounced on our lips. It must be a living faith, a faith that is expressed through our thought, our words, and our actions. It requires a daily practice. So it is not simply a faith expressed in prayers and songs on Sunday worship service. Fear comes from doubt, because the person does not have a strong support in spirit. The Israelites have given us ample of examples of fear and doubt and unfaithfulness in their observance of God’s commandments and His laws. Their unfaithfulness has brought them destructions and made them scattered around the world and become an unknown people as it was said: Deu 32:26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: God has been angry with Israelites not in this single account of the conquest of the Promised Land, but their faithless attitude and unfaithfulness are also the reasons for Him to send Christ into the world as the last resort. Psa 78:10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; Psa 78:11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

I was a Roman Catholic, hence I was very familiar with the mystic style stories. I no longer need the kind of imaginary spiritual writing since I read the Holy Bible and try my best to walk with God. The book of Bob Munger may help and please many people, but not me in particular. How come someone believing in Christ and the teaching of the Bible could write the following statement: “’As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but I have something that will help’. He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. ‘Hang this centrally,’ He said, ‘on the wall of the mind.’” Christ and the Father are one, he cannot contradict his Father’s commandment: Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Christ, himself, has said: Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. There is a good reason for the Holy Bible not giving any descriptive details of Christ and his disciples. The Holy Scripture also does not record Christ’s date of birth and his deceased date. That is a trap for the false prophets and false teachers to fall in. I don’t believe in any sanctification process that has been taught by theologians of the Roman Catholic Church and her numerous daughters, Protestant denominations and non-denominations. Anyone who wants to walk with the Most High should live by His commandments and His laws. God’s Holy Spirit will guide him/her and His grace will keep them safe as He has protected and helped Joshua and the Israelite army to conquer the Promise Land. Today, the Roman Catholic Church and her numerous daughters are joining together in the ecumenical movement for creating the One World Religion with all other pagan religions. Thus they will fulfill the prophecies of the book of Revelation: Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Rev 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Christ is calling the people who are sincerely and faithfully following him and worship his Father: Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. A sincere repentance and a life abiding in God’s commandments and His laws will set free anyone who believes in the Son of God, who has offered himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, and has been resurrected to new life to give hope to those who trust in his promise of salvation. Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Dan 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Mal 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Firstly, we need to acknowledge that God expects the Israelites to obey Him and follow His commandments exactly as He has given unto them: Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Secondly, the Israelites have to conquer the Promise Land and exterminate the pagans as per God’s command, and God has warned them about the consequence: Deu 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: Deu 20:17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: Deu 20:18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God. We cannot assume that Christ is like the army of Israelites, by saying he has done the hard work for us and we are to complete whatever he has not done. The Israelites did not follow God’s commands many times and they had suffered the consequence of their disobedience. The first word that Christ has preached to Israelites of his time was: Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Christ meant a hearty, sincere and thorough repentance. His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin is meant to end the bloody sacrifice of animals that was the precursor of the sacrifice of the true Lamb of God, which is the only sacrifice that can please God. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Christ does not break our bonds with Satan if we do not have a sincere heart to repent and turn away from sin. We are the conquering soldiers and we must obey God’s commandments and His laws as do the Israelites. Christian Churches is erroneous in its teaching. They have deceived Christians by making them think that they are saved by just professing the name of Jesus. What did Christ say about those who profess his name? Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. This is the proof that the sacrifice of Christ is not for breaking our bonds with Satan: Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Christian should not think that the baptism is a magic ritual to give them new life: Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Christ did not do an incomplete work for us. We are the conquering soldiers of our own lives, but because we also do dodgy works and often disobey God’s commandments, like the Israelites, hence we need to make an offering of sacrifice unto God for the forgiveness of our sin. There is no other sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin that can please God than the one of Christ. Believing in Christ is not a free pass to enter the Kingdom of God. Christians must thoroughly cleanse the paganism from their lives in sincere repentance, and submit themselves to God in truthful obedience. Keeping God’s commandments and His laws is the only way for Christians to express their sincere obedience unto God, so to do His will.

The reason for God telling Israelites to drive out the Canaanites completely because He can foresee the consequence of those pagans to come back and infect the children of Israel with their pagan beliefs. While reading the story of Joshua’s conquest, we, Christians, should learn that our repentance is not complete. Christian churches are still embracing many pagan beliefs and traditions. They are infecting and weakening Christian lives in many ways. The proof can be seen in the number of Christian divorce, practicing contraception, pedophilia, sodomy, New Age movement, ecumenical movement, mysticism and spiritualism, etc. Pagan traditions that Christians are very fond of are: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Birthday, solar/lunar New Year, Sunday worship, worship of the dead, worship of idols, etc. The long term result of not driving out the Canaanites completely from the Promise Land, is the corruption of Israel nation. The children of Israel had abandoned God’s covenant, the pagan nations had conquered their land and taken them into slavery, and the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed twice and never rebuilt until the present time. The long term consequence for Christianity for not driving out completely its pagan roots can also be seen in the corruption of Christian nations. But that will show the Word of God is true, and its prophecies are fulfilled to the dot, and Christ will return to destroy the corrupted world once again before recreating a new heaven and new earth. (Rev 21:1-2)

It is fascinating to read the account of Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land, and to know how God helped the Israelites when they obeyed and kept His commandments and His laws. God is not like the earthly parents who spoil their children by bringing all the good food to them and serving them at the table. He only helps the Israelites if they obey Him and keep His commandments and His laws. There was a lot of killings in Joshua 10, the Amorites were slaughtered and exterminated as per God’s command. We can learn that the Israelite army did not boast of their strength and courage, neither did Joshua boast of his smartness in leading Israel. They fought the battles but they had simply fulfilled God’s will, and the success of the conquest was for God’s glory. God had shown His power through the conquest of Joshua and the people in the entire land were fearful because they knew the Most High was with the Israelites. The following verses show the works of God in the conquest of the Promised Land: Jos 10:8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Jos 10:9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. Jos 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. Jos 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Jos 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Jos 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Jos 10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. Further in Joshua 10 we learn that Joshua had conquered in a short period of time many more cities than those of the five kings: Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon. Joshua 10:28-41 gives us the list of the conquered cities and their kings: Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, all the country of the hills, and of the south, from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. The above victories of Joshua’s conquest can demonstrate that God had fulfilled His promise: "no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life" (Joshua 1:5). The lesson that we can learn from Joshua 10 is: we can expect God to help us in our conquest of this life if we also repent, submit ourselves to God, keep His commandments and His laws as Joshua did.

Consulting God is one of the key things for the success of Joshua’s leadership. Not consulting God means the man is confident of himself and that may lead him to be proud of himself. God does not help anyone who is after pride. Joshua’s failures are lessons for us to meditate that we need God in our daily life, because we are also called to serve God’s cause in this world. Joshua was chosen to serve God’s will and to lead Israel to conquer the Promise Land. It was not Joshua’s ambition that made him the leader of Israelites. His success was to glorify God, not himself. We should remember always the primary condition of Joshua’s leadership is: Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Jesus did not only constantly in communication with his Father, he also submit himself to God’s commandments, His laws, and to do His will: Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Jesus taught us to keep God’s commandments: Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Jesus has affirmed that God’s commandments stay until the end of the world, and he also is to fulfil them: Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Consulting God and submitting ourselves to God’s will is something to be learnt. It must start from the very first day of life through the examples of our parents. If Christian families today have experienced the disintegration of morality, and troubles in the order of its society, it is because God’s commandments and His laws are not respected. Everyone has been taught about self-esteem, self-confidence and the individual rights. All people have agreed with those values because the profound reason is the desecration of God’s statuses. Indeed, Christians are fulfilling the will of Lucifer, the Prince of the earth. God has predicted the disintegration of human society through the children of Israel: Deu 31:29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. Hos 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Hos 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Hos 4:3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Hos 4:4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Hos 4:5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hos 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. The following verses describe perfectly our Christian world today: 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. For conclusion, there is no use to consult God, if the people who believe in Christ do not repent and submit themselves to God’s commandments and His laws, in sincere obedience.

Christians have used the Bible in court, and obliged the witness to swear that they will tell the truth. How often have we heard false statements made by witnesses in court? Since the first, the second and the fourth commandments of God are not respected, so neither do the third commandments. Today, with the new trend of multicultural, Christian nations have abolished the teaching of God’s Ten Commandments. Thus the prophecy of the book of Revelation 18:3 has been fulfilled. Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Breaking oath or promise, and making a false statement or lying have been the norm of our societies. The entire Christian world has been corrupted because God’s commandments and His law are not the conditions for living Christian faith. Base on which law can anyone be judge for taking the promises lightly? Base on which criteria can Christian reflect God’s characters? 1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.