CAN WE BE A FOLLOWER OF YESHUA AND NOT BE UNDER THE LAW AS PAUL SAYS?

For many reasons, there has been confusion among the saints concerning the laws of the Almighty God. Well-meaning people have been deceived and misled by denominations, preachers, priests and teachers. As the result, there are all sorts of wrong conclusions, misunderstanding, and widespread error in the assemblies and denominations concerning the laws of the Eternal Father.

Within churches, beginning many centuries ago, erroneous beliefs concerning "the law" were introduced. Churchgoers with excellent intentions have been cheated of sound understanding concerning the laws of God. In the present day, most who call themselves Christians give little or no thought to "the law" that is so oft mentioned within the scriptures. It can easily be shown that even in the New Testament that the Jerusalem Church and James it's Pastor, over 20 years after the death of Yeshua, was zealous for the Law which today you are taught is a "curse". Something is not right somewhere. Those scriptural passages that equate "the elect" with those who "keep the commandments of God" are generally read without any understanding, by the majority of people. The question is whether you want to be included in the "elect" and "remnant" of the God of Israel or not.

KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE FATHER

Answer for yourself: Why is it that the scriptures are filled with oft-repeated instructions to "keep My commandments," yet the average church-goer is unable to tell what those commandments are?

Yeshua very plainly stated that in order to inherit a place in the Heavenly Kingdom, we must do much more than merely call him our "Lord". As it is written, he said that a person must also do "the will of [the] Father" (Matthew 7:21).

Answer for yourself: How can anyone read that passage (and others like it), with the intent of eventually reaching eternal Heavenly rest, without pausing to wonder, Just what is "the will of the Father"?

Answer for yourself: Can we honestly tell ourselves that we are followers of Yeshua yet not be willing to keep and observe the commandments of the Father...such as the one concerning "where we are to Tithe", "observing the Festivals of the LORD", "keeping the Sabbath instead of Sunday", "refraining from idolatry", etc?

When the young man asked Yeshua what he must do in order to "have eternal life," Yeshua responded by telling him that in order to reach his spiritual goal he must "keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17)

ARE WE "COMMANDMENT" CENTERED IN OUR LIVES?

Answer for yourself: Are we not compelled, then, to wonder which commandments?

Answer for yourself: Because of that answer which Yeshua gave to the sincere young individual, should we not wonder whether we are "keeping the commandments"?

Truly, all of us who are sincerely seeking a Heavenly home must ponder whether we are obeying the "will / commandments of the Father."

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." (John 14:21) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love." (John 15:10)

Answer for yourself: When we read words such as these, spoken by Yeshua, himself, how can we not wonder to which commandments he is referring? "And hereby we do know that we know Him: (YHWH) if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him (YHWH), and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word (YHWH'S), in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby we know that we are in Him." (1 John 2:3-5) "For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments." (1 John 5:3) We must know what God's commandments are, and we must make the decision to obey them, in order to be called His friends. (John 15:14)

The end-times Church -- the assembly of the elect -- is described as those who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Yeshua Christ." (Revelation 12:17, 14:12)

Those whom the God recognizes and whom the Messiah will recognizes as outwardly displaying their love for God, "keep [His] commandments." And those who will not be permitted to inherit a place within the Heavenly Kingdom are those who failed to obey the "will of [the] Father." All who profess to know God and follow Yeshua of Nazareth must be "keep[ing] the commandments," else he or she will be ashamed and find rejection at the day of judgement. It is to those who do not keep the commandments of God and likewise the same which were taught by Yeshua are promised to hear said one day, "I never knew you. Depart from Me" (Matthew 7:23).

Obviously then, commandment-keeping is a basic part of Yeshua's. The words of Yeshua, himself, repeatedly declare that fact to us.

Answer for yourself: Does your church teach that the Law is passed away and that we are no longer under the Law but under grace? If they do, you might want to rethink your church membership in light of the words of Yeshua.

Answer for yourself: Who are you going to believe for your eternal life; Yeshua or your Pastor?

THERE IS A YOKE....TO DIRECT YOU TO BLESSING AND ACCEPTANCE

Contrary to what so many have misunderstood or have been misled into believing, there is a "yoke" of commandments to which the believer must yield himself or herself. To be sure, the Father of our spirits is merciful, and gracious, and loving, and kind. However, none of those attributes is in any way opposite to requiring His children to obey His rules. Yeshua told those who would follow him, "Take My yoke upon you." (Matthew 11:29)

Yeshua never said, "Do whatever you please, and I'll be satisfied." In fact, he declared just the opposite!

Answer for yourself: Did he not say that those who serve him in their way, instead of his way, will not be accepted by him at the Last Day (Matthew 7:21)?

Answer for yourself: Are we not warned that those who substitute "the commandments of men" in place of his doctrine "worship God in vain" (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7)?

Obviously, there are commandments for Christians to follow, and there is a "burden" that we are expected to bear. The scriptures soothe and assure us, however, that, "His commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3) Yeshua, himself, said that his "yoke is easy, and [his] burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Remember with me that a yoke is not meant to be a heavy burden, but literally a collar around an animal's head to provide direction for the path the animal is to go. The same could be said for humans as well; the yoke and burden is not grievous for mankind, but a gift from God to us to help direct our paths, which in the end of our lives, will assure we have arrived at the desired destination. Think about that. Over the years in the church the Laws of God were continually represented as a "burdensome yoke". Sadly few knew from the pulpits what the function of such a yoke was or what it was intended.

Those who are called the "saints" are they who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yeshua" (Revelation 12:17, 14:12). In Revelation 22:14, we read: "Blessed are they that do His (YHWH'S) commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates of the city [the Holy City descended from Heaven]."

Answer for yourself: Can any one who features himself or herself to be a Christian actually think it is acceptable to by-pass such plain declarations?

Answer for yourself: Once plain scriptural statements such as these are carefully pondered, how can anyone who sincerely seeks to inherit the Kingdom presume to think that he or she is exempt from commandment-keeping?

If so, then he or she does not comprehend the scriptures. The question that should be eagerly asked is, "Which commandments must I strive to obey?" But, for all too many, there is no comprehension of the importance of yielding to Heavenly laws; therefore, for them, that question does not even arise.

MOST HAVE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY

Every person who has the ability to read or to listen, but who does not comprehend the scriptures fails to do so because of one of three basic reasons.

• Either the person does not want to understand
• He or she is not intended to understand
• He or she has been misled by errant and slothful pastors.

Admittedly, each of us has, to some degree, failed to correctly comprehend the scriptures -- for one or more of the above reasons. The good news, however, is that the future of our understanding can be rather bright. But let us return to the reasons for failure to comprehend the importance of the eternal laws.

Firstly, there are those people who simply do not want to understand. Next within this category, there are those who are afraid to understand. Like the disciples, of whom it was written: "They understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask Him." (Mark 9:32) Understanding brings with it the added responsibility to make a decision -- to take some action, and to obey. Knowledge and understanding replace ignorance. When that happens, there remains no excuse. (John 15:22) New, more clear understanding brings with it a change of perspective. Change is temporarily uncomfortable to us. As humans, we tend to like to stay as we are. Growth requires us to be in flux --off balance for the moment -- and obligates us to make decisions, and adjustments in our thinking and in our life-style.

The second reason why people do not comprehend is that it is not foreordained that they should understand. Yeshua told His disciples, when asked why he spoke so often in parables: "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. Therefore, I speak unto them in parables...lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should be converted, and I should heal them." (Matthew 13:10-15). Again, Yeshua explained to His disciples: "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to others in parables, that...they might not see, and...they might not understand." He explained that in the "parable of the sower": the seeds that fell by the way side "are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (Luke 8:10-12)

Following this theme, Paul wrote that "if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel...should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) While no one wants to think of himself or herself as being in this category, the undeniable fact is that the scriptures testify that there are many citizens of the planet who are not chosen (from before the foundation of the world) to understand the Word.

Thirdly, we can misunderstand [not comprehend correctly] the scriptures because of those who have taught us, and the culture in which we were raised. Pastors, preachers, teachers, and parents are all liable to perpetuate and pass on untruths. This usually occurs without any maliciousness on their part at all -- because they, themselves, were also deceived. In these instances, there is generally no active intent to lead anyone astray. However, misdirection may also occur because of fear of ridicule, or laziness on the part of pastors and teachers that results in their lack of sufficient study whereby these deeper things of God are discerned. There are multitudes of ministers who "[do] not...understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts."

There are many pastors and preachers and church-school teachers who are like the "blind watchmen" mentioned in Isaiah 56. There are numerous others who are slothful watchmen, not lifting the voice of warning because of their own self interests, or because of fear of losing their salary as a paid hireling minister. (Ezekiel 33:1-9; 2 Timothy 4:3; John 10:13) Many are the church leaders who frankly were not called, and not sent by the Father. As Paul asked, "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (Romans 10:14-15) There are a multitude of ministers and spiritual teachers who are metaphorically described as "wells without water," actually unable to provide spiritual drink for their parishioners who thirst. (2 Peter 2:16) These are they who are uninspired, and who lack the Spirit of Truth to guide them. They substitute man-made theology, popular "love" psychology, their own chosen "flavor" of political philosophy, and written speeches copied from the sermons of other men, in place of the gospel of the Kingdom. Emotionalism is what they substitute for righteousness. They preach on subjects such as liberal humanistic morality, self-esteem, and wealth-building, because they themselves know not the right way. These are they who "worship...in vain" because they "teach for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

WHEN DID THE LAW BEGIN?

The scriptures do speak of more than one set of laws. Some of the laws were from the beginning; they are endless and eternal. Some laws were added at a later time. Others were commandments related to a covenant with a particular individual or family. Still others were laws upon which there was a time or circumstantial limit placed.

Answer for yourself: Do the scriptures teach us that there was no law in effect before the exodus from Egypt? How ridiculous!

The scriptures tell us just the opposite: that the law of God was given to man in Eden -- from the very beginning! And yet there are many who have been confused or misdirected into wrongly believing that "the law" is synonymous with everything that Moses spoke to the children of Israel, they mistakenly believe that before Moses, there was no law. Such thinking is completely wrong! Because sin is defined as the transgression of the law, then those who think that there was no law given to man before Sinai must erroneously conclude that there was no sin before Sinai!

At the first, Adam was told that he may not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The scripture tells us that, in some wonderful and mysterious way, within the fruit of that special tree was contained knowledge of right and wrong, of good and of evil. When Eve and Adam partook of it, their understanding "was opened," and they were ashamed of themselves. Elohim said "man is become as one of us, to know good and evil." (Genesis 3:22) As Paul wrote, the knowledge of sin comes through the law. (Romans 3:20) It is obvious, then, that the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil contained within it, in some miraculous manner, the basic laws of right and wrong and of right conduct toward the Creator and fellow-man.

Stephen spoke of the ancient prophets and patriarchs having "received the law by the disposition of angels." (Acts 7:53) Paul also indicated that the law was "ordained by angels." (Galatians 3:19)

NO LAW, NO SIN

There was indeed a law given to those favored of Yahweh long before Sinai. If there had been no law, then there could have been no sin, and therefore, no punishment.

If there had been no law from the days of Adam and Eve, then, according to Paul's explanation (that where there is no law there is no transgression, and therefore no sin imputed), the Eternal Father would have been unjustified in rejecting Cain's offering.

Answer for yourself: How could Jehovah fairly have rejected Cain's efforts, if Cain had not had prior knowledge of the proper and acceptable way to present an offering? How could the Eternal Father go on to justly punish Cain for murdering his brother, if Cain had not known that there was a law against murder?

Answer for yourself: Was God justified or unjustified in rejecting and punishing Cain in these matters? He was justified, because He is "righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works" (Psalm 145:17).

Answer for yourself: If there was no law from the beginning, how could any man have been considered "righteous"?

Yet the scriptures declare that Noah was "righteous." (Genesis 7:1) He was, in fact, the only righteous man in his generation. The rest of the world was wicked.

Answer for yourself: How could a just God become angry enough with man to bring a devastating flood upon the earth, unless He expected man to have behaved otherwise?

Answer for yourself: And how could they have behaved otherwise (not sinned), unless they had been given a law, and a set of commandments to follow?

"Sin is not imputed when there is no law." (Romans 5:13)

Answer for yourself: The wicked are those who transgress the law (Psalm 119:53). How, then, could anyone in days of old be labeled as "wicked" if there had been no law before Sinai?

Yet the Sodomites "were wicked and sinners before the Lord continually." (Genesis 13:13)

Answer for yourself: Since, as Paul wrote, no sin is imputed where there is no law; and since, as David wrote, the Eternal Father is "righteous in all His ways," how could God have been justified in destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, if there had there been no law given in those days?

He couldn't!

Answer for yourself: How could Abraham have had a discussion with the Angel of the Lord concerning people who were righteous and people who were wicked if there had been no law (therefore, no definition of righteousness or wickedness) prior to Moses" day? He couldn"t have!

As we shall discover shortly, there are numerous passages of scripture that affirm to us that there was a law given to man from the very beginning. There was a law that began in Eden, and was given to the family of Adam.

MORE THAN ONE LAW HAS BEEN GIVEN

Before we proceed, we must recognize that there was more than one category of law that was given to the children of Israel through Moses. We have already begun to realize that there were the timeless "commandments of the covenant," as well as the temporary Levitical "law of performances and ordinances." However, there were also other laws -- laws that do not fit so easily into either category. These include the civil or political laws. Laws concerning property and inheritances. Laws of personal hygiene. Laws of retribution, laws governing the rights of the poor, and compensation for victims of crime. And there were other miscellaneous laws. Now this is an important concept. At least some of these laws seem to have been added following the sojourn at Sinai following the sin of the golden calf. Most of these laws were in some way conditional, and dependent upon conditions and circumstances. In this article, we will not attempt to deal with this category of conditional laws but I have on the website an article entitled "The Law That Was Added". I would hope you read this next.

The main focus of this article is to help us to discern the eternal laws -- the laws that were not conditional, or which were intended to be observed from beginning to ending. As we proceed, we do so reverently, not dogmatically, with the acknowledgment that the ways of our God are far above our understanding.

The commandments of an eternal nature are sometimes referred to as the "royal law" -- the law that had been given to man from the beginning. To be sure, that law was being re-stated at Sinai. Many of the laws that were being reiterated at Sinai were the same as the laws that had been given to Adam. The laws which Adam had received in the beginning were passed on from generation to generation among his righteous seed. The law that was given to Adam and his generations was preserved in the ark with Noah [as a type and shadow of the Ark of the Covenant].

The children of God were not ever left without a law. At Mount Sinai, the same law was uttered again by the voice of the great "I Am" directly to the Israelites, as part of the covenant He made with them. These precious and perfect laws had previously been known and observed by Jacob and his sons, when they had immigrated to Egypt. But, with the passing of many generations, and the bondage of slavery, the nation of Israel had lost sight of these laws during their hundreds of years of captivity.

WHAT ABOUT "THE LAW" THAT WAS ADDED AND NOT REITERATED?

To be sure, there was an added law. The apostle Paul said that the added law was given by Moses because of transgressions until the Seed [the Messiah] should come (Galatians 3:16-19). The added law was just that -- added.

Answer for yourself: Added to what?

Moses could not add something, unless something else had already existed. And certainly that which had existed from the beginning, could not be spoken of as having been added. Moses could not add to the Divine law that was revealed in the beginning to Adam, and which was known and obeyed by the patriarchs.

Answer for yourself: Then what was the law that was "added"?

While Israel was gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai, Yahweh added the laws of animal sacrifice for sin, associated ceremonial performances that involved a Levitical Priesthood and Tabernacle, & other related ordinances. Those laws, due to the sin of the golden calf, were given to Moses, and were inextricably linked to the Aaronic priesthood and the Tabernacle. "It was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law -- for they were a stiff-necked people: quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God. Therefore, there was a law given them; yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God, and their duty towards Him. Speaking of the law which consisted of "ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary," we read that this consisted of "meats and drinks [offerings], and divers washings [purifications], and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the reformation [in Christ]." (Hebrews 9:10) This litany of ceremonial laws was utterly inseparable from the Aaronic priesthood. Christians make a fatal mistake in equating these "added" laws as conditional to the salvation of the Jewish People. Such is not the case for salvation has been available to all of mankind long before the golden calf and the "added law" involving the Tabernacle, animal sacrifices, and the Tabernacle. Think on this for a minute!

The Levitical priesthood existed only for the purpose of administering those outward ordinances. In fact, it was by the law that a man served in the Levitical priesthood.

As we close this article I will pose to you a crucial question.

NOW FOR THE BIGGEST QUESTION

Answer for yourself: Since the Tabernacle and Priesthood, along with the ceremonies and ordinances were "added" subsequent to the sin of the golden calf, how did a child of God procure atonement prior to the golden calf and what relation does that have to the Jewish people following the destruction of the Temple let alone for the Christian?

The same way mankind has always done. Read the Old Testament and notice how God provided forgiveness and how man received it. Interested or curious? I deal with this subject in detail on the website. Let us know your interest to study this topic for we have been given by God many answers long kept from the Christian community. Shalom.