Grace or the Law?

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6 - 7)

The modern christian lives with the idea that there are stark differences between the beliefs that they have and that of the Jewish people. While the obvious one of the belief in Jesus (or Yeshua, in the aramaic language that He spoke during His lifetime) being the prophesied Messiah goes without saying, there is another one that is often said. “They live under the law, and Jesus delivered humanity from the law and all sin to give us faith and grace.”Sayings of that genre are blanket statements that are generally rarely, if ever, scrutinized. What is Law? What is Grace? Did Jesus truly abolish the law? What should a modern christian adhere to? 

As to what is regarded as “the Law”, it is reference to a major part of the Old Testament that spans from the book of Genesis all the way to the Prophetic Books. GOD gives these laws and instructions to Moses, who then transmits the Torah to the people of Israël in an inheritance (Deuteronomy 33:04). These laws are specific in nature, detailing how one is to serve Him, what they should or should not eat as well as how to dress amongst other things. The Jewish people lived under the Law for many years, oftentimes having to suffer terrible consequences whenever they disobeyed GOD’s commands. Yeshua speaks of this on numerous occasions; the most notable example would be when He is asked the most important commandment (Matthew 22:36 - 40).

Theology has made it clear that humanity has now arrived in an Age of Grace, one in which the law is no longer in effect, because those who follow Christ “do not live under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:5). The Law was fulfilled through Yeshua at the cross (Matthew 5:17) and all that is needed for salvation is to believe in the Lord (Ephesians 2:8 - 9) as grace and truth came through Him (John 1:17). This period of grace began with the arrival of the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2) and continues onto today. 

However, the elimination of GOD’s Law brings a few major problems that destroy modern doctrine and thought. First of all, for GOD to eliminate His law would inherently be Him changing His mind, which goes against Hebrews 13:8, which states that “He is the same yesterday, today and forever”. Secondly, the elimination of the law would entail that sin is no longer real, as there is nothing that defines what is and what is not. Thirdly but not lastly, many of the core values of the Church fall to pieces, as any topic of important topics such as love are all based on the holy laws that GOD gave His people (Romans 13:8 - 10). Without the law, there is no conversation on convtroversial topics homosexuality, nor simple topics such as blessings.

Therefore, the Age of Grace is not false doctrine, but the abolishment of the law through Yeshua is.

Humanity is supposed to follow GOD’s law, but this time with the grace knowing we are able to live it fully and completely. We are not absolved of following His feasts, as they are holy convocations - the difference is that the sacrifice that is to be given is Yeshua himself, who died as the lamb for us.

The Age of Grace, however, still stands; our comprehension as to what it is needs to be rectified. To explain grace through judicial and biblical lenses requires a modern day example: on September 8th, 1974, President Gerald Ford gave the recently departed President Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he may have committed in office. This, in turn, ended the investigation and impeachment proceedings that had been started by Congress. It is as if nothing had happened. Nevertheless, it did not mean that former President Nixon could not curtail any law: it meant that he was no longer culpable of the ones that he had committed. It’s the same process that GOD did for us, giving His Son so that whoever believes in Him may live a life free of condemnation, no longer under the law but now abiding by it. 

In conclusion, the everlasting theological debate over if the followers of Christ live by either faith or by the law is answered. One must abide by and live justly by the law and pray to GOD to receive His grace for all of the times that the law was transgressed. Practice these laws so that it becomes inscribed in your hearts - do not let your enemies lead you astray, making you believe that the law is no longer important and that what it tells us is no longer important. GOD’s word is always important and it applies to the lives of all of His creations so that all can see His glory and love. 

THANK YOU FOR READING BIBLE 101! MAY OUR LORD YESHUA BLESS YOU! FEEL FREE TO LIKE THE ARTICLE, SHARE IT ON SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES, SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE THIS BLESSING!

False Doctrines

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14)

For every truth, there is a lie that can be said about it an attempt to counter its good. GOD, as a teacher and as a father, teaches humanity what is right and just to do. However, there is also teaching that comes from other places, that turn His people away from Him by adding, taking away, contradicting or nullifying His word. That is false doctrine at its purest form. Where does the concept of false doctrines come from? What are some examples of false doctrine? How do I determine the veracity of doctrine?

To begin, the idea of false doctrine must first be observed by analyzing the definition of doctrine. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is “a principle of law established through past decisions; something that is taught”. Biblical doctrine is therefore biblical teachings, many of which are laws to live life by, that bring humanity closer to the Creator as all that is written is inspired by His Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). However, false doctrines have been in present in the faith since its earliest days and was a reality that apostles such as Paul and Timothy had to face (1 Timothy 1:18 - 20). The first demonstration of false doctrine comes well before the time of the New Testament, in the Garden of Eden, when Satan used GOD’s words in an improper way to lead Adam and Eve to the fall (Genesis 3:3 - 8). 

False doctrine comes from the enemy, who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9). Him and his agents use many different ways to deceive and lead astray those who want to follow the Lord, including improper usages of GOD’s word and common popular sayings that may change our way to perceive GOD and the world. Any charlatan who tries to make you believe that hell does not exist is espousing false doctrine, as the Bible clearly states that it is a place for eternal damnation if one does not follow the Lord (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:15). As well, the belief that Yeshua abolished the law is false doctrine, as it is clearly stated that he came to fulfill the writings of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). To continue, a false teacher can be easily corrected and rebuked if they profess that any way other Jesus can bring one to GOD; He made it clear that He is the truth and the way (John 14:6). 

To identify the veracity of false doctrine, one must be truly blessed with a communion and an understanding of the Holy Spirit and of Holy Scriptures. It is through the knowledge of these things and revelations that one is able to discern what is true teaching and what has been sent by the enemy. The Bible gives clear indications as to what the servants of Satan would be like in the end days: they would appear as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15), but their fruits will be rotten (Matthew 7:16) with pride, greed and rebellion (Jude 1:11) as they engage and promote sexual immorality and eat the foods sacrificed to idols (2 Peter 2:14, Revelation 2:20). Any servant of the Lord that is frequented should be carefully vetted before one decides to attend their service on a full-time basis (1 John 4:1 - 6); any word that they speak should be a reflection of what GOD put in His word (Matthew 16:11 - 12). 

In conclusion, false doctrine holds as a simple conclusion spiritual death, as it is through those teachings that sin becomes allowed: the price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Watch for wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15 - 20) and question all that you hear, so that you may always be sure of the way that you take is that of the Lord. In these times, it’ll be harder to see what is true and what is false due to how loud and powerful some of the false teachers seem to have become, but fear not, for Yeshua has overcome the world (John 16:33).

THANK YOU FOR READING BIBLE 101! MAY OUR LORD YESHUA BLESS YOU! FEEL FREE TO LIKE THE ARTICLE, SHARE IT ON SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES, SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE THIS BLESSING!

No False Gods

2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters below… (Exodus 20:2 - 5) 

The Book of Exodus details the story of how GOD brought Israël out of captivity in Egypt and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land. In the beginning of this long trek, GOD creates a covenant with the newly freed people of Israël, detailing how they will serve Him, worship Him and live their lives in a manner that is right and just. The foundations for the laws were established in the Ten Commandments, and one of the most forgotten - and dangerous - ones is that of idolatry. What is idolatry? Why is it bad? Can anyone be culpable of that sin? How does one avoid it? 

Cambridge Dictionary defines idolatry as being a very great admiration or respect for someone, often too great, or the act of praying to a picture or object as part of a religion. To apply that in a biblical sense would be to add concepts such as adoration and worship of said thing or person. The Old Testament recounts stories of the ancient Israelites openly praising other gods such as the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:8), Baal (1 Kings 18) and Moloc (Jeremy 32:35). GOD punished idolaters for their sin against Him on multiple occasions, and that indiscriminately, from the entire population (Exodus 32: 35) , to even one of His highest servants in Solomon (1 Kings 11). Therefore, idolatry is a sin of worship and heart that is one to avoid.

Idolatry is, in GOD’s eyes, renouncing Him by giving praise and worship to anything else. The Bible is explicit, stating on numerous occasions that people had turned their backs on GOD whenever they committed the sin of idolatry. They gave whatever, or whoever, they were praising an elevated status. The gravity of the sin comes from the fact that the Lord gave us the ability to dominate back in the Garden of Eden through Adam (Genesis 1:26) and that He presides in the great assembly, rendering judgement among the “gods” (Psalm 82:1), for we were beautifully and wonderfully formed in His image. On top of that, we were given the spirit that GOD jealously longs for (James 4:5). So to switch that natural balance of things is to “play god”. To put anything above ourselves but below GOD is devaluing us as GOD’s creation. The utterance of words that would insinuate that there is anything above GOD would be blasphemous. Now who are we to idolize anything and anyone else when we are His creation and that He has done so much for us?

No human is exempt from sin; all have sinned in the eyes of the Lord and therefore need salvation through His son Yeshua (Romans 3: 23 - 24). With how simple and seemingly inoffensive this sin can seem to be, it is easy enough to propose the idea that everyone has participated in it at some point or another in their lives. Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, was personally given wisdom from GOD, all of the riches the Earth had to offer and a plethora of women but still succumbed to idolatry (1 King 10 - 11). So, we are just as capable of committing the same error if we are not truly connected to the Holy Spirit.

Modern idolisation isn’t as obvious as it was in the times of King Solomon, where one built temples for other gods, drew incense and worshipped. Today, people tend to idolize fame, celebrities and fortune (ex: American Idol, etc.) in the guise that it will make them great when the Bible clearly states that isn’t the case. As well, certain christians practice idolatry well into their faith, through representations of GOD, bowing down to statues or the adoration of the cross. Some people even idolize themselves. Examining the way society today lives, idolatry is everywhere, but is so well hidden, one can go their entire life without realizing that they have been idolaters.

Idolatry, like all sin, is avoidable, but before one is able to avoid that sin, one must get to the root of that sin through prayer and questions. What are your idols? Where is your time when you aren’t directly serving GOD? What has importance in your life? Where does your heart reside? Once you’ve asked yourself these questions and truly prayed on the subject, you are now able to break down the idols in your life as did Gideon in the book of Judges (Judges 6: 1 - 39, key verses in 25 - 28) and give praise to the one true GOD. When you give your life to the Lord and present yourself as a holy and acceptable sacrifice to Him (Romans 12: 1 - 12), than you are able to truly walk away from a life of idolatry and sin. 

In conclusion, the Bible details the story of how GOD created us, saw us fall into idolatry and saved us. He now wants us to walk with Him in sanctification and to live lives that will eventually lead us to be with Him in the Promised Land that is Heaven. It is through respecting His laws and precepts - such as living life without idolatry because we love Him with all of our hearts, all of our souls and with all of our strength - that we are able to get to the blessings that He destined for us well before we were conceived (Jeremy 29:11).

THANK YOU FOR READING BIBLE 101! MAY OUR LORD YESHUA BLESS YOU! FEEL FREE TO LIKE THE ARTICLE, SHARE IT ON SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES, SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE THIS BLESSING!

How to Read the Bible Everyday

The world we live is one that is organized: everything has its place and to be done at its time. What happens in the life of many young people such as myself is the inability to find time to read the Bible and assimilate the Word of God on a daily basis.

The excuses for it are abundant; from being too tired to not having made enough time. It’s excuses like those that stop us from getting closer to GOD.

But how do we get to the point where we read the Bible everyday? How do we read the Bible everyday?

Science and a large number of books say that it takes about 21 days to break any habits that you may have, from smoking, to drinking and any other addiction that a person may have. This same concept can definetly be applied to making any good habit.

By following these steps during twenty-one consecutive days, your mind will become accustomed to reading the Bible daily:

• Do it at a fixed time and place.

• Pray to God to help you understand His word.

• Read the passages carefully.

• Think about the text read.

• Choose the most beautiful verse or the words that speak to you the most. Copy them in a notebook. Tell them to others. Think about it during the day.

• Pray

• Go and obey; do what God has told you to do

The entire process can be done in the span of 35 minutes to an hour depending on the text that you decide to read.

There is no reason not to read the Bible - it should be your anchor through good times and bad. The Word of God is filled with promises and truths that are yet to be discovered by you.

We hope that this Bible 101 will help open your eyes to new concepts, answer questions and bring you closer to GOD.

Thank you for reading Bible 101! May our Lord Yeshua bless you! Feel free to like the article, share it on social media and send it to friends and family so that they can receive this blessing as well.