Tag: Ambassador

The Ancient Paths: Following God’s Word in Modern Times

The Ancient Paths: Following God’s Word in Modern Times

“. . . more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Luke 11:28

This short statement was made by Yahoshua. It was in response to a woman who essentially interrupted His teaching with her own statement. “As Yahoshua was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!” Recorded in the previous verse. This statement is clearly a distraction from the intention of the passage. It takes the eyes and ears off the intended purpose, “hear and obey,” and places them on a person.

This reminds me of when Yahoshua was taken into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Satan says, “if you bow down to me, all this can be yours.” The temptation to look away from the Father. Many have fallen for this distraction. As it is presented in many different ways today. Anything that keeps one from hearing the word of God and keeping it, is that distraction. Whether it be in the person of Mary; Yahoshua’s mother, as something otherworldly. Or Paul the Apostle, as somehow greater than Yahoshua, carrying in him greater authority. Elevating his words, twisting them, and holding those misinterpreted, above that of Gods instruction.

In John 5:24 Yahoshua is recorded as saying; “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Yahoshua spoke Aramaic, it is rooted in the same Semitic language structure and meaning as Hebrew. The word ‘believe’ in Aramaic is ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Where we get the word amen, said following a prayer or in agreement with a statement. It means, ‘so be it’ or ‘let it be’, the idea of putting action to the statement, in support, to prop up, to make firm. (i recently wrote some similar thoughts on faith here: Understanding Faith Beyond Faith and Action, or if you prefer to listen to an overview listen here: Podcast Episode).

Here is the idea, we are called by Yahoshua to both hear and obey, believe, do, the Word of God. The Word of God whenever referenced in Scripture by Yahoshua or even Paul, is the Tanakh, with emphasis on the Torah. The title most have come to know is “the law.” In the gospels it is repeatedly called the “Law of Moses,” or referenced, “Moses wrote.” In the Gospels, if one reads them with this understanding it becomes clear that Yahoshua not only was the Word made flesh. He was calling Israel back to it, the Word, and therefore to Himself.

Luke chapter eleven is all about stepping into covenant, guarding your house, hearing Gods word and obeying it. Standing in the ancient path. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Here is what Yahweh says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not take it.”” The distraction comes from the world crying out, blessed is this thing or that thing, rather than Blessed be the One from Whom it was created.

In the Luke 11 Yahoshua had just finished talking about cleaning your house, and warning that if it isn’t filled with the Light of the Word but only swept out. The demon which was cast out may return with others and the state of that man will be worse than it was at first. Right here is where the woman cries out, “Blessed is the womb . . .”. Immediately, Yahoshua states, “blessed are those who hear the Word, and keep it.” The focus of Yahoshua’s teachings has always been obedience to Gods Word, nothing more and certainly nothing less.

Clearly, Paul, understood this for he wrote to the Thessalonians, “When this man who avoids Torah (Lawless One, Torahless One) comes, the Adversary will gibe him the power to work all kinds of false miracles, signs and wonders. He will enable him to deceive, in all kinds of wicked ways, those who are headed for destruction because they would not receive the love of the truth that could have saved them. This is why God is causing them to go astray, so that they will believe the Lie. The result will be that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken their pleasure in wickedness (lawlessness), will be condemned.”

The mark of those in darkness is that they practice lawlessness, in other words they do not practice, the Torah. They refuse to walk on the ancient paths; “But they said, ‘We will not take it.'” It really boils down to whether or not one is willing to seek out the instruction of God, believe it and thereby keep it. In so doing they put that belief into action, supporting the Scriptures through their daily walk. Propping the Word up, not tearing it down and calling it “Old” or “obsolete.” They indeed make firm the covenant by walking in its statutes and commands. Seeking with their whole heart the Father and His Kingdom, becoming ambassadors to the King in a fallen world.

Let me wrap this up by looking at a couple verses in the Gospel of John. (John 6:29, 38-40, and 47) –

29 Yahoshua answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

38 For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

47 “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

A calling to seek with your whole heart the Father and His Kingdom, becoming an ambassador to the King in a fallen world. The question, is will you listen and obey? Will you hear the word, and keep it? Will you sweep out the old life and fill the house with light of the world?

You are loved,
cj

The Call to Be Ambassadors for Messiah

Ambassador –
* a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
* a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
Plenipotentiary –
* a person, especially a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.

The above definitions are taken from Dictionary.com. They represent what the role of an Ambassador is while serving in a foreign land. They do not live in the land permanently. They still hold to the principles of the land that they represent. They can engage in particular aspects of the hosting nation. However, they must hold true to the convictions of the sending nation. Ambassador’s take their instruction from the King or the Governments that they represent. Although, they are individually themselves. They have distinct characteristics, mannerisms, and linguistic styling. Yet, they conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the office, presenting a unified message.

The Ambassador is there on a diplomatic mission, in some cases to restore relations or in others to negotiate treaties. They come with full authority and in place of the sending King or Government. This allows them to conduct business with confidence. The Ambassador also knows that their mission is temporary. That they are not a citizen of the host country but simply passing through. This reminder keeps them balanced and helps them to remember where their allegiance lies.

In 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 we read this:
“All this is from Elohim. Who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That Elohim was reconciling the world to Himself in Messiah, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though Elohim were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Messiah: Be reconciled to Elohim. Elohim made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. So that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

It is simply foolishness, naive even, to think that Elohim would make Yahoshua, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that He could enable us to live a life of sin. No, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. John writes, “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar! The truth is not in him. However, whoever keeps His Word, in him is the love of Elohim perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him. Moreover, whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” Later John writes, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices Torahlessness, sin is Torahlessness. You know that He appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him.” (1 John 2:3-6 & 3:4-6)

How can we say that we represent the King, if we don’t do as He says?
How can we say that we represent the Kingdom, if we do not practice its laws?
How can we say that we have become the righteousness of Elohim, if we won’t even follow the instructions of righteousness?

As an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven, we live where we live as representatives of the King of Heaven. One day that Kingdom will be here on earth. When Yahoshua our Adonai and King returns in the clouds to rule in Jerusalem. Until then the Kingdom is within us and we as representatives of the King must live as such. We follow the laws of the land because we live in the land. We answer to a higher authority who has instructed as such. We speak truth in love in hopes of reconciling others through Messiah unto Elohim. This gospel message is one of repentance. A turning from the former way of living and following the instruction of the Rabbi.

How can we say that we represent the King? We claim the name of Messiah Yahoshua and His lifestyle. How did He live? “We live not by bread alone, but by every WORD of Elohim.” What word was Yahoshua referring to? His Instruction handed down by the Prophets, those written by Moses, those breathed by Elohim. Did Yahoshua eat meat considered unclean? No, not by definition of Torah. Did Yahoshua break the Sabbath Day or change it? No, not by definition of Torah. Did Yahoshua dismiss the Feast Days? No, not by definition of Torah. Did His death and resurrection somehow negate these things? No, not by definition of Torah, or the teachings of Paul and the other Apostles.

How can we say that we represent the Kingdom? “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” The Sabbath will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. The dietary law will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. The Feast Days will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. If we are asking for His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as in Heaven . . . How can we say this and not do what we know we can do? To follow the Sabbath isn’t too hard or difficult. To follow dietary law isn’t too hard or difficult. To observe the Feast Days isn’t too hard or difficult. To honor Elohim is NOT TOO HARD or DIFFICULT. It is absurd to think that it is too difficult to keep the Sabbath but pretend to keep Sunday. It is absurd to think that it is too difficult to keep the Feast Days. Yet, people celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s, Saint Patrick’s, Fourth of July, Veterans, Memorial, Super Bowl, etc., without hesitation.

How can we say that we have become the righteousness of Elohim? We can say this when we repent and follow Yahoshua. What does it mean to repent? To turn from sin. Literally that is what it means. Not just to be sorry that we are sinning but to do a one-eighty. We repent, we ask for forgiveness, we put on the new self. We enter into covenant relationship. The new covenant is the old covenant but written on our hearts. We can read this in Jeremiah and Hebrews. The difference is simply that now we have the Living Spirit of Elohim. The Ruach Hakodesh (רוח הקודש) empowers us to do so. By this we put on Messiah Yahoshua. His Name, His lifestyle, His Word, His Truth.

If you are a follower of Yahoshua you are an AMBASSADOR! LIVE AS ONE! You are a representative of the KING of kings and the MASTER of masters. He has called you to bare His Name. You are to show His lifestyle. Extend the message of reconciliation to all who will listen. Part of this includes living within the culture yet separate from it at the same time. We are to live set apart, while living among the inhabitants of the community we live. We don’t demand others change. We live in such a way that others see Messiah in us. This stirs a want for change. We live as examples of the Way.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj