Tag: Faith

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

“Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is One. And you shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The journey of redemption is lead by Yahweh. It is His desire to make us into who He made us to be. A restoration of His garden plan found in Genesis. “And He saw ALL that He had made, AND IT WAS GOOD.”

Luke 24:13-19 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Yahoshua Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, ‘What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?’ And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?’ And He said to them, ‘What things?’

The scene is post crucifixion. Two disciples are walking together and discussing all that had transpired. They were saddened believing that all had come to an end. They were discouraged, and aimless. On their way back home presumably to resume that which they did before following the Messiah. When the very One they mourned appeared in their midst and began to question them. To ask them “What things?” seems out of touch but in reality it was the open door to bring the Scriptures to life. To open their eyes to the promises that had always been and now were. But first, Yahoshua needed to know what they understood and they revealed it in their answer to Him.

Luke 24:19-24 “And they said to Him, ‘The things about Yahoshua the Nazarene. Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people. How the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.‘” Note here: Their expectation was of a Kingdom. That David’s throne would be reestablished with Yahoshua reigning in Jerusalem and Israel being reborn. Continuing now. “Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, they did not find His body. They came back, saying that they had also seen a vision. A vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.“

Yahoshua (Jesus) had spent three and a half years teaching them. He told them multiple times of His purpose. He even tells Pilate, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world. To testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate then asks, “What is truth?” Do you know what truth is? Do you know why He said, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice?” It is because truth is the Word and the Word is Truth. As Yahoshua says, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 18:37-38; & 17:17).

Luke 24:25-27. “And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” The Scriptures here being referred to, we call the ‘Old Testament,’ but is better understood as the Tanakh. All the answers, all Truth is found in the Word. That Word is (for clarity) the Old Testament. The promise of the New Covenant is that the Torah would be written on the hearts His people.

Jeremiah 31 says, “I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ezekiel 36 puts it this way; “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Hebrews 8 records this idea not because the commandments were burdensome but because of the fault of man. “For finding fault with them, He says, . . . I will put My Torah (instruction) into their minds and I will write it on their hearts.”

The cry of David’s heart should be the cry of every heart that calls itself a believer. “Make me know Your ways, O Yahweh; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your TRUTH and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Yahweh, Your compassion and Your loving kindnesses, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. According to Your loving kindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Yahweh. Good and upright is Yahweh. Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice. He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Yahweh, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:4-11

True revival is a desire for Elohim’s (God’s) instruction. It is a calling back to His instruction, a call to obedience. This was the instruction of Yahoshua who said, “If you love Me obey My commandments.” And, “Why do you call Me Adonai (Master), Adonai, and not do as I command?” We should desire His ways, His path, His instruction. Yahoshua said, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Did you know that the Torah is called, the way? It is also called the Truth and it is Life. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, the Torah made flesh. Is any of this making sense yet?

In Deuteronomy you will find these passages . . .
5:8-10 “. . . but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
7:9-11 “. . . who love Him and keep His commandments.”
10:12-13 “. . . to walk in all His ways and love Him. To serve Yahweh your Elohim (God) with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep Yahweh’s commandments.”
11:1 “You shall therefore love Yahweh your Elohim. And always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.”
11:13 “. . . listen obediently to My commandments . . . love Yahweh your Elohim . . .”
11:22 “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love Yahweh your Elohim. To walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him.”
19:8-9 “. . .if you carefully observe all this commandment which I command you today, to love Yahweh your Elohim, and to walk in His ways . . .”
30:16 “. . . love Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments . . .”

Joshua 22:5 “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the Torah which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you. To love Yahweh your Elohim and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and holdfast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Nehemiah 1:5-6 “. . . for those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Daniel 9:4 “. . . those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and observe His commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
2 John 1:5-6 “. . . not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.”

Therein lies the truth of the matter, the Torah, Elohim’s instruction was not done away with but was made manifest. It was done so through Messiah Yahoshua (Christ Jesus). He is the instruction that is now written on the hearts of those who love Elohim and keep His commandments. For as promised, we have the instruction now within us enabling us to walk in love. Both love for the Father and for our neighbor. To honor Elohim and His Sabbath’s, His Feast Days, His commandments and statutes. Through the power of our resurrected Adonai Yahoshua and the promised helper the Holy Spirit.

One day we will stand before the judgment seat. Many will hear something they are not expecting. Not because they didn’t hear the truth but because they didn’t keep it. Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.‘” It wasn’t because they thought their works would save them it was because they were not following the commandments of Elohim. They were lawless, they were without Torah. They made it a practice to not do what Elohim expects of those who say they love Him. If you love Him, keep His commandments. This is the way of the Rabbi.

Luke 24:30-32, 35 “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?'” “They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”

What will you do? Yahoshua is the bread of heaven, the Word made flesh. Do you know Him? Do you know His Word? He reveals the Father, the Father never changes nor does His word. Therefore, it stands to reason if we want to truly know Yahoshua Messiah the Son of Elohim. You must know the Scriptures, Genesis to Malachi. And not only know them but obey them. Are you on the narrow road that leads to Salvation? Or, are you on the wide road that leads to destruction?

You are loved,
cj

My Journey from Ministry to a Deeper Faith

My Journey from Ministry to a Deeper Faith

From an early age I have been involved in ministry. As a kid singing with my family in churches even doing concert tours. Later, I would attend youth camps. When I was eighteen, the owner of the campground where we lived asked me to be the Pastor of the “Little Chapel of the Canyon.” He even helped me figure out a way to receive an ordination so that I could legally officiate weddings. This so he could advertise this as an available option to the campground experience. I led services at the chapel every Sunday for a year. At the same time I also held a Bible study in my home on Wednesday nights. I did this until I moved to Washington state for a girl that I had met in Jr. High at a summer camp. A camp I attended while visiting my grandparents after earning money selling candy door to door. We wrote letters back and forth for years. However, after my arrival the spark we shared in Jr. High never returned.

All was not lost however. As I did begin volunteering at a Youth for Christ center in the town I lived. Later, I would be asked to lead the Jr High Ministry at the church I attended. I did this for a couple years before moving back to Southern California, the place I called home. After moving back I started attending a local church and again began volunteering with the Youth ministry. After a year the youth pastor moved on. They did not have a budget to hire a new youth pastor. So, they asked me to lead as a volunteer. To which I accepted. Newly married, and bi-vocational, it was a busy time. We would have our first son during this time as well. On top of family, work and ministry, I began attending classes towards becoming a Pastor.

Mostly online through a Denominational University, however, some courses were held at the District Center. While still attending classes I would be granted a District license. Later, upon completion of my studies I was ordained. I did eventually end up finishing two degrees, Biblical Studies (Theology) and Biblical History. After my first District license I would accept my first full time Youth Pastor position. At my first assignment my family would grow adding two more son’s to the clan. After my ordination I was approached about moving into a Lead Pastor position to which I accepted. I would bounce between, Youth, Lead, and Evangelism over the next 20 years. After which I would step down from ministry within the denominational structure.

My transition from full time ministry wasn’t all by my desire. However, several life events of my own making, caused a ripple effect that forced my hand. Some of those ripples I am still feeling and will be riding out for as long as I live. However, these events have brought something good. They have brought the closeness with Adonai that I have desired. I started first with putting down all devotionals, commentaries, and inspirational books. I began to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Oh I had done this before, several times actually, but with guides. This time I simply prayed, “Adonai, I want to know You for who You are and not what man has made You.”

The journey that I am on has been one of change and adaptation. As I learn new principles and new ways that Elohim desires worship, I adjust to Him. No longer do I take mans definitions, and mans traditions and tell the Father, “this is how I will honor You.” No, now I learn what pleases Him and I strive to make that a part of my life, of who I am day in and day out. I taught for so long man’s definitions, mans traditions, all centered around a Greek Jesus. Now I am learning about Elohim’s instruction, His desires, all centered around a Hebrew Messiah, Yahoshua.

During this time I studied in depth the works of Augustine, and Josephus. Along with many other historians. One thing rings true in these writings. The faith of the earliest Apostles has slipped from the Way left by Yahoshua. It has taken on a Greco-Roman philosophical leaning faith. A mixture of ideas from cultures not inspired by Elohim but men.

Ezekiel 22:26 is one of the eye opening verses that started my journey of awakening to the Fathers instruction. It was the first step after deciding to take the advice of the Apostle Paul. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” It was my first walk through of Genesis to Revelation. When the Ezekiel passage leaped off the page and smacked me in the face. “Her priests have done violence to My Torah and have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the Holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

I was one of those who stood in a leadership position and did violence to His Torah. I did not make any distinction between the Holy and the common, nor did I teach the difference between the unclean and the clean. I disregarded His Sabbaths, and profaned them even, by doing my pleasure on them. This was eye opening. It isn’t that I feel a need to earn my salvation. No, I am thankful for my Messiah Yahoshua who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is through Him that I receive forgiveness of sin and am washed clean. Through His righteousness I am made worthy. However, it is Yahoshua who says, “If you love me, obey My commandments.” He also said, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I command?”

Dating back to late 2019, you can begin to read the shift. There are posts before that that I am still editing as my understanding of Elohim’s instructions are more clear. However, in a nutshell here is that journey. These are my highlights.

Psalm 51:6-13
– Purge me with hyssop
– Create in me a clean heart
– Do not cast me away
– Restore me
– Uphold me

Revelation 19:7
– make yourself ready

2 Corinthians 5:17
– IF anyone is in Messiah

2 Corinthians 13:5
– Examine yourself/test yourself

Galatians 6:4
– Examine your own works

1 John 2:3-6
“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. Now, the promise is true, whoever keeps His word [Torah], in him truly the love of Elohim is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him. Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
– Fear Elohim
– Keep His commandments
– Every deed will be judged (Those in Messiah have the hope of forgiveness)

John 5:46-47
– If you believed Moses, you would believe Me
– The Torah points to Messiah
– Look at the road to Emmaus where Yahoshua explains through the Tanakh who He is
– To truly know Messiah we must know the whole of Elohim’s Word

Psalm 119:105-112
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, Adonai, according to Your Word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, Adonai, and teach me Your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget Your Torah. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the end.”

This is the Way of the Rabbi, won’t you join me on this journey?

You are loved,
cj

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Oh how burdensome it is to take a day off each week. To dedicate it to rest and restoration. To honor God and His instructions. It is a heavy yoke to carry. Oh that there would be a simpler way than resting in His presence. Oh thank You Lord Jesus. He completed it so I don’t have to. No longer am I burdened with what the children of Israel were burdened with for thousands of years. They couldn’t do, for it was too hard. Even though You constantly called them back to it and told them if they turned from their own ways. If they followed you again and kept Your statutes You would bless them again. Yet, you must have known that it was too hard and that they would fail. You punished them so that you could send Jesus and make it easy on us gentile believers. No longer burdened with living a life that sets us apart. Thank you for freeing us from the law of sin and death. Thank you for giving us thousands of years of illustrations of punishing a people so we could be free. Free to live however we want, for all things are permissible, for grace sake.

Does this statement sound absurd? It should, yet for many Christians this is exactly what they believe. Oh, they won’t say it out loud but deep down they believe it. They have to. If they don’t then they will be forced to recognize their constant depravity. And their need for walking out the commands of God. They will be forced to consider the whole of God’s Word. They cannot rely only on the few verses they cling to in order to break the commands of God. Does this sound too harsh? It’s better than eternal darkness and complete everlasting separation from Yahoshua (Jesus). Who is King of kings, and Master of masters.

Henry David Thoreau an early American poet and philosopher said; “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.” The writer of Revelation, pens this statement; “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yahoshua (Jesus).” It is both, and, not either or. We must do what we can to honor the commandments of Elohim and couple that with our faith in Yahoshua. It is not by works that I am saved. It is by living within the instruction of Yahweh that I show myself as having faith. I believe, therefore, I do.

Jude writes, “Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Adonai, Yahoshua Messiah.” How does one deny Yahoshua while claiming faith in Him? Simple, they say His teachings were for the Jews. That He came to fulfill the law so that we don’t have to. They deny statements like “I did not come to abolish the law, but to bring it to the full.” He challenged the religious leaders of the day and the man made traditions they held above the Word of God.

Ezekiel writes about the shepherds who don’t feed their sheep. “Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what Adonai Elohim says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.” There are many pastors getting fat off the flock today. They aren’t scattering them. They are deceiving them with false messages of prosperity and even making a mockery of grace itself.

He continues, “You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.” The violence and cruelty today is that they are not teaching the commandments of God but of man. They have created a different religion and their Christ Jesus is the lawless one He himself warned about. They both cannot be true. This is why I choose to use His Hebrew name. This is why I choose to seek Him fully and completely. To know His Word is to know Him for He is the Word made flesh. Thoreau may not have been a true believer but he did get it right when he said, “. . . unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.”

Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Messiah Yahoshua.” Are we striving for “Your Kingdom come, Your WILL be DONE“? Or are we content with mediocrity? Are we content with lukewarmness? Are we content fooling ourselves that what the Word describes as not burdensome, to be too burdensome? “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” For this is what John 5:3 says.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. It is true to this day. Jeremiah records this in the sixth chapter. “This is what Yahweh says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’'” Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Early believers before they took on the ‘christian’ moniker were known as the sect of the Nazarene. They were also known as the people of the way. We know truth to be the Word, “Your Word is Truth”. Life, for all who come and obey Yahoshua will live.

As Jeremiah later writes in the sixteenth chapter. “O Yahweh, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!” Some churches do have idols, engraved images, but beyond that many have man made traditions. They them place above the Word of Elohim. They justify themselves by taking the words of Paul and twisting them. As Peter warns. If the faith you follow allows for lawlessness, which is Torahlessness, you are outside the ways of Yahweh. Therefore, you are not following Yahoshua Messiah.

“Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’” These are Yahoshua’s (Jesus’) words to those who live outside the instructions of Elohim, outside of Torah. The lawless one is coming and he will deceive many. In fact the spirit of the lawless one is already at work. Wake up! The time is drawing short. Put your faith in the true Messiah Yahoshua! The ‘Jesus’ the Apostles taught about and live for and ultimately died for. Not the lawless one being taught today in the majority of churches.

You are loved,
cj

Repetition and Retention: Wisdom from Proverbs

Repetition and Retention: Wisdom from Proverbs

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Adonai. Writing the same things to you again is no trouble for me. For it is repetition that is a good instructor.” Studies show that repetition is necessary to retain information. Even basic retention of simple contextual ideas require 3 to 7 times of hearing the information. While more complex ideas may require 6 to 20 times. Of course emotionally charged or high-stakes information can be retained almost instantly. This has been my motivation over the past few months. Perhaps, presenting it in different lights for slightly different audiences, nevertheless, it is the same concept repeated. It is in this vain that write to you today.

“Behold, days are coming,” declares Elohim,  “when I will send a famine on the land. Not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of ADONAI.” Amos 8:11

Are we living in the days of famine prophesied by Amos? It sure seems so. No one wants to hear the idea that faith is more than a prayer and Sunday attendance. Reformations and Church splits happen, not because people want things to be more difficult. No, they happen because people want to find the easiest path forward. It is human nature after all to seek ease and comfort. New technologies emerge daily with that simplistic goal in mind, to make life simpler.

Proverbs is a book of wisdom, a collection of thoughts and instruction. It is also laced with warning and a call to obedience, to the instructions of Yahweh. Proverbs chapter one is full of riches. “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth– Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:2-7)

Some definitions that I think will be helpful. Instruction can mean Torah for Torah is Elohim’s instruction. Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means, the things commanded by God to be obeyed by man. In other words, righteousness is an act of obedience to God. In Hebrew the word is ṣeḏeq which means pretty much the exact same thing. Solomon who is the author of Proverbs was asked by God what he wanted. Solomon responded, “wisdom.” He wanted to be wise. A wise man seeks instruction and obeys without exception those things commanded by God. For this obedience it is counted to him as righteousness.

Proverbs chapter one continues in verse twenty-two, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?” This ties into Amos’ prophecy perfectly. You see the simple today want simpler. They don’t want to be challenged. They will scream grace, grace, but condemn the sinner. They will say, “I am free from the law.” And brush away verses like James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Yahoshua (Jesus), declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me. John describes Yahoshua as “. . . the Word made flesh . . . ” He is the living Torah scroll now emblazoned on our hearts and minds. This is the exact description of the New Covenant. It isn’t new instruction, it is new placement, new empowerment. The penalty of death is gone for the one who has faith in Yahoshua. This does not however give one license to keep on sinning. Paul emphasizes this point by asking the question, “Do we then keep on sinning so that grace may abound? By no means!” What is sin, if not transgression of the Torah (law)? John writes, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices Torahlessness (lawlessness); sin is Torahlessness (lawlessness).”

Yahoshua during the parable of the persistent widow, asks a stinging question at the end. He asks, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Faith as defined by itself in Scripture is action and activity of the things of Elohim (God). It is fidelity to the truth, what is truth? God’s Word is Truth, the Torah, and Yahoshua the Word made flesh. Yahoshua asks another question, “Why do you call me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I ask?” There is one final statement many will hear on the last day. What is it? “Depart from Me you who practice lawlessness (Torahlessness).”

How is one to know what to do if one doesn’t study the Word? The whole Word. The Word the Apostles referred to every single time they say, ‘the Word”, is the Torah. Yet, so many today don’t have any desire to pick up and read it. In the end are they condemning themselves? For the Word says, the very Word of Elohim will judge at the last day. If the Word is the judge shouldn’t one know the Word? This is the Way of the Rabbi.

Will He find Faith?
You are loved,
cj

The Importance of Obeying God’s Instructions in Scripture

The Importance of Obeying God’s Instructions in Scripture

A few years back I was watching a YouTube video. The video was made by an admitted atheist. In it he was praising the efforts of someone who admitted to trying to proselytize him. However, there was a remark in it that I found interesting, recently, as I was reminded of this video. He was given a small pocket sized Bible of the New Testament, along with Psalms and Proverbs. He said, “Psalms is in the New Testament right?” I don’t blame him for not knowing, that isn’t what I am getting at. What I am getting at is many believe this idea. Many think the Old Testament is irrelevant. They believe this except when they can find generic support for their life.

It isn’t just the idea of finding passages to draw strength from. It is the fact that they deny the relevance of other passages they don’t. The translators haven’t helped humanity either. For example in Proverbs 28:9 it says: “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” There are two critical errors in word translation choice that has aided and abetted this idea. First hearing, this is the word שָׁמַע shâmaʻ. This Hebrew word means, intelligent hearing, listening and obeying. This wisdom is telling the reader, don’t turn away from listening to and obeying. What are we the readers not to turn from? The translators would have you think law. Many read this as a bad thing now. “The law is done away with,” they will say. “It has been nailed to the cross,” they will say. Both statements made in illiterate ignorance.

You see the word law is תּוֹרָה tôrâh. The Torah is God’s instruction to His people. So Proverbs 28:9 says: “If one turns his ear from listening to and obeying the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.” I didn’t say it, Proverbs said it. And the presenters of pocket sized Bibles thought it was important enough to include with the ‘New Testament.’ Which isn’t New, but a retelling of the Old. A call to obedience and a pathway of forgiveness through Yahoshua, (Jesus).

John describes sin in 1 John 3:4. He writes, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Here again translators make an error. But, even if it wasn’t an error, and if law was a good translation, what John is saying should draw one’s attention. He who practices or abides by a different instruction is living in sin. Sin is being outside of God’s instruction, His Way.

Yahoshua says, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 – What are some things He commanded? Well, how about Matthew 5:17-19? “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill (To bring a deeper understanding). For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Many will say that we are incapable of following the whole of the law or Torah. And they would be correct. You see I am not a woman, so I cannot, nor should I, follow the instructions for women. I am also not a Levit so am not part of the Levitical priesthood. That also takes out those instructions. I am not a slave owner, or a king, reducing the instruction further. There is no standing Temple so I am not bound by those instructions either. What am I capable of then? Well, I can eat those things God calls food. I can make the distinction between clean and unclean, holy and unholy. I can honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.

In other words, I can certainly keep the 10 Commandments, and the dietary instructions. I can keep His Feast Days and Sabbaths. I then can study the Word daily and learn and grow in my understanding, adjusting my life accordingly. This is the Way of the Rabbi. This is how Paul taught. His instructions do not contradict that which came before because if they did . . . By definition, he would be a false prophet or teacher and we shouldn’t listen to him. However, I don’t believe he was, I simply believe what Peter says about his writings. “And count the patience of our Master as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand. Which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away. Especially, with the error of lawless (Torahless) people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Master and Savior Yahoshua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:15-17)

Let me leave you with this statement from Yahoshua (Jesus) to ponder from Matthew 7:21-23. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Torahlessness).’”

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

Envisioning My Dream Job: A Life on a Deserted Island

Envisioning My Dream Job: A Life on a Deserted Island
Daily writing prompt
What’s your dream job?
View all responses

Work is a human construct that traps individuals in a cycle of consumerism. I work, I earn money, I pay bills, I eat, I sleep, I work. I must earn more money so that I can do something ‘fun’. I work harder, and longer. I cut back, I eat processed foods, stuff my face with snacks and garbage. I spend and spend and wonder where my money went. I beat my body. I weaken my immune system, I become sick, I become injured, I am unable to have fun. I now spend my money on medical bills, medication, and treatments.

Everyone is out to make money to live and to survive. My dream job is to be stranded on a deserted island. Where I am able to create my own society based on a shared goal. To have everything in common, not a commonality of nature, or of wealth, but of mind. The final goal, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Also, to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two are the building blocks of peaceful society.

“Then, they that gladly received his word were baptized. The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house. They ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Way daily those being saved.” Acts 2:41-47

Many will say, “But God told Adam he would have to work the land, after the fall.” Yes, He did. It wasn’t for others that he did so but for himself and his family. He wasn’t making others wealthy by the sweat of his brow. We do have to labor now if we want to survive. Paul instructs us to be honorable workers. However, he also instructs the employer, or slave owner, to treat his staff with respect and honor. There is also an instruction within Scripture that says, wages should be paid out daily. We have warped the instruction of God and created a system that entraps humanity.

i do believe, if one is unwilling to contribute they are not welcome. If one is unable to contribute they are cared for. There is a difference. To follow the statutes and the commands of God are greater than striving for gain. For in the end all that is gained in life is left in the grave. But what is done for God will last, treasures in heaven. We spend more than a third of our day striving and working. A third of our day asleep. Leaving less than a third for leisure which is spent, spending. That or it is spent cooking, cleaning, or wasted. A day for ourselves? Maybe. A day for God? Rarely.

God said, “Six days you shall labor but the seventh day is Holy. You are to do no work. Neither you or your servant, or your livestock.” A day of rest, a day of honoring God. Six days of labor isn’t simply laboring for income. It is laboring also for what brings us pleasure, hobbies, and cleaning. Striving for one another even. It is taking a day to connect with our Heavenly Father. To rest in Him and with Him. For even in those six days of labor there is intended times of pleasure. But sadly in most house holds both the father and the mother work and do so seven days a week. Which leaves no one to tend to the home. In which case there is still work to be done. Cooking and cleaning. When is there rest?

So what is my dream job? With commonality, to work towards community. Where there are some who labor in the field, some that tend the flock, some that strive at home. My desire would be to tend to the flocks. To be a shepherd of sorts. To tend to the horses and the cattle. In my leisure I would write, and I would instruct others in the Way of community and honor. To love God, to love our neighbor. This is my dream job.

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

Markers of Genuine Revival in Scripture

Markers of Genuine Revival in Scripture

What does repentance look like? How would that translate into revival? Are there markers for such a thing? What does a counterfeit revival look like? If I am to take up the great commission, what does that look like? These are the questions we will dive into today. If one is to walk the Way of the Rabbi we must know the answers to these questions. But first, a parable, it is called, “The Parable of the Two Sons.”

A parable: (Matthew 21:28-32)

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you. The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness. And you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

Repentance:

Repentance simply means, to turn from, to change one’s mind. James the brother of Yahoshua wrote, “to know what is good and not do it, that is sin.” In the parable of the two sons the father represents God. He comes to his kids and asks them to work in His field. The first one says, “I will not.” He later changes his mind gets up and goes to the field to work. This is repentance. We could look at this from several points of view, Honor your father and your mother, for one. And in a way that is the point here. The son, hears a request from his father to go and do. The son refuses. He later reconsiders his response, gets up and goes to work. He changed his mind, chose to honor his father’s request and goes to work.

When we know the good we ought to do and do not do it that is sin. In the parable it was honoring the father’s request. In our life sin is the same. The father has laid out for His children a way of life. If we obey it we do good. If we do not do it, we sin. By its very definition, we are in rebellion and therefore, we are sinning. 1 John 3:4 tells us exactly what sin is. “Everyone committing sin also commits lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.”

To the reader of John’s letter they would have understood lawlessness to mean, without Torah. The one practices Torahlessness is in rebellion of God and His instructions. Torah simply means instruction. The Father has given us His instruction and it is up to us whether we will obey it or not. For most of my life I didn’t think that the instructions of God were still in effect. That somehow Messiah did away with the Fathers instruction. That is until I truly began to seek Yahoshua. The Word made flesh. The Messiah. The Son. “So Yahoshua replied, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself. Unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.'”

I began to realized, although, I said Yes to the salvation, I said no to His instruction. His Word that over and over and over again states that it is good. That it is not a burden. That Yahoshua, and His disciples, kept and followed the Torah. The instructions of the Father to His children. Since that revelation I have repented, I have changed my mind based on Scripture and the definition of sin. I now choose to obey the Father’s instruction, I am doing what He has asked of me. And He asks of all who say they follow Him.

What Does True Revival Look Like?

Throughout the Scriptures Revival is defined by a group of people turning back to the instructions of the Father. The excitement of the Apostles in Acts 21:20 of the Jews coming to faith leaps off the page. “When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed. And all of them are zealous for Torah.'” They were turning back to the instructions of God and leaving behind the rituals and traditions of men. We understand them today as the rabbinic traditions. This was what was known as legalism, not following the instructions (Torah) of God.

Every revival recorded by the Prophets involved a return to Torah. A return to Feast Days, Sabbath observance, making a distinction between clean and unclean animals and what is food. There was a public reading of Scripture so that the people would know and do. This is Revival. It isn’t simply saying “yes” to the Father but actually doing what the Father says. Following His instructions.

Unfortunately, many make a distinction between the Children of Israel and the church as if Messiah has two brides. When throughout Scripture it is revealed we are one in Messiah. Romans tells us that we are grafted in. The Torah tells us there is one law, one instruction, one Torah, for all.
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you. And you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I Am Yahweh your Elohim.” Leviticus 19:34
“There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” Exodus 12:49
“One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.” Numbers 15:16

The instruction to the gentiles coming to faith in Messiah does not negate this. So many will point to this passage in Acts 15:29 and say, “see this is it! I am free in Messiah!” “You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals. And from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.” However, they neglect to read the context of this message. It is the same of every situation of life. When you properly train an employee you start out with the basics. Do these things and the rest will come through your training. In this letter to the gentile converts there is reason given.

Acts 15: 19-21 gives us the defining purpose. “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols. Also, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” You see they believed that these gentile converts would be getting trained in the synagogues every Sabbath!

Defining Markers of a Follower of the Way:

A disciple of Messiah looks like the Messiah. Yahoshua said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Disciple simply means student. One who is under instruction. What is that instruction? It is the Instruction of God it is Torah. It is Honoring the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. It begins with the word ‘REMEMBER’, probably because God knew we would easily forget it.

It is Honoring the Feast Days. In the Millennium those who do not go up to honor the Feast of Tabernacles will be cursed. This indicates that we will be honoring the Feast Days when Messiah is on earth as KING OF KINGS. Paul tells the Corinthians to “Keep the Passover.” This is after the resurrection. The earliest believers were keeping the Feast of Passover.

Paul instructs Timothy to keep to all that he was taught in his youth. That all the Torah and Prophets are good for teaching. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly prepared for all good works.”

Counterfeit:

If sin is as John defines it in 1 John 3:4. “Everyone committing sin also commits lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” Than we will be able to see who is and who isn’t truly following Messiah. There are many who have said, “Yes,” to Messiah. There are few who have actually went into the field to work. They have been sold a lie, half truths, a false gospel, and they don’t know it.

Yahoshua (Jesus) said, “If you love Me, obey My Commandments.” John 14:15
Yahoshua (Jesus) said, “Why do you call me, ‘Adonai! Adonai!’ but not do what I say?” Luke 6:46
Yahoshua (Jesus) said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in your name? And did we not cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” (Lawlessness = being without Torah, without Instruction) Matthew 7:21-23

Peter warns of twisting Scripture in his epistle. “And count the patience of our Adonai as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand. Which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction. As they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.”

A counterfeit conversion or repentance, looks like the son who said, “yes,” but did not go. Proverbs 28:9 gives a very stark warning. “If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.”

The Call:

“And Yahoshua (Jesus) came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law. This will remain until all is accomplished. If anyone annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, they will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19

We are called to be set a part. A holy nation, a priesthood to our God. We are instructed in the ways to honor and worship Him. They are not of mans invention but are written within the pages of His Holy Scriptures. This is the Way of the Rabbi. Get out into the field, repent of your lawlessness and come under the instruction of the Father through Messiah Yahoshua.

You are loved,
cj

Return to Your First Love: Rediscovering Faith

Return to Your First Love: Rediscovering Faith

Greetings in the Name of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. i hope that this letter finds you well and flourishing in your spiritual journey. That you are daily seeking ways to act justly, be merciful, and walk humbly with Elohim. The reason i write to you is of no little importance but one of grave concern. As in the Revelation of John and his note to the Ekklesia in Ephesus. The church today has left its first love.

You have been lulled to sleep by lazy preaching and you have become lazy yourself. No longer do you test the prophets, and teachers. But with itching ears you seek out those who will not convict you with the word. You would rather sit in filth and be told you are clean than to wash yourself in the word. You have become more concerned on how the church makes you feel. Rather than living in a way that is pleasing to Elohim. This is not intended to be mean but to stir up in you a desire to look at yourself.

i was in an uncomfortable place too. Instead of receiving a letter to encourage me, i had to hit the wall. Oh how i wish someone would have come to me and said, “Wake up oh sleeper! Return to the love you had at first!” But like those in Ephesus i was reminded that God does know me. “I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance. That you are not able to bear evil ones. You even tested those who say they are prophets and are not, finding them false. You have endurance, and have labored for My Name’s sake. Even still you are not weary.”

In the note to the gathering in Ephesus Yahoshua says, “So remember from where you have fallen! Repent and do the first works. Or else, i shall come to you speedily and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.” When i first came to know Adonai for myself and not through others i was hungry. i could not eat enough of the Word. i could not get enough of fellowship with like minded people. i could not out do the grace given me in doing for others.

Somewhere, i lost that, somewhere, i grew selfish and lazy. i checked the necessary boxes each week but my heart was not in it. i was more concerned for life in the world than seeking the Kingdom. We are told in the Word, “Seek first the Kingdom . . . and all these things will be added to you.” But we seek the world and what is in the world. Then we complain and wonder why we don’t see the Kingdom. We are then fooled into thinking our ways are better than God’s ways. That our traditions are better than His. We then selfishly declare, He will like the way we worship Him for His ways are dead.

Return! Return! Awaken and return to the Ways of Yahweh! For His ways are better than our ways. His ways are a declaration we make that we are His. The Sabbath day is a wedding ring. Eating clean (kosher) is obedience. Honoring the Feast Days are so much more enriching than any man made tradition or holiday. His Days are HOLY, our days are disobedient. He said, “Do not learn the ways of the people around you and worship Me in that way.” Yet that is precisely what the church has done. They say His ways are dead and they have invented ways not found in Scripture to Worship Him. Stolen ideas of pagan practices, and call it redeeming. He says, “tear them down.”

This is not legalism, this is obedience. This isn’t a burdensome yoke, this is freedom from the world and the wrath to come. Soon, i might add. His ways are better than mans. In the end many will stand before Yahoshua (Jesus) and hear these words. They will hear, “depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” What law are they not practicing? You will see that they were not practicing the Torah. It doesn’t save us. We are saved by grace but what flows from that grace is a desire. A desire to live a life of obedience. “Observing all that I have commanded You and teaching others to do the same.”

Yahoshua said, “I only do what I see the Father doing.” He only spoke the Words written. He lived it, taught it, and calls His people, called by His Name to walk in it. The Word is Truth. What Word? The Tanakh, the Torah and the Prophets. It is the very Word that Paul instruct Timothy to remember and study and use. For it is good for teaching, reproof, correction, in all righteousness. Righteousness here is defined, “Things commanded by God to be obeyed by man.” If this is true, and surely it is, how can it then be done away with? It simply cannot be.

But some will say, “it is impossible to keep all the law that’s why Jesus came.” Yahoshua came to do the will of the Father. He then says, in every instance of rebuke and correction, “It is written.” What is written? The instructions on how to live, honor, and worship God. This is the Way of the Rabbi. This is how He lived, and this is what He instructs us to live. “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” For what is sin? “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness (being without Torah). But you know that Messiah appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.”

“So remember from where you have fallen. Repent and do the first works. Or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.” And His return draws ever closer!

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

Living Out ‘Thy Will Be Done’: A Faith Journey

Living Out ‘Thy Will Be Done’: A Faith Journey

It seems every year i circle back to Adonai’s Prayer, commonly called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” As i ask the question, “How do i live, ‘Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'”? Given the fact that many of the times and seasons observed today are nowhere found in Scripture? We just turned the page on the Gregorian calendar. Good-bye 2025 and hello 2026. We, as they say, “circled the sun.” If you think about the meanings of things. The things we have adopted into our faith system. It seems a rational conclusion, if we are being intellectually honest, things don’t add up. Especially with “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,” as our marker.

What times and season’s is the Father observing? Is it the framework that He Himself established at creation. Then afterward giving direction to His chosen nation to observe for all time. As such establishing them as a beacon to all nations of the earth. They were to be set apart, different than those around them. So much so that He instructs them not to learn the ways of the nations around them. For them, His chosen people, to not even pick up their traditions or habits and ways of worship. Warning them not to integrate or assimilate those things into worship of Him. He told them He is jealous for them and if they follow His ways He would protect them.

The opposite is also true. If they did not observe His times and season. If they did not adhere to His commands and instructions. Then He would remove His protection. Cause the nations around them to swallow them up and scatter them among all the nations of the earth. He said this would happen until they awaken to the error of their ways and repent. Turning from their ignorance and destructive ways to again follow after God. Adhering to all the ways in which He instructed them from the beginning. However, He promised not to leave them alone. He promised there would come One who would restore a right relationship with the Father. Writing the commands of the Father on the hearts and minds of the people. In this way, the One to come establishes the example. This provides the ability to faithfully follow all that the Father commands.

Many twist the writings of one called an Apostle. They do so without understanding. They do so hypocritically. Not understanding the fullness of the promises to come. Another such follower of the Way warned against this very thing. The very word they hold warns that if someone comes and promotes another way, they are a false prophet. Am i saying now that this one is false? By no means, i simply point out this that the warning is true, “many twist his words.” This is not a new teaching. It is established in the Word of God. The very Word the Apostle himself tells the younger minister to follow. To remember all that you have learned for it is good and profitable. It will guide the reader to knowledge. It will rebuke, correct, and train in all righteousness. This so, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Recognizing the present times and seasons. Having to live in and among them as a member of society. Does not require observance. In fact, one could say that not observing them would cause one to stand out. This would make one different and set apart. The very thing we are called to as followers of the Way. Some ignorantly point to passages about judgment without fully recognizing what is being taught. How can we pray for something we are unwilling to even try to observe now? We know the Sabbath, the Feast Days, even the yearly calendar. Yet, like the world without knowledge does they worship what they do not know. While we are called to worship the One True God by His instruction. Not our traditions, not our feast days, not our times, but His. His Kingdom Come, His Will be Done, on Earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

At the start of this Gregorian year, what is your new year’s resolution? Is it to be more like our Messiah? If so, he observed the Sabbath and the Feast Days. These are based on the Calendar of Time established by the Creator of all things. People say praise and worship is practice for heaven. Should we not then also practice the Sabbath and the Feast Days with that same idea? Not only as bench marks that set us apart from the nations, but as practice for His Will Be Done. These are signs, like a wedding ring, they say to the outsider, we belong to the Way. We belong to the Creator of all things. We are members of the Family of God, brothers and sisters of Messiah, heirs of the Kingdom to come.

To this end i wish to live. Therefore, i do not observe the traditions of man but the ways established by the Father. So that i can truly say, “Thy Kingdom come. They will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.” For this is The Way.

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

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Why do i choose to observe the Sabbath? The Feast Days? Eat Clean? Is it to be more holy than the next guy? No it is not. Is it because i think i am better than you? No, not by a long shot. Why do i seek to honor the Torah? i do it out of love for Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. His challenge to me, “If you love Me obey My commandment.” (John 14:15) In spit of popular belief He wasn’t talking about any new revelation but the revelation of Torah. Of which He is, the fullness of Elohim.

Many a doctrine is built upon the idea that the law has been done away with abolished. They talk about the new covenant in Messiah. They use verses like Romans 10:4 and say, “See, Jesus is the end of the law!” The more i study the more i realize how unprepared i truly was when entering ministry thirty years ago. i lacked the seriousness of understanding the original texts language and audience. What was being said, how was it being said, and to whom was it being said? These answers are necessary, for only then, can one truly know the depth of Elohim’s Word to us.

“For Messiah is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:4 ~

‘End’ in the Greek is Telos. Aristotle said, concerning mans final cause; “Everything has a telos, its final cause, which defines its nature.” Regarding ethics Aristotle said, “For humans, the telos, is living a virtuous life leading to flourishing happiness.”

Telos from the root Tello. Tello means: to set out for a definite point or goal. Telos although does mean end and has been used in termination. It is highly unlikely Paul was using it this way. Telos also means the end result of, it is used also in comparison, to which end. The end to which all things relate, commonality, custom.

Given the fullness of the definition we need to explore more the idea being presented in Romans 10:4. “For Messiah is the definite point of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Believes, is defined by action and activity not simply knowledge of for the demons believe and tremble. “For Messiah is the goal of the law, to bring righteousness to all who obey.” Law is Torah, it is better defined as the way, path or instruction. “For Messiah is the end result of the instruction for all who obey.” “For Messiah is the Telos of the Torah, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.”

There is a reason Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” For Messiah is our comparison of what it looks like to live out the Torah. It isn’t that Messiah ended the law but gave us a comparison. To walk out that which is commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by men. As Paul rights in Romans 2. “For it is not the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before God. No indeed, but it is the doers of the Torah who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13 ~ What is righteousness? It is things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. Righteousness is obedience.

It is the mark of all those recorded in the Hall of Faith, found in Hebrews. “And it was accredited to him as righteousness.” What was? It was his faith that led to action and activity. It was Abraham taking Isaac to the mountain. It was Noah building a boat not knowing what rain was. It was Enoch living out daily obedience. “And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” How does one earnestly seek Him? By obedience to His Word. “He has shown you owe man what is good and what does He require of you? To Act Justly, To Love Mercy, and To Walk Humbly with Him.” It is action and activity that reveals the heart.

Yahoshua said, “Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He is the Word made flesh. He is our Rabbi, Teacher, who declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way, Torah. The Truth, Your word is truth. The Life, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of Elohim. In other words, the only way to the Father is through the Word.

During the final scenes of this fallen world Revelation reveals the target of Satan’s wrath. “And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children. Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yahoshua.” (Revelation 12:17) Two things to note here. First, they keep the commandments of Yahweh. Second, they hold to the testimony of Yahoshua. It isn’t those who seek righteousness within observance of Torah alone. It isn’t those who simply have an intellectual belief in Yahoshua. No, it is both and! “Who keeps the commandments and the testimony.” James puts it this way, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

The Word in every one of these instances is talking about the Tanakh. Yahoshua said, “On these two commandments you can hang the whole of Torah and the prophets. To love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Action and activity. It is believing in something so passionately that you do all you can to obey.

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