2 Samuel 16:5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name [was] Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.
Why do you think Shimei was cursing David? I believe it was because he was loyal to his “house” which was of Saul. Shimei didn’t like the fact that God had taken the throne away from his family and he despised David for it. This seems to be a key to false accusation, jealousy. In this case Shimei was jealous of David’s position.

6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men [were] on his right hand and on his left.
7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!
8 “The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you [are caught] in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”
Notice the place that Shimei’s jealousy took him, he began to act on his jealousy by casting stones and cursing David and his servants. Was David a bloodthirsty man? While David certainly committed a “bloodthirsty” act in the premeditated murder of Uriah the Hittite, he didn’t practice this. So, is Shimei justified? The Scriptures don’t seem to support this. In fact, we learn that David was considered to be “a man after God’s own heart”. This doesn’t sound like someone who’s bloodthirsty. Further, Shimei calls David a “rogue”. This word in Hebrew is actually Belial and it means ‘without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness’. This is quite the insult! And is David actually reigning in the place of Saul or was Saul reigning in the place of David? A question that probably needs a bit more study.

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”
When being accused of something that’s not true, it’s nice to have people around you who will quickly come to your defense.

10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now [may this] Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.
12 “It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”
Look at how David responds! He receives the stones…he receives what Shimei is saying, though it doesn’t appear to be true. This shows David’s heart of humility. David was willing to accept what didn’t seem to be true so that what might be true could benefit him. This is what the LORD was speaking to me about this passage. Is this how I would have responded? Probably not. Most likely, I would have tried to defend myself and supply a point by point rebuttal. David realized that His Father in Heaven allowed Shimei to come and say the things that he did and he was willing to listen for the Father’s voice in the midst of false accusation. This must be our heart when faced with this. We need to simply put our faith in the One Who holds our very breath in His hands knowing that He will not give us more than we handle! When we fail to listen for God’s voice in the midst of accusation, we are actually distancing ourselves from our Savior. Jesus said…And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. We’ve been given a promise that trials, tribulations, and difficulty will come our way. We’ve also been promised that God will never leave us nor forsake us.

So, the next time you are falsely accused, remember how David responded and do likewise. Keep in mind that God is the One Who allowed you to be in that circumstance and He has something for you to learn through. Be attentive to His Voice and allow the LORD to bring about the fruit of righteousness that He intends.

Upon speaking with professing believers, and discussing the necessity of Biblical obedience, all too often we hear, “Jesus said (in Matthew 22:37) that we are just to love God and our neighbor. That has nothing to do with us having to keep HIS Commandments.”

However, upon further investigation, we find that the Bible does not support this premise. In fact, the Bible says quite the opposite! Lets look at the Scriptures that were in existence when JESUS gave HIS answer to the question asked by “a lawyer” and see what those Scriptures actually have to say;

Lets begin with what was given to Moses and written by “the finger of GOD”, known as “The Ten Commandments”;

Exodus 20:4-6
You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:10 At the second giving of The Commandments, says the same thing.
“…but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9
“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Deuteronomy 11:1
“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.

Deuteronomy 11:13
‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul… (Notice; very similar wording used in Mat 22:37)

Deuteronomy 11:22-23
“For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him—23then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.

Deuteronomy 19:9
and if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and to walk always in His ways,

Deuteronomy 30:16
See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments…

Joshua 22:5
But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Notice: similar wording to Mat 22:37)

Nehemiah 1:5
And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love YOU and observe YOUR Commandments…”

Daniel 9:4
And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments…”

So, when JESUS stated in Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Is HE changing the Law that GOD had set previously? Or is HE simply re-emphasizing it, knowing what “the lawyer” who asked the question, would be well aware of? That loving GOD is always spoken of in The Scriptures, as synonymous with keeping HIS Commandments?

We must also keep in mind who JESUS is according to what John the apostle says, in John 1:
Verse 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
If JESUS is The Word, and The Word IS GOD, then JESUS is GOD!
Verse 14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John is obviously stating that this YESHUA IS THE Word of GOD, who has come in human form. Now, ask yourself; “What Word is John referring to, as coming in human form?” The answer: The only Word of GOD written and recognized as The Word of God at the time of John’s writing; The Hebrew Scriptures which included The Torah(5 books of Moses), The Writings and the Prophets, or what is referred to today as The Old Testament.
So, JESUS in coming as The Word(GOD), Who does NOT change, (Malachi 3:6) cannot negate, do away with, set aside or break ANY of The Word that HE epitomizes, or else HE would prove HIMSELF a false teacher/prophet, according to that very word in:
Deut 13:1-5 (and elsewhere in The Scriptures)
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. 5But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.”

So, when JESUS states in John’s gospel:
John 14:15
““If you love Me, keep My commandments”

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
We know that HE is not introducing a new set of commandments or negating those given in Old Testament. But in fact, HE is confirming them!

John also confirms The Commandments in his epistles.

1 John 5:2-3
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

2 John 6
This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

So, I hope by now that you are beginning to realize that what is being taught by so many today, regarding The Commandments of GOD not being relevant to today’s followers of MESSIAH, is simply NOT in accordance with The Word of GOD! I hope that you are beginning to realize that to love GOD “with all of your heart, soul and mind” IS to walk according to The Commandments of GOD!

When did “Grace” begin?

Because many have mistakenly thought that John 1:17 says that “grace began with JESUS” or “at the cross”, I offer the following list of verses from the Old Testament Scriptures, using the word “grace” (as found in the NKJV). May we be challenged in our thinking regarding HIS “grace” throughout the ages…

Genesis 6:8 – “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

H2580 ïç• cheòn khane

From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or
objectively (beauty):—favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.

Same word used in:

Exodus 33:12-17 – “Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ ¹³Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” ¹⁴And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ¹⁵Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. ¹⁶For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.” ¹⁷So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

Exodus 34:9 – “Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”

Proverbs 3:34 – “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

Jeremiah 31:2 – “Thus says the LORD: “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when I went to give him rest.”

Zechariah 4:6 – 7 –“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ⁷ ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!

And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Ezra 9:8 – “And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.

Here, a different word is used:

H8467 äpˆç”z t^echinnaòh tekh-in-naw’

From H2603; graciousness; causatively entreaty:—favour, grace,
supplication.

Then in the New Testament, the 119 uses of the word “grace” is from the Greek word “charis.”

G5485 ÷Üñéò charis khar’-ece

From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or
concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the
heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit,
favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

Now, asking ourselves; What is this “divine influence upon the heart”? We would have to realize that it is the work of The Spirit of GOD as promised in

Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

and Ezekiel 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

This was officially realized as recorded in Acts 2, in reference to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Weeks!

Contrary to popular belief today, which asserts that grace is in opposition to the Law, the ministry of the Spirit is in direct application of The Law of YHWH! But not according to man and being written on stone, but according to GOD and being written on the heart, confirming the work of the Spirit, as seen reflected through the life!

This helps us understand the verse that we began with;

John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Is this verse saying what today’s Christianity says? That grace began with the New Testament and cancels out the Law of Moses? Or is it saying that the ministry of the Spirit, accomplishing what Moses could not accomplish, is actually that “divine influence upon the heart” by the Spirit in conjunction with the Word of God, that existed at that time; which would be The Law of God, epitomized by JESUS as “the Word of God?” I believe that it is the latter!

How about Ephesians 2:8-10? For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is⁹not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. the gift of God,

Is Paul saying that “grace” is in opposition to the Law of God that existed at the time of his writing? How can he be?

What is Paul’s basis for “faith” here? It has to be the same basis as established from Genesis. That is “believing what GOD has said” as in opposition to what man has said. We see that clearly in Genesis 26:5 “because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

That’s another one of those verses that today’s Christianity does not understand because of being told that the Law was given at Sinai…rather than it finally being written down at Sinai…

Back to Eph 2:8-10… Isn’t Paul saying that the work of grace, as being applied by the Spirit, is a gift and not something that can be attained by works of the flesh? And that the work of grace is in conjunction with the Word of God, which when believed is called biblical faith?

Isn’t Paul saying that GOD’S goal from the foundation of the world, is that HIS people would believe what HE has said?, that HIS people would believe and obey HIS Word? And that HIS people would be empowered by HIS Spirit to obey HIM, to keep HIS charge, HIS Commandments, HIS Statutes, and HIS Laws? (i.e. producing “good works”)

So, if we consider the concepts of “grace” and “faith” according to their definitions and usage in the Scriptures, and not according to the traditional applications of popular thought today, we must come to the conclusion that grace is NOT in opposition to GOD’S Law and neither is biblical faith! As a matter of fact, the folks that stir the ire of the Dragon in the Revelation (below) are folks that have harmonized those two concepts beautifully!

Revelation 6:10 says “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

What was their “testimony?”

Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Again, today’s Christianity tries to establish that having faith in Jesus means to have nothing to do with the Commandments of God! They say that for you and I to “walk as JESUS walked” (as stated in 1John 2:5), because they have decided that “grace” has nothing to do with HIS Law, would be us walking in legalism! The truth is; Walking in opposition to HIS Law is walking in IL-Legalism, or what the Bible calls “lawlessness.”

Obviously, one of us wrong. After you have studied the above Scriptures, it is up to you which perspective to believe… God and HIS Word? Or man and his…?

May YHWH guide you by HIS Spirit to walk according to HIS Word…

Verse 17a “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets”

“destroy”: Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries

G2647

êáôáëýù kataluoô kat-al-oo’-o

From G2596 and G3089; to loosen down (disintegrate), that is, (by
implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specifically (compare G2646)
to halt for the night:—destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought,
overthrow, throw down.

Notice the context: It appears that HE is referring to BOTH the Law AND the Prophets. The context seems to suggest that whatever HIS intention is for EITHER, is HIS intention for BOTH. Has HE done away with the Prophets?

Verse 17b “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

“fulfill”: Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries

G4137

ðëçñüù pleôrooô play-ro’-o

From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a
hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
(an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—
accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full
(come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

Same Greek word translated “fulfill” in;

Matthew 3:15 – Is JESUS saying here “to do away with all righteousness?”

Philippians 2:2 – Is Paul saying here “to do away with his joy?”

Colossians 1:25 – Is he saying here “to do away with the Word of GOD?”

2Thess 1:11 – Is he saying here “to do away with HIS good pleasure?”

Proponents of the belief that JESUS “fulfilled” the law from this point on in this chapter, thus “destroying” or “doing away with law altogether”, also say that HE intends to now introduce a “new standard” or set of laws state that HE now proceeds to negate the “Old Testament Law” throughout the remainder of this chapter. These people became known as “Antinomianists” during the 2^nd / 3^rd centuries. This word came from the Greek word for “lawlessness” found throughout the New Testament. (See References on page 2)

Here is what the Holman’s Bible Dictionary says about this early movement:

ANTINOMIANISM (an tih noh’ mih an ihsm) The false teaching that since faith alone is necessary for salvation, one is free from the moral obligations of the law. The word antinomianism is not used in the Bible, but the idea is spoken of. Paul appears to have been accused of being an antinomian (see Rom. 3:8; 6:1, 15). While it is true that obedience to the law will never earn salvation for anyone (Eph. 2:8-9), it is equally true that those who are saved are expected to live a life full of good works (see, for example, Matt. 7:16-20; Eph. 2:10; Col. 1:10; Jas. 2:14-26). Since we have been freed from the dominion of sin through faith in Jesus, we have also been freed to practice the righteousness demanded by God (Rom. 6:12-22).

In Legge’s “Forerunner’s and Rivals of Christianity” a work on the history of the Early Church, he states”

(in the late 2^nd to early 3^rd centuries) “Some well-known Church Fathers who came from Gnosticism were Epiphanius, who had been a Nicolaitan, Ambrose of Milan, who had been a Valentinian, and Augustine, who had been a Manichean for 9 years before joining the Catholic Church. All these Gnostic sects were distinguished by their rejection of the Old Testament Law, some of them even rejecting the Mighty One of the Old Testament, and some of them even equated the Mighty One of the Old Testament with the Evil One! In their rejection of the Old Testament Law, the Valentinian Gnostics even rejected all moral laws, leading to scandalous living.

The Marcionites were later on refuted, but they also contributed toward the aversion to, and even rejection of, the Old Testament. Manes and his followers, the Manicheans, from among whom Augustine came, “looked on Judaism with horror, rejected the Old Testament entirely…”

“LAWLESSNESS”

G458

Píïìßá anomia an-om-ee’-ah

From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness:—
iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

References to “lawlessness” in the New Testament:

Matthew 7:23 – And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 13:41-42 – The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.

Matthew 23:38 – Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Matthew 24:12 – And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Romans 6:19 – I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members asof righteousness for holiness. slaves

2Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2Thessalonians 2:7 – For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work;

Hebrews 1:9 – (quoting from numerous Psalms & Prophets)You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness

1John 3:4 – Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Please notice that the consistent use of this word “lawlessness” in these verses, contextually is describing some very serious consequences!

- In light of these verses is it safe for anyone to say that JESUS is saying in Matthew 5, that HE has “done away with ALL Old Testament Law?”

- When does JESUS say that this will be accomplished?

Matthew 5:18 – “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

When is that going to happen? Sometime in the future according to these verses:

2Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Rev 20:11 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

Rev 21:1 – Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

Again, in light of what the Scriptures say, is it wise to say that JESUS in Matthew 5:17 is suggesting that The LAW of GOD is NOT relevant any longer?

You decide. I pray that you make your decision based on what the Scriptures are saying instead of what man is saying…

As I’m sitting here writing this blog entry the sound of fireworks echoes off Big Turkey Lake, just about 200 yards from my house. It’s the Independence Day weekend and nearly every community across America celebrates the independence of the United States with fireworks and celebration. What about independence? Is it a desirable thing? What do we desire to be independent from? What does the word “independence” even mean? I ask these questions primarily in the relationship of the professing church with her husband.

Independence is an interesting word. According to Webster’s Dictionary, online, independence is defined as “the quality or state of being independent.” The word “independent” comes from the Greek word “auto-nomos.” Now here’s a very familiar Greek word used here. Remember the Greek word used in the Scriptures, translated “lawlessness?” It is the Greek word “anti-nomos.” Nomos is the Greek word for “law.” The context of the text dictates whether it is used in reference to the Law, or Torah of Yahweh, or of the “works of the law,” that contains man’s additions and subtractions to Torah. That’s another subject for another time, but the important thing is to look at independence in light of the Christian, and even the Messianic Judaic practice and doctrine. Does it fit? Is it right?

Please look with me a little closer at the Webster’s definition of the word “independence” from the Greek word, “auto-nomos.” According to Webster’s definition it means, “not subject to control by others… self-governing….rule oneself…not affiliated with a larger controlling unit…not looking for others for guidance.” Just to dig in a little deeper let’s look at the phrase in the definition “self-governing.”

Self-governing is what this nation professes to be and how it started, right; the will of the people determining the law of the land – the majority rule? Well that’s not how it appears it was meant to be. At least we were told we were a republic, a nation of laws – a constitution that places parameters around the lawmakers in congress and the senate, guiding the decisions of the judges and the president. Of course we see how that isn’t working so well for us. Why? Autonomy! Self-governance!

The Greek word, “autonomous” means “independent from the law,” or “having the right or power of self-government.” The United States of America was born out of a revolt against the authority of England. In short the people of the American colonies of England rebelled against their government, defeated England and formed its own government, by the people for the people. I’m not here to debate whether that was a right thing or a wrong thing. I’m just looking at if for what it really is. The USA became autonomous from England through rebellion against England’s authority. Now what does that mean to mankind in his professed relationship with his Creator? Since then she has rebelled against her own laws. It appears that rebellion is deep seated in mankind. Scripture even says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and said in Torah to not allow a witch to live! Rebellion of HIS creation is a serious matter with the Creator.

Pastor Ron Hyre, Josh Brown, and I are currently working on a new video series, contextually going through the Book of Galatians. A letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians, this book of the so-called New Testament is pivotal in the establishment of doctrine, especially in the professing church. It is commonly called the church’s “Magna Carta,” and more commonly, “The Christian’s Declaration of Independence.” Let’s take a look at these ascribed titles and perceived doctrine concerning The Book of Galatians, in light of the definition of the word “independence.”

Please, just use some common sense, logic, and more importantly, the Scriptural context, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you concerning this issue. Think about it; The Christian’s Declaration of Independence from what? The church says that the reborn Christian is now free from the Law, or Torah of Yahweh. The Christian, in his or her mind, is now “independent” of the Torah! Consider that Yeshua, or Jesus, as he is known in the professing evangelical church, is called the Living Word in John Chapter One. And as we’ve said so many times, the only Word they had at that time was Torah, the Prophets, the writings of Psalms and Proverbs, and the historical books of Kings, Chronicles, Joshua, Ezra, and so forth. So the church is declaring their independence from the Word of Yahweh contained in these Scriptures, and in effect declaring their independence from Yeshua, the Living Word! How does that work? By being “independent” the church as said she is “autonomous” and now has the authority and the ability of self-governance, apart from the guidance of the Word of God, both written and Living, in the person of Yeshua!

The Roman Catholic Church readily admits that they believe they have this autonomy, in connection with their change of the Sabbath day from the seventh day (Sabbath) to the first day, the venerable day of the sun, commemorating the sun God Mithra. That is self-governance, apart from the confines of Scripture and the authority of our Creator who is the Word and spoke the Word, and commanded that we obey HIS Word! But Paul says in Galatians Three that the Scripture has confined all under sin! John says in 1st John 3 that sin is lawlessness – anti-nomos! This is rebellion! Self governance, autonomy, is born out of rebellion against the Creator. The rebellion of the created against their Creator – who do you think will win in the end?

The declaration of independence from the Torah, or Law of Yahweh, breaking loose the bonds and the confines of Scripture is rebellion. But this autonomous living is really a falsehood. Men believe they have autonomy, and are living as such, but in reality are not free from the Torah; the Law of Yahweh. Even if men refuse to bow down on this side of eternity, declaring that Yeshua, The Living Word is LORD, they will ultimately do it when they face HIM in eternity. But then the bowing to HIS sovereignty is too late to afford entrance into HIS kingdom. In Matthew Seven Yeshua (Jesus) said that those who practice lawlessness (anti-nomos) will not be allowed into HIS kingdom. HE said that HE will tell them to depart from HIM, that HE never knew them, addressing them as “you who practice lawlessness.” These who are anti-nomian have declared themselves autonomous – able to govern themselves outside the authority of the Creator and HIS Torah – Law.

I believe it is time for a serious re-think on the part of the church, and indeed those in Messianic Judaism. The problem Paul addresses in Galatians is the same anti-nomian, autonomous declaration of the influencers, born out of the Law of Judaism. The Law of Judaism is Torah mixed with the autonomous rabbinic additions and subtractions to Torah. They were saying that the Galatians needed to be circumcised, become a Jew, and through them have access to the kingdom through Abraham. But the Word of Yahweh (in fact Yeshua – see 1st Peter 1) says that it is by faith in the Seed – Messiah, not the seeds, or descendents of Abraham, who have access to HIS kingdom. Faith is defined by Paul as coming by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Yahweh – Torah those proclaiming Torah. Through believing and doing HIS Word – faith, we access grace, changing our heart of stone into one of flesh. This new heart, given us through the work of grace, has Torah written upon it, and through the work of grace, HE causes us to walk in HIS statutes and keep HIS commandments. We are free from lawlessness and now are willing slaves to HIS righteousness. We are not independent of HIM and HIS Word. We are not autonomous!

Autonomous self-governance produces man’s doctrine or additions and subtractions to HIS Word, whether it is rabbinic self proclaimed authority, or so-called church fathers, we must be like the Bereans and subject their doctrine, and our every thought and action to the Torah of Yahweh, for we are not autonomous from the rule of HIS Torah. If we believe we are, then we are not HIS, for we have removed ourselves from HIS kingdom and into one that is merely a figment of man’s futile imaginations. These vain imaginations have produced feast days that are not keeping with HIS commanded Feasts that teach us about HIM and HIS plan of redemption. In our self governance we have cast off the very authority that gives us the foundation for the Redeemer HIMSELF! We have left ourselves, the lowly pot to fend for ourselves in our arrogance, forgetting that the Potter will destroy those pots that are displeasing to HIM. But if those pots, which are now displeasing to HIM, repent and begin to please HIM by faith, believing and obeying HIS commandments, by grace through faith, HE will restore them to a place in HIS kingdom. We must repent while we have opportunity because the great and terrible Day of the LORD is coming upon the sons of disobedience.