Grace and the Law

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From: Wesley Mason
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Grace and the Law

IS MORAL LAW AND SACRIFICIAL LAW FOREVER ???

Wes Mason asks:

As a gentile who is very interested in the Jewish roots of our faith in Jesus, I really enjoy your messages. I have never been taught that grace is not following the law, but that the law came to expose our sin nature and our need for grace. I have been taught that the law can be divided into 2 basic types, the eternal moral laws, ie. thou shall not kill, steal, covet etc and the laws involving sacrificial worship. Once Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, the laws of sacrifice were fulfilled but the eternal law continued. Our new life in Christ leads us to obey those eternal moral laws.

Your thoughts please ?

Wes Mason

Eddie Chumney (Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int'l) replies:

Wes,

This is an EXCELLENT question that NEEDS to be explained. MUCH of traditional Christianity has been taught this perspective. However, what regarding this perspective IS Biblical and what is NOT Biblical?

First of all, whether you realize or not, this perspective is based upon several assumptions and misunderstandings.

ASSUMPTION #1
------------------------

The TORAH and the WORD OF YHVH are NOT the same.

ASSUMPTION #2
------------------------

The WORD of YHVH is ETERNAL

ASSUMPTION #3
-------------------------

The TORAH (except for the moral laws) are NOT ETERNAL

ARE THESE ASSUMPTIONS VALID?

In other words, MOST Christian leaders will say that the WORD of YHVH is ETERNAL. MOST Christian leaders will say that we should OBEY the WORD of YHVH. Yet, they also say that the TORAH is NOT for us today (except for the moral laws).

LOGICALLY, if we say that the Word of YHVH is ETERNAL and SOME of the TORAH is NOT eternal (except for the moral laws) then what Christian leaders are really saying is that the Word of YHVH which they say is ETERNAL CANNOT be the same as something which they say is NOT ETERNAL (Torah except for the moral laws).

Therefore, we need to get a PROPER understanding of the terms Torah and Word of YHVH and LEARN the following:

a) The WORD of YHVH is ETERNAL
b) The TORAH is ETERNAL
c) The TORAH and the WORD of YHVH are ONE and the SAME

THE WORD OF YHVH IS ETERNAL

KJV Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the WORD of our GOD shall STAND FOR EVER.

KJV 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of INCORRUPTIBLE, by the WORD of GOD, which liveth and ABIDETH FOR EVER.

THE TORAH IS ETERNAL

KJV Psalm 119:44 So shall I KEEP thy LAW continually FOR EVER and EVER.

KJV Psalm 119:160 Thy WORD is true from the beginning: and EVERY ONE of thy righteous JUDGMENTS endureth FOR EVER.

The WORD = JUDGMENTS = EVERY ONE = FOREVER

WHAT ARE THE JUDGMENTS?

KJV Deuteronomy 4:8 And what nation is there so great, that hath STATUTES and JUDGMENTS so righteous as all this TORAH, which I set before you this day?

KJV 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to KEEP his STATUTES, and his COMMANDMENTS, and his JUDGMENTS, and his TESTIMONIES, as it is WRITTEN in the TORAH of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

KJV Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the TORAH of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel STATUTES and JUDGMENTS.

KJV Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the TORAH of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the STATUTES and JUDGMENTS.

WORD = STATUTES = JUDGMENTS = COMMANDMENTS = TORAH

TORAH AND WORD OF YHVH ARE SYNONYMOUS TERMS

KJV Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of ZION shall go forth the TORAH, and the WORD of the LORD from JERUSALEM.

In this verse:

ZION = JERUSALEM

Out of Zion goes forth TORAH = WORD OF YHVH from Jerusalem

KJV Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and KEEP thy WORD.

KJV Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold WONDROUS things out of thy TORAH.

KEEP YOUR WORD = BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF THE TORAH

KJV Joshua 1:8 This book of the TORAH shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE therein day and night,

KJV Psalm 119:97 O how LOVE I thy TORAH! it is my MEDITATION all the day.

KJV Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might MEDITATE in thy WORD.

MEDITATE IN TORAH = MEDITATE IN THY WORD

KJV Psalm 119:105 Thy WORD is a LAMP unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path.

KJV Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a LAMP; and the TORAH is LIGHT; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

WORD is LAMP is LIGHT = TORAH is LAMP is LIGHT

CONCLUSION:

a) The WORD of YHVH is ETERNAL
b) The TORAH is ETERNAL
c) The TORAH and the WORD of YHVH are ONE and the SAME

When Christian leaders say that the WORD of YHVH is ETERNAL and then say that the Torah (except for the moral laws) is NOT ETERNAL then they DON'T TEACH and thus BELIEF what is stated in this conclusion.

Wes said:

This is TRUE

TORAH EXPOSES OUR SIN NATURE

What is SIN?

KJV 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

SIN = TRANSGRESSION OF THE TORAH

If we DON'T know what the Torah says or what Torah requires then how can we come to the conclusion that we have ever TRANSGRESSED the Torah? So, Torah exposes our sin nature.

KJV Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

KJV Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

TRUSTING IN DEEDS OF TORAH = REVEALS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN

TRANSGRESSION OF TORAH = PUNISHMENT OF DEATH

KJV Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to OBSERVE and to DO all his COMMANDMENTS which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

KJV Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these BLESSINGS shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

KJV Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt NOT hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to OBSERVE to DO all his COMMANDMENTS and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these CURSES shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

KJV Deuteronomy 28:22 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou PERISH

KJV Deuteronomy 28:45 Moreover all these CURSES shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be DESTROYED; because thou hearkenedst NOT unto the VOICE of the LORD thy God, to KEEP his COMMANDMENTS and his statutes which he commanded thee:

KJV Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day LIFE and good, and DEATH and evil;

KJV Deuteronomy 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to KEEP his COMMANDMENTS and his STATUTES and his JUDGMENTS, that thou mayest LIVE and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall BLESS thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

KJV Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, BLESSING and CURSING: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

LIFE = BLESSING = OBEYING TORAH

DEATH = CURSES = DISOBEYING TORAH

NOW, we have problem because:

KJV Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

KJV James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

ALL SINNED = ALL DESERVE DEATH

EXCEPT, if YHVH extends His GRACE / MERCY to FORGIVE us of our SINS. We CANNOT SAVE ourselves. HOW is the PROBLEM solved?

MESSIAH is the GRACE / MERCY given by YHVH to FORGIVE us of our SINS (TRANSGRESSING or DISOBEYING the TORAH).

FORGIVENESS comes when we REPENT of our SINS.

What is it that we have to REPENT OF? We need to REPENT of our SIN. What is SIN?

KJV 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

IF we REPENT of our SIN (TRANSGRESSING / DISOBEYING the TORAH) then what is the OPPOSITE of REPENTING for DISOBEYING the TORAH?

REPENTING = OBEYING THE TORAH

But on what MERIT are we FORGIVEN if we REPENT of our SINS?

It is the BLOOD of the MESSIAH who SHED His BLOOD for the FORGIVENESS of our SIN.

KJV Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

FORGIVENESS OF SIN = BY HIS BLOOD = GRACE

KJV Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

THE GOAL OF THE TORAH = REVEAL MESSIAH

KJV Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law <5056> for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5056 telos {tel'-os} from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal);

TELOS = GOAL OR TARGET

MESSIAH IS THE GOAL AT WHICH THE TORAH AIMS

MESSIAH is the SOLUTION (Grace / Mercy / forgiveness of sin) to the PROBLEM (sinning against the Torah which brings curses and death).

Wes said:

I have been taught that the law can be divided into 2 basic types, the eternal moral laws, ie. thou shall not kill, steal, covet etc and the laws involving sacrificial worship.

The TORAH contains LOTS of CATEGORIES. There are "moral" laws contained in the Torah. There are laws pertaining to the sacrificial system among MANY more categories.

Wes says:

Once Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, the laws of sacrifice were fulfilled but the eternal law continued. Our new life in Christ leads us to obey those eternal moral laws.

Your thoughts please ?

Wes Mason

Wes, you say that you have been taught:

The "eternal" moral laws continued.

The "temporary" sacrificial laws were discontinued.

Messiah died to do away with the "temporary" sacrificial laws because He "fulfilled" them but we still continue to obey the "eternal" moral laws.

Here is the ERROR in our understanding of the Bible and the redemptive work of the Messiah. Many Christian leaders teach:

#1) Messiah "fulfilled" the SACRIFICIAL laws and by "fulfilling" them they HAVE been done away with.

#2) Messiah "fulfilled" the MORAL laws and by "fulfilling" them they have NOT been done away with

LOGICALLY, why does "fulfilling" the "sacrificial laws" causes them to be DONE AWAY but the "fulfilling" of the "moral laws" causes them to be KEPT ???

So, what we say is:

FULFILLING = CAUSES TO BE ABOLISHED (sacrificial laws)
FULFILLING = CAUSES TO REMAIN (moral laws)

How does "fulfilling" cause TWO DIFFERENT results?

WHY do we THINK this way?

It is because we have FORSAKEN TORAH.

According to Torah, one of the penalties for FORSAKING TORAH is that YHVH would cause us to "drink" of the cup of DRUNKENNESS.

What is one of the RESULTS of being DRUNK?

You LOSE your ABILITY to DISCERN.

WHAT is a LACK of DISCERNMENT?

FULFILLING = causes to be ABOLISHED (sacrificial laws)
FULFILLING = causes to REMAIN (moral laws)

LACK of DISCERNMENT is that the SAME "fulfillment" (dying on the tree) caused the TORAH to be ABOLISHED (sacrificial laws) and the TORAH to be ETERNAL (moral laws).

Is the TORAH ABOLISHED and ETERNAL at the SAME TIME?

YHVH GIVES A CUP OF DRUNKENNESS FOR FORSAKING TORAH

KJV Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he HEARETH the WORDS of this CURSE, that HE BLESS HIMSELF in HIS HEART, saying, I SHALL have PEACE, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add DRUNKENNESS to thirst:

KJV Ezekiel 23:32 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt DRINK of thy sister's CUP deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

KJV Ezekiel 23:33 Thou shalt be FILLED with DRUNKENNESS and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.

KJV Isaiah 51:17 AWAKE, AWAKE, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast DRUNK at the hand of the LORD the CUP of his fury; thou hast DRUNKEN the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.

KJV Isaiah 51:21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and DRUNKEN, but not with wine:

IF DRUNKENNESS is PUNISHMENT of YHVH for FORSAKING TORAH then how do we become SOBER?

SOBER = REPENT OF YOUR SINS
SOBER = GRACE / MERCY OF MESSIAH AND FOLLOW TORAH

WHAT IS OUR STUMBLING BLOCK TO ACCEPTING MESSIAH AND FOLLOWING TORAH?

Our stumbling block is that we believe:

FULFILLING = causes to be ABOLISHED (sacrificial laws)
FULFILLING = causes to REMAIN (moral laws)

DID THE DEATH OF MESSIAH ABOLISH TEMPLE WORSHIP?

Many Christian leaders teach the SHEEP to believe that the death of the Messiah ABOLISHED the Temple and it's worship system (sacrificial laws). Is this TRUE?

FALSE WITNESS SAYS:

DEATH OF MESSIAH ABOLISHED THE TEMPLE WORSHIP

In the book of Acts, we are told that a FALSE WITNESS testifies that Messiah died on the tree to abolish the the Temple and the sacrificial laws.

KJV Acts 6:8 And STEPHEN, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

KJV Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, DISPUTING with STEPHEN.

KJV Acts 6:11 Then they SUBORNED MEN, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

KJV Acts 6:13 And set up FALSE WITNESSES, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

What did the FALSE WITNESSES SAY?

KJV Acts 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this JESUS of Nazareth shall DESTROY this PLACE, and shall CHANGE the CUSTOMS which Moses delivered us.

FALSE WITNESSES SAID: YESHUA WILL DESTROY THE TEMPLE

AND

CHANGE the CUSTOMS of MOSES

In other words, FALSE WITNESSES said that Messiah (died on the tree) and by doing so (destroyed this place ... the temple) and the customs (of the Temple) which Moses instructed.

Do you realize that THIS is HOW historical Christianity has TESTIFIED regarding the RESULT of Messiah dying on the tree?

DID MESSIAH DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND ITS SERVICES?

KJV Ezekiel 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the GATE, even the GATE that looketh toward the EAST

This is the EASTERN GATE of the TEMPLE.

KJV Ezekiel 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the GOD of ISRAEL came from the way of the east: and HIS VOICE was like a NOISE of MANY WATERS: and the earth shined with his glory.

Who is the GOD OF ISRAEL whose VOICE is like the NOISE of MANY WATERS?

KJV Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ...

KJV Revelation 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his VOICE as the SOUND of MANY WATERS.

In Revelation 1:15, whose VOICE is like the SOUND / NOISE of MANY WATERS? It is YESHUA THE MESSIAH.

So, what does YESHUA the MESSIAH say in Ezekiel 43 after He introduces Himself as His VOICE as the NOISE of MANY WATERS ???

KJV Ezekiel 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the PLACE of MY THRONE, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will DWELL in the MIDST of the CHILDREN of ISRAEL for ever ...

YESHUA says in Ezekiel 43:7 that the TEMPLE is the PLACE of His THRONE where He will DWELL with His people FOREVER !!!!

WHAT ABOUT THE TEMPLE SERVICES?

KJV 1 Chronicles 28:11 Then DAVID gave to SOLOMON his son the PATTERN of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

KJV 1 Chronicles 28:12 And the PATTERN of all that he had by THE SPIRIT, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

KJV 1 Chronicles 28:13 Also for the COURSES of the priests and the LEVITES, and for all the WORK of the SERVICE of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

The SERVICES of the TEMPLE and the LEVITICAL SERVICES were given by the SPIRIT of YHVH. They are NOT "man made". The services of the LEVITES to perform the "sacrificial laws" are DIVINE.

THE TEMPLE AND ITS SERVICES WILL BE CONDUCTED DURING THE MESSIANIC AGE

KJV Ezekiel 45:18 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a YOUNG BULLOCK without blemish, and CLEANSE the SANCTUARY:

FIRST MONTH and FIRST DAY = NEW MOON

KJV Ezekiel 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

PASSOVER and UNLEAVENED BREAD will be CELEBRATED

KJV Ezekiel 45:25 In the SEVENTH MONTH, in the FIFTEENTH DAY of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the SIN OFFERING, according to the BURNT OFFERING, and according to the MEAT OFFERING, and according to the oil.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES will be CELEBRATED

SIN, BURNT, MEAT OFFERING SERVICE is PERFORMED.

KJV Ezekiel 46:1 Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

SABBATH and NEW MOON will be CELEBRATED.

CONCLUSION:

KJV John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

KJV 1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

MESSIAH DIED on the tree to pay the PENALTY of SINNING (transgression Torah) so that when we REPENT (from transgressing Torah) we can be FORGIVEN of our sins.

Our REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS in MESSIAH is a pledge / vow to NOT sin (transgress the Torah) which means we pledge to WALK (live our lives) and HE WALKED (kept Torah).

The TORAH and the WORD OF YHVH is FOREVER !!!

May YHVH continue to bless you in your studies.

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int'l

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