Colossians 2:13-14 MKJV And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (14) blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.This passage seems to be misunderstood from both sides (left and right). It is not saying that the commandments were nailed to the cross and are no longer important to practice. Christians don't even really believe that as they teach against murder, adultery, theft, idolatry, etc. I also do not believe it is breaking the Law into segments and doing away with some and keeping others which is what the Christian churches actually teach and practice - a partial nailing to the cross via this incorrect interpretation.
On the other side, we have brethren holding the Law up as a means to salvation and that those with less understanding and keeping of certain things are not really able to be in covenant in Messiah. This is a departing to the right hand and the Christian way is departing to the left.
The correct view of this is that the Law remains, just as Yahshua taught, but its purpose is now changed in the new covenant. Each covenant has variations. We can see variations in the new covenant in Messiah verses the covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai. By not separating Law from covenant both sides come up with doctrine that contradicts references in the Scriptures. When we find a balance in the narrow way, the contradictions don't exist because harmony reigns, where one religious idea from one side doesn't use the Scriptures to contradict the Scriptures to prove their idea or disprove another.
We are not a nation of Israel under Moses' leadership in the wilderness, with the right to judge our brother and stone him to death for picking sticks for building a fire on Sabbath. We are to practice Sabbath rest, but not for our own righteousness, or because of fear of the penalty (ordinance against us). That is what was nailed to the cross. It is stated very clearly in context, "having forgiven you ALL trespasses." When we depart to the left we see no value in practicing Torah. When we depart to the right in this covenant, we hold our understanding Torah up over our brethren, and the ordinances for judgment pronounced therein for Moses and Israel in the old covenant, and accuse our fellow man of being worthy those judgments. This is a violation of the new covenant way and the work of the cross.
We cannot plead mercy and a removing of the ordinances against us that we may be forgiven of ALL trespasses, and then declare there is no such mercy for others - this is the great hypocrisy of religiosity among us at work. Those who so pride themselves as being such great Torah keepers are often found breaking it in the weightier areas while they are so proud of their keeping jots and tittles by their own understanding. For example, they won't eat a medium rare steak, but they'll use a different measure of judgment for themselves and those in their group verses others outside. Using two different measurements of judgment is a major violation. Eating a medium rare beef steak is a minor violation, because it is not technically eating/drinking blood as the commandment meant - as the pagans practiced. There is always going to be some blood juice left in the muscles of meat. Cooking it just means it is cooked and doesn't appear red anymore. Some drips out but there is always going to be some that remains, even in a well done steak. But, if that was breaking the commandment, the juices in a muscle we eat, he would have just said "Don't eat meat," because it always contains some blood.
There is always a more strict interpretation and practice we can partake in. Some will not even flip a light switch on Sabbath day. Some just sit there or lay there the whole day in the dark.
Why did they have to keep the Law back then? Because they were completely carnal unregenerated men who were not coming into Messiah yet by faith and being given new hearts. Thus, they had to be forced into submission as the flesh is at enmity (Romans 8:7). They chose to have the "old covenant" of a veil and separation from Elohim and no new man in Messiah. They did not want a personal relationship with Elohim.
Exodus 20:19 MKJV And they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear. But let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die.
Die? How so?
Matthew 16:24-26 MKJV Then Yahshua said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. (25) For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. (26) For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Romans 6:3-8 MKJV Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Yahshua the Messiah were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection; (6) knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. (7) For he who died has been justified from sin. (8) But if we died with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
2 Corinthians 4:11 KJVR For we which live are always delivered unto death for Yahshua's sake, that the life also of Yahshua might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
The stubborn, stiff-necked, carnal people, did not want to die to self and take up their cross to follow the Word of Yahuah. They chose the covenant of the veil of separation rather than the covenant of the new man in Messiah with no separation and all trespasses forgiven - because the new man in Messiah will grow and one day overcome the old flesh which is dying. Such men do not need forced into submission as those in the wilderness had to be.
Mark 15:37-38 MKJV And letting out a loud voice, Yahshua expired. (38) And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Rock of Salvation wast here among them, but they chose not to KNOW him.
1 Corinthians 10:2-7 MKJV And all were baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea, (3) and all ate the same spiritual food, (4) and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Messiah. (5) But with many of them Elohim was not well pleased, for they were scattered in the wilderness. (6) And these things were our examples, that we should not be lusters after evil, as they also lusted. (7) Nor should we be idolaters, even as some of them, as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
We just saw the difference and what evil they lusted after - saving their own carnal lives, rather than loosing them to Elohim to gain a new life. This also leads to idolatry - when someone will not accept the actual Rock of Salvation, they are then turned over to idolatry. But even idolaters can be delivered and repent, finally accepting the Rock of Salvation.
Those who still want the veil of separation such as those in the wilderness are still "under the law." You've probably heard the saying, be broken on the Rock, or be crushed by it. That is a fair saying for the two choices man has. Being broken on the Rock is losing your own life (carnal, old man) to find new life in HIM. Those who submit to him and have a personal relationship with their Savior do not need ordinances written against them forcing them to submit outwardly to keep order in the camp/nation. They don't need worship ordinances because they worship in Spirit and Truth as the Spirit leads them. They don't need moral commandments written against them, because they have love of Messiah shed abroad in their hearts and are not murderous. They don't need a penalty to cause them to set time aside to spend fellowshipping with brethren and Yahuah, because they being new in Messiah want to do these things. Yes, the actual way of timing given for the earthly ordinances might not be exactly what they know and keep, but they still seek to set time aside to worship together.
Does this mean there is no value in the Law?
Romans 3:28-31 MKJV Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law. (29) Or is He the Elohim of the Jews only, and not also of the nations? Yes, of the nations also, (30) since it is one Elohim who will justify circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (31) Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish the Law.
Of course the written Torah has value - there is GREAT value there. Because some do not value all of it does not mean we go to the other extreme, though, and deny the true "gospel" of justification by faith, rather than works of the Law. One of the great errors that is blatantly or sometimes just slightly taught, is the lie of needing to keep commandments to be "righteous" in the new covenant relationship. We are not justified by trying to keep outward commandments. If we needed that - none of us would be justified yet, since we've all been sinners and continue to break the Law in part, due to ignorance, or weakness of the outer man (flesh). The new man in Messiah (spirit) does not sin and does not need ordinances written against him. There is no condemnation for such a one.
Romans 8:1-4 MKJV There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yahshua, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (2) But the Law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahshua has made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Elohim sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; (4) so that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those trying to be justified by keeping commandments in their flesh are actually violating the new covenant way. I'm not saying they are then cast out. I'm saying it is a deception of religious spirits craftily tempting us to depart to the right, after repenting for departing to the left. The adversary wants to keep us being "tossed to and fro," going from one side to the other, while always missing the "narrow way."
Our flesh is not going to get any prettier in the sight of Elohim because we keep Sabbath, don't eat pork, or because we don't touch a woman in "niddah." There is no value in keeping those commandments IF, IF, IF, the keeping is our way of trying to make our flesh righteous. This is why:
Isaiah 64:6 KJVR But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We are made clean via the blood of the new covenant, not following outward ordinances.
Acts 10:28 KJVR And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but Elohim hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Next time you are tempted to be out of some level of fellowship with someone over being "unclean," you should know it is not from Elohim - but a religious spirit having you depart to the right.
Why were the Jews having such as unlawful anyway? Their carnal understanding of Torah as a result of living in a old covenant veiled/separated manner. Peter who had actual fellowship (no veil, no separation) with Elohim in the new covenant, was corrected and brought to walk in the narrow way not departing to the right or to the left, concerning clean and unclean.
Some of you have little fellowship in person in your lives because you've gotten off track over practicing Torah, and why and for what reason. Hopefully Elohim is so gracious to correct you as Peter and the Jews in the first century. If you dis-fellowship over these things, you probably also have a condemning attitude towards people who trust in Messiah for justification and remission of sins, but don't keep certain commandments (most likely appointed times and dietary being the "biggies" in your eyes). Let us look at the reaction of the Jews when the promised Holy Spirit came on Romans just as readily/graciously as the Jews in Acts 2.
Acts 10:44-45 MKJV While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word. (45) And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also.
Astonished. That was their reaction. Why? They genuinely thought these people were "unclean" and breakers of Torah, and that such would keep the Spirit far, far, far away from their "filth." This is because they didn't really understand the ways of Elohim, or why he gave certain ordinances to the Israelites.
The issue in Acts 15 is over the same problem - Jews who believed in Messiah wanting to make everyone just like them, or saying they can't have life in Messiah. It is the "If you don't keep these commandments, you can't be in Messiah" argument. Paul and Barnabas were having a lot of trouble from these trouble makers (causers of strife among the brethren due to their causing arguments everywhere they went over legalities). So, they go to Jerusalem to get a decision from the apostles of the Lamb and pastor James, and the elders at Jerusalem. What was the decision? "We write this letter to you unclean gentiles to stop being so sinful and start keeping every letter of Torah now! Or you shall not have life in Messiah but be utterly destroyed!" No. That isn't even close to what they wrote. That sounds more like what a religious spirit would tempt us to think/say/write. The Holy Spirit led them in quite another direction for their decision.
Acts 15:8-10 MKJV And Elohim, who knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit even as to us. (9) And He put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (10) Now therefore why do you tempt Elohim by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, a yoke which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:19-29 MKJV Therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble those who have turned to Elohim from among the nations, (20) but that we write to them that they should abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. (21) For Moses from ages past has those in every city proclaiming him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (22) Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas, whose last name was Barsabas; and Silas, chief men among the brothers. (23) And they wrote these things by their hand: The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers, from the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. (24) Because we have heard that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, Be circumcised and keep the law! (to whom we gave no such command); (25) it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (26) men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also announce to you the same things by word. (28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things: (29) that you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which, if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Be prospered.
No flesh is going to be able to keep Torah in this age. Their fathers couldn't do it - they couldn't do it - why expect the gentiles to do it? Only the prideful religious who THINK they are so great at keeping Torah in the outward, and are thus justified by their own righteousness, would ever suggest others be justified the same way. The elders in Jerusalem had learned better and overcome that religiosity and self-righteousness. They were able to admit "a yoke which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear." I'm amazed when I come across people now days who THINK they are bearing it and have something to boast about in their Torah "observance." The whole time they are boasting in their righteousness, breaking Torah - all of it - in the flesh.
This is what the new man in Messiah in covenant with Elohim is to do. He has received this.
Matthew 11:28-30 MKJV Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Trying to be righteous by our own works in the flesh is not easy or light. It is very much outside the strength one has in their own flesh, and makes it an impossibly heavy burden to try to carry. However, coming to Messiah to justify us and make us righteous (imputed righteousness of the new covenant), and making us a new man (in spirit) in Messiah, and then continuing to seek to follow Yahshua and learn and grow in Messiah, while walking in grace, having the peace that the Potter will make us as he wants us (we do not make ourselves), is a light burden. All we have to do is continue seeking that personal relationship, to know our Shepherd and his voice, and he will lead us and he will make us and he will see us through to the end. Our responsibility then is to trust him - which is much lighter than trying to trust our flesh to keep all of the ordinances of the Law correctly all the time.
I practice the commandments as my Shepherd has led me, but not for justification, or even sanctification. Those works are works of the Potter. I'm not my own potter. I'm the clay. The pride of flesh, and religion, is to be our own elohim and potters and make ourselves or remake ourselves. Such is a great offense to Elohim and the way of the cross. But, the preaching of the cross is foolishness to the flesh.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 MKJV For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of Eloah. (19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the perceiving ones."
But won't one being made new and being shepherded practice Sabbath? I'm of the opinion that yes, yes they will. But, who are we to decide when and how? That is up to the Shepherd to lead them. What if he chooses to have some of his sheep focused on other things and works now, and then when they have not more corrupt flesh to overcome, after being resurrected from the dead, he has them practice Sabbath perfectly in his Kingdom? Can we say that such a one cannot enter the Kingdom or cannot be in Messiah through the new covenant? If we can say such, we are not saying it according to the Scriptures, but our own religious idea.
If I've been led by my Master to keep Sabbath a certain way now, and someone else has not, am I to see myself as better than that person? Did I refine myself or did the Refiner refine me? If I didn't create myself and I'm not the one recreating myself, then how can I take credit for anything and see myself as greater than another because I've accomplished something they haven't?? Religious pride - a great sin.
We study and practice the Torah because of faith, hope, and love. Not because we are being forced to in the old covenant "or else!" We also need to stop having the attitude towards others of "or else!" Let them stand or fall before their own Master. Quit qualifying yourself as the judge of others who confess Messiah. For such is indeed a great sin. I've done it too - confess - and don't intend to keep doing it - as it displeases Yahshua the Messiah my Master, and my Father in heaven.
John 14:15 MKJV If you love Me, keep My commandments.
I seek his leading in how to keep his commandments, BECAUSE I love him. Others in Messiah and growing are also doing this, but this doesn't mean we all come to the same conclusions about our keeping. Contrary to religious belief, the Shepherd does not deal with all of his sheep exactly the same. He treats each as an individual. Just like a good parent with multiple children - they cannot all be treated exactly the same. Some excel in one area and others excel in another area. The gift one has may not be what the other has. Some are more brainy and some more brawny. Some like outdoor activities more than others. Some are more talkative and some less so. Most children with good parents certainly love them. That doesn't mean they know everything, or always please the parents, or don't have struggles and short-comings. Some today are judging other brethren as not loving Elohim because they don't have the same understanding or practice. We know the ones who don't love Elohim because they are completely lawless. They only live for self with no intent whatsoever of trying to learn and keep his commandments. We err when we start looking at the faults of brethren we perceive who are laying their own lives down to serve Elohim and learn more of the right way. They are keeping his commandments the way they know and are currently convicted.
Conclusion: The ordinances AGAINST US are nailed to the cross - that which the accuser of the brethren can use against us to condemn us. First he tempts us, then when we fall to temptation, he accuses us. He wants us destroyed. Elohim wants us found alive in Messiah. Be careful what side you place yourself on in any given day/night or situation. Those in Messiah are FORGIVEN - period. The Potter will see them through to perfection his way in his timing, though the clay may look rough now. We are not keeping the commandments because we will be damned if we don't. We should be keeping the commandments because of love (also faith and hope, but the greatest being love), not fear, not hate, not self-righteousness. None of us here are perfected in love YET. We should not expect others to be either.
John 10:9-11 MKJV I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. (10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (11) I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Someone said to me recently, "I don't have a relationship with that Bible so I don't have to know what is in it. I have a relationship with Jesus. I just try to be a good person, go to church some and I think that is all He wants from me. Surely, I am going to Heaven."
Throughout my life I have had my share of hard times. Over the last 15 years I have lost one job to a fire and another to the economy. These jobs brought me and my wife great material possessions and happiness and at other times great emotional heartache and financial despair. I can look back over those years and see all the talents and blessings God gave me and it tears me up inside to know that I squandered almost all of it. I would not trade the positive memories that I have with my wife for anything but I wish I knew then what I know now and I believe I could have done things so much different. But then again if I had never had any hard times I wonder what kind of person I would be today. If I had never known heartache, pain, despair, longing, regret, or anger would I ever be able to share any kind of testimony that had any true meaning. The Apostle Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10, But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong"
Without any turmoil in my life would I truly ever be able to know and understand God's Grace and Mercy?
My wife recently has been challenged with some medical issues. And I can honestly say, because God already knows what is in my heart, that I have questioned God's presence in our lives at times. We are believers in Him and His Son; we commited our lives to Him a little over 3 years ago. And over that time we have been able to see His blessings but also I have wondered at times why so many bad things continue to happen to us. During this most recent hard time I sat and watched my wife have to endure so much pain through a surgery and post operation stay in a hospital. As I watched her I thought how could someone so sweet and gentle be going through this especially since this is not her first dealings with doctors and hospitals. I asked God many times, "Why?" And as I listened to the Holy Spirit I heard, "Why not?" And it is in those two simple words that everything fell into place. We as believers are not promised a life free of hard times. We are not given a "get out of jail free card" when we commit our lives to Messiah. What we are given is the knowledge that no matter what happens in our lives there is a loving God that will never forsake us and will always be there to comfort our aching hearts when we most need Him. Alot of non-believers go through the same things we believers have to endure. But sadly they have no comforter or hope other than themselves, family or friends. These people offer much to the suffering but they in themselves are broken and carry there own personal baggage. As much as we humans depend on each other there is no promise that our hearts won't be torn and feelings hurt by the faults and inadequacies of another person. No matter how much we lean on another and depend on them for comfort there is always the possibility that they will let us done when we need them the most. With God this is impossible.
While my wife was suffering before me I actually thought for a moment that God could have forgotten us. That He had turned His face from us because we have not been living as Godly or righteous as He expects us to. And I can honestly say that we probably have not. Everyday we struggle with the war inside between our old fleshly natures and the new creation He is molding us into. Because of this I wondered if God was punishing us for our "old selves". But then through much praying I realized that I am no better than than anyone else. Why do I deserve more than anyone else. Why am I better than the homeless man down the street. At any moment, especially in today's world, I could be him. I am given talents and choices everyday and it is up to me to us them wisely for the glory of God. In the past I have used them for my glory and as a result I have wondered off the narrow path and have become somewhat lost in my surroundings. But through this I realized that the same tongue that was questioning God was also the same one that was praying for His healing hand to touch my wife and give us peace and comfort. That is when I realized what I had been promised in this life. Through all my bad choices and stupid decisions He was still here for me. He was surely disappointed in my life but He was still within reach. Even though I had let go of His hand at times He had never let go of mine. He still had a grip on me and had promise to not let go as long as I wanted to have a relationship with me. It is unimaginable the love He has for us.
So, from now on if my "old self" appears and asks, "Why", I can now can answer back and say, "Why not?" It is through all of our sufferings and trials that we grow and mature as believers. Therefore, we can say that no suffering is without a purpose in God's plan, even though we may not see that purpose clearly.
We have all heard the saying two heads are better than one. Or it takes a whole community to raise a child. These are wise words to live by. But there is nothing new under the sun. Thoughts and ideas come and go
I think at times during our day to day ho-hum lives we tend to become complacent with our surroundings. Whether it be our co-workers, family, friends or the miles of pavement we drive daily to work. We become so familiar with life we can at times take it for granted.