Can You Earn Salvation? Part 1 Examining WMSCOG Salvation.

Faith Alone Jesus Alone

Hello and welcome back to finding the alternative. Thank you so much for joining us today. This is a multiple part series of Salvation through faith. I hope that you feel loved and that God is giving you His peace, wonderful peace in your life. If you would like to watch the video (1hr 47min) instead click here.

Question I get a lot is this. "How do I know if I am saved then if WMSCOG is wrong, what do I need to do?" So we will dive into that in today’s subject, basically this will encompass the law of Moses & the law of Christ, what is the gospel, old covenant and new covenant and more. 

To be completely transparent, if you are dead set on the WMSCOG doctrine and your mind is closed off to other options or you are not wanting to be free from it, then you probably won't be able to accept what we are about to go over today. But don’t feel bad as I feel God has an appointed time for everything and everyone, He will lead you to the correct path and will guide your way to Him in His due time. It took me a long time to realize this teaching as well and let go of the burden of keeping the law.

But before we begin, as always if you are brand new to the channel, it is really good to have you here with us. If you have not seen the intro to the channel please go watch that first. I will put it on the screen for a couple seconds. Also if you have not read the Passover series I would recommend reading  those first and then coming back and joining us. Click here for the link. 

Also I have heard from people saying “you have made a few articles but haven’t provided the alternative yet, are you stringing us along.” The answer is no, I am not. But I feel that there is proper food at the proper time. So in this article we will find the alternative.

Lastly, I want to be real with you for a moment and hear me out. During this article I need you to really be real with yourself. Are you at peace or are constantly scared and depressed thinking you are not good enough for God or His love? Do you have hope for heaven or is the bar too high and just feels out of reach making you want to give up? Do you have the feeling of utter despair and you just accept the terrifying reality of going to hell? 

Only you can answer these questions truly. Now if you are reading this and if you really are at peace in the WMSCOG and have hope, good for you. You aren't going to listen no matter what I say or the evidence I show in this blog post. That is your right and I care about you regardless of how much you don’t like me. 

To those who are not at peace and don’t have hope. To those who are broken, hurt, exhausted, scared and confused. Let the verses we see today free you from the WMSCOG grip and lead you to the true God who loves you even though you don’t even love yourself. God wants to save you even though you are a sinner and fall short, God knows you. Jesus paid the price for you already without asking you for anything in return.

You will never be able to meet the standard of heaven, but Jesus died and clothed you in His righteousness and your faith has justified you before God. You are free in Christ now and you have freedom. Now come to the God who wants you regardless of who you are, what you have done, or where you have been. The God who created you for His glory and for His righteous purpose. Let God heal your heart, your soul and your mind today and give you peace that transcends all understanding.

Let's get into it.

The most important thing here is that we should have a whole bible theology not just pick and choose random verses that fit our doctrine and ignore entire contexts. If it turns out after studying this subject and looking into the evidence in the bible, if we come to the conclusion that we should keep the Feasts of the New Covenant and everything the WMSCOG says we must keep to be saved, then so be it. If that is what the bible says, who am I to say anything against it? 

But then that also means if the bible doesn’t say we need to keep the Feasts of the New Covenant to be saved or if the bible says we actually don’t need to do what the WMSCOG strictly enforces to be saved, will you let go and follow the bible? Only you can answer this question and make this decision. I can not make it for.

If the bible doesn’t verify the salvation WMSCOG preaches, it means their threats of hell for not doing what they want you to do, are empty and are not biblical. Therefore you don’t need to even think about them or be scared of their threats of hell. Their bark is worse than their bite.

Ok so let's dissect this a little bit further. How does the WMSCOG teach that you are saved? To make it simple I will break it down into 4 basic parts.

1. You need to be baptized, keep the weekly sabbath as well as 7 feasts in 3 times which is their version of the Old Covenant as well as all the other days the WMSCOG deem necessary.

2. You need to tithe and offer in order to receive salvation.

3. You need to preach the gospel and lead people into the church as much as you possibly can.

4. You need to believe that Ahnsahnghong is the Second Coming Christ, God in the Flesh and you also need to believe that Jang Gil Jah, New Jerusalem is God the Mother living on earth in South Korea.

Now I already did a 2 part article on the Passover and I am going to make blog posts fully devoted to the Sabbath and the 7 Feasts so we will go into greater detail about those later.

I have already made articles about argument 4. So if you are interested in those types of blogs discussing Ahnsahnghong’s divinity or theological claims. Feel free to read those at your leisure.

So this article will cover points 1 - 3. To simplify the topic we can summarize points 1-3 as basically saved by works. Then is the salvation that the bible teaches based on works? I am going to make this blog post a much simpler format so it is easily understandable. I will use the phrase “saved by works” to describe the Feasts, tithe and everything else the WMSCOG enforces. Because that is essentially what they are.

I want us to turn our attention for a little bit to Clement of Rome and hear what he has to say on the subject of salvation.

Clement actually sent a letter to the Church in Corinthians. As always though we need to understand the history behind it. 

Clement of Rome wrote to the Corinthians to address a significant internal dispute within the Corinthian church, where younger members had deposed older leaders from their ministry positions, prompting Clement to urge them to reinstate the deposed leaders and to uphold the order established by the apostles, emphasizing humility and obedience to church authority. 

This letter was written around 96CE which is actually before the book of Revelation was written. 

But who is Clement exactly? He was Bishop of Rome in the late first century. Origen of Alexandria and Eusebius of Caesarea claimed that Clement of Rome is the same Clement that Paul referenced in Phillipians 4:3. Not only that but evidence suggests that Clement of Rome was the Apostle Peter’s successor. I will recommend that you read the whole letter but we are just going to read parts of it.

So it is a safe bet Clement knows probably better than we do about salvation. Anyways what did Clement say?

“Whosoever will candidly consider each particular, will recognise the greatness of the gifts which were given by him. For from him have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. Romans 9:5 From him [arose] kings, princes, and rulers of the race of Judah. Nor are his other tribes in small glory, inasmuch as God had promised, Your seed shall be as the stars of heaven. All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

We can see even the early church understood that we are saved by faith and faith alone. You would think that the Clement who was close to the Apostles would have mentioned something about these 7 feasts that needed to be kept for justification and salvation. But he fails to mention anything about them.

Now I know what you are thinking. The bible says we must keep Feasts, Sabbath and all the regulations that the WMSCOG enforces. But can you show me where in the bible it says that? Where does it say in the bible you need to keep these New Covenant feasts and sabbaths that the WMSCOG enforces to justify you and save you?

It doesn’t exist. If you could be saved or justified by keeping the Feasts, Tithe and Sabbaths then it means you can earn your or pay for salvation. The bible says that salvation is a free gift and it is God’s grace for you and I. Meaning you and I didn’t do anything to deserve it nor could we. If we could save ourselves by our works then why have Jesus as our savior?

Anyways, some biblical context first before we dive into these verses. We need to understand some of these books and why they are written. I am going to put some verses on the screen while I talk a little bit that show you the type of crowd that was in the early church.

The Pauline Epistles which are basically Paul’s letters written to the Churches throughout the world have a unique audience. A lot of the audience were illiterate and most likely slaves. Whenever Paul sent a letter it was to be read out loud to the congregation so everyone could hear.

That is why Paul writes very plainly and directly. You can see many times where Paul addresses slaves and slave owners. Basically saying slaves obey your masters and masters treat your slaves as one who has to give an account to God and that regardless of free or slave status all are one in Christ Jesus etc. If you're not sure you should read Paul's letters when you have a chance.

The reason I bring this up first is that whenever you read about slaves being in the early Church congregation I want you to consider something. If we are not saved by our faith and have to do everything the WMSCOG says we need to do in order to enter heaven. I have a question.

How could the slaves ever hope of being saved? I am sure you listening right now are aware of how difficult it is to get time off for the Feasts and all the different times and days that must be observed in order to be saved and not condemned. Do you think a member 2000 years ago who is a gentile slave could do the same?

Could they go to their master and ask “Master, I have to keep 29 early morning and evening services at the church so I will need permission to leave, also I need to go to Church all day on Saturday so I won’t be here and I also can’t work on that day either or else I go to hell, also I need to keep the 7 annual feasts at the Church and can’t work all day on those does either or else I go to hell, I will also need to borrow some money for tithe and offering since I am a slave and have no money of my own because if I don’t give the church tithe and offering I will go to hell.”

Do you think that Master would say “Yeah sounds good, anything else you need?” I seriously doubt it. If that is what was really happening in the early Church, then why even bother letting slaves accept the Gospel of Christ?

It is very similar to why the WMSCOG doesn’t preach to homeless people. They wouldn’t be able to fulfill the WMSCOG’s need therefore they don’t get the gospel. Sorry about that homeless people, get your crap together and then you might be able to join WMSCOG. If not, have fun in the lake of fire I guess.

But of course the Gospel Jesus taught was given directly to poor and homeless people Matthew 11:5. Actually if you read the whole New Testament Jesus was very concerned about the poor. Also Lazarus the beggar was taken to Abrahams side wasn’t he? So the gospel that you are saved by faith and not by paying your way into heaven is extremely good news for the poor and the homeless. The contrast is very striking isn’t it? Anyways just keep these things in mind.

One more thing on this point about the gentile slaves. The requirement for them was actually not much by any means. Let me explain.

There were troublemakers 2000 years ago who tried to put the yoke of the law on the gentiles. Here is the apostles letter to the Churches, especially the churches who were Gentiles so that they wouldn’t be burdened by those saying that they had to keep the law.

Acts 15:22-29

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Let me ask you a question. If the Holy Spirit was indeed with the Apostles as they claim it was. Why didn’t the Holy Spirit tell them to keep the Feasts, tithe, keep Sabbath etc.? Did the Holy Spirit forget? Why did the Holy Spirit only think it was good to burden the Gentiles with ONLY the following.

You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. Where are the feasts? Where is tithe? Where is keeping the Sabbath? Then are these gentiles saved or not if those words were inspired by the Holy Spirit? Did the Holy Spirit lie?

Anyways just something to think about.

Now how does the bible say we are saved? Honestly I recommend you read the whole books of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews honestly. Romans and Galatians tells us that we are saved by faith and the book of Hebrews clearly explains the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Hebrews teaches us that the old covenant was only in effect until the New Covenant which is Jesus' sacrifice. Jesus sets us free from the law and from sin once and for all.

Let’s see a few verses throughout the bible to really get a grasp on how salvation was given.

John 17:3

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Romans 3:9-31

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands;    there is no one who seeks God.All have turned away,    they have together become worthless;there is no one who does good,    not even one.” “Their throats are open graves;    their tongues practice deceit.”[c]“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d]“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e]“Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways,and the way of peace they do not know.”[f] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”

Paul makes the argument that all are alike under sin. The Jews who have the law have no advantage over those who don’t. Then how are the gentiles sinners if they are not under the Law of Moses? Gentiles were not given the old covenant therefore the promises, blessings and the curses of that covenant do not apply to them but to the Israelites (Ephesians 2:11-13) Then how are the gentiles sinners and how is the world held accountable if the Old Covenant was only given to the Israelites?

Let’s see another verse really quickly.

Romans 2:12-16

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Then what law are the gentiles under that Paul is talking about? It is the moral law. That is why even gentile nations who don’t believe in God still consider immorality, murder, theft, false testimony among other things as bad or evil and want to punish it. God also considered sin as sin even before the law was introduced.

Otherwise why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Remember that the city was destroyed for its sin before the Law of Moses forbade sexual immorality among other sins. But even though there was no codified law at the time, God still punished the city for its sin.

Then what law did they break? It is the moral law, or the law set forth by God since creation. God made man and woman and said multiply and increase, any deviation to that law (adultery, homosexuality, murder etc.) goes against God’s law in creation and command, even before the codified law of Moses was given.

Or look at Noah for example. The world was wicked and God destroyed them through the flood. But how was the world considered wicked if the Mosaic Law was not given? If you look at the covenant God made with Noah in Genesis 9 it is about murder essentially.

Then it means murder was wrong even before the 10 Commandments were spoken on Sinai that said “thou shalt not murder”. Even Cain was punished for his sin by God, but there was no law officially against murder. Why is it wrong then? Man is the image of God, so whoever kills a human should be killed, also God said that man was made for the glory of God, God also created life and it is not up to a human to destroy it. Anyways I think you get the point.

So sin is still sin apart from the Mosaic law. In fact lawlessness is sin. How could the gentiles be convicted of lawlessness if they were never required to keep Mosaic Law in the first place? It is because of the Gentiles broke the moral law.

That is why Peter said the following.

2 Peter 2:4-10

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness] to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh[c] and despise authority.

Now WMSCOG loves to say that Lawlessness in the New Testament means those that don’t keep the New Covenant Feasts and its Regulations. 

However here Peter said that in the time of Noah and Lot the people were committing lawlessness.

Then how could the people be convicted of lawlessness before the Law was codified by Moses? The only answer is that they were breaking the moral law. Since the Mosaic Law and the alleged “New Covenant Regulations” didn’t exist yet. 

So lawlessness of course means without law, but in the context of the New Testament as seen in Peter’s epistle it is breaking the moral law. It doesn’t mean not keeping some made up feasts that the WMSCOG insists on.

The moral law has been in effect since creation and is still in effect until today. That is why the bible talks about living by the spirit and not the sinful nature. The sinful nature goes against the moral law, living by the spirit upholds the moral law. The spirit keeps you from breaking the moral law.

That is why even the Gentiles are guilty of sin because they were not following the moral law. The reason the Jews are guilty of sin is because they were incapable of keeping the whole law God gave them. That is why God said in Jeremiah 31 that He found fault with the people.

Let's look at Romans 3 again.

Paul goes on to say in verse 19 that the whole world is held accountable to God. Then if condemnation or salvation is dependent on works of that law, you would think it would just be the Jews or those under the law who are accountable right? Paul says “Nope, the whole world is accountable to God.” Then how?

Because in verse 21 Paul says “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” So the law is not going to save you, but it merely exposes your sin. Then it means those who are under the law and those outside of the law are not righteous and are sinners deserving wrath.

Verse 21-24 then teaches us that there is righteousness apart from the law to those who have faith in Jesus and believe in Him whether Jew or Greek. Because all have fallen short both Jew and Gentile alike. This is extremely important.

The Jews were God’s chosen people, they had the law for a long time but yet they still fall short. It means even if you have a law or think you can be saved by the law, Paul says you will fall short.

If we could have received salvation by our own righteousness through the works of the law then why did Jesus have to die? He wouldn’t have had to die, but because we all fall short of the standards of God, He died so that we might be justified apart from the law since we would fail at keeping it. Then what does that mean?

Galatians 3:10-13

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

If you want to be justified by the law you must do everything written in the book of the law. Paul goes on to say that those who rely on the law will not be justified.

Why because we all break the law in some way, meaning we must die and we all fall short (Romans 6:23). But thanks to God Christ redeemed us by taking upon Himself the curse of the law and the consequences of sin and justifying us through faith in Him. But those who continue to insist on the law will never be justified.

Let’s read verses 23-29.

Galatians 3:23-29

“Before the coming of this faith,[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

We have clothed ourselves with Christ and have been justified freely through our faith in Christ. Thanks be to God. We are heirs according to the promise by faith.

That is why there is something better than the law, the righteousness apart from the law that comes from faith in Jesus.

Read Romans 3 verse 24-26 again.

Here it says that Jew and Gentile alike are justified freely though His grace and that God justified us through faith in Jesus. 

This is beautiful. The bible tells us that of course God is just and that sin should indeed be punished, that is fact. But in verse 25 Christ was a sacrifice of atonement, through shedding His blood that we are able to receive through faith.

God said he left the sins committed beforehand unpunished, but Paul explains later that God is just and is the one that justifies, meaning God died in our stead because He is just, someone should die but He died for us instead. Not only that but we received Christ blood by faith then in verse 26 it says God that same God justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Have you seen anywhere yet that we need to keep the Law or the Feasts? I haven't.

Let's continue with verse 27. Paul says boasting is excluded because we are not justified by the law where works are required. Meaning if you could be righteous by the law then you could boast right? Look at me, I am perfect based on the law. But Paul says no you can’t boast because we don’t follow that law that requires work, rather we have the law that requires faith.

Meaning you actually can’t earn your salvation, if you could then why did Paul say Jews who have the law and gentiles who don’t both fall short of the glory of God? Not only that but again Paul said you have nothing to boast about.

Verse 28 again we see that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Meaning you cannot earn your salvation. If you could, Paul should have said we see that a person is justified by works of law apart from faith. But what does the WMSCOG teach?

You need to keep the law in order to be saved, if you don’t you will go to hell. This is the complete opposite of what Paul is saying here. You are freely justified by faith apart from the law, meaning you will never be good enough to save yourself.

Even if you could save yourself then why would you need a savior? Jesus' sacrifice would be meaningless if you could save yourself. 

Verse 29-31 teaches us that God is God of everyone both Jew and Gentile, not only that but God justifies those that are circumcised and uncircumcised through the same faith!

Then if there was a law that had to be kept to be justified like the WMSCOG insists, why would Paul say everyone whether Jew or Gentile, circumcised, uncircumcised is justified through the same faith? That would be like Paul saying everyone who keeps the New Covenant in Zion (Spiritual Israelites) and those worshipping on Sunday in Babylon (Spiritual Gentiles) will be justified by God through the same faith.

Please explain to me how that makes sense to you if you insist we must keep the WMSCOG New Covenant but still claim to follow Paul. Unless of course Paul is talking about a faith that grants righteousness and justifies freely apart from the law? That is what Paul has been saying this entire passage.

Now just to do a brief recap. We saw that there is righteousness apart from the law and that this righteousness comes through faith not by works. Paul also tells us that we received Christ's blood through faith and that we are justified by faith apart from the law. He also makes the point that both the circumcised and uncircumcised are justified by the same faith.

Then if it was based on the law how on earth could the Gentiles be justified by the same faith with the Jews? Because the faith is apart from the law just like Paul said. It also says that we uphold the law through this faith. Now I know that the WMSCOG will say that the law being upheld is Christ's law. Fair point lets see.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

Here we clearly see that Paul is not under the Mosaic law right? But Paul says that he is under Christ's law. Now the WMSCOG says that the law of Christ consists of the Sabbath, 7 feasts and tithe among other things.

Which means that if we are to keep the Sabbath, Feasts and tithe we will fulfill or uphold the Christs Law correct? Well how does Paul, the author of this letter who said that he is under Christ's Law, say we fulfill Christ's Law? If the bible says the feasts, sabbath and tithe then amen.

But if it doesn't, are you willing to listen to Paul? Just something to keep in mind.

How does Paul say that we fulfill Christ's Law?

Galatians 6:1-2

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

You want to fulfill the Law of Christ? Carry each other’s burdens. Did you see the feasts? The Sabbath? Tithe? I sure didn’t. 

Now you might be thinking, it can’t be that easy can it? I would say a better word for it would be simple rather than easy. Something can be simple but not easy.

For instance let’s say you like someone a lot, it might be a simple thing to ask that person out on a date, all you have to do is open your mouth and say “Will go out with me?” it's simple right? but that doesn’t mean it is easy.

You might get nervous, have hot flashes, feel butterflies in your stomach, get all sweaty, you might worry about messing up or what if the timing isn’t right? Or worse, what if that person says no and you get rejected. That would be heartbreaking. It would definitely hurt your self esteem and ruin your day.

It is kind of the same thing with being saved by faith. Salvation through faith seems simple in theory, but it is actually quite difficult in practice. Because as you know those who follow Christ will indeed not have an easy path, you will suffer at some point and will definitely have hardship, they also undergo an inward transformation to please the spirit instead of their sinful nature.  

Let’s see some more verses.

Galatians 5:14

“ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

The bible says love is the fulfillment of the Law. Let’s see another verse.

James 1:27

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Here we can clearly see that if you want to fulfill the law, keep the commands of God and have a pure and faultless Religion. Love your neighbor, take care of orphans and widows and don’t be polluted by the world.

Mark 12:30-31

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

Here what are the greatest commands according to Jesus? Love God and love your neighbor. Now I know you are thinking about the Passover and Josiah right now, however Josiah did not destroy the idols because of the Passover. If you read 2 Kings 23 from beginning to end. You will actually see that Josiah destroyed the idols and false God's before he kept the Passover, not after. Josiah also poured ashes on the altar to defile it and slaughtered the priests.

Let's see.

2 Kings 23:15-16, 19-20 NIV

Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—even that altar and high place he demolished. He burned the high place and ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole also. Then Josiah looked around, and when he saw the tombs that were there on the hillside, he had the bones removed from them and burned on the altar to defile it, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by the man of God who foretold these things. Just as he had done at Bethel, Josiah removed all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria and that had aroused the Lord’s anger. Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem.

So we were taught the reason why Josiah did all this was because his eyes were opened by the Passover. That is not true. In actuality Josiah did this because God said that he would 250 years before Josiah did these things.

1 Kings 13:1-3 NIV

 By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’ ” That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

We can see that this prophecy was made in the time of Jeroboam about 250 years before Josiah destroyed the altar. Josiah destroying the Idols, False God's, defiling the altar and slaughtering the priests had nothing to do with the Passover.

He did all of this before keeping the Passover, not only that but God prophesied that Josiah would do these things. So what does loving God with all your heart and soul and strength? It's honestly exactly what it sounds like, it has nothing to do with the Passover. Anyways.

Apostle Paul reiterates the importance of love point in Romans.

Romans 13:8

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

We keep seeing the law is fulfilled. How is it fulfilled? It is through love. But let's continue by seeing Matthew.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Now let me ask you. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light right? Then do the words “yoke is easy and my burden is light” describe your life of faith in the WMSCOG? It sure didn’t feel that way for me.

So if you want to do God’s will and follow the bible Jesus said love God and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. Did you see Passover in any of these verses? Did you see the 7 Feasts? Did you see tithe? Tell you what if I am missing where Jesus says that you need to keep Passover, Feasts and Tithe.

Or what about this verse. 

John 8:31-32

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Do you feel free from the burden of sin in the WMSCOG? I will let you honestly ask yourself that question. If you think you are free from the burden of sin, then who am I to tell you otherwise keep following the WMSCOG, God bless you and your family?

But if you do not feel free from the burden of sin and you feel like you have no freedom, Jesus will set you free. If the bible says the truth gives you freedom, if you don’t feel free in the WMSCOG, odd’s are according to Jesus' words you are not in the truth, because the truth will give you freedom. Don’t believe me?

Let's see another verse.

Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

What does the WMSCOG try to do? Put on an impossible yoke on you that not only makes you weary and heavy but ultimately in the end all that burden, fear, guilt piles on top of you and destroys you.

That is not what Christ wants. Paul said it is for freedom that Christ has set us free, don’t let anyone put the yoke of slavery on you again. The yoke is the law in case you were wondering. 

Now I know what you are thinking. Well Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Good point. Lets see the WHOLE thing in context.

Matthew 5:17-20

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Now the WMSCOG only focuses on verse 17 to show why you must keep their laws and demands. But if you read the whole thing in context it actually tells a different story. Jesus says first that He has come to fulfill the law but not abolish it. But then Jesus goes on to say that not the smallest letter or least stroke of the pen will disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.

Jesus said nothing will disappear until everything is accomplished. Then what does until mean? Well in Greek it is “heós” which according to Strong's concordance has the meaning “where it is left doubtful when that will take place till which it is said a thing will continue”.

Essentially meaning that the law will continue until everything is accomplished. The “heavens and the earth will not pass away before everything is done” statement is Jesus saying everything I just said will surely happen.

So we can understand that because Jesus says the law will remain “until” everything will be accomplished implies the law will be canceled at an appointed time when everything is accomplished.

Then when is that time?

John 19:28-30

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Here we clearly see that according to the scriptures everything was accomplished at Jesus' death, Jesus Himself said “It is finished” who can deny the words spoken by Jesus Himself? I know the WMSCOG will probably show you all the alleged prophecies that they believe weren't finished and that Jesus didn’t actually finish everything.

But I am going to go with what the bible and Jesus, Himself, says here honestly. Then according to Jesus' own words that we just saw in Matthew chapter 5 the law has passed away and we are not under the law anymore. It is finished.

Now I know what you are thinking “well didn’t Jesus say we should keep His commands.” Well of course we should keep Jesus commands, I have never said that we shouldn’t keep Jesus commands. My argument is that Jesus commands are not what the WMSCOG teaches.

Show me in the bible where Jesus threatens you with hell for not keeping New Covenant Passover, 7 Feasts and tithe? I will wait. Better yet show me anywhere in the New Testament where the Apostles ever said that we are required to keep a law or are justified by a law of any kind.

You are probably thinking of Luke 4:16 “Jesus kept the Sabbath as His custom”, Matthew 26:26-28 “Jesus kept the Passover”, John 7 “Jesus kept the Feast of Tabernacles” etc. So your insistence is that if Jesus kept something then it means for me to be a good Christian I must do exactly what He did? Let me show you how the WMSCOG uses this innocent logic and is very deceitful with it.

The WMSCOG will show you these verses and say Jesus did this so we should do it too. Seems logically right? I thought so for a long time. Well then it means we should do everything Jesus did and follow all of Jesus customs %100 percent, correct? That is the insistence.

Well then let's see some verses with that in mind. 

Luke 2:21-24

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

So if their insistence is correct then it means we too must also be circumcised on the 8th day correct? Not only that but our parents must present us to the Lord and perform the purification rites as well offer a pair of doves or two young pigeons otherwise we are not purified. That is what the WMSCOG is saying right?

Don’t look at me, I didn’t make this insistence WMSCOG did. 

Let’s see another verse.

John 10:22-23

“Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

Here we see Jesus kept the Feast of Dedication aka Hanukkah. Then you must also keep Hanukkah then correct? Now I know you are thinking, “well that is not part of the 7 Feasts.” But that is not the insistence is it.

The WMSCOG says we must do everything Jesus did, then if that is true why don’t you still preach circumcision or why don’t you preach Hanukkah? It seems the WMSCOG doesn’t really believe what they themselves teach. What is the word for that? I can’t remember, hey I didn’t say it, you thought it on your own.

Then why did Jesus keep the Old Covenant?

Why did He keep the Sabbath, Passover, 7 Feasts etc.? Simply put, He was a Jew. I know what you are probably thinking in your head “So you just think Jesus is just a Jew” or “Jesus is just some Jew then?” I am so tired of that insistence. Did I say Jesus is just a Jew, No I didn’t. You are the one putting those words in peoples mouths.

The question was why did Jesus keep the Sabbath and Passover, the question was never who is God to you. So stop using that insistence, it is very deceitful and it is what we call gaslighting and the WMSCOG is expert at it. Do you know why people say Jesus kept the Sabbath and Passover because He was Jew? Because that is what Paul says so.

Galatians 4:4-5

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

The reason why Jesus was born under the law was to redeem those under the law. That is why He kept the Old Covenant. He was perfectly obedient to it actually. So when people say the reason Jesus kept the Sabbath, Passover and the Feasts was because He was a Jew is 100% accurate according to Apostle Paul.

Unless of course you think Paul also considers Jesus just some Jew as you accuse others of thinking. Also it is very important to note that Jesus kept those things before His death on the cross in which He fulfilled everything. That will be important later.

So again you are free from the Sabbath, Passover and all the regulations of the Old Covenant.

Don’t believe me? Well let's see what the apostles say.

Acts 10:26-28

“But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

If the law is still in effect, then why are the gentiles clean now? This passage is where Peter meets with Cornelius who is a Centurion. Peter is literally calling Cornelius clean, meaning the law is gone. Not only that but the Holy Spirit was given to the gentiles even before they were baptized.

So if the WMSCOG is correct then Cornelius would not be clean or receive Holy Spirit until after baptism, but Peter says Cornelius was already clean and that all who heard the word received Holy Spirit and then they were baptized. Let’s see a few more verses.

Colossians 2:14

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Here we clearly see a few things. God made us alive with Christ when we were dead in our sins and when we were uncircumcised. How is that possible if we need to keep a law to be made alive with Christ?

How can we be forgiven if we are dead in our sins and were uncircumcised if we are required to keep a law to be forgiven of our sins? Paul said that the law was nailed to the cross. Jesus took away the burden of the law so we can live freely in Christ. 

Romans 7:4-6

“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”

Here the bible tells us we died to the law and now belong with Christ, Christ has released us from the Law so that we may serve in the Spirit not the written code, aka the law. Now I know your insistence might be at this point “New way of the spirit is keeping the Feasts and the Sabbath etc.” Ok then, show me where the bible says that?

Let’s see another verse.

Romans 8:1-4

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Here the bible clearly tells us that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ, we have been set free from the law of sin and death. If being in Christ means you need to keep the WMSCOG rules and regulations, it would mean that we would be condemned if we don’t keep them right?

If that is the case as the WMSCOG insists, how could Paul say there is no condemnation for Christ if you still need to keep a law and if you don’t you will be condemned? That would mean you can still be condemned then even if you are in Christ, then Paul would be lying now, wouldn’t he?

God came as Jesus to be a sin offering so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us. Meaning you are free from the law and justified in Christ because Christ paid it all. Then how are we justified exactly?

Romans 5:1-2

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”

We have peace with God and have grace from God. How do we access this Grace? Is it through the Sabbath? Is it through the Feasts? Paul said grace is accessed by faith.

Romans 9:30-31

“What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”

If the law was the way to salvation, then why does Paul say the people of Israel did not attain it? They knew the law very very well. Paul said because they tried to get this righteousness through works instead of faith. He also says the Gentiles did attain it? How? Through faith not by works.

Romans 10:4 

“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Here we see that there is righteousness for those who believe, not those who keep the law.

Galatians 3:21-25

“Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

Again we see faith in Jesus is what sets up free. Were no longer under custody under the law. Since this faith has come through Christ we are no longer under a guardian aka the law.

Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Now let’s see.

Ephesians 2:14-16

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”

The bible says through Christ’s flesh the law and its commands and regulations have been set aside. That through Him Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God.

We can keep going all day on this but for times sake let’s look at verses 1-5.

Ephesians 2:1-5

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

When does Paul say we were made alive with Christ? When we were dead in transgressions and sins. Then according to WMSCOG we have to tithe, keep Sabbath and New Covenant to be made alive with Christ right?

Which would mean that we are dead if we don't keep those things according to the WMSCOG. Also that would mean it is a sin or transgression to not keep the New Covenant rules and regulations right? How then can Paul say we were made alive in Christ when we were dead in transgression?

That would literally mean we received grace while we were keeping the law and the regulations. How can we receive grace if we are dead in trangression in sin (not keeping the law) if the grace is keeping the law? This is Paul's point. Even though we didn’t do anything and were dead in sin and transgression God made us alive in Christ through grace not through the law.

Let's continue.

Ephesians 2:6-10

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’

We are saved through faith not by law or works of law. But through this faith that we are saved God equips us to do good works.

This faith that you are saved by God’s grace is a gift. If you had to do something for it, it would cease to be a gift wouldn’t it? God would be obligated to give grace to you in exchange for your works, but that is not how the bible teaches grace. 

But what does the WMSCOG say? You are saved by your works. Now I know you are probably thinking “No, I was told we need both works and faith to be saved.” That is what they tell you, but it is a lie. Let me explain.

If you have faith in God but don’t keep the Passover or the Sabbath are you saved? WMSCOG says no, then it means the WMSCOG says you are saved by works and not faith then. Now you might say “wait a minute if you keep the Sabbath or Feasts it means you have faith because you are showing your faith through action.”

Ok, then what if I just show up on Sabbath and Feasts but I don’t pay attention, I fall asleep during the service and I just go through the motions. Would you say that I kept the feasts? Would you say then that I am saved? I showed up, kept the Sabbath and the Feasts, so that means I am good right?

You might be thinking “well no because it’s not the mere act of going into a building on Saturday that saves or that act of simply eating bread and wine that saves but you need to have faith that it does.”

Ahhh, so we are saved by faith then aren’t we? Without faith everything is meaningless isn't it? So then you must agree that we are saved by faith then and not the law right? Otherwise the simple act of going into a building on Sabbath or eating bread and wine once a year would actually save you regardless right? Meaning faith trumps all and you are indeed saved by faith.

But yet the WMSCOG doesn’t count home worship from their own members. Because unless you have permission to worship at home it doesn’t count. Which means if you don’t have permission you better be at the Zion location at the appointed time or else you are not counted as a worshiper. 

Let me give you an example.

Let’s say you want to keep the Passover but you don’t want to keep it at the WMSCOG church, but would rather do it at home with your family. You prepare all the right things, you know the order of worship, the songs, the prayers, the feetwashing, the bread and wine prayer, and the appointed time is kept.

Basically you do everything you would have done in the church but just at home instead. But because you didn’t ask permission, the WMSCOG would not count it as you kept the Passover, would they? No, if a member does keep the Sabbath, Feasts and all the regulations at their home without permission, then their worship is rejected.

If you still keep the regulations and the Feasts and do everything you would do at the church then why does it matter where you are? Why does it matter if you do it at the Church or not? The WMSCOG will not consider you a worshiper at that point if you don’t get explicit permission from the Church to carry out home worship.

Then in this case it would mean your faith and your works are meaningless and don’t save you then according to the WMSCOG. Then what do you have left?

So would you think that Feasts and regulations of the WMSCOG are for your salvation then at that point? Or is the WMSCOG just using the Feasts for control? You be the judge.

Last point on this, I want to reiterate: are you saved by works or faith in the WMSCOG? It seems they flip flop all over the place. First they say “if you don’t have faith then the Sabbath and Feasts won't save you.”

So then if faith trumps the law, it means that faith saves you, then why do you need the law? Then they will say “well you need the law to be saved.” But you literally just said that the law without faith doesn’t save you. So what really saves you please answer the question, honestly.

Well you might just say “both, we need to keep the laws with faith.”

The bible says you are saved by faith and are justified freely apart from the law and apart from works. Why?

Number 1. You will never be good enough and God knows that. 2. Because God put the punish on himself for our sins, now there is no condemnation for those who have faith in Jesus. 3. Since God fulfilled the requirements of the covenant for us and instead of us, God can tell us how to receive the promise of the covenant. Then how does God say we receive the promise? Through faith, apart from works.

The bible tells us that Christ gives us a righteousness apart from the law and that we are justified freely through His grace. Why? Because if it was left up to us, to our works we would never be able to be saved. Paul says all have sinned and fall short.

How do we receive Christ blood, it is through faith. How are we justified? Through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Then what is the promise God gave us?

1 John 2:25

“And this is what he promised us—eternal life.”

God promised us eternal life right? But how was the promise given then? And by what do we obtain it?

Galatians 3:22

“But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.”

And lets see.

John 6:40

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Through faith we received this promise. Do you remember what the end result of your faith and promise is?

1 Peter 1:5-9

“ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Does it say through works you are receiving the salvation of your souls? It clearly says through faith. The whole passage is emphasizing faith. Through faith you received the salvation of your souls. Whether Paul, John or Peter they are all saying the same thing.

Let’s continue with Hebrews.

Hebrew 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Click here for part 2.