Category Archives: Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law

Understanding the Hebrew Roots of Christianity Draws Us Nearer to Yeshua

Understanding Hebrew roots – “God’s ways” not “Jewish traditions”

Far too many Christians are taught today in churches that the Old Testament is an interesting book of stories but not relevant anymore or that somehow the New Testament has completely replaced the Old Testament. This is simply not true. Seek to understand the Hebrew roots God Himself created as the foundation of our relationship with Him and how to place them in the proper context in our lives today. Test what you have been taught by our culture and churches today against what scripture really says.

Do not accept the world’s assessment that these are “Jewish ways” as if that is a bad thing. This is about understanding God’s ways, which He gave to the Jewish people, much of which Christians have discarded in favor of man’s ways.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Let us also remember that Yeshua was judged perfect by obeying the law and instructions of YHWH laid out in the Old Testament. He should be our example and we should seek to better understand the ways he lived when he was among us physically, setting the example for us to follow. Then we can seek carefully to understand what elements have been fulfilled.

  • 119ministries.com (also TestEverything.net) challenges and helps us test common teaching or practices today against God’s word. We are to test everything and hold onto only what is good
  • Shoreshim Ministries, at BillCloud.com, re-introduces Christians to the Jewish Y’shua in order to educate believers in the Hebraic roots of their faith. This in turn helps disciples to understand and follow Messiah more fully in their lives.
  • Beth Immanuel Sabbath Fellowship, at BethImmanuel.org, is a family-based Messianic Jewish community for people of all nations. Teaching and Bible study is at the center of what they do. They emphasize teaching and study from a Messianic Jewish perspective, revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity, and encountering the Jewish Jesus.
  • First Fruits of Zion, at ffoz.org, specializes in the study and teaching of Scripture from its historical, linguistic, and cultural context. They present a Messianic Jewish reading of the Bible and early Jewish-Christianity.
  • Foundations in Torah, at FoundationsInTorah.com, focuses on connecting the gospels and epistles of the New Testament with their foundations in the Old Testament for a better understanding of context.
  • Hebraic Roots Network, at HebraicRootsNetwork.com, is a consortium of like-minded ministries dedicated to bringing solid Biblical teaching to the world. They present the Scriptures from a Hebrew perspective allowing the viewer to gain a deeper understanding through applied context.
  • Hebrew For Christians, at Hebrew4Christians.com, helps us study and deepen our faith by connecting with the Hebrew roots of God’s relationship with His people.
  • MTOI.org Messianic Torah Observant Israel. We are dedicated to serving YHWH as He brings the Body of Messiah together worldwide. We pray that this website becomes a valuable resource for you to learn, grow, and fellowship with other like-minded believers from around the world who desire to connect with you and help you feel connected.
  • RenewedMoon.com Latest reports and tools for sighting crescent (renewed) moons throughout the world and within Israel for the purposes of observing a Biblical calendar.
  • RestoringTheWay.org It is the focus of this ministry to restore what we believe has been something lost over the past 2,000 years or so and that is the Hebrew or Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.

Additional resources to help you Study Hebrew Roots of Christianity.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please teach me Your ways so that I would know You and not rely on the often deceptive teachings of men. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Did Jesus Declare All Food Clean?

There are some topics that are clearly a challenge to cover in a daily post or article which is intended to be read quickly. There are clearly topics that one can only touch on and stage some ideas in a brief setting like this one and then those who are reading must pray and choose to study and consider more thoughtfully after they have finished reading. Today’s subject is one of those topics from scripture.

There is a phrase included in some, but not all, English translations of the Bible in Mark 7:19 that goes something like this… “(Thus He declared all foods clean.)”

Many wish to immediately jump on this, if it is in the translation of the Bible they are reading, and declare that all foods are clean. They jump to the seeming conclusion that they already want to be true, despite the inconsistency it creates with regards to scripture in broader context and comparison. We should take caution and tread carefully before jumping to conclusions. Test everything against the full context of the entire Bible.

Mark 7:1-23

Followers of Tradition

      1The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”

6And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

      7‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’

8“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

      9He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10“For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; 11but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ 12you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

The Heart of Man

      14After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16[“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

      17When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 20And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23“All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

Several things draw my attention in regards to the phrase “(Thus He declared all foods clean.)”

1- The declaration that suddenly all food is clean is completely out of context in the scripture. The scripture is about the flawed basis of traditions of men that people cling to and specifically about being made unclean by not washing hands before eating. It has nothing to do with what things are considered appropriate to eat or not.

2- Cross check with other English translations shows that this phrase only shows up in some versions. I suspect, but have not completed, a further study of the history of this verse and tracing it back might prove interesting to determine if it is original or was added in some translations at a later time. For example… it is not in the King James Version. Is it in the original Greek?

3- Similarly, a cross check with the other gospels, such as Matthew 15, reveal that this phrase is not included.

The Heart of Man

      15Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17“Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20“These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

4- Other detailed cross checks and study across scripture identifies many other conflicts with the claim that all things we could eat are considered good and appropriate to eat. We could cite many Old Testament scripture but also just observing the behavior of Jesus and the disciples shows a complete continuity of their lives lining up with God’s instruction from the Old Testament.

5- We could further explore this phrase… “all foods clean”. When I say to someone I like cupcakes, it does not mean that I like every possible cupcake that could be imagined… such as ant and cricket stuffed straw cupcakes. It means that for the wide variety of things that I consider to be described as cupcakes, I generally like them. Similarly, one could ask … “If I say all food is clean, then what exactly do I mean by “food”.” Would it make sense that I mean “anything that I put in my mouth”? Of course not. I can put rocks in my mouth but that is not food. Exploring a bit deeper in the culture of the ones speaking and documenting the scripture… they are Jewish. They define food in that culture and context consistent with God’s definition of food from the Old Testament. That is very different than what we, today, may consider to be food.

The clear message of the scripture is simply that in regards to man’s traditions, such as washing hands before eating, we will not be defiled by failing to follow these traditions. We are much more defiled by our attitudes in which we dishonor or disrespect God and His instructions that come from our heart and reveal our lack of obedience and faithfulness to God.

For those of you who are “germ conscious”… have no fear… it is ok to wash your hands before you eat to address your germ concerns. That is not really the point of the scripture either.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to challenge and test everything against Your word. Let me not simply accept what is commonly taught. Help me to have a desire to study and seek You diligently. Open my eyes to the truth of Your word. Help me to see through Your eyes. Help me also remember that those who may disagree with me on certain doctrine  are not my enemies. We should test and challenge scripture with one another. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Reflect on Freedom: Follow God’s Instructions with Wisdom

Many in the USA celebrate freedom as a key part of the heritage of our July 4 national holiday. It commemorates the independence of the USA from England and the policies of the government there for which the colonies were not represented. We can be reminded to value our freedom and not take it for granted. Fireworks and parties are commonplace. The birth of a free nation is celebrated. We do not celebrate this freedom by rebelling against the very nation that protects and provides our freedom. We do not declare that our freedom means we are no longer subject to any laws.

This day is a good opportunity for us to reflect deeper on one who is greater than us and who also allows us the freedom to make our own choices. Our Creator made us in His image and allows us the freedom to follow Him on His terms or live in rebellion to Him, choosing instead to honor and follow the desires of our flesh and sinful nature. We do not have the freedom to truly follow Him while defining our own terms regarding how we will do so. When we change the terms, we are no longer following Him His way. All of us are inherently sinful. Babies at birth need not be taught to scream when they want something. Young children need to be taught to share, taking what they want comes naturally. We must learn to focus on the needs of others just as we must learn God’s ways in order to be set apart and different than the world.

Our Father, YHWH, provided us instructions to follow as any good father does for His children. Often the instructions are for the benefit of the children themselves, even if they don’t understand that fully. The instructions have been communicated through thousands of years and neatly compiled into the Bible we have so readily available to us today, so long as we choose to open it or click the link to it. We need only pray for enlightenment from the Spirit and read with a desire to learn and change our behaviors to follow God’s instructions. We should not read with a desire to justify all of our current actions and attitudes… that is redefining God in our image rather than redefining ourselves in His image.

We talk often in Christian community about freedom through Christ. It is amazing, but sadly many get confused by false teaching about this freedom. What are we set free from?

The short answer is that all too often people essentially say we are set free from all boundaries and can do anything, and God will be pleased. This is false. This would be akin to saying we are free in the United States and then pretending that there are no laws or boundaries governing what is acceptable behavior and what will land you in prison. God has established guidelines and instructions for us to follow to help us, as a father does for his children. Are we to use our freedom to rebel against the one who gives it to us? No. Christ sets us free from the law of sin and death. He sets us free in that we can be reconciled to YHWH even when we do not live out his instructions perfectly to his standard. This means, simply that we can be forgiven for our sins, because Jesus already paid the price required by the law for our sins. We can be set free from condemnation and guilt, but we are to repent from the sinful ways and do things according to God’s instruction. We are to follow Christ.

Romans 8:1-4

1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Many teach that we are set free from the law, from God’s instructions, but this is not correct. Jesus followed God’s instructions throughout His earthly ministry and so did His disciples. In fact, he was judged righteous in that he lived perfectly according to the law. He never taught against following God’s law, only against following the man-made traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees that were overburdening people with meaningless traditions and distracting from or even contradicting God’s law. We must ask ourselves… “Is Jesus our example to follow? or our excuse to live how we want rather than how God tells us to?”

Throughout the scriptures, God’s law is highlighted as good, as worthy of love, of setting us free from the lure of sin by showing us what is right. It is a light unto our path to guide us. I have included a few excerpts from Psalm 119, but you should click the link and read the whole Psalm. Many others have similar content. The law of God is to be obeyed. Jesus did not come to set us free from it.

Psalm 119 (excerpts – I encourage you to read 119 completely)

97O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.

142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

143Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.

162I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.

163I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.

164Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

165Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.

171Let my lips utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.

172Let my tongue sing of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.

Would it make sense that Jesus came to set us free from wisdom, delight, truth, and peace? Certainly not. This would be absurd. Jesus came to set us free from the law of sin and death. Yes, we all sin, and thus deserve death. However, Jesus sets us free from that guilt and condemnation and judgment because He already paid the price for us. What He calls for in return as part of this freedom is that we submit to God, repent of our sinful ways, and seek after God. True repentance transforms us to be different from the world and to become more and more like Jesus as we continue to grow in wisdom and maturity in our faith over the course of our lifetime.

Just as we see so obviously in the physical world, freedom brings responsibility and accountability for the choices we make. It is similar with our Father in heaven. Freedom comes with responsibility and accountability. There are spiritual consequences in our relationship with God and ultimate destination when we die from this life and go into eternity to heaven or hell. There are also physical and emotional impacts in our lives today based on how well we follow the instructions He has provided. After all, the loving Father and Creator knows how best to guide His creations. He gives us the answers, but we need to listen and obey… even when we don’t understand fully.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to follow You according to Your ways. Help me rejoice and celebrate freedom in Christ from bondage to sin. You provide forgiveness from my sins and reconciliation to You. Let me not use Your forgiveness as an excuse for me to live my own way and call that “freedom” to do as I want. That is wrong. Thank You for the freedom to choose to follow You. Help me to choose You and embrace You fully. Amen.  

Learn more:

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Embracing the Truth: Humility and Teachability in Following Jesus

The Pharisees often struggled to understand the truth of Jesus’ teaching. They already thought they understood everything based on their rules and traditions and their application of God’s laws and commands. They struggled then to understand and accept when Jesus did differently than they expected because they did not have a humble and teachable attitude. They did not recognize and accept Jesus as divine authority with divine understanding of God’s law that was above their own understanding.

We must take a different approach if we are to learn from Jesus rather than cling to our existing man made traditions. We should test everything against the life of Jesus and the whole of scripture.

Mark 2:23-28

Question of the Sabbath

      23And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

In today’s scripture, we can observe several key elements from Jesus’ behavior and discussion.

Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Thus, God did not make man just to worship Him on Sabbath for His own pleasure. Rather, God created the Sabbath as a much needed day of rest, prayer, and study of scripture to help man in his life to draw near to God and other people. Sabbath can rest and strengthen us as we go through difficult times and it can encourage us even in good times. It keeps us focused on God.

Not all of God’s commands are equally important in all situations. While we should strive to obey all of them, applied in proper context, there are situations where we need to use good judgment to recognize that we must deviate. One such example is cited by Jesus, Himself regarding David and his men. Another example is demonstrated by Jesus allowing His disciples to pick grain.  As I look to apply in my life, I have encountered situations where I have the opportunity to help someone on a Sabbath… that is good. However, even acts of service and love can interfere in our Sabbath rest and worship if we always schedule them for Sabbath. When practical I try to schedule on other days to keep my Sabbath open. I have to use good judgment to balance the decisions. We shall not be so literal as to miss opportunities to show love to one another and help one another when urgent. (Think about the parable of the good Samaritan. Take the time to help someone in need.)

Jesus clearly takes hold of the claim that He is the “Son of Man” and is “Lord even of the Sabbath”. While this may not be clear to some of us as we read from our culture and time, it is a clear statement that He is one with God. Only God is Lord of the Sabbath. Son of Man refers to the Messiah. Jesus clearly identifies Himself to those listening.

As we continue to try to learn more about the truth of God’s word, let us be careful to show grace to fellow believers in regards to our customs and traditions (e.g. such as around Sabbath). Teach and share truth as Jesus did, without rejecting those who seek to learn it just because they do not yet know it.  Not everyone understands the truth to the same level.

All of us are influenced by the worldly culture that surrounds us… that we grew up in. Sometimes it is hard to separate that out and reject it and turn fully toward God’s path. It certainly requires study and time to uncover the full truth of God’s word. It requires prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit to transform one’s life. Let us show grace to fellow believers who may not fully understand or apply the truth as we do and let us remain humble and teachable so that we can continue to learn more about God’s truth and how to apply it in our lives.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Living in Grace: Bearing Burdens and Restoring Souls

Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians in chapter 6. The context of the letter is primarily a rebuke to the Galatians who are letting themselves be influenced by others to lean towards legalism as a means of salvation. Legalism refers to the wrong teaching that perfectly obeying the law is the way to salvation rather than submission to Christ and accepting His sacrifice on our behalf.

There is some good advice in the closing chapter.

  • Look to restore those who trespass or sin with gentleness. We need not reject them, unless they refuse to repent.
  • Help one another in bearing each others burdens. Let not the believers be divided to deal with sin alone.
  • Let us not boast in others for their relationship with Christ. Let us focus on our own, while helping others with theirs.
  • Support those who share the truth of the gospel.
  • What we sow, whether righteousness or wickedness, so shall we reap. Seek to sow from the Spirit.
  • Let us treat all with respect and care, but especially fellow believers.
  • Keep a right view of the law… obeying the law is the fruit of our salvation (the result of it) and not the root of our salvation (the way we get it). Remember also, that “law” translates simply the concept of “instruction” and not specifically law as we think of it today.
  • Let us seek to walk in spirit with Christ, praying for Him to be with us and our fellow believers.

Galatians 6

Bear One Another’s Burdens

     1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5For each one will bear his own load.

      6The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

      11See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

      17From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

      18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus Set Us Free from the Law of Sin and Death, Not From God’s Law via Moses

As a reminder of context, in writing to the Galatians Paul was confronting what appears to be a turn toward legalism… putting faith in salvation in obedience to the law. He strongly rebukes the people to put their faith in salvation only in Christ Jesus. He is not condemning circumcision or the law, but rather the idea of putting our faith into those things so that we would be saved instead of Jesus. While we should clearly avoid thinking of the law as salvation, let us recognize that Paul identifies in this very same passage that the law can be summarized as loving your neighbor as yourself. Thus the law can’t be bad in and of itself. It serves as a good guide. For those of us who are Spirit-filled and submitted to the Spirit, Paul argues that we will not “need” the law. However, let us not lose sight of the fact that the Spirit will not lead you inconsistently with the law and instructions of God. Both are focused on loving God and loving one another… God’s way.

Let us all invite the Spirit in to fill us and lead us as followers of Christ. Recognize the law has no power to save us, only through faith in Christ can we be saved. However, the law has been and remains a helpful guide in understanding what we should do and not do. We must study and pray for the Spirit to lead us, however. There are aspects of the law, such as animal sacrifices, which are no longer relevant given Christ’s death for us. Let us also take care not to confuse the many man made “laws” or rules that are not of God but have been added. Let us stick to the Bible and not the rules of men that have been added and are so burdensome as to overwhelm anyone.

As we decide which aspects of God’s law are meaningful and which we believe may no longer be… let us look for scripture to understand which have been fulfilled and not take such a simplified approach as to throw all the law out on the assumption that we no longer need God’s guide. It still has value to help many who are not Spirit filled or fully submitted to God’s Spirit. It is a good check or validation to many of us as well as to whether our flesh may be leading us astray in some areas in our life as it battles for control with our submission to the Spirit.

Galatians 5

Walk by the Spirit

     1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

      2Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

      7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

      13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

      16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

      25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Pray the Spirit would fill God’s people around the world and overwhelm the desires of the flesh such that we would have a revival around the globe.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Spirit Ignited: Embracing Pentecost and the Feast of Weeks

Many Christians have heard of Pentecost and remember it as the time to celebrate and remember when the Holy Spirit came to dwell in the early church believers after the death and resurrection of Christ. This truly is a holy day worth celebrating. Our Father sent a Helper to dwell among us… to teach us and lead us as His people. The Spirit dwells among believers today, though many have been taught to dismiss the Spirit as an active part of experiencing relationship with our Father in our daily lives. Others, in their enthusiasm to experience the Spirit attribute much to the Spirit, even when it is only their own insight or instinct. We don’t, as a culture, know how to relate to and experience the Spirit in our lives anymore.

Pentecost is a wonderful event that followers of Christ should want to remember given that we are promised the Holy Spirit dwells in all of us. What a great reminder that we have that Helper from our Creator to guide and teach us… to comfort and counsel us. We are not alone in trying to live our lives obedient and pleasing to the Lord as we face hardship in this world.

Acts 2

The Day of Pentecost

1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

5Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8“And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9“Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

Peter’s Sermon

14But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

17‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

18EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.

19‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.

20‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.

21‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

22“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

25“For David says of Him,
‘I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE;
FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.

26‘THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED;
MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;

27BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES,
NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.

28‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE;
YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’

29“Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30“And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. 32“This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33“Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

34“For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

35UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”’
36“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

The Ingathering

37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reading through Acts 2, we are reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit in us. What an inspiring event! Look at how Peter was transformed from the man who denied Christ three times as he followed to see what would become of Him on the way to crucifixion into now a powerful man of God addressing large crowds and bringing many to the Lord.

If we dig a bit deeper, note that the very beginning of this scripture identifies that the day of Pentecost was drawing near, and many had gathered for it… before the Holy Spirit showed up. This day already had significance. It is often referred to as the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot by Jewish people.

As an important side note, we see that Yeshua’s disciples were still following the law even after He had died and risen. The law is still our guide, but we must understand it properly and what has changed with the death of Christ. Spoiler alert: most of it has not changed. (Understanding the Law – What Does It Mean Today?)

Pentecost is simply Greek for “50 days”. It was applied to this day because the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, was a festival to be observed seven weeks from the second day of the Passover. Since seven weeks times seven days per week is 49 days… the day after would be 50.

The Feast of Weeks is the second of three major Jewish festivals with the others being Passover and Feast of Tabernacles. This celebration corresponds to when the first fruits of the wheat harvest were offered to the Lord. Many also traditionally associate it with commemorating the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, though that is not clear from scripture.

Leviticus 34:22-24

22“You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. 23“Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. 24“For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD your God.

Leviticus 23:15-21

15‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 16‘You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD. 17‘You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD. 18‘Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. 19‘You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20‘The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before the LORD; they are to be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21‘On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.

Numbers 28:26-31

26‘Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the LORD in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. 27‘You shall offer a burnt offering for a soothing aroma to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs one year old; 28and their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the one ram, 29a tenth for each of the seven lambs; 30also one male goat to make atonement for you. 31‘Besides the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, you shall present them with their drink offerings. They shall be without defect.

I am still personally coming up to speed on some of historical context and rich meaning behind the feasts of the Lord as He instructed in the Old Testament. There is much to be studied and appreciated there. Our Father makes a habit of tying together the Old and New Testament events. Often one is a foreshadowing of another, not one a replacement of the other. For example, Jesus was crucified at Passover. This was not coincidence. As Passover celebrates God’s people being set free from slavery in Egypt by the mighty power of God, so too Jesus death and resurrection on the cross should be celebrated as setting His people free from slavery to sin.

Consider also, then that the Holy Spirit being sent to the believers after the death of Christ on Pentecost. This is not coincidence. God intended the two to be linked. We must then explore the Old Testament to fully understand what God is telling us in the New. Tradition holds that the law was given at Mt Sinai on Shavuot. If this is true, then once again God has linked the giving of the law with the giving of the Holy Spirit. One does not replace the other, but rather they foreshadow and complement one another.

Consider a homework assignment… a challenge for each of you who are hungry to seek the Lord. Put some time aside for additional study of Pentecost and how the Old Testament feast foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit to our lives.

As a start, I am beginning with my family to set aside the day of Pentecost as a Sabbath day of rest as God instructed. We will discuss the significance of both the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost. Both are worthy to be remembered and celebrated.

You can study more about the creators calendar using sites like Hebrew4Christians.com or Psalm119Ministries (select Time: Our Creators Calendar to see collection of videos available). You can learn about what the scripture says about these holy days, when they occur, why God told us to celebrate Shavuot, and traditions.

There is some debate amongst different sources as to the date of the Passover and thus Shavuot/Pentecost each year. Don’t let this discourage you from getting started celebrating and studying God’s holy days.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unveiling the Truth: Understanding Galatians and the Law of God

Galatians is often misunderstood by Christians to say that the Law of God is obsolete. What God provided to His people to guide them as a light unto their path has somehow now become a burden and they are slaves to it. I believe this is not so at all. Paul was clearly making a point that obeying the law as a path to salvation is wrong, but He was not saying that obeying the law is wrong. I encourage those interested and willing to invest some time to watch the video teaching on Galatians at TestEverything.net.

Let us take heed to recognize that we are not to revile the law as burdensome and enslaving and also not to put the law on such a high place as to replace our proper understanding of salvation through Christ and Christ alone. We need no longer be slave to sin and death. We need not be slave to the things of the world. In Christ we have sonship. He offers us salvation from sin and self, from wickedness. Where the law points us on the way to Christ and also shows us how to love God and love one another, the death of Christ and the indwelling of the Spirit bring us power to overcome the slavery to sin, self, and wickedness. We need not strive on our own power to live the way God instructs us but with His power as our Helper.

Galatians 4

Sonship in Christ

     1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

      8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

      12I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Bond and Free

     21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. 23But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. 24This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

27For it is written,
“REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR;
BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR;
FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE
THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.”

28And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

30But what does the Scripture say?
“CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON,
FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

31So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

We can make ourselves slaves to the law if we consider that we must execute all it contains flawlessly as our means of salvation, but that is a wrong view of the law and a trap often referred to as legalism. Likewise, we can sin and separate ourselves from God by totally disregarding the law as a guide for our behavior and doing things our own way. Do not forget, Jesus was judged righteous and sinless by living fully according to the law.  He is our example for how we should live.

Let us each pray for the Spirit to enlighten us on the truth of scripture. Ask Him to help us test everything we have been taught against the full truth of scripture. Ask for the humility and courage needed to accept that our current understanding (and that of most Christians around us) may be wrong and the courage to redirect our lives accordingly as He continues to reveal the truth to us.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith Brings Righteousness

Faith brings righteousness. Many will agree quickly and point to how it is new with the new covenant and death of Christ… that before that people were judged by perfect compliance with the law. Galatians 3 is a passionate passage from Paul on this topic.

As we read, consider a few things.  The Mosaic law was not around when Abraham was deemed faithful by Yahweh. Abraham was deemed righteous by his faith.

Genesis 15:6

6Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Abram did not live a perfect life according to the law which was not yet given. Abram was righteous through faith.

The Mosaic law was provided by God to His people to guide them. They were coming out of slavery in Egypt and being trained and prepared to obey and follow the Lord and prepared to take the promised land. It is good and perfect. Let us not take to lightly throwing it away, but it can not save us. Only faith in Christ can do that.  The law remains a good guide for us and a source of validation on what is right and what is not. It helps us better understand our Lord and Father and how to show love to Him and to others.

Psalm 19:7-8

   7The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

      8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Matthew 22:37-40

37And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

We can also understand from the context of Paul’s other letters that he did not consider the law to be a curse or a bad thing. The context of his passionate commentary on the law and faith in Galatians 3 is based on what appears to be a group of believers sliding away from the truth and into false teaching. The Galatians appear to be struggling in regards to putting their faith in Christ, relying more and more on the law instead. With this in mind, Paul rebukes them firmly. As you read, consider that the curse of the law is not the law itself, properly used, but rather the curse is that those who try to be saved by the law will be held to account to live it out perfectly… which none of us can.

Galatians 3

Faith Brings Righteousness

     1You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

      6Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

      10For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” 11Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The law is good and can be very helpful as a guide and validation. It can help us learn how to love God and love others. However, put not your faith in the law but in Christ and His death for our sins. Invite the Spirit to dwell inside you and guide you. Where the law shows us the standard and our failure to reach it, it brings no power to help us. The Spirit, however, brings power to help us live in such a way as to glorify our Father. Praise Him for both Savior and Spirit! He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, forgiven of our sins, and also provided a Helper for us to live in such a way as to glorify Him and honor Him.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.