Tag: law

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,
cj

Understanding Hebrew Roots and 7th Day Adventists

Understanding Hebrew Roots and 7th Day Adventists

An on going email conversation with two Mormon Missionaries. Part 1.

Greetings friends,

To the question of differences between the 7th Day Adventists and Hebrew Roots, I must clarify. i am neither but somewhere in-between. 7th Day’ers as well as most of modern Christianity, separate Elohim’s laws into categories. Whether it be the Moral Law, Ceremonial Law, or the Civil Law. Yet, unlike modern Christianity, they hold that all 10 commandments are to be observed. These commandments fall under the category of Moral Law. Whereas modern Christianity moves the observance of the 7th Day Sabbath. They use names like the Lord’s Day, 8th Day Sabbath, or Head of the Week. Likening it to the Head of the Church. Dependent only on how one might define their rebellion.

7th Day’ers also adhere to the dietary law, some in fact, hearkening back to Genesis and being vegetarians. However this is where the separation begins with the Hebrew Roots movement. The idea being found throughout scripture that the law applies to both the Hebrew and the foreigner living among them. In Romans it says that the Gentile is grafted into Israel. The Covenants made with Israel are “Forever”. Therefore one simply concludes that the gentile is to learn the way of the Hebrew. This of course presented in a nutshell, isn’t wrong in its understanding but begins to vary in its application. 

The monicker i choose to go by is Messianic, however this too is problematic at best. The original followers of Yahoshua were of course Talmidim, which is where we today get Disciples, they were students. The classification given to them early on was, “Followers of the Way.” These words are simply based on the very words of Yahoshua. He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Of course we read in Acts that eventually they became known as Christians. Which if broken down means, little Christs. Why? They emulated or imitated Yahoshua closely. In an attempt to shame them, Christian was thrown around like a slur. 

But i am sure you don’t need a history lesson. The Hebrew Roots movements ultimate desire is to be like those early Christians. Those who so closely imitated Yahoshua they were called, little Christ (in the greek of course). Where i differ with the Hebrew Roots movement is they have gone back to Rabbinic tradition. If we are being intellectually honest, Yahoshua had a BIG problem with mans rabbinic tradition. As those traditions were used it to supersede the Torah and the Tanakh. Which is what Yahoshua kept pointing out to the Pharisees and the Scribes. This of course ruffled feathers. Do you like to be called wrong on something you have believed to be true for your entire life? Perhaps, not even to any fault of your own but simply what you have been taught? This is what Paul struggled with and even writes about in his letters.

You see, this is where i was and if i am being honest still am. As i learn more every day. Not only did i believe that i had it all figured out. i believed the way that i was taught was superior to others. We had the lock on truth. When in reality we were guilty of exactly the same thing the Scribes and the Pharisees were guilty of . . . mans tradition over the very WORD of YHWH. What are we called to do? How are we called to do it? How can we do some of these things given we are not in the Holy Land? What is important? What is useless? 

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For Elohim will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Micah writes, “He has shown you oh man what is good and what does Adonai require of you. To do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” (Micah 6:8). Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16).

When Paul wrote those words somewhere around 66 AD (CE) the “New” Testament had not been compiled. Paul was referring to the Tanakh. He was saying all the information you need to teach the followers of the Way is this . . . the Torah and Tanakh. This scripture everyone loves to quote, but fail to recognize the implication. Just before this Paul writes; “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.”

Do you hear what Paul was saying? All we need to know is found in the Torah, and the Prophets. Do i love the writings of the Apostles? Of course I do. They are explanations of how to live out this lifestyle known to them as “The Way”. This is the way to life. Do i believe they were inspired by Elohim to write them, without a doubt. Do i think they thought their writings would one day supersede those of the Tanakh? Heaven forbid! Without question they did not hold this view. In every letter they quote from the pages of the Torah and from the Prophets. This is where the Way is found. Not in man, not in his traditions. (Not that all of mans traditions are bad only when held in place of or above the WORD of Elohim). 

Satan has been creeping in since the garden, attempting to lead men astray. Even as recorded in 3 Nephi, “Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this–Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and vain things of the world.” (3 Nephi 6:15). If truth never changes, and Elohim is Truth, and if the Word points to the Torah and the Prophets. If John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of Elohim!” And John writes, “The WORD became flesh. . .” Should we not then be more concerned with this Truth over anything else man has produced? Even if led by Elohim to write? Since, He cannot contradict Himself. Rather, in the light of the Tanakh, read the Apostles and other writings from inspired men, even my own. 

This seems a good place to stop. i look forward to our continued discussion.

Keep reading – Part Two, Second Email Response

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

The Dangers of Success: Lessons from Jeroboam and Aaron

The Dangers of Success: Lessons from Jeroboam and Aaron

What do Moses, Aaron, Gideon, Samson, Solomon, Elijah, David, the Hebrew Nation, cj, and countless others have in common? When successful, at peace in rest and comfort, a relaxed spirit allowed Satan an opening. Success can lead to a sense of self-righteousness and pride. This happens if one is not careful to remember the One Who brought the success. We can say all day long that: “Every good and perfect gift is from above. Coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. Who does not change like shifting shadows.” But if we allow our own feelings to interfere, and we say, “Look what I have done!” We crack the door open for the devouring lion. There is much to be proud of. We can say, “Look at what Elohim chose to do through me.”

Success has another ugly head, the one that defies Elohim to maintain its power. We can look at many stories in Scripture to find this to be true. Today, I want us to look at Jeroboam. He was the first King of Israel after the Kingdom was split in two. It was taken from Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. In fact modern Israel is only one of the tribes of Israel, Judah. Jeroboam, in a move to keep his new found Kingship made some terrible decisions. 1 Kings 12:25-33 Tells the story, we will look at parts of it here.

“Nevertheless Jeroboam said to himself, “Now the kingship will return to the house of David. For if these people continue going up to offer sacrifices in the house of Adonai in Jerusalem, their hearts will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. Then they will kill me.”

Jeroboam found that his success was in jeopardy. He feared an awakening of the heart to Yahweh which would bring about a reunification of the Kingdom. If the people sought Adonai Elohim they would desire His ways over mans. So to establish his rule he made some changes.

“After seeking advice, the king made two calves of gold. He then said to the people, “You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough! Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ He placed one in Beit-El [Bethel] and the other in Dan. The affair became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one [in Beit-El and] all the way to Dan [to worship the other]. He also set up temples on the high places and made priests from among all the people, even though they were not descended from Levi.”

Does this at all ring a bell? Look at what Aaron did at Mt. Sinai while Moses was on the mountain. “When the people saw that Moses was taking a long time to come down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Get busy; and make us gods to go ahead of us; because this Moses, the man that brought us up from the land of Egypt — we don’t know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Have your wives, sons and daughters strip off their gold earrings; and bring them to me.” The people stripped off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He received what they gave him, melted it down, and made it into the shape of a calf. They said, “Israel! Here is your god, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” On seeing this, Aaron built an altar in front of it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is to be a feast for Adonai.” We are a fickle people.

Coincidentally, Jeroboam, like Aaron instituted his own feast days. “Jeroboam instituted a festival. In the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, similar to the festival held in Jerusalem. He went up to the altar in Beit-El to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He placed in Beit-El the priests he had appointed for the high places. He went up to the altar which he had set up in Beit-El on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had chosen on his own, and instituted a festival for the people of Israel; he went up to the altar to burn incense.”

Sadly mans tradition of creating his own feasts to celebrate and honor Elohim has continued. The church today ignores His appointed feast days. They essentially call Elohim a liar. “Yahweh said, ‘And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep [it] a feast to Yahweh throughout your generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.’” Apparently, forever means, just until I change My mind, except, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Or they will argue that the Feasts are for Israel. Yet again they ignore two things. First, that the gentiles are grafted into Israel. Second, that the feasts were to be celebrated by those who would join themselves to Israel. Instead, the church has said, “We will celebrate Christmas and Easter. We will call Sunday holy. God will like it because we said so.”

You know who else has this mindset? Yahoshua talks about this in Matthew 15:9 “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Isaiah wrote something similar, “Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.” Ezekiel writes, “Her priests do violence to My Torah and profane My holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the common. They teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean. And they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

What would happen if the church today began to seek Yahweh as His word describes. Isaiah says in 58:13-14 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of Yahweh honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in Yahweh, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth, I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.” Imagine seeking after Elohim as He desires us to, it sounds pretty awesome to me. This is the way of the Rabbi.

Do you think Satan has a hand in the western church? In that he is influencing it to stray just enough off course that they dishonor Elohim. All the while thinking that they are worshiping Him. It’s been done before. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. Paul thought he was doing the will of Yahweh when he was persecuting the followers of Yahoshua. Then he came face to face with Him. He realized then he was fighting the very Elohim he was trying to protect. The Sabbath is important to Elohim. Throughout the Torah and the Prophets He declares it. To the point that Elohim exiled the nation. So why would we think any different today.

Jeremiah writes in chapter 7, 8 Look! You are relying on deceitful words that can’t do you any good. 9 First you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer to Ba‘al and go after other gods that you haven’t known. 10 Then you come and stand before Me in this house that bears My name and say, ‘We are saved’ — so that you can go on doing these abominations! 11 Do you regard this house, which bears My name, as a cave for bandits? I can see for Myself what’s going on,” says Adonai.

The western church has been so successful that pride has crept in. No one wants to admit that they are wrong. They have fallen in love with their traditions that they ignore Elohim’s Feast Days. This is a dangerous practice. And we should be asking the questions. What did Yahoshua mean when He said, “If you love Me, OBEY My commandments”? What are we doing? Who are we honoring? What is truth?

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

“I Believe!”

Yahoshua is
The Way
The Truth
The Life
Torah is
The Way, Path, Instruction
The Truth, Your Word is Truth
The Life, Man shall not live by bread alone BUT by every WORD of Elohim
Yahoshua is Torah
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1)

Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Salvation is found in Messiah alone. We are told, “For by grace you have been saved and not of yourselves, lest anyone boast.” Again in another place it says, “All who call upon the name of Adonai will be saved.” “So what must I do to be saved?” The question was asked, the answer given, “Believe in Adonai Yahoshua and you and your household will be saved.” What does it mean to believe? For when asking Yahoshua for a miracle a man said, “I believe, Adonai, help my unbelief.”

The word translated ‘Believe’ in each of these instances is from the Greek. It is πιστεύω pisteúō, which means: to commit to, to entrust oneself, to place oneself into. It is participatory. You see, it says that “even demons believe and tremble,” believe or to think to be true. If simply believing something to be true was enough then it wouldn’t be contrasted. But it is and thus it requires action on our part. To commit ourselves to Yahoshua. It is what He was stating when He said, “I am the way,” we are to commit to His way. “I am the truth,” we are to commit to His truth. “I am the life,” we are to commit to His lifestyle. In so doing we commit, we entrust ourselves to Him, and we place ourselves into Him, into His Word.

This is the point James was making. He wrote, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Yahoshua stresses the same point, “Why do you call me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I say?” When Matthew 5:17 is brought up in a discussion it is often dismissed as irrelevant. People argue it was said before his death and resurrection. There is no disputing when it was said. For relevance, to argue its dismissal, you must then believe nearly everything Yahoshua said is now irrelevant. Here is what Yahoshua said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish them. Instead, I came to fulfill them.” Fulfill by bringing fullness and greater understanding. You can see this to be true by simply reading on in the passage. He continues, “Whoever relaxes even one of the least of these commandments will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever teaches others to do the same will have the same result.” This He said. He affirmed, “With certainty I tell you, not one dot or one tittle will pass away from the Torah.” This will continue “until all is accomplished.” The whole of Scripture to include the millennial reign of Messiah here on earth. We know this because Yahoshua speaks about the Law (Torah) and the Prophets. It is not just the Messianic prophecies of His coming, His death, and His resurrection.

So what are we to do? We are to follow the example set out for us by Yahoshua and His Apostles. We are to follow the instruction of Torah. As stated in earlier posts, we can not follow all of it nor did Israel. This is based on where we are geographically. It also depends on who we are by gender and what we do by occupation. Also, presently, there isn’t a Levitical Priesthood or a Temple, which also eliminates certain instructions found in the Torah. What then can we follow? We can without hesitation follow the Ten Commandments, to include the fourth one. Which says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor for six days and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your Elohim. On it, you shall not do any work. This includes you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your livestock, or the sojourner within your gates. In six days, Yahweh made heaven and earth. He also made the sea and all that is in them. Then, Yahweh rested the seventh day. Hence, Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Honor Elohim’s Feast days as well of which the Sabbath is the first one mentioned. A weekly reminder of our eternal rest in Yahoshua. We can also follow the dietary instructions. These prohibitions have been proven a more healthy way of eating anyway.

These instructions are not cumbersome as some describe them. In fact knowing this argument would arise it was preemptively spoken of in Deuteronomy 30:11. “The commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you. It is not beyond your reach.” In 1 John it is reaffirmed. “For this is the love of Elohim, that we should keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” So how does one show that they believe? What is the mark of a believer? But by doing what Messiah instructed us to do. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” We are called to love Elohim and to love our neighbor. A summery of the Ten Commandments but also stand alone commandments of which both are found in the ‘Old Testament.’ Micah mentions what Elohim requires of us. We need to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Elohim. It has always been about relationship with Yahweh. A personal relationship in which we walk with Him, hand in hand with our creator. His commands are for our advantage and our obedience is a sign of our commitment, it says, “I believe.”

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

The Coming of the Lawless One

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore Elohim sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Let us start here with the idea of the coming of the lawless one. First, we need to figure out what this term lawless one means. We also need to understand what it meant to first century believers. Penned by Paul shortly after his first letter to the Thessalonians about 51 AD give or take a year. His purpose is to encourage the people of the Way, as they suffered persecution from the pagan culture that surrounded them as well as assimilated Israelite’s, also known as gentiles. The first and second century believers were a sect of Judaism known as “the Sect of the Nazarene”. They were apart of the Synagogue, went to the Sabbath meetings, observed the feasts, and various traditions, overly so in some cases and under in others. This is why the Jerusalem council met and unfortunately why part of the clarification has been misinterpreted today. The church has been evolving for two thousand years, not all for the good, but not all of it bad either. Some question the idea of the church wavering so, and i simply point to the book of Exodus, or Judges, or Jeremiah, or . . . pick one book found in the Tanakh, and you will see that within a generation things can fall apart. Or just look around at the political and cultural landscape today and you can see easily how fast things can change. So it isn’t a stretch to think that man could mess up what Messiah left.

So with this understanding we can easily see that lawless meant Torah-less without Torah. i think the most egregious misinterpretation of Scripture was to render Torah as law. When it is better translated, instruction, or path, or way. But even if we use the term law the idea doesn’t change. To be without Elohim’s instruction is to be outside the will of the Father. Without His path, His way, one is thereby lawless. Someone who believes the Torah has been done away with needs only to wrestle with the question, what is sin.

i believe many in the Christian Church when they read; “The coming of the lawless one,” think the Constitution of the United States or governing body. When in actuality the coming of “the lawless one is by the activity of Satan. With all power and false signs and wonders.” Therefore, the lawlessness ascribed to here is that of Elohim’s law, and not the law of the land created by man. This is not to say that we are not to adhere to the laws of the land, we are! i am simply stating the fact that the lawless that is referred to here is Torahlessness. To make this point more clear, we can look at the idea of sin, what is sin? Simply, as John writes, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4). Again, this law that is being broken is Torah, which again isn’t law at all but instruction. Reminder, the Torah although translated law is more accurately translated to instruction, or path, or way. Remember when Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Or think about when John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the idea, that Yahoshua is the living Torah. He didn’t come to do away with Himself but to bring fullness to the way of the Father, Yahweh.

So then what is the activity of the lawless one? It is the spirit of Anti-Christ, or Anti-Messiah. To oppose, or in opposition of truth, it is the “do as thou wilt”, mantra of the satanic bible. When Yahoshua walked with His disciples He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The Torah or better yet, the Way, Path, or instruction can be broken down in that statement. The Torah is the way. The Torah is Truth — “Your Word is Truth”. The Torah is Life — “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” Now, Yahoshua, as John describes is “The Word made flesh. . .” Which makes total sense that the Anti-Messiah will come in opposition to the Torah or the Instructions of Yahweh and the living Word, Yahoshua.

People will instantly say in rebuttal, “Do you keep all the law?” Well no i don’t. And a simple cursory reading of the Tanakh will show why. Some laws are only for women, i am not a woman. Some laws are only for married men, i am not married. Some laws are for Priests and Levite’s, i am not a Priest or a Levite. Some Laws are for the High Priest, i am not the High Priest. Some Laws are for living within Jerusalem, i am not in Jerusalem. Do you get the point? So what laws do we follow? Yahoshua, said, “Love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second, love your neighbor as yourself. On these two the whole of the law and the prophets hold together.” Notice they hold together and not replace. Also, they are not new, both are “Old Testament” quotes. If we truly love the Father and His Son, the King of the Heavenly Kingdom, should we not then live under their rule? Which according to Deuteronomy 30:11 and 1 John 5:3 “And His commandments are not burdensome.” Some will say, these apply only to Jews, but Exodus 12:49 says, “There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

So, what is one to do? The law doesn’t save us, we can keep the law all day long but if we don’t have a relationship with Elohim through Yahoshua the law is useless. This was Paul’s point and James who says, “Faith without works is dead.” Micah, sums it up this way, “He has shown you oh man, what is good, and what does Elohim require of you, but to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with your Elohim.” This would look like following the 10 Commandments, not just 9 of them. This would look like “Pure and undefiled religion is this, to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” This would look like, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40). This would look like walking in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” This would look like, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and therefore profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Another way to look at it is this, we are the bride of Messiah. The most used marriage passage is 1 Corinthians 13. If we love Yahweh as much as we say we love Him, and if we love His Son Yahoshua as much as we say we love Him, then 1 Corinthians 13 should apply. “…but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. . . So what remains is faith, hope and love, so abide in them; yet still the greatest of these is love.” And remember what Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life . . .” He is the instructor and the instruction, the instruction made flesh, the fullness of the shadow of things to come. He is the revealer of all truth and we must walk in His way.

“If you love Me . . .”

You are loved,
cj

Contend for the Faith (Torah)

“All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If Paul was writing to Timothy that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness . . . Surely he was also referring to Ezekiel and Ezekiel records this:

“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.” Ezekiel 22:26

The thing i am finding more and more frustrating with modern translations is their separation from Israel, and by this separation the changing of and diluting of Elohim’s word. If you open your modern translation for Ezekiel 22:26 it will read, “Her priests have done violence to my law.” In our westernized, hyper grace way of thinking it is easy to disregard the word ‘law’ as outdated and done away with. However, the word is Torah and it refers to HIS WORD. His written word and if Yahoshua is the WORD made flesh it even sets Him aside.

“In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with Elohim, and the WORD was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” . . . “And the WORD become flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,14

Yahoshua, declared, “I and My Father, are one.” “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father.” “I can do nothing of Myself. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” What is the will of the Father? Well, according to Ezekiel YHWH, the Father, was calling out Israel for what they had allowed to happen among them. Violence towards the Torah, profaning the Holy things of Elohim, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded the sabbaths.

Micah records YHWH saying, “I have told you o’man what is good and what does YHWH require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” It isn’t so much a set of rules as it is acting justly by following the decrees of Elohim, it is loving mercy, and walking humbly. Not by our own will or understanding but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohim. Yahoshua is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He and the Father are one what is the writer of Hebrews saying? Malachi writes, “For I YHWH do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the WORD of our Elohim will stand forever.” Matthew writes, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My WORDS will not pass away.” John in the book of Revelation records Yahoshua saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega (Aleph—Tav), the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Has the WORD been done away with? Are we now outside of Torah? Are we allowed to live lawlessly? By all means NOT! But Yahoshua, writes the Torah on our hearts and through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to live for Him, not under the punishment of the law but by faith we must be obedient to the WORD made flesh. “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:18-19 — His coming, was the fulfillment of the Torah and the prophets not the dissolving of them. He states that Moses wrote about Him, He reads Isaiah in the Temple and declares, “Today this verse is fulfilled in your eyes.” He is the promised Messiah. In Him is healing and forgiveness, “Behold the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world.”

There is coming a separation of the sheep and the goats. The sheep will enter through the narrow gate. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 The idea of being a sheep is a reoccurring theme, in John, Yahoshua is recorded as saying, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and THEY will listen to My voice. So there will be ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD.” Messiah is not divided, nor are we two different nations, but we are one people, with one Shepard.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 —If profaning the sabbath, and treating the holy things of Elohim as common, and putting that which is unclean in place of that which is clean was detestable in the days of Ezekiel, then they are detestable today. Oh yes, thank Adonai for favor, for grace, for forgiveness, but grace does not excuse our lawlessness or better our Tora’lessness. Obedience is righteousness, FAITH drives our obedience.

In a world hell bent on excluding Elohim, we the PEOPLE of Elohim, need to stand up, stand apart, and live our lives in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Yahoshua said, “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love Him and manifest Myself to him.” . . . “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does NOT love me does NOT keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” . . . “But the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:20-21, 23-24, 26

Many will hear Yahoshua say, “Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” The Greek “Anomos,” means, “Destitute of Mosaic Law” or Tora’lessness, being without or outside of Torah. Yahoshua is the doorway by which we enter into relationship with Elohim. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, the very WORD of Elohim, in the flesh.

Time is short—

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve YHWH, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH.” Joshua 24:15

You are loved,
cj

The letter and the spirit

Early in the morning hours a husband is speeding along a highway at 102 miles an hour. His reason? His wife is moments away from giving birth. At some point along the way local police get involved and without knowing anything other than the speed of the vehicle, begin to pursue. The man frantically calls 911 and informs dispatch of his and his wife’s situation. Soon after the relay is made to the officers, they begin to escort the man and his wife. Upon arrival to the hospital, the wife gives birth and the officers write a speeding ticket. The man shows up to court, the judge hears the case, and dismisses the charges. (You can read an actual account here.)

There is without a doubt a written law, however, behind the written law there is the spirit of the law beyond what is written. The man in the story above broke the written law. Yet, the spirit of the law was not intended to impede or impose undue hardship upon society. The judge acted in the spirit of the law when he dismissed the charges. Yahoshua, in His sermon on the mount explains this principle. He begins:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV)

He is laying out the written law. He is showing it’s importance and He is giving a weight to begin. It has importance, warning, and measure, with outcome. In many instances the spirit of the law is actually more harsh than the written law itself, for example.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool?’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)

And:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)

These are just two examples of the spirit of the law being even more harsh or exact than the written law. Which gives greater need for forgiveness as i am sure we are all already guilty of at least one of these two examples. Yet there are other examples of the spirit of the law being not as hard to keep, the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath Day . . .” Is the example i will use here. When questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples were picking and eating grain on the Sabbath, Yahoshua responded, “Have you not read . . .” After going on a bit Yahoshua finishes by saying, “For the Son of Man is Adon of the Sabbath.” Later, He references untethering a donkey, or getting an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath. It wasn’t the letter of the law that was insignificant but it was the fact that it did not exist to burden us but rather to give us rest. It wasn’t meant to hinder us but to encourage us.

In fact all the law and all the prophets exist to encourage us. The law is not a burden. When we keep the commandments of YWHW we become better. Love Elohim, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second, love your neighbor as yourself. These complete the whole. The spirit of the Law has always been and will always be honoring YWHW. Micah writes:

“With what shall I come before YWHW, bow myself before the high Elohim? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Is YWHW pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my being? He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does YWHW require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micah 6:6-8 (HS)

We do not earn our salvation by keeping the commandments of YWHW, we honor Him through it. We do not work our way to heaven, we walk with Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. When we fall He is there to help us up. In Yahoshua is the perfect law of liberty, and as we call Him Adonai, we need to honor Him by doing as He did and as He taught. There is coming a time when we will either hear, “Well done . . .” Or “Depart from me . . .” And not just those that reject the name of Yahoshua but also those who call Him Adonai.

“But why do you call me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My Words and is doing them, I shall show you whom he is like: . . .” Luke 6:46- (HS)

Oh that we would come to know the fullness of Elohim, through His Son Yahoshua. That our faith and understanding, would be, an ever increasing and deepening matter of our heart and mind.

You are loved,
cj