Woe to ... mixture!

Charitoō

Jesus speaks "woes" over those who deceive and corrupt others (see Mat 23:13-29) to be like themselves; those who pervert and corrupt the truth and preach the deadly mixture as a truth.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Mat 23:15  

... full of dead bones inside!

What is this "Woe"-cry?

Is the law done? … obsolete?

Is the 10 commandments still valid?

Many times I get asked the question Do we still need the law of Moses? 

Well, do we?

Do we need to adhere to the law and commandments given to Moses? 

Do we still have to abide and be obedient to it? 

Often times the law-conscious preacher would use quotes such as in Matthew 5 to substantiate his or her traditional mold of interpretation and understanding.

Perverse minds will pervert scripture

Jesus says that He came not to destroy (demolish; overthrow) the law and someone would say See, right there it says that the law is still in place and we have to abide! 

Taken out of context any verse can be twisted to substantiate corrupted and perverse thinking and doctrine.

Jesus said He came to fulfill it. Huge difference!

He even said IT IS FINISHED!

Looking at the finished work of Jesus on the cross, it is obvious that He alone is the one ever to have fulfilled it completely. Just as one man’s sin imputed sin on all, so one Man’s obedience imputed righteousness on all.

He said so! HalleluYAH!

And the law?

You can ride a dead horse … but it won’t bring you nowhere! 

So, the whole of the New Testament echoes what Jesus did to the law. He fulfilled each and every little part of it to the finest detail so that you and I don’t have to! 

But, let’s look at the finer details and paraphrase Hebrews 8:7-11 for purposes of better understanding

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. - If the first covenant given to Moses was perfect for man, then man would have had no need for a Savior Who brought about the second (new) covenant so that man would not be burdened with the impossible (to man).

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: - The purpose of the law is to show man that it is completely impossible to abide by it and earn his own salvation. The standard is too high. The law always points out your sins and unrighteousness, faultiness in your own accomplishments. The days that come (now – the cross and resurrection) (the author of Hebrews quoting from Jeremiah 31:31-34) that YHVH makes a new covenant with the house of Israel (those who prevailed) and with Judah (the ones who worship YHVH.

What is this new agreement?

Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. - Not in the way Israel wanted it done when they willingly rejected Abba’s invite for intimacy and relationship. They opted for an intercessor, Moses instead, saying All the words which the LORD hath said will we do (earn) Exo 14:3. They hereby willingly chose earn righteousness themselves when God lead them from bondage (Egyptian law) to the promised land of rest (where He is) and therefore He could not regard (could not make light of them) could not esteem them to their rightful positions because of the standard that was so high and perfect.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: - Now, this is the covenant that Abba would make with those who prevail (in their Savior) following the time of the old covenant (own works). He would put His Law (Jesus, the perfect law of liberty - James 1:25) in their hearts and He will be our God and we will be His people - the fullness of His covenant which is relationship and intimacy ... Emanuel, God living in and through us by His Holy Spirit – TODAY!

Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. - The Spirit of Truth shall be the Teacher to everyone (see John 14,15,16) so that one will not have to teach the other in relationship … because all who thirst … all who hunger … … come (Rev 22:17). He already resides within. We all can come boldly to His throne of Grace because of the Blood of the Lamb. We are now righteous and holy before Him … without spot or blemish. HalleluYAH!!! – big and small, learned and unlearned, great and simple … all!

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. - Because He is merciful. His very character (from the Greek root word aihreomai meaning to take for one self; to choose against the old covenant where people had to perform in order to obtain). He chooses not ever to regard our sins and iniquities. This we need to confess homologeō – homo meaning the same and logos meaning logic thinking (mind, the Word). Thus to be of the same mind as God concerning our sins!

Is it finished?

Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. - Herein He says that He made a New Covenant. The old, as a result being made palaioō meaning to be obsolete (Oxford: no longer useful because something better has been presented; outdated). How? By Christ having fulfilled completely the old and presenting us with righteousness - Grace! Now that which is made outdated (palaioō) is also made gēraskō or obsolescent) and is ready (in position; in place) to aphanismos meaning to be in abrogation, to disappear, taken out of sight, render unapparent, perish, fall in disuse)

How can this be ever-the-more clearer?

So then, what exactly is “the law” that is obsolete?

Contrary to what is taught in the institutional church, it is not the ceremonial laws only. It includes everything that is law and the ways and means whereby you try to establish your own righteousness.

It starts with the ten commandments, written in stone. And this may shake your religious mind a little, but it includes all man-made laws and doctrine of do’s and do-nots and if this then that, and look not, feel not, eat not, touch not, say not … as presented in many church missions, visions, mandates, “who we are”-statements, etc.

Let no one deceive us

The whole of the books of Romans and Galatians warn against conflicting doctrine in this regard. Let's also consider some other scriptures, just for our benefit ...

First Ephesians 

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. - not by keeping the law or any of your own works of righteousness!

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; - What separated us from God? Sin. What gave sin it’s strength? The law!

He abolished what?

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Now John

Joh 1:16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Did God's Grace come by keeping of the law?

And Romans

Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

They wanted to gain righteousness how?

Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

And finally Jesus

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

What a delightfully uncomplicated promise?

But the way most law-preachers teach it and traditions lead people to believe, I am convinced that we'll need some Holy Spirit guidance to understand clearly.

So, I am led to paraphrase again.

The Greek word for destroy is kataluō, meaning to loosen down; disunite; demolish; overthrow; subvert.

The Greek word for fulfill is plēroō, meaning to satisfy, to make replete, to execute, to level something, to furnish, to diffuse, to cram into a net, finish a task, to verify, to make true a prediction, to accomplish, to complete, to end, to expire, to fulfill, to make full, to make perfect, to supply.

Did I miss one?

So, what did Jesus say on the cross?

It is finished! John 19:30

What was finished? (click here to check out the blog post on the Accomplished Word and Perfect Liberty)

Jesus had finished the full requirements of the law. All the demands of justice contained in the law and the prophets were satisfied completely!

That made sin a nonentity.

That made righteousness imputed the biggest Grace gift ever!

And now?

The Way had been presented.

The Truth established.

Death defeated.

Live secured.

Our resurrection in Him displayed!

The full will of God had been executed! The ultimate story of restoration and reconciliation had been dealt with with such amazing completion that it could be declared by the King of kings and Lord of lords saying teleō - IT IS FINISHED!

Be of Good Cheer!

Charitoō

I find it amazing just how the Holy Spirit by the choice of words in His Word, helps us distinguish the fully completed work of Christ.

Jesus uses the word "be of good cheer" ever so often to encourage us. Time and again this word brings to the remembrance exactly who He is ... that we should not be afraid. In fact, this word testifies into all the world, His glorious victory!

In the old covenant the the words "be strong" (châzaq) and "be of good courage" ('âmats) are almost always used in conjunction with each other and are often translated in an interchangeable fashion.

What is the context?

One - There are numerous examples and they always occur in the context whence the Israelites are encouraged to stand strong in obeying the law (which they chose instead of relationship) or when they are about to go into battle (tradition would have them taking the law, arc of the covenant, with them in battle.

Being in the law, people needed these words because complying to the law involves your own works and obedience. You determine your righteousness and need all the strength and encouragement that you can possibly get. Even in battle, victory was determined by obedience and own conduct in the law.

Two - this word is a shadow onto Jesus Who would ultimately fulfill the prophecy.

One old covenant example is where God's people are told: 

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it." Deu 31:6-7

They are about to cross the Jordan to battle the Canaanites and are encouraged to be strong and off good courage since just about 40 years ago, in their own unbelief, they saw themselves as grasshoppers and the Canaanites as giants.

This word also speaks to Joshua as a type of Yah'shua, Jesus Christ, since He would be the One who would ultimately take man into his inheritance, being made the righteousness of God.

The New Testament has a fresh Good-News-approach on these words as they are altogether changed into one word, tharseō to speak of God's Grace (Jesus). We find these similar words uttered only in the following manner: "be of good cheer" (tharseō) ... and interestingly, seven out of eight times by Jesus Himself and only once by His disciples when they were instructed to call the blind Bartimaeus (son of secret) to Him.

Tharseō is a Greek word meaning: to take comfort; to be encouraged; to be very cheerful; to be convinced (of Jesus).

So, this is what is striking in the way Jesus uses the word "be of good cheer" (tharseō) in comparison to the way used in the old covenant:

1. Jesus uses the specific word "be of good cheer" (tharseō) all the time. 
2. Jesus never uses the words "be strong" or "be of good courage".
3. Jesus never uses this word (tharseō) to encourage anyone to stay strong in the law.
   
4. Jesus never uses this word (tharseō) to encourage anyone to go into battle. Not even spiritual warfare!
5. Jesus uses the word tharseō to comfort people and to set aside their fears.
6. Jesus uses the word tharseō to encourage faith.
7. Jesus uses the word tharseō to remind people that their sins are forgiven.
8. Jesus uses the word tharseō to reveal Himself and His Grace.
9. Jesus uses the word tharseō to establish peace.
10. Jesus uses the word tharseō to emphasize that He had come to overcome the world.
11. Jesus uses the word tharseō to encourage people to go in peace and to spread His Gospel, even in Rome.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer (tharseō); I have overcome the world." Joh 16:33

As a New Testament heir, we need only receive what was already obtained on our behalf and "be of good cheer" (tharseō). 

The battle had been fought. 
The victory won. 
All this by the obedience of One - Jesus Christ, Yah'shua! 

Because of Him we have been justified and made the very righteousness of YHVH and stand in an unshakable position to rule with Him in His Kingdom. 
Right here. 
Right now. 
Even physically in this world!

So, be of good cheer! 

Easter or Pesach?

Questions about Pesach and Easter

March/April sees the Jewish feast of Pesach (and the pagan feast of Easter) being celebrated.

Are we to celebrate any one of these feasts?

… and if not, why not?

What is the origin?

Whatever is the connection between the Grego-Roman-European Easter and Pesach?

Good thing you asked!

The Word from beginning to end - dâbâr

The Word is the Word

The word in Greek for the Word of God is Logos. It actually means the logic, the reasoning, the calculation, the matter, the essence, the account, the reason, the cause, the explanation of God.

Think of these meanings for a minute ...

... and where it comes from ...

God is a Consuming Fire?

Charitoō

The author of Hebrews writes: For our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:29

I've heard law teachers preaching about this in a very dogmatic, convicting way saying:

"You see, you have to obey the commandments and prescripts of God because He is like a consuming fire ... and you'd never know ..."

It is usually taken out of context and taught when the need for finances are high or when the control spirit takes a hold of church leaders and people have to be kept at bay.

But let's look at what is being said here.

Tree of Righteousness

Charitoō

There was an appointed, exact time when Jesus closed the book (Isa 61) ... just as the appointed time arrived when He declared: "It is Finished" John 19:30

Lovesick! Like a Dove!

Charitoō

We have this intimate wordplay in Song of Solomon where the bride and the Groom engage in their beautiful Love-Game pursuit.

The whole book is just one ultimate love-declaration!

Kiss the Groom!

Charitoō

There is something amazing that happened with the incarnation of God, when God Almighty became Man in the flesh revealing who He is and what the original design and purpose of man is all about!

The Word of God became flesh and displayed, not only His Goodness, His kindness, His mercy, His patience, His Grace, His Truth, but also our innocence in the Man, Yah'shua.

It's almost as if Psalm 85 gives an eye-witness-account of the event of the consummation of the Bride-groom and His bride:

Too small?

The greatness of God?

The smallness of man?

Maybe these concepts are just too much for us to comprehend.

An maybe our perception has been clouded for far too long.

We have to reconsider, reassess and redress our thinking.

But, how?