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.”
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Aspect |
The Two Principles of the Universe |
The Two Principles of the World |
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Core Focus |
The principle of God’s authority vs. the principle of Satan’s rebellion |
Doing the Father’s will vs. lawlessness and rebellion |
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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 |
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Origin |
God Himself as Creator and Sovereign |
Satan’s transgression against authority, inherited by fallen humanity |
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Source |
God’s nature, throne, and will |
Satan’s rebellion and fallen human nature |
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Nature |
Holy, orderly, life-centered, submissive |
Lawless, chaotic, self-centered, rebellious |
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Key Issue |
Whether one is under God’s authority and the Father’s will |
Whether one rejects authority and acts independently |
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Crucial Distinction |
Submission → God’s will → God’s approval |
Lawlessness → Rebellion → Rejection by the Lord |
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Inward Standard |
The Father’s life and divine nature as an inner regulation |
Self-will, feelings, ability, outward success |
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Outward Expression |
Restrained, submissive, within the divine order |
Active, zealous, powerful, yet outside authority |
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Illustration |
Running within the racecourse—may seem slow but lawful |
Running fast but outside the boundary lines |
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Explanation |
God values obedience to authority over outward works |
Spiritual works done outside God’s will are still lawlessness |
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Essence of Service |
Service confronts and depends on authority |
Service becomes self-expression |
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Result of Service |
God’s recognition and genuine spiritual building |
God’s denial and the destruction of the work |
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Relationship |
Satan’s rebellion directly opposes God’s authority |
Worldly lawlessness is the practical expression of Satan’s principle |
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The Lord’s Verdict |
“He who does the will of My Father” enters the kingdom |
“I never knew you… you who practice lawlessness” |
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Biblical Example |
The Lord Jesus always submitted to the Father (Matt. 12:50) |
Prophesying, casting out demons, yet rejected (Matt. 7:22–23) |
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Spiritual Example |
Hidden service under authority brings God’s work |
Outward success yet inward rebellion |
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Personal Application |
Ask: Am I under authority? Is this the Father’s will? |
Reject serving by zeal, ability, or results |
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Service Application |
Authority must be settled before work proceeds |
Unresolved authority brings endless problems |
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Burden |
To encounter authority and be freed from rebellion |
To depart from lawlessness and the world’s way |
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Prophesying Guidance |
It is not what you do, but whom you obey |
Lawlessness is a matter of intention, not only action |
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Spiritual Warning |
Without meeting authority, one destroys one’s own work |
Lawlessness increases toward the end of the age |
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Ultimate Conclusion |
The universe recognizes only God’s authority |
The world lives by lawlessness and rebellion |
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One-sentence Summary |
Service without authority is rebellion |
Ability never replaces obedience |
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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.
