Tag: Word

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

Are We Encouraging Weak-Willed Christianity?

Are We Encouraging Weak-Willed Christianity?

Warning: This post is going to sound very judgmental, cynical or snarky, it is not my intention. i don’t know how to ask the questions without them sounding so. Or perhaps it’s just me. i came across a post recently that touted 45,000 person attendance at a crusade. Impressively 5,500 came forward for the altar call. In a later post the idea of a fresh spiritual awakening may be occurring. They mentioned other points for why they believe this way. Notably, two of the current top ten secular songs in the nation are Christian. One of which is a collaborative effort between the current top Christian artist and a very popular secular artist. Which in my opinion takes some of the mystique away from its popularity. It’s not a terrible song, certainly not as heretical as some of the Christian songs out there have become. Heretical might be too strong a word, maybe lyrically challenged is better. Still are these signs of a true spiritual awakening?

Of the 5,500 who responded to the altar call at the crusade, the attendees were panned by the film crew. Many didn’t look like first-timers. Now, i admit this is a judgment call but as you look at them this was a familiar occurrence. Many wearing the attire of a nominal Christian, with religious symbolism adorning their bodies. Was this their yearly trek to Mecca or Jerusalem? Did they go there to pay their respects? Were they seeking forgiveness for the past years’ failings? Perhaps the altar call had feeders to initiate participation. This setup encouraged those hesitant participants. They might have been waiting for someone else in their area to ‘go first’? i am not suggesting here that altar calls are bad or unnecessary or even unproductive. i simply want to see genuinely passionate people. Who seek to truly repent of their way of life and seek to walk with Yahoshua.

Before i continue let me express this thought. i understand struggle. Sin isn’t foreign to me as Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of Elohim.” i even understand the idea Paul writes so passionately about in Romans 7:15-20. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. But the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it. But it is sin living in me that does it.”

The question i have is this, have we as a church fostered a pattern of weak willed Christianity? And have we done so based on poor interpretation of Scripture, and lazy reading. In Romans 6:12 Paul writes: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. Do not let it make you obey its passions.” Later in chapter 7:7 he writes: “What then shall we say? That the Torah is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the Torah, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the Torah had not said, ‘You shall not covet.‘” We have become too dependent on Chapter and Verse, and Sectional headlines. For example in Romans, in the ESV, Chapter 7 has a heading, “Released from the Law.” If you read that then read the passage where will your mind go? It is like those suggestive recordings where the line you read is what you hear the recording say. If you read it another way then you will hear what you read. I don’t understand how that works exactly but it is by the power of suggestion.

Remove chapter and verse, remove headlines and what will you read Paul saying? Sin is bad. The law (Torah) tells us what sin is. It should be avoided at all costs. The struggle is real. Thank Elohim through Messiah Yahoshua for revealing to us and granting us His grace and mercy. We should do our best at keeping the Torah. Perhaps if we were intellectually honest with ourselves and with Scripture, we wouldn’t be in such a state. The interpretation affects the Church, the Nation and the World.

How do we get to a real faith awakening. An awakening in which the Ekklesia, and those desiring to join themselves to it, want to be obedient. Desiring what the Word of Elohim says, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” How do we recognize genuine heart change? We know through Scripture that seed lands on many different types of ground. Let’s look at the Parable of the Sower from Luke 8:4-8. “A large crowd had gathered. They came from town after town. Yahoshua saw the crowd and told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path and was stepped on, and the birds flying around ate it up. Some fell on rock; and after it sprouted, it dried up from lack of moisture. Some fell in the midst of thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. But some fell into rich soil, and grew, and produced a hundred times as much as had been sown.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear with, let him hear!”

In this parable what is the manageable aspects? First, we can’t know the ground of someone’s life so like the sower, we plant seed everywhere. We water everywhere. We seek the good everywhere. Second, if we are the seed that finds the rocky ground, we must adjust our surroundings. If we find weeds, it is crucial to change our environment. “If you love Me, obey Me.” Yahoshua said. We must express the importance of following the Way. Only then is importance placed on shielding oneself from the world. Am i thankful for an Elohim who forgives? Who looks at the heart of repentance and judges them based on the actions of Yahoshua? Yes, one million times YES! However, this does not excuse me to then continue in sin. Even Paul writes, “So then, are we to say, ‘Let’s keep on sinning, so that there can be more grace’? Heaven forbid! How can we, who have died to sin, still live in it?”

Let me be clear, i am not against Christian music, nor am i against evangelistic crusades. What I am questioning is, at what compromise are we doing these things? At what expense do we undertake these actions under the guise of Christianity and inclusion? If we are unwilling to preach the whole of the gospel. Of which Paul himself teaches in Romans. Yet it is hid under the faulty headlines like, “Released from the Law.” If we began to teach the importance of Torah. Along side the amazing gift of grace, would we see the hundredfold increase Yahoshua said of the good soil? If we called those who responded to the message out of worldly living. Would we see them flourish rather than whither? This is the Way of the Rabbi.

When Yahoshua ate with sinners he didn’t join in their sin, he called them to repentance. He said, what you are doing is wrong, here is a better way. A way that leads to life. On a popular national Christian radio show a DJ said, “Jesus partied with sinners.” This error wrapped in some truth, like pigs in a blanket. Yes, he was ridiculed by the religious leaders for socializing with sinners. However, He didn’t condone their sin. He pointed them to a more excellent way. We, as scripture says, are to mingle with sinners. We are all sinners. However, we do not condone or excuse sin. When we leave Scripture open ended, we don’t tell the whole truth of Elohim’s Word. We are helping no one, least of all, ourselves.

The world is going to hate us. Why? Because we condone their practices? We say nothing of their high places? We party with them? No, it is the opposite. They are going to hate us because we set ourselves apart. We do this morally, and for lack of a better word, religiously. Not to say we are better than them but to say, the Elohim we serve is a better WAY. We say if it isn’t of Elohim, we don’t want it. If Elohim condemns it, we don’t want it. Yahoshua said, “Your sins are forgiven, now go and sin no more.” He said, “Follow Me.” He said, “The things that you have seen Me do, even greater things you will do. When I go to the Father.” Don’t you desire a more excellent way? Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” In other words we are to Imitate Messiah. This is the Way of the Rabbi.

What should one do then? Seek Yahoshua. Read Scripture from the beginning to the end as ONE body of work. Understand that as gentile believers we are grafted into the people of Elohim and with that perspective read the Word. Find a Torah friendly Ekklesia that teaches that our foundation and root is Torah even as followers of Yahoshua. Who was the WORD made flesh. Desire a better way, the Way. Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me.”

Remember: Sin is bad. The law (Torah) tells us what sin is. It should be avoided at all costs. The struggle is real. Thank Elohim through Messiah Yahoshua for revealing to us and granting us His grace and mercy. We should do our best at keeping the Torah.

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

From Israel to the Ekklesia: Embracing Our Holy Identity

History is full. i often look back on my life. i wonder what it would have been like if i had taken a different path. It was my Jr. Year of High School and i wanted to be a history teacher. i have always liked history. i can watch biographies and historical accounts without getting board. I enjoy reading history too. recently I have been studying Antiochus IV, often referred to as Antiochus Epiphanies. Antiochus was the King of Syria and captured Jerusalem in 167 B.C. He set a monument to Zeus in the Temple and slaughtered a pig on it. He persecuted the Jews living in his Kingdom mercilessly. He banned any Torah observance in stead making laws that required the breaking of Torah. In other words, as the Torah taught to honor the Sabbath, Antiochus required everyone to work on the Sabbath. The Torah taught to not eat unclean animals, Antiochus required the eating of pig and other unclean animals. The Torah taught to honor the Feast Days, Antiochus outlawed them. Antiochus banned Torah study, circumcision, and Jewish life essentially. Forcing Hellenization, the assimilation of Greek culture within Judaism.

These events lead to the Maccabean revolt which allowed for the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It also led to a period of Jewish self-rule. It is the foundation for modern day Hanukkah, known during the time of Yahoshua as the Feast of Dedication. Something mentioned in Scripture recorded by the Apostle John (10:22-23). “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yahoshua was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

The purpose of the Torah, is that it serves as the contract of the covenant made with Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6) “Now if you obey Me fully. Keeping My covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The purpose of Israel was to be a nation of Priests to the nations. A light in the world. A set-apart people of Elohim to point the nations to Elohim.

In what we call the New Testament, gentiles are grafted into Israel and as a whole we are called priests. The Apostle Peter writes, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Elohim’s special possession. That you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of Elohim. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” The idea that believers in Yahoshua are now a royal priesthood, a holy nation, should call us to action. Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” What commandments? Yahoshua, is the Word, that is the Torah, made flesh. He is the fullness of the commandments. We are to be like Him. This is the Way of the Rabbi.

Early followers of Yahoshua weren’t called Christians, but Followers of the Way. Although, there is reference to the Ekklesia being called Christians in the book of Acts, it was a derogatory term. A word however used often by the Ekklesia to refer to Followers of the Way is saint. Unfortunately the term has been hijacked and turned into an honor only achievable by the most pious of people. The word derives from the Hebrew word Qodeshim. This is from Qadosh and Qadash. Remember from a couple weeks ago: Qadash means clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, and sanctified. It also means set apart. For I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary. So what does Qodeshim mean? It means ‘The Set-Apart Ones’. This isn’t a pious term this is a sign, a mark, a title.

We are the Qodeshim of Elohim, The Set-Apart Ones. We are called to be set-apart. We are a chosen people, a holy (Qadash) nation. A royal priesthood, Elohim’s special possession. If this is true, why would we want to assimilate into the culture around us. To mimic Greek culture in our worship practices? We are called to workout our own salvation with fear and trembling, take the narrow way. We are to be Qodeshim, set-apart from mans tradition, the Apostle Matthew records in his Gospel. “They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules, man made traditions.” Why do we want to follow the ways of Antiochus? To follow his decrees and his laws for the Jews of his time. Why do we want to follow the ways of Constantine, who wrote letters following the Nicene council. In which he attempted to separate from Torah. Something the early Ekklesia never did. Peter writes of Paul, “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand. Which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.“

Paul himself writes, “What shall we say, then? Is the Torah sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the Torah.” He goes on to say, “So then, the Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” It is in fact the Torah that marks us as being Set Apart, Qodeshim. We are the Ekklesia, the gathering of the saints. The Qadash people of a Qadosh Elohim. We are to be a light to the world around us. “Come out of her My people!” That is to come out of the ways of the world and the mystery religions of the pagan nations. To be holy. To be Set-Apart. To be royal priests. To be a chosen people. To no longer live by the ways of the nations around us but by the way of the Kingdom. “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Be Qodeshim, be apart of “The Set-Apart Ones,” of Elohim.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,

You are loved,
cj

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is from the breath of Elohim. Making it a profitable instrument for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that the man of Elohim may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

Paul writes to a young pastor in Ephesus. He writes to encourage him. He writes to instruct him. He writes to warn him. The root of this letter for me is found in the passage above. Where Paul writes about the importance of Scripture as the foundation for ministry and life. We in the west are spoiled with the written Word. Most homes have a Bible whether it is read or collecting dust on their coffee table. Still many others have one in a box that they forgot is even there. In Timothy’s time the Word was not as available, not even close. For now we are spoiled. We are so accustomed to having the Word even at our fingertips. In fact, everywhere we go whether, on a computer or a smartphone, or the beautiful crinkle of a turning page. Absolutely, no one can use the excuse that they don’t have a Bible. Everyone has access to the Word.

Paul writes to Timothy and to you this instruction. “But as for you, continue in the things you have learned. In which you firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. Which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.” Paul writes this just before the passage above. The Scripture is paramount to instruction, conviction, correction and for training in righteousness. It is for our equipping to carryout the work of Elohim set before us.

Peter writes these words in his letter to the remnant of Jewish believers in Messiah. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. But as He who called you is Holy, you also be Holy in all your conduct. Since it is written, ‘You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.‘” (1 Peter 1:16) Where does Paul and Peter get such wild ideas? Well from the Torah! Of course. “And Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel. Tell them, You shall be holy. For I Yahweh your Elohim am Holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father. You shall keep the Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your Elohim. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal. I am Yahweh your Elohim.‘” This from Leviticus 19:1-4 which isn’t even the more common reference to this quote. Rather Leviticus 11:44-45 is often sited. “For I am Yahweh your Elohim. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy. For I am Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy for I am holy.”

Do you know what the word holy means? If you look it up in a dictionary you will get definitions like, sacred, revered, purity. These are not wrong definitions but they are not whole either. The word Holy in all of these instances comes from the words Qadash and Qadosh. Qadash and Qadosh are Hebrew and they have similar meanings. However, when used together they present a very powerful message. “Be Qadash, for I am Qadosh.” It means this, Be (Qadash) clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, sanctified, set apart; for I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary.

We set ourselves apart when we follow the Way of the Rabbi. Yahoshua, followed Torah, He was after all sinless. He observed the Sabbath. He ate clean. He honored His earthly parents. This intrigue’s me. Here we have our Messiah following the ways of the Father. Later, Paul writes, “imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yet, so many find ways not to. Loophole after loophole because they have found comfort in their way. Yet very clearly we are taught to look to all of Scripture. We are told to live to a standard of Qadash because we serve Yahweh who is Qadosh! Is there grace? Of course there is. Is there forgiveness? Absolutely! Is there still a standard by which we are called to live? Without a doubt.

Hebrews 8 and Jeremiah 11 tell us of the coming renewed covenant. In which Elohim will write the law on our hearts and minds. So many will say that this is for Israel. They would be right. However, Romans 11 puts this in perspective when we read that we are grafted into Israel. This is not replacement theology it is adoption theology. We are adopted into the people of Elohim as Galatians 3 tells us. “You are all sons of Elohim through faith in Messiah Yahoshua. For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahoshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

What was Israel’s sin? Ezekiel writes, “Her priest have done violence to my Torah. They 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. They have disregarded My Sabbaths so that I am profaned among them.” This is on Paul’s heart when he writes to the Romans. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (Qadash) and acceptable to Elohim. Which is your spiritual act of Worship. Do not be conformed to this WORLD, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. That by testing you may discern what is the will of Elohim. What it is that is good and acceptable and perfect.” Later in the same 12th chapter he writes, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

In Isaiah and Ezekiel we read about a time to come and what will be expected. Not just of Israel by blood but also by those grafted into Israel by adoption. Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath. From doing your pleasure on My holy day. Calling 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 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.” (Isaiah 58:13-14) Ezekiel writes in the 44th chapter this (23-24). “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common. Showing them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute they shall act as Judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep My Torah and My statutes and all My appointed feasts, and they shall keep My Sabbaths Holy.”

We are to take on the full counsel of Scripture. The Berean’s were of more noble character. They eagerly received the words of the Apostles. Then, they searched the Scriptures to verify the teachings. This is what we are called to do! What Scriptures are we to search? The same ones that Paul tells Timothy to study. It is the Torah, and the Tanakh. We call it today the Old Testament. It is what Yahoshua quoted from and taught from and lived from. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” What will you do with the words of Yahweh, “Be Holy (Qadash), for I am Holy (Qadosh)?” May you search the Scriptures for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that you, a child of Elohim, may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

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

Finding Hope Through Grace: The Gospel’s Good News

i have known for a long time that the world is unforgiving. Not to mean that one cannot rise from the ashes of their ruined life, but it is ruthless. The world will hold over you your weakness, your wrong, and your sin with relentlessness. It is why many find comfort in bars, gangs, and alleyways. i never have been so low. i have never felt so down on myself that i sought solace in bars or other places. No, i am one who finds solace in the dark of my own thoughts isolated from others. Yet, in life i have always tried to be a safe place for others. A place where they could find comfort or solace. An alternative to bars, gangs, and alleyways. A listening ear, a calming presence, a place to vent frustration. When i stood in the pulpit my goal was always to teach others to do the same. After all it goes with my life verse from Micah 6:8 paraphrased, “Act Justly, Love, Mercy, Walk Humbly.” After falling from grace, so to speak. i made a catastrophic error in judgment that affected others. Speaking only of my grief and brokenness, i never hit the bottom. Nearer than ever before but held up by faith. It is in this time however, metaphorically speaking, i cut out my tongue.

To this, i also played the victim. It was look at me and why is this happening to me? It wasn’t that i blamed others for my mistakes, i didn’t. i blamed myself and in so doing condemned myself. i was my own worst enemy. i was unworthy of forgiveness because the world doesn’t forgive anyway. The Church didn’t forgive either. i can count on one hand the amount of Church leaders who reached out to me. It has been just over 5 years now. i say this all to point out one thing. we must be as an Ekklesia, more full of grace than condemnation, more full of hope than shame. As i wrote last week, when we love our enemies, we present grace and hope. It is here that i would like to say, we are the enemy in someone’s story. So take to heart, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” We do this by praying for those who persecute us. Whether or not our enemies accept it is not up to us. We are simply planting the seed, or watering a seed that has been planted by someone else. Possibly, even, we are about to reap what has already been sown. Regardless, the passage that refers to heaping burning hot coals is not ours to dump.

In this realization, by way of deep introspection, i have come to conclude that there is hope for me yet. There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is still a calling and a purpose. Perhaps, i will never regain my voice. Although, currently there is no plan to stand in a pulpit again. There is writing and because of that i still have a voice through my fingers. The truth of the gospel doesn’t change because of brokenness, brokenness is changed because of the gospel. Hope is restored because of the gospel. Restoration happens because of the gospel. Reconciliation is possible because of the gospel. It is through the gospel. But what is the gospel?

Gospel, in its simplest form means, “good news.” It signifies the message of salvation and reconciliation through Yahoshua Messiah. It is this reconciliation to Elohim and the renewing of the covenant. The idea of the renewed covenant is found in Jeremiah and Hebrews. The Gospel is the Creator calling His creation back home. Elohim is essentially saying, “Good news! I have provided a way for you to come home. I have provided the atonement necessary, paid the penalty for your sin. Declared victory over both sin and death. I have done this because of My great love for you. Because of My desire to have fellowship with you. For you are My children. All I ask is that you separate yourself from others by wearing this lifestyle of righteousness. I want you to be My Ambassador. To tell others of this life changing possibility. Of the eternal rewards that await all who accept this invitation.”

The sign and seal of the New Covenant is the circumcision of the heart. It is the tenderness and willingness to grow in grace and truth. What is truth? His Word is Truth. Yahoshua is Truth. We put on the wedding garment laid out for us by the Groom. We clothe ourselves in His righteousness. His Word is Righteousness. We place ourselves under the protection of His Commandments. “If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments.” (John 14:15) This is the message of Yahoshua. This is the Way of the Rabbi. Hear again His words:

“Why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ but not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on sandy ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!” Luke 6:46-49

The thing about the good news of the gospel is this, that wherever you are, whatever you have done, you can always return home. What is needed is a heart of repentance. To turn your life around from sin. Do a complete u-turn. To give all your brokenness to Yahoshua, the author and perfecter of our faith. For He who has begun a good work in you will see it through until completion. We only need to allow Him to do what needs to be done. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Choose the Way of the Rabbi and receive grace for your soul. This is the good news of the gospel.

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

Seek first the Kingdom

We often quote this Scripture passage. It says, “Seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness. As a result, all these things shall be added to you.” “All these things,” refers to items necessary for living, like food, water, and clothing. Over time, many verbal additions have been made to its meaning. Not all of these additions fit the context of the verse. But that isn’t what i want to focus on, rather, what are we to seek. In Adonai’s prayer we are taught to pray, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy is Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.” We will pray together this prayer in our gatherings and think that what we want is the Father’s Will. However, we have thrown out the Fathers Will and replaced it with man’s tradition.

Look at what is happening with immigration now. Not just in our country but around the world. One of the biggest complaints is that these immigrants are not entering through legal means. Once they are in, they do not assimilate into the culture. Instead, they demand that their own culture be recognized. Do you think Elohim views humanity this way? Can we find instances where we have entered the Kingdom illegally? Are we now demanding that our traditions take precedence over the Kings? We are told to die to ourselves. That we are to put on the new man, and to walk in the fruit of the spirit. Yes, we are individuals but we are to lay down our understanding and pick up the cause of Messiah.

Yahoshua says, “I am the door, no one enters but through Me.” He says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John says of Yahoshua, “And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.” Yahoshua declares, “If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, for Moses wrote about Me.” Yahoshua, is found in the Torah. He is essentially the Torah made flesh as John describes Him. Yet in vain we worship Him with our traditions. In vain we come to Him seeking our will. In vain we come to Him demanding He change with our culture.

Let’s take a look at this parable spoken by Yahoshua, found here in Matthew 22:1-14. i will be breaking it up to add my own commentary.

Beginning:
“Once again, Yahoshua spoke to them in parables. “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.‘ But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.”

This is what the Israelite’s have done to the prophets of Elohim throughout time. This is what is recorded in the Tanakh. Over and over again the Hebrew nation ignored the prophets and in many instances had them killed. They tried to worship Elohim in the traditions of man, in the traditions of the people around them. Even though they were given the precise instructions, which is what Torah means, instruction. Rather, they picked up and added to His instructions until what was happening was not at all what Elohim desired. For example, here is Jeremiah 7:17-19. “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. But am I the One they are provoking? declares Yahweh. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?”

Continuing:
“The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ 

Yahoshua comes and is rejected by the people He came to restore. So the remnant who believed were sent out like the kings servants. They were sent to preach the Gospel to the nations. This is the gentiles who have entered into the wedding banquet. He invites both the evil and the good. Although it isn’t mentioned specifically, we can understand that those who were invited wore the appropriate attire. They put on the new self. As we read in Ephesians 4:20-24. “But this is not the way you came to know Messiah. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Yahoshua. To put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self. Which is created to be like Elohim in true righteousness and holiness.” The clothes in the parable taught by Yahoshua, is a lifestyle. When the servants went out to the people to invite them to the banquet. The people who accepted the invitation had to assimilate into the culture of the wedding banquet. They had to put on new clothes, take off the old self and put on the new.

Continuing:
“But the man was speechless.”

There is a point when Yahoshua will separate the sheep from the goats. Another parable talks about the wheat and the tares. They look the same until the wheat is fully ripened and then you can tell the difference. The wheat puts on the fullness of its expression and bows. In the parable of the wedding banquet the man is speechless when approached by the king. Many are going to be surprised on the day the King returns because they haven’t put on the new self. They haven’t assimilated into the culture of the Kingdom. They are attempting to live duel lives. They look like wheat but they are tares. How can you know you aren’t a tare? Are you living by the principal, “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done.” Are you, “Seeking first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness?”

Continuing:
Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The conclusion of this passage is a warning. Some believe they are participating in the banquet. However, they have not assimilated themselves into the culture of the Kingdom. They haven’t embraced the new self. Instead, they believe that a simple acknowledgment of Yahoshua as King is enough for salvation. They think they can live as they want because of grace. This is due to incorrect word definitions or translations and poor teaching and instruction.

There is a word at the end of this passage, chosen, so wonderful it has become a show title. We can look at the world and history and see that Elohim has chosen people. We can look at Noah who found favor and was chosen to build an Ark. We can look at Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the birth of Israel. We can look at the Prophets and we can look at the Disciples. These stories of the chosen people of Elohim. The word here in Greek is ἐκλεκτός it means picked out, selected, chosen. However, the root of this word is ἐκλέγομαι and it is reflective of response. This is reflected in the passage above, “many are called.” This implies the choosing. Nevertheless, “but few are chosen,” is more reflective of the response, to respond to being chosen. ἐκλέγομαι or eklegomai is a verb it is the action and or outcome of the thing. In the verse we are the thing, the many that are chosen. The verb indicates both to be chosen and to choose. We are called, as even Judas was called, chosen. He didn’t respond with choosing to accept the fullness of the calling. In John 6:66 we read of a mass desertion. Many of Yahoshua’s Disciples left Him that day. He then asks the Twelve, “Are you going to leave also?” Their choice? “Where would we go for you have the Words of Eternal Life.” In light of the fullness of Scripture, we understand that this word for Chosen is two sided. It requires action and response. “For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life.” Many are called, few choose to accept. This is the message lost in translation.

Countless times we are warned that many believe they are saved and are not. “Many will say to Me; Adonai, Adonai, haven’t we done many wonders in Your Name?’ And I will say to them, ‘Depart from Me you who practice Torahlessness.'” How do we know that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life? First, look in the mirror. Which clothing do you have on? That of the culture of man or the culture of the Kingdom? Are you arrayed in your own belief or are you immersed in the instruction of Yahoshua? Are you adorned in self-righteousness or are you baptized into the Righteousness of Messiah Yahoshua? Do you look like The Rabbi? Have you chosen to accept your calling?

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

Shema – שְׁמַע

A former student of mine trains and shows dogs. i don’t know exactly what they do or how they train them since i only follow their socials now. Still, it is easy to see that when they speak, the dog listens and responds with action. The dogs they train are what we would call, a “good boy.” Have you ever watched the puppy bowl? It is usually on during the Super Bowl. It is essentially a dog show. Where well trained dogs show off not only their well groomed fur but also their strut. Then of course there are the dogs who run obstacles. Those dogs are well trained too. Both listen to cues which can be whistles, clicks, or words. They hear them, then they listen and they obey.

Now our family dogs aren’t always as easily trained, they are kinda like us. Although, there are some great ones out there. Throughout the years, i have had a few dogs. my dog now, Shiloh, is by far the smartest. He is also the most obedient. He responds to my weak attempt at whistling. Or the click i make with my tongue and the roof of my mouth. He also responds to my words. We have developed a routine also. He moves about based on that routine which makes it easier to signal to him. His response each time is, almost always, immediate.

This brings me to the word “Shema.” When someone says, “Shema” today it is typically in reference to the Hebrew prayer. Found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and quoted by Yahoshua when asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” The reason for the name of the prayer is simple, it is the first word of the prayer. In the ESV it reads; “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” In its broader use it also includes verse 5. In the ESV it reads; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In Jewish custom it is recited twice a day. First, when you arise in the morning and second, before you go to bed at night. Shema, has a very deep meaning that is lost in translation. Here the ESV and most other translations translate the word Shema to ‘Hear.’ This has harmed, I believe, the overall meaning of the word. As a result, the passage becomes less compelling. “Shema,” means to hear, yes, but in its fullness it means to “Listen and Obey.” Now knowing this truer definition lets look again at the passage. “Listen and Obey, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE. You shall agapaō Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might!” Now you tell me which one sounds more impactful?

We are to listen and obey by faith. So much can be said here. i want to be careful not to run off on some tangent. Losing sight of what i am trying to say. i am trying to say that, like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah . . . did . . . and like Yahoshua. He said; “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord. He does only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” We are to Shema the Word of Elohim. To Listen and Obey. To Read and to Do.

Shema my family and friends, Listen and Obey! Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE! You Shall agapaō, Love fully and completely, Yahweh your Elohim. Love with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength! And don’t stop there, agapaō, your neighbor. Love fully and completely, as much as you love yourself, love others in the same way. To continue reading on this topic check out “Will the real Jesus please stand up?”

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

Before Leviticus there was Genesis

“You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female;” Genesis 7:2

When we talk about the Levitical Laws, and consequently the dietary laws, the landing point for these conversations is nearly always Leviticus chapter eleven. And since it is found in Leviticus the argument then becomes, “Jesus, did away with the law, we are now under grace.” Yet, as the caption above shows, the designation of clean and unclean predates the Law of Moses by hundreds if not greater than a thousand years. For Noah had to know which animals were clean and which animals were unclean before the flood since he loaded the ark as instructed, seven of every clean animal and two of the unclean. Moses simply clarifies this and writes it down for future generation’s education.

Why do i mention this? Clearly, there are more substantive points to be made. Yes, however, i start here because this stems from an earlier post of mine in which we discussed Melchizedek, mentioned in Genesis 14 and again in Hebrews. (You can read the post here.) The idea of clean and unclean go back to the earliest days recorded Biblically, therefore, it should be considered of historical value. When i was steeped in denominationalism one of the tenants of belief derived from this saying, “The Word, History, and Tradition.” First, what does the Word say, second, what does history show, third, what of tradition. Yet, as we have discussed, time and time again, history shows that we have a propensity to sway from the Word, make our own history and thereby making mans tradition superior to Elohim’s Word. What i have come to understand and believe is simply, what does the Word say, and leave it at that.

Two points in what is considered the New Testament many will raise are these: Jesus’ proclamation and Peter’s vision. Let’s first look at Peter’s story, found in Acts 10. Here in the town of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion. He was also a devout man who feared Elohim as did all his household. He prayed continually and gave generously to Elohim. Elohim instructs Cornelius, to seek out Peter, and so he does. Peter, being an Israelite, a proud one at that, and zealous for Elohim would be a tough nut to crack. He was zealous for Elohim towards Israel and thought it wrong to include gentile nations, Greeks, Romans, Italians, Spaniards, etc. So while the men Cornelius sent to seek out Peter were yet traveling Peter has a vision. It says he was hungry on a roof top praying at the 6th hour or noon as was customary. In his hunger ridden vision he sees a sheet descending from the sky full of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice pronounces, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter being a devout Hebrew refuses, “By no means, Adonai; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” (This would indicate that nothing within the sheet was considered food, but a sheet full of unclean things) The voice a second time declares, “What Elohim has made clean, do not call common.”

If the story stopped there i would be in full agreement that the vision was in reference to food and therefore all animals, even ones marked as unclean were made clean by Yahoshua. However, this isn’t the end of the story. Remember the men sent by Cornelius, a Centurion, and an Italian? An unclean gentile of the ruling class that took part in the crucifixion of Yahoshua, has sent men to Peter, might the vision have something to do with that? Well lets check in with Peter. “While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” The men arrive, explain the situation, and the next day Peter and a few friends travel with the men back to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius. After Peter preaches the message of the good news of Yahoshua, the Word made flesh, the gentiles believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit. At the time Acts was written, roughly 60 AD, the Church was about 30 years old give or take. This story is found somewhere in the middle of that, so lets say 15 years into the life of the Church. There were already factions or as they were known Sects that had arisen within Judaism. Much like Denominations today. When word of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit reached the council back in Jerusalem, the circumcision sect was outraged! “This can’t be! The sign of the covenant is circumcision and gentiles are not circumcised, therefore something isn’t right!”

Peter, then describes and interprets his vision. “. . . This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three gentile men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, and making no distinction.” He concludes, “If then Elohim gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in Adonai Yahoshua Messiah, who was I that I could stand in Elohim’s way? When they glorified Elohim, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also Elohim has granted repentance that leads to life.’” You can read the whole account in Acts 10:1–11:18. If this had anything to do with food, anything at all, don’t you think Peter would have mentioned they ate a roast pig or something? The fact is it had and has nothing to do with food but the redemption of humanity through Yahoshua Messiah.

Many will sight Mark 7:19 as a verse in which Yahoshua declares all foods clean. “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?“ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) Notice the parentheses, if your translation has the addendum at all, “Thus he declared all foods clean,” the parentheses indicate that this was added much later, not found in all manuscripts, most likely added erroneously by a pagan convert scribe who enjoyed eating pig. i don’t mean to pick on the pig exclusively, all unclean food for that matter is still unclean and should be avoided. Yet, even still i can hear the voice of some, “But Colossians!” Let’s take a look at Colossians in (my first) conclusion.

“Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Messiah. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, courtships and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from Elohim.” Colossians 2:16-19

Who were the Colossians? First, Colosse was in the Roman province of Asia which is modern-day Türkiye (Turkey). Although, there were Hebrews living in Colosse, they were assimilated into the surrounding culture and therefore considered gentiles to orthodox or Torah observant Israelites. There were of course actual gentiles also living in Colosse, and many had converted to the sect of the Nazarene, or followers of the Way of Messiah Yahoshua. These converts were mainly from pagan traditions of the Greek Culture which was adopted by the Romans. Pagan culture is full of religious overtones, festivals, and feast days, including holy days or modern-day translated Sabbaths in Hebrew, Shabbat.

With this context and understanding, as these pagan converts and assimilated Israelites converted to The Way of Messiah or the Sect of the Nazarene within Judaism it is easy to see why Paul wrote to them to not let anyone pass judgement upon them for their new found ways of living, as Messiah, the Word made flesh, and walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Imitating Him in His obedience to Torah and the Commandments of Elohim. Again, context matters, had Paul been writing to Jews in Jerusalem, one could perhaps take it that Paul was stating do what makes you happy Yahoshua paid the price. But that isn’t the case. These converts were facing persecution for their new found ways and the culture around them was chastising them for observing Torah.

Let me make my second conclusion of this matter with this analogy. Messiah Yahoshua is referred to as the Bridegroom, and likewise His followers are referred to as the Bride of Messiah. In a marriage relationship, if your spouse has grace for you in a matter do you exasperate that grace or do you attempt to change or compromise in order to honor your spouse? It’s not appeasement if it is done in love with the idea of mutual respect and honor. In Revelation 14:12 we read this: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahoshua.” John when writing the commandments of Yahweh is referring to the Torah and he couples that with the faith of Yahoshua, faith of, not faith in, which we can gather by his use of language to mean; to walk as the Rabbi, to walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Or as Paul states, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.”

Now my final conclusion from Pauls writing to the Philippians (Phil 3:15-19). “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, Elohim shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the stake of Messiah: Whose end is destruction, whose mighty one is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” We are to be driven by our love for Messiah unto obedience, not out of rule but out of a marital covenant. We are to stand out among the nations, set apart, following the ways of Yahweh. Messiah didn’t come to give us license to live in sin but to show us a more perfect way bound in love for Yahweh, and for His people. And we live this out by loving everyone, we judge those only within the body of Messiah, while we proclaim the truth of salvation to those outside of Messiah. There is a more intimate life that awaits for those who are found in Messiah when He returns.

John 14:15 “If you love Me (Yahoshua), keep My commandments.” i realize this post is a bit all over the place, my apologies, but my heart is for you and my mind is faster than my fingers. my next post will attempt to complete this thought and this series of sorts on Every Wind of Doctrine. However, this is my heart, Messiah came to reveal that there is simplicity in following Him not more burden. He came to reveal and remove the many traditions of man that were heaped on the Israelites and the observers of Torah, to declare, “Come Follow Me! (The WORD made flesh) For My burden is easy and my yoke is light.” He didn’t come so that man could live lawlessly or in Torahlessness, which is of the working of the lawless one himself. And his doctrine which is preached, “Do as though wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” His lie is the same, “You won’t die, for Elohim knows that when you eat of it you will be like Him, knowing both good and evil.” The lawless one twists truth in order to convince humanity to live as him, Messiah Yahoshua, the Word made Flesh, says, “Follow Me.”

Until next time, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with Elohim.

You are loved,
cj

We haven’t heard . . .

Every Wind of Doctrine 7 . . . “We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2

Paul writes to the Philippians, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Some translations render this, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” So many today are reliant upon others faith, others religion, others understanding, that they fail to search the Scriptures daily, to see whether or not what they are being taught is true. Of course there is a grain of truth in everything which makes discerning untruth more difficult. The devil knows this and therefore has been tempting man from the beginning with truth, wrapped convincingly in a lie. “You will be like the Most High, knowing good and evil.” “Did Elohim actually say . . .?” “You won’t surely die . . .”

When Paul and Apollos were in Ephesus, they came across some disciples, recent converts to the Way, and Paul asked them, “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Yahoshua.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of Adonai Yahoshua.’ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.” Acts 19:2-6

Being a follower of the Way is simpler than some have made it and still more difficult than many believe. Yahoshua said, “He who would follow Me will lose his own life.” He said, narrow is the Way, and few find it.” He said, “let the dead bury their own and come follow Me.” He said, to James and John, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they at once left their nets and the family business and followed Him. He said, “Many will say to Me Adonai, Adonai, and I will tell them depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” He also said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He said, “Ask of Me and I will give you living water.” He said, “If you lose your life for My sake, then you will find it.” He said, “I will not leave you alone, I go to My Father, and will send you a Helper, the Holy Spirit.”

When we take into consideration our part in being in relationship with Yahoshua it runs a bit deeper than merely believing. We begin to grow in that relationship. We don’t earn our salvation, we cannot out holy others in order to some how achieve the reward of salvation. Salvation is a gift, given by means of grace, to the heart open to receive it. But as Yahoshua called His disciples, they had to leave something behind, themselves, their old selves. They were made new in Messiah. Given new life, new purpose, a new Way of living. Many will say, that i preach a works based salvation, no, i do not work for nor can i earn my salvation. However, because i am saved, because i have been given new life, with new purpose, i choose to walk the new life, the new Way.

This new Way is as easy as it is hard. “‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Yahoshua knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and chose not to walk in the Way any longer. So Yahoshua said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to leave and go your own way also?’” (John 6:64-67)

There are only two ways in this life, The Way, Elohim’s Way, or your own way, the way of Satan. The satanic temple has a saying, “Do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” This is the lie the devil has been telling many even within the Church today and they are believing it. But this is the working of the lawless one. For Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, He is the Instruction. i met someone today who said, “Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, and it is our job as flesh to become like the Word.” This is so very true! We are to become like Him, to walk in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, who walked in the fullness of the Word of Elohim. “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 came into being through Him, apart from Him nothing can be.” . . . “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among man, and man saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14) What is truth? His Word is Truth.

If we are going to walk in the Way, the Way of the Rabbi, the Word, then we must know the Word. We must seek Him, for when we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. When we ask Him for wisdom He will give us wisdom. When we desire understanding, He will give us understanding. He will bring along those who will ask, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” And if we have not heard, if we do not know, but we seek through the Scriptures as the Berean’s did daily, He will show us, revealing His truth. Which way do you want to go? On what path will you find yourself, on the broad way, easy, do as thou wilt; or will you take the narrow Way, the Way of instruction, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” This word will, is a choice. Choose this day whom you will serve, Elohim Most High, or yourself. Only one leads to life, choose wisely.

You are loved,
cj

Journey Update 3 Love

i have always said that love is a choice it is not an emotion or feeling. However, there are blocks to love which are emotions, and feelings based on experience unforgiveness, anger, and hurt. The opposite is also true, good experiences and positive emotions and feelings like joy, happiness, and forgiveness. These are gateways that make choosing love easy. The devil does his best to accuse Elohim in our hearts. To get you to be angry at Him and others. Satan knows this well. If he can make you angry and dwell in hurt, your heart will harden. Then, choosing love will be nearly impossible. Because love blossoms out of forgiveness.

Humanity is a willing, unwilling, and unaware participant in Satan’s plan. So it’s easy to be angry even cynical of all of this . . . the world, politics, family, friends, life. Yet, even with such an advisory we are told to love. When Yahoshua was asked what the greatest commandment was He said, “30 Love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) He was referencing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

The definition of love found in a dictionary is unbelievably mangled. As it will define it from loving one’s family, pet, or food, to intercourse, and a love affair. This definition is why society is so lost. We have taken the very thing Elohim rates at the top of His list for humanity and we have diluted it in a cesspool. There are different words for love within the recorded texts of Scripture, Storge, Phileo, Eros, and Agape. (The following definitions are from the website Biblestudytools.com)

  1. Storge: Storge love is the care that exists between family members, friends, or companions. Longer-lasting, it goes beyond an initial infatuation or attraction. Built on a familiarity between people, the emphasis of storge is on devotion and intimacy that develops over time.
  2. Phileo: Phileo most often describes a relationship between people, one of generous warmth for another. But in a broader sense, it can also apply to churches and even cities. The basis of this common bond is shared beliefs, values or interests.
  3. Eros: Eros love is a the kind of affection meant to describe a healthy, sensual love between husband and wife. Romance and physical attraction play a part in it. God [Elohim] gave us this kind of desire with the clear instruction to express it only within the bonds of marriage.
  4. Agape: Agape love is probably the most talked about of the four kinds of love. It is the highest, most complete form of affection. God’s [Elohim’s] love for us is the foundation of this love. And Jesus [Yahoshua] gave us many lessons about and examples of agape – a strong, selfless and sacrificial love – during His earthly ministry.

Based on the greatest commandment to Love [Agape] Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second love [Storge/Phileo] your neighbor you can see how this becomes more of a choice than an emotion. One must choose to love and in order to choose love, one must remove the obstacles that would hinder the ability to love as commanded.

If human love flows from forgiveness then perhaps this is why Yahoshua prayed, “forgive us our sins as we forgive . . .” those who trespass or are in debt to us so that we can love. Divine love flows from gratitude. Therefore it requires counting our blessings. However, if Satan can make you miserable, unforgiving, and fearful, it becomes nearly impossible to love your neighbor. He creates doubt and grievances, making it hard to love your enemy. Not to mention it makes it challenging to love Elohim with every fiber of your being.

i am not dismissing the difficulty in forgiveness, especially when one has been hurt, emotionally, physically, or both. i am not dismissing the difficulty in forgiving one’s self for failure. It is challenging to forgive oneself for hurting someone emotionally or physically. Experiencing loss tragically or unexpectedly adds to the difficulty. For all the barriers of choosing love, choosing forgiveness is the hardest. It isn’t just forgiving others, one must also forgive themselves. Satan works extremely hard to get one to believe they are not deserving of forgiveness. This belief makes one feel as if they are unlovable. This internal struggle stems from ones heart whether anger, fear, hurt, or trauma. And if one is unloved or unlovable, it is nearly impossible for them to love others.

Here is the good news, in Yahoshua Messiah, there is forgiveness for He loves you! One only needs to recognize that in Yahoshua there is the fullness of Agape love. It is complete with forgiveness, and then accept it. If you can understand this then you are on the road to wholeness. i have found that when one truly seeks to Agape Elohim with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength it becomes necessary to evaluate life from HIS perspective.

If all of the law and the prophets (what we call the Old Testament). Hangs on these two, love Elohim and love your neighbor. Knowing what that means from the beginning is vital. Micah 6:8 says, “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the YHWH requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” If Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever, learning His ways as one grafted into Israel is a sign of affection. it is Agape. As a member of Israel by way of graft i am part of the new covenant which is spelled out in Jeremiah and Hebrews.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 —
31 Look, the days are coming” — this is YHWH’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 “This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt — my covenant that they broke even though I am their husband”— YHWH’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” — YHWH’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people. 34 “No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them” — this is YHWH’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.”

Hebrews 8:7-13 —
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. 8 But finding fault with his people, he says: “See, the days are coming, says YHWH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah —9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I showed no concern for them, says YHWH, because they did not continue in my covenant. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says YHWH: I will put my Torah into their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people. 11 And each person will not teach his fellow citizen, and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know YHWH,” because they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.13 By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.”

The old covenant written on tablets and parchment. It has been rewritten on the hearts and the minds of the people of Elohim. The prophets taught the people to obey the very Torah. Yahoshua, the WORD made flesh, also taught His disciples to obey it. This Torah is written on the heart and mind of the people of Elohim. If we love Him we will obey Him, we are not a people of lawlessness but a people of Elohim. Set apart and marked by His covenant and sealed with the signs of His commandments, His feasts, His Torah.

i am forgiven, learning to forgive myself, learning to forgive others . . . Choosing to love Elohim and my neighbor. Learning to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my Elohim. Agreeing with the accuser, satan, as he accuses me before the Father. Yet, holding fast to my Advocate, my High Priest, my Savior, Yahoshua Ha’Mashiah.

You are loved,
cj