Utterances of Christ | Know the aim and significance of each of the three stages of God’s work

II. One Must Bear Witness to Truths Concerning the Three Stages of God’s Work of Salvation

2. Know the aim and significance of each of the three stages of God’s work

Relevant Words of God:

The work that Jehovah did upon the Israelites established among humanity God’s earthly place of origin, which was also the sacred place where He was present. He confined His work to the people of Israel. At first, He did not work outside of Israel; instead, He chose a people He found suitable in order to restrict the scope of His work. Israel is the place where God created Adam and Eve, and out of the dust of that place Jehovah made man; this place became the base of His work on earth. The Israelites, who were the descendants of Noah and also the descendants of Adam, were the human foundation of Jehovah’s work on earth.

Kingdom Praise Musical Drama—Every Nation Worships the Practical God

   

    Under a starry, quiet and peaceful night sky, a group of Christians earnestly awaiting the return of the Savior sing and dance to cheerful music. When they hear the joyful news “God has returned” and “God has uttered new words”, they are surprised and excited. They think: “God has returned? He has already appeared?!” With curiosity and uncertainty, one after another, they step into the journey of seeking God’s new words. In their arduous seeking, some people are questioning while others simply accept it. Some people look on without comment, while others make suggestions and search for answers in the Bible—they look but in the end it is fruitless…. Just when they become discouraged, a witness brings them a copy of the Bible of the Age of Kingdom, and they are deeply attracted to the words in the book. What kind of book is this really? Have they actually found the new words that God has uttered in that book? Have they welcomed the appearance of God? God has uttered in that book? Have they welcomed the appearance of God?

    Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

     

The Church of Almighty God | God’s Love Never Fails | Short Film "God Is My Reliance"

She was born into a Christian family. By God’s grace, her family loved each other and lived in harmony, and she felt very happy. However, in the year she turned 15, in order to escape being arrested and persecuted by the CCP government, her family was forced to scatter to different places and she . She stayed with their relatives. In 2002, through reading God’s word, she was certain that Almighty God is the return of the Lord Jesus and accepted God’s end-time work. In 2008, she was arrested by the CCP government and was sentenced to two years in prison. Under the long time During the long period of overwork and being tortured and humiliated with different means in the women’s labor camp, she, unable to bear all this, tasted the selflessness and greatness of God’s love. God’s word made her weak heart become strong.…

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Almighty God's Word "God's Work and Man's Work" Part One | The Church of Almighty God

Almighty God says, "What man expresses is what he sees, experiences and can imagine. Even if it is doctrines or notions, these are all reachable by man’s thinking. Regardless of the size of man’s work, it cannot exceed the scope of man’s experience, what man sees, or what man can imagine or conceive. What God expresses is what God Himself is, and this is beyond the reach of man, that is, beyond the reach of man’s thinking. He expresses His work of leading all of mankind, and this is not relevant to the details of human experience, but is instead concerned with His own management. Man expresses his experience while God expresses His being—this being is His inherent disposition and is beyond the reach of man."

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Source:The Church of Almighty God | Almighty God's Word "God's Work and Man's Work" Part One

The Church of Almighty God | New Gospel Movie | Life is From the Bible or From God "The Bible and God"

Liu Zhizhong is a pastor at a local house church in China. He's been a believer for over 30 years, and has constantly maintained that "The Holy Bible is inspired by God," "The Holy Bible represents God, believing in God is believing in the Bible, believing in the Bible is believing in God." In his heart, the Bible is paramount. Due to his adoration for and blind faith in the Bible, he has never studied or looked to Almighty God's work of the last days. Until one day, when he blocked believers from reading the words of Almighty God online, he had a chance encounter with the preachers from the Church of Almighty God. After undergoing intense debates about the truth, was he finally able to see the relationship between the Holy Bible and God clearly? Was he able to move away from the Bible to understand that Christ is the truth, the way, and the life? Will he be raptured before God?
Source:The Church of Almighty God | New Gospel Movie | Life is From the Bible or From God "The Bible and God"

Praise Song | "Almighty God, You Are So Glorious" (Music Video)

The last Christ, Almighty God, You are the Redeemer come again.

You speak to the people, using the truth to judge and purify them.

Your words bear authority and power, purifying people’s corrupt disposition.

Your words reveal omnipotence, and even more God’s righteousness.

God’s word judges the old world, judges nations, judges peoples.

         God’s words achieve all; God has already thoroughly defeated Satan.

Praise God, praise God. Oh Almighty God, You are so glorious!

Your miraculous deeds! All nations and all peoples jump for joy.

God’s work is wise and almighty, using the great red dragon to serve.

Satan rushes frantic to persecute; tribulations make a group of overcomers.

All the people are completed by God, utterly forsaking the great red dragon.

The kingdom of Satan has been thoroughly destroyed; the kingdom of God has appeared           on earth!
Source:Praise Song | "Almighty God, You Are So Glorious" (Music Video)

The Hymn of God's Word "God Becomes Flesh to Save Mankind"

I

Today is the day, have you seen? It's something for God to come among man. He's come to save man, defeat Satan— the reason for His incarnation. If not for this, He wouldn't work by Himself. God has taken on flesh to battle Satan and shepherd mankind, whose flesh is corrupted and whom God wants to save. God comes twice in the flesh to defeat Satan and save mankind. Only God can battle Satan in Spirit or in flesh.

II

The angels can't fight, they have no power. And corrupt man, he stands no chance. So God puts on flesh to be man's life, to work on them and save them all, with His inherent identity, and the work He must do. God has taken on flesh to battle Satan and shepherd mankind, whose flesh is corrupted and whom God wants to save. God comes twice in the flesh to defeat Satan and save mankind. Only God can battle Satan in Spirit or in flesh.

III

The battle would go on, forever and ever, if God doesn't become flesh. For with the Spirit of God or mankind alone, there would be no way. God becomes flesh to battle Satan. Only then can man find salvation. Only then will Satan be defeated. Only then will its plans be tamed. If man were to take on this battle, he would only flee in disarray. Mankind's corrupt disposition would be unable to change. Man can't save man from the cross, nor conquer a rebellious mankind. What man can do is work like he has, but this cannot defeat Satan.

IV

Man must obey and follow. They cannot bring a new era, nor can they battle Satan. Satan is defeated when man pleases God. For each new battle, in every new age, God Himself does the work to lead the age and open a new way, bringing man into a better realm. God has taken on flesh to battle Satan and shepherd mankind, whose flesh is corrupted and whom God wants to save. God comes twice in the flesh to defeat Satan and save mankind. Only God can battle Satan in Spirit or in flesh. Only God can battle Satan in Spirit or in flesh.

from "Restoring the Normal Life of Man and Taking Him to a Wonderful Destination" in The Word Appears in the Flesh

Source:The Hymn of God's Word "God Becomes Flesh to Save Mankind"

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

“God Bless” | Miracle in Disaster (Gospel Short Film)

People often say that “Storms gather without warning and misfortune befalls men overnight.” In our present age of rapidly expanding science, modern transportation and material wealth, the disasters that are happening all around us increase each day. When we flip open the newspaper or turn on the TV, what we mainly see is: wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires, floods, air crashes, mining disasters, societal unrest, violent conflicts, terrorist attacks etc. All we see are natural calamities and man-made disasters. These disasters are frequently occurring and they are becoming increasingly intense. This onslaught of disaster brings with it suffering, blood, maiming and death. Misfortunes occur around us at all times, emphasizing the brevity and frailness of life. We have no way of predicting what kind of disasters we will encounter in the future. Moreover, we do not know what course of action we should take. As members of mankind, what should we do to break free from these disasters? In this program, you will find out the answer. You will find out the only way to receive God’s protection so that you can survive the impending disasters.

Chronicles of Religious Persecution in China (Trailer) - The Church of Almighty God

Since it came to power in Mainland China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party has been unceasing in its persecution of religious faith. It has frantically arrested and murdered Christians, expelled and abused missionaries operating in China, confiscated and burned countless copies of the Bible, sealed up and demolished church buildings, and tried to eradicate all house churches. Recent years have also seen the CCP government's wide-scale introduction of policies aimed at the "Sinification" of Christianity. Thousands of church crosses have been demolished, many church buildings have been knocked down, and a great number of Christians in house churches have been arrested and persecuted. Christian churches in China suffer cruel and bloody persecution …

The Salvation of the Soul | Musical Drama “Chinese Gospel Choir 9th Performance”-02

Songs of Choir:
1.The Sorrow of Corrupt Mankind
2.Man’s True Condition of Being Corrupted by Satan
3.The Practical God Saves Men in Obscurity

1.The Sorrow of Corrupt Mankind
Man walked through the ages with God, yet man knows not that God rules the fate of all things and living beings or how God orchestrates and directs all things. This is something that has eluded man since time immemorial to the present day. As for the reason why, it is not because the ways of God are too elusive, or because the plan of God has yet to be realized, but because the heart and spirit of man are too distant from God. Therefore, even as man follows God, he unknowingly remains in the service of Satan.
…
None actively seek out the footsteps or appearance of God, and none wish to exist in the care and keeping of God. Rather, they are willing to rely on the corrosion of Satan and the evil one in order to adapt to this world and to the rules of life the wicked mankind follows. At this point, the heart and spirit of man are sacrificed to Satan and become its sustenance, and moreover, become a place
in which Satan can reside and a playground for it. In this way, man unknowingly loses his understanding of the principles of being human, and of the worth and purpose of human existence. The laws from God and the covenant between God and man gradually fade away in man’s heart until man no longer seeks or pays heed to God, no longer seeks or pays heed to God. As time passes, man no longer understands why God created man, nor does he understand the words that come from the mouth of God or realize all that is from God. Man begins to resist the laws and decrees from God;
the heart and spirit of man become deadened. …God loses the man of His original creation, and man loses the root of his beginning. This is the sorrow of this mankind, this is the sorrow of this mankind. Woo … woo … woo … woo….
…

from “God is the Source of Man’s Life” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

2. Man’s True Condition of Being Corrupted by Satan
For so many years, the thought man lives by has corrupted man’s heart, man’s heart. So man becomes crafty, cowardly, and base.
Man has no perseverance or resolution, and is greedy and frail and willful. He does not have the will to transcend himself at all, much less have any courage to break away from the bondage of the influence of darkness. Man has a depraved mind and leads a depraved life. Man’s viewpoint of believing in God is still awful, and it is even intolerable to the ear, intolerable to the ear once it is spoken of. All men are cowardly, powerless, base, and fragile. They do not feel loathing for the force of darkness, and do not love the light and the truth, but they do their possible to drive them out. All men are cowardly, powerless, base, and fragile. They do not feel loathing for the force of darkness, and do not love the light and the truth, but they do their possible to drive them out.

from “Why Are You Not Willing to Be a Setoff?” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

3. The Practical God Saves Men in Obscurity

God has become flesh this time to do the work that He has yet to complete, to judge this age and bring it to a close, to save man from the sea of affliction, to utterly conquer man and transform their life disposition, and to free man from the suffering and oppression of dark forces that are black as night. Many are the sleepless nights that God has endured for the sake of the work of mankind. He comes from up high to the lowest depths and lives in the living hell. Ah! He passes His days with man, and has never complained of the shabbiness among man. He never asks too much of man, but endures the greatest humiliation as He personally carries out His work. For the whole of mankind to find rest sooner, He has endured humiliation and suffered injustice to come to earth, and personally entered into the tiger’s den to save man. How many times has He faced the stars, how many times has He departed at dawn and returned at dusk, enduring great agony, enduring the attacks and “breaking” of man. God has come to this filthy land, and quietly accepts the ravages of man, accepts oppression of man.

from “Work and Entry (9)” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
Source:The Salvation of the Soul | Musical Drama “Chinese Gospel Choir 9th Performance”-02

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

God's Utterance "God's Work, God's Disposition, and God Himself III" (Part One)

Almighty God says: “God sees this instance of management of mankind, of saving humans, as more important than anything else. He does these things not only with His mind, nor is it only with His words, and He particularly does not do it casually—He does all of these things with a plan, with a goal, with standards, and with His will. It is clear that this work to save mankind holds great significance for both God and man. No matter how difficult the work is, no matter how great the obstacles are, no matter how weak humans are, or how deep mankind’s rebelliousness is, none of this is difficult for God. God makes Himself busy, expending His effort and managing the work He Himself wants to carry out. He is also arranging everything, and ruling all the people and the work He wants to complete—none of this has been done before. It is the first time God has used these methods and paid a great price for this major project of managing and saving mankind. While God is carrying out this work, little by little He is expressing to humans without reservation His hard work, what He has and is, His wisdom and almightiness, and every aspect of His disposition. He unreservedly reveals all of this to mankind bit by bit, revealing and expressing these things as He has never done before.”

from “Continuation of The Word Appears in the Flesh”

Source:God's Utterance "God's Work, God's Disposition, and God Himself III" (Part One)

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

The Hymn of God's Word "God Has Made a Group of Overcomers in China" | The Church of Almighty God

God Has Made a Group of Overcomers in China

I
Understand that as one who believes in God, in receiving His work in the last days, you’ve received glory and salvation as God works His plan through you. God’s work in the universe has focused on you. All of His efforts have been devoted to you. God has sacrificed everything for you, and bestowed the work of the Spirit upon you. You are the fortunate, the lucky ones. He has shifted His glory from Israel to manifest His plan through you, the heirs to His glory and inheritance. You are the fortunate, the lucky ones. He has shifted His glory from Israel to manifest His plan through you, the heirs to His glory and inheritance.

II
Before, you heard but didn’t understand the true meaning of these wondrous words: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Now you are fully aware, the significance they hold. These words will be fulfilled in the last days, upon those who are cruelly afflicted by the great red dragon, the enemy of God. Because it persecutes God, believers in this land suffer torment. That’s why, God’s promise will be realized in them. You are the fortunate, the lucky ones. He has shifted His glory from Israel to manifest His plan through you, the heirs to His glory and inheritance. You are the fortunate, you are the lucky ones. You are the fortunate, you are the lucky ones.

III
God carries out His work in a land that opposes Him; His work suffers great hindrance, His words cannot be fulfilled soon. So His people are refined as they wait and suffer. God’s work is difficult in the great red dragon’s land. It is through this struggle that God does this step of work to manifest His wisdom and His wondrous deeds, to make these people perfect and complete. Due to their suffering and poor caliber, their satanic disposition formed in this filthy land, God works to purify, purify and conquer them, that He may gain glory and witnesses to His deeds. This is the meaning of all sacrifice He makes. God conquers through those who oppose Him, to manifest His power. In the unclean land, only people there are worthy of inheriting His glory. God’s power is great, but must be revealed in the impure land, as is His will. God’s power is great, but must be revealed in the impure land, as is His will. God’s power is great, but must be revealed in the impure land, as is His will. God’s power is great, but must be revealed in the impure land, as is His will. You are the fortunate, you are the lucky ones. You are the fortunate, you are the lucky ones.
from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs
Recommended:
Endless Praise | A Cappella “Praise the Accomplishment of God’s Work” (Official Music Video)
Gospel Movie | Attend the Feast of the Kingdom of Heaven “Break the Shackles and Run” 

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Source:The Hymn of God's Word "God Has Made a Group of Overcomers in China" | The Church of Almighty God

The Hymn of God's Word "I Will Not Rest Until I Gain God" | The Church of Almighty God

I Will Not Rest Until I Gain God

Out of my own willingness I follow God. I don’t care whether He wants me or not. I seek to love Him, steadfastly follow Him. I will gain Him, offering my life to Him.

I
May the will of God be accomplished. May my heart be fully offered up to God. No matter what God does or what He plans for me, I’ll keep on following, seeking to gain Him. Out of my own willingness I follow God. I don’t care whether He wants me or not. I seek to love Him, steadfastly follow Him. I will gain Him, offering my life to Him.

II
If you wish to stand and fulfill God’s will, if you want to follow Him until the end, lay a firm foundation, practice truth in all things. This pleases God and He will strengthen your love. Out of my own willingness I follow God. I don’t care whether He wants me or not. I seek to love Him, steadfastly follow Him. I will gain Him, offering my life to Him.

III
As you face trials, you’re grieved and suffering. Yet, for the sake of loving God, you’d endure every hardship, give up your life and everything. Out of my own willingness I follow God. I don’t care whether He wants me or not. I seek to love Him, steadfastly follow Him. I will gain Him, offering my life to Him.

from “Genuine Love for God Is Spontaneous” and “Only Loving God Is Truly Believing in God” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

Recommended:New Gospel Movie | Is the Bible the Lord or God the Lord? “Who Is My Lord” 

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Source: The Hymn of God's Word "I Will Not Rest Until I Gain God" | The Church of Almighty God

Almighty God's Word "Man Can Only Be Saved Amidst the Management of God" (Excerpt, Stage Version)

Almighty God says, “How many creatures are there living and reproducing in the vast expanse of the universe, following the law of life over and over, adhering to one constant rule. Those who die take with them the stories of the living, and those who are living repeat the same tragic history of those who have died. And so mankind can’t help but ask itself: Why do we live? And why do we have to die? Who is in command of this world? And who created this mankind? Was mankind really created by Mother Nature? Is mankind really in control of its own fate? … For thousands of years mankind has asked these questions, over and over again. Unfortunately, the more that mankind has become obsessed with these questions, the more of a thirst he has developed for science. Science offers brief gratification and temporary enjoyment of the flesh, but is far from sufficient to free mankind of the solitariness, loneliness, and barely-concealed terror and helplessness deep within his soul. Mankind merely uses scientific knowledge that the naked eye can see and the brain can comprehend to anesthetize his heart. Yet such scientific knowledge cannot stop mankind from exploring mysteries. Mankind does not know who is the Sovereign of all things in the universe, much less does he know the beginning and future of mankind. Mankind merely lives, perforce, amidst this law. None can escape it and none can change it, for among all things and in the heavens there is but One from everlasting to everlasting who holds sovereignty over everything. He is the One who has never been beheld by man, the One whom mankind has never known, in whose existence mankind has never believed, yet He is the One who breathed the breath into mankind’s ancestors and gave life to mankind. He is the One who supplies and nourishes mankind for its existence, and guides mankind up to the present day. Moreover, He and He alone is whom mankind depends on for its survival. He holds sovereignty over all things and rules all living beings beneath the universe. He commands the four seasons, and it is He who calls forth wind, frost, snow, and rain. He gives mankind sunshine and brings the coming of night. It was He who laid out the heavens and earth, providing man with mountains, lakes and rivers and all the living things within them. His deed is everywhere, His power is everywhere, His wisdom is everywhere, and His authority is everywhere. Each of these laws and rules are the embodiment of His deed, and every one of them reveals His wisdom and authority. Who can exempt themselves from His sovereignty? And who can discharge themselves from His designs? All things exist beneath His gaze, and moreover, all things live beneath His sovereignty. His deed and His power leave mankind with no choice but to acknowledge the fact that He really does exist and holds sovereignty over all things. No other thing apart from Him can command the universe, much less can it ceaselessly provide for this mankind. Regardless of whether you are able to recognize the deed of God, and irrespective of whether you believe in the existence of God, there is no doubt that your fate lies within the ordination of God, and there is no doubt that God will always hold sovereignty over all things. His existence and authority are not predicated upon whether or not they can be recognized and comprehended by man. Only He knows man’s past, present and future, and only He can determine the fate of mankind. Regardless of whether you are able to accept this fact, it will not be long before mankind witnesses all of this with his own eyes, and this is the fact that God will soon bring to bear.”
From “Man Can Only Be Saved Amidst the Management of God” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

Recommendation: Man Can Only Be Saved Amidst the Management of God

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Source:Almighty God's Word "Man Can Only Be Saved Amidst the Management of God" (Excerpt, Stage Version)

The Recitation of Almighty God's Word "The Sighing of the Almighty" (Excerpt, Stage Version)

Read more: https://www.holyspiritspeaks.org/the-sighing-of-the-almighty-2

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God’s work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God’s sheep hear God’s voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

       Source: The Recitation of Almighty God's Word "The Sighing of the Almighty" (Excerpt, Stage Version)

Almighty God’s Word | Chapter 1. Understanding Nature and Putting Truth Into Practice

1. People Do Not Thoroughly Understand Their Own Natures

You currently know about some of your own difficulties, you know the corruption that usually happens easily, and which things are easy for you to do; however, the most difficult thing is being able to control yourselves. You don’t know when you will do something or which serious things you will do. Perhaps there is something that you thought you would never do, but in a given time or environment that happened; you really did it and said it. These unexpected things are things that people are not able to control; how can this be? It is because people nowadays do not thoroughly understand the substance of their own natures; they do not really understand or deeply recognize their own substance in several big ways; therefore putting truth into practice is very strenuous for them. For example, if a person is quite deceitful, and dishonest in his words and deeds, then what will he say when you ask him what his biggest shortcomings are? He will say: “I am a little deceitful.” He will merely say he is a little deceitful, but he won’t say that his nature is deceitful, and he won’t say that he is a deceitful person. He doesn’t see his own nature all that deeply, he doesn’t see it as critically or thoroughly as other people see it. As other people see it, this person is too deceitful and crooked; every word he speaks carries lies, his words and actions are never honest, but he doesn’t see how deep it is. Even if he recognized it a little, it would only be a superficial recognition. So when he speaks and works, he always reveals something about his nature, yet he is unaware of it. He thinks that he is being honest in what he is doing and that he is doing things in accordance with truth. Actually, from the perspective of bystanders, this person is very crooked and deceitful; he is still dishonest in his words and actions. This is to say that there is always a huge discrepancy between the way people understand their own natures and the way God has revealed human nature. This is not a mistake in what God reveals, but rather it is mankind’s profound lack of understanding of his nature. People do not have a fundamental or substantial understanding of themselves, but rather they focus on and devote their energy to their actions and outward expressions. Even if someone occasionally said something about understanding himself, it wouldn’t be very profound. No one has ever thought that they are this type of person or have this type of nature for doing this type of thing or revealing something in a certain aspect. God has revealed the nature and substance of man, but man understands that their way of doing things and way of speaking is flawed and defective; therefore it is a strenuous task for people to put truth into practice. People think that their mistakes are merely momentary manifestations, which are revealed if they are not careful, rather than being revelations of their nature. People that understand themselves in this way are not able to put truth into practice, because they are not able to accept truth as truth and do not thirst after truth; therefore, when putting truth into practice, they perfunctorily follow the rules. People do not view their own natures as being too corrupt, and believe that they do not reach the level of being destroyed or punished. They think that it is not a big deal to lie occasionally, and they are much better than before; but in fact, according to the standards, there is a big difference, because people only have some practices that outwardly don’t violate truth, but in fact they are not putting truth into practice.

2. Understanding Your Own Nature and Controlling Yourself From Doing Things Excessively

Changing actions does not imply that people’s natures have also changed. The reason for saying this is because actions do not fundamentally change people’s old appearances or change people’s natures. Only after people understand their natures can they practice deeply rather than just obey the rules. People nowadays are not up to par when they put truth into practice; they do not completely meet the requirements of truth. People only put some truth into practice, practice parts of truth. They only practice the truth in certain situations and in certain environments. They do not put truth into practice in every environment and in every context. Occasionally when one is happy or in a good situation, or when everyone is fellowshiping together and he feels more at ease on the inside, he will momentarily do some things in accordance with truth and say some reasonable remarks; but when with negative people or with people who have fallen behind, he will be a little off and will not behave very properly. This is where people do not have a persevering attitude toward putting truth into practice. Rather, this practice is carried out under the influence of occasional and temporary moods and environments; it is also because you do not have a grasp on your own situation and nature. Therefore, sometimes you do something that you would never expect. Do you believe Me? You only understand some situations and don’t have a grasp on your own nature; therefore, you won’t be able to guarantee what things you do in the future, that is, you won’t have absolute control. Sometimes, you are able to put truth into practice in a situation as if you have changed a little, but in another environment you don’t put truth into practice. You can’t help yourself. You don’t do it this time, but soon after you do it and everything inside still exists. This proves that you still don’t see this matter thoroughly or deeply understand it, and you don’t deeply understand your corrupt disposition and ultimately you will do it. Under normal circumstances, if you were able to thoroughly understand your nature and despise it, then you would be able to control yourself and put truth into practice.

3. The Substance of People Who Don’t Put Truth Into Practice Is Not Fond of Truth

Nowadays, people do not pay close attention to putting truth into practice, they only pay attention to coming together to fellowship and satisfy their own state of mind so that they do not feel uncomfortable or negative. They don’t consider setting their minds to practicing the truth. No matter how much it helps you at the time, after the matter, it doesn’t serve any real purpose, because you only pay attention to understanding or listening to the truth, but don’t pay attention to practicing the truth. Who among you have summarized how to put which truths into practice for which situations? None! How can a summary be drawn up? One must have personal experiences in order to draw a summary; merely superficial speech won’t do. This is people’s greatest area of difficulty—there is no interest in putting truth into practice. Being able to put truth into practice concerns personal pursuits; some people equip themselves with truth to spread the gospel, and some do it to assist the church, but they don’t do it to put truth into practice and transform themselves. People who pay attention to these things have a difficult time putting truth into practice. This is also an area of difficulty for people.

4. Putting Truth Into Practice Stops at Outer Actions

Some people say: I feel that I am able to put some truth into practice now, it’s not that I can’t put any truth into practice. In some environments, I can do things in accordance with truth, which means I count as a person who puts truth into practice, and I count as a person who has the truth. Actually, in contrast with the states of the past, or in contrast with when you first believed in God, there is a little transformation. In the past, you didn’t understand anything, and you didn’t know what the truth was or what a corrupt disposition was. Now you know some things and you are able to have some good practices, but this is only a small part of the transformation; it is not truly a transformation of your disposition, because you don’t carry out advanced and deep truths that involve your nature. If there is some transformation, it is in contrast to your past, and this transformation is only a small transformation of your humanity. However, when compared with the highest state of truth, you are way off the mark. This is to say that you have not hit the mark when putting truth into practice.

Sometimes people who are in these types of situations don’t know what is going on: I am not negative and have enthusiasm, but when it comes to putting truth into practice and understanding the truth, I feel that there is no way for me and that I don’t have any interest in this aspect. How can this be? Sometimes you don’t see this situation very clearly and are forced to act superficially doing this and that, yet your actual difficulties remain unresolved. You feel: I have done it and have been devoted; why do I still not feel so assured? This is because your conduct and actions are based on your good intentions; they are done with subjective diligence, but you have not sought God’s will and you have not done things in accordance with the requirements of truth. You are off by this much, which results in you always feeling distant from God’s requirements and that you are not assured and unconsciously become negative. Personal subjective desires and subjective diligence are very different than the requirements of truth; they are different with regard to their nature. People’s outer actions cannot replace truth, and actions are not completely done according to God’s intentions; rather truth is the true expression of God’s will. Some people who spread the gospel feel that they are not idle, and they wonder: How can You say I am not putting truth into practice? Now I ask you: How much truth is in your heart? How many things have you done in accordance with truth during the time you have been spreading the gospel? Does your heart understand the will of God? You can’t even say if you are just doing things or are putting truth into practice, because you only emphasize using your practices to satisfy God and make God happy, but you don’t reciprocate God’s love with the conviction of “Seek God’s will in all things to satisfy God and accord with truth.” If you say you are putting truth into practice, then how much has your disposition changed during this time? How much has your love for God increased? These measures are sufficient to show whether or not you are putting truth into practice.
from:Almighty God’s Word | Chapter 1. Understanding Nature and Putting Truth Into Practice