1. The Reality of Worldly Teachings
Countless believers, without exception, regard the sermons of pastors—who put worldly teachings, common sense, and emotional inspiration at the forefront—as though they were the gospel of Christ and the Word itself. Yet such worldly teachings and emotional inspirations, which have nothing to do with salvation, are by no means the gospel of Christ, nor the holy will of God, nor His Word. They are merely verses chosen as a pretext to uphold worldly teachings and inspiration, and nothing more than excuses used to lead people by means of worldly inspiration. Because they accept as shepherds those word-mongers who cleverly exploit the Scriptures for nothing more than words, theories, and pretexts to promote their own worldly lessons and emotions, churches centered only on words have been filled with empty teachings. As a result, today’s Christianity and Catholicism alike have increasingly abounded in lawlessness, falsehood, corruption, and depravity.
What is the “leaven” of Scripture? It is not the wisdom or Word of God that leads to salvation, but rather the teachings of human life and worldly affairs that seek to satisfy human desires, gratifications, and ambitions, providing comfort and consolation for worldly matters. Today, many pastors and priests present biographies, life stories, or success stories of people—using them as though they were the wisdom of God or His Word. Or they make use of the sayings and proverbs of famous people, teaching them as though they were divine commands. But since such lessons are in fact human teachings centered on worldly life and success stories, completely unrelated to salvation, and have abandoned the holy will of God and the true gospel of salvation—the love of the cross that was given so we might partake in God’s holy nature and be conformed to His image—they are called “leaven.” For this reason, the love of the cross is the true sign of our salvation and resurrection.
Any teaching that gives inspiration, comfort, or hope while following human desires (happiness), gratifications (pleasure), or ambitions (greed) that belong to the world, and that has no relation to salvation, is leaven. It refers to the common worldly teachings that seem to promise fulfillment of insatiable human joy and happiness. Most of these are no more than the worldly maxims such as “After hardship comes comfort” (Sweetness after bitterness), often used by secular teachers. By attaching only the name of God and Christ to such sayings, they are turned into so-called testimonies, deceiving believers with lessons that appear godly. These may give momentary inspiration or comfort, but in reality, they only stir up worldly desires, gratifications, and ambitions within the saints, causing them to accumulate nothing but more sin and lust.
Even so, countless believers today continue to accept these teachings as if they were the Word and grace of God. Why? Because most believers themselves are pursuing worldly desires, ambitions, and satisfactions of the flesh. Having been accustomed since childhood—through elementary education, books, and exposure—to worldly lessons, emotional stories, and comforting inspirations, they receive them without suspicion, as if naturally. Thus, by exploiting the very nature and essence of human life and worldly affairs, people easily accept worldly teachings—the leaven—that have nothing whatsoever to do with salvation. Perhaps this is only natural for those who long to pursue the world and the flesh.
2. The Fundamental Reason Why Worldly Teachings Are Taught in Place of the Word
Even though these lessons and teachings have nothing to do with salvation, no connection with the Word, and no relation to the love of the cross, there are scarcely any believers who question or doubt the pastors’ empty teachings. This is because, in truth, both the pastors who teach and the believers who learn are motivated by the same worldly and fleshly desires for vain hopes, gratifications, and ambitions—merely borrowing the names of God and Christ.
What then is the fundamental reason worldly teachings (leaven) are inevitably put forward? It is because of the wolves in sheep’s clothing—pastors who, under the guise of shepherds, created and passed down such teachings for the sake of their own selfish ambition and greed, to steal tithes and offerings, rather than to carry out the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and shares, making God known throughout the earth.
Rejecting the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares for the poor and needy sheep in order to conform them to the beautiful nature of God, they instead introduced heresies that merely stir up the sins and desires of the saints. These worldly teachings—this leaven—serve as justification for worship corrupted by theft. The inflating, stirring lessons of temporary inspiration and comfort are nothing more than agitating teachings. Though they seem to uplift for a moment, they are useless and vain, destined only to fade and vanish. They are fleeting comforts and inspirations that stir up excitement but have no relation whatsoever to salvation, always disappearing or burning out as soon as one turns away.
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.(Proverbs 12 : 17~20)
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneeded the dough, until it be leavened.(Hosea 7 : 1~4)
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!(Isaiah 10 : 1~2)
The time when leaven was spread throughout the earth as though it were the Word of God, as though it were the Word of Christ that leads to salvation, is clearly testified by the Scriptures as having begun from the very creation (Job 12:6). From the beginning until now, the reason why believers have so easily followed worldly teachings (leaven), which have nothing to do with salvation, is because of the carnal nature and essence of humanity, which cannot easily abandon life itself in order to pursue their worldly desires, satisfactions, and ambitions.
The love of the cross, for which one must give all value, life, hope, ideals, and even one’s very soul, can never be pursued by a faith that remains within the endless cycle of envy, hatred, strife, pride, falsehood, and greed, which are born out of worldly desires, satisfactions, and ambitions, and which only pile up more sin. For this reason, the Word commands us to renounce what belongs to the world and the flesh (1 John 2:15–17) (James 4:2–4) (Romans 8:9–15) (Galatians 5:16–21) (Romans 8:5–7).
Therefore, the traditions, commandments, ideas, and worship that today’s churches and pastors boast of—teaching people to serve God while clinging to the world and material things—are all traditions, customs, and ideologies that have been built up and handed down by men filled with selfish ambition and greed, becoming nothing but lawlessness upon lawlessness, falsehood upon falsehood, and corruption upon corruption. This is the Roman Church (Catholicism) and Christianity that have been developed and passed down by shameless pastors who turned away from the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares for the poor and needy sheep, and instead sought only to satisfy their own selfish desires and ambitions. Today’s traditions and worship are born out of falsehood, lawlessness, and spiritual harlotry, created in pursuit of power and wealth, chasing after human desires, satisfactions, and ambitions that belong to the world.
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?(James 2 : 15~20)
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.(Ezekiel 33 : 31)
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.(Psalms 28 : 3~5)
Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.(Jeremiah 9 : 8)
Many churches and pastors alike teach that one must practice love by feeding, giving, and sharing. Yet in truth, the very churches and pastors who ought to set an example to the whole earth by feeding, giving, and sharing, do not actually practice it. They only teach and speak with words, while in reality they put the believers forward as a front, and with hypocritical and superficial charity and service—done only for show—they boast of themselves and advertise their churches. What they present is nothing more than the shallow charity and service that worldly corporations also perform, to advertise themselves. Such charity and service are cunning tools, used merely to promote their religion and their church, having nothing whatsoever to do with the love of the cross that sacrifices everything, even one’s life. Thus, the precious love of the cross, which gave even life itself, is dishonored across the earth.
They hand out worn clothes or outdated garments they themselves would never wear, or they give only a few coins, a few bills, a few hours, or a few minutes of service, or they carry out a few acts of charity, and then they make it appear as though it were the love of the cross that sacrifices all ideals, all possessions, and even life itself. Because of this, the precious love of the cross has become a subject of ridicule to unbelievers and to all idolaters, for what they see is nothing more than a love of mere moral and ethical value—a charity and service that even unbelievers and idolaters naturally do.
Through tithes and offerings, God intended to reveal the love of the cross in acts of charity and service that feed, give, and care, so that people might learn to honor, cherish, and serve one another, and thus be formed into beautiful hearts that resemble God, fit for salvation through the love of the cross. But because churches and pastors have stolen the tithes and offerings for their own power, fullness, and selfish gain, the worship they perform is one of words and theories alone, dragging in worldly teachings that have nothing to do with salvation.
The reason countless believers, without exception, easily accept such worldly teachings—which have nothing to do with salvation—and even take them as comfort, hope, and the Word itself, is because such teachings exploit the vain instincts of humanity that pursue worldly desires, ambitions, and satisfactions. They stir up and incite worldly hopes and desires, using them as a means to satisfy their own insatiable greed and selfish ambition. Thus, worldly teachings, inspirations, commandments, proverbs, and tales are drawn in and rationalized, producing nothing but sin and lust.
All of this is done so that more tithes and offerings may be stolen, to gain more wealth, power, and influence, to build larger churches and greater edifices. This has led to churches and pastors who enslave believers as workers and servants to produce wealth and power for themselves, just as Judaism of old turned worship into an authority of rule. What they present as holy and benevolent worship is in reality abominable and deceitful—merely an outward appearance of a sanctuary of God, used as a pretext for theft. This is the worldly teaching and inspiration taught by today’s churches and pastors: a teaching that leads not to life, but to death; not to salvation, but to judgment.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.(Matthew 5 : 46~48)
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.(Matthew 6 : 1)
Teachings and inspirations that have nothing to do with salvation are by no means the gospel of Christ. No matter how good the words and intentions may sound, unless they are united with the holy will of God and the noble love and sacrifice of Christ’s cross—which leads us to form hearts that resemble God, bearing the love of the cross that alone is worthy of salvation—all theories, ideologies, and claims are abolished, for the love of the cross came to this earth as the perfect proof of salvation and resurrection.
Thus, any church or pastor who, in order to steal the tithes and offerings meant to feed the sheep, draws in worship that is unfit for salvation and fails to teach the beautiful love of feeding, giving, and caring, is nothing but heresy and antichrist. Worldly teachings and inspirations—which are not the path of wisdom leading to salvation but are rather like a pit of sin and greed—appear to be hope, yet they merely stir up lust, and appear to be comfort, yet they only produce the sorrow of death. Such vain worldly teachings (leaven) ultimately lead countless believers into a pit of greed, causing them to pile up nothing but sin and grief that cannot bring salvation.
But in reality, the outcome is entirely different from their sweet-sounding promises. It is not true that everything will be fulfilled simply through effort, nor is it true that perseverance will always bring success. Disasters, calamities, and unforeseen events continually bring ruin, collapse, injury, and death. If, as they claim, all believers who endure and strive were to receive all things according to their desires, satisfactions, and ambitions, then the church would already be filled only with believers who prosper, live well, and are healthy. Yet within their very own churches, even those who hold positions fall ill, suffer ruin, are harmed, and die. Does this not prove that their teachings, which are no more than the worldly maxim ‘after hardship comes comfort’ (Sweetness after bitterness), are false?
Nevertheless, they will surely excuse themselves, claiming that such failures are because the believers did not truly obey before God. But then I ask: do you truly possess faith even as small as a mustard seed? Did not Christ Himself declare that with even mustard seed–sized faith, one could move mountains? Does this mean His words were a lie? Or is it rather that the countless pastors—who claim to number in the thousands and millions—do not even have faith as small as a mustard seed, yet falsely proclaim themselves to be those who have received the Spirit and anointing? One of the two is undeniably a lie.
What is certain is this: those who teach by putting worldly teachings ahead have no faith. They are those who, under the guise of God, use their churches and altars as tools to gather power and wealth for themselves. In order to steal the tithes and offerings meant for feeding, giving, and caring, they deny the love of the cross—which is the true sign of salvation and resurrection—and instead exalt wooden or metal crosses, replacing the reality of Christ’s love with lifeless symbols. Such worldly teachings and inspirations, which have nothing whatsoever to do with salvation, are precisely the leaven.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.(1 John 4 : 7~11)
The reason God sent the love of the cross into this world—the love that is worthy to lead to salvation—is because God is love. This love of God alone possesses eternal glory, eternal power, and eternal might. Thus, in order to create human beings who would share in His eternal glory and power, He sent the divine nature, which is the love of the cross—the very proof of salvation and resurrection. Therefore, the love of the cross is the eternal God Himself, His glory, His power, and His might.
The love of the cross is not human affection or carnal passion that comes from the flesh. Human affection arises from bloodline and carnal desire; it is instinctive love felt from the flesh, even without anyone teaching it. Yet this human love is limited, for depending on circumstances it inevitably produces envy, jealousy, hatred, pride, falsehood, lust, and strife.
But the love of the cross is love that is defined by sacrifice—by denying and giving up one’s all. It has nothing of envy, jealousy, hatred, pride, falsehood, lust, or strife that spring from greed and desire. Instead, it is love that bears a heart of compassion, patience, self-control, gentleness, peace, goodness, obedience, and joy (Galatians 5:22–26).
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.(1 Corinthians 13 : 4~9)
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.(1 John 3 : 16)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.(Romans 14 : 7)(Mark 8 : 35)(Matthew 16 : 25)(Luke 10 : 27)
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.(1 Thesslaonians 2 : 8)
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.(Luke 14 : 26~27)
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.(John 15 : 12~14)(Philippians 2 : 30)(Romans 16 : 4)
The love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares is not a love that can be easily obtained or fulfilled, even if one resolves to die and strives with all effort. Just as, according to human experience, one cannot enter a university—or an elite university—merely by carrying a schoolbag and attending classes without blood-shedding effort and hardship, so also it is with salvation. Yet because of shameless and conscienceless teachers who instruct that simply attending church, praying, or reading the Bible means one has received salvation and the Holy Spirit—and because of the countless believers who learn from them—God’s holy name and the precious love of the cross have been dishonored, through corruption upon corruption, falsehood upon falsehood, and lawlessness upon lawlessness.
The tithes and offerings were established so that, through the love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares for the poor and needy sheep, people might be formed into hearts worthy of becoming children of God throughout the earth. But because of selfish ambition and greed, they have been corrupted into traditions, worships, and practices that devour tithes and offerings, turning churches into places increasingly corrupted, increasingly false, and increasingly depraved.
Therefore, the Lord declares that the churches of brick, built with the tithes and offerings meant to feed the sheep, shall be torn down until not one stone is left upon another.
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.(Luke 21 : 5~6)
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.(Zechariah 5 : 4)
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.(Matthew 21 : 13)
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.(Job 12 : 6)(Jeremiah 11 : 15~17)
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.(Malachi 3 : 8)
The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the LORD GOD of hosts.(Isaiah 3 : 14~15)
Today, countless churches, pastors, and believers alike do not practice the effort, labor, suffering, and sacrifice of the love of the cross that is worthy to lead to salvation according to God’s holy will. Instead, they merely desire the fruit—salvation and the Holy Spirit—while most of their teaching and learning comes from shameless instructors who promote such empty expectations. Because they put forward love, charity, and service that amount only to the moral values that any human being is obligated to practice, they cannot truly attain the divine nature that resembles God, which ought to be received. Rather, through vain faith, service, and charity—used as tools by those who only seek their own selfish gain—believers have become slaves, workers, and servants to those who call themselves pastors.
Since the love of the cross, their charity, and their service are nothing more than excuses or mere imitations, they are churches, pastors, and believers who, standing on the foundation of vain faith and false religion, cannot truly fulfill the love of the cross that conforms them to God and is worthy of salvation. A church and a pastor that do not sacrifice everything and set an example are not truly the church or the pastor of Christ, nor do they bear the sign of salvation and resurrection. They are nothing but dens of thieves, deceiving believers with worship built on the traditions and customs of theft, and they are wolves disguised in the garment of Christ.
In order to steal the tithes and offerings that were meant to feed, give, and care, they lead people to serve not God and His Word, but their own brick-built churches and altars, through abominable teachings of theft. Do not be deceived by them any longer. Instead, pursue the true love of the cross that feeds, gives, and cares, and cultivate the beautiful heart that resembles God, following the example of faith that is worthy to lead to salvation.
The very word ‘last days’ is already being testified by your own tongue. The increasing corruption, lawlessness, falsehood, and perversion found in religion, churches, pastors, and believers bear undeniable witness that they are not the true religion, church, pastor, or believers of Christ. The true way of salvation in Christ is not the broad and easy road that worldly believers desire, chasing after worldly ambitions and desires. It is only the narrow, steep, and rugged road—hard to find, full of suffering, labor, and sacrifice.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.(Matthew 7 : 13~23)
The fundamental reason why the leaven of worldly teachings has spread throughout the whole earth today is that worldly teachings and inspirations have been drawn in to rationalize excuses, justifications, and pretexts for stealing the tithes and offerings meant to feed the poor and needy sheep. It is the same reason that ideologies and doctrines were created.
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.(Ezekiel 22 : 23~31)