Misunderstandings and misconceptions about the “the Law” can seriously hamper your relationship with God!

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Misunderstandings and misconceptions about the “the Law” can seriously hamper your relationship with God!

FOLKS, after 27 years of being a Messianic believer,  I’m so weary of having my Torah walk challenged by those who adhere to only the last fourth of the Bible which has erroneously been dubbed as the “New Testament,” as if the “old” (the first three-quarters of the Bible, containing the ORIGINAL words of God in those first five Books called “Torah”) are somehow no longer valid, because “Jesus” supposedly came to bring a “new religion” and abolish everything his Father ever commanded!

It gets old, having the same old hackneyed lines crammed down my throat about how “Jesus Christ is the only way to God!” and “The Law was just for the Jews,” and “it was abolished at the cross because nobody could keep it perfectly.”

SO HERE’S MY RESPONSE: While those worn-out phrases are nerve-wracking, it might surprise you that those particular statements are both true AND false!

Please read the following explanations:

POINT ONE: YES, MESSIAH YESHUA (whom Christians call Jesus) IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER! However, Yeshua (whose given Hebrew name means “Yahweh is Salvation” or “Yahweh saves”) did not come to bring a “new religion” called “Christianity.” He came to earth to represent Yahweh-Elohim (his Father), to teach us how to properly obey and worship the Father, and how to treat each other; and to ultimately offer his life for the purpose of becoming our Redeemer so that we could have eternal life.

POINT TWO: We must remember that the Bible tells us we are all ONE in Messiah (Galatians 3:28), and as such, there are no separate rules for His “natural” or “adopted” children, when it comes to certain “forever” commands. Not to mention, nothing says we have to keep "all 613 commands" (let alone, “perfectly”) as MOST of them were directed at the Levite cohens (priests); some were only for men; some only for women; and some were only for a certain time frame.) However, some were meant to last FOREVER - and those are the ones that believers must pay attention to.  For instance:

(1) Eating only “clean foods” (the “unclean” animals, birds and fish didn’t automatically become “clean” just because Jesus died!).

(2) Keeping the commanded Seventh Day Sabbath – which sets us apart from the rest of the world. It’s our weekly “date” with God!

(3) Keeping the seven commanded Biblical Feasts (all of which foreshadow Yeshua!)  They are our yearly “dates” with God, spread out throughout the year, in part, to continue our ongoing relationship with Him.

(4) Keeping in Ten Commandments (which, by the way, come straight from the “Old Testament” people insist doesn’t pertain to them, because it’s supposedly “only for the Jews”) which outline, in no uncertain terms exactly what is expected of God’s people.  Tithing comes straight out of the “Old Testament” – so why do pastors still ask for tithes?

POINT THREE: Yahweh Himself reiterated several times that ALL who accepted Him as their God were to do as His people did, which was to obey His Torah (Divine Instructions in Righteousness).

Leviticus 24: 22 You are to apply the same standard of judgment to the foreigner as to the citizen, because I am ADONAI your God."

Numbers 9: 14 If a foreigner is staying with you and wants to observe Pesach for ADONAI, he is to do it according to the regulations and rules of Pesach- you are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the citizen of the land.'"

And check out this passage wherein Yahweh says FOUR TIMES in a row that ALL are to obey His Divine Instructions!

Numbers 15: 13 "'Everyone who is native-born must do these things in this way when he brings an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 14 For the generations to come, whenever an alien or anyone else living among you presents an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, he must do exactly as you do. 15 The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD: 16 The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you.'"

Deuteronomy 31: 11 when all Isra'el have come to appear in the presence of ADONAI at the place he will choose, you are to read this Torah before all Isra'el, so that they can hear it. 12 Assemble the people-the men, the women, the little ones and the foreigners (which includes ANYONE who wishes to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) you have in your towns -so that they can hear, learn, fear ADONAI your God and take care to obey all the words of this Torah…

SO YES - belief in the shed blood of Yeshua is definitely the ONLY door or portal through which we have access to the Father – but as you can see from the few passages above, there’s more to belonging to God than just “believing” in His Messiah. The whole Bible tells us so:

John 14: 6 Yeshua answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY FAIL TO BOTHER WITH THE “OLD TESTAMENT”; consequently missing the point that ALL who accept Yahweh as their God and Yeshua as His Divine Messiah, are to OBEY His Divine Instructions, without which we would have NO blueprint for moral, holy living! What makes you think Yeshua abolished that, when Yahweh sent him specifically to do everything His Father told him to do? 

Deuteronomy 18: 15 "ADONAI will raise up for you a prophet like me from among yourselves, from your own kinsmen. You are to pay attention to him, 16 just as when you were assembled at Horev and requested ADONAI your God, 'Don't let me hear the voice of ADONAI my God any more, or let me see this great fire ever again; if I do, I will die!' 17 On that occasion ADONAI said to me, 'They are right in what they are saying. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I order him. (CJB)

Yeshua Himself said He came to do HIS FATHER's will; not His own!

John 6: 35. Y'shua said to them, I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will not hunger. And whoever believes in me will not ever thirst. 36. But I have said to you that you have seen me, and you do not believe. 37. All who my Father has given to me will come, and whoever comes not to me I will cast outside! 38. For I came down from heaven,[1] not to do my will, but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39. And this is His will, that of Him who sent me, that all that He has given to me I do not lose even one. 40. For this is the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in Him, will have life that is eternal. And I will raise him up on the last day. (Aramaic English New Testament)

[1] As in the context of Miltha (the Word) or the "Manifestation" or the "Will of" YHWH coming down from heaven to do the Will of YHWH upon earth; his Spirit is of YHWH but his nephesh (soul) and body are human and temporal. This shows that Yeshua was NOT in charge; HIS FATHER WAS!

Yeshua came to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH and to do everything His Father commanded. He tore down the fences of man's legalism. Neither He nor His Apostles ever advocated against Torah!

Does this mean we have to convert to Judaism or become Orthodox Jews, dressing in black suits and hats and perform all the traditions?

NO! What this means is that you should READ and STUDY the Torah (first five Books of the Bible that contain ALL of YHWH's original, Divine Instructions); along with the REST of the Bible in order to get the "big picture"; and begin to recognize that

1 John 2: 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him. 6 He who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as he walked. (CJB)

How did he walk? By Torah! Y'shua didn't make up new rules. He kept Torah and expected US to follow suit. You can only know the him through the law and the testimony! Revelation reveals this:

Revelation 12: 17 "The dragon was infuriated over the woman and went off to fight the rest of her children, those who obey God's commands and bear witness to Yeshua." (CJB)

Revelation 14: 12 "This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God's people, those who observe his commands and exercise Yeshua's faithfulness." (CJB)

Please note, the above scriptures don't mention the "Ten Commandments". They simply refer to "the Commands" or "the Commandments" depending on which Bible version you use....God warns us in Proverbs 4:2 - "I give you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah."

Here's more...

"And by this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and follow his commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome. Because, whoever is born of Elohim overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" (1 John 5:2-4).

And Paul said:

"Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we ESTABLISH the Law" (Romans 3:31).

In closing: Nobody said we had to "follow the law perfectly." But Torah commandments still stand for ALL who have accepted the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Remember, in Messiah there is no Jew or Gentile, male or female, slave or free. We are all equal, and ultimately, there is no difference between is "natural" and "adopted" children...

If the above explanation hasn’t given you enough food for thought, then please read two of my short blog posts designed to explain further: https://blog.therefinersfire.org/2024/10/if-youve-broken-one-commandment-youre.html and https://blog.therefinersfire.org/2022/01/please-read-this-if-you-dont-believe.html

Something to remember whenever people attempt to engage in endless arguments

Titus 3:9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile. 10 Warn a divisive person once, then a second time; and after that, have nothing more to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a person has been perverted and is sinning: he stands self-condemned. (CJB)

Romans 16: 17. And I plead with you, my Brothers, that you beware of them who cause divisions and stumblings apart from the doctrine which you have learned: and that you stand distant from them. 18. For they who are such do not serve our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach, but their own belly: and by bland speeches and good wishes, they deceive the hearts of the simple. (AENT)

2 Timothy 3: 1. But know this: That in the latter days hard times will come: 2. and men will be lovers of themselves and lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, unyielding towards their own people, deniers of grace, wicked, 3. unloving, addicted to irreconcilable malicious gossips, ferocious, haters of the good, 4. treacherous, rash, inflated, attached to pleasure more than to the love of Elohim, 5. having a form of respect for Elohim but wide from the power of Elohim. Them who are such, repel from you. (AENT)

2 Tim 2:14 Keep reminding people of this, and charge them solemnly before our Master (Y'shua) not to engage in word-battles. They accomplish nothing useful and are a catastrophe for the hearers! 15 Do all you can to present yourself to Elohim as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth. 16 But keep away from godless babbling, for those who engage in it will only become more ungodly, 17 and their teaching will eat away at people like gangrene. (CJB)

James 4: 1. From where is it, that there are among you arguments and conflicts? Is it not from the lusts which war in your members? 2. You covet but do not possess; and you kill and envy, and effect nothing: and you fight and make attacks; and you do not have, because you do not ask. 3. You ask, and do not receive because you ask wickedly, that you may feed your lusts. 4. You adulterers, don’t you know that the love of the world is hatred towards Elohim? He therefore who chooses to be a lover of this world is the enemy of Elohim. (AENT)

Matthew 24:10 At that time many will be trapped into betraying and hating each other, 11 many false prophets will appear and fool many people; 12 and many people's love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah. 13 But whoever holds out till the end will be delivered. (CJB)

2 Thessalonians 2:9. For the coming of that (Evil One) is the working of haSatan with all power and signs and lying wonders 10. and with all the deceptiveness of iniquity in them that perish; because they did not receive the love of the truth by which they might have life. 11. Therefore Elohim will send upon them the strength of a deception that they may believe a lie;[1] 12. and that they all may be condemned who believe not the truth but have pleasure in iniquity. (AENT)
FOOTNOTE: The price for not receiving the “love of the truth” is to become overly self-confident in false religion. The “love of the truth” is the spirit of truth which must be sanctified by thought and action. One cannot “love the truth” and, at the same time, break the Commandments. (AENT)

A meme that says it all...

 

 

 

FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT QUESTION WHY THIS MEME IS TRUE:

First, it is helpful to read AND study the Bible to understand the following:

THE CHECKPOINT: John 14:6 "No one comes to the Father except through me." (Here we see Yeshua declaring himself to be the only path, truth, and source of eternal life to reach God.)

THE WALL: The Bible describes a wall around the "New Jerusalem" (often associated with heaven) in Revelation 21:12-18. The text states the city has "a great, high wall" (v. 12) made of jasper (v. 18), featuring twelve foundations and twelve gates, with measurements of 144 cubits high (v. 17)

Revelation 12: 17 "The dragon was infuriated over the woman and went off to fight the rest of her children, those who obey God's commands AND bear witness to Yeshua." (CJB)

"IMMIGRATION LAWS": God warns us in Proverbs 4:2 - "I give you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah." (CJB)

Proverbs 28:9 If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination. (CJB)

1 John 2: 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him. 6 He who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as he walked. (CJB)

God warns us in Proverbs 4:2 - "I give you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah." (CJB)

Proverbs 28:9 If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination. (CJB)

Revelation 14: 12 "This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God's people, those who observe his commands AND exercise Yeshua's faithfulness." (CJB)

A heavy thought to ponder

Everything points to the fact that we are living "as in the days of Noah," when humanity was so out of control that ADONAI-ELOHIM decided to wipe us off the face of the Earth. Gone are the days when everyone knew their place and there was a place for everyone. Modern man has become increasingly self-centered, rabidly chasing instant gratification and confusing liberty with license, while forgetting all about obligations and responsibility.

The Bible warned us that this would happen.

A discussion of the Ten Commandments

 

FIRST COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 1 Then God said all these words: "I am יהוה (Yahweh) your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery."

WHO brought the Israelites out of Egypt and out of the slavery to foreign/pagan gods? It was יהוה - the Creator of the universe and everything in it!  His Holy Name is comprised of the Hebrew letters  יהוה (Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey, which in English are represented by the letters YHWH, and also written out as Yahweh ... and most likely, but not necessarily, pronounced Yah-way, as no one knows the real pronunciation.) 

It is imperative to understand that Moshe was not the first one to actually receive the Name of YHWH (as presented in Exodus 3:13-15); but that Avram (or Abram, whom God later renamed Avraham/Abraham) in Genesis 13:4 had "called on the name of YHWH!" 

Also interesting to note is that YHWH's Son, Yeshua (Hebrew: ישוע  - and spelled in various ways in English, including Yeshua, YaHaShua, Yehoshuah, etc.) is the ONLY heavenly entity to have Father YHWH's Name WITHIN his own Name - unlike the angels/messengers whose names contain only YHWH's title of "ELOHIM" (which means "God").  For instance: MichaEL, Rapha-EL and Gabri-EL).

That, in itself, sets Yeshua way above humans or angels. The Greek form, "Jesus," on the other hand, means absolutely nothing and therefore actually detracts from who He was. It is fruitless to argue that "his Name was changed" because of the different languages on the earth, as "Yeshua" was His given, Hebrew name and it is not that hard to pronounce.  The good news is, no one has ever abused Messiah's Hebrew name by turning it into a cuss word...

SECOND COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 3 "You are to have no other gods before me. 4 You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline. 5 You are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I, ADONAI your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey my mitzvot."

You are to have no other gods... Wow! How far has mankind, as a whole, come from that command? How many "other gods" can you name that in no way resemble YHWH? Even "money" has become a "god" to many, as they covet and/or spend it unwisely, which constantly leaves them thirsting for more. What do Catholics do when entering their sanctuaries? They make the sign of the cross and bow statues of Jesus or Mary....

And think about this: What is on your credit card but a "carved image" that you "worship" because they offer you money? And what must you do once you've used their "credit"? You must serve them (by paying often huge interest rates that can keep you indebted for many years)! And when you incur huge debt because you "bowed" to them and used their "credit", aren't you and your children now punished for generations because you squandered any chance of leaving your descendants an inheritance? "A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous" (Proverbs 13:22).

You are not to make a carved image or any kind of representation ... No one has ever actually seen YHWH, because humans cannot look upon God's Face and live (Exodus 20:4-5), direct encounters can be overwhelming or even fatal if unshielded (Isaiah 6). People were able to see the Divine Messiah Yeshua, but the ones who actually saw him were those with whom he came into contact 2,000 years ago, when there were no cameras or voice recorders!  Therefore, every "picture of Jesus" is a lie!  

We, at The Refiner's Fire used to have one Christian woman writing to us, boasting about sending pictures of Jesus to the world for free, claiming those pictures have special powers and have worked miracles.  What utter nonsense!  What she is/was doing goes directly against Exodus 20:3-6!  If something does not perfectly line up with Scripture, it isn't of God - period!

THIRD COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 7 "You are not to use lightly the name of ADONAI your God, because ADONAI will not leave unpunished someone who uses his name lightly."

Using His Name lightly (in vain) refers to falsely "prophesying in His Name" or trying to tell someone, "God told me to tell you..." etc. There are so many who dare to "use His Name lightly" and veer from Scripture by inserting their own interpretation or opinion, or coming up with "conspiracy theories" etc. "Using His Name lightly" also refers to the use of His name as a bad word. (How many times have you heard someone say, "Jesus Christ!" - using it as a cuss word? Thank God our Savior's Name is YESHUA which has never been used for evil speech!)

FOURTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 8 "Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. 9 You have six days to labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Shabbat for ADONAI your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work -not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. 11 For in six days, ADONAI made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why ADONAI blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself."

Please read Sabbath Day and also notice YHWH said we have have six days to labor and do all our work, but the seventh day is a Shabbat for YHWH our God. Some insist that the Seventh Day Shabbat is according to the moon cycles, but nothing could be further from the Truth.

FIFTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 12 "Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land which ADONAI your God is giving you."

This command is self-explanatory, but here is a word for those who were abused by their parents, and find it hard to "honor" them: The commandment is to honor your mother and father; it does not say you have to "love" them or even "like" them! It means, "honor" them, for they gave birth to you and provided for you while you were growing up. (For more on this issue, please check out our blog post.)

SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 13 "Do not murder."

We have no right to take another's life intentionally, regardless as to the reason. This includes the life of an unborn baby! Yes, in "Old Testament" times, YHWH ordered the killing of pagans and entire cities - but this was because He did not want HIS people infected with pagan customs and ideals. Since the death of Yeshua He no longer asks us to kill unbelievers, as HE will deal with them on Judgment Day; but He still expects us to keep ourselves holy/set apart from "the world!"

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 14 "Do not commit adultery."

In Matthew 5:27-28 Yeshua says, You have heard that it has been said that you should not commit adultery (see Exodus 20:13, 14; Deuteronomy 5:18) 28. But I say to you that all who that looks at a woman as lustfully at once has committed adultery in his heart.

In other words, thinking can lead to doing, and doing the act moves the sin to a new level that hurts not only the perpetrators but also their families. Not to mention, it results in intentional sin, for which there is no sacrifice!

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 15 "Do not steal."

In our society, many have justified the ideal of "stealing from the rich and giving to the poor"; or just taking what they want, even if it means murdering those from whom they are stealing.

NINTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 16 "Do not give false evidence against your neighbor."

In other words, don't lie; period. Our court systems still include raising our right hands and swearing to "Tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me, God" although there are some major battles by atheists to have "so help me God" removed....

TENTH COMMANDMENT: Exodus 20: 17 "Do not covet your neighbor's house; do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Nearly every advertisement we see today, whether in print or electronic media, suggests we "keep up with the Joneses." Buy, buy, buy! If your neighbors drive a Lexus, get out your credit card and buy yourself a Lamborghini - or at the very least, a Rolls Royce. If your neighbor's wife had a face-lift and looks 20 years younger, perhaps it's time to look for a woman who actually is 20 years younger.

Our society is built on credit and greed and instant gratification - and those are just a FEW of the reasons why we are on the verge of collapse!

Most have simply not put YHWH first in their lives and that is why they constantly strive to fill that "little hole in their soul" with "stuff"...