But seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things shall be added unto you

Instead if teaching on what we should be doing for God; 

Let us teach on what God in Christ has already done for us.

Instead of majoring on our works for God, let us focus on what He has and is now doing on our behalf.

Not on how much we need to love and serve God;

But that He first loved us and desires to serve and bless us; for that is His very character and nature!

Not that there is anything that God needs from us, or that He is deficient in any thing, or in any way, that we would presume to think that our good works would somehow impress Him to elevate us in some way!

What does He need, that He hasn't already got.

“Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Micah 6:1-8 KJV

“Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

James 1:16-27 KJV

James says here, that the person that looks into the mirror of the word of God, even though he beholds himself, he does not truly discern the real him.

For he goes away and forgets who he is.

James says that this person is deceiving themselves and cannot do the things that he should; for he not only does not see, but spiritually does not hear, or discern who he is in Christ!

His mind is telling his heart a different story to that which his head or mind is telling him.

He is that double minded man in the beginning of the chapter, who cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

If we take what was said earlier on; we see that this man is unstable in all his ways, for he is two-minded.

With his mind, he tries to serve the letter of the law, but with his heart the inward promptings and desires of his brand new spirit, perfectly created in the image of His Creator God, being at one with Him; one spirit with the living God.

BEHOLD, in both vs 23 and 24, comes from the Greek word, Katanoeo, which interpreted means -:

a strengthened form of , Noeo, to perceive, (Kata, intensive), denotes “the action of the mind in apprehending certain facts about a thing”; hence, “to consider”; “behold,” Acts 7:31-32; Jas. 1:23-24. See CONSIDER, DISCOVER, PERCEIVE.

To LOOK INTO, in verse 25, is the Greek word,  Parakupto, which means -:

 

lit. and primarily, “to stoop sideways” ,

Para, aside, Kupto, to bend forward”), denotes “to stoop to look into,” Luke 24:12,

“stooping and looking in” (KJV, “stooping down”), John 20:5, 11; metaphorically in Jas. 1:25, of “looking” into the perfect law of liberty; in 1 Pet. 1:12 of things which the angels desire “to look into.

We either casually look upon the surface image of ourselves in the mirror of God's Word; or we look into and gaze intentionally at the essence and substance of who we really are in Christ!

We cannot as believers serve two masters; for we will hate one and love the other.

We cannot walk in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, in true liberty, while we allow our own hearts to be deceived to serve the letter of the law of sin and death.

Who was Melchizedek?

Who was Melchizedek?

(If this speculation is true, then one inference of the tithe being relevant to the New Testament church, that of  Melchizedek actually being Christ and thus eternally receiving our tithes, in Hebrews; more speculation: is demolished. 

“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”

Hebrews 7:8 KJV

Paul Otta.)

Further thoughts on Parashat Lekha

by John J. Parsons

www.hebrew4christians.com

Further thoughts on Parashat Lekha

by John J. Parsons

www.hebrew4christians.com

[ Disclaimer: The following entry attempts to explain the traditional Jewish view of the identity of Malki-Tzedek (i.e., "Melchizedek"). Please note that this is simply an "exploratory discussion" that I hope will prompt you to think through some of the questions for yourself. ]

AFTER ABRAM WAS GIVEN THE DIVINE PROMISE to inherit the land of Canaan (Gen. 13:14-18), the Torah gives an account of a regional war (near the Dead Sea) during which his nephew Lot was taken prisoner. When Abram learned of his nephew's abduction, he mobilized a small army of men and rescued him, supernaturally defeating King Chedorlaomer and his three vassal allies (Gen. 14:1-16). To honor his victory, the king of Sodom met Abram at the Valley of Shaveh (i.e., the "United Valley" just outside Jerusalem) and escorted him to the city of Salem (later renamed "Jerusalem"). It was here, at Salem, that "Malki-Tzedek" (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק), the high priest and king of the city, brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram (Gen. 14:18). 

But who is this mysterious figure called Malki-Tzedek? The name "Malki-Tzedek" literally means "my king" (i.e., מַלְכִּי, from מֶלֶךְ, "king") is "tzedek" (i.e., צֶדֶק, "just, righteous"). Note that it does not mean "King of righteousness" (as is sometimes claimed by Christian theologians), since the word "malki" contains a possessive personal pronoun (i.e., "my king").  Jewish tradition identifies Malki-Tzedek as Shem (שֵׁם), the firstborn son of Noach, who settled in Salem (שָׁלֵם) some time after the great Flood. To understand how Shem became the first high priest and king of Zion, we need to go back and reconsider the lineage of the patriarchs. 

 

Adam was the world's "firstborn son" (bechor) of God (Gen. 2:7, Luke 3:38). After his transgression (and exile from the garden), Adam built an altar and offered sacrifices to the LORD as humanity's first high priest. When he later died, Adam's son Seth (שֵׁת) became high priest in his place.  When Seth later died, the priesthood went to Methuselah (מְתוּשָׁלַח) who served for centuries.  Methuselah was prophesied to die seven days before the advent of the great Flood, and upon his death his grandson Noach (נחַ) was commissioned to be humanity's high priest. Noach had learned the laws of sacrifice ("clean" and "unclean") from the books of Adam and Enoch as well as from his grandfather (Gen. 8:20). After the Flood, Noach rebuilt Adam's original altar in Jerusalem (which had been destroyed earlier by wicked people of the generation of the Flood). Later, however, he was disqualified to be priest and his firstborn son Shem (שֵׁם) took his place.  Shem remained in Jerusalem (i.e., Salem) and became its king and high priest. The name "Malki-Tzedek" was later ascribed as an honorary title (perhaps similar to the title Adonai-Tzedek as mentioned in Josh. 10:1).

Now Shem was truly an extraordinary person.  He was the firstborn son of Noach who personally served the great patriarch Methuselah for 98 years before the Flood (Methuselah, it should be noted, directly knew Adam).  And Shem had witnessed -- firsthand -- the devastation of the Flood and God's judgment upon the world. After the deluge, he settled in Salem where he founded a school for Torah study to encourage his descendants to serve the LORD. According to tradition, Shem was present at the brit milah (circumcision) of Abraham and Ishmael (Gen. 17:23), and later Isaac studied with him after the Akedah ordeal (Gen. 22:1-14). Still later, Isaac's wife Rebekah went to visit him regarding the struggle of her pregnancy and was given the prophecy of the "elder serving the younger" (Gen. 25:22-23). And when Jacob finally "stole" the blessing from Esau, he fled from his brother by going first to Shem's school in Salem.  So all three of the avot (patriarchs) of Israel -- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- personally knew Shem.

Shem is considered one of the four righteous men of the "dispersion" period (i.e., the period after the Flood in which the descendants of Noah were to commanded to settle the earth). The thee others are Noach, Eber, and Abram.  For 400 years Shem preached to the idolaters of the world, calling them to repentance and offering instruction at his school in Salem. He was a prophet who foresaw the future glory of Zion -- God's Temple and the redemption of the human race.  He wanted to establish the kingdom of God based on justice (tzedek) and peace (shalom). 

According to the sages of the Talmud, God originally planned to bring forth the priesthood through Shem, but he was disqualified because he had blessed Abram before God ("blessed be Abram ... and blessed be the Most High God," see Gen. 14:19-20). Because of this misstep, the LORD decided to bring the priesthood through Abraham's offspring (i.e., Levi). Indeed, the sages interpret David's later statement, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4) as, "You are a priest forever because of the words (al-divrati / עַל־דִּבְרָתִי) of Malki-Tzedek" (Bava Batra 14b). Shem had got his priorities mixed up and put Abram before the LORD, and that displeased God. Moreover, the sages note that Shem understood God primarily as El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן), the supreme God among other gods (elim), but Abram put the LORD first ("I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High..." Gen. 14:22). In other words, Shem's idea of God was of a Supreme Being, Creator, and Judge, but Abram understood God as the personal LORD (יהוה), the compassionate Source of life.  Abram understood the LORD as the God of human providence and care, not just as the Judge of the earth.

As already mentioned, Abram and Shem knew each other, though after the "war of the kings," they were said to be fearful of one another. Abram was said to be fearful that Shem would resent him for killing his descendants (Chedorlaomer was a direct descendant of Shem), whereas Shem was fearful that Abram was angry over the abduction of Lot and the need for war.  The offering of bread and wine therefore represented a "peace offering" between the two. Moreover, Shem was further revealing to Abram the laws of the high priesthood. The bread represented the "bread of faces" (לֶחֶם פָּנִים) or "showbread," and the wine represented libations or drink offerings (נֶסֶךְ), both of which became part of later Temple worship.  Abram's victory was sanctified by the high priest of God, and Abram's tribute was given to honor God's representative. 

Malki-Tzedek may have been the historical Shem, though מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים / ma'aseh avot siman labanim: "The deeds of the fathers are signs for the children." In other words, like other "types" or patterns given in Scripture (e.g., the sacrifice of Isaac), there is a deeper significance to the immediate historical context. The fusion of a King-Priest that predates Israel is a picture of the Messiah himself, as was foreseen by the prophets.

For example, the name Adonai Tzidkenu (יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ), "the LORD our Righteousness," appears in Jeremiah's prophecy of the "righteous branch" (tzemach tzaddik, צֶמַח צַדִּיק), the great Davidic King who was promised to appear (Jer. 23:5-6). This "Righteous Branch" is also mentioned in Book of Zechariah as the one who would ultimately unite the authority of the priesthood with the Kingship of God on behalf of Israel's redemption. 

Although Jewish tradition regards Malki-Tzedek to be the patriarch Shem, he is clearly a picture of Adonai Tzidkenu. He is called the "King of Righteousness and priest of the Most High God" (Gen. 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:6). The Midrash Lamentations says, "The proper name of Messiah is Adonai Tzidkenu - the Lord our righteousness." Note that the very first occurrence of the word "priest" in the Scriptures occurs in reference to the King/Priest Malki-Tzedek – a picture of the coming Tzemach Tzedakah, Yeshua the Anointed One.

The New Testament calls Yeshua Adonai Tzidkenu and declares Him the only True Tzaddik (1 Cor. 1:30; 1 John 2:1) since He alone truly fulfilled the Torah of Moses and gave Himself as a sacrificial offering upon the cross to save the world from the judgment of God (2 Cor. 5:21; John 3:36). Those who trust in Him are also justified as tzaddikim, since "the tzaddik shall live by faith" (Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11). 

In short, Adonai Tzidkenu is the name for Yeshua who "saves His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). The righteousness of Yeshua is the gospel message itself, that is, the power of God to save us from the verdict of our sinful condition and to restore our relationship with a holy and morally perfect God. God will not clear the guilty, but He does something infinitely better: He removes the guilt! The curse of the Law's verdict upon us has been taken away through the substitutionary sacrifice of Yeshua upon the cross at Moriah (Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:21). God puts our sin upon Yeshua and gives us His righteousness in exchange. By sincerely turning to Him in confession of our condition and trusting in His righteousness we are declared legally "justified" (i.e., "just-if-I'd" never sinned) before the Judge of the World. Moreover, through our union with Yeshua, we share in the vindication of His resurrected life and have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). To be justified is to share in Yeshua's righteousness: Adonai Tzidkenu!

Of course the Book of Hebrews also links the priestly work of Yeshua as our Kohen Gadol of the New Covenant with Malki-Tzedek (Heb. 5-10). Malki-Tzedek is said to have been "made like" (ἀφομοιόω) the Son of God, "having neither beginning of days nor end of life" (Heb. 7:3). This Greek word means "to resemble" or "to liken" (from ἀπό + ὁμοιόω). The priesthood of Yeshua is said to be after the "order of Malki-Tzedek," based on a direct oath from God, that predates the operation of the Levitical priesthood (for more information about the role of Yeshua as our High Priest, see the article "Yom Kippur and the Gospel"). This is not unlike the King/Priest office that Moses held when he commanded the sacrifice of the Passover lambs during the Exodus. The korban pesach (sacrifice of Passover) was not originally instituted through the Levitical priesthood (i.e., the Mishkan), but rather predated the giving of the law to the priests. 

Yeshua is Adam ha-Sheni - the "Second Adam" - who offered up a better sacrifice upon the altar of the Cross in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 15:45). He is humanity's great High Priest (Kohen Gadol) of the New Covenant with God. Like Malki-Tzedek, Yeshua's priesthood abides forever and is more profound than that given through the Levitical rites.  Yeshua "ever lives to make intercession for those who put their trust in Him as their advocate before Heaven" (Heb. 7:25). 

Note:  Some Christians regard Malki-Tzedek as a preincarnate manifestation of Yeshua, though the Book of Hebrews says that Yeshua is "in the similitude" (ὁμοιότης) of Malki-Tzedek, not that He is Malki-Tzedek. Moreover, Malki-Tzedek is said to have been "made like" (ἀφομοιόω) the Son of God, "having neither beginning of days nor end of life" (Heb. 7:3), but again it does not explicitly say He is the same person.... It's entirely possible that Malki-Tzedek was both a historical person and a picture or "parable" of Yeshua as the great High Priest and King. Yeshua came after "the order (τάξιν) of Malki-Tzedek" (Heb. 6:20), a term that refers to an office or position as the true King and High Priest of God (this is expressed in Psalm 110:4 as עַל־דִּבְרָתִי / al-divrati, "according to the word or manner" of Malki-Tzedek).

(If this speculation is true, then one inference of the tithe being relevant to the New Testament church, that of  Melchizedek actually being Christ and thus eternally receiving our tithes, in Hebrews; more speculation: is demolished. 

“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”

Hebrews 7:8 KJV

Paul Otta.)

Further thoughts on Parashat Lekha

by John J. Parsons

www.hebrew4christians.com

Further thoughts on Parashat Lekha

by John J. Parsons

www.hebrew4christians.com

[ Disclaimer: The following entry attempts to explain the traditional Jewish view of the identity of Malki-Tzedek (i.e., "Melchizedek"). Please note that this is simply an "exploratory discussion" that I hope will prompt you to think through some of the questions for yourself. ]

AFTER ABRAM WAS GIVEN THE DIVINE PROMISE to inherit the land of Canaan (Gen. 13:14-18), the Torah gives an account of a regional war (near the Dead Sea) during which his nephew Lot was taken prisoner. When Abram learned of his nephew's abduction, he mobilized a small army of men and rescued him, supernaturally defeating King Chedorlaomer and his three vassal allies (Gen. 14:1-16). To honor his victory, the king of Sodom met Abram at the Valley of Shaveh (i.e., the "United Valley" just outside Jerusalem) and escorted him to the city of Salem (later renamed "Jerusalem"). It was here, at Salem, that "Malki-Tzedek" (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק), the high priest and king of the city, brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram (Gen. 14:18). 

But who is this mysterious figure called Malki-Tzedek? The name "Malki-Tzedek" literally means "my king" (i.e., מַלְכִּי, from מֶלֶךְ, "king") is "tzedek" (i.e., צֶדֶק, "just, righteous"). Note that it does not mean "King of righteousness" (as is sometimes claimed by Christian theologians), since the word "malki" contains a possessive personal pronoun (i.e., "my king").  Jewish tradition identifies Malki-Tzedek as Shem (שֵׁם), the firstborn son of Noach, who settled in Salem (שָׁלֵם) some time after the great Flood. To understand how Shem became the first high priest and king of Zion, we need to go back and reconsider the lineage of the patriarchs. 

 

Adam was the world's "firstborn son" (bechor) of God (Gen. 2:7, Luke 3:38). After his transgression (and exile from the garden), Adam built an altar and offered sacrifices to the LORD as humanity's first high priest. When he later died, Adam's son Seth (שֵׁת) became high priest in his place.  When Seth later died, the priesthood went to Methuselah (מְתוּשָׁלַח) who served for centuries.  Methuselah was prophesied to die seven days before the advent of the great Flood, and upon his death his grandson Noach (נחַ) was commissioned to be humanity's high priest. Noach had learned the laws of sacrifice ("clean" and "unclean") from the books of Adam and Enoch as well as from his grandfather (Gen. 8:20). After the Flood, Noach rebuilt Adam's original altar in Jerusalem (which had been destroyed earlier by wicked people of the generation of the Flood). Later, however, he was disqualified to be priest and his firstborn son Shem (שֵׁם) took his place.  Shem remained in Jerusalem (i.e., Salem) and became its king and high priest. The name "Malki-Tzedek" was later ascribed as an honorary title (perhaps similar to the title Adonai-Tzedek as mentioned in Josh. 10:1).

Now Shem was truly an extraordinary person.  He was the firstborn son of Noach who personally served the great patriarch Methuselah for 98 years before the Flood (Methuselah, it should be noted, directly knew Adam).  And Shem had witnessed -- firsthand -- the devastation of the Flood and God's judgment upon the world. After the deluge, he settled in Salem where he founded a school for Torah study to encourage his descendants to serve the LORD. According to tradition, Shem was present at the brit milah (circumcision) of Abraham and Ishmael (Gen. 17:23), and later Isaac studied with him after the Akedah ordeal (Gen. 22:1-14). Still later, Isaac's wife Rebekah went to visit him regarding the struggle of her pregnancy and was given the prophecy of the "elder serving the younger" (Gen. 25:22-23). And when Jacob finally "stole" the blessing from Esau, he fled from his brother by going first to Shem's school in Salem.  So all three of the avot (patriarchs) of Israel -- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- personally knew Shem.

Shem is considered one of the four righteous men of the "dispersion" period (i.e., the period after the Flood in which the descendants of Noah were to commanded to settle the earth). The thee others are Noach, Eber, and Abram.  For 400 years Shem preached to the idolaters of the world, calling them to repentance and offering instruction at his school in Salem. He was a prophet who foresaw the future glory of Zion -- God's Temple and the redemption of the human race.  He wanted to establish the kingdom of God based on justice (tzedek) and peace (shalom). 

According to the sages of the Talmud, God originally planned to bring forth the priesthood through Shem, but he was disqualified because he had blessed Abram before God ("blessed be Abram ... and blessed be the Most High God," see Gen. 14:19-20). Because of this misstep, the LORD decided to bring the priesthood through Abraham's offspring (i.e., Levi). Indeed, the sages interpret David's later statement, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4) as, "You are a priest forever because of the words (al-divrati / עַל־דִּבְרָתִי) of Malki-Tzedek" (Bava Batra 14b). Shem had got his priorities mixed up and put Abram before the LORD, and that displeased God. Moreover, the sages note that Shem understood God primarily as El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן), the supreme God among other gods (elim), but Abram put the LORD first ("I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High..." Gen. 14:22). In other words, Shem's idea of God was of a Supreme Being, Creator, and Judge, but Abram understood God as the personal LORD (יהוה), the compassionate Source of life.  Abram understood the LORD as the God of human providence and care, not just as the Judge of the earth.

As already mentioned, Abram and Shem knew each other, though after the "war of the kings," they were said to be fearful of one another. Abram was said to be fearful that Shem would resent him for killing his descendants (Chedorlaomer was a direct descendant of Shem), whereas Shem was fearful that Abram was angry over the abduction of Lot and the need for war.  The offering of bread and wine therefore represented a "peace offering" between the two. Moreover, Shem was further revealing to Abram the laws of the high priesthood. The bread represented the "bread of faces" (לֶחֶם פָּנִים) or "showbread," and the wine represented libations or drink offerings (נֶסֶךְ), both of which became part of later Temple worship.  Abram's victory was sanctified by the high priest of God, and Abram's tribute was given to honor God's representative. 

Malki-Tzedek may have been the historical Shem, though מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים / ma'aseh avot siman labanim: "The deeds of the fathers are signs for the children." In other words, like other "types" or patterns given in Scripture (e.g., the sacrifice of Isaac), there is a deeper significance to the immediate historical context. The fusion of a King-Priest that predates Israel is a picture of the Messiah himself, as was foreseen by the prophets.

For example, the name Adonai Tzidkenu (יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ), "the LORD our Righteousness," appears in Jeremiah's prophecy of the "righteous branch" (tzemach tzaddik, צֶמַח צַדִּיק), the great Davidic King who was promised to appear (Jer. 23:5-6). This "Righteous Branch" is also mentioned in Book of Zechariah as the one who would ultimately unite the authority of the priesthood with the Kingship of God on behalf of Israel's redemption. 

Although Jewish tradition regards Malki-Tzedek to be the patriarch Shem, he is clearly a picture of Adonai Tzidkenu. He is called the "King of Righteousness and priest of the Most High God" (Gen. 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:6). The Midrash Lamentations says, "The proper name of Messiah is Adonai Tzidkenu - the Lord our righteousness." Note that the very first occurrence of the word "priest" in the Scriptures occurs in reference to the King/Priest Malki-Tzedek – a picture of the coming Tzemach Tzedakah, Yeshua the Anointed One.

The New Testament calls Yeshua Adonai Tzidkenu and declares Him the only True Tzaddik (1 Cor. 1:30; 1 John 2:1) since He alone truly fulfilled the Torah of Moses and gave Himself as a sacrificial offering upon the cross to save the world from the judgment of God (2 Cor. 5:21; John 3:36). Those who trust in Him are also justified as tzaddikim, since "the tzaddik shall live by faith" (Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11). 

In short, Adonai Tzidkenu is the name for Yeshua who "saves His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). The righteousness of Yeshua is the gospel message itself, that is, the power of God to save us from the verdict of our sinful condition and to restore our relationship with a holy and morally perfect God. God will not clear the guilty, but He does something infinitely better: He removes the guilt! The curse of the Law's verdict upon us has been taken away through the substitutionary sacrifice of Yeshua upon the cross at Moriah (Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:21). God puts our sin upon Yeshua and gives us His righteousness in exchange. By sincerely turning to Him in confession of our condition and trusting in His righteousness we are declared legally "justified" (i.e., "just-if-I'd" never sinned) before the Judge of the World. Moreover, through our union with Yeshua, we share in the vindication of His resurrected life and have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). To be justified is to share in Yeshua's righteousness: Adonai Tzidkenu!

Of course the Book of Hebrews also links the priestly work of Yeshua as our Kohen Gadol of the New Covenant with Malki-Tzedek (Heb. 5-10). Malki-Tzedek is said to have been "made like" (ἀφομοιόω) the Son of God, "having neither beginning of days nor end of life" (Heb. 7:3). This Greek word means "to resemble" or "to liken" (from ἀπό + ὁμοιόω). The priesthood of Yeshua is said to be after the "order of Malki-Tzedek," based on a direct oath from God, that predates the operation of the Levitical priesthood (for more information about the role of Yeshua as our High Priest, see the article "Yom Kippur and the Gospel"). This is not unlike the King/Priest office that Moses held when he commanded the sacrifice of the Passover lambs during the Exodus. The korban pesach (sacrifice of Passover) was not originally instituted through the Levitical priesthood (i.e., the Mishkan), but rather predated the giving of the law to the priests. 

Yeshua is Adam ha-Sheni - the "Second Adam" - who offered up a better sacrifice upon the altar of the Cross in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 15:45). He is humanity's great High Priest (Kohen Gadol) of the New Covenant with God. Like Malki-Tzedek, Yeshua's priesthood abides forever and is more profound than that given through the Levitical rites.  Yeshua "ever lives to make intercession for those who put their trust in Him as their advocate before Heaven" (Heb. 7:25). 

Note:  Some Christians regard Malki-Tzedek as a preincarnate manifestation of Yeshua, though the Book of Hebrews says that Yeshua is "in the similitude" (ὁμοιότης) of Malki-Tzedek, not that He is Malki-Tzedek. Moreover, Malki-Tzedek is said to have been "made like" (ἀφομοιόω) the Son of God, "having neither beginning of days nor end of life" (Heb. 7:3), but again it does not explicitly say He is the same person.... It's entirely possible that Malki-Tzedek was both a historical person and a picture or "parable" of Yeshua as the great High Priest and King. Yeshua came after "the order (τάξιν) of Malki-Tzedek" (Heb. 6:20), a term that refers to an office or position as the true King and High Priest of God (this is expressed in Psalm 110:4 as עַל־דִּבְרָתִי / al-divrati, "according to the word or manner" of Malki-Tzedek).

My Beloved

What is the one thing that the New Covenant brings to believers, that was not available under the Old.

It is the ability to hear from God.

The ability to hear God's voice for ourselves without the need of a mediator.

We also here in the West have the privilege of having so many different translations of God's Word; Commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, Concordances.....

Yet the greater part of the Body of Christ still has no clue as to what Jesus has finished on and through the cross, either of Christ's finished work in us as believers and probably don't care, why ???

Of the true nature of God the Father;

believing that He is a killjoy, One Who still curses His children if they do not give their 10%, even if their families suffer lack.

A Father Who, if we were to have unconfessed sin in our lives when we die, God forbid; condemns is to hell.

Why, why, why???

We have been conditioned to believe everything that man tells us.

We have been made to appear foolish if we were to ask questions.

We don't read God's Word and we don't believe that it truly sets us free!

We don't discern the voice of the Holy Spirit from the traditions of man!

Our hearts have been hardened to God Who is unconditional love, by men who portray Him in their image, as boring, selfish, full of rules and regulations; One Who is ready to take us out if we put a foot wrong; Who's seething hidden anger causes us to scurt around the edges of our relationship with Him.

He is nothing like He is portrayed.

He is the father of the prodigal son.

The Son of the Father's love Who forgives the prostitute and commends her great love, in her washing of his feet with her hair.

The One Who loves the greatest of sinners, as Saul, as Isis.

Who intercedes on behalf of Sodom.

Does He not love us with a consuming love.

Has He not made us accepted in the beloved.

Are we not one spirit with Him.

Are we not seated in Christ Jesus, at the very right hand of God the Father.

Are we not now also in the trinity, in total unity and perfectness in God.

Didn't we die in Christ, as He died and put away our very sin nature and made us to be His very righteousness.

Don't our hearts burn when He speaks to us.

Aren't we lifted up and encouraged when He shows us how much He loves us.

When He rejoices over us with singing.

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.

Don't tell me how to love my beloved.

Don't tell me that my beloved is this way, when I know He is not.

Don't tell me you have the authority to speak on behalf of my beloved!

Don't tell me that my beloved loves you more than me.

That because you do such and such, or have these credentials, or more possessions, seated higher in position, that you speak the words of my beloved and yet you do not cause my heart to leap for joy.

That my heavy burdens are not lifted, shared.

That I walk away from your presence and words, my soul cast down, yet angry at how you have misrepresented my beloved's heart.

I am jealous of my beloved and my beloved me.

My heart beats as one with my beloved's.

We sing as one.

We dance as one.

We listen to our favourite music as one.

We get angry as one, yet we sin not.

We are grieved as one and we pour out our heart as one.

Please see that there is so much more to my beloved than what you think and portray.

My beloved and I also are not blind; we see, yet we still love, hope, believe, pray that we all with open face may behold His glory !

Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Tithing:

Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

This book is not all there is out there.

This particular information is for anyone who wishes to dig into the truth of God's word for themselves.

This truth is not put forth to rob God or His church; in fact this truth will set her free to give with a much greater liberty, from being influenced and condemned by the law, to being set free, by the Spirit, to truly experience joyful free will giving.

This will be part of the journey from legalism to grace, from servant hood, to the realisation of true sonship. 

Paul W. Otta

***********************************************

Matthew E. Narramore

The complete book can be read online at, or purchased from tekoapublishing.com

The following is taken from Chapter 7 - Disinformation I, of the book -

Tithing:

Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Chapter 7

Disinformation I

Disinformation is false information, purposely given out to an enemy. It's an ancient weapon of strategic warfare. The church is in a spiritual war and faces a steady stream of disinformation designed to deceive it and hold it in weakness. Jesus said that knowing the truth is the key to victory.

Tithing:

Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Matthew E. Narramore

tekoapublishing.com 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

The truth that will make you free is the knowledge of the finished work of Christ—his death, burial, resurrection, and what he accomplished by them. When a person understands identification with Christ, union with Christ, and living by the power of the indwelling Christ, he will have the spiritual foundation to experience the triumph of Christ. The devil tries to obscure that truth in his effort to neutralize the church.

Tithing contradicts the foundations of the New Covenant and life in Christ. It promotes a mentality that holds Christians in spiritual immaturity and weakness. The problem with tithing is not the percentage; it's the spiritual perspective that causes people to think, to believe, and to act inconsistently with the truth of what God has done through Christ and their relationship to him as a son.

In this chapter and the two following it we will examine some of the teachings on tithing that negate the truth. There are some you may have never heard before and some may even seem hard to believe, but they have all been preached by prominent and well-respected ministers.

The Tithe Is the Lord's

This statement implies that tithing is an eternal law in God's kingdom that will never change. It is based on the following verses from the Old Testament.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. (Lev. 27:30)

And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Lev. 27:32)

Let's look at these verses in their context. Who is talking, who are they talking to, and what are they talking about? From verses 1 and 2 of the chapter we have the answer to all three questions. The Lord is speaking to Moses and is giving him instructions to give to the children of Israel. These instructions are not to the body of Christ. They are specifically for the people who lived under the Law. There is no tithe in the New Covenant so they cannot apply to us.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: (Rom. 3:19)

The Law is not speaking to the new creation in Christ. It was never intended for us. We live in a much higher and better relationship with God.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal. 3:24–25)

In the New Covenant we are sons of God. We are joint heirs with Jesus of all things. Jesus owns everything in both the seen and unseen worlds, and we are joint owners with him. This covenant is like a marriage, where 100 percent is owned by both parties and is at all times committed to the other's use.

Some believers who tithe have the wrong idea that 10 percent belongs to God and 90 percent belongs to them. But to walk with God you must accept his right to call for any amount at any time. Life in the spirit as a mature son is only available on that basis. With maturity comes both liberty and responsibility. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by carnal principles like tithing that were necessary for men who were not born again.

People who have wrong beliefs about tithing can still be greatly blessed, according to their faith and how they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. But no matter how blessed and successful they are, it doesn't validate their doctrine and it doesn't mean they have all that God has made available. The glorious life of Christ cannot be fully experienced while following a way of life that was intended for men who lived before the resurrection.

Most of the erroneous teaching on tithing comes from one thing; people are trying to apply Old Covenant principles to life in Christ and the two don't mix. Paul had his biggest problem with people who were trying to fit the New Covenant believers into an obsolete way of living. The same problem continues today.

People who teach tithing say they are not promoting the Law. However, the only instructions on tithing that came from God came through the Law to people who were under the Law. That was the only group of people he ever instructed to tithe.

The next four topics will cover one of the most often quoted passages on the subject of tithing, Malachi 3:8–11. It is another Old Covenant passage that is being wrongly applied to life in Christ.

If You Don't Tithe You Are a God-Robber

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (Mal. 3:8)

Under the Old Covenant the tithe was the Lord's and the children of Israel were robbing God when they didn't give it to him. We have a completely different relationship to God. The New Covenant is actually between God the Father and Jesus. Therefore, it is perfect and eternal because it does not depend on a fallible human who might break it. We are included in the New Covenant by our spiritual union with Jesus and we share his covenant relationship with the Father.

The Father has already given everything there is to the Son. Jesus Christ is the rightful Lord and owner of all things. By virtue of being in Christ and being his body we are joint owners of all things with him.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom. 4:13)

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal. 3:16)

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29)

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Cor. 3:21–23)

We have no possessions that are ours separately from Jesus Christ. Everything belongs to him and us together, so there is no such thing as robbing God by not tithing. The commitment in this covenant is 100 percent from both parties. The issue is not tithing; it's following the Holy Spirit's leading at all times.

Our relationship to God as a born-again son is superior to anything previous. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus. God is not his own either because he has committed himself to us, to be a Father and total savior to us. We no longer live on the level of a tither. We live in the high calling of absolute abandonment to God and his purposes on earth. That is the new standard of 100 percent commitment in the New Covenant.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)

…they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11b)

The church is like it is today because of what it has been taught. It has not been taught the strong truth about the glorious relationship we have with God. It's time that Christians should be given the meat of God's word. (Heb. 5:12–14) It's time for them to be treated like sons who are capable of growing up into full stature in Christ.

Our standard today is not 10 percent, it is Christ himself who gave everything. Paul is an example for us:

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil. 3:7–8)

A Curse Will Come on You If You Don't Tithe

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (Mal. 3:9)

God had given Israel the Law over one thousand years before the prophet Malachi spoke those words. God told Israel very clearly what the blessing would be for keeping the Law and what the curse would be for breaking it. Over the years Israel broke it repeatedly and suffered the curse as punishment. That was the nature of their covenant.

There is no curse upon us in Christ. It isn't part of our covenant. Jesus bore it and completely redeemed us from it.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal. 3:13)

Those who teach that there is a curse for not tithing are contradicting the most basic truths of the New Covenant. However, if you put yourself back under the Law you will put yourself under the curse.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Gal. 3:10)

Life in Christ works by a different spiritual process, which is not compatible with the Old Covenant paradigm.

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; (Rom. 4:16)

We Are Commanded to Prove God with the Tithe

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Mal. 3:10)

Just as there was a curse for breaking the Law, there was a blessing for keeping the Law. Israel was challenged to keep the law of tithing and thereby put God to the test. Malachi 3:10 was not written to the church.

We are operating from a completely different perspective. God has already given us everything in our union with Christ. We don't do things to earn blessings. Neither is there a curse upon us if we fall short. God is looking for mature sons who will abide in Christ and allow him to live through them. God wants us to walk by faith and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not tithe.

The mind we have in Christ is a consciousness of already having all needs met, even though the provision may not be seen in the natural realm. That is faith. The idea that giving will cause God to do something is not faith, it's a mentality of lack and manipulation. When giving is based on love for people and faith that God has already provided for you, then it's in agreement with the truth

The New Covenant doesn't operate by generic standards like the tithe. It is administrated by the Holy Spirit in a way that is unique to each person and situation. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything, give the money to the poor, and come follow him. (Matt. 19:16–30, Luke 18:18–30) Those instructions were unique to him. A tithe would not have been sufficient.

In 1 Timothy 6:17–18 the rich are not commanded to give everything away like the rich young ruler was. They are instructed how they should use their wealth. When Peter asked Jesus what would be required of John, he was told that it was none of his business. (John 21:20–22) God deals with each person and situation individually.

There are many ways that faith can be expressed; however, they will all be uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit for the specific situation. Faith is what God is looking for now, not tithing.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb. 11:6)

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Gal. 3:9)

The difference between faith and works is a matter of the heart. Something that's done to get a blessing is a work. Something that's done because you believe you already have all blessings is an action of faith. Grace and works do not mix. Either we are blessed as a free gift of grace or we are blessed because of our works.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Rom. 4:4–5)

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Rom. 11:6)

Tithing Rebukes the Devourer

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 3:11)

God promised to rebuke the devourer if Israel would keep their covenant obligation to tithe. If they didn't, the curse of destruction would come on them.

Again, the New Covenant operates differently than the Old. Jesus has already defeated the devil, redeemed us from his works, and delivered us out of his authority. It's all based on Jesus' shed blood, not on tithing. We are not waiting for God to rebuke the devourer. Jesus has given us the authority and the responsibility to use his name to enforce his finished work.

The New Testament graphically describes the devil's defeat and Jesus' triumph.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col. 2:15)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb. 2:14–15)

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Eph. 1:20–21)

The New Testament is very clear that everything Jesus did in his death, burial, and resurrection was for our benefit and that we now share his complete victory and authority over all the power of darkness.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Eph. 2: 5–6)

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col. 1:12–14)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Col. 2:9–10)

Through Christ we are in a place of victory and authority that was unknown to the people of God in previous covenants. God had servants under the Law, and if they kept the Law he could bless them. God now he has sons in Christ and expects a different way of living from them. He has given us a staggering amount of authority in the name of Jesus and the responsibility that goes with it.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt. 18:18)

Behold, I give unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17–18)

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9–11)

God is not waiting to rebuke the devourer for those who tithe; he has already thrashed him! Any man in Christ has the benefit of that total victory without tithing. Putting people's attention on tithing as the source of their protection from the devil is a deception. It keeps them in a weak, Old Covenant mindset. It distracts them from their responsibility to bind the devil and cast him out in Jesus name.

The Tithe Is the Connection to the Covenant

Tithing has been wrongly exalted beyond the actual importance that it did have in the Old Covenant. Sometimes it seems that tithing has become the paramount issue in Christian preaching and teaching. However, in the covenant that God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai, tithing was just one of the Law's many requirements.

In God's covenant with Abraham, tithing was not included. God guaranteed that covenant without any requirement of tithing. Tithing is not part of the New Covenant either. It is based on the blood of Jesus alone.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matt. 26:28)

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:29)

God knew that the only way to provide salvation and blessing to man was to provide it as a free gift. Man was incapable of contributing anything. Jesus provided all that was required, his own shed blood. Salvation is by grace and it includes every benefit purchased by the blood of Jesus at the cross. If prosperity or any other covenant blessing depended on the tithe, then the tithe would be purchasing it, not the blood of Jesus.

The New Covenant is a blood covenant not a tithe covenant. Faith is the connection, but it is faith in the shed blood of Jesus, not faith in tithing. Making tithing a requirement to maintain the covenant is just as wrong as making it a requirement to enter the covenant.

The Religious Faith

The God kind of faith is based upon the hearing of His Word with the ears of our spirit in the inner man.

The Religious type of faith is that which presumes to follow the traditions and words of men without revelation. 

Especially if they seem to be right in everyone's eyes and have been adhered to longer than anyone can remember.

It follows along with the assurance that if everyone is in agreement and doing a thing it must be of faith.

Even if these actions or traditions do not line up or agree with the Word of God and have no witness in the spirit, it is still okay.

This Religious type of faith takes for granted the traditions of men without looking to God's Word for the truth.

Grace + Law = Law

Living under any degree of law, to that same degree there is a blindness that takes away a part of our liberty and freedom from living in and by the spirit.

Living under the law puts the focus on self.

Living under grace puts the focus on others.

Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Tithing:

Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Matthew E. Narramore

The complete book can be read online at, or purchased from tekoapublishing.com

The following is taken from Chapter 7 - Disinformation I, of the book -

Tithing:

Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Chapter 7

Disinformation I

Disinformation is false information, purposely given out to deceive an enemy. It's an ancient weapon of strategic warfare. The church is in a spiritual war and faces a steady stream of disinformation designed to deceive it and hold it in weakness. Jesus said that knowing the truth is the key to victory.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

The truth that will make you free is the knowledge of the finished work of Christ—his death, burial, resurrection, and what he accomplished by them. When a person understands identification with Christ, union with Christ, and living by the power of the indwelling Christ, he will have the spiritual foundation to experience the triumph of Christ. The devil tries to obscure that truth in his effort to neutralize the church.

Tithing contradicts the foundations of the New Covenant and life in Christ. It promotes a mentality that holds Christians in spiritual immaturity and weakness. The problem with tithing is not the percentage; it's the spiritual perspective that causes people to think, to believe, and to act inconsistently with the truth of what God has done through Christ and their relationship to him as a son.

In this chapter and the two following it we will examine some of the teachings on tithing that negate the truth. There are some you may have never heard before and some may even seem hard to believe, but they have all been preached by prominent and well-respected ministers.

The Tithe Is the Lord's

This statement implies that tithing is an eternal law in God's kingdom that will never change. It is based on the following verses from the Old Testament.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. (Lev. 27:30)

And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Lev. 27:32)

Let's look at these verses in their context. Who is talking, who are they talking to, and what are they talking about? From verses 1 and 2 of the chapter we have the answer to all three questions. The Lord is speaking to Moses and is giving him instructions to give to the children of Israel. These instructions are not to the body of Christ. They are specifically for the people who lived under the Law. There is no tithe in the New Covenant so they cannot apply to us.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: (Rom. 3:19)

The Law is not speaking to the new creation in Christ. It was never intended for us. We live in a much higher and better relationship with God.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal. 3:24–25)

In the New Covenant we are sons of God. We are joint heirs with Jesus of all things. Jesus owns everything in both the seen and unseen worlds, and we are joint owners with him. This covenant is like a marriage, where 100 percent is owned by both parties and is at all times committed to the other's use.

Some believers who tithe have the wrong idea that 10 percent belongs to God and 90 percent belongs to them. But to walk with God you must accept his right to call for any amount at any time. Life in the spirit as a mature son is only available on that basis. With maturity comes both liberty and responsibility. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by carnal principles like tithing that were necessary for men who were not born again.

People who have wrong beliefs about tithing can still be greatly blessed, according to their faith and how they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. But no matter how blessed and successful they are, it doesn't validate their doctrine and it doesn't mean they have all that God has made available. The glorious life of Christ cannot be fully experienced while following a way of life that was intended for men who lived before the resurrection.

Most of the erroneous teaching on tithing comes from one thing; people are trying to apply Old Covenant principles to life in Christ and the two don't mix. Paul had his biggest problem with people who were trying to fit the New Covenant believers into an obsolete way of living. The same problem continues today.

People who teach tithing say they are not promoting the Law. However, the only instructions on tithing that came from God came through the Law to people who were under the Law. That was the only group of people he ever instructed to tithe.

The next four topics will cover one of the most often quoted passages on the subject of tithing, Malachi 3:8–11. It is another Old Covenant passage that is being wrongly applied to life in Christ.

If You Don't Tithe You Are a God-Robber

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (Mal. 3:8)

Under the Old Covenant the tithe was the Lord's and the children of Israel were robbing God when they didn't give it to him. We have a completely different relationship to God. The New Covenant is actually between God the Father and Jesus. Therefore, it is perfect and eternal because it does not depend on a fallible human who might break it. We are included in the New Covenant by our spiritual union with Jesus and we share his covenant relationship with the Father.

The Father has already given everything there is to the Son. Jesus Christ is the rightful Lord and owner of all things. By virtue of being in Christ and being his body we are joint owners of all things with him.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom. 4:13)

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal. 3:16)

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29)

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Cor. 3:21–23)

We have no possessions that are ours separately from Jesus Christ. Everything belongs to him and us together, so there is no such thing as robbing God by not tithing. The commitment in this covenant is 100 percent from both parties. The issue is not tithing; it's following the Holy Spirit's leading at all times.

Our relationship to God as a born-again son is superior to anything previous. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus. God is not his own either because he has committed himself to us, to be a Father and total savior to us. We no longer live on the level of a tither. We live in the high calling of absolute abandonment to God and his purposes on earth. That is the new standard of 100 percent commitment in the New Covenant.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)

…they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11b)

The church is like it is today because of what it has been taught. It has not been taught the strong truth about the glorious relationship we have with God. It's time that Christians should be given the meat of God's word. (Heb. 5:12–14) It's time for them to be treated like sons who are capable of growing up into full stature in Christ.

Our standard today is not 10 percent, it is Christ himself who gave everything. Paul is an example for us:

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil. 3:7–8)

A Curse Will Come on You If You Don't Tithe

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (Mal. 3:9)

God had given Israel the Law over one thousand years before the prophet Malachi spoke those words. God told Israel very clearly what the blessing would be for keeping the Law and what the curse would be for breaking it. Over the years Israel broke it repeatedly and suffered the curse as punishment. That was the nature of their covenant.

There is no curse upon us in Christ. It isn't part of our covenant. Jesus bore it and completely redeemed us from it.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal. 3:13)

Those who teach that there is a curse for not tithing are contradicting the most basic truths of the New Covenant. However, if you put yourself back under the Law you will put yourself under the curse.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Gal. 3:10)

Life in Christ works by a different spiritual process, which is not compatible with the Old Covenant paradigm.

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; (Rom. 4:16)

We Are Commanded to Prove God with the Tithe

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Mal. 3:10)

Just as there was a curse for breaking the Law, there was a blessing for keeping the Law. Israel was challenged to keep the law of tithing and thereby put God to the test. Malachi 3:10 was not written to the church.

We are operating from a completely different perspective. God has already given us everything in our union with Christ. We don't do things to earn blessings. Neither is there a curse upon us if we fall short. God is looking for mature sons who will abide in Christ and allow him to live through them. God wants us to walk by faith and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not tithe.

The mind we have in Christ is a consciousness of already having all needs met, even though the provision may not be seen in the natural realm. That is faith. The idea that giving will cause God to do something is not faith, it's a mentality of lack and manipulation. When giving is based on love for people and faith that God has already provided for you, then it's in agreement with the truth

The New Covenant doesn't operate by generic standards like the tithe. It is administrated by the Holy Spirit in a way that is unique to each person and situation. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything, give the money to the poor, and come follow him. (Matt. 19:16–30, Luke 18:18–30) Those instructions were unique to him. A tithe would not have been sufficient.

In 1 Timothy 6:17–18 the rich are not commanded to give everything away like the rich young ruler was. They are instructed how they should use their wealth. When Peter asked Jesus what would be required of John, he was told that it was none of his business. (John 21:20–22) God deals with each person and situation individually.

There are many ways that faith can be expressed; however, they will all be uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit for the specific situation. Faith is what God is looking for now, not tithing.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb. 11:6)

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Gal. 3:9)

The difference between faith and works is a matter of the heart. Something that's done to get a blessing is a work. Something that's done because you believe you already have all blessings is an action of faith. Grace and works do not mix. Either we are blessed as a free gift of grace or we are blessed because of our works.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Rom. 4:4–5)

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Rom. 11:6)

Tithing Rebukes the Devourer

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 3:11)

God promised to rebuke the devourer if Israel would keep their covenant obligation to tithe. If they didn't, the curse of destruction would come on them.

Again, the New Covenant operates differently than the Old. Jesus has already defeated the devil, redeemed us from his works, and delivered us out of his authority. It's all based on Jesus' shed blood, not on tithing. We are not waiting for God to rebuke the devourer. Jesus has given us the authority and the responsibility to use his name to enforce his finished work.

The New Testament graphically describes the devil's defeat and Jesus' triumph.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col. 2:15)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb. 2:14–15)

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Eph. 1:20–21)

The New Testament is very clear that everything Jesus did in his death, burial, and resurrection was for our benefit and that we now share his complete victory and authority over all the power of darkness.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Eph. 2: 5–6)

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col. 1:12–14)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Col. 2:9–10)

Through Christ we are in a place of victory and authority that was unknown to the people of God in previous covenants. God had servants under the Law, and if they kept the Law he could bless them. God now has sons in Christ and expects a different way of living from them. He has given us a staggering amount of authority in the name of Jesus and the responsibility that goes with it.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt. 18:18)

Behold, I give unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17–18)

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9–11)

God is not waiting to rebuke the devourer for those who tithe; he has already thrashed him! Any man in Christ has the benefit of that total victory without tithing. Putting people's attention on tithing as the source of their protection from the devil is a deception. It keeps them in a weak, Old Covenant mindset. It distracts them from their responsibility to bind the devil and cast him out in Jesus name.

The Tithe Is the Connection to the Covenant

Tithing has been wrongly exalted beyond the actual importance that it did have in the Old Covenant. Sometimes it seems that tithing has become the paramount issue in Christian preaching and teaching. However, in the covenant that God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai, tithing was just one of the Law's many requirements.

In God's covenant with Abraham, tithing was not included. God guaranteed that covenant without any requirement of tithing. Tithing is not part of the New Covenant either. It is based on the blood of Jesus alone.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matt. 26:28)

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:29)

God knew that the only way to provide salvation and blessing to man was to provide it as a free gift. Man was incapable of contributing anything. Jesus provided all that was required, his own shed blood. Salvation is by grace and it includes every benefit purchased by the blood of Jesus at the cross. If prosperity or any other covenant blessing depended on the tithe, then the tithe would be purchasing it, not the blood of Jesus.

The New Covenant is a blood covenant not a tithe covenant. Faith is the connection, but it is faith in the shed blood of Jesus, not faith in tithing. Making tithing a requirement to maintain the covenant is just as wrong as making it a requirement to enter the covenant.

MANSIONS IN HEAVEN?

MANSIONS IN HEAVEN?

wor.org

The original "blessed hope" of the Christian Church was the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to set up His Kingdom. This is the teaching of the Hebrew Prophets and also of the writers of the New Testament.

Our traditions have changed the original, scriptural hope. We of today are looking for the Lord Jesus to come and carry His Church up to Heaven so the believers can live forever in mansions in the spirit realm. It may shock Christians for us to say so but our traditions in this regard are incorrect and misleading.

The teaching that the Lord Jesus Christ returned to Heaven in order to build mansions for the believers is based on only one verse of Scripture—John 14:2. There is no other verse in the entire Scriptures that so much as suggests that Christ is building mansions for us in Paradise. All experienced saints know we must not base any doctrine, much less a doctrine that establishes the goal of our salvation, on a single verse of Scripture.

John 14:2 is the only verse that appears to support the idea that Christ is building mansions for us in Heaven. In fact, a careful examination of John 14:2 will demonstrate that even it is not suggesting Christ is building mansions for us in Heaven.

In actuality there is not one verse in the Scriptures that teaches that Christ is constructing mansions for the believers in Heaven and that one day He will appear and carry us up to our mansion. This belief may be one of our strongest traditions but it is unscriptural. Furthermore, it has eclipsed the true goal of the Christian redemption—the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth.

This belief actually leads away from the redemptive purposes of God. It contributes to the spiritual immaturity we see all about us.

Let us examine John 14:2 from a contextual standpoint and then in terms of the word mansion.

The fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John has much to say about the new covenant fulfillment of the old covenant feast of Tabernacles. Christ is teaching that as the Father dwells in Him, the Father and He desire to dwell in us. In the Father’s House (Christ) there is room for us too. In Christ there are many places of abode, of rest, of refuge.

Christ is the House of God. He went to the cross, and then to the Father, in order to prepare a place for us in Himself.

This same idea is repeated in the invitation to abide in Christ (John 15:4-7) and is brought to a climax in the holy prayer of the Lord’s that we become an integral part of the Personality of Christ and God (John 17:21-23).

Notice in John, Chapters 14 through 17 that Christ never once speaks of His going to Heaven or of our going to Heaven. We say, no one goes to Heaven except through Christ. Christ says, no one comes to the Father except through Him. There is a difference between going to Heaven and coming to the Father (John 14:6).

Nowhere in the New Testament is it stated that Heaven is the Father’s house. But several passages refer to Christ and to us as the eternal Temple of God. 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (I Corinthians 3:16)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:19)

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (II Corinthians 6:16)

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5)

Nowhere is it stated that Christ is building fine houses for us in heaven. When Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you," He was speaking of going to the cross, and then of the sprinkling of His blood in the Presence of God so we may be received into God and become an inseparable part of God and of Christ (Hebrews 9:23,24).

In John 14:3, Jesus said, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself." This is not the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. John 14:18-23, which is part of the context of John 14:3, shows that the coming referred to here is the coming of the Father and Christ to make Their abode in the believers. This is the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:39-43).

To claim that John 14:2 is referring to going to Paradise to live in a splendid house is to remove this verse from its context.

The Greek term translated mansion, in John 14:2, has nothing to do with a structure, whether splendid or dilapidated. The term indicates a place of remaining or abiding.

The Greek noun translated mansion is found but twice in the New Testament: in John 14:2, and again in John 14:23 where it is translated abode.

John 14:23 explains John 14:2. It is we who are the mansions, the chariots of God. It is we who are the places in which God in Christ may find His eternal rest (Psalms 68:18; Isaiah 66:1,2; Hebrews 4:1).

The verb related to the Greek noun we are discussing is employed in John 15:4-7 and John 14:10. It is translated abide.

If we are to be consistent with the use of the English word mansion as the translation of the Greek noun and its corresponding verb, we have the following:

"But the Father that mansions in me, he doeth the works" (John 14:10).

"We will come unto him, and make our mansion with him" (John 14:23).

"Mansion in me, and I in you" (John 15:4).

When we die we may, if we are among the saved, go to a beautiful home in Paradise. There is no doubt, according to the teaching of the Scriptures, that the rewards for obedient, faithful discipleship to the Lord Jesus will overwhelm the saint with joy and glory. God knows each of us well and He has prepared our rewards in terms of His personal knowledge of our deepest, strongest desires.

Our crowns and other rewards are tailored carefully to us as an individual. They will not be arbitrary riches bestowed on us apart from the intimate knowledge God has of the longings of our personality.

If we delight ourselves in the Lord He shall give us the desires of our heart.

No good thing will God withhold from him who walks uprightly before Him.

Some trustworthy saints have, in their visions, beheld glorious mansions of light in Paradise. We do not doubt their revelations. Our point is not that there are no mansions in Heaven.

Our point is that we should not be preaching that the goal of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is eternal residence in a mansion in Heaven. The thought of Christ building magnificent houses for us in Paradise has no foundation in the Scriptures, either Old Testament or New Testament.

However, the idea that God is building an eternal dwelling place for Himself, of which Christ is the chief Cornerstone and we are living stones, has support in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. 

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)

The Father’s eternal House, His dwelling place, is the Lord Jesus Christ. We Christians are the many places of abode (mansions) of the one House. We are the members of the Body of Christ.

The Alpha And Omega The Beginning And The End The First And The Last The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith

All things have happened and must happen, God sovereignly ordained then as they are, so that the arising of sons may come to pass.

There is in this, the perfect will of God; in the saying, "Let God be true, but every man a liar.

God is at all times vindicated and in His eternal love, has provided to all men the reason for no excuse, whether in His creation, or, down to the minute and personal dealings He has with each of us.

Thus all of our attention is shifted, step by step, line upon line, from one degree to another, onto Jesus Christ, the express image of the Father and His wonderful grace and love.

Only Believe !!!

Trust In The Finished Work Of Christ In Us!!

Trust In Our Perfectness In Him!!

Trust That ALL Things Are Working Together For Good At All Times In And Through Us!!

To The Degree That We Reckon This To Be True Is The Degree In Which These Things Can Be Outworked In Us!!

This Is A Matter Of Our Acknowledgement Of Our Identification In That Finished Work of Christ And Our Ability To Enter Into His Rest Ceasing From Our Own Works And Partnering With Him In His Those Greater Works!!

Believe that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

How We See Jesus Either Keeps Us In Bondage Under Law Or Sets Us Free To Be Free Indeed

As A good man, or as God.

Our example, or our Redeemer.

To follow His teachings, in life, or to follow Him into His death.

 

t's Not What Would Jesus Do?

It's Not What Would Jesus Do?

WWJD???

If we are to base our Christian walk upon, What Would Jesus Do?, in any given situation, we would each be heading for a nervous breakdown and completely missing the whole point of what this Christian life really means.

The only person Who could and can keep the Christian life, is Christ alone!

The opposite is also true of each one of us.

We are the only ones who can live our lives, as God designed them to be, IN HIM!!!

And He has chosen to live His life now through a miriad of believers personally, in our midst.

So subsequently, we are to live our true lives and be our true selves, in and through Him!!!

If we find ourselves looking to His example of living His life in the Gospels.

The problem with this, is that Jesus ministered as one under the Old Covenant law of Moses.

And although Jesus was able to keep the whole law of God, He never expected the Jewish people, let alone the Gentiles to even keep one jot or tittle of the law, let alone the whole law.

There were those, the Pharisees and Saducees, who prided themselves in keeping and enforcing the law of Moses, yet these, Jesus; instead of honouring at least their effort, called them white washed tombs and blind guides leading the blind.

Although Jesus ministered in the love of God, this love as we see also has in it God's righteous indignation; not only in His words of truth spoken to those blind guides, but also in the actions He took on occasions such as when He cast out the religious money changers from the temple.

It's not WWJD?

It's what has He already Done ???

And for that matter; 

Where is He now ???

He is not a Solitary figure walking by the Sea of Galilee.

He is not walking on the road to Emmaus with the believers.

He is not still on the cross!!!

Is He not risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father???

Does He not now also dwell in hearts made with flesh, by His Spirit, which He has so freely bestowed upon all of us???

Didn't Jesus tell His disciples, that it was much better, that He leave them, otherwise He could not send the Holy Spirit of promise to all those that would believe on His name!

Did not Jesus speak to the Father about making us one together with them, just as they too now, are one with us in love!!

Notice that this side of the cross; in the letters of Paul, Peter, James, Jude and John; there is no great coverage of the time that Jesus walked the earth.

We do not find extensive exegesis of lessons taught and commandments given by Jesus, while here in His earthly walk.

Their focus is on the reality of Christ's death and resurrection and the finished work therein, and in the new creation man.

They show forth the work of God in the New Covenant of grace and the abolishing of the law of Moses, through which there is the establishing of the fulfilment of those better promises of the revelation of the new dwelling place of God in the hearts of those who believe.

When Jesus spoke of following Him, of denying ourselves and taking up our cross; like the wheat seed that falls into the ground and dies to bring forth much more fruit: He was not talking of our following His earthly example of keeping the law of Moses. 

He was talking of His and our spiritual deaths.

Of our dying in and with Him.

Of our dying to the old Adamic nature, our old unregenerate fallen nature in and with Him, so that we, with Him may be raised to newness of life and spirit.

That He being made one spirit with us in our death, that we may be made one spirit with the living God in Christ Jesus, by being made the very righteousness of God in and through Him; by becoming partakers of His divine resurrected nature, thus having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Have we forgotten that this so great a salvation was and is God's love gift to us, that we as partakers of Adam's fallen nature could not save ourselves through dead works.

That we needed a redeemer, someone who could deal with this internal sin problem in the spiritual realm once and for all.

Someone who could at the same time take us out of the wild olive tree and graft us into the place of completeness, wholeness and soundness in every area of our lives.

A place in which it would be impossible to ever again be removed.

This is the place, in the beloved of God, as His beloved, that we find ourselves hidden, alive and ruling and reigning in life, in God, as God, in love.

Not that we are God, but our lives are hidden with Jesus Christ, as one spirit, as part of the Godhead in the Father.

That then, He may begin to live His life as us, in us, through us and we as Him, in and through us.

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL REALLY ??? HAVE WE BEEN PREACHING THE RIGHT ONE OR ANOTHER ???

Being Not Ashamed

Joel Brueseke

(Taken from 'The Lord Your God In Your Midst' The Grace Book Volume 1)

Over the years I've heard the phrase "I'm not ashamed of the gospel" (the first part of Romans 1:16) many times. Generally speaking, when people have used that phrase what they've meant is, "I'm not ashamed to make a stand for my moral convictions." They quote this phrase and use it in their proclamation that we Christians need to "stand up for what is right!" You've perhaps heard this phrase used as a mantra in political and social rallies in support of various moral causes and agendas.

My question is, is that what the gospel is about? Is that what "not being ashamed" of the gospel is all about? Is that anywhere close to what Paul was trying to communicate?

The gospel was never meant to be used as a means of protesting the sins that are committed in the world. That's not what the gospel is about. The gospel is a declaration of God's love and grace toward people and it's the power that defeated sin - not protested it! As Paul says in the second half of the sentence, the gospel is the power of God for salvation! The law's job was to protest sin, so to speak, but it never had any power whatsoever to help with the problem of sin. In comes the gospel of Jesus Christ - the good news - and what the law could never do, God did by sending His own Son! (Rom 8:3-4).

What gets even more interesting for me is what Paul says in the sentence that follows "I am not ashamed of the gospel." In Rom 1:17 he writes, "For in it (the gospel), the righteousness of God is revealed..." Contrary to being about man's morality and righteous deeds, the gospel is a revelation of God's righteousness, which can only be received by man as a gift. It's not something man does. It's something he receives and walks in freely. To be ashamed of the gospel is to be ashamed of the gift that God gives and instead to try to attain it by your own deeds.

But Paul's only getting started in Rom 1:17 with his talk about the gospel being a revelation of God's righteousness. Now, Paul does do some important backtracking, and takes some time to make sure his readers really get a grip on the unrighteousness of ALL of mankind, to set a foundation before digging into the meat of what "the gospel" and "God's righteousness" is all about. You have to skip all the way ahead to Rom 3:21 before Paul gets back to his original point, but he does get back to it, and he then builds on it for several chapters. Rom 3:21 - "But now, the righteousness of God is revealed... through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe... being justified freely by His grace..."

If we look and see what "the gospel" really is, we'll see that it's all about the free gift of salvation, by grace through faith, and the receiving of God's very own righteousness as we chuck aside any and all of our own sense of morality and righteousness. I love how Paul, in Philippians 3, showed how this all had played out in his own life. He first gives seven reasons why he originally trusted in his own sense of morality and righteousness - including having considered himself blameless in his law-keeping! He essentially says, "Man, I was the stuff! No one could hold a candle to me!"

But just as soon as anyone might begin to be impressed with his superior moral credentials, he takes a complete 180o turn and says, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ... and count them as dung that I may gain Christ." (Phil 3:7-8). My own paraphrase: "Forget my own morality and righteousness! I might as well shovel the floor of a cow barn and offer up my findings to God if it's going to be about that!"

Unfortunately, dung is often what is being presented as "the gospel" today. Paul's words, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ," and all his words that followed, were very bold words that flew in the face of the religious, morality-conscious people, as he defended his stance that the gospel was not about man's morality. Let's keep on being bold like that as we count our own righteousness as dung and lay hold of the free gift of Life!

Everything You Wanted To Know About The Grace Of God But Were Afraid To Ask !!!

The Lord Your God Is in Your Midst

The Lord Your God Is In Your Midst – The Grace Book vol 1

(Click on the book title to download your copy)

The Grace Books are a compilation of articles from grace authors who boldly proclaim the Good News. This is the first book published in the series.

The books are distributed for free. The objective is to help believers discover who they are in Christ and who God is.

In this book you will find articles from authors such as: Steve McVey, Darin Hufford, Andrew Farley, Fred Pruitt, Norman Grubb, Paul Anderson-Walsh, Bertie Brits, Andre Rabe, Francois Du Toit, Dan Stone, John Lynch and many many more. The book consists of 80 articles from 31 different authors.

Please enjoy!

Illustration: Jean Rittenberg

Title: Home Coming

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