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  • Oh, you're up.

  • You're up early today.

  • Yep, it's time for the election again.

  • All the co-workers are meeting for it today.

  • I wanna get there early.

  • Time flies, doesn't it?

  • You've been a church leader for a whole year.

  • Yeah, you're right.

  • You know, this past year, I haven't done much practical work.

  • I realize now that you can't resolve problems without the reality of truth.

  • I'm not so sure whether I'll get reelected.

  • You worked really hard this year,

  • and you've accomplished some things in your duty.

  • You don't need to worry about it.

  • Guess we'll find out.

  • No matter what happens, I'll pursue the truth and do my duty.

  • Mom.

  • Tell grandpa it's breakfast time.

  • Grandpa, breakfast.

  • Xiaoxue, I'll need your help at the shop today.

  • Hey, where are you going?

  • You from around here?

  • I live just east of the city.

  • What's your business here?

  • Uh, I'm just going to my uncle's house up ahead.

  • Yes, we have watches set up at every alley.

  • I'll call you back.

  • Hey!

  • Mrs. Wu, how's your back today?

  • Oh better.

  • Director Ma.

  • Hello Mrs. Wu, who is this?

  • She's new here.

  • This is Miss Zhou.

  • My back's been acting up again. She's my acupuncturist.

  • Yep!

  • Acupuncture?

  • That's right. I'm an acupuncturist.

  • It can treat many conditions,

  • like stiff neck, back pain, or the after-effects of strokes.

  • Yes. She's very good.

  • Hey, since you two seem to know each other,

  • I make house calls if you're interested.

  • - My rates are low, and I can guarantee— - Eh, no, no.

  • I'm in perfect health.

  • Right then. Carry on.

  • Hello?

  • Yes, I'll be there soon.

  • - Here. I'll be out watching. - Great.

  • It's time for our election.

  • Picking the right church leaders is of the utmost importance.

  • Right.

  • Someone who loves the truth and has good humanity

  • can guide us in entering the reality of the truth.

  • Picking someone who lacks the truth would harm us irreparably.

  • Yes.

  • We must fellowship on the election principles first,

  • so everyone has discernment and insight,

  • and can vote according to the principles.

  • That's the way to choose good leaders.

  • Right.

  • The church has exposed false leaders and antichrists before.

  • We've all seen this happen, and we've learned since then.

  • We know that false leaders and antichrists can't do practical work.

  • They deceptively spout doctrine to show off,

  • and they delay the life entry of brothers and sisters, which really harms them.

  • - That's right. - Yes.

  • Those false leaders and antichrists were only able to become leaders

  • because we didn't vote based on principles.

  • We relied on our own ideas and imaginations,

  • which harmed everyone in the church.

  • Yeah.

  • But now we've learned our lesson already, so we need to vote well.

  • If we betray these principles and vote based on feelings,

  • we'll resist God and harm His chosen people.

  • You're right.

  • It's important to fellowship clearly on these principles.

  • We need to seek the truth and fellowship clearly.

  • I've been thinking about this election.

  • Both of our church leaders have strong points.

  • Sister Xu has practical fellowship and can resolve problems.

  • Sister Zhou's new and doesn't have as much experience

  • but she seems good, fellowships the truth well,

  • and is responsible in her duties.

  • I think they're still the best choice.

  • I too have thought about it.

  • They're both good choices. There's no doubt.

  • If there's a better candidate,

  • I don't know who it is.

  • Same.

  • Sister Wu.

  • The gathering's done? I'll go look.

  • Great.

  • Freeze!

  • Get back here, dammit!

  • Get her!

  • She went that way!

  • Go! Don't let the believer get away!

  • Just one seat left.

  • Once we're full, we leave!

  • Hurry!

  • I don't see her.

  • Check over there.

  • What do you want?

  • Is Qingyu home?

  • Hey, who's there?

  • Qingyu.

  • Sister Yang?

  • Come in.

  • Come quickly.

  • We were in a gathering when the police showed up.

  • If our lookout hadn't sounded the alarm,

  • we all would've been arrested.

  • Thanks to God's protection.

  • Luckily, I found your house.

  • You'll be safe in here. Let me know if you need anything.

  • - Qingyu. - Yeah?

  • The CCP has been going crazy arresting believers.

  • If you protect a fugitive, then you're just asking for trouble.

  • If they find her, you'll both go to jail.

  • Wouldn't that destroy our family?

  • But don't you always say we should do good things for others?

  • The CCP's targets these days aren't criminals, they're believers.

  • We should protect them.

  • It's a good deed, something blessed by God.

  • Dad, Qingyu is right.

  • The CCP hunts down believers like they're criminals.

  • It's terrible.

  • God commends us when we receive and protect these brothers and sisters.

  • You should support her.

  • So you're saying Sister Yang's gathering got reported?

  • That's right.

  • Thanks.

  • The police are looking for her so she can't go home yet.

  • But wait.

  • Your father-in-law isn't a believer,

  • and you're quite busy.

  • Maybe she shouldn't stay at your place.

  • We should find somewhere else for her.

  • Then where do you think she should stay?

  • How about with me?

  • I haven't believed long, and I'm not known.

  • She should be safe here.

  • Sounds like a plan.

  • Let's have her attend gatherings here.

  • I have gone to a few gatherings with her.

  • She always fellowshiped practically.

  • How about we have her lead some small groups?

  • Sounds good.

  • Today, let's fellowship on our elections.

  • Don't be afraid to ask any questions.

  • I have a question actually.

  • I know that we should choose leaders who love the truth and possess its reality,

  • because that's the only way to lead us into the truth.

  • But how do we know who has the reality of the truth?

  • I'm not very clear on that right now.

  • For example, some people can work, preach,

  • expend themselves, pay a price in their duties,

  • and support their brothers and sisters.

  • Is that having the reality of the truth?

  • Right.

  • When it comes to this subject, we've fellowshiped a lot,

  • but when something comes up,

  • I don't have much discernment.

  • I see some people have good caliber and grasp the truth quickly,

  • they fellowship well with good understanding,

  • and I think that they understand the truth and have its reality.

  • Is that the right way to look at it?

  • That's a good question.

  • It is. We need to fellowship on it.

  • God's word is very clear on the subject.

  • Let's read some so we'll understand.

  • Okay.

  • God's words make it very clear.

  • A person being eloquent doesn't mean they have the reality of the truth

  • nor does it matter if they can suffer for their duty.

  • What matters is if they can practice the truth,

  • and if they live by God's words.

  • That's what really matters.

  • - Amen. - That's right.

  • Some have good caliber.

  • Their fellowship on God's words is helpful and illuminating for other people.

  • But if they lack experience and practice,

  • and just do what they want when something comes up,

  • anything they say will be empty and also impractical.

  • They won't be able to tell you the essence of the truth,

  • because they haven't practiced it.

  • Right.

  • Can a believer who doesn't practice the truth enter into the reality of the truth?

  • - I don't think so. - Definitely not.

  • Exactly.

  • You can tell someone has the reality of the truth if they practice it,

  • if their words and deeds are principled,

  • and if they can uphold the truth

  • and protect the church work when things happen,

  • and if they're loyal to God in their duties.

  • Someone like that has the reality of the truth.

  • That makes a lot of sense.

  • Someone who doesn't practice the truth can't enter into its reality.

  • When I was just starting out, I didn't understand a lot.

  • I listened to pastors and elders explain the Bible,

  • so all I got was some Bible knowledge.

  • I didn't know about the reality of the truth.

  • All I did was pray to the Lord to take me to the kingdom of heaven.

  • It's pretty pathetic when you think about it.

  • Accepting Almighty God's work of the last days,

  • and experiencing the judgment of God's word helped me understand the truth,

  • and see that I'd been corrupted by Satan,

  • that I was arrogant and even selfish.

  • I would lie and cheat to protect my interests,

  • and I appeared to work hard

  • but all I really wanted was the kingdom's blessings.

  • Was I acting like a human really should?

  • Then I began to loathe myself,

  • deliberately forsaking myself and practicing the truth when things happened.

  • Finally, I had some submission to God.

  • And now, though I've changed a little,

  • I still spout doctrine without much reality.

  • I now realize

  • without experiencing the judgment in God's words,

  • we can't know our own satanic nature nor can we ever practice the truth.

  • With that, how could we have the reality of the truth?

  • Could we be worthy of God's kingdom?

  • You're absolutely right.

  • I was mired in religion for most of my life.

  • I never understood the truth.

  • I blindly trusted pastors.

  • I thought since they knew about the Bible,

  • they had the reality of the truth.

  • Yes.

  • And what came of that?

  • Almighty God expressed so much truth,

  • but they never sought to hear God's voice.

  • They condemned and blasphemed Almighty God,

  • and kept us from seeking the true way.

  • They almost had me deceived.

  • These pastors and elders lacked all reality of the truth.

  • The whole lot of them are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.

  • - Exactly. - That's right.

  • I realized whether you have reality,

  • it's not based on the things you say but how you live.

  • When things happen, someone who can practice the truth,

  • resolve problems with the truth, and help others understand and obey God's will,

  • is someone with the reality of the truth.

  • Yes.

  • When God's work isn't like human notions or when we face refinement,

  • our behavior is what reveals whether or not we have the reality of the truth.

  • - Yeah. - Yes.

  • This reminds me years ago,

  • I was elected as a church leader.

  • I felt it was God exalting me.

  • I was passionate about the job and was willing to suffer.

  • In gatherings, I'd share my own understanding of God's words.

  • I thought I knew the truth and possessed its reality.

  • I thought I was loyal and obedient.

  • I thought a lot of myself.

  • I became arrogant then stubborn and reckless.

  • I wouldn't listen to anything my brothers and sisters said,

  • so I was removed from my job.

  • After that, I was just crushed.

  • I thought, "If I can't be a leader, what else is left?

  • What else is there to look forward to?"

  • I was miserable from that point on,

  • and didn't wanna do my duty.

  • Only then did I come before God and read God's words.

  • God's words say:

  • With these words, I reflected on myself.

  • As a church leader, I said the right things to everyone else.

  • "In duties, there's no difference in status between people.

  • No matter what our duties are, they're preordained by God.

  • We should obey all God's arrangements and strive to satisfy God."

  • After I was dismissed and lost my status, I was negative and complained.

  • I didn't even wanna do my duty anymore.

  • How was that submission or loyalty to God?

  • Then I realized all I'd been doing was reciting doctrine,

  • but I didn't have reality of the truth.

  • Being exposed by God, I understood

  • that understanding gained without any experience can't possibly be practical.

  • It can't fix practical problems,

  • and we'll fall apart in the face of trials.

  • We can't stand firm.

  • That's right.

  • Spouting doctrine does nothing but confuse people.

  • You become a hypocritical Pharisee who walks the path of resisting God.

  • This is what happens when you don't strive to experience God's word.

  • Right.

  • And now, I truly realize

  • with spiritual knowledge, I still have no reality if I rely on my own thinking.

  • Having the reality of the truth takes the practice and experience of God's word,

  • and it also takes the work of the Holy Spirit and our cooperation.

  • - Amen. - Thank God.

  • Thanks be to God. This fellowship is so practical.

  • I used to think having the reality of the truth was all about working and preaching.

  • Yeah.

  • Now I finally understand

  • it has nothing to do with someone's ability to suffer or eloquence,

  • but whether they can practice the truth and obey God,

  • if they're loyal to God and whether they love God.

  • That's right.

  • Even if they speak well, if they can't practice truth in reality,

  • then what they say is just doctrine.

  • It's all empty.

  • Yes. Today's fellowship was great!

  • Thanks be to God! What a fantastic fellowship.

  • - Absolutely. It's edifying. - Indeed.

  • - Sister Zhou. - Yes?

  • Yesterday Xiaoyue didn't come to our gathering.

  • What's wrong?

  • Her parents saw on TV that believers were getting arrested.

  • They were afraid so they wouldn't let her believe in God.

  • They're keeping a close eye on her and won't let her come to gatherings.

  • I'll find a way to fellowship with her.

  • Okay.

  • Sister Zhou!

  • Hey, you came.

  • Last night, I went to my aunt's house, and Sister Yang was there.

  • So she has already fellowshiped with you then?

  • And now I understand God's will.

  • God uses this type of oppression and trial to perfect my faith and love.

  • These are lessons I need to learn when this kind of thing happens.

  • It's difficult and dangerous to follow the path of faith

  • because our world is such a dark place, and the CCP is evil.

  • But if things weren't the way they are,

  • I wouldn't see this clearly.

  • I'm glad you learned that.

  • Sister Yang will run our meeting today.

  • Her fellowship is really great and practical.

  • It gives me a path.

  • Her fellowship is great, right?

  • Yeah, I enjoy it a lot as well.

  • Hi everyone!

  • Have a good day.

  • Hello, has my order arrived?

  • It has. Come, in the back.

  • Qingyu, I got a note from our leaders

  • to put Sister Yang on the election ballot.

  • Oh, that's good to hear.

  • Compared to Sister Yang,

  • I lack so much.

  • I need to try harder.

  • Through implementing election principles,

  • we've found that most people only understand theories.

  • Before each election,

  • we've fellowshiped on the principles of choosing leaders,

  • but some people still lack discernment.

  • They vote for people who seem gifted and eloquent,

  • but can't uphold principles or practice the truth.

  • There are some who get elected but just spout doctrine,

  • who can't do any practical work at all.

  • And those who are honest and fellowship on the truth to fix problems are made outcasts.

  • Are elections like that principled?

  • No.

  • Due to this, these past few days,

  • we've talked about some experiences of failure based on God's words.

  • This has helped our fellowship.

  • Now we can discern people and understand some election principles.

  • We can pick good leaders who do things in a principled way.

  • This way, we can really enter into the truth.

  • Yes, right.

  • Hey sister, you've been with us for a while.

  • What problems have you discovered within our church?

  • - Yes, tell us. - Please.

  • The past few days, at gatherings,

  • I've found that many people don't really understand themselves very much.

  • They see that what God's words reveal are fact,

  • but that isn't true self-knowledge.

  • What they really need to know is their own corrupt essence and situation,

  • and they should bring themselves in line with God's words and be convinced.

  • When they see they've been corrupted by Satan, full of its dispositions,

  • they'll come to loathe themselves.

  • This happens when we know ourselves.

  • When I heard some brothers and sisters talk about knowing themselves,

  • they know that they have corrupt dispositions

  • but their understanding is vague.

  • They're lost in the details of how they expose these satanic dispositions,

  • what natures control them,

  • and where the root of it all lies.

  • Think of this: when someone talks of self-knowledge,

  • they only say they're arrogant or corrupt and such,

  • or that they act self-important,

  • but they can't explain how they're arrogant or corrupt,

  • or why they act that way,

  • or how they manifest it,

  • or what the root of it is.

  • Just like when partners in a duty have differing opinions,

  • they'll cling to their own opinions but they don't know their motives.

  • They don't understand what thoughts are controlling them

  • nor do they understand the consequences

  • of not resolving their arrogant dispositions.

  • They'll just admit they have corrupt dispositions,

  • but don't have any real knowledge or loathing of their corrupt natures.

  • Then, they won't ever achieve genuine repentance.

  • So when the time is right, their problems will all come back,

  • and they won't be able to escape this bondage.

  • It's why some brothers and sisters see such slow growth in their own lives.

  • That's right.

  • Yeah. You're so right.

  • Yeah!

  • Sister Yang, you are absolutely right.

  • My own self-knowledge is shallow.

  • As a leader, I speak of doctrine and can't resolve practical problems,

  • so everyone rattles off doctrine, just like I do,

  • all while thinking they understand.

  • It shows that I'm not cut out to be a leader.

  • In many ways, I rely on my own notions, and I don't seek the truth,

  • or try to resolve problems based on God's word.

  • Thinking on it, I really don't have the truth.

  • You could say I don't understand it,

  • which explains why my self-knowledge is vague.

  • I can't even see how much Satan has corrupted me,

  • or whether I have humanity,

  • which is why I can't loathe myself.

  • That's the root of it all.

  • Yeah.

  • Now I see that without true self-knowledge, we can't gain life entry.

  • Even if we're leaders, we use our gifts and rely on doctrine for our work.

  • Doesn't this harm God's chosen?

  • From now on, I'll focus on my own life entry and work hard to know myself,

  • and resolve my own problems before trying to fix others' problems.

  • That's right.

  • You're so right.

  • There's no life entry without self-knowledge.

  • I have the same problem.

  • Often I'll expose corrupt dispositions but won't discuss them openly.

  • When I make mistakes, I won't admit to them.

  • Doesn't that make me a hypocrite?

  • Sister Yang's fellowship is practical.

  • As a watering deacon, I only ever focused on working hard.

  • I thought I had reality of the truth.

  • Looking at it now, I'm also a hypocrite.

  • I rarely talk about all the mistakes I make or about my corrupt dispositions.

  • I just say empty words about my knowledge.

  • I can't give fellowship on the principles of practicing the truth,

  • and I avoid the problems raised by my brothers and sisters.

  • Truth is I haven't really done practical work.

  • Sometimes I'll feel guilty about it but I'll console myself,

  • like "I haven't done anything evil, at least, I deserve credit for my hard work."

  • That's how I justify it to myself.

  • After all this time, I still don't have much experience of practicing God's words.

  • I don't pursue the truth at all.

  • I think I need to put more effort into knowing myself,

  • or I'll be on the wrong path,

  • not just harming myself, but blocking other people's life entry.

  • - Yes. - Right.

  • Same here. I need to reflect on myself as well.

  • - Yes. - Right.

  • You're all speaking very practically.

  • We all have a problem with self-knowledge.

  • As a church leader, I'm responsible.

  • It's me who doesn't have the reality of the truth.

  • I haven't led you to the right path.

  • I'm indebted to God. I need to repent.

  • Hey.

  • Is something bothering you?

  • We should talk about it.

  • No, I'm fine.

  • It's getting late.

  • I need to pick up my kid. Goodbye.

  • Oh no, the soup.

  • And the cakes are burning.

  • These are gonna be overdone.

  • All right!

  • We can always make more. Not a big deal.

  • What's going on? You okay?

  • Of course I'm fine.

  • I can finish this.

  • No. Leave me alone.

  • Sister, do you have any problems in your duties?

  • Mm, nope.

  • Sister Zhou,

  • on her way to the gathering, Sister Wang was followed.

  • It might have been a CCP agent.

  • She said it was hard to lose him.

  • Ah, so it's not safe for Sister Yang to stay there.

  • We should move her somewhere else.

  • We moved her to Sister Zhang's house.

  • That's good.

  • Let's talk a while.

  • So, is Sister Yang being watched?

  • When I asked, she didn't think so.

  • If she stays at Sister Wang's, going out for gatherings,

  • it'll be hard to tell if she's under surveillance.

  • If she's being watched,

  • going out to gatherings could be a risk to the church.

  • I think we should ask her to go into hiding

  • and suspend her duties for now.

  • Do you agree?

  • If nobody's watching her, all she needs is a new place to live.

  • Would suspending her gatherings be all right?

  • If she hides, she'll be keeping the church safe and herself as well.

  • If nobody's watching her, all she needs is a new place to live.

  • Would suspending her gatherings be all right?

  • Do you think Sister Yang will be safe if she stays at home?

  • Is this really the best way?

  • Qingyu, I'd like to talk to you about some things that I've noticed.

  • Go ahead.

  • Since Sister Yang has been up for church leader,

  • it seems that you've been excluding her.

  • And last time, when she pointed out the deficiencies in church life,

  • everyone admitted and accepted them,

  • except you who seemed hesitant.

  • And now, you're keeping her from gatherings and duties,

  • claiming that it's for her safety.

  • Do you think there's personal motives behind doing this?

  • Have you reflected on that?

  • If you're excluding her to protect your own reputation and status,

  • that's a serious problem.

  • As believers, we need to fear God.

  • Especially as leaders,

  • if we pursue name and status instead of seeking the truth,

  • that's the path of resisting God,

  • and we'll offend God's disposition.

  • When Sister Yang participates in church life,

  • she talks about the reality of the truth

  • and fixes practical problems for people.

  • It's helpful for our life entry.

  • Why don't you treasure that?

  • If you're just finding excuses to isolate her,

  • how will you square that with your conscience?

  • How will you explain it to God?

  • Her fellowship is really great and practical.

  • It gives me a path.

  • Thanks be to God! This fellowship is so practical.

  • Yeah, I enjoy it a lot as well.

  • I think we should ask her to go into hiding

  • and suspend her duties for now.

  • Do you agree?

  • Aren't I just contending with Sister Yang for status?

  • When I saw how practical her fellowship on the truth was,

  • and how everyone approved of her,

  • I got jealous and excluded her,

  • relying on my own notions to suspend her from her duties.

  • How could I do something so terrible?

  • God, I really do lack all humanity.

  • Sister,

  • I came here to apologize.

  • When I saw how everyone enjoys your fellowship so much,

  • and comes to you with questions,

  • I was jealous.

  • I worried that everyone would vote for you instead of me,

  • so I got competitive.

  • And then I …

  • I arranged for you to hide, suspending your duties.

  • I really have no humanity.

  • You were pursued by the police.

  • You went through so much to escape.

  • But instead of consoling you,

  • I just acted badly.

  • I'm sorry.

  • Hearing this makes me feel ashamed.

  • I saw that you were competitive,

  • and I really wanted to fellowship with you.

  • But I had concerns.

  • I thought that you couldn't help but reveal that corruption,

  • so I didn't try to help.

  • I didn't act out of love.

  • So I'm sorry as well.

  • Don't say that.

  • My desire for status was strong.

  • Your fellowship is practical, and you can resolve others' problems.

  • It's so helpful to us all.

  • It's really great.

  • Not like me.

  • I tried to oust you so I could stay as leader.

  • Why would I do such a bad thing?

  • I haven't been doing my duty.

  • I've been doing evil.

  • Why do I always pursue name and status?

  • Why can't I change my disposition?

  • There's an old saying I know,

  • "Diseases come by horse but go away on foot."

  • Satanic natures are rooted deeply in all people,

  • and we can't change without judgment and chastisement.

  • My own desire for name and status is strong too.

  • It's taken pruning and trials and refinement over a long time for me to change at all.

  • Pursuing status is a way to try and control others,

  • make them worship and follow you,

  • but aren't humans all the same way?

  • That's how satanic dispositions control people.

  • God expressed so many words to save us, to try and escape this.

  • We need to experience the judgment in God's words

  • before we can change these dispositions.

  • Thanks be to God.

  • After talking about it, I feel a lot better now.

  • The excessive desire for status is a satanic disposition,

  • and we should learn all we can.

  • Yeah.

  • How should we experience God's judgment so we can be purified?

  • Why don't we fellowship on this question at tomorrow's gathering.

  • Great!

  • Amen.

  • Thanks be to God.

  • God's words are very practical.

  • In the past, we couldn't see clearly what name and status really are.

  • We thought it was a positive thing, a worthwhile life goal to have.

  • Right.

  • Since childhood, our teachers have fed us materialism and atheism,

  • and ideas from famous people,

  • such as, "Every man for himself,"

  • "Those with brains rule over those with brawn,"

  • and "The highest people are scholars."

  • Don't forget: "Bring honor to your ancestors,"

  • "A man's legacy is his life's echo."

  • Right.

  • Also, "Man should try to be better than his peers."

  • In the past, we took these phrases as things to live by.

  • We worshiped obtaining status and power,

  • and tried to rise above other people.

  • For what?

  • We became more arrogant and despicable.

  • We want to gain power, stand over others and control them.

  • True.

  • We just keep struggling for power.

  • We want to control and to lord over others, like tyrants.

  • Isn't that the result of Satan's corruption of humanity?

  • - Yes. - Yes, it's true.

  • You're absolutely right.

  • People today pursue fame and status and worship power.

  • Nobody wants to pursue the truth at all.

  • Take the CCP for example.

  • Why do they burn crosses, destroy churches, and persecute Christians?

  • Why must all churches show the flag and Xi's portrait?

  • They want to ban belief in God and have us all worship Satan.

  • Right.

  • The fact that the CCP has done such evil with their power,

  • proves that if anyone who worships power takes charge,

  • they'll resist God,

  • and their actions will harm humanity.

  • So then, if we don't accept God's judgment and chastisement,

  • then sadly, we can't be purified.

  • So many believers pursue name and status instead of seeking the truth,

  • and so they become false leaders and antichrists.

  • Those who pursue status, those people hate the truth.

  • And they resist God.

  • They'll be eliminated by God's work, and they won't receive God's salvation.

  • That's true.

  • If we don't fix such corrupt dispositions,

  • we don't deserve to be leaders or to serve God.

  • - Yes. - That's very true.

  • Fame and status are both terrifying things.

  • Since believing in God, I've focused on working for God and becoming a leader.

  • I thought if I did my work well

  • and earned the support of my brothers and sisters,

  • I'd earn God's approval, be saved and enter the kingdom of heaven.

  • Thinking back now, how could I've been so foolish and so ignorant?

  • I had no idea what God's will was.

  • Just as the Lord Jesus said,

  • Amen.

  • And now I think I understand His words.

  • Those few words are a reminder and a warning for us,

  • those who pursue fame and gain.

  • This is God's love!

  • - That's right. - Yes, it is.

  • For believers in God, the most important thing is to pursue the truth honestly,

  • to accept God's judgment and have our corrupt disposition cleansed.

  • - That's right. - Thanks be to God.

  • Dispositional change is crucial in our pursuit of the truth.

  • Exactly.

  • Hey Sister Yang,

  • how did you experience God's judgment when you pursued name and status?

  • Can you fellowship on that?

  • - Yes. - Please do.

  • I'll tell you about my experience.

  • Years ago, I became a church leader,

  • and I was zealous at work because I had status.

  • If my brothers and sisters had any issues,

  • I found words of God for support and fellowship.

  • Then pretty soon, my work produced results,

  • and I had some approval,

  • so I thought I was good at my job and a real leader.

  • I thought I had to work harder,

  • so that maybe I'd be recommended for a promotion.

  • I focused only on working,

  • and to get more attention, I'd sometimes show off.

  • Before long, I felt a darkness inside.

  • I wasn't enlightened by God's words,

  • and my fellowship gave no light.

  • It was just doctrine.

  • I couldn't resolve any of the problems the others had.

  • No matter how hard I tried,

  • I didn't know what to say.

  • That's when I knew I had lost the work of the Holy Spirit.

  • After that, I was dismissed.

  • Then I was in a really dark spot,

  • feeling I couldn't show my face.

  • I really was miserable.

  • I reflected on myself and read this in God's word.

  • Amen.

  • God's words seemed to pierce my heart.

  • With these words, I was exposed.

  • I'd always loved to work,

  • I'd loved to have others surround me and worship me.

  • When others listened to me, I'd feel happy beyond words.

  • I didn't wanna just be a church leader.

  • I'd wanted a promotion so I could control more people.

  • How was I any different from Satan?

  • Right.

  • Satan is arrogant and wants to rise up to be on equal footing with God.

  • So I was just as arrogant.

  • I had no fear of God in my heart.

  • I worked for God as a chance to show off,

  • so that others would look up to and obey me.

  • That made me just like Satan,

  • someone who contends with God for status and people.

  • God is the Creator, mighty and noble,

  • yet He incarnated as a regular person,

  • humble and hidden among men.

  • He endures great humiliation to work and save mankind.

  • Yes.

  • People are arrogant, rebellious, and unreasonable,

  • yet He doesn't abandon them.

  • Smaller than a speck of dust, corrupt and filthy,

  • I was obsessed with standing over others.

  • I really was arrogant and despicable.

  • I had no humanity or reason.

  • The more I thought, the more ashamed I felt.

  • I excessively sought name and status,

  • and I worked purely to gain these things.

  • I was engaged in my own business, which was just resisting God.

  • That's when I began to repent and loathe myself.

  • So I prayed to God, asking Him to punish me

  • if I ever pursued name and status again.

  • From then on, I focused on pursuing the truth,

  • and whenever I thought about status,

  • I prayed to God and forsook myself.

  • I also made a point to expose myself and asked others to monitor me.

  • Without knowing it, I began to feel a change.

  • I didn't care so much about name and status.

  • My attitude at work was more pure,

  • and I was much more at ease.

  • No matter what duties God's house gave me,

  • I accepted it as God's commission and did my very best.

  • My only desire is that I can satisfy God.

  • Amen.

  • Then I finally felt calm and at peace.

  • - That's great. - Amen!

  • - Thanks be to God. - That's the effect of God's work!

  • Your fellowship is really helpful to us.

  • Before, I only admitted that I had an arrogant nature and sought status,

  • but I didn't understand the essence of my pursuit of status.

  • I made allowances for myself in these things.

  • I thought it didn't impact my duties, that I didn't do evil,

  • so I would work on it someday.

  • Now I clearly see

  • my satanic nature of pursuing name and status is so harmful,

  • and that without seeking the truth,

  • I might do something to resist God or offend His disposition.

  • Even if I want to control it, I can't.

  • It's so important for believers to pursue the truth and accept God's judgment.

  • That's true.

  • From now on, I'll focus on God's word, reflect on myself,

  • and I'll obey God's chastisement and His judgment,

  • or else I will never be purified of my satanic dispositions at all.

  • - That's right. - Of course.

  • Thanks be to God.

  • I've learned a lot today.

  • It's the enlightenment from the Holy Spirit.

  • It's true. Thanks be to God.

  • Exactly.

  • Everyone, it's time to start the vote.

  • - Okay. - Great.

Oh, you're up.

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