Faith of the heirs defined
Many people get confused by the idea that we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. But what is the Seed of Abraham?
Isa 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
So Israel is described as the Seed of Abraham.
Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
If you are Messiah's then you are Abraham's Seed. We are Israel. We are heirs to the covenant.
Nevertheless, we may ask “If we are heirs of the promise of Abraham, are we to follow the Laws and commandments like Abraham did?” We can stop here and point out that whether or not Abraham had the whole Law, as given on mount Sinai, or the true interpretation of that Law through Messiah, is irrelevant. Moses wrote it for Israel, and we are Israel, who believe in Yeshua; Yeshua and all the Apostles kept it…all their lives. With that said lets once again look to scripture for our answer.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus answered them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
So what were the works of Abraham? The simple answer is, he kept the Will of God, He followed the commandments of God, the way God instructed. And this is what we are to do.
Abraham believed God and he obeyed God.
Gen 15:6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
As stated earlier whether or not Abraham had the Law in its entirety is irrelevant, for we do have the Law given to us by God in its entirety. We have the true explanation of this Law and the example of how to walk it out in our Messiah. This is the example of Abraham: that we keep, and walk in the Will of our God
It is here that I believe we should take some time to go over another concept that has been grossly misunderstood, and misrepresented. What is faith? We can speak for days on the different concepts of Faith and how to show it. But instead why don’t we put aside all the nonsense of men, and see what our Bible has to say about the subject.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So we have to ask our selves what is it we hope for? Many use the idea of faith to attempt to do away with the Will of God in our lives. And if this is what ones’ hope is for, it is what one will find. But if our hope is for Salvation we are called to know and follow the Will of God. This takes a whole different path doesn't it? So lets see what faith is, as defined by hoping in the Will of God.
1Jn 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. And everyone who loves Him who begets also loves him who has been born of Him.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
1Jn 5:4 For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
Faith, as defined by scripture, in an open sense, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The further definition of what the faith of a believer and follower of our Messiah is, can be found in 1 john 5:1-4. Everyone who believes in Messiah is born of God, and whoever is born of God loves his fellow man. To show love we must keep the commandments of God, which are not burdensome. It is by this we overcome the world, and have victory. This is our Faith defined.
The idea that faith somehow does away with the Will of God (Law, Law of Moses, Torah) simply does not come form Scripture. There are a few examples in Scripture that can be taken grossly out of context, and be used to create contradictions in Scripture that do not exist. But this is where the false religions of man are born from. It is time to put all of our nature, traditions, and religion aside and seek the Truth of Scripture in Scripture.
So now that we have defined, faith lets take a look at another misunderstood and misrepresented idea. What is Works?
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Works are the light that shines before men to glorify our Father who is in Heaven. Works are following the example of our Messiah. Works, is the Love of God, and the love of man. Works is the Law moving through our individual lives. It is how we show the world the Love of our Creator. Our works are what we are judged by, both in the eyes of God and man. It is by works (fruit) that we know false prophets. It is by works (fruit) that we know wolves in sheep clothing. And it is by Works that our reward will be given.
Rev 22:12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according as his work is.
If Letting our light shine is good works, which earns our rewards. What is the light that we show before man? You may have been wondering where is the connection between faith, works, and the Law? So lets look to Scripture to find these answer’s as well
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
The light we are to show in the world is the Word (Torah, Law, Gods Will). The light we are to show is the Messiah, for our Messiah is the Word. To deny the Word, is to deny the Messiah.
Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
And what is Light?
So why did Yeshua consider himself to be the light if the light is the Law (Torah, Will of God)?
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.
The Word was made flesh this is why denying the Word is denying the Messiah I know this seems harsh but it really isn’t, and this Truth must be seen. The Light is the Law, the Word, our Messiah. Our Messiah is the living Word, the living Torah, the Living Law. He did not do away with the Law, because he is the Law. Our Messiah did not come into this world to do away with himself, or to somehow make himself irrelevant
For those who are uncomfortable with this idea it may help to remember the idea of true discipleship.
1Jn 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked.
The Him in Scripture is our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). If you are uncomfortable with the truths presented here, simply look at our Messiahs life. See how he walked, and simply imitate Him. And you will do well indeed.
So now that we have defined faith I think the next logical question is how do we perfect our faith?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete?
Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24 You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Faith is made perfect by works and not by faith alone. It is through the keeping of Gods commandments that we find ourselves growing closer in our walk with our Messiah. It is through keeping the Will of
God, and true discipleship, that we are found nearer to our God.
So Lets once again look at the relationship between faith and works.
Jas 2:17 Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself.,
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
We must come to the revelation that our works are not simply how we treat others. It isn't going to church, or speaking with our lips. Our works are living in and through the Word. Our works are defined in what many would call the Law. Our Works are defined in the word, Love. Which is a summarization of the greatest two commandments, to Love God above all else, and Love our neighbor as ourselves. The two greatest commandments are a further summarization of the Big 10, which so many are familiar with. And the 10 commandments are a summarization of the entire Torah ( Law). These are our works defined, not by man, but by God
So how do we show our faith? Many people have asked this question. Can we show it by the type of clothing we wear? Or maybe it is seen if we wear a really big Gold cross around our neck? Some people are even offended at the idea that we are supposed to show our faith. Some think that showing our faith is flaunting it, and trying to be self righteous. And yes there are some out there that wear certain cloths and have big necklaces and really try to show off their religion. But there is a big difference in showing of your religion and walking in our faith. This is where knowing the Torah (Law, Will of God) comes in handy. So to seek these Truths lets see what our Scripture holds.
Jas 2:18 But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
We are to show our faith by our works. It is only through our works that our faith is seen. Anyone can wear a cross necklace. Anyone can join a church. But only a true disciple of our Messiah is going to follow his example and learn to walk, and live in the Will of God.
So is it even possible for works to please God without faith? And before you answer, go back and look at how faith is defined in Scripture for a believer, follower, and disciple of our Messiah. Lets take a few moments and really think about faith defined. And when we are done lets look to Scripture for our answer.
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
It is not possible to have faith without works, it is simply not possible to have faith, see all that our God has created, and to see all that our Messiah went through, without being obedient. However it is possible to have works without faith, but these works are not the works of God, and they are not founded in his will, so they will bear no-good fruit. And as such, God will not accept them as works to Him, but work’s to the world, and of inequity. Our faith is shown through our works. The greater ones’ faith, the greater are ones works through obedience. Salvation is given by faith, and through grace. And Grace is evidence of our Gods love for us. Our obedience is a result of our faith, and proven by our works. Which in turn is proof of our Love of our God Remember all works are meant to glorify our God
I pray that we be given eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change as we go forth to put these perspectives to the test of Scripture, and seek the Truth of God. And in this Truth may we find the true peace of God in our lives.
