The things of men are the things of Satan.
Most Christians do not know that Jesus has a logical and well-integrated doctrine. This doctrine is enshrined in his teachings, and it completely confounds the Christology of Paul.
In everything, Jesus creates dichotomies. On one side there is God and the sons of God. On the other side there is Satan and MEN. The sons of God are “from heaven” and belong to the kingdom of God. MEN, on the other hand, are “from the earth” and belong to the kingdoms of this world.
Jesus presents this dichotomy succinctly when he asked the chief priests: “The baptism of John- where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:25). The implication is that if it is from heaven, it cannot be of MEN.
When Jesus rebuked Peter, he said to him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of MEN” (Matthew 16:23). This means the things of MEN are the things of Satan.
Indeed, Jesus says the things of MEN are diametrically opposite to the things of God: “What is highly esteemed among MEN is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).
Men are evil
Jesus’ doctrine has no place for the Pauline doctrine of “original sin.” Nevertheless, Jesus classifies MEN as “bad trees.” He says: “A bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17). MEN are evil. Jesus says: “Out of the heart of MEN, proceed evil thoughts” (Mark 7:21). MEN are tares or bad seeds. Jesus says: “The tares are the sons of the wicked one” (Matthew 13:38).
Jesus insists his disciples must reject everything pertaining to MEN. This includes earthly fatherhood. He says: “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). In Jesus’ doctrine, all earthly fathers are evil (Matthew 7:11).
God is good
On the other hand, Jesus says: “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17). Unlike Paul, who says “there is none righteous” (Romans 3:10); Jesus includes sons of God in the one good God. In his petition to God concerning his disciples, Jesus asks: “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21).
Thereby, Jesus differentiates sons of God from MEN. Sons of God are “good trees.” Jesus says: “Every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:17). Sons of God are “good men.” Jesus says: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things” (Matthew 12:35). Sons of God are good seeds. Jesus says: “The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:38).
Beware of men
Given this dichotomy, Jesus warns his disciples: “Beware of MEN” (Matthew 10:17). He says: “Blessed are you when MEN hate you” (Luke 6:22). Believers must not justify ourselves before MEN (Luke 16:15). Once we seek public recognition, even for charitable acts, we lose God’s approval (Matthew 6:1-4). We should not accept compliments or awards from MEN. Jesus himself rejected the praise and honour of MEN (John 5:41-42).
Thus, Jesus gives a warning to his disciples that mega-pastors have chosen to ignore: “Woe to you when all MEN speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). He says furthermore: “All MEN will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22). This shows Jesus does not regard his disciples as MEN (Mark 8:27-29).
We become sons of God by choice and not by Pauline predestination (Romans 8:29-30). Sons of God are those who choose to do the will of God (Matthew 12: 48-50). This means all Christians cannot be presumed to be God’s children.
Sons of God
Sons of God are “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). But Jesus warns that our salt will be thrown out and trampled underfoot by MEN. Sons of God are “sons of light” (Luke 16:8). Jesus calls us: “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). MEN, however, are lovers of darkness (John 3:19). Jesus calls them “the sons of this world” (Luke 16:8).
He says to his disciples: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).
Jesus is not “the Saviour of all MEN” (1 Timothy 4:10). MEN are not included among Jesus’ sheep (John 10:26-28). Jesus says to MEN: “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:47).
With MEN, salvation is impossible. But with God and his sons, all things are possible (Mark 10:27).