Knowledge is simply information, and left to its self it is less than useless (knowledge for knowledge sake). Wisdom is how one uses that information (action).
To not have or refuse information is foolishness. To use information to keep from acting must then be a lie. For it denies the use of knowledge and its purpose. The purpose of Knowledge is action, it is meant to lead to something (Wisdom). When we examine our lives and see so much inaction we then have to ask ourselves the question. Are we fools or liars?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Parable of the conversation with an atheist.
I had a dream the other night that I would like to share. I was in that in between state when you are aware of yourself and yet you are dreaming. You know it is a dream yet it still feels real. In my dream I was in a room full of men. All of us were listening to one teacher who was teaching from behind a podium.
The man asked a question. What would you do if questioned about you belief in God by an atheist?
I stood up and answered with this parable. Part of this conversation that I shared in my dream, actually happened in a conversation that I was apart of years ago, and part of it is all fiction. I am not entirely sure why I had this dream, its significance, or why this is the response I gave. But I felt compelled to share it with all of you.
In this dream I started by stating that I was going to tell a parable about a conversation with an atheist.
An atheist once approached a man and asked him if he believed in a higher power. The man responded and said of course I do. Don’t you? I believe in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. I believe that God sent His one and only begotten Son and His name is Yeshua (Jesus).
The atheist responded with why? Don’t you see that we are alone. That it is impossible for there to be a God? The believer responded and said. Of course not.
Now after much arguing over the points of science, and philosophy. It became apparent that it didn’t seem to matter how much since or logic was used on either side, neither one was willing to back down.
So finally the atheist stopped in mid sentence, and stated that it didn’t matter how much arguing they did, it wasn’t going to change either of there opinions because they were looking at the subject in two entirely different ways.
The atheist pulled a pencil out of his pocket, and set it on the table. He said let me illustrate my point. You would say that it was Gods will that I had a pencil, and through His power, I can choose to push it off of the table. And even though it was done with my own power, it was His Will that allowed it to happen.
Now I would say that I had the pencil out of chance. I decided to use my own power, and on my own I chose to push the pencil off of the table to prove a point.
So the Believer thinks for a second, and says to the atheist. You presume to know what I think. You use a simple thought, and state it, as if it proves your point. Lets take a moment, and look at this another way.
What color would you say the sky is. The atheist looks up, and says that the sky is blue. The believer then asks him why he says that. The atheist says because I can look up with my own eyes, and see that it is so.
OK so you say the sky is blue because you can see it. Yet isn’t color only the a presentable of fracturing light? Isn’t color only seen through how it is perceived? Isn’t color the aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of light being reflected or emitted by them. So to see color you have to have light. When light shines on an object some colors bounce off the object, and others are absorbed by it. Our eyes only see the colors that are bounced off or reflected. To see light you must have light. To see faith you must have faith.
But in either case what is color to one who is color blind?
The atheist responds and asks. Are you saying that because I do not have faith I can never see God. The believer tells him that isn’t exactly right. But as long as you refuse to see light you will never see color.
The atheist then responds with another question. You said that the color blind can not see color. Are you saying that I am flawed, and it is my flaws that make it where I can not see God. Are you saying that God designed me to not see Him?
So the believe says lets take one thing at a time. You asked if you are flawed. Then the atheist responds well aren’t we all. So the believer asks, how do you know you are flawed? The atheist responds with the answer - well no body is perfect.
The believer then asks how do you know. By what standard are you going by?
You see in your example of the pencil you said it was you, and with your own power, you made the pencil move. You had the power. But how did you get the power in the first place. How do you know wither or not you are not flawed? How do you know whether or not you have power?
It is through our faith that the flawed, can to begin to remove the flaws, and be restored day by day to what we were always meant to be.
At the end of this parable I stopped and I answered the teachers question like this.
In other words we do not fight with an atheist, because how can one show color to the color blind. All we can do is hope that one day that through truth the light will shine in to his closed eyes, and he can choose to one day see the beauty of Our One True God.
The man asked a question. What would you do if questioned about you belief in God by an atheist?
I stood up and answered with this parable. Part of this conversation that I shared in my dream, actually happened in a conversation that I was apart of years ago, and part of it is all fiction. I am not entirely sure why I had this dream, its significance, or why this is the response I gave. But I felt compelled to share it with all of you.
In this dream I started by stating that I was going to tell a parable about a conversation with an atheist.
An atheist once approached a man and asked him if he believed in a higher power. The man responded and said of course I do. Don’t you? I believe in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. I believe that God sent His one and only begotten Son and His name is Yeshua (Jesus).
The atheist responded with why? Don’t you see that we are alone. That it is impossible for there to be a God? The believer responded and said. Of course not.
Now after much arguing over the points of science, and philosophy. It became apparent that it didn’t seem to matter how much since or logic was used on either side, neither one was willing to back down.
So finally the atheist stopped in mid sentence, and stated that it didn’t matter how much arguing they did, it wasn’t going to change either of there opinions because they were looking at the subject in two entirely different ways.
The atheist pulled a pencil out of his pocket, and set it on the table. He said let me illustrate my point. You would say that it was Gods will that I had a pencil, and through His power, I can choose to push it off of the table. And even though it was done with my own power, it was His Will that allowed it to happen.
Now I would say that I had the pencil out of chance. I decided to use my own power, and on my own I chose to push the pencil off of the table to prove a point.
So the Believer thinks for a second, and says to the atheist. You presume to know what I think. You use a simple thought, and state it, as if it proves your point. Lets take a moment, and look at this another way.
What color would you say the sky is. The atheist looks up, and says that the sky is blue. The believer then asks him why he says that. The atheist says because I can look up with my own eyes, and see that it is so.
OK so you say the sky is blue because you can see it. Yet isn’t color only the a presentable of fracturing light? Isn’t color only seen through how it is perceived? Isn’t color the aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of light being reflected or emitted by them. So to see color you have to have light. When light shines on an object some colors bounce off the object, and others are absorbed by it. Our eyes only see the colors that are bounced off or reflected. To see light you must have light. To see faith you must have faith.
But in either case what is color to one who is color blind?
The atheist responds and asks. Are you saying that because I do not have faith I can never see God. The believer tells him that isn’t exactly right. But as long as you refuse to see light you will never see color.
The atheist then responds with another question. You said that the color blind can not see color. Are you saying that I am flawed, and it is my flaws that make it where I can not see God. Are you saying that God designed me to not see Him?
So the believe says lets take one thing at a time. You asked if you are flawed. Then the atheist responds well aren’t we all. So the believer asks, how do you know you are flawed? The atheist responds with the answer - well no body is perfect.
The believer then asks how do you know. By what standard are you going by?
You see in your example of the pencil you said it was you, and with your own power, you made the pencil move. You had the power. But how did you get the power in the first place. How do you know wither or not you are not flawed? How do you know whether or not you have power?
It is through our faith that the flawed, can to begin to remove the flaws, and be restored day by day to what we were always meant to be.
At the end of this parable I stopped and I answered the teachers question like this.
In other words we do not fight with an atheist, because how can one show color to the color blind. All we can do is hope that one day that through truth the light will shine in to his closed eyes, and he can choose to one day see the beauty of Our One True God.
Can two walk together if they do not agree. Part 2
Now lets take at look at language.
In the context of language in Amos 3:3 all we really need to focus on is one word. Often translated as agree in many of our translations. In Hebrew it is the Word yaw-ad.
It is strong s number H3259
יעד
yâ‛ad
yaw-ad'
A primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): - agree, (make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
The Theological wordbook says that it means appoint, betroth, assemble, meet, set. Its derivatives are (eda) congregation, (moed) appointed place, (moad) place of assembly, and (muada) cities appointed. The meanings of this root and all the words that it is tied to would take a day to write out. So lets move on.
Through this we can see that the meaning and implication of this word is not for two men to agree on a theological statement. But to agree at an appointed time or place. In other words how can two meet if they do not set an appointed time or place. How can a prophet speak on behalf of God without having first met Him and received His counsel. How can a people worship and meet with God without having meet Him and revived His counsel in Hist times, and place?
From the context before we can see that Amos is not speaking of simply two men agreeing. But God and man meeting at Gods appointed times and places. Receiving Gods counsel IN Gods way.
It is my beliefs that this verse would be better translated as “Would two walk together, without having met?” When looking at the context it is hard to derive a meaning of division.
It seems to be speaking of a spirit of unity. Man recognizing Gods appointed times, and places and meeting with Him at the Times God has set forth. Having a relationship with God in Gods way. Meeting with God to truly worship Him in His way.
This verse does not seem to me, to be about men fighting, attacking, and splitting over theological differences. But our God asking us to seek Him, and His ways. To set aside our own ways and accompany Him in His.
1Jn 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved ones, now we are children of God. And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1Jn 3:3 And everyone having this expectation in Him cleanses himself, as He is clean.
It is time that we stop trying to justify our behavior with Scripture and start learning to follow the Word of God. We must stop trying to openly cause rebellion, and begin to build the community that our God has asked us to to be. In short we must learn to agree to disagree on those things that are simply beyond the fullness of our understanding, and begin to come together in unity weather we agree on every detail or not. We must begin making community one of our priorities, rather than simply looking for excuses as to why we can avoid it.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
In the context of language in Amos 3:3 all we really need to focus on is one word. Often translated as agree in many of our translations. In Hebrew it is the Word yaw-ad.
It is strong s number H3259
יעד
yâ‛ad
yaw-ad'
A primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): - agree, (make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
The Theological wordbook says that it means appoint, betroth, assemble, meet, set. Its derivatives are (eda) congregation, (moed) appointed place, (moad) place of assembly, and (muada) cities appointed. The meanings of this root and all the words that it is tied to would take a day to write out. So lets move on.
Through this we can see that the meaning and implication of this word is not for two men to agree on a theological statement. But to agree at an appointed time or place. In other words how can two meet if they do not set an appointed time or place. How can a prophet speak on behalf of God without having first met Him and received His counsel. How can a people worship and meet with God without having meet Him and revived His counsel in Hist times, and place?
From the context before we can see that Amos is not speaking of simply two men agreeing. But God and man meeting at Gods appointed times and places. Receiving Gods counsel IN Gods way.
It is my beliefs that this verse would be better translated as “Would two walk together, without having met?” When looking at the context it is hard to derive a meaning of division.
It seems to be speaking of a spirit of unity. Man recognizing Gods appointed times, and places and meeting with Him at the Times God has set forth. Having a relationship with God in Gods way. Meeting with God to truly worship Him in His way.
This verse does not seem to me, to be about men fighting, attacking, and splitting over theological differences. But our God asking us to seek Him, and His ways. To set aside our own ways and accompany Him in His.
1Jn 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved ones, now we are children of God. And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1Jn 3:3 And everyone having this expectation in Him cleanses himself, as He is clean.
It is time that we stop trying to justify our behavior with Scripture and start learning to follow the Word of God. We must stop trying to openly cause rebellion, and begin to build the community that our God has asked us to to be. In short we must learn to agree to disagree on those things that are simply beyond the fullness of our understanding, and begin to come together in unity weather we agree on every detail or not. We must begin making community one of our priorities, rather than simply looking for excuses as to why we can avoid it.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Can two walk together if they do not agree. Part 1
I have had this phrase uttered to me oh so many times by those who would advocate separating from those who do not agree with there theologies . But this raises some questions. Why would God tell us not to walk with those of differing opinions, then give us so many mysteries? Why would God tell us to follow a path of division when showing us a path of unity? Why give us the living example of our Messiah walking, and teaching all who wished to learn, and then say to not walk with them?
I must be clear, in this article it is not my intent to speak against others. I am not speaking of two who are following a different or no God or Gods. I am speaking about those who claim a faith in the One True God, and dived over minor issues or what the Word of God calls mysteries. Those walking together and then using Scriptures like Amos 3:3 to justify attacking and dividing communities.
We must understand that we are not called to divide but to unite. The Word will divide, our King will judge, and as such these are not our domain. We are called to walk in the world and through the light of Heaven show it the path to change. But this is not what this article is addressing. It is my hope that through this article we can address a very serious issue infecting our communities. Men misusing Scripture to cause division among brothers in the name of mysteries.
It has always bothered me how this verse could seem to say that if everyone does not agree with everything, then they should separate. It must be said that this idea seems to fit on the surface. That is until you dig a little deeper, and see that there are so many mysteries in Scripture.
So what are some of these dividing mysteries?
Godliness.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
unity through union (two or more becoming one)
Eph 5:28 In this way husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but feeds and cherishes it, as also the Master does the assembly.
Eph 5:30 Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Eph 5:31 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Eph 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly.
Inclusion of the gentiles
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
glorified bodies.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Not to mention many others. It is for us to seek out these mysteries, and to try to understand them. Not divide over our opinions of them. We all to often become very dogmatic about things that the Scriptures themselves speak of as mysteries. Yet we have no problem being loose on the things Scripture is very clear on. We even justify not doing the clear commandments and instructions of God in order to come together, or simply appease our flesh. Yet we have no problem destroying relationships, assemblies, and attacking our brothers and sisters over our opinions to what the Word of God often calls mysteries.
We do not know the clear answer to many of these passages because we are not yet at the end of the Story, not all has been revealed. We believe we have the answers, and we have strong opinions on many of the mysteries. Yet we do not really take in account that the other side of the issue has some valid points as well. Even if we do not agree with them. We have to at least recognize there point's and listen to there side. Other wise how could we expect them to listen to ours?
Through this we must ask ourselves if we really have to know all the answers? If we do actually think we know all of the answers, then what are we depending on? Our Knowledge, and capabilities, or God? Do we have to know, to trust fully in God's promises. Do we have to know and agree on everything in order to be unified? As it is said, "this mystery" is not yet fully revealed. So how can we ever hope to come together as the unified Body of Messiah if we separate over so many mysteries that have not been fully revealed?
Are we to be so dogmatic about our opinions of mysteries that we break apart unities, bonds, and relationships? Is this the work of a disciple?
Can two walk together if they do not agree?
Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Is the work of a disciple one of division and chaos. Or one of Faith and learning through unity? It is my opinion that it is not a disciples job to attack and tear down but to build up in love
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Amos 3:3 seems to be very clear to so many who read it. Many take it as a call for division. But is that what it is saying?
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
This verse if read out of the context of History, Language, and the Scriptures surrounding it seems to say that we have to agree in our theologies in order to walk together. So by comparison if we cannot agree then we should separate. So lets begin our search by digging into the context of History.
Who was Amos, and what is he talking about?
Amos was of course a prophet of our God. His name actually would be translated as burden - bearer. His name comes form the Hebrew Amas which means to lift a burden – to carry. Amos was a businessman – farmer from Judah who was called to deliver a message of condemnation and judgment to the northern Kingdom, Israel. He tells us nothing about his family or lineage, but does give us a lot of information about his times. His geographical, chronological, and cultural settings.
His occupation, he says was a shepherd in Amos 1:1. But the word here is the Hebrew word noqed. This word suggests something a bit more than a mere watcher and tender of Sheep. The only other occurrence of this word is found in 2 Kings 3:4. It is used to describe Mesha, king of Moab. So most likely he was a sheep merchant, and probably pretty wealthy. In other words not a peasant. The Prophet also describes himself as a dresser of sycamore-fig trees. The Hebrew term used in Amos 7:14 is boles, a word which probably refers to the nipping or slitting of fruit in order to make it edible. So it seems that Amos was an fig cultivator, as well as a successful dealer of sheep.
Amos was in the time of King Uzziah of Judah (790 – 739 BCE) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BCE) two years before a great earthquake, a cataclysm, so massive that it was recalled 240 years later by the Prophet Zechariah in Zech 14:15. This earthquake is known to have occurred around 760 BCE. That would place the events of Amos at around 762 BCE.
Amos was born in Tekoa near Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Amos being from the Southern Kingdom was astutely aware of the idolatrous practices that was added to the worship of the northern kingdom by King Jeroboam in order to keep the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship. This was an attempt to keep the people in Israel and not returning to Judah.
Through this the people had made there practices above that of God. It was no longer about Gods appointed times and places but there own. Amos found it necessary to preach against idolatry (even idolatry in the name of the one true God), immorality (that which is against Gods Laws of morality not mans), corruption, and terrible social injustice.
At this time both the Northern and southern kingdoms were enjoying great prosperity. This made the crimes of social injustice stand out all the more clear. In the portion of Scripture that we get the a fore mentioned passage of Amos 3:3, Amos condemns the wealthy Israelite s for bribery, slavery, and exploitation of the poor. He also rails against there sexual, and religious immorality. He comes against there newly appointed times and places of worship.
Unfortunately, the unusual prosperity brought a collapse of moral standards. Ignored were the great ideals and commandments of God's Holy Word to help the poor, and to practice justice and loving kindness. The rich oppressed the poor; might was right; it was an age of corruption. Hand in hand with this degeneration of the morals of the people went increased idolatry. People built many altars on mountains to serve the Canaanite gods, the Baal and Ashtarte. The Golden Calves, which the first Jeroboam set up in the north and south of the country to turn the people away from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, were worshiped more than before and the teachings of God and the holy commandments were viewed with contempt.
Amos recalls that it was our God who saved them from there enemies and enabled them to inhabit the promised land. He recalls that God gave them Nazirites and prophets to guide them. But Israel only corrupted or disregarded its religious leaders. They not only disregarded the true Leaders and instructors that God sent but they created there own in order to replace them. As a consequence, the lord will exact punishment that no one will be able to escape from.
Amos then warns the people that any misfortune that comes to them will be sent by God. He begs them to listen to his prophecy. Which they do not do.
Now that we have a background for Amos and a context for the times lets look at a few of the things we learned.
Amos was not a professional man of God.
Amos was from Judah and knew the correct times and places for worship.
Israel had abandoned many of the appointed times and places in place of there own.
And although the kingdom of Israel was in a time of prosperity they were morally corrupt.
So from the context of history, does the idea of judging and causing division between brothers due to theological differences fit? If we only look at the context of History and Scripture we could almost make a case for it, right? I mean this was a layman prophet that was sharing a prophecy of judgment, and warning. So it really wouldn’t be to far of a reach, right? But in order to make this leap we would have to ignore the fact that Amos is speaking of a relationship between God and man, and not relationships between men. But even this could be seen as a relationship between Judah and Israel. So lets dig a little deeper. In the next article we will address the context of language and see if this idea of division could actually fit.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
I must be clear, in this article it is not my intent to speak against others. I am not speaking of two who are following a different or no God or Gods. I am speaking about those who claim a faith in the One True God, and dived over minor issues or what the Word of God calls mysteries. Those walking together and then using Scriptures like Amos 3:3 to justify attacking and dividing communities.
We must understand that we are not called to divide but to unite. The Word will divide, our King will judge, and as such these are not our domain. We are called to walk in the world and through the light of Heaven show it the path to change. But this is not what this article is addressing. It is my hope that through this article we can address a very serious issue infecting our communities. Men misusing Scripture to cause division among brothers in the name of mysteries.
It has always bothered me how this verse could seem to say that if everyone does not agree with everything, then they should separate. It must be said that this idea seems to fit on the surface. That is until you dig a little deeper, and see that there are so many mysteries in Scripture.
So what are some of these dividing mysteries?
Godliness.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
unity through union (two or more becoming one)
Eph 5:28 In this way husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but feeds and cherishes it, as also the Master does the assembly.
Eph 5:30 Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Eph 5:31 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Eph 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly.
Inclusion of the gentiles
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
glorified bodies.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Not to mention many others. It is for us to seek out these mysteries, and to try to understand them. Not divide over our opinions of them. We all to often become very dogmatic about things that the Scriptures themselves speak of as mysteries. Yet we have no problem being loose on the things Scripture is very clear on. We even justify not doing the clear commandments and instructions of God in order to come together, or simply appease our flesh. Yet we have no problem destroying relationships, assemblies, and attacking our brothers and sisters over our opinions to what the Word of God often calls mysteries.
We do not know the clear answer to many of these passages because we are not yet at the end of the Story, not all has been revealed. We believe we have the answers, and we have strong opinions on many of the mysteries. Yet we do not really take in account that the other side of the issue has some valid points as well. Even if we do not agree with them. We have to at least recognize there point's and listen to there side. Other wise how could we expect them to listen to ours?
Through this we must ask ourselves if we really have to know all the answers? If we do actually think we know all of the answers, then what are we depending on? Our Knowledge, and capabilities, or God? Do we have to know, to trust fully in God's promises. Do we have to know and agree on everything in order to be unified? As it is said, "this mystery" is not yet fully revealed. So how can we ever hope to come together as the unified Body of Messiah if we separate over so many mysteries that have not been fully revealed?
Are we to be so dogmatic about our opinions of mysteries that we break apart unities, bonds, and relationships? Is this the work of a disciple?
Can two walk together if they do not agree?
Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Is the work of a disciple one of division and chaos. Or one of Faith and learning through unity? It is my opinion that it is not a disciples job to attack and tear down but to build up in love
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Amos 3:3 seems to be very clear to so many who read it. Many take it as a call for division. But is that what it is saying?
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
This verse if read out of the context of History, Language, and the Scriptures surrounding it seems to say that we have to agree in our theologies in order to walk together. So by comparison if we cannot agree then we should separate. So lets begin our search by digging into the context of History.
Who was Amos, and what is he talking about?
Amos was of course a prophet of our God. His name actually would be translated as burden - bearer. His name comes form the Hebrew Amas which means to lift a burden – to carry. Amos was a businessman – farmer from Judah who was called to deliver a message of condemnation and judgment to the northern Kingdom, Israel. He tells us nothing about his family or lineage, but does give us a lot of information about his times. His geographical, chronological, and cultural settings.
His occupation, he says was a shepherd in Amos 1:1. But the word here is the Hebrew word noqed. This word suggests something a bit more than a mere watcher and tender of Sheep. The only other occurrence of this word is found in 2 Kings 3:4. It is used to describe Mesha, king of Moab. So most likely he was a sheep merchant, and probably pretty wealthy. In other words not a peasant. The Prophet also describes himself as a dresser of sycamore-fig trees. The Hebrew term used in Amos 7:14 is boles, a word which probably refers to the nipping or slitting of fruit in order to make it edible. So it seems that Amos was an fig cultivator, as well as a successful dealer of sheep.
Amos was in the time of King Uzziah of Judah (790 – 739 BCE) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BCE) two years before a great earthquake, a cataclysm, so massive that it was recalled 240 years later by the Prophet Zechariah in Zech 14:15. This earthquake is known to have occurred around 760 BCE. That would place the events of Amos at around 762 BCE.
Amos was born in Tekoa near Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Amos being from the Southern Kingdom was astutely aware of the idolatrous practices that was added to the worship of the northern kingdom by King Jeroboam in order to keep the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship. This was an attempt to keep the people in Israel and not returning to Judah.
Through this the people had made there practices above that of God. It was no longer about Gods appointed times and places but there own. Amos found it necessary to preach against idolatry (even idolatry in the name of the one true God), immorality (that which is against Gods Laws of morality not mans), corruption, and terrible social injustice.
At this time both the Northern and southern kingdoms were enjoying great prosperity. This made the crimes of social injustice stand out all the more clear. In the portion of Scripture that we get the a fore mentioned passage of Amos 3:3, Amos condemns the wealthy Israelite s for bribery, slavery, and exploitation of the poor. He also rails against there sexual, and religious immorality. He comes against there newly appointed times and places of worship.
Unfortunately, the unusual prosperity brought a collapse of moral standards. Ignored were the great ideals and commandments of God's Holy Word to help the poor, and to practice justice and loving kindness. The rich oppressed the poor; might was right; it was an age of corruption. Hand in hand with this degeneration of the morals of the people went increased idolatry. People built many altars on mountains to serve the Canaanite gods, the Baal and Ashtarte. The Golden Calves, which the first Jeroboam set up in the north and south of the country to turn the people away from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, were worshiped more than before and the teachings of God and the holy commandments were viewed with contempt.
Amos recalls that it was our God who saved them from there enemies and enabled them to inhabit the promised land. He recalls that God gave them Nazirites and prophets to guide them. But Israel only corrupted or disregarded its religious leaders. They not only disregarded the true Leaders and instructors that God sent but they created there own in order to replace them. As a consequence, the lord will exact punishment that no one will be able to escape from.
Amos then warns the people that any misfortune that comes to them will be sent by God. He begs them to listen to his prophecy. Which they do not do.
Now that we have a background for Amos and a context for the times lets look at a few of the things we learned.
Amos was not a professional man of God.
Amos was from Judah and knew the correct times and places for worship.
Israel had abandoned many of the appointed times and places in place of there own.
And although the kingdom of Israel was in a time of prosperity they were morally corrupt.
So from the context of history, does the idea of judging and causing division between brothers due to theological differences fit? If we only look at the context of History and Scripture we could almost make a case for it, right? I mean this was a layman prophet that was sharing a prophecy of judgment, and warning. So it really wouldn’t be to far of a reach, right? But in order to make this leap we would have to ignore the fact that Amos is speaking of a relationship between God and man, and not relationships between men. But even this could be seen as a relationship between Judah and Israel. So lets dig a little deeper. In the next article we will address the context of language and see if this idea of division could actually fit.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Life or death, which do we teach part 2 of 2
Many teach the false teaching that God is somehow fallible and actually forgets the memory of our sin.
Jer 31:34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
But if you will simply look at the Hebrew you can see a truer understanding of this passage. The word for remember in this passage is zaw-kar
zaw-kar'
A primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognized), that is, to remember; by implication to mention; also (as denominative fro! m H2145) to be male: - X burn [incense], X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record (-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X well.
God promises to actively forget our sins, overlook, cover, atone for them. Essentially to look away from our sins.
The permanent deletion of memory is not the common meaning of forget. Most often forget means to treat with inattention, overlook, disregard, cover over, intentionally not see. Consider the definition of the word remember. It means to bring to mind, to think of, to give attention to, or consider. When you remember something, you are retrieving that information from your stored knowledge (memory). To not remember is to not retrieve the stored data from your memory. Not remembering does not mean that the data has been lost or deleted. It also does not mean that it is irretrievable. It is retrievable but not retrieved. That is the common use of the word remember. Just look at verses such as – Gen30:22, Exodus 2:24, Lev 26:42, Ps 78:39, Ps 89:50, ps 105:8, Ps 105:42:43, Ez 16:60, Matt 5:23, Luke 16:25, and Luke 23:42.
Yeshua atones for our sins through His shed blood. God chooses to look over the atoned sin and not recall it. Our faith should not be in the fact that we can freely sin. It must be that we can choose to be in the presence of our God through obedience.
We cannot separate faith and obedience.
We are all familiar with the idea that faith comes by hearing.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In Hebrew the word for hearing is Shema. It means hear but it also means obey. In other words the basic idea is that if you truly hear the word of God you will obey it. Hearing the Word of God, and obeying it are synonymous. So then we can conclude that faith comes by obeying. Which makes perfect sense wehn you think about it. If you truly believe in the one True God, and creator of the universe how can you not obey Him - right. Then we can see how obedience would bring you into the presence of God.
Just look at Adam. While he was living in obedience to God, he was in a relationship with God. He actually walked and talked with our God in the garden.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
God walking with people normally suggests closeness, intimacy and fellowship. The natural understanding, to me, is that God often did this, perhaps daily “in the cool of the day,” but what was remarkable this time was that man was afraid, because he had sinned.
There sin was about to greatly diminish there relationship. We are called to have a relationship with our God.
1Co 1:9 Elohim is trustworthy, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Yeshua Messiah our Master.
We know if we are in relationship with our Lord if we are living in obedience. Do we want to know how close our relationship with our Lord is, all we have to do is ask one simple question. How well am I at obeying Him.
(To know more about this please read the article How do we know if we know him)
The point is we cannot only teach sin, we have to start teaching Life. Our God does not want us to simply not sin. He does not want us to sit in a room with our hands in our laps simply not sinning. He wants us out in the world being His image, His representatives through obedience. The focus of our Bible is not simply against sinning, but acting out a Life of obedience. The abundant Life.
So what is this abundant Life?
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
The life here is not our life, but it is Yeshua's life. To understand this lets look at the book of Matthew.
Mat 10:38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
The life spoken of is not the quantity ,but the quality. It is no longer our life. There has to be an exchange!
The word abundantly in John 10:10 is the Greek word perissos.
per-is-sos'
From G4012 (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication excessive; adverb (with G1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence: - exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement [-ly].
The root word for this is peran, which means “from beyond”, or “from the other side”.
The word in Hebrew for Hebrew is Ivri, This word is first used to describe Abraham coming out of Ur and going to where God told him to go. Coming from where everyone else is, and going to where God told him to go. Genesis 14:13: Abram is described as a “Hebrew”. This is the word ivri. It means, “one who has crossed over”, or “one from beyond”.
This is also close in relation to the Greek word ekklēsia. (For a better understanding of this word see the article entitled “The authority of the church part 1”). It means to be a called out assembly. To go from the body where everyone else is and go to Where God is telling you to go for His purpose.
Peran speaks of the same thing. It is changing sides. Going form the world ,or self, and going to another place. Otherworldiness. We are called to be living a life of otherwordliness, a life from beyond.
It is because we are no longer supposed to be living a life that is our own. It is His life that He has given us. Not just His life as in death. Which is a true understanding of this. But I believe it is a secondary understanding to living His life. The Life He lived, if you have read many of my previous articles you will be familiar with this idea that we are to emulate our Messiah. He has given us His life as an example. That is the Abundant Life spoken of. It is a quality of Life previously unattainable. He set all new standards for righteousness. He made qualitative improvements over the way the Word of God was taught. These were not new ideas though. They were a restoration to how they were always supposed to be. When Yeshua said to Love your fellow man He added the all important verse to Love them the way He loved Us.
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The new commandment was not new at all. He is quoting Leviticus.
Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Lev 19:34 The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the homeborn among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
What was new was not the commandment, but the qualitative improvement of how it was followed. He showed how we were supposed to be loving one another all along. He was saying that the bare minimum was no longer enough. We also see this with His teaching on the heart.
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Here Yeshua is not adding to or changing the standard of adultery, He is saying that His disciples are to hold to a higher standard. He is teaching that this is how it was to be understood and more importantly lived out all along.
This fits well with what we have seen in John 10. The life offered is not simply a “better” life – or even a “new life” – it is a life from beyond. A life of “other worldliness”
We have stop only teaching what we shouldn’t do and start showing what we should. Yeshua is our Master, teacher, and example. He did not only teach judgment and sin. He taught a deeper level of obedience. He lived that level for us all to see. It was recorded for us all to know.
We must start teaching obedience, not just begrudgingly obeying, but choosing to obey as a response to what has been given. Do we believe in grace? Do we believe that our Messiah gave His life for us? Do we believe that our Father loves us? Then how should we respond.
We must start reading, understanding, and teaching our Bible as if it applies to us. Because it does. We must stop justifying our sin, as in trying to explain why we do not have to follow our God's Will. Instead we must start teaching what he said, and the obedience that should follow.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Jer 31:34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
But if you will simply look at the Hebrew you can see a truer understanding of this passage. The word for remember in this passage is zaw-kar
zaw-kar'
A primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognized), that is, to remember; by implication to mention; also (as denominative fro! m H2145) to be male: - X burn [incense], X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record (-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X well.
God promises to actively forget our sins, overlook, cover, atone for them. Essentially to look away from our sins.
The permanent deletion of memory is not the common meaning of forget. Most often forget means to treat with inattention, overlook, disregard, cover over, intentionally not see. Consider the definition of the word remember. It means to bring to mind, to think of, to give attention to, or consider. When you remember something, you are retrieving that information from your stored knowledge (memory). To not remember is to not retrieve the stored data from your memory. Not remembering does not mean that the data has been lost or deleted. It also does not mean that it is irretrievable. It is retrievable but not retrieved. That is the common use of the word remember. Just look at verses such as – Gen30:22, Exodus 2:24, Lev 26:42, Ps 78:39, Ps 89:50, ps 105:8, Ps 105:42:43, Ez 16:60, Matt 5:23, Luke 16:25, and Luke 23:42.
Yeshua atones for our sins through His shed blood. God chooses to look over the atoned sin and not recall it. Our faith should not be in the fact that we can freely sin. It must be that we can choose to be in the presence of our God through obedience.
We cannot separate faith and obedience.
We are all familiar with the idea that faith comes by hearing.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In Hebrew the word for hearing is Shema. It means hear but it also means obey. In other words the basic idea is that if you truly hear the word of God you will obey it. Hearing the Word of God, and obeying it are synonymous. So then we can conclude that faith comes by obeying. Which makes perfect sense wehn you think about it. If you truly believe in the one True God, and creator of the universe how can you not obey Him - right. Then we can see how obedience would bring you into the presence of God.
Just look at Adam. While he was living in obedience to God, he was in a relationship with God. He actually walked and talked with our God in the garden.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
God walking with people normally suggests closeness, intimacy and fellowship. The natural understanding, to me, is that God often did this, perhaps daily “in the cool of the day,” but what was remarkable this time was that man was afraid, because he had sinned.
There sin was about to greatly diminish there relationship. We are called to have a relationship with our God.
1Co 1:9 Elohim is trustworthy, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Yeshua Messiah our Master.
We know if we are in relationship with our Lord if we are living in obedience. Do we want to know how close our relationship with our Lord is, all we have to do is ask one simple question. How well am I at obeying Him.
(To know more about this please read the article How do we know if we know him)
The point is we cannot only teach sin, we have to start teaching Life. Our God does not want us to simply not sin. He does not want us to sit in a room with our hands in our laps simply not sinning. He wants us out in the world being His image, His representatives through obedience. The focus of our Bible is not simply against sinning, but acting out a Life of obedience. The abundant Life.
So what is this abundant Life?
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
The life here is not our life, but it is Yeshua's life. To understand this lets look at the book of Matthew.
Mat 10:38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
The life spoken of is not the quantity ,but the quality. It is no longer our life. There has to be an exchange!
The word abundantly in John 10:10 is the Greek word perissos.
per-is-sos'
From G4012 (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication excessive; adverb (with G1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence: - exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement [-ly].
The root word for this is peran, which means “from beyond”, or “from the other side”.
The word in Hebrew for Hebrew is Ivri, This word is first used to describe Abraham coming out of Ur and going to where God told him to go. Coming from where everyone else is, and going to where God told him to go. Genesis 14:13: Abram is described as a “Hebrew”. This is the word ivri. It means, “one who has crossed over”, or “one from beyond”.
This is also close in relation to the Greek word ekklēsia. (For a better understanding of this word see the article entitled “The authority of the church part 1”). It means to be a called out assembly. To go from the body where everyone else is and go to Where God is telling you to go for His purpose.
Peran speaks of the same thing. It is changing sides. Going form the world ,or self, and going to another place. Otherworldiness. We are called to be living a life of otherwordliness, a life from beyond.
It is because we are no longer supposed to be living a life that is our own. It is His life that He has given us. Not just His life as in death. Which is a true understanding of this. But I believe it is a secondary understanding to living His life. The Life He lived, if you have read many of my previous articles you will be familiar with this idea that we are to emulate our Messiah. He has given us His life as an example. That is the Abundant Life spoken of. It is a quality of Life previously unattainable. He set all new standards for righteousness. He made qualitative improvements over the way the Word of God was taught. These were not new ideas though. They were a restoration to how they were always supposed to be. When Yeshua said to Love your fellow man He added the all important verse to Love them the way He loved Us.
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The new commandment was not new at all. He is quoting Leviticus.
Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Lev 19:34 The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the homeborn among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
What was new was not the commandment, but the qualitative improvement of how it was followed. He showed how we were supposed to be loving one another all along. He was saying that the bare minimum was no longer enough. We also see this with His teaching on the heart.
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Here Yeshua is not adding to or changing the standard of adultery, He is saying that His disciples are to hold to a higher standard. He is teaching that this is how it was to be understood and more importantly lived out all along.
This fits well with what we have seen in John 10. The life offered is not simply a “better” life – or even a “new life” – it is a life from beyond. A life of “other worldliness”
We have stop only teaching what we shouldn’t do and start showing what we should. Yeshua is our Master, teacher, and example. He did not only teach judgment and sin. He taught a deeper level of obedience. He lived that level for us all to see. It was recorded for us all to know.
We must start teaching obedience, not just begrudgingly obeying, but choosing to obey as a response to what has been given. Do we believe in grace? Do we believe that our Messiah gave His life for us? Do we believe that our Father loves us? Then how should we respond.
We must start reading, understanding, and teaching our Bible as if it applies to us. Because it does. We must stop justifying our sin, as in trying to explain why we do not have to follow our God's Will. Instead we must start teaching what he said, and the obedience that should follow.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Life or death, which do we teach? part 1 of 2
I would like to pose a question. Lets say that through Yeshua's (Jesus) sacrifice, our sins are atoned for. Which mean's they are covered. If we take that to its logical conclusion, then when we sin we are covered and removed from the sight of God (ie Gods wrath). But we know that God sees every act of obedience we give. Every time we choose to obey our God it brings Glory to His name. It declares His Kingship. Every time even the smallest creature chooses to obey God, it brings Glory to His Name. Wouldn’t we want to be in His sight? Wouldn’t we want to be in His presence?
Why then do we teach sin, death, and judgment instead of life. If sin in effect covers us form His sight, and obedience brings us into His sight, shouldn’t we then choose to obey? Shouldn’t we be teaching life through obedience?
Think about this. Sin in fact removes us form the sight, the presence of God. It gets in the way of our relationship. Obedience on the other hand brings us into His sight, and declares His glory to the world.
Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isa 59:2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
We have to stop teaching death, and only a hope in the life to come. We must start teaching Life. Life Now, for that is what our Messiah has given us. Our Hope is not just in the Life to come but in life now!
So often when someone becomes sick, there focus immediately goes to preventing death. I have a hard truth for everyone out there, we are all going to die. From the moment of our conception entropy sets in and our death is assured. So shouldn’t our focus go from preventing death to bettering our quality of Life. This is the same principle Spiritually. We need to stat proclaiming Life not just death.
Sin is in fact going against Gods Holy Word, and instruction.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
“If you need a further explanation of this please see the article entitled :What is Sin”
Lets now look at this idea of atonement.
The Hebrew verb ‘to atone’ (kaphar) means ‘cover’, so the noun ‘atonement’ (kippurim pl.) is a form of ‘covering’. The most usual form of the word in the Old Testament is kipper (piel form, causative form, of kaphar) which means to ’cause to be covered’, ‘make covering for’.
In most of the Tanakh the word atone is in the the Hebrew cover(Hebrew kaphar). The Greek translation of the Tanakh, called the Septuagint, uses the word proptiate (Greek ilaskomai). This word is understood primarily in pagan usage is often used of ‘appeasing’ an angry God, but in the Tankah, and the Apostolic Scriptures that idea is not present, since the concept is that it is man’s own actions are what separate him from God. Man needs to be reconciled, not God. And the basic concept of atonement is covering for sins coming from merciful God, not an angry God being appeased or bought off.
Luk 18:13 “But the tax collector standing at a distance would not even raise his eyes to the heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘Elohim, show favour unto me, a sinner!’
…. God be merciful (ilaskomai) to me a sinner.
Heb 2:17 So in every way He had to be made like His brothers, in order to become a compassionate and trustworthy High Priest in matters related to Elohim, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
...to make atonement (ilaskomai) for the sins of the people.
In this first example in the Apostolic Scriptures, note that Yeshua is compared to a priest. He is making a covering for sins. This is the first of several symbolic Scriptures, in the Apostolic Scriptures ,built on the idea of atonement in the Tanakh.
Another symbolic passage, in the in the Apostolic Scriptures, comparing the practice of atonement or sacrifice can be found in 1John where John takes up language familiar from the Tanakh are as follow.
Num 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt which is made unto the LORD shall be the priest’s; besides the ram of the atonement, whereby atonement shall be made for him.
“beside the ram of the atonement (ilasmos), whereby atonement (ex-ilaskomai) shall be made for him.”
1Jn 2:2 and he is the propitiation (ilasmos) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (ilasmos) for our sins.
In this second example John is using a different symbol from Hebrews 2:17 This time Yeshua is the sacrifice, not the high priest. But the sacrifice does not have to mechanically be exactly the same in every respect as the “ram of atonement” offered in Numbers 5, or any other atonement sacrifice, this is simply an illustration; John is describing Yeshuas’ work so his readers can begin to grasp it. The fact is we cannot truly understand the work of our Messiah, without understanding The Temple and the Sacrifices. Epically in understanding the Temple language, used throughout the Apostolic Scriptures.
We must understand that the sacrifices were not an act of appeasing an angry god as in the pagan religions. The one True God does not need our sacrifices, they were a way to Korban (draw near) to our God. Korban is most often translated simply as sacrifice. The Korban offering did not extend past the Temple proper. They were a way for sinful man to draw near to God.
Gods Holy presence would in fact destroy those in sin. So how could sinful man draw near to Him without being destroyed? It had to be covered (atoned). Once this covering was attained the wrath of Gods presence could not see the sin. Through this even the sinful man could come into Gods presence.
We have to also realize that the atonement was only part of the procedure, because we know that sin removes us from the presence of the Holy God. After the atonement, one had to be in obedience. Through obedience one could declare the glory of God. It was, and is obedience to God that brings us into Gods Holy presence. When one was atoned, or there sin was covered, then they could go into the presence of God, but then only through obedience.
When we sin we are covered in effect form His sight, it does not remove the sin. But once covered we can then choose to obey, to been seen, and in effect come into His presence.
Do we want to be in His presence or simply be covered and invisible?
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Why then do we teach sin, death, and judgment instead of life. If sin in effect covers us form His sight, and obedience brings us into His sight, shouldn’t we then choose to obey? Shouldn’t we be teaching life through obedience?
Think about this. Sin in fact removes us form the sight, the presence of God. It gets in the way of our relationship. Obedience on the other hand brings us into His sight, and declares His glory to the world.
Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isa 59:2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
We have to stop teaching death, and only a hope in the life to come. We must start teaching Life. Life Now, for that is what our Messiah has given us. Our Hope is not just in the Life to come but in life now!
So often when someone becomes sick, there focus immediately goes to preventing death. I have a hard truth for everyone out there, we are all going to die. From the moment of our conception entropy sets in and our death is assured. So shouldn’t our focus go from preventing death to bettering our quality of Life. This is the same principle Spiritually. We need to stat proclaiming Life not just death.
Sin is in fact going against Gods Holy Word, and instruction.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
“If you need a further explanation of this please see the article entitled :What is Sin”
Lets now look at this idea of atonement.
The Hebrew verb ‘to atone’ (kaphar) means ‘cover’, so the noun ‘atonement’ (kippurim pl.) is a form of ‘covering’. The most usual form of the word in the Old Testament is kipper (piel form, causative form, of kaphar) which means to ’cause to be covered’, ‘make covering for’.
In most of the Tanakh the word atone is in the the Hebrew cover(Hebrew kaphar). The Greek translation of the Tanakh, called the Septuagint, uses the word proptiate (Greek ilaskomai). This word is understood primarily in pagan usage is often used of ‘appeasing’ an angry God, but in the Tankah, and the Apostolic Scriptures that idea is not present, since the concept is that it is man’s own actions are what separate him from God. Man needs to be reconciled, not God. And the basic concept of atonement is covering for sins coming from merciful God, not an angry God being appeased or bought off.
Luk 18:13 “But the tax collector standing at a distance would not even raise his eyes to the heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘Elohim, show favour unto me, a sinner!’
…. God be merciful (ilaskomai) to me a sinner.
Heb 2:17 So in every way He had to be made like His brothers, in order to become a compassionate and trustworthy High Priest in matters related to Elohim, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
...to make atonement (ilaskomai) for the sins of the people.
In this first example in the Apostolic Scriptures, note that Yeshua is compared to a priest. He is making a covering for sins. This is the first of several symbolic Scriptures, in the Apostolic Scriptures ,built on the idea of atonement in the Tanakh.
Another symbolic passage, in the in the Apostolic Scriptures, comparing the practice of atonement or sacrifice can be found in 1John where John takes up language familiar from the Tanakh are as follow.
Num 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt which is made unto the LORD shall be the priest’s; besides the ram of the atonement, whereby atonement shall be made for him.
“beside the ram of the atonement (ilasmos), whereby atonement (ex-ilaskomai) shall be made for him.”
1Jn 2:2 and he is the propitiation (ilasmos) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (ilasmos) for our sins.
In this second example John is using a different symbol from Hebrews 2:17 This time Yeshua is the sacrifice, not the high priest. But the sacrifice does not have to mechanically be exactly the same in every respect as the “ram of atonement” offered in Numbers 5, or any other atonement sacrifice, this is simply an illustration; John is describing Yeshuas’ work so his readers can begin to grasp it. The fact is we cannot truly understand the work of our Messiah, without understanding The Temple and the Sacrifices. Epically in understanding the Temple language, used throughout the Apostolic Scriptures.
We must understand that the sacrifices were not an act of appeasing an angry god as in the pagan religions. The one True God does not need our sacrifices, they were a way to Korban (draw near) to our God. Korban is most often translated simply as sacrifice. The Korban offering did not extend past the Temple proper. They were a way for sinful man to draw near to God.
Gods Holy presence would in fact destroy those in sin. So how could sinful man draw near to Him without being destroyed? It had to be covered (atoned). Once this covering was attained the wrath of Gods presence could not see the sin. Through this even the sinful man could come into Gods presence.
We have to also realize that the atonement was only part of the procedure, because we know that sin removes us from the presence of the Holy God. After the atonement, one had to be in obedience. Through obedience one could declare the glory of God. It was, and is obedience to God that brings us into Gods Holy presence. When one was atoned, or there sin was covered, then they could go into the presence of God, but then only through obedience.
When we sin we are covered in effect form His sight, it does not remove the sin. But once covered we can then choose to obey, to been seen, and in effect come into His presence.
Do we want to be in His presence or simply be covered and invisible?
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Of death and marriage part 2 of 2
Now let us take a momenr to look at Rahab. Rahab was the gentile woman who hid the spy’s of Israel at the battle of Jericho.
Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go view the land, and Jericho. And they went, and came into the house of an harlot whose name was Rahab, and lay there.
Jos 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to–night of the children of Israel to search out the land.
Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the land.
Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
Jos 2:5 and it came to pass about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Jos 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Jos 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Jos 2:9 and she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
Jos 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, unto Sihon and to Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Jos 2:11 And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.
Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that ye also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a true token:
Jos 2:13 and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.
Jos 2:14 And the men said unto her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business; and it shall be, when the LORD giveth us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Jos 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Rahab paid the purchess price for her family to enter the commonwealth of Israel, to be Ger (sojourners.) We know that she was not only a Sojourner, but as such she was seen as being part of the common wealth of Israel.
We know this because she was allowed to marry into the tribe of Judah, putting herself in the line of King David, and by extension our Master Yeshua. She obviously at some point was allowed to move from sojourner who had the same rights, protections, and obligations of a native of Israel to being fully married into the tribe of Judah.
Num 15:15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you, a statute for ever throughout your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
Num 15:16 One law and one ordinance shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
Through this she was seen as being eligible for marriage. She would not have been eligible if she had not accepted the one True God of Israel, and His ways.
She was bought (the price was hiding the spies), prepared, taught, and at some point was allowed to be married. And as we have seen there were certain expectations of a bride to be.
Next lets look at Ruth. Another Gentile woman in the line of our Messiah. She was married into a mixed family of a Moabite man and an Israelite woman. The family would have had to pay a dowry, she was purchased. She had to learn to be a wife in Moab. After she followed Naomi back to her homeland of Israel, after the death of her husband, and father in law. She then had to learn to live in the Land of Israel. After learning and following Naomi’s advice she was redeemed by Boaz.
She was redeemed after being allowed to be part of the commonwealth of Israel, learned there ways, and then was married into the tribe of Judah.
Do we see a pattern?
Purchased – bought with a price!
Redeemed – allowed to be part of God, and His ways, thus being eligible for marriage!
Marriage – joined in covenant relationship with the God of Israel
We were bought with a price.
1Co 6:19 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;
1Co 6:20 for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
We were redeemed.
Eph 1:7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
We are apart of the common wealth of Israel, grafted in.
Gal 3:29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you - a wild olive - were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree,
Now we are learning to be the Bride that we will one day become.
We have to learn the expectations of a bride of our Messiah. We must learn what it is and means to be a true Bride of the King. This is where the Torah comes in. Once we are redeemed we must learn, or relearn what it is to be the Bride. We must learn, or relearn what it is our Bridegroom wants of us. It is after the free gift of redemption comes that the true Work begins.
We have to stop over conceptualizing our Scriptures, and trying to justify our sin. We must recognize it and deal with it properly. We must die to self everyday.
1Co 15:31 Brothers, by the right to be proud which the Messiah Yeshua our Lord gives me, I solemnly tell you that I die every day.
We must learn to be the bride our Bridegroom is calling us to be.
The Torah is not and never was the problem. Yes it stood as our accuser, because it showed us the sins in our lives. Yes we learned through it that without God, and his help we could never live up to His Will. But it also showed us the Loving and compassionate character of our God. It shows us what our God wants, and expects from us. More importantly the Torah gives us the living expectations of the Bride we are supposed to be learning to be. The Torah (Law) is not the problem, we are the problem. Yeshua's Sacrifice did not do away with the Law, it did away with the death penalty for those who are redeemed by the Blood.
We can no longer take excerpts from Scripture, and build our own ways by them. We have to look at the true context of the Bible, all of our Bible, to glean from it the truths that will lead us to become the Bride that our Lord and King has asked us to become.
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
We must ask ourselves: Am I prepared for the King? Have I prepared and learned what it means to be the bride through our Gods Word? What does the bride need to know, and more importantly Do? Will I be attendning the wedding feast?
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Monday, June 18, 2012
Of death and marriage part 1 of 2
Rom 7:1 Or do you not know, brothers – for I speak to those knowing the Torah – that the Torah rules over a man as long as he lives?
Rom 7:2 For the married woman has been bound by Torah to the living husband, but if the husband dies, she is released from the Torah concerning her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then, while her husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from that part of the Torah, so that she is not an adulteress, having become another man’s.
Rom 7:4 So my brothers, you also were put to death to the Torah through the body of Messiah, for you to become another’s, the One who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to Elohim.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, through the Torah, were working in our members to bear fruit to death.
Rom 7:6 But now we have been released from the Torah, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in newness of Spirit and not in oldness of letter.
Rom 7:7 What, then, shall we say? Is the Torah sin? Let it not be! However, I did not know sin except through the Torah. For also the covetousness I knew not if the Torah had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Rom 7:8 But sin, having taken the occasion through the command, did work in me all sorts of covetousness. For apart from Torah sin is dead.
Rom 7:9 And I was alive apart from the Torah once, but when the command came, the sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the command which was to result in life, this I found to result in death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, having taken the occasion through the command, deceived me, and through it killed me.
Rom 7:12 So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.
Rom 7:13 Therefore, has that which is good become death to me? Let it not be! But the sin, that sin might be manifest, was working death in me through what is good, so that sin through the command might become an exceedingly great Sinner.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the Torah is Spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For what I work, I know not. For what I wish, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do.
Rom 7:16 But if I do what I do not wish, I agree with the Torah that it is good.
Rom 7:17 And now, it is no longer I that work it, but the sin dwelling in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good. For to wish is present with me, but to work the good I do not find.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I wish to do, I do not do; but the evil I do not wish to do, this I practice.
Rom 7:20 And if I do that which I do not wish, it is no longer I who work it, but the sin dwelling in me.
Rom 7:21 I find therefore this law, that when I wish to do the good, that the evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the Torah of Elohim1 according to the inward man
One of the most seemingly confusing passages in Scripture. Allot of people chop this section of Scripture up to try to show that Paul was teaching against the Torah (Law) of God. Completely ignoring – Acts and other Passages – many of them being right in this section of Scripture, that denies such a view. But still it does seem that Paul is contradicting Himself here doesn’t it?
So lets try to explain this in a way we can all comprehend.
The wages of sin are? Death!
An adulteress had to be? Put out, or put to death!
So if a woman was an adulteress could she come back into her husbands home and act like everything was OK? No! Even if the Husband wanted to he couldn’t without becoming an adulterer as well.
If the marriage covenant was to stand or be reinstated someone had to die. According to our Learned scholar Paul if the Husband died then the bride was released from the former marriage covenant, and the penalty for breaking it. Thus she was allowed to remarry. She was free freed from her past transgression, the death penalty was paid and she was no longer in covenant relationship to her Husband. Till death do us part!
So our Messiah came back for His adulterous bride, and could not bring her back into the covenant of marriage, which was done on mount Sinai. He had to first come as the Suffering Servant according to Isiah 52, and 53.
Isa 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
He had to first redeem His Bride. So that when He does return we could be remarried in a covenant relationship.
Lets now look at this apparent contradiction in terms of the Law. For Paul seemingly goes back and forth on this idea of loving, keeping the Law, and saying that t is no more throughout Romans 7.
So which is it? Are we who are redeemed to keep the Law or not.
One of the biggest differences is that under the marriage covenant that was agreed to at the foot of mount Sinai. Where Israel agreed to do all that our God says, before we even heard it all the way through.
They had agreed to God's covenant and promised to abide by it before they had even heard the terms. Notice what they said in Exodus 19, before the giving of the Ten Commandments which comes in chapter 20:
Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people unto the LORD.
Let me be very clear. It was not wrong to accept all that God would say before He even said it. This should be a positive example for us all. We are to know that God is good, righteous, and just. He is only going to give us what is best for us in every way. Including His Laws, statues, and judgments. This is how we are supposed to view our faith. More specific we are to have faith like a child.
Luk 18:17 Yes! I tell you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it at all!"
This is what this saying means. To know, as a child knows, that his father has only his best at heart, and will never give them a command that will hurt them.
Once one has agreed to a marriage covenant one has to keep it.
We can all agree that Israel broke that covenant many times collectively as a nation.
Jer 31:32 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.
Let me very clear. Israel was not replaced by anyone. By definition they were adulterers.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
So they where effectively what we would call today as divorced (cast off, put out). So how was our God supposed to reenter a marriage covenant with an adulterer? According to His Law he couldn’t. So as Sauel (Paul) so eloquently puts it, the husband died to remove the Bride from her transgression, and she can remarry the Risen King. Now it is our God who is doing the heavy lifting.
The Torah (Law) is at the moment not about “HAVE TO” it is about “GET TO”.
We are not in the renewed marriage covenant yet, that will be established at the Second coming, so until then we are preparing to be the Bride our God has called us to be.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
There are certain expectations put on an expectant Bride to be. There are certain obligations such as chastity - just to name one.
We see this with the earthly mother of our Lord. Mary was afraid, once she became impregnated by the Spirit. She was afraid that the community, and her Bridegroom would put her out as an adulteress. And if the the Angel had not appeared to Joseph that may very well have happened.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
So through this we can see certain expectations put on a bride to be.
We have to learn what our expectations are. We must learn the difference between being in a covenant and committing adultery.
We must be ready for our Bridegroom when he comes.
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Mat 25:3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward come also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Rom 7:2 For the married woman has been bound by Torah to the living husband, but if the husband dies, she is released from the Torah concerning her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then, while her husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from that part of the Torah, so that she is not an adulteress, having become another man’s.
Rom 7:4 So my brothers, you also were put to death to the Torah through the body of Messiah, for you to become another’s, the One who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to Elohim.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, through the Torah, were working in our members to bear fruit to death.
Rom 7:6 But now we have been released from the Torah, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in newness of Spirit and not in oldness of letter.
Rom 7:7 What, then, shall we say? Is the Torah sin? Let it not be! However, I did not know sin except through the Torah. For also the covetousness I knew not if the Torah had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Rom 7:8 But sin, having taken the occasion through the command, did work in me all sorts of covetousness. For apart from Torah sin is dead.
Rom 7:9 And I was alive apart from the Torah once, but when the command came, the sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the command which was to result in life, this I found to result in death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, having taken the occasion through the command, deceived me, and through it killed me.
Rom 7:12 So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.
Rom 7:13 Therefore, has that which is good become death to me? Let it not be! But the sin, that sin might be manifest, was working death in me through what is good, so that sin through the command might become an exceedingly great Sinner.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the Torah is Spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For what I work, I know not. For what I wish, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do.
Rom 7:16 But if I do what I do not wish, I agree with the Torah that it is good.
Rom 7:17 And now, it is no longer I that work it, but the sin dwelling in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good. For to wish is present with me, but to work the good I do not find.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I wish to do, I do not do; but the evil I do not wish to do, this I practice.
Rom 7:20 And if I do that which I do not wish, it is no longer I who work it, but the sin dwelling in me.
Rom 7:21 I find therefore this law, that when I wish to do the good, that the evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the Torah of Elohim1 according to the inward man
One of the most seemingly confusing passages in Scripture. Allot of people chop this section of Scripture up to try to show that Paul was teaching against the Torah (Law) of God. Completely ignoring – Acts and other Passages – many of them being right in this section of Scripture, that denies such a view. But still it does seem that Paul is contradicting Himself here doesn’t it?
So lets try to explain this in a way we can all comprehend.
The wages of sin are? Death!
An adulteress had to be? Put out, or put to death!
So if a woman was an adulteress could she come back into her husbands home and act like everything was OK? No! Even if the Husband wanted to he couldn’t without becoming an adulterer as well.
If the marriage covenant was to stand or be reinstated someone had to die. According to our Learned scholar Paul if the Husband died then the bride was released from the former marriage covenant, and the penalty for breaking it. Thus she was allowed to remarry. She was free freed from her past transgression, the death penalty was paid and she was no longer in covenant relationship to her Husband. Till death do us part!
So our Messiah came back for His adulterous bride, and could not bring her back into the covenant of marriage, which was done on mount Sinai. He had to first come as the Suffering Servant according to Isiah 52, and 53.
Isa 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
He had to first redeem His Bride. So that when He does return we could be remarried in a covenant relationship.
Lets now look at this apparent contradiction in terms of the Law. For Paul seemingly goes back and forth on this idea of loving, keeping the Law, and saying that t is no more throughout Romans 7.
So which is it? Are we who are redeemed to keep the Law or not.
One of the biggest differences is that under the marriage covenant that was agreed to at the foot of mount Sinai. Where Israel agreed to do all that our God says, before we even heard it all the way through.
They had agreed to God's covenant and promised to abide by it before they had even heard the terms. Notice what they said in Exodus 19, before the giving of the Ten Commandments which comes in chapter 20:
Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people unto the LORD.
Let me be very clear. It was not wrong to accept all that God would say before He even said it. This should be a positive example for us all. We are to know that God is good, righteous, and just. He is only going to give us what is best for us in every way. Including His Laws, statues, and judgments. This is how we are supposed to view our faith. More specific we are to have faith like a child.
Luk 18:17 Yes! I tell you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it at all!"
This is what this saying means. To know, as a child knows, that his father has only his best at heart, and will never give them a command that will hurt them.
Once one has agreed to a marriage covenant one has to keep it.
We can all agree that Israel broke that covenant many times collectively as a nation.
Jer 31:32 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.
Let me very clear. Israel was not replaced by anyone. By definition they were adulterers.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
So they where effectively what we would call today as divorced (cast off, put out). So how was our God supposed to reenter a marriage covenant with an adulterer? According to His Law he couldn’t. So as Sauel (Paul) so eloquently puts it, the husband died to remove the Bride from her transgression, and she can remarry the Risen King. Now it is our God who is doing the heavy lifting.
The Torah (Law) is at the moment not about “HAVE TO” it is about “GET TO”.
We are not in the renewed marriage covenant yet, that will be established at the Second coming, so until then we are preparing to be the Bride our God has called us to be.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
There are certain expectations put on an expectant Bride to be. There are certain obligations such as chastity - just to name one.
We see this with the earthly mother of our Lord. Mary was afraid, once she became impregnated by the Spirit. She was afraid that the community, and her Bridegroom would put her out as an adulteress. And if the the Angel had not appeared to Joseph that may very well have happened.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
So through this we can see certain expectations put on a bride to be.
We have to learn what our expectations are. We must learn the difference between being in a covenant and committing adultery.
We must be ready for our Bridegroom when he comes.
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Mat 25:3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward come also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Saturday, February 4, 2012
To Repent part 4 of 4
Next in repenting of Sin one must confess there sin.
Jas 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, so that you are healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous one accomplishes much.
Confessing our sin is an acknowledgment of that sin. We can not repent of a sin we do not acknowledge!
Lets talk about this idea of confessing our sins for a moment. Does this mean we are to go to a specific person to confess our sin? Or even worse participate in open gossip sessions with our peers, and talk about how horrible we are?
I do not think that either of these are the correct path to take. We are supposed to pray for one another, that goes without question, but is it necessary to know all the dark and sorted details?
I for one do not think so.
So to resolve this issue, lets ask the question. In the Torah where did one go to confess there sins? Well you would go to the presence of God right? So you would go to the tabernacle/Temple. That’s actually where many get the idea of confessing to a certain person or group of people. But just to let all of us know, one did not confess to the priest in the Tabernacle. In fact you laid your hands upon the offering, not the priest. As a mediator the priest was a participant, but you laid your hands on the offering, said “my sins are on this animal”, and offered it to the Lord.
Many misconceptions exist about the sacrifices and the sacrificial system. I would encourage all to really learn about them and what they where for.
For now all we need to understand is that the cleansing of the sacrifice didn’t last. It was only so you could draw near to God. It lasted while you were there, so we weren’t consumed by the all consuming Holy presence of God. It was so we were covered while worshiping God, to keep us from being consumed for our sin.
But the point is, God honored the action, not just the thought.
The word for sacrifice in Hebrew is Korban, and it means to draw near. So our confessions, and our actions are taken to draw near to God.
That is confessing our sins!!!
So how do we confess our sins to one another? Do we say I want to tell another person or group of people exactly what I did so I can be forgiven?
No!!! It says so we can be healed.
If one commits a sin against another specifically, then they need to go to that person, and confess there sin to them. So all can be healed! Recompense can be made, and the spirit can be healed.
To truly repent we must see the need for repentance, understand our sin, admit it, and quit it.
Remember repentance is an action. It is something we do. We need to quit the sin in order to be truly repentant. Asking forgiveness for a sin you plan to commit again, is asking in vain, because it is not repentance.
If we ever have to ask if we are truly repentant all we need to do is look at our actions.
Act 26:20 On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y'hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance.
There are deeds consistent with repentance?
After the act of turning from our sins to our God, there are in fact actions, or deeds that follow. So if there is no change there was no repentance!
Mat 3:8 If you have really turned from your sins to God, produce fruit that will prove it!
Stop saying you are repenting and actually do it!
We all must understand that 90% of all communication is none verbal. It is based on our actions, not our words. We have to act our words out to show that we mean them. Then when we say the words, others will truly see that we mean them. Our God is not asking us to reveal our intentions, He is demanding to see our deeds!
Repentance is always going to be tied to action!
The result of repentance is fruit, and more fruit!
This is meant to be an encouragement to sinners “which we all are”. We need to see that the more we choose to obey, the more we can do! The level of obedience should always be consistently raised in our lives. One of me personal favorite quotes of all time comes from an author unknown. It goes as follows “ If you have not had a major revelation in your life in the past two years, check your pulse, because you might be dead.”
If you have not raised the level of obedience to your God in recent history check your pulse because you may be in fact dying or dead. Those who have an understanding of an everlasting life may want to really pray about that last quote.
Repentance is going back to where we left the path of God. For many it is in finding the path in the first place. But we need to find that place, or road that we left and get back to it. It is not merely a prayer, it is an action. We are not simply turning away from something, we are turning to something. It isn’t just stopping what we consider to be sin, it is returning to the path God has laid out for us. It is returning to His path in His ways.
What is it we a turning or returning to?
The Ways of God!!! To what he said!!! In the ways He described them!!!
To repent is not a one time thing. It is a lifetime of obedience We should repent every day, because we sin everyday. We must contently make the little turns back to where we know that God wants us to be. Back to where God has declared that we should be in His Word! It is not just a thought, it is not a noun, It is a verb.
It is something we do, and keep on doing. We have to stop asking for repentance in vain, we have to stop saying we repent in vain, and actually do repentance!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Jas 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, so that you are healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous one accomplishes much.
Confessing our sin is an acknowledgment of that sin. We can not repent of a sin we do not acknowledge!
Lets talk about this idea of confessing our sins for a moment. Does this mean we are to go to a specific person to confess our sin? Or even worse participate in open gossip sessions with our peers, and talk about how horrible we are?
I do not think that either of these are the correct path to take. We are supposed to pray for one another, that goes without question, but is it necessary to know all the dark and sorted details?
I for one do not think so.
So to resolve this issue, lets ask the question. In the Torah where did one go to confess there sins? Well you would go to the presence of God right? So you would go to the tabernacle/Temple. That’s actually where many get the idea of confessing to a certain person or group of people. But just to let all of us know, one did not confess to the priest in the Tabernacle. In fact you laid your hands upon the offering, not the priest. As a mediator the priest was a participant, but you laid your hands on the offering, said “my sins are on this animal”, and offered it to the Lord.
Many misconceptions exist about the sacrifices and the sacrificial system. I would encourage all to really learn about them and what they where for.
For now all we need to understand is that the cleansing of the sacrifice didn’t last. It was only so you could draw near to God. It lasted while you were there, so we weren’t consumed by the all consuming Holy presence of God. It was so we were covered while worshiping God, to keep us from being consumed for our sin.
But the point is, God honored the action, not just the thought.
The word for sacrifice in Hebrew is Korban, and it means to draw near. So our confessions, and our actions are taken to draw near to God.
That is confessing our sins!!!
So how do we confess our sins to one another? Do we say I want to tell another person or group of people exactly what I did so I can be forgiven?
No!!! It says so we can be healed.
If one commits a sin against another specifically, then they need to go to that person, and confess there sin to them. So all can be healed! Recompense can be made, and the spirit can be healed.
To truly repent we must see the need for repentance, understand our sin, admit it, and quit it.
Remember repentance is an action. It is something we do. We need to quit the sin in order to be truly repentant. Asking forgiveness for a sin you plan to commit again, is asking in vain, because it is not repentance.
If we ever have to ask if we are truly repentant all we need to do is look at our actions.
Act 26:20 On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y'hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance.
There are deeds consistent with repentance?
After the act of turning from our sins to our God, there are in fact actions, or deeds that follow. So if there is no change there was no repentance!
Mat 3:8 If you have really turned from your sins to God, produce fruit that will prove it!
Stop saying you are repenting and actually do it!
We all must understand that 90% of all communication is none verbal. It is based on our actions, not our words. We have to act our words out to show that we mean them. Then when we say the words, others will truly see that we mean them. Our God is not asking us to reveal our intentions, He is demanding to see our deeds!
Repentance is always going to be tied to action!
The result of repentance is fruit, and more fruit!
This is meant to be an encouragement to sinners “which we all are”. We need to see that the more we choose to obey, the more we can do! The level of obedience should always be consistently raised in our lives. One of me personal favorite quotes of all time comes from an author unknown. It goes as follows “ If you have not had a major revelation in your life in the past two years, check your pulse, because you might be dead.”
If you have not raised the level of obedience to your God in recent history check your pulse because you may be in fact dying or dead. Those who have an understanding of an everlasting life may want to really pray about that last quote.
Repentance is going back to where we left the path of God. For many it is in finding the path in the first place. But we need to find that place, or road that we left and get back to it. It is not merely a prayer, it is an action. We are not simply turning away from something, we are turning to something. It isn’t just stopping what we consider to be sin, it is returning to the path God has laid out for us. It is returning to His path in His ways.
What is it we a turning or returning to?
The Ways of God!!! To what he said!!! In the ways He described them!!!
To repent is not a one time thing. It is a lifetime of obedience We should repent every day, because we sin everyday. We must contently make the little turns back to where we know that God wants us to be. Back to where God has declared that we should be in His Word! It is not just a thought, it is not a noun, It is a verb.
It is something we do, and keep on doing. We have to stop asking for repentance in vain, we have to stop saying we repent in vain, and actually do repentance!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
To Repent - part 3 of 4
To truly repent we must start to do the right things, and stop doing the wrong things.
How do we know what the right and wrong things are?
It is written, we need only to seek it with the mindset of doing it, and to live it out. In many aspects it is really quit simple, until theologians get a hold of it that is!
Repentance is not a justification for sin, it is a turning from sin, and a returning to God.
So what is the actual first step to take for repentance?
It has to be the realization that repentance is needed. You cant ask forgiveness of a sin, or sins you are not sorry for. You can not ask forgiveness for sins that you do not know are sins. The first step must be to understand what sin is, see it in your life, truly feel sorry for it, and want to stop. The first step is a recognition that repentance is needed.
So once we have that understanding, what's next? How is it that we are to repent?
Jer 29:13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;
We must seek for God whole heartedly.
How are we going to turn to or return to Gods path if we do not know him, or His ways to do so?
We must seek Him.
To search for Him with all of our heart is something that I believe is grossly misunderstood in most theological circles today. To seek Him is not simply to want Him, or even to ask for Him. To seek Him can be summed up in one word.
OBEY!!!
To seek God is to seek His ways, to truly seek His ways, is to obey His Word. We cant go running into the chambers of the King, and say “ I have been looking everywhere for you. Well everywhere you said you wouldn’t be”.
Seeking the King where He said He would not be is not really seeking Him. We must seek Him where we know He is. In His Holy Word! We will not seek Him, and find Him by chance in some unknown dark location.
We must come to our King as a humble servant. We must recognize that it is about Him, and we are His servants. We must realize that we are the problem that needs to be fixed, not Him! We must come as obedient servants striving daily to live a life he wants us to lead. To be the image of God in this world, and represent the perfect picture given to us in our Messiah. Only then can we say that we have sought Him with all of our heart, and through that search have found repentance. You can not have repentance without obedience!
All things start in the heart. So the heart is where we begin our search. Searching the heart leads to action. Seeking God with all of our heart is obedience!
So obedience is the first step to repentance.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
How do we know what the right and wrong things are?
It is written, we need only to seek it with the mindset of doing it, and to live it out. In many aspects it is really quit simple, until theologians get a hold of it that is!
Repentance is not a justification for sin, it is a turning from sin, and a returning to God.
So what is the actual first step to take for repentance?
It has to be the realization that repentance is needed. You cant ask forgiveness of a sin, or sins you are not sorry for. You can not ask forgiveness for sins that you do not know are sins. The first step must be to understand what sin is, see it in your life, truly feel sorry for it, and want to stop. The first step is a recognition that repentance is needed.
So once we have that understanding, what's next? How is it that we are to repent?
Jer 29:13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;
We must seek for God whole heartedly.
How are we going to turn to or return to Gods path if we do not know him, or His ways to do so?
We must seek Him.
To search for Him with all of our heart is something that I believe is grossly misunderstood in most theological circles today. To seek Him is not simply to want Him, or even to ask for Him. To seek Him can be summed up in one word.
OBEY!!!
To seek God is to seek His ways, to truly seek His ways, is to obey His Word. We cant go running into the chambers of the King, and say “ I have been looking everywhere for you. Well everywhere you said you wouldn’t be”.
Seeking the King where He said He would not be is not really seeking Him. We must seek Him where we know He is. In His Holy Word! We will not seek Him, and find Him by chance in some unknown dark location.
We must come to our King as a humble servant. We must recognize that it is about Him, and we are His servants. We must realize that we are the problem that needs to be fixed, not Him! We must come as obedient servants striving daily to live a life he wants us to lead. To be the image of God in this world, and represent the perfect picture given to us in our Messiah. Only then can we say that we have sought Him with all of our heart, and through that search have found repentance. You can not have repentance without obedience!
All things start in the heart. So the heart is where we begin our search. Searching the heart leads to action. Seeking God with all of our heart is obedience!
So obedience is the first step to repentance.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
To Repent Part 2 of 4
To repent, or tshuv is not to change ones mind, but to change ones direction. It literally means to turn. We must change our actions in order to repent. Not just say words, that for so many are empty.
If this offends you please realize I am not writing this to any one person or group of people. It is something we must all take home.
If it does offend please pay even closer attention to this article.
(note see article : The Sword)
It is not simply saying we changed our minds, and continuing on the same path as before. It requires a physical change. If there is no physical change in our lives ,then we did not repent. It is less about the words, and more about the actions.
We must realize that there is a true need for repentance in our lives. Not just from some fear of hellfire and brimstone. We must see that we are in desperate need of a change in our lives. Our lives without our Messiah, and His teachings are leading us to ruin and destruction. Not only in some future world to come, but in this one we are in now.
At the end of my article (The other side of Tzedakah) I wrote about the need for repentance being that our Messiah is still with us, and feels our pain through our suffering. We must take this to heart. We must not seek repentance purely out of selfish reasons, but as a realization of our need to change. Not just our thoughts, words, or actions, and not just one day a week. But our need for true change in our lives, all of our life, everyday.
Please see this and take it to heart. IT IS NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT HIM. Him being God! We all focus so much on blessings and curses in our lives, and in doing so we forget that they are there for a purpose. They are there to show us the choice, to lead, and show us the very real True God. And in doing so to return to Him and His ways.
To return to our God, and His ways is true repentance. But for most of us its not that simple, because we have lost track of who our God is, and what our God wants. There is a true need for repentance in this world, and we need to get back to an understanding that can, and will lead us to it!
We must understand that repentance is not a one time thing. So many have a misunderstanding of what Salvation is. I hope to address this in future articles. But for know lets talk about it as it pertains to repentance.
So often many take the one time act of raising a hand, walking down an isle, and saying some words to be repentance. Through this misunderstanding of repentance they are now saved from all there sins, so now they can sin without the worry of missing out on Heaven, or going to Hell.
This is not repentance!!!
This is only the first step in understanding the need to return to God. It is not the end, but the beginning. The best analogy for repentance I have ever heard comes form the Bereans online. There analogy goes as follows.
“anyone who has ever driven knows that every straight line is actually a series of small turns.”
You cant drive on a straight path in a car without turning your wheel constantly making minor correction in order to keep yourself out of the ditch. There are always obstacles, potholes, and changes in inclines on the road, trying to knock you off the path.
This in a nutshell is repentance. It is the constant corrections necessary in our lives to keep us on the straight and narrow. We have to remember that repentance is not a one time thing, it is a lifetime of contently turning towards God and His path!
We must realize that our sins do actually separate us from our God. Many agree that we need a closer walk with Yeshua (Jesus), many speak about a closer relationship with God. But few realize that our sins actually keep us apart.
Hab 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to see evil, you cannot countenance oppression. So why do you countenance traitors? Why are you silent when evil people swallow up those more righteous than they?
Can we see why we need a better understanding of Sin and repentance yet?
A call of repentance is in fact a call of returning to God!
We must gain a new found respect for the Word of God, All of it. We must seek a truer understanding of what it is we are to turn back to, and how so we can truly repent. We must learn to tremble at Gods word.
Isa 66:2 Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.
How many of us today truly tremble at Gods Word? How many think of it as having actual applications to our lives? How many see the Word of God, compare it to our lives, and truly tremble at the realizations that we are not even close to keeping the Will of God? To do this, and seek to return to the ways of God is true repentance!
We must ask ourselves, do I tremble at His Word?
We have been given such incredible tools to seek insight into Gods Word in this modern age. The tools our generation has to discover the truth in Gods Word is without comparison in ages past. We no longer have to be from a wealthy family to learn to read Scripture. We no longer have to know Latin to be able to read Scripture. We no longer have to depend on men to tell us what God wants in our lives.
We can know the wisdom of the ages by simply turning on a computer. We can access the Bible in almost any language in the world. We have tools to learn languages that were just a dream to understand for many in the past. In moments we can pull up commentaries, ancient writings, and translations.
Yet we must realize that where much is given, much is expected. We have been given incredible gifts in this regard. We must use these tools to seek Gods understanding, and not mans. We must strive to Tshuv, to repent, to turn back to God. We must seek His ways and not ours, only then can we truly say we have repented.
Repentance is not simply asking for forgiveness of some sin you cant even define. Repentance is a turning, it is admitting the sin, and quitting the sin. Admit it, and quit it! It is a true turning, not just in mind, and heart - but in action!
Do we tremble at Gods word? Not just treat it with the dignity, and respect it represents and deserves. But to actually read Gods Holy Word and understand that we are meant to follow it in our lives. Read it and follow it through!
Is it enough to call people to repentance, or to repent without teaching, or knowing what repentance is? Is it enough to walk an isle, raise a hand, or say a prayer? Is it enough to simply change ones mind, still continue in sin, but with a better outlook on life?
NO IT IS NOT!!!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
If this offends you please realize I am not writing this to any one person or group of people. It is something we must all take home.
If it does offend please pay even closer attention to this article.
(note see article : The Sword)
It is not simply saying we changed our minds, and continuing on the same path as before. It requires a physical change. If there is no physical change in our lives ,then we did not repent. It is less about the words, and more about the actions.
We must realize that there is a true need for repentance in our lives. Not just from some fear of hellfire and brimstone. We must see that we are in desperate need of a change in our lives. Our lives without our Messiah, and His teachings are leading us to ruin and destruction. Not only in some future world to come, but in this one we are in now.
At the end of my article (The other side of Tzedakah) I wrote about the need for repentance being that our Messiah is still with us, and feels our pain through our suffering. We must take this to heart. We must not seek repentance purely out of selfish reasons, but as a realization of our need to change. Not just our thoughts, words, or actions, and not just one day a week. But our need for true change in our lives, all of our life, everyday.
Please see this and take it to heart. IT IS NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT HIM. Him being God! We all focus so much on blessings and curses in our lives, and in doing so we forget that they are there for a purpose. They are there to show us the choice, to lead, and show us the very real True God. And in doing so to return to Him and His ways.
To return to our God, and His ways is true repentance. But for most of us its not that simple, because we have lost track of who our God is, and what our God wants. There is a true need for repentance in this world, and we need to get back to an understanding that can, and will lead us to it!
We must understand that repentance is not a one time thing. So many have a misunderstanding of what Salvation is. I hope to address this in future articles. But for know lets talk about it as it pertains to repentance.
So often many take the one time act of raising a hand, walking down an isle, and saying some words to be repentance. Through this misunderstanding of repentance they are now saved from all there sins, so now they can sin without the worry of missing out on Heaven, or going to Hell.
This is not repentance!!!
This is only the first step in understanding the need to return to God. It is not the end, but the beginning. The best analogy for repentance I have ever heard comes form the Bereans online. There analogy goes as follows.
“anyone who has ever driven knows that every straight line is actually a series of small turns.”
You cant drive on a straight path in a car without turning your wheel constantly making minor correction in order to keep yourself out of the ditch. There are always obstacles, potholes, and changes in inclines on the road, trying to knock you off the path.
This in a nutshell is repentance. It is the constant corrections necessary in our lives to keep us on the straight and narrow. We have to remember that repentance is not a one time thing, it is a lifetime of contently turning towards God and His path!
We must realize that our sins do actually separate us from our God. Many agree that we need a closer walk with Yeshua (Jesus), many speak about a closer relationship with God. But few realize that our sins actually keep us apart.
Hab 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to see evil, you cannot countenance oppression. So why do you countenance traitors? Why are you silent when evil people swallow up those more righteous than they?
Can we see why we need a better understanding of Sin and repentance yet?
A call of repentance is in fact a call of returning to God!
We must gain a new found respect for the Word of God, All of it. We must seek a truer understanding of what it is we are to turn back to, and how so we can truly repent. We must learn to tremble at Gods word.
Isa 66:2 Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.
How many of us today truly tremble at Gods Word? How many think of it as having actual applications to our lives? How many see the Word of God, compare it to our lives, and truly tremble at the realizations that we are not even close to keeping the Will of God? To do this, and seek to return to the ways of God is true repentance!
We must ask ourselves, do I tremble at His Word?
We have been given such incredible tools to seek insight into Gods Word in this modern age. The tools our generation has to discover the truth in Gods Word is without comparison in ages past. We no longer have to be from a wealthy family to learn to read Scripture. We no longer have to know Latin to be able to read Scripture. We no longer have to depend on men to tell us what God wants in our lives.
We can know the wisdom of the ages by simply turning on a computer. We can access the Bible in almost any language in the world. We have tools to learn languages that were just a dream to understand for many in the past. In moments we can pull up commentaries, ancient writings, and translations.
Yet we must realize that where much is given, much is expected. We have been given incredible gifts in this regard. We must use these tools to seek Gods understanding, and not mans. We must strive to Tshuv, to repent, to turn back to God. We must seek His ways and not ours, only then can we truly say we have repented.
Repentance is not simply asking for forgiveness of some sin you cant even define. Repentance is a turning, it is admitting the sin, and quitting the sin. Admit it, and quit it! It is a true turning, not just in mind, and heart - but in action!
Do we tremble at Gods word? Not just treat it with the dignity, and respect it represents and deserves. But to actually read Gods Holy Word and understand that we are meant to follow it in our lives. Read it and follow it through!
Is it enough to call people to repentance, or to repent without teaching, or knowing what repentance is? Is it enough to walk an isle, raise a hand, or say a prayer? Is it enough to simply change ones mind, still continue in sin, but with a better outlook on life?
NO IT IS NOT!!!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Sunday, January 29, 2012
To Repent - part 1 of 4
Many people have asked for forgiveness from there sin. Unfortunately many that ask don’t even know what sin is, let alone how to define it.
(note see article : What is Sin)
But even with this being the case it doesn’t stop the call for repentance from going out. So what is repentance? Is it simply asking for forgiveness from some sin, or sins in your life? How is it attained? What does it mean to repent? These are the types of questions I hope to address in this article. It is my sincerest hope that after reading this we can all walk away with a better and truer understanding of this subject.
Many out there may think they have a good grasp on repentance, and many will be surprised by what we think we know. I just ask that as you read this, do so with an open mind, and heart. With the mindset of seeking the truth of the matter, and not simply what we want to think.
So lets start of with answering the question, what is repentance? As with most things I think it is important to go back to basics when trying to define a word. Because at the end of the day, we are not trying to see what Americans, or Greeks thought of repentance. We want to know how it is defined in Gods Holy Word!
In order to do this we need to go back to the Hebrew to see what the word truly is. In Hebrew the word most commonly translated as repentance is Tsuv! The first thing we need to recognize is that repentance is a verb, it is an action word. It is something we do. It isn’t a state of mind, or a philosophy, it is an action. We have to understand that to repent is a great thing, but if you do not actually repent then you do not have repentance! That might seem confusing to some but stay with me.
One may ask how can you repent without having repented?
The first thing we need to realize is that if we do not know what we are repenting from how can we call it repentance. We have to have a better understanding of sin, what sin is, and how to define it in our lives. Otherwise we cannot truly call what we do repentance, for they are just empty words.
Second we have to realize that repentance is not a one time thing. Please understand that sin is not a one time thing. So how can repentance be a one time thing? We need to understand what repentance truly is, before we can claim it, or better yet actually do it!
The Hebrew word for Tshuv doesn’t actually mean repentance. You see repentance is an English word with an English definition. But as written before, we are not trying to seek the English definition for repentance. We are trying to understand it from the Holy Scriptures, and in the Holy Scriptures the word Tshuv means to turn or return!!!
One may ask, how in the world does the word for repentance simply mean to return. I thought you had to raise a hand, or walk an isle to do it right. What is all this returning stuff? I have heard many sermons, and in fact given many sermons on repentance in my past, and the basis for most of them is to change our minds. Now this leads us to a problem in most theological circles today.
We have focused so much on feelings, concepts and ideas of the mind, that we have virtually done away with action, and in many cases made the act of following Gods Word a sin. We have gotten so confused, and much of this comes from not understanding, or misunderstanding sin, and repentance. Let me pose a couple of questions.
How can one change there mind, if they do not change there actions?
How can one show that he has changed his mind, if there are no actions that follow?
To change one's mind, or say that we have, is not good enough. It is not simply about changing ones mind. What really matters is not what we say, or think, it is what we do. Remember repentance is not a noun it is a verb, it is something we do!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
(note see article : What is Sin)
But even with this being the case it doesn’t stop the call for repentance from going out. So what is repentance? Is it simply asking for forgiveness from some sin, or sins in your life? How is it attained? What does it mean to repent? These are the types of questions I hope to address in this article. It is my sincerest hope that after reading this we can all walk away with a better and truer understanding of this subject.
Many out there may think they have a good grasp on repentance, and many will be surprised by what we think we know. I just ask that as you read this, do so with an open mind, and heart. With the mindset of seeking the truth of the matter, and not simply what we want to think.
So lets start of with answering the question, what is repentance? As with most things I think it is important to go back to basics when trying to define a word. Because at the end of the day, we are not trying to see what Americans, or Greeks thought of repentance. We want to know how it is defined in Gods Holy Word!
In order to do this we need to go back to the Hebrew to see what the word truly is. In Hebrew the word most commonly translated as repentance is Tsuv! The first thing we need to recognize is that repentance is a verb, it is an action word. It is something we do. It isn’t a state of mind, or a philosophy, it is an action. We have to understand that to repent is a great thing, but if you do not actually repent then you do not have repentance! That might seem confusing to some but stay with me.
One may ask how can you repent without having repented?
The first thing we need to realize is that if we do not know what we are repenting from how can we call it repentance. We have to have a better understanding of sin, what sin is, and how to define it in our lives. Otherwise we cannot truly call what we do repentance, for they are just empty words.
Second we have to realize that repentance is not a one time thing. Please understand that sin is not a one time thing. So how can repentance be a one time thing? We need to understand what repentance truly is, before we can claim it, or better yet actually do it!
The Hebrew word for Tshuv doesn’t actually mean repentance. You see repentance is an English word with an English definition. But as written before, we are not trying to seek the English definition for repentance. We are trying to understand it from the Holy Scriptures, and in the Holy Scriptures the word Tshuv means to turn or return!!!
One may ask, how in the world does the word for repentance simply mean to return. I thought you had to raise a hand, or walk an isle to do it right. What is all this returning stuff? I have heard many sermons, and in fact given many sermons on repentance in my past, and the basis for most of them is to change our minds. Now this leads us to a problem in most theological circles today.
We have focused so much on feelings, concepts and ideas of the mind, that we have virtually done away with action, and in many cases made the act of following Gods Word a sin. We have gotten so confused, and much of this comes from not understanding, or misunderstanding sin, and repentance. Let me pose a couple of questions.
How can one change there mind, if they do not change there actions?
How can one show that he has changed his mind, if there are no actions that follow?
To change one's mind, or say that we have, is not good enough. It is not simply about changing ones mind. What really matters is not what we say, or think, it is what we do. Remember repentance is not a noun it is a verb, it is something we do!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Monday, January 23, 2012
The other side of Tzedakah
The other side of Tzedakah
Many people know of the idea of charity in a Greek mindset. The benevolent act of giving to those less fortunate than you, or an act of philanthropy. But in Hebrew the word for charity is translated from the word Tzadik which actually means righteous. This is because the act of giving is seen as the ultimate act of righteousness.
Part of the reason why is, because it is an act of equaling out the scales. The idea goes as follows; if I have, and you have not, I will give some of what I have so we are both equal. No one is better than, or above the other and all needs are met.
Many forget that the act of giving is a command,
“I am not speaking about tithing” !!!
Deu 15:4 “Only, there should be no poor among you. For Hashem does greatly bless you in the land which Hashem your Elohim is giving you to possess as an inheritance,
Deu 15:7 “When there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, within any of the gates in your land which Hasehm your Elohim is giving you, do not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
Deu 15:11 “Because the poor one does not cease from the land. Therefore I am commanding you, saying, ‘You shall certainly open your hand to your brother, to your poor and to your needy one, in your land.
To give is an act of righteousness. Many have taught that giving is how we can best be the image of our creator. Think about it, what if the image of God is less about physical appearance and more about our actions. To be His representatives in this world. In truth, tzedakah is not about giving, tzedakah is about being. The book of Genesis tells us that we are made in God’s image.
None of us look alike, so the image of God can’t be just a physical likeness. What, then, is it to be Gods image? What does it mean to be God’s image in the world? Tradition teaches that what is essentially divine about God is that God loves unconditionally and that God gives freely.
We don’t earn God’s gifts, blessings, or salivations. God gives simply for the joy of giving. Many know this to be Grace, and are somewhat surprised to learn that Grace wasn’t invented in the New Testament.
To be God like means to give, and to be free means to be able to choose to give. To be free means to be able to love and to give. We are reflections of that divine image, which means that when we rise up in our freedom and we offer gifts of love, caring, and support then we are truly acting as the image of God.
We are in this material world, so to bring light into the world, and to share it with each other is our mission. A person who doesn’t give isn’t whole. A person who doesn’t reach out is, in some ways, not human. The fullest expression of our humanity is possible only when we reach out to each other and we connect with each other.
But there is another side of Tzedakah as well. It is easy to think of it from the side of giving and receiving needs, goods, or money. But what if we were not speaking of those types of things. What if we are speaking of hardship in general?
From ancient times the good in this world is represented by light, even in Judaism today sending a spark of light through tzedakah and mitzvahs is said to be spreading the light of God to the world.
But if this is the case then there is another side to it as well. All coins have two sides. What if by going through trials and hardships you are keeping others from having to go through them themselves. What if their faith isnt where it needs to be to fully go through it? Would you help and take some or all of there burden?
Taking on the sufferings of others so they do not have to.
(Note: see article, The Purpose of trials)
This is also a form of Tzedakah. It is what our Messiah did for us in taking on our sins and sufferings, in taking the death sentence to give us a chance not to have to redeem the rightly deserved penalty of our sins.
Isa 53:3 despised and rejected by men, a man of pains and knowing sickness. And as one from whom the face is hidden, being despised, and we did not consider Him.
Isa 53:4 Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
And as Disciples of Messiah aren’t we called to emulate him and do the same thing?
1Pe 2:21 For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,
1Pe 2:22 “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth,
1Pe 2:23 who, being reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1Pe 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His body on the timber, so that we, having died to sins, might live unto righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.
1Jn 2:6 The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.
In the past few years my family and I have gone through great trials and periods of loss. And as a man, I have struggled with it greatly at times. It is very easy to lose yourself in the selfishness of self loathing. Thankfully, I serve the one true God, and He is not only great and wonderful, but He is faithful , and never left me, or let me pull myself to deep into the pit of despair.
During one of the nights where I was going through a particular rough period, the Lord spoke to me. He made me see and think of the idea of Tzedakah as I described at the beginning of this article. He made me start to see things in a new light. What if my loss was keeping others from having to go through loss?
You may think it sounds strange, but it is really basic economics. Think of it like this, there is only so much money in an economy, only so much pie available. If my lack of money can help someone, who’s faith may not be as strong as mine, by giving them more pie, why not take less so they can have more? We must also keep in mind for some the riches this life offers will be there only reward, so shouldnt we give it freely?
This helped me a lot, because I could no longer see my lack as a curse but a blessing. The strongest time of repentance, and study for me came through my times of hardship and loss.
Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I myself was going astray, But now I have guarded Your word.
Psa 119:71 It was good for me that I was afflicted, That I might learn Your laws.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Messiah. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I realized this many times before, and knowing this helped me keep my faith strong through those times. But that wasn’t all I needed to see.
Through this new understanding I was led not only to help myself, but to understand our Messiah much better. The fact is if I have to be, or can be afflicted so another doesn’t have to. If I have to, or can experience pain and loss so another doesn’t have to, is fine, it is even great.
But the real pain doesn’t come from my personal loss, it comes from having to see my family have to suffer as well.
We all want the best for our family’s, and being the head of a family that is lacking in many things is hard. To see them have to do without, when so many seem to have so much is the real pain.
This gave me an even greater perspective into our Messiah. Its harder to see those you love suffer than to go through suffering yourself. This is true almost across the board in almost any situation and with almost any person.
Now imagine our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
The beatings, torture, humiliation, and suffering to death on the cross, tree, branch, stake or what ever you want to call it, was in fact only temporary. What if that wasn’t the hard part? Think of all I have written so far. What do you think the hardest part was?
As written earlier the hardest part for most is not the suffering of oneself, but seeing those we love suffer. I believe the hardest part was going through all this suffering , so the world didn’t have to, and then watching them still make the same mistakes, and take the wrong path anyway!
We often think of Yeshua on the cross, and many teach it as if that was the end. Sure they speak of a resurrection and the hope we have in it. But often we don’t realize that Yeshua is still with us. Yeshua was resurrected, and Yeshua is still with us today. I believe the real pain for Yeshua is seeing us suffer needlessly and continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Our sin causes our Messiah real pain. Our lack of repentance causes our God real pain!
Hopefully this will give us all more cause for, and a deeper understanding of the need for, and understanding of repentance!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Many people know of the idea of charity in a Greek mindset. The benevolent act of giving to those less fortunate than you, or an act of philanthropy. But in Hebrew the word for charity is translated from the word Tzadik which actually means righteous. This is because the act of giving is seen as the ultimate act of righteousness.
Part of the reason why is, because it is an act of equaling out the scales. The idea goes as follows; if I have, and you have not, I will give some of what I have so we are both equal. No one is better than, or above the other and all needs are met.
Many forget that the act of giving is a command,
“I am not speaking about tithing” !!!
Deu 15:4 “Only, there should be no poor among you. For Hashem does greatly bless you in the land which Hashem your Elohim is giving you to possess as an inheritance,
Deu 15:7 “When there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, within any of the gates in your land which Hasehm your Elohim is giving you, do not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
Deu 15:11 “Because the poor one does not cease from the land. Therefore I am commanding you, saying, ‘You shall certainly open your hand to your brother, to your poor and to your needy one, in your land.
To give is an act of righteousness. Many have taught that giving is how we can best be the image of our creator. Think about it, what if the image of God is less about physical appearance and more about our actions. To be His representatives in this world. In truth, tzedakah is not about giving, tzedakah is about being. The book of Genesis tells us that we are made in God’s image.
None of us look alike, so the image of God can’t be just a physical likeness. What, then, is it to be Gods image? What does it mean to be God’s image in the world? Tradition teaches that what is essentially divine about God is that God loves unconditionally and that God gives freely.
We don’t earn God’s gifts, blessings, or salivations. God gives simply for the joy of giving. Many know this to be Grace, and are somewhat surprised to learn that Grace wasn’t invented in the New Testament.
To be God like means to give, and to be free means to be able to choose to give. To be free means to be able to love and to give. We are reflections of that divine image, which means that when we rise up in our freedom and we offer gifts of love, caring, and support then we are truly acting as the image of God.
We are in this material world, so to bring light into the world, and to share it with each other is our mission. A person who doesn’t give isn’t whole. A person who doesn’t reach out is, in some ways, not human. The fullest expression of our humanity is possible only when we reach out to each other and we connect with each other.
But there is another side of Tzedakah as well. It is easy to think of it from the side of giving and receiving needs, goods, or money. But what if we were not speaking of those types of things. What if we are speaking of hardship in general?
From ancient times the good in this world is represented by light, even in Judaism today sending a spark of light through tzedakah and mitzvahs is said to be spreading the light of God to the world.
But if this is the case then there is another side to it as well. All coins have two sides. What if by going through trials and hardships you are keeping others from having to go through them themselves. What if their faith isnt where it needs to be to fully go through it? Would you help and take some or all of there burden?
Taking on the sufferings of others so they do not have to.
(Note: see article, The Purpose of trials)
This is also a form of Tzedakah. It is what our Messiah did for us in taking on our sins and sufferings, in taking the death sentence to give us a chance not to have to redeem the rightly deserved penalty of our sins.
Isa 53:3 despised and rejected by men, a man of pains and knowing sickness. And as one from whom the face is hidden, being despised, and we did not consider Him.
Isa 53:4 Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
And as Disciples of Messiah aren’t we called to emulate him and do the same thing?
1Pe 2:21 For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,
1Pe 2:22 “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth,
1Pe 2:23 who, being reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1Pe 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His body on the timber, so that we, having died to sins, might live unto righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.
1Jn 2:6 The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.
In the past few years my family and I have gone through great trials and periods of loss. And as a man, I have struggled with it greatly at times. It is very easy to lose yourself in the selfishness of self loathing. Thankfully, I serve the one true God, and He is not only great and wonderful, but He is faithful , and never left me, or let me pull myself to deep into the pit of despair.
During one of the nights where I was going through a particular rough period, the Lord spoke to me. He made me see and think of the idea of Tzedakah as I described at the beginning of this article. He made me start to see things in a new light. What if my loss was keeping others from having to go through loss?
You may think it sounds strange, but it is really basic economics. Think of it like this, there is only so much money in an economy, only so much pie available. If my lack of money can help someone, who’s faith may not be as strong as mine, by giving them more pie, why not take less so they can have more? We must also keep in mind for some the riches this life offers will be there only reward, so shouldnt we give it freely?
This helped me a lot, because I could no longer see my lack as a curse but a blessing. The strongest time of repentance, and study for me came through my times of hardship and loss.
Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I myself was going astray, But now I have guarded Your word.
Psa 119:71 It was good for me that I was afflicted, That I might learn Your laws.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Messiah. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I realized this many times before, and knowing this helped me keep my faith strong through those times. But that wasn’t all I needed to see.
Through this new understanding I was led not only to help myself, but to understand our Messiah much better. The fact is if I have to be, or can be afflicted so another doesn’t have to. If I have to, or can experience pain and loss so another doesn’t have to, is fine, it is even great.
But the real pain doesn’t come from my personal loss, it comes from having to see my family have to suffer as well.
We all want the best for our family’s, and being the head of a family that is lacking in many things is hard. To see them have to do without, when so many seem to have so much is the real pain.
This gave me an even greater perspective into our Messiah. Its harder to see those you love suffer than to go through suffering yourself. This is true almost across the board in almost any situation and with almost any person.
Now imagine our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
The beatings, torture, humiliation, and suffering to death on the cross, tree, branch, stake or what ever you want to call it, was in fact only temporary. What if that wasn’t the hard part? Think of all I have written so far. What do you think the hardest part was?
As written earlier the hardest part for most is not the suffering of oneself, but seeing those we love suffer. I believe the hardest part was going through all this suffering , so the world didn’t have to, and then watching them still make the same mistakes, and take the wrong path anyway!
We often think of Yeshua on the cross, and many teach it as if that was the end. Sure they speak of a resurrection and the hope we have in it. But often we don’t realize that Yeshua is still with us. Yeshua was resurrected, and Yeshua is still with us today. I believe the real pain for Yeshua is seeing us suffer needlessly and continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Our sin causes our Messiah real pain. Our lack of repentance causes our God real pain!
Hopefully this will give us all more cause for, and a deeper understanding of the need for, and understanding of repentance!
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The story of the boy and his Fathers list
Once upon a time there was a boy living in ignorance and enslaved to those who were around him. But the boys Father had been watching over his son for some time. And finally one day the boys Father came to save him from all those he was enslaved to.
After redeeming the boy and bringing him back to His house, the Father gave the boy a list of chores. To teach the boy who had lived apart form his Father for so long how to once again live with his Father. He then promised the boy that as long as he did the deeds on the list he would have a happy and long life. But if he ignored the list and went against his Fathers Will he would have a hard life indeed.
The Father did not make the list to easy to follow, in the intention that it would show the boy all that he should be doing and wasn’t. Also, it was to remind him that he couldn’t actually accomplish it on his own. To show the boy that he needed his Fathers help.
The boy immediately took the list and jumped for joy at the idea of not being enslaved, and for being able to move into his fathers house. He agreed immediately to do all the chores on the list. The next day the boy went to work, and for awhile he tried his very best to complete the list. Then it hit him, the list seemed to mock him and show him all that he had failed to do in his life so far. He tried his best but did not finish the chore list. The boys father came to him at the end of the day and told him how very proud he was that he took such initiative. And told the boy that the list was to assure him a good life in his Fathers house. But as a gift given in love, the Father would be giving him a great reward even tho he didn’t earn or finish the list completely.
The next day the boy awoke and grabbed the list his father had given him the previous day, and started to work it again. And altho there were many of the chores that he couldn’t do on the list the boy did as many as he could. When the boys Father realized what his son was doing he stopped the boy and reminded him that the boy had already gained the reward, and to most it would seem that what the boy was doing was not necessary. But the boy replied to his Father that altho he understands that the great reward never depended on him doing the chore list, he still wants to complete as much of the list as he can as often as he can. Because he loves his father so much and appreciates all that he has done for him. The Father replied that he was proud that the boy finally understood the purpose of the list.
The question is would you consider the boy to be a sinful son for continuing to follow his Fathers list?
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Jewish Law
It never fails that when I share the gospel of the Torah, or even mention the word Torah, or law the same question almost always comes up. “What? Do you expect us to go back to the days of stoning one another every time someone steps out of line?” Or some variation, usually having to do with stoning our children. I usually try, with no avail, to show them the beauty of God’s Law, and how it is a Law of Life and not death (Lev 18:5). But usually ignorance born of tradition, and lack of context wins out in the end. So, I am writing this to show that even in some of the strictest times in the history of Jewish Law (I am speaking of Jewish Law because we have accurate records of it in action.) which is based on the Torah, it is nowhere close to being as cruel as even our own.
The humanity of Jewish law is most clearly revealed in its attitude toward capital punishment. While accepting it in principle as prescribed in the Mosaic law, the Rabbis nevertheless kept from prescribing the death sentence and protected it with so many strict laws of evidence as to make its application almost impossible. A Sanhedrin which imposed capital punishment once in seven years was considered tyrannical. Eleazer b. Azariah added, "even once in seventy years." R. Tarfon and R. Akiba declared, "If we had been members of the Sanhedrin, no man would ever have been put to death." The strong tendency of Pharisaic legislation was to do away with capital punishment altogether, and there was a marked trend to mitigate all forms of judicial punishment.
No circumstantial evidence was admissible in capital cases. If it wasn’t concrete it wasn’t allowed. There was a need of at least two reputable eyewitnesses (Duet 17:6). They had to be reputable and there testimonies had to agree on all accounts. No man could incriminate himself—a principle not found in Roman law which so much of our own laws are based upon. Because of this torture was ruled out. Writing of law enforcement in ancient Egypt, at the time of the New Kingdom (16-8 c. b.c.), Erwin Seidl states:
“Criminal law and criminal procedure were inhuman. In contrast to the Jewish law which limited corporal punishment to forty strokes, one hundred strokes was the ordinary punishment in Egypt. Torture was often used, not only upon the accused but also upon independent witnesses. Strange forms of capital punishment seem to have been practiced, such as leaving the prisoner to be eaten by crocodiles. It was a special favor to allow a convicted criminal to commit suicide. Numbers of criminals, with their ears and noses cut off, were condemned to forced labor in concentration colonies on the frontiers of the country.”
Athens and Rome also permitted the torture not only of slaves but of others to obtain evidence. Roman judicial procedure developed a very elaborate system of torture of the accused (quaestio) and of reluctant witnesses. The Fourth Book of Maccabees enumerates a list of the horrible instruments of torture—wheels, joint screws, dislocators, rocks, and bone-crushers, catapults, caldrons, braziers, thumbscrews, iron claws, wedges, and branding irons. From Rome, the institution of torture passed over to medieval Europe and was standard practice in England, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and elsewhere until the eighteenth century. Even today scandals of torture used by investigators on US citizens in the form of sleep and food deprivation are common place in today’s society. Not to mention cases of water boarding within our governmental systems. Which raises the question of just how far even our government will, or can go.
The Church itself, through the Inquisition, and many other periods, employed torture to extort confessions. Heretics were often tortured by the civil power at the direction of the religious authorities. In Asiatic countries, torture as part of the legal system was and in many cases still is almost universal. Modern totalitarian regimes have added psychological forms of torture to the already crowded chamber of human horrors. Jewish law forbade torture. There is no mention of it in the Bible and no reference to it in the Talmud except as employed by the Romans or by King Herod, who in many other cruel respects copied the ways of the Romans.
During the Second Temple period in Jewish law no kinsmen, paternal or maternal relatives, or relatives by marriage could act as witnesses. If the accused had not been first warned by the witnesses of the consequence of his contemplated crime, he could not be found guilty. The court sitting in a capital case was composed of twenty-three judges, and the trial was held in the court of the Hewn Stone in the Temple at Jerusalem. A simple majority was sufficient for acquittal, while a majority of two was required for conviction. All, including the disciples of the Sages who were not among the judges, might argue in favor of acquittal, but not all in favor of conviction. There had to be an opposing voice raised in favor of the accused. Unlike non-capital cases, one who had argued in favor of acquittal could not afterward change his mind and argue in favor of conviction, but he was always free to alter his position in favor of acquittal. A verdict of acquittal could be reached on the same day of the trial, but not a verdict of conviction. A verdict of conviction could be reversed, but not a verdict of acquittal.
The judges declared their opinion in order, beginning with the youngest who sat at the sides of the benches which were arranged like the half of a round threshing floor. This was done so that the younger judges might not be influenced by the opinion of their elders. Witnesses were thoroughly examined in inquest and cross-examination.
If the accused was finally found guilty and sentence was pronounced, every precaution was taken to the very last moment of the actual execution, to reconsider the verdict in case any new evidence was presented. The court appeared to be hoping to the very end that some new evidence would turn up to clear the man, or that some technicality would be pointed out to force an acquittal. As the condemned man was being led away to the place of execution, a man stood at the door of the court with a flag in his hand, and another, mounted on a horse, at a distance. If in the court someone said, "I have something new to argue in favor of acquittal," then the man waved the flag and the horseman hurried and stopped the condemned who was being led to execution. Even if the doomed man himself said, I have something new to argue. Even if he said this four or five times, provided that there was any substance to his words. A herald went before him calling out: “if any man knows anything in favor of his acquittal, let him come and plead it”.
When everything failed, the condemned man was urged to make confession. Because it was believed that everyone that makes confession has a share in the world to come. He was given a strong drugged wine to drink to benumb his senses. If his punishment was hanging, his body was let down immediately after the hanging, and was never allowed to remain on the scaffold overnight (Dt. 21:23). That would have been a needless indignity inflicted on a human being.
At every stage of the trial, sentence, and execution, one is made aware of the scrupulous care which Jewish law took to protect the accused—a care scarcely paralleled anywhere in the ancient world, and not everywhere in the modern world. Jewish Law’s deep regard for the sanctity of human life, its vast compassion for the erring and the sinner, its profound humanity and its instinctive abhorrence of the shedding of blood—even the blood of the guilty—are everywhere in evidence.
Yet many would have us believe that our God the Creator of the world was such a tyrant that we were to stone our children at the slightest offense, and use this as a justification of not following our Father’s law. Yet even Jewish law was more compassionate than our laws today. And anyone who has studied antiquity will know was far more stringent than that of Torah alone.
May many insights into the traditional views be illuminated by this article. It is my sincerest hope that this article will at least raise some questions into the typically negative view of the Will of our Creator or His law, and help to lead us to the truth. Let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua Ha-Mashiach (Jesus Christ). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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