In my previous post, I quoted Jeremiah 31:31-33 saying that the new covenant was to be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It would not be like the former covenant God made with their fathers at Sinai, but would be written upon their hearts and in their minds, so they would want to obey him. It wasn't a different covenant with new conditions, but the same covenant written within them rather than on tablets of stone.
Where do Gentiles fit into this covenant? Exactly where they fit in within the framework of the Old Covenant. When Israel stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai to meet with God and enter into covenant with him, a mixed multitude of peoples who had joined themselves to Israel during the Exodus stood shoulder to shoulder with them. The terms of the covenant were for the twelve tribes of Israel and the strangers that sojourned with them. The stranger within their midst was to be treated as the "homeborn", if they were willing to worship and obey the God of Israel. Ex 12:49, " One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." Provision was always made for any who would follow the God of Israel.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to search out the promised land. He and Joshua were the only two who brought back a good report. We are told in Nu 13:6 that he was the son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah. In Nu 32:12 we are told he was the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite. We find in Gen 36:11 that Kenaz was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, Jacob's brother. But see how God spoke of Caleb in Nu 14:24. " But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." He was counted among the tribe of Judah, not by blood, but by joining himself with Judah and serving the God of Israel.
Other examples we read of in scripture are those of Rahab the harlot and Ruth the Moabitess, who sought to follow Israel's God. Both of these Gentile women are in the geneology of our Lord.
Gentiles have always been allowed access to God in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covenant. Israel was instructed not to oppress the stranger that sojourned with them, but to remember that they were once strangers in Egypt.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The New Covenant
There's a well-known concept gaining ground in Christianity today regarding the new covenant. It is defined as replacement theology, and teaches that God has rejected the Jews/Israel and replaced them with the Gentiles via a new covenant. Christianity is "spiritual Israel". The old covenant, i.e. the Torah, is no longer valid. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior are now under grace. The Old Testament law has been nailed to the cross and we are no longer under it's authority. Many actually go so far as to practice and teach a license to sin, or disregard for the commandments of God given at Sinai. Is this what the bible teaches? Did Jesus really come to do away with the law and replace it with grace? What do the scriptures say with regard to this important subject?
First, the word "LAW" speaks of bondage to a modern Christian; something that imprisons us or burdens us with unreasonable demands. Actually, the English word LAW is translated from the Hebrew word TORAH, which means teaching or instruction. It was never meant to be a means to salvation, for Jews or Christians. The Torah was given to instruct us in the ways of God, to define the way of life. The Torah does three things; it instructs, it blesses obedience and curses disobedience. It does not save anyone. Salvation comes only though Jesus, whose Hebrew name means salvation.
Second, mercy is not a New Testament concept. God has always granted mercy to his people. In fact, the ark of the covenant that housed the tablets of stone containing the ten commandments, was covered with a mercy seat, signifying that Torah and grace were always meant to be joined.
The children of Israel were saved by grace from Egyptian bondage. They were saved by grace, through faith, when they applied the blood to their doorposts. Their faith in God's promise of redemption brought forth obedience, resulting in their freedom. It should also be noted that a mixed multitude also came out of Egypt with the Israelites.
The concept of grace is actually very prevalent in the Old Testament, appearing 39 times from Genesis to Malachi, and mercy appearing 212 times. King David wrote of God's mercy over 100 times in the Psalms alone.
So, how are the Covenant and mercy/grace connected. God wants his children to be blessed and knows that these blessings are the result of obedience to his instructions. Although Israel entered into covenant with God at Sinai and promised to follow him in obedience, they continually failed and incurred his wrath, resulting in ten of the tribes being removed from the promised land and dispersed among the nations. They eventually lost their culture and language, their very identity as they were merged among the Gentiles. The world lost sight of all except the tribe of Judah (Jews). They are spoken of today as the lost ten tribes of Israel. But, are they really lost to God? Has he put away Israel forever, replacing them with the New Testament "Church"? No! Even now he is extending Israel grace through his mercy. They may be scattered throughout all the earth and they may not know who they are, but they are as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, according to the Word of God spoken to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they will once again return to their creator.Many already are. How do I know? Because of God's promise.
Jer 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
First, the word "LAW" speaks of bondage to a modern Christian; something that imprisons us or burdens us with unreasonable demands. Actually, the English word LAW is translated from the Hebrew word TORAH, which means teaching or instruction. It was never meant to be a means to salvation, for Jews or Christians. The Torah was given to instruct us in the ways of God, to define the way of life. The Torah does three things; it instructs, it blesses obedience and curses disobedience. It does not save anyone. Salvation comes only though Jesus, whose Hebrew name means salvation.
Second, mercy is not a New Testament concept. God has always granted mercy to his people. In fact, the ark of the covenant that housed the tablets of stone containing the ten commandments, was covered with a mercy seat, signifying that Torah and grace were always meant to be joined.
The children of Israel were saved by grace from Egyptian bondage. They were saved by grace, through faith, when they applied the blood to their doorposts. Their faith in God's promise of redemption brought forth obedience, resulting in their freedom. It should also be noted that a mixed multitude also came out of Egypt with the Israelites.
The concept of grace is actually very prevalent in the Old Testament, appearing 39 times from Genesis to Malachi, and mercy appearing 212 times. King David wrote of God's mercy over 100 times in the Psalms alone.
So, how are the Covenant and mercy/grace connected. God wants his children to be blessed and knows that these blessings are the result of obedience to his instructions. Although Israel entered into covenant with God at Sinai and promised to follow him in obedience, they continually failed and incurred his wrath, resulting in ten of the tribes being removed from the promised land and dispersed among the nations. They eventually lost their culture and language, their very identity as they were merged among the Gentiles. The world lost sight of all except the tribe of Judah (Jews). They are spoken of today as the lost ten tribes of Israel. But, are they really lost to God? Has he put away Israel forever, replacing them with the New Testament "Church"? No! Even now he is extending Israel grace through his mercy. They may be scattered throughout all the earth and they may not know who they are, but they are as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, according to the Word of God spoken to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they will once again return to their creator.Many already are. How do I know? Because of God's promise.
Jer 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Growth - A Product of Resistance
In my early morning meditations I was contemplating the many trials and tribulations we humans go through in our lifetime. Pressures assail us on every side, bombarding us daily with the accurate precision of a marksman hitting the bullseye of his target.
As we live out our Christian walk with our Savior, we encounter many obstacles along the way that sabotage our most sincere efforts, leaving us to question our faith. To be sure, life is a mixed bag of successes and failures and no one is immune to their share of hardships and setbacks. How do we reconcile the two, making sense of our journey upon this earth?
There is much to be learned through nature, or the natural world, that is mirrored in the spiritual. Have you ever witnessed a tiny blade of grass or a flower emerge through a crack in concrete and marvel how something so tiny and delicate could possibly break through a barrier many times stronger than itself? The answer is that it will stop at nothing to get to the source of its' life, the light.
Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that he is the light of the world. Do we seek to walk in that light? Are we willing to allow him to make his abode with us and lead us in his paths (cycles) of righteousness. Are we willing to stay on course regardless of the obstacles that appear in our path? Will we scratch, claw, climb, push or crawl our way to the light? If so, there is a reward at the end of days for those who overcome.
1Pe 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If a delicate seedling can overcome great obstacles in order to fulfill its' intended purpose, how much more should we let nothing deter us from becoming all that we were created to become....the very Elect of God?
As we live out our Christian walk with our Savior, we encounter many obstacles along the way that sabotage our most sincere efforts, leaving us to question our faith. To be sure, life is a mixed bag of successes and failures and no one is immune to their share of hardships and setbacks. How do we reconcile the two, making sense of our journey upon this earth?
There is much to be learned through nature, or the natural world, that is mirrored in the spiritual. Have you ever witnessed a tiny blade of grass or a flower emerge through a crack in concrete and marvel how something so tiny and delicate could possibly break through a barrier many times stronger than itself? The answer is that it will stop at nothing to get to the source of its' life, the light.
Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that he is the light of the world. Do we seek to walk in that light? Are we willing to allow him to make his abode with us and lead us in his paths (cycles) of righteousness. Are we willing to stay on course regardless of the obstacles that appear in our path? Will we scratch, claw, climb, push or crawl our way to the light? If so, there is a reward at the end of days for those who overcome.
1Pe 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If a delicate seedling can overcome great obstacles in order to fulfill its' intended purpose, how much more should we let nothing deter us from becoming all that we were created to become....the very Elect of God?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Recipe
The bible continues to be the number one best seller of all times and has become, I would say, the most accessible book available today. Even the poorest among us can buy one at a very economical price and I would dare say that the majority of homes in America contain at least one version.
Despite this, it also remains the most misunderstood of all books; the most maligned, the most mis-translated, it's words the most disregarded, misrepresented, reinterpreted or removed from some versions. The vast majority of mankind can't understand it, most have never actually read it and those who have are clueless as to what it really says. Even the vast majority within traditional Christianity have been taught from the pulpit that two-thirds of it (the Old Testament) does not even apply to us today and not worth studying.
I have been a bible student for almost thirty years and would wholeheartedly disagree with any who would dare disclaim one word from this most sacred of all books. I believe that it is God's instruction book for mankind and should be considered the source of all knowledge and understanding of how we are to live before our creator.
For those who do make it a part of their lives and seek it's wisdom and guidance, I offer an analogy, allegory, parable; call it what you will. I will liken it to a meal.
Some snack on it. They start their day with a bible verse or daily reading. In most cases that is the only spiritual food they partake of all day. Some end the day with a small scripture reading before retiring for the night. On Sunday, many flock to the church of their choice and receive a sparse meal served by the pastor. I remember those days. In the denomination I was once a part of, the pastor would begin his sermon by having the congregation open their bibles to a certain passage and follow along as he read it. He would then close the bible and continue to preach on the subject at hand for about twenty to thirty minutes. The topic would be primarily concerning behavior, moral character or the like, nothing too deep, nothing too long, lest his audience begin nodding off from sheer boredom. After the service, all would rise for a brief closing song and prayer and then depart to pursue what they were really interested in, their "duty" for the day taken care of. How utterly sad, and to think that was once MY "normal"!
Others sit at the table for a full meal, maybe several times a day. These are those who study the bible to a greater degree and desire to find deeper meaning within it's pages that will give purpose to their lives. They are nourished as they partake of it's wisdom, but the understanding wears off quickly when they close the bible, leaving them hungry again. They enjoy the word at the moment, but it becomes a temporary satisfaction that lingers but a short time, leaving them hungry yet again. They can't seem to discover that abiding fullness that never leaves, due to a lack of understanding. Even a very good meal can't satisfy forever.
The final group is likened unto those who, not only want the meal, but the recipe! You see, the real understanding of the bible is in the bible itself. The bible interprets itself. It doesn't need man to tinker with the recipe, or change the ingredients. All the ingredients are there, in just the right amounts, and the instructions are clearly laid out. If followed exactly, we can duplicate the recipe every time. Like kind begets like kind, as we read in Genesis.
The instructions found within the pages of our bibles are the recipe for life.....abundant life. Contained within it's pages, however, is also found the recipe for death. We are admonished throughout the word of God to choose life. The word of God is the final authority on how we are to conduct our lives before our creator. He warns us repeatedly in that word that altering the recipe in any way will most assuredly lead to death.
We are to seek and heed the bible's instructions from Genesis to Revelation and not leave out one ingredient. Women have learned that, if a recipe is not followed exactly, the end product will not be what we want. She doesn't start pulling ingredients together in the middle or two-thirds through the recipe. Neither can we discard any part of the bible. In Christianity we are often taught that we only need the New Testament. That is ludicrous. That is only part of the recipe. In fact, when the New Testament was penned, the only recipe the authors had to draw upon was the Old Testament. For them, that was the authority and understanding for everything they wrote. Just a cursory glance at the writings of the apostles reveals the numerous quotes from the Old Testament that they drew upon for their teachings.
Neither Yahshua (Jesus) nor the apostles discarded the earlier teachings of. the Torah, writings and Prophets, nor did they ever teach their followers to do so. If we have been taught anything to the contrary, we have been served a recipe for disaster.
Despite this, it also remains the most misunderstood of all books; the most maligned, the most mis-translated, it's words the most disregarded, misrepresented, reinterpreted or removed from some versions. The vast majority of mankind can't understand it, most have never actually read it and those who have are clueless as to what it really says. Even the vast majority within traditional Christianity have been taught from the pulpit that two-thirds of it (the Old Testament) does not even apply to us today and not worth studying.
I have been a bible student for almost thirty years and would wholeheartedly disagree with any who would dare disclaim one word from this most sacred of all books. I believe that it is God's instruction book for mankind and should be considered the source of all knowledge and understanding of how we are to live before our creator.
For those who do make it a part of their lives and seek it's wisdom and guidance, I offer an analogy, allegory, parable; call it what you will. I will liken it to a meal.
Some snack on it. They start their day with a bible verse or daily reading. In most cases that is the only spiritual food they partake of all day. Some end the day with a small scripture reading before retiring for the night. On Sunday, many flock to the church of their choice and receive a sparse meal served by the pastor. I remember those days. In the denomination I was once a part of, the pastor would begin his sermon by having the congregation open their bibles to a certain passage and follow along as he read it. He would then close the bible and continue to preach on the subject at hand for about twenty to thirty minutes. The topic would be primarily concerning behavior, moral character or the like, nothing too deep, nothing too long, lest his audience begin nodding off from sheer boredom. After the service, all would rise for a brief closing song and prayer and then depart to pursue what they were really interested in, their "duty" for the day taken care of. How utterly sad, and to think that was once MY "normal"!
Others sit at the table for a full meal, maybe several times a day. These are those who study the bible to a greater degree and desire to find deeper meaning within it's pages that will give purpose to their lives. They are nourished as they partake of it's wisdom, but the understanding wears off quickly when they close the bible, leaving them hungry again. They enjoy the word at the moment, but it becomes a temporary satisfaction that lingers but a short time, leaving them hungry yet again. They can't seem to discover that abiding fullness that never leaves, due to a lack of understanding. Even a very good meal can't satisfy forever.
The final group is likened unto those who, not only want the meal, but the recipe! You see, the real understanding of the bible is in the bible itself. The bible interprets itself. It doesn't need man to tinker with the recipe, or change the ingredients. All the ingredients are there, in just the right amounts, and the instructions are clearly laid out. If followed exactly, we can duplicate the recipe every time. Like kind begets like kind, as we read in Genesis.
The instructions found within the pages of our bibles are the recipe for life.....abundant life. Contained within it's pages, however, is also found the recipe for death. We are admonished throughout the word of God to choose life. The word of God is the final authority on how we are to conduct our lives before our creator. He warns us repeatedly in that word that altering the recipe in any way will most assuredly lead to death.
We are to seek and heed the bible's instructions from Genesis to Revelation and not leave out one ingredient. Women have learned that, if a recipe is not followed exactly, the end product will not be what we want. She doesn't start pulling ingredients together in the middle or two-thirds through the recipe. Neither can we discard any part of the bible. In Christianity we are often taught that we only need the New Testament. That is ludicrous. That is only part of the recipe. In fact, when the New Testament was penned, the only recipe the authors had to draw upon was the Old Testament. For them, that was the authority and understanding for everything they wrote. Just a cursory glance at the writings of the apostles reveals the numerous quotes from the Old Testament that they drew upon for their teachings.
Neither Yahshua (Jesus) nor the apostles discarded the earlier teachings of. the Torah, writings and Prophets, nor did they ever teach their followers to do so. If we have been taught anything to the contrary, we have been served a recipe for disaster.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Way That Seems Right
The most oft quoted passage within the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America reads "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". As I have been given cause to ponder these beautiful words, and the state of our union today, I question whether or not we the people have the wisdom and heart to preserve these unalienable rights. For that matter, is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness rights or blessings granted by our Creator to those who obey Him?
Our nation declares that we are "one nation under God". We are a nation that has opened it's doors to the world and welcome all who seek freedom to come to our shores. The first amendment of the Constitution protects our individual religion and expression. We pride ourselves in our right to chooose how we will live. Within our borders are a multitude of beliefs, faiths and cultures; a true melting pot. But, what is our creator's definition of "one nation under God"?
If we look into the word of God, we read the account of the only nation that was ever called out to be His. The children of Jacob (Israel) were separated as a set-apart people to enter into a covenant with their God, whereby they were to become a nation of kings and priests. Their exodus from Egypt remains one of the most awesome displays of God's power on behalf of any people. I want to focus on two very important aspects of this exodus. First, when they escaped Egypt, a mixed multitude came out with them. Not all who departed Egypt were of the twelve tribes of Israel. People from many different nationalities, no doubt many of them slaves as well, joined themselves to Israel, having witnessed the plagues and the power of God on behalf of his people. They were among the "whosoevers" that John 3:16 speaks of. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter testifies, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him".
When this mixed multitude came out with Israel, they became assimilated into the families of Israel, and were considered one with them. Second, and this is very important, upon entering into covenant with the God of Israel, they were accepting the Torah along with the children of Israel. The nation of God is a nation that obeys it's God. God is it's King, priest, judge and lawgiver. They were saved by grace but, in order to remain his people, they were to live as the set-apart people of God by obeying his instructions for righteous living. They would be a blessed people, an example for all nations upon earth. God's ways make no provision for every man doing what is right in his own eyes. God instructed Moses in Ex 12:49, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you". All were welcome, but were expected to live according to God's ways.
Those who would pursue life, liberty and happiness will only find it by obeying their God. Often we, in Christianity, bristle at the mention of keeping the law or commandments of God. We love to counter with, "We are not under law, but under grace". The King James translators' rendering of the word Torah as law is unfortunate. Torah is not defined as a list of do's and dont's. It means instruction and comes from the root "Yarah", meaning to teach, the point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation.
God's Torah is meant to instruct us in the ways of life, liberty and happiness. Jesus, as the living Torah, tells us in the Gospels that he came to give us life, abundant life, John 10:10. He told us that he is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. James 1:25 tells us, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed". In the beatitudes, the word "blessed" can also be rendered "happy".
When Jesus sets up his kingdom upon the earth, there will be one law, God's Torah. Isa 2:3 prophesies, "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem".
Only God's ways can bring us real life, liberty and happiness. Disobedience brings destruction and, ultimately death. God saved Israel from Egypt by grace through faith, but then brought them to Sinai to enter into covenant with them, to make them his covenant people. Their subsequent disobedience separated them from their God and resulted in ten tribes being removed from the promised land, finding themselves once again a slave people. The United States would do well to learn from their experience, lest we suffer the same fate.
Our nation declares that we are "one nation under God". We are a nation that has opened it's doors to the world and welcome all who seek freedom to come to our shores. The first amendment of the Constitution protects our individual religion and expression. We pride ourselves in our right to chooose how we will live. Within our borders are a multitude of beliefs, faiths and cultures; a true melting pot. But, what is our creator's definition of "one nation under God"?
If we look into the word of God, we read the account of the only nation that was ever called out to be His. The children of Jacob (Israel) were separated as a set-apart people to enter into a covenant with their God, whereby they were to become a nation of kings and priests. Their exodus from Egypt remains one of the most awesome displays of God's power on behalf of any people. I want to focus on two very important aspects of this exodus. First, when they escaped Egypt, a mixed multitude came out with them. Not all who departed Egypt were of the twelve tribes of Israel. People from many different nationalities, no doubt many of them slaves as well, joined themselves to Israel, having witnessed the plagues and the power of God on behalf of his people. They were among the "whosoevers" that John 3:16 speaks of. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter testifies, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him".
When this mixed multitude came out with Israel, they became assimilated into the families of Israel, and were considered one with them. Second, and this is very important, upon entering into covenant with the God of Israel, they were accepting the Torah along with the children of Israel. The nation of God is a nation that obeys it's God. God is it's King, priest, judge and lawgiver. They were saved by grace but, in order to remain his people, they were to live as the set-apart people of God by obeying his instructions for righteous living. They would be a blessed people, an example for all nations upon earth. God's ways make no provision for every man doing what is right in his own eyes. God instructed Moses in Ex 12:49, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you". All were welcome, but were expected to live according to God's ways.
Those who would pursue life, liberty and happiness will only find it by obeying their God. Often we, in Christianity, bristle at the mention of keeping the law or commandments of God. We love to counter with, "We are not under law, but under grace". The King James translators' rendering of the word Torah as law is unfortunate. Torah is not defined as a list of do's and dont's. It means instruction and comes from the root "Yarah", meaning to teach, the point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation.
God's Torah is meant to instruct us in the ways of life, liberty and happiness. Jesus, as the living Torah, tells us in the Gospels that he came to give us life, abundant life, John 10:10. He told us that he is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. James 1:25 tells us, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed". In the beatitudes, the word "blessed" can also be rendered "happy".
When Jesus sets up his kingdom upon the earth, there will be one law, God's Torah. Isa 2:3 prophesies, "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem".
Only God's ways can bring us real life, liberty and happiness. Disobedience brings destruction and, ultimately death. God saved Israel from Egypt by grace through faith, but then brought them to Sinai to enter into covenant with them, to make them his covenant people. Their subsequent disobedience separated them from their God and resulted in ten tribes being removed from the promised land, finding themselves once again a slave people. The United States would do well to learn from their experience, lest we suffer the same fate.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A Tale of Two Messiahs
The subject of this post has come to me from two unconnected sources within a few days of each other and has really made me think differently about some pre-conceived ideas I had unquestioningly accepted., but which I must revisit and very likely discard.
It's strange how we look back to our childhood and remember vague conversations with our parents that somehow made an impression on our young minds and firmly rooted themselves into an accepted belief. I can't remember what prompted the subject, but I clearly remember a discussion with my mother concerning the difference between Jews and Christians. They worshipped in synagogues, we worship in churches, we believe in Jesus as the Messiah and they don't. Other than that, I don't think I ever gave further thought to the subject.
Today I know it's not as simple as that.There are many factors which have come into play that separate Christians and Jews. I want to focus on two major differences today; The Law and the Messiah.
I have often wondered why the Jews, as a whole, do not accept Y'shua (Jesus) as the Messiah. They are zealous for the Torah, Prophets and writings of what we today term "The Old Testament". These all testify of the coming Messiah in great detail, both his first and second coming. At his first coming, many Jews indeed did become believers and began living by the teachings of the disciples and apostles in obedience to all that he had commanded while with them. Today there are many Jews who believe in Y'Shua as Messiah. Do they, however, believe in the SAME Messiah as Christians? In fact, could the testimony of the Christian be considered a false witness with regard to the identity of the Messiah?
Let us reason together for a moment. As I previously stated, the Jews are well versed in the Torah and they know the prophecies of old concerning Messiah. Does the Christian Messiah meet the criteria of the one prophecied in the Torah? The answer, unfortunately, is NO! First, the image we have inherited from our forefathers of his physical appearance is totally false. It bears no resemblance to what Y'Shua would have looked like as a Jewish man in the first century. Second, the teachings of this Messiah to his followers would seem, to a Jew, to be diametrically opposite of what the real Messiah would teach.
The majority of Christians today have been taught a Messiah who has done away with his father's commandments. They have inherited a religion that has abandoned YHVH's (God's) Sabbaths and holy days, as well as his Torah. These hallmarks of true obedience have been replaced with idolatrous customs, traditions, symbols and holidays that Christianity has adopted from ancient sun-god worship. These are the very practices that YHVH condemned in the Torah and forbid his people to follow. The majority of Christians don't put much stock in the Torah, though, because it's been done away with, nailed to the stake (cross) by their Messiah. How can a Christian convince a Jew to believe in Messiah when his/her doctrine and lifestyle are in opposition to everything our creator taught in his word? They would ask, can this be the Messiah? Are his followers living according to the Torah, in obedience to YHVH, or have they and their "Messiah" created some new religion?
Now, on the other side of the coin, the Jewish leaders have also borne responsibility in misrepresenting the Torah to their people, as well as to the Christian. Through the oral traditions of the elders, they have imposed burdens on their people by adding numerous man-made "commandments" to the Torah. It was these oral traditions that Y'Shua opposed in his day, not the Torah itself. In fact, he accused the religious leaders of making void the commandments of YHVH by their traditions. They taught a salvation by the deeds of the "law", both written and oral.
So how do we rectify the errors inheited on both sides? Can Christians come to recognize and accept the true Messiah, the Messiah of their bible? Can they come to realize that, although salvation comes by grace through faith, obedience is a direct result of repentance and allowing Y'Shua to live his life in them? Can the Jew also come to freedom in Messiah, freedom from the traditions of the elders that have enslaved them to a myriad of man-made commandments that do not bring about true repentance? Can they come to understand that salvation was never meant to come from the Torah, but through our savior?
Both Christians and Jews will one day be reconciled when they both return to "true" Torah. YHVH tells us of a day, yet in the future, when we will be joined together into one house, the household of faith. In that house there will be one king over all and one Torah. Many Christians and Jews today are beginning to come out of this world, this Babylon of religious confusion, and embracing the teachings of the true Messiah. They are breaking the chains of false doctrines and finding freedom in him alone. Most Christians will be content to remain in their respective denominations and many Jews will continue to adhere to the oral traditions of their Rabbis as if they were "law". This is soon to change, as the true light is about to shine on this world, exposing the darkness and leading the nations of the world to true repentance and salvation.
It's strange how we look back to our childhood and remember vague conversations with our parents that somehow made an impression on our young minds and firmly rooted themselves into an accepted belief. I can't remember what prompted the subject, but I clearly remember a discussion with my mother concerning the difference between Jews and Christians. They worshipped in synagogues, we worship in churches, we believe in Jesus as the Messiah and they don't. Other than that, I don't think I ever gave further thought to the subject.
Today I know it's not as simple as that.There are many factors which have come into play that separate Christians and Jews. I want to focus on two major differences today; The Law and the Messiah.
I have often wondered why the Jews, as a whole, do not accept Y'shua (Jesus) as the Messiah. They are zealous for the Torah, Prophets and writings of what we today term "The Old Testament". These all testify of the coming Messiah in great detail, both his first and second coming. At his first coming, many Jews indeed did become believers and began living by the teachings of the disciples and apostles in obedience to all that he had commanded while with them. Today there are many Jews who believe in Y'Shua as Messiah. Do they, however, believe in the SAME Messiah as Christians? In fact, could the testimony of the Christian be considered a false witness with regard to the identity of the Messiah?
Let us reason together for a moment. As I previously stated, the Jews are well versed in the Torah and they know the prophecies of old concerning Messiah. Does the Christian Messiah meet the criteria of the one prophecied in the Torah? The answer, unfortunately, is NO! First, the image we have inherited from our forefathers of his physical appearance is totally false. It bears no resemblance to what Y'Shua would have looked like as a Jewish man in the first century. Second, the teachings of this Messiah to his followers would seem, to a Jew, to be diametrically opposite of what the real Messiah would teach.
The majority of Christians today have been taught a Messiah who has done away with his father's commandments. They have inherited a religion that has abandoned YHVH's (God's) Sabbaths and holy days, as well as his Torah. These hallmarks of true obedience have been replaced with idolatrous customs, traditions, symbols and holidays that Christianity has adopted from ancient sun-god worship. These are the very practices that YHVH condemned in the Torah and forbid his people to follow. The majority of Christians don't put much stock in the Torah, though, because it's been done away with, nailed to the stake (cross) by their Messiah. How can a Christian convince a Jew to believe in Messiah when his/her doctrine and lifestyle are in opposition to everything our creator taught in his word? They would ask, can this be the Messiah? Are his followers living according to the Torah, in obedience to YHVH, or have they and their "Messiah" created some new religion?
Now, on the other side of the coin, the Jewish leaders have also borne responsibility in misrepresenting the Torah to their people, as well as to the Christian. Through the oral traditions of the elders, they have imposed burdens on their people by adding numerous man-made "commandments" to the Torah. It was these oral traditions that Y'Shua opposed in his day, not the Torah itself. In fact, he accused the religious leaders of making void the commandments of YHVH by their traditions. They taught a salvation by the deeds of the "law", both written and oral.
So how do we rectify the errors inheited on both sides? Can Christians come to recognize and accept the true Messiah, the Messiah of their bible? Can they come to realize that, although salvation comes by grace through faith, obedience is a direct result of repentance and allowing Y'Shua to live his life in them? Can the Jew also come to freedom in Messiah, freedom from the traditions of the elders that have enslaved them to a myriad of man-made commandments that do not bring about true repentance? Can they come to understand that salvation was never meant to come from the Torah, but through our savior?
Both Christians and Jews will one day be reconciled when they both return to "true" Torah. YHVH tells us of a day, yet in the future, when we will be joined together into one house, the household of faith. In that house there will be one king over all and one Torah. Many Christians and Jews today are beginning to come out of this world, this Babylon of religious confusion, and embracing the teachings of the true Messiah. They are breaking the chains of false doctrines and finding freedom in him alone. Most Christians will be content to remain in their respective denominations and many Jews will continue to adhere to the oral traditions of their Rabbis as if they were "law". This is soon to change, as the true light is about to shine on this world, exposing the darkness and leading the nations of the world to true repentance and salvation.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Trust
We live in perilous times. There seems to be so much to fear. I'm sure we all ponder the what if's of life. I have to confess that I am guilty. What if I lose my job, what if the stock market falls and my nest egg is wiped out, what if I am laid off from my job, or suddenly become ill and am unable to work? What if my spouse passes away, how will I support myself? What if a hurricane comes (that one is very real to me here in SE Louisiana) and blows my home away? Katrina is still etched in my memory.
I guess I've always been what you might call a worry-wart. I was meditating today and suddenly realized how much I've improved with regard to abandoning worry. I have been really spending a lot of time in the word of God for the past several months and have discovered something very powerful. This is something that we should all know, especially if we are people of faith, but I think we sometimes forget. God's word is life! We are instructed to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. It is our nourishment, and when we are nourished, we are healthy in mind, body and spirit. As we feed upon his word, his peace and love fills us up and removes all doubt and fear. We begin to see all of his promises for our good and suddenly all of our concerns melt away.
We are given great advice in his word to avoid anxious thoughts and fears. We are told that perfect love casts out fear. We are instructed to live for today and not borrow the worries of tomorrow, for they will take care of themselves. Have you ever found yourself worrying "today" about "tomorrow" and, when "tomorrow" arrived, it wasn't as bad as you had imagined? The problem is that we already lived our worse fears and, although they never materialized, the effect upon our body and mind did it's damage. That is definitely not healthy and not what God wants for us.
I was reminded today that the highest honor we can bestow on our father is to trust him. I remember when I was a child. I was petrified of water. My parents told me the story of how a big wave on a Florida beach grounded me and that gave birth to my fear. I was a toddler at the time and don't remember the incident, but it undoubtedly left an indelible image upon my mind. When I was older, my parents were determined to get me over this, and my dad began encouraging me by getting into a pool and asking me to jump into his arms. He assured me that he would catch me and nothing would happen, but I wasn't convinced. My fear paralyzed me. However, through much patience and understanding, my dad was able to create in me a measure of trust that allowed me to take the plunge. That one leap of faith brought forth a very accomplished swimmer and gratitute for a dad that didn't give up on me, but through love and support, allowed me to dispel all fear and find enjoyment in one of life's most cherished childhood activities. Florida beaches have become my favorite vacation destination and I love the water!
We all have fearful thoughts. That is part of being human. We need to recognize them as pitfalls that Satan has placed in our path. God's word is filled to the brim with wonderful promises that can dispel all fear and worry. Some that mean a great deal to me follow:
.PROVERBS 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose
And.......my favorite!
Psa 91:1-8 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
I guess I've always been what you might call a worry-wart. I was meditating today and suddenly realized how much I've improved with regard to abandoning worry. I have been really spending a lot of time in the word of God for the past several months and have discovered something very powerful. This is something that we should all know, especially if we are people of faith, but I think we sometimes forget. God's word is life! We are instructed to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. It is our nourishment, and when we are nourished, we are healthy in mind, body and spirit. As we feed upon his word, his peace and love fills us up and removes all doubt and fear. We begin to see all of his promises for our good and suddenly all of our concerns melt away.
We are given great advice in his word to avoid anxious thoughts and fears. We are told that perfect love casts out fear. We are instructed to live for today and not borrow the worries of tomorrow, for they will take care of themselves. Have you ever found yourself worrying "today" about "tomorrow" and, when "tomorrow" arrived, it wasn't as bad as you had imagined? The problem is that we already lived our worse fears and, although they never materialized, the effect upon our body and mind did it's damage. That is definitely not healthy and not what God wants for us.
I was reminded today that the highest honor we can bestow on our father is to trust him. I remember when I was a child. I was petrified of water. My parents told me the story of how a big wave on a Florida beach grounded me and that gave birth to my fear. I was a toddler at the time and don't remember the incident, but it undoubtedly left an indelible image upon my mind. When I was older, my parents were determined to get me over this, and my dad began encouraging me by getting into a pool and asking me to jump into his arms. He assured me that he would catch me and nothing would happen, but I wasn't convinced. My fear paralyzed me. However, through much patience and understanding, my dad was able to create in me a measure of trust that allowed me to take the plunge. That one leap of faith brought forth a very accomplished swimmer and gratitute for a dad that didn't give up on me, but through love and support, allowed me to dispel all fear and find enjoyment in one of life's most cherished childhood activities. Florida beaches have become my favorite vacation destination and I love the water!
We all have fearful thoughts. That is part of being human. We need to recognize them as pitfalls that Satan has placed in our path. God's word is filled to the brim with wonderful promises that can dispel all fear and worry. Some that mean a great deal to me follow:
.PROVERBS 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose
And.......my favorite!
Psa 91:1-8 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Saved By Works?
Christians often get very vocal with anyone who would dare insinuate that faith is meant to be accompanied by works. Indeed, the bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, and not of works lest any should boast, Eph 2:8-9. This is one of the first teachings given to new believers in Messiah. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is the transgression of the law, which demands death..We are all under the penalty of death because we all sin. Christ came as a sinless human to completely fulfill the requirements of the law and take upon himself the penalty for sin in our stead by death on the cross, freeing us from the requirements of the law. What is our response to be? Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Whereas it is absolutely true that we can do nothing to receive salvation, is it not also true that God expects those he has redeemed to leave sin behind and grow into maturity and obedience? Now that we have received the gift of the promised Holy Spirit to help us and teach us, we should be bringing forth fruits unto repentance. Sin should no longer have dominion over us. The scriptures teach that we are to leave the "old creature" behind and become "new creatures" in Christ. We are now part of the family of God, and surely God does not want a household of disobedient children. Even we who are parents want our children to obey us and follow our instructions. We teach them for their good, because we want to protect them and keep them from harm and the bitter results of following after evil. Certainly our heavenly father would want nothing less for his children. He wants to dwell with us and bless us always, but disobedience brings nothing but a curse. Therefore, his teachings and instructions are wholly for our good, that we may be a blessed people.They are not given to burden us or enslave us, any more than the laws of our nation. Laws are meant to protect and serve us. Isn't that the motto of our police, "To protect and serve"? The bible teaches us that law-abiding citizens have no reason to fear the law. Only those who break the law fear punishment.
God instructs us to consider our ways and love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We could do nothing to save ourselves, that is true. However, now that we have been accepted into the household of faith, into the very family of God, by faith in the sacrifice of our redeemer, let us look to him as an example and follow in his footsteps. The bible is filled with admonitions to believers to keep his commandments. Many years after his death, burial and resurrection, the apostles taught the new converts how they were to walk in Messiah. They all instructed the believers in Christ to leave sin behind and walk in newness of life. Christ died for our sins, but in no way allows for continual sin on the part of a believer. His death did not annul the law, but the penalty of breaking the law, being death. His grace is not a license to sin.
By the way, grace is not something new, exclusive to the New Testament. By grace, sin's penalty was satisfied in the Old Testament through the sacrificial system administered by the Levitical priesthood. It is now satisfied through the administration of our eternal high priest, Y'shua. Did you know, however, that there was never a sacrifice that covered deliberate sin, even in the old covenant?
May we all seek to leave any lingering sin and accept the grace of our savior with King David, who prayed, "Create in me a clean heart" and "Lead me in the paths (cycles) of righteousness."
Whereas it is absolutely true that we can do nothing to receive salvation, is it not also true that God expects those he has redeemed to leave sin behind and grow into maturity and obedience? Now that we have received the gift of the promised Holy Spirit to help us and teach us, we should be bringing forth fruits unto repentance. Sin should no longer have dominion over us. The scriptures teach that we are to leave the "old creature" behind and become "new creatures" in Christ. We are now part of the family of God, and surely God does not want a household of disobedient children. Even we who are parents want our children to obey us and follow our instructions. We teach them for their good, because we want to protect them and keep them from harm and the bitter results of following after evil. Certainly our heavenly father would want nothing less for his children. He wants to dwell with us and bless us always, but disobedience brings nothing but a curse. Therefore, his teachings and instructions are wholly for our good, that we may be a blessed people.They are not given to burden us or enslave us, any more than the laws of our nation. Laws are meant to protect and serve us. Isn't that the motto of our police, "To protect and serve"? The bible teaches us that law-abiding citizens have no reason to fear the law. Only those who break the law fear punishment.
God instructs us to consider our ways and love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We could do nothing to save ourselves, that is true. However, now that we have been accepted into the household of faith, into the very family of God, by faith in the sacrifice of our redeemer, let us look to him as an example and follow in his footsteps. The bible is filled with admonitions to believers to keep his commandments. Many years after his death, burial and resurrection, the apostles taught the new converts how they were to walk in Messiah. They all instructed the believers in Christ to leave sin behind and walk in newness of life. Christ died for our sins, but in no way allows for continual sin on the part of a believer. His death did not annul the law, but the penalty of breaking the law, being death. His grace is not a license to sin.
By the way, grace is not something new, exclusive to the New Testament. By grace, sin's penalty was satisfied in the Old Testament through the sacrificial system administered by the Levitical priesthood. It is now satisfied through the administration of our eternal high priest, Y'shua. Did you know, however, that there was never a sacrifice that covered deliberate sin, even in the old covenant?
May we all seek to leave any lingering sin and accept the grace of our savior with King David, who prayed, "Create in me a clean heart" and "Lead me in the paths (cycles) of righteousness."
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