The Two Principles of the Universe VS The Two Principles of the World

 

The Two Principles of the Universe VS The Two Principles of the World

Matthew 7:21–23 –“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he who does the will of My Father… Then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” 

Aspect	The Two Principles of the Universe	The Two Principles of the World
Core Focus	The principle of God’s authority vs. the principle of Satan’s rebellion	Doing the Father’s will vs. lawlessness and rebellion
Meaning	The fundamental governing principles of the universe; not gifts or works, but submission to divine authority	The inward operating principle of the fallen world—rejecting authority and acting according to self-will
Origin	God Himself as Creator and Sovereign	Satan’s transgression against authority, inherited by fallen humanity
Source	God’s nature, throne, and will	Satan’s rebellion and fallen human nature
Nature	Holy, orderly, life-centered, submissive	Lawless, chaotic, self-centered, rebellious
Key Issue	Whether one is under God’s authority and the Father’s will	Whether one rejects authority and acts independently
Crucial Distinction	Submission → God’s will → God’s approval	Lawlessness → Rebellion → Rejection by the Lord
Inward Standard	The Father’s life and divine nature as an inner regulation	Self-will, feelings, ability, outward success
Outward Expression	Restrained, submissive, within the divine order	Active, zealous, powerful, yet outside authority
Illustration	Running within the racecourse—may seem slow but lawful	Running fast but outside the boundary lines
Explanation	God values obedience to authority over outward works	Spiritual works done outside God’s will are still lawlessness
Essence of Service	Service confronts and depends on authority	Service becomes self-expression
Result of Service	God’s recognition and genuine spiritual building	God’s denial and the destruction of the work
Relationship	Satan’s rebellion directly opposes God’s authority	Worldly lawlessness is the practical expression of Satan’s principle
The Lord’s Verdict	“He who does the will of My Father” enters the kingdom	“I never knew you… you who practice lawlessness”
Biblical Example	The Lord Jesus always submitted to the Father (Matt. 12:50)	Prophesying, casting out demons, yet rejected (Matt. 7:22–23)
Spiritual Example	Hidden service under authority brings God’s work	Outward success yet inward rebellion
Personal Application	Ask: Am I under authority? Is this the Father’s will?	Reject serving by zeal, ability, or results
Service Application	Authority must be settled before work proceeds	Unresolved authority brings endless problems
Burden	To encounter authority and be freed from rebellion	To depart from lawlessness and the world’s way
Prophesying Guidance	It is not what you do, but whom you obey	Lawlessness is a matter of intention, not only action
Spiritual Warning	Without meeting authority, one destroys one’s own work	Lawlessness increases toward the end of the age
Ultimate Conclusion	The universe recognizes only God’s authority	The world lives by lawlessness and rebellion
One-sentence Summary	Service without authority is rebellion	Ability never replaces obedience
Expanded Scriptures	Acts 1:7 – “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Matthew 28:18 – “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 12:50 – “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in the heavens, he is My brother and sister and mother.”	Isaiah 14:13–14 – “I will ascend into heaven… I will make myself like the Most High.” 1 John 3:4 – “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” Jude 11 – “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain…”

 

Final spiritual summary: 

The universe allows only one center—the authority of God; the world, however, lives only at one core—lawlessness and rebellion.

All who wish to serve God must first be dealt with under His authority.

 

 *Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Theme: Matthew Chapters 5-7, The Most Important Aspects, Week 9: Fulfilling the Father's Will so that we may enter the Father's Kingdom on "that day," the day of Christ's judgment seat.

Fully Knowing God’s Will VS Fully Knowing God’s Mystery

 

Fully Knowing God’s Will VS Fully Knowing God’s Mystery

Colossians 1:9 "Therefore, since the day we heard, we have continually prayed for you, that you may fully know the will of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

Colossians 2:2 "That their hearts may be comforted and united in love, so that they may be richly assured in understanding, and fully know the mystery of God, which is Christ." 

Aspect	Fully Knowing God’s Will (Col. 1:9)	Fully Knowing God’s Mystery  (Col. 2:2)
Meaning	To have a full and proper knowledge of God’s eternal, central, and great will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.	To arrive at a rich, assured, and complete knowledge of God’s mystery through love and inward comfort.
Reason	God does not want His people to live in religion, philosophy, or regulations, but in His eternal purpose.	God Himself and His intention are exceedingly deep and mysterious, requiring revelation and assurance to be fully known.
Core Content	God’s will = Christ (in Christ, centered on Christ, and for Christ).	God’s mystery = Christ (the all-inclusive One who is life and the unique person).
Focus	Emphasizes what God wants and His purpose.	Emphasizes who God is and what He is.
Way of Knowing	Spiritual wisdom (in the spirit to perceive) + understanding (in the mind to interpret).	Being knit together in love + encouragement of heart + full assurance in understanding.
Distinction	Concerns God’s plan and direction.	Concerns God Himself and His intrinsic reality.
Illustration	Seeing the architectural blueprint—knowing what God intends to build.	Entering the finished building—touching, enjoying, and dwelling in the reality.
Explanation	God’s will is not about daily decisions (marriage, job, residence) but about Christ being everything to us.	God’s mystery cannot be explained merely by doctrine; it must be unveiled through experience.
Relationship	The entrance and direction into God’s mystery.	The content and ultimate fulfillment of God’s will.
Spiritual Progress	Knowing that God’s will is Christ.	Knowing Christ as God Himself revealed to us.
Examples (Colossians)	Not being distracted by Jewish rituals, human philosophy, or ascetic practices.	Being fully satisfied in Christ without adding anything else.
Application	To marry, work, serve, and act in Christ.	To take Christ as life, person, content, and expression.
Burden	That believers would not deviate from God’s eternal center.	That believers would not only know Christ, but fully gain Him.
Significance to the Church	Causes the church to walk according to God’s purpose.	Causes the church to become the expression and reality of Christ.
Prophesying Guidance	Declare: God’s will is not outward matters but Christ Himself.	Testify: God’s mystery has been revealed—Christ.
Potential Deviation	Reducing God’s will to moral rules or life choices.	Turning God’s mystery into abstract theology.
Ultimate Result	Living and serving according to God’s heart.	Being filled, saturated, and constituted with Christ.
Conclusion	Fully knowing God’s will gives the right direction.	Fully knowing God’s mystery supplies the real content.
Summary	God’s will points to Christ.	God’s mystery is Christ Himself.
Expanded Scriptures	Col. 1:9; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 1:9–10; John 6:38	Col. 2:2–3; Col. 1:26–27; 1 Cor. 2:7–10; John 1:18

 

Core One‑Sentence Summary: 

Fully knowing God’s will shows us that God wants Christ; fully knowing God’s mystery enables us to gain Christ Himself as everything.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, The Most Important Aspects, Week 9: Implementing the Father's Will So that We May Enter the Father's Kingdom on "That Day," the Day of Christ's Judgment Seat.