Exposing the Hebrew Roots Movement
Some of their false theological beliefs are:
- we must observe the Sabbath
- we should observe OT feasts
- we should observe OT dietary laws (such as not eating pork)
- we should avoid holidays such as Christmas
- the NT is not the inspired word of God but is based on a lost Hebrew version
- unorthodox or heretical views on the Trinity
There are many in Christian circles today that promote the Feast Days of the Old Testament as something that modern-day Christians should be practicing. Is this true?
Let's examine what the Bible teaches us...
The feast days are no longer practiced by Christians according to NT doctrine, stop living in the religious shadows which spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ who has come and is the fulfillment of all in the OT feast days. We worship God in Christ who tabernacled among us (John 1:14), and now we are the tabernacle/temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). If any man draws back to the shadows practicing OT feast days, he is a blasphemer denying the person and work of Christ, and God will have no pleasure in his soul (Heb 10:38). The Hebrew roots movement is a vain religious cult that denies the power and establishment of the NT in and by Christ. (Col 2:16) We feast on Christ who is the bread of life, and our communion is in Him through the Lords supper (1 Cor 11) Let no man deceive you and draw you away from the simplicity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor 11:31) https://answersingenesis.org/presuppositions/dangers-hebrew-roots-movement/
Hebrews 8:13
In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has MADE THE
FIRST [covenant] OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is
ready to VANISH AWAY.
JESUS ANNOUNCED A
CHANGE IN THE LAW
When did He do that? Among other places, He announced a coming change to the law to the woman at the well.
John 4:21
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
Jesus said that worship will one day not take place (exclusively) in Jerusalem! But according to the Old Testament, worship was to take place in Jerusalem.
----------
WORSHIP GOD WHERE HIS NAME ABIDES
Deuteronomy 12:10-11
10 But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety,
11 then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to MAKE HIS NAME ABIDE. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the LORD.
God is going to choose a place where the Jews will worship Him (sacrifices, offerings, tithes, etc.). And on that place He will MAKE HIS NAME ABIDE. But the Jews hadn’t entered Canaan (Israel) yet.
----------
GOD PUT HIS NAME IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
1 Kings 9:1-3
1 And it came to pass, when SOLOMON HAD FINISHED BUILDING THE HOUSE OF THE LORD [the first Temple in Jerusalem] and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he wanted to do,
2 that the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.
3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated THIS HOUSE which you have built to PUT MY NAME THERE FOREVER, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
This is why the Jews worshipped God at the Temple in Jerusalem even though the Temple didn’t exist at the time the Law of Moses (Torah) was given - nor was the location (Jerusalem) revealed. Torah stated that the place to worship God was the place where God put His Name, or where He made His name abide. Based on what we see in 1 Kings 9, it is clear that the Temple in Jerusalem was God’s chosen place.
----------
THE MOUNTAIN OR JERUSALEM
In the exchange between Jesus and the “woman at the well”, a theological debate erupted. Here is a longer passage of that conversation.
John 4:20-24
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.”
The woman believed Mount Gerizim was the proper place to worship God. How did this happen? Why did she and the other Samaritans think this? Samaritans believed that only the first five Books of Moses (Torah) were inspired. The command to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem was given in 1 Kings 9 - NOT IN THE TORAH (not in the first five Books of Moses). Samaritans will go back to the Torah to try to determine the place of worship.
Deuteronomy 11:26-29
26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
27 the BLESSING, IF YOU OBEY the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today,
28 and the CURSE, IF YOU DO NOT OBEY the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
29 And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, you shall set the blessing on MOUNT GERIZIM and the curse on Mount Ebal.
This set of commands is very serious. It promises CURSES if you disobey. However, this passage does NOT command worship to take place at Mount Gerizim. But the Samaritans took it to mean that. Worship was to take place at the Tabernacle - a sort of mobile temple. Worship was not at a fixed place until after they entered Canaan (Israel). They had a preconceived idea about Torah which was wrong - that they contained the only valid instructions (laws) from God. They wrongly believed that God’s law didn’t continue to change after Torah (the five Books of Moses). They let their own ideas to override God’s word. They read things into the Torah which the Torah never taught.
Not looking forward to the rest of scripture for instructions, the Samaritans looked back to Torah to try to determine God’s will. They were wrong. God didn’t want them to go back to Mount Gerizim (which was never the place to worship in the first place). He wanted them to go forward to Jerusalem.
THE SAMARITANS MISSED GOD’S WILL BECAUSE THEY STUBBORNLY HELD ONTO TORAH INSTEAD OF CONTINUALLY LISTENING FOR GOD’S VOICE
Does that sound like you? Do you insist that Torah is the only instruction (law) from God? Are you forcing wrong interpretations into Torah? If you believe that at some point in Israel’s history, that God commanded the Jews to worship in Jerusalem, you are acknowledging that God continued to give NEW LAWS and REPEAL OLD LAWS. At the close of the first five Books of Moses (the Torah), there was no command to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem because the Temple hadn’t been built yet, nor had Jerusalem been conquered by the Israelites.
The Samaritans were left in the dust because they stopped listening to God’s voice. At one time, the mobile Tabernacle was the place. Later, the Temple in Jerusalem was the place (1 Kings 9:1-3). They weren’t paying attention. That’s why Jesus said “You worship what you do not know ..." (John 4:22) God was a STRANGER to the Samaritans because they stopped listening. Try ignoring your wife or your husband for a decade and see how well that goes for you.
----------
TO JERUSALEM AND BEYOND!
John 4:21
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
At first, worship was to take place at the tabernacle - wherever it happened to be at the time as the Jews journeyed to the Promised Land. Later, it was to take place in the Temple in Jerusalem. In John 4, Jesus revealed that, one day (soon), worship will not take place (exclusively) in Jerusalem. It’s going to take place elsewhere and everywhere in a new and better way.
If you hadn’t reflected on how the law of God had changed, even within the Old Testament, this would sound inconceivable to your ears. But it’s not surprising if you had noticed that the laws governing worship continued to change over time - by God’s command - as the situation changed.
----------
WHERE’S THE TEMPLE NOW?
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. We can no longer worship in the manner commanded in the Torah. No Temple, No worship ... right? Well, no. The new way of worship that Jesus hinted at in John 4 started 2,000 years ago. The new PLACE of worship IS STILL AT THE TEMPLE! But, but, but, the Temple hasn’t existed in nearly 2,000 years! How can you say worship is STILL at the Temple?
Here’s the answer. The Tabernacle was never the real or final place of worship. The Temple in Jerusalem was never the real or final place of worship. The real Temple is something no one had predicted.
TEMPLE WITHOUT HANDS
Acts 7:48
“However, the Most High DOES NOT DWELL IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS ...
Acts 17:24
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, DOES NOT DWELL IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS.
What kind of Temple is made without hands???
JESUS IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE OF THE TEMPLE
Acts 4:11
This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’
JESUS IS THE TEMPLE
John 2:19-21
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of THE TEMPLE OF *HIS BODY*.
YOU ARE THE TEMPLE
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that *YOU* ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,
21 in whom THE whole BUILDING, BEING FITTED TOGETHER, GROWS INTO A HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord,
22 in whom YOU ALSO ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER FOR A DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IN THE SPIRIT.
----------
WHO ARE THE NEW PRIESTS?
Jesus is the High Priest
Hebrews 6:20
where the forerunner has entered for us, even JESUS, having BECOME HIGH PRIEST FOREVER according to the order of MELCHIZEDEK.
Christians are the Royal Priests
1 Peter 2:4-10
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
5 YOU [Christians] ALSO, AS LIVING STONES, are being built up a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
----------
EVERYTHING IS NEW IN THE NEW COVENANT
* The Temple is no longer made of stone - but LIVING STONE of flesh and blood
* The Temple is no longer confined to one place - it is everywhere there are Christians
* The foundation isn’t a dead slab of rock - it is the Prophets and Apostles
* The cornerstone isn’t something made by masons - the cornerstone is the creator of the universe, Jesus Christ
* The priests don’t come from the tribe of Levi - they come from the order of Melchizedek
In the New Covenant, everything is changed. You cannot worship at the New Temple by Old Temple rules.
----------
TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO HANDLE?
Mark 2:22
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
When did He do that? Among other places, He announced a coming change to the law to the woman at the well.
John 4:21
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
Jesus said that worship will one day not take place (exclusively) in Jerusalem! But according to the Old Testament, worship was to take place in Jerusalem.
----------
WORSHIP GOD WHERE HIS NAME ABIDES
Deuteronomy 12:10-11
10 But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety,
11 then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to MAKE HIS NAME ABIDE. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the LORD.
God is going to choose a place where the Jews will worship Him (sacrifices, offerings, tithes, etc.). And on that place He will MAKE HIS NAME ABIDE. But the Jews hadn’t entered Canaan (Israel) yet.
----------
GOD PUT HIS NAME IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
1 Kings 9:1-3
1 And it came to pass, when SOLOMON HAD FINISHED BUILDING THE HOUSE OF THE LORD [the first Temple in Jerusalem] and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he wanted to do,
2 that the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.
3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated THIS HOUSE which you have built to PUT MY NAME THERE FOREVER, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
This is why the Jews worshipped God at the Temple in Jerusalem even though the Temple didn’t exist at the time the Law of Moses (Torah) was given - nor was the location (Jerusalem) revealed. Torah stated that the place to worship God was the place where God put His Name, or where He made His name abide. Based on what we see in 1 Kings 9, it is clear that the Temple in Jerusalem was God’s chosen place.
----------
THE MOUNTAIN OR JERUSALEM
In the exchange between Jesus and the “woman at the well”, a theological debate erupted. Here is a longer passage of that conversation.
John 4:20-24
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.”
The woman believed Mount Gerizim was the proper place to worship God. How did this happen? Why did she and the other Samaritans think this? Samaritans believed that only the first five Books of Moses (Torah) were inspired. The command to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem was given in 1 Kings 9 - NOT IN THE TORAH (not in the first five Books of Moses). Samaritans will go back to the Torah to try to determine the place of worship.
Deuteronomy 11:26-29
26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
27 the BLESSING, IF YOU OBEY the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today,
28 and the CURSE, IF YOU DO NOT OBEY the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
29 And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, you shall set the blessing on MOUNT GERIZIM and the curse on Mount Ebal.
This set of commands is very serious. It promises CURSES if you disobey. However, this passage does NOT command worship to take place at Mount Gerizim. But the Samaritans took it to mean that. Worship was to take place at the Tabernacle - a sort of mobile temple. Worship was not at a fixed place until after they entered Canaan (Israel). They had a preconceived idea about Torah which was wrong - that they contained the only valid instructions (laws) from God. They wrongly believed that God’s law didn’t continue to change after Torah (the five Books of Moses). They let their own ideas to override God’s word. They read things into the Torah which the Torah never taught.
Not looking forward to the rest of scripture for instructions, the Samaritans looked back to Torah to try to determine God’s will. They were wrong. God didn’t want them to go back to Mount Gerizim (which was never the place to worship in the first place). He wanted them to go forward to Jerusalem.
THE SAMARITANS MISSED GOD’S WILL BECAUSE THEY STUBBORNLY HELD ONTO TORAH INSTEAD OF CONTINUALLY LISTENING FOR GOD’S VOICE
Does that sound like you? Do you insist that Torah is the only instruction (law) from God? Are you forcing wrong interpretations into Torah? If you believe that at some point in Israel’s history, that God commanded the Jews to worship in Jerusalem, you are acknowledging that God continued to give NEW LAWS and REPEAL OLD LAWS. At the close of the first five Books of Moses (the Torah), there was no command to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem because the Temple hadn’t been built yet, nor had Jerusalem been conquered by the Israelites.
The Samaritans were left in the dust because they stopped listening to God’s voice. At one time, the mobile Tabernacle was the place. Later, the Temple in Jerusalem was the place (1 Kings 9:1-3). They weren’t paying attention. That’s why Jesus said “You worship what you do not know ..." (John 4:22) God was a STRANGER to the Samaritans because they stopped listening. Try ignoring your wife or your husband for a decade and see how well that goes for you.
----------
TO JERUSALEM AND BEYOND!
John 4:21
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father.
At first, worship was to take place at the tabernacle - wherever it happened to be at the time as the Jews journeyed to the Promised Land. Later, it was to take place in the Temple in Jerusalem. In John 4, Jesus revealed that, one day (soon), worship will not take place (exclusively) in Jerusalem. It’s going to take place elsewhere and everywhere in a new and better way.
If you hadn’t reflected on how the law of God had changed, even within the Old Testament, this would sound inconceivable to your ears. But it’s not surprising if you had noticed that the laws governing worship continued to change over time - by God’s command - as the situation changed.
----------
WHERE’S THE TEMPLE NOW?
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. We can no longer worship in the manner commanded in the Torah. No Temple, No worship ... right? Well, no. The new way of worship that Jesus hinted at in John 4 started 2,000 years ago. The new PLACE of worship IS STILL AT THE TEMPLE! But, but, but, the Temple hasn’t existed in nearly 2,000 years! How can you say worship is STILL at the Temple?
Here’s the answer. The Tabernacle was never the real or final place of worship. The Temple in Jerusalem was never the real or final place of worship. The real Temple is something no one had predicted.
TEMPLE WITHOUT HANDS
Acts 7:48
“However, the Most High DOES NOT DWELL IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS ...
Acts 17:24
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, DOES NOT DWELL IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS.
What kind of Temple is made without hands???
JESUS IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE OF THE TEMPLE
Acts 4:11
This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’
JESUS IS THE TEMPLE
John 2:19-21
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of THE TEMPLE OF *HIS BODY*.
YOU ARE THE TEMPLE
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that *YOU* ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,
21 in whom THE whole BUILDING, BEING FITTED TOGETHER, GROWS INTO A HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord,
22 in whom YOU ALSO ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER FOR A DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IN THE SPIRIT.
----------
WHO ARE THE NEW PRIESTS?
Jesus is the High Priest
Hebrews 6:20
where the forerunner has entered for us, even JESUS, having BECOME HIGH PRIEST FOREVER according to the order of MELCHIZEDEK.
Christians are the Royal Priests
1 Peter 2:4-10
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
5 YOU [Christians] ALSO, AS LIVING STONES, are being built up a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
----------
EVERYTHING IS NEW IN THE NEW COVENANT
* The Temple is no longer made of stone - but LIVING STONE of flesh and blood
* The Temple is no longer confined to one place - it is everywhere there are Christians
* The foundation isn’t a dead slab of rock - it is the Prophets and Apostles
* The cornerstone isn’t something made by masons - the cornerstone is the creator of the universe, Jesus Christ
* The priests don’t come from the tribe of Levi - they come from the order of Melchizedek
In the New Covenant, everything is changed. You cannot worship at the New Temple by Old Temple rules.
----------
TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO HANDLE?
Mark 2:22
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
Many have converted to Judaism which is OUTSIDE of the
saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and also which picks and chooses what
laws of Moses to obey with the combining of the Babylonian Talmud and Kaballah
into the mix. It's of Mystery Babylon.
Matthew 5:17-19
are exhaustively taken out of It is so predictable for Hebrew Rootists to
interpret Matthew 5:17-19 as meaning that Mosaic Law would be in effect until
the end of time. That is a poor understanding of the text. What he is saying is
that it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away, than it is for the Law to
Fail. Luke records this same language, when Christ says....
16 “The law and
the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been
preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
-Luke 16:16-17
-Luke 16:16-17
Here, it is
established that The Law is until John, and fulfilled during Christ's First
Advent. We read for the rest of the chapter that it is our righteousness which
must transcend The Pharisees. Just as in Luke 6, Christ is teaching the
Proverbial Royal Law. You cannot divorce, unless it is for sexual abuse,
instead of writing your wife a divorce certificate, anytime you would like. If
you have hate or lust in your heart, then you have spiritually committed murder
or adultery. If you are to Help someone, then go the extra mile. Turn the other
cheek. He is teaching us not to think carnally. As he says,, "You have
HEARD.....but I TELL YOU..." He tells us to love and pray for our enemies.
Mosaic Law was not fulfilled during the Middle of His Ministry, but rather at
His Death, when the temple veil ripped in two with an Earthquake, and he said,
"It is Finished." (John 19:30)
The Ordinance was
fulfilled at the time of Christ's death. (Ephesians 2:14-18; Colossians
2:13-17) Mosaic Law was not intended to be permanent....
10 concerned only
with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until
the time of reformation.
-Hebrews 9:10
-Hebrews 9:10
It was until the
time of Reformation, which we can already see taking place at the time of
Christ's First Advent. Not all "Law" is Mosaic. The Law of Faith
(Romans 3:27), The Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2), The Law of Liberty
(James 1:25; 2:12), The Royal Law (James 2:8), and The Law of Christ (Galatians
6:2; Romans 10:4) is the expression of the Fruit of the Spirit, for which there
is no Law Against.
22 But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
-Galatians 5:22-23
-Galatians 5:22-23
The temporary
tutor (Galatians 3:24) has dissolved into the Law of Sin and Death (Romans 8:2)
with its curse (Galatians 3:13), thus losing its relevance under the New and
Better Covenant, which makes the Old Obsolete and Vanishing Away. (Hebrews 8;
Galatians 4:21-31) We know that there is a distinction between New Covenant Law,
and Old Covenant Law, because the Priesthood has changed from the Levitical to
the eternal Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7; Psalm 110) Where there is a change in the
Priesthood, there, too, is a change in The Law. (Hebrews 7:12) New Covenant
Believers in Christ are born of a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:4-10) which
subscribes to the Royal Law. (James 1-2) This was settled at the Council of
Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15, and repeated throughout the Book of Acts.
The debate was not only about Circumcision, but also, the entire Law of Moses.
Christ's role as High Priest according to the Melchizedek began during His
Ministry. (Hebrews 9:13)
The Two Greatest
heresies of the Hebrew Roots Movement is the denial of the now existent New
Covenant, and the belief that the Ordinance was not completed in Christ's
atonement. This is a settled issue, which is only unsettled in a stubborn
heart.
Adapted from Luke 18:11-12
God, I thank You that I am not like the Christians – Sabbath-breakers, pork-eaters, festival-ignorers, or even as this Gentile. I pretend to keep the Sabbath; I pretend to keep a few of the laws of Moses and then pat myself on the back.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES that they were righteous, and DESPISED OTHERS: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 16:14-15
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
THE HEBREW ROOTS MOVEMENT IS AN ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
Gospel Tract:
www.DoesGodExist.guru
1 of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znpvVsoY-ig
2 of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mfz654w5Wg
3 of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQYwi29BJDg
4 of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY2pzONxPy4
5a of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEu1sro6NmI
5b of5 Legalism VS Justification by Faith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bEYXnd73qE
Jesus did not keep
the Sabbath, because he was the Sabbath.
The Pharisees did
not recognize that Jesus was the very embodiment and fulfillment of the Sabbath
rest.
John 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because HE not only BROKE THE SABBATH, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because HE not only BROKE THE SABBATH, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
2
Corinthians 3 Ministers of a New Covenant
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Ye are our
epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch
as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of
stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
The Glory of the New Covenant
(Exodus 34:29-35)
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
The Glory of the New Covenant
(Exodus 34:29-35)
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall
not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the
ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of
righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even
that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the
glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more
that which remaineth is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not
as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not
stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their
minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in
the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even
unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless
when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the
Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we
all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed
into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not COME to destroy but TO FULFILL.
THE LAW OF MOSES PASSED AWAY WHEN IT WAS FULFILLED BY JESUS
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*.
JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW
John 19:28
After this, Jesus, KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED, that THE SCRIPTURE MIGHT BE *FULFILLED*, said, “I thirst!”
John 19:30
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “IT IS FINISHED!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
IT IS FINISHED. Jesus' last words before he died was to declare that He fulfilled the law.
THEREFORE THE LAW OF MOSES HAS PASSED AWAY
Hebrews 8:13
In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has MADE THE FIRST [covenant] OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to VANISH AWAY.
Jesus didn't
say the law won't be done away until Heaven and earth pass away, He said,
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." What He
was saying was, if it took until the time heaven and earth passed for all to be
fulfilled, the law would stand, but ONLY till all was fulfilled. But what did
He say before that? "Think not I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill." Jesus mission was to
fulfill the law, therefore ending the law. The word fulfill is the Greek
"pleroo", which means to make full, to fill up, to render full, to
complete. It in NO sense means to restore. The law didn't need to be restored:
it still stood. Jesus came to bring the law, which was the old covenant, to an
expected and planned end, so the new covenant could be put into place. The
first covenant, of Sinai, was temporary and for Israel alone. The second
covenant, which was of promise, superseded the first. The two cannot co-exist,
just as Ishmael was not to be raised up with Isaac.
However… The Moral Law did not pass away, in that is still actively
accomplishes the purpose for which God created it…
Galatians 3:24-25
So then, the Law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
The Law will continue to point people to Christ until the second coming of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:7
The Law is the ministry of death.
If you take away the system that condemns men to death for their sins, you remove the opportunity for Jesus to pay the price for those sins.
2 Corinthians 3:9
The Law is the ministry of condemnation.
Redemption is pointless without the system that brings condemnation.
Galatians 3:24-25
So then, the Law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
The Law will continue to point people to Christ until the second coming of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:7
The Law is the ministry of death.
If you take away the system that condemns men to death for their sins, you remove the opportunity for Jesus to pay the price for those sins.
2 Corinthians 3:9
The Law is the ministry of condemnation.
Redemption is pointless without the system that brings condemnation.
This pertains to he moral law of God, not
ceremonial laws like keeping the Sabbath…the rest of the 10 commandments are
moral law, and continue into the NT
How was anyone saved before Jesus?
By
repentance and faith (in the coming Messiah).
Ephesians 4:7-10
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first DESCENDED INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH?
10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
1 Peter 4:6
For this reason THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED ALSO TO THOSE WHO ARE DEAD, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Ephesians 4:7-10
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first DESCENDED INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH?
10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
1 Peter 4:6
For this reason THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED ALSO TO THOSE WHO ARE DEAD, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Abraham was
counted Righteous based on faith.
"Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 NASB
"Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 NASB
Romans 2 14
For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to themselves;
(Natural instinct conscious. Gentiles do not know naturally of dietary laws, Sabbath, or feast days. The moral laws however can clearly been seen being moral aspects that exist outside of Israel. They also know about honoring ones parents and taking care of the less fortunate the least among us without any knowledge of those things being in a the Jewish law. These things are the essential parts of the law to which Gentiles do. The dietary laws, Sabbath observance and feast days are voluntary aspects that a Gentile and all believers including Jews have freedom to observe or not observe as they are not the essentials for the faith and the exercising of it.)
For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to themselves;
(Natural instinct conscious. Gentiles do not know naturally of dietary laws, Sabbath, or feast days. The moral laws however can clearly been seen being moral aspects that exist outside of Israel. They also know about honoring ones parents and taking care of the less fortunate the least among us without any knowledge of those things being in a the Jewish law. These things are the essential parts of the law to which Gentiles do. The dietary laws, Sabbath observance and feast days are voluntary aspects that a Gentile and all believers including Jews have freedom to observe or not observe as they are not the essentials for the faith and the exercising of it.)
Jeremiah
31:31-32
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
32 *NOT* ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.
The New Covenant is DIFFERENT from the Old.
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
32 *NOT* ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.
The New Covenant is DIFFERENT from the Old.
The greatest
heresy of the HRM - They will have NO salvation if they stay in their
legalistic state of denying the grace of God unto salvation in Christ alone –
in their UNBELIEF - Romans 11.
They are
Judaizers -- Strong's
G2450 - ioudaïzō
to adopt Jewish customs and rites, imitate the Jews, Judaise
one who observes the ritual law of the Jews
Ἰουδαΐζω Ioudaḯzō, ee-oo-dah-id'-zo; from G2453; to become a Judæan, i.e. "Judaize":—live as the Jews.
to adopt Jewish customs and rites, imitate the Jews, Judaise
one who observes the ritual law of the Jews
Ἰουδαΐζω Ioudaḯzō, ee-oo-dah-id'-zo; from G2453; to become a Judæan, i.e. "Judaize":—live as the Jews.
Hebrews 9:9-10
9 It was SYMBOLIC for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 CONCERNED ONLY WITH FOODS AND DRINKS, VARIOUS WASHINGS, AND FLESHLY ORDINANCES imposed until the time of reformation.
The first half of Hebrews 9 is all about the “First Covenant” instituted through Moses - known as “Torah”.
(Context: Hebrews 9:1-10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/…)
Hebrews 9:9-10 drops a bomb. It unequivocally states that Torah is only SYMBOLIC.
----------------
What does the word “SYMBOL” mean?
SYMBOL
* Something that STANDS FOR or suggests SOMETHING ELSE
* A visible SIGN of something invisible
* an arbitrary or conventional SIGN
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbol
----------------
Symbols represent something else. Symbols point to a higher reality. Symbols are mere signposts pointing to the destination - but they are not the destination in and of themselves. The author of Hebrews (the Holy Spirit) is telling us that:
TORAH MERELY POINTS TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN ITSELF
Torah was never the goal.
Romans 10:4
For CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW [Torah] for righteousness to EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES.
Torah both POINTS TO and ENDS AT Jesus. Notice the last part of Romans 10:4 (to everyone who believes). Christ is the goal and termination of the law ONLY FOR BELIEVERS. If the law of Moses (Torah) is still in force for you, you’re not a believer and you’re not going to heaven. You’re standing around the sign - Torah - and have not arrived at or entered the destination - salvation through faith in Jesus Christ ALONE.
WHAT KIND OF SYMBOL?
Hebrews 9:9-10 goes on to define the symbols. What are these things that merely point to Jesus?
Hebrews 9:9-10
9 It was SYMBOLIC ... 10 concerned only with FOODS and DRINKS, various WASHINGS, and FLESHLY ORDINANCES imposed until the time of reformation.
Foods, drinks, washings and other outwardly visible rituals (fleshly ordinances) like Sabbath-keeping were mere symbols that pointed to Christ. This theme is repeated elsewhere in the Bible.
Colossians 2:16-17
16 So let no one judge you in FOOD or in DRINK, or regarding a FESTIVAL or a NEW MOON or SABBATHS, 17 which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the SUBSTANCE IS OF CHRIST.
There are those words again - “food”, “drink”. Then it goes on to list “festivals”, “new moons” and “Sabbaths”. These are the fleshly ordinances which were merely SYMBOLIC. Notice the end of the passages which says “which are a shadow [symbol] of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” These things point to Jesus! They are mere shadows of the reality who is Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 9:9
It was SYMBOLIC for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which CANNOT MAKE HIM WHO PERFORMED THE SERVICE PERFECT IN REGARD TO THE *CONSCIENCE* —
----------------
What does the word “CONSCIENCE” mean?
CONSCIENCE
* the sense or consciousness of the MORAL GOODNESS or blameworthiness
* conformity to what one considers to be correct, right, or MORALLY GOOD
* sensitive regard for FAIRNESS or JUSTICE
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscience
----------------
Hebrews 9:9 contains two key words:
* Symbolic
* Conscience
These two words are set against each other as contrasting elements. SYMBOLIC things deal with foods, drinks and other outward, fleshly ceremonies like Sabbaths and feasts. The CONSCIENCE deals with morality and sin - which are non-physical realities - not fleshly. More importantly, Hebrews 9:9-10 is telling us that the symbols are powerless to make you right with God.
TORAH
* Cannot justify you before God
* Cannot give you the power to overcome sin
* Cannot give you a new nature which shuns sin and loves God
Torah is good for what it was designed to do - to point to Jesus, but:
* TORAH IS POWERLESS TO TRANSFORM THE INNER MAN
* TORAH IS POWERLESS TO CLEAR YOUR CONSCIENCE
* TORAH IS POWERLESS TO GET YOU INTO HEAVEN
JESUS IS THE ONE WHO WASHED AWAY YOUR SIN WITH HIS BLOOD SO YOU CAN HAVE A CLEAN CONSCIENCE BEFORE GOD
It’s all about the grace of God given through Jesus on the cross. Don’t be preoccupied with worldly things like food (“clean” diets). These things are worthless.
Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be ESTABLISHED BY GRACE, NOT WITH FOODS WHICH HAVE NOT PROFITED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED WITH THEM.
A preoccupation with Torah can train someone to refrain from certain foods - like training a dog to balance snacks on his nose. But it can’t address your sin problem. It was never intended for that. That’s why Jesus had to die on the cross for us.
ONLY JESUS SAVES
----------------
THE LAW CANNOT SAVE
Acts 13:38
and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which YOU COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES.
Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, NOT HAVING MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS FROM THE *LAW*, but that which is through FAITH IN CHRIST, the righteousness which is FROM GOD BY FAITH;
Romans 3:20
Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW *NO* FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:21
But now the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God APART FROM THE LAW is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED by faith APART from the DEEDS of the LAW.
Romans 4:5
But TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES on Him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS,
Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW but by FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, even we have BELIEVED IN CHRIST JESUS, that we might be justified by FAITH IN CHRIST and NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW; for by the works of the LAW NO FLESH SHALL BE JUSTIFIED.
Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God; for IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH THE LAW, THEN CHRIST DIED IN VAIN.”
Galatians 3:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For IF THERE HAD BEEN A LAW GIVEN WHICH COULD HAVE GIVEN LIFE, TRULY RIGHTEOUSNESS WOULD HAVE BEEN BY THE LAW.
Galatians 3:11
But that NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Galatians 5:4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
John 6:29
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the WORK of God, that you BELIEVE IN HIM whom He sent.”
Titus 3:5
NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For BY GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of God, 9 NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has SAVED US and called us with a holy calling, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the LAW are under the CURSE; for it is written, “CURSED is everyone who does not CONTINUE IN *ALL* things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
Galatians 5:3
And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised [keep the law] that he is a DEBTOR TO KEEP THE *WHOLE* LAW.
Romans 7:10
And the COMMANDMENT, which was to bring life, I found to bring DEATH.
Romans 8:3
For what THE LAW COULD NOT DO IN THAT IT WAS WEAK through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of BONDAGE [of the law].
1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of DEATH is sin, and the strength of sin is the LAW.
2 Corinthians 3:6
who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the LETTER KILLS, but the Spirit gives life.
James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, he is GUILTY OF ALL.
Galatians 3:13-14
13 Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE OF THE LAW, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through FAITH.
----------------
REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!
FORGIVENESS COMES BEFORE WORKS
John 8:11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Context: John 8:1-12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-12&version=NKJV
Look at the order of events.
1. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery
2. Jesus commanded her to sin no more
Jesus did NOT say "Go and sin no more, and THEN I'll forgive you."
Have you ever noticed this before? Forgiveness was granted BEFORE the woman could EARN any sort of forgiveness - as if that was even possible. But how do we normally try to fix our own sin? Don’t we try to DO something that would - in our minds - make up for the wrong that we committed? Jesus turned our knee-jerk reaction on its head. He forgave before any deeds of contrition could have happened. He just flat-out forgave the woman when she was utterly helpless to help herself. THAT, my friend, is the Gospel in a nutshell. In our sins, we are completely helpless but Jesus grants us forgiveness as a GIFT - entirely unearned. In ten words (in the NKJV), Jesus preached an entire sermon, and more.
To the natural man, this makes no sense. How could you forgive someone who has wronged you before he has redressed the injustice? Look at what the Apostle John has to say about this. He makes it very plain.
1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
We are able to love Jesus because Jesus loved us first. The flip side of this truth is that we are utterly incapable of loving God and living in a manner pleasing to Him unless he FIRST loved us. God initiates. All we can do is to merely reciprocate.
But how does this work? Grace and love don’t merely cancel out debt. They have the power to transform the debtor. This isn't mere speculation. This is an unambiguous promise.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become NEW.
Put yourself into the shoes of the woman caught in adultery. She was facing the death penalty. She should have been stoned to death. But, for no reason whatsoever, Jesus came to her rescue. Then Jesus commanded her to be holy - to sin no more. If you were her, would you be grateful? You SHOULD be. If you were truly grateful, wouldn’t you love the one who saved you?
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
The only reasonable response to grace is to LOVE the one who granted it. The only genuine way to demonstrate this love is to OBEY the one who loved you at great cost to Himself. Therefore, grace leads to love which leads to obedience which leads to holiness because He commands us to be holy.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For the LOVE of Christ COMPELS US, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
This kind of love motivates (compels) us to live according to the the Spirit rather than the flesh. Because He died for us, we also have died to ourselves and we are resurrected to new life with new goals. We no longer live for ourselves. We’ve been bought with a great price. We live for Jesus who died for us and rose from the grave that we may live.
That is why Jesus could confidently say to the woman, “Go and sin no more.” His grace transformed her.
Please notice something. Jesus and the woman weren’t the only two people in this scene. Scribes and Pharisees were also present. Did Jesus grant forgiveness to them and thereby transform them too? The text doesn’t say so. Look at what was going on inside the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees.
John 8:6
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to ACCUSE Him.
They were trying to ensnare Jesus so they could kill Him. Why didn’t Jesus throw some grace THEIR way too? Wouldn’t grace have transformed them as well? Apparently not. Jesus knew what He was doing. Offers of forgiveness fall on deaf ears when spoken over self-righteous, hard hearts. The woman was in no position to be proud. She was facing death. Jesus knew what she was thinking and He knew she was broken. So He granted forgiveness before she could even utter the words.
But didn’t Jesus declare forgiveness to His murderers and accusers from the cross even though they weren’t repentant? No. From the cross, Jesus was asking the Father to bring about the necessary conditions for forgiveness to be granted - that being a broken heart. From the cross, Jesus didn't say "You are forgiven." He was speaking to the Father - not His accusers and murderers - asking the Father to forgive.
Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
No, Jesus did NOT declare forgiveness to the unrepentant from the cross. Look at what He was saying. Jesus begged the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him (a future event). He did NOT declare forgiveness to them as a PRESENT REALITY. From the cross, Jesus was asking the Father to bring about the necessary conditions for forgiveness to be granted - that being a broken heart. From the cross, Jesus didn't say "You are forgiven." He was speaking to the Father - not His accusers and murderers - asking the Father to forgive.In contrast to the woman caught in adultery, Jesus declared immediate and unconditional forgiveness because He knew the condition of her heart.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN SPIRIT,
A BROKEN AND A CONTRITE HEART—
These, O God, You will not despise.
The woman’s heart was broken over her own sin and Jesus saw this. He didn’t despise her. He LOVED the woman caught in adultery. In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees were an arrogant bunch. I love how scripture contrasts these two categories.
------------
THE HIGH WILL BE BROUGHT LOW
THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED
Psalm 138:6
Though the Lord is on high,
Yet HE REGARDS THE LOWLY;
But THE PROUD HE KNOWS FROM AFAR.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely He SCORNS THE SCORNFUL,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s PRIDE WILL BRING HIM LOW,
But THE HUMBLE IN SPIRIT WILL RETAIN HONOR.
Matthew 23:12
And whoever EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED,
and he who HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.
Luke 1:52
He has PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR THRONES,
And EXALTED THE LOWLY.
James 4:6
But He gives more GRACE. Therefore He says:
“God RESISTS THE PROUD,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God RESISTS THE PROUD,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
------------
When God repeats Himself this many times we better pay attention.
The secret ingredient in the story of the woman caught in adultery is the woman’s newfound but genuine repentance. She was exposed - maybe dragged outside naked. Her sin was put on full display for all her friends, family and neighbors to see. She could have dug her heels in and pretended what she did was OK. And that would have been evidenced by defiant words. But this woman said nothing until Jesus first addressed her. Her silence is outward evidence that she was not arrogant or proud - but humbled by the experience.
The real villains in this story are the scribes and Pharisees - the so-called “experts” in the law. These men were full of themselves and were determined to kill the One who was going around town granting grace to the “undeserving” - not knowing that we’re ALL undeserving. Their superficial understanding of the law gave them a false sense of superiority. They exalted themselves in their own eyes and held the “unwashed masses” in contempt - disqualifying themselves from forgiveness.
Self-righteous law-keeping sets you up for a fall. Humility moves God’s heart. When God sees your broken heart, He offers forgiveness before you can do anything to mess things up.
John 8:11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Context: John 8:1-12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-12&version=NKJV
Look at the order of events.
1. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery
2. Jesus commanded her to sin no more
Jesus did NOT say "Go and sin no more, and THEN I'll forgive you."
Have you ever noticed this before? Forgiveness was granted BEFORE the woman could EARN any sort of forgiveness - as if that was even possible. But how do we normally try to fix our own sin? Don’t we try to DO something that would - in our minds - make up for the wrong that we committed? Jesus turned our knee-jerk reaction on its head. He forgave before any deeds of contrition could have happened. He just flat-out forgave the woman when she was utterly helpless to help herself. THAT, my friend, is the Gospel in a nutshell. In our sins, we are completely helpless but Jesus grants us forgiveness as a GIFT - entirely unearned. In ten words (in the NKJV), Jesus preached an entire sermon, and more.
To the natural man, this makes no sense. How could you forgive someone who has wronged you before he has redressed the injustice? Look at what the Apostle John has to say about this. He makes it very plain.
1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
We are able to love Jesus because Jesus loved us first. The flip side of this truth is that we are utterly incapable of loving God and living in a manner pleasing to Him unless he FIRST loved us. God initiates. All we can do is to merely reciprocate.
But how does this work? Grace and love don’t merely cancel out debt. They have the power to transform the debtor. This isn't mere speculation. This is an unambiguous promise.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become NEW.
Put yourself into the shoes of the woman caught in adultery. She was facing the death penalty. She should have been stoned to death. But, for no reason whatsoever, Jesus came to her rescue. Then Jesus commanded her to be holy - to sin no more. If you were her, would you be grateful? You SHOULD be. If you were truly grateful, wouldn’t you love the one who saved you?
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
The only reasonable response to grace is to LOVE the one who granted it. The only genuine way to demonstrate this love is to OBEY the one who loved you at great cost to Himself. Therefore, grace leads to love which leads to obedience which leads to holiness because He commands us to be holy.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For the LOVE of Christ COMPELS US, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
This kind of love motivates (compels) us to live according to the the Spirit rather than the flesh. Because He died for us, we also have died to ourselves and we are resurrected to new life with new goals. We no longer live for ourselves. We’ve been bought with a great price. We live for Jesus who died for us and rose from the grave that we may live.
That is why Jesus could confidently say to the woman, “Go and sin no more.” His grace transformed her.
Please notice something. Jesus and the woman weren’t the only two people in this scene. Scribes and Pharisees were also present. Did Jesus grant forgiveness to them and thereby transform them too? The text doesn’t say so. Look at what was going on inside the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees.
John 8:6
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to ACCUSE Him.
They were trying to ensnare Jesus so they could kill Him. Why didn’t Jesus throw some grace THEIR way too? Wouldn’t grace have transformed them as well? Apparently not. Jesus knew what He was doing. Offers of forgiveness fall on deaf ears when spoken over self-righteous, hard hearts. The woman was in no position to be proud. She was facing death. Jesus knew what she was thinking and He knew she was broken. So He granted forgiveness before she could even utter the words.
But didn’t Jesus declare forgiveness to His murderers and accusers from the cross even though they weren’t repentant? No. From the cross, Jesus was asking the Father to bring about the necessary conditions for forgiveness to be granted - that being a broken heart. From the cross, Jesus didn't say "You are forgiven." He was speaking to the Father - not His accusers and murderers - asking the Father to forgive.
Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
No, Jesus did NOT declare forgiveness to the unrepentant from the cross. Look at what He was saying. Jesus begged the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him (a future event). He did NOT declare forgiveness to them as a PRESENT REALITY. From the cross, Jesus was asking the Father to bring about the necessary conditions for forgiveness to be granted - that being a broken heart. From the cross, Jesus didn't say "You are forgiven." He was speaking to the Father - not His accusers and murderers - asking the Father to forgive.In contrast to the woman caught in adultery, Jesus declared immediate and unconditional forgiveness because He knew the condition of her heart.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN SPIRIT,
A BROKEN AND A CONTRITE HEART—
These, O God, You will not despise.
The woman’s heart was broken over her own sin and Jesus saw this. He didn’t despise her. He LOVED the woman caught in adultery. In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees were an arrogant bunch. I love how scripture contrasts these two categories.
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THE HIGH WILL BE BROUGHT LOW
THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED
Psalm 138:6
Though the Lord is on high,
Yet HE REGARDS THE LOWLY;
But THE PROUD HE KNOWS FROM AFAR.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely He SCORNS THE SCORNFUL,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s PRIDE WILL BRING HIM LOW,
But THE HUMBLE IN SPIRIT WILL RETAIN HONOR.
Matthew 23:12
And whoever EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED,
and he who HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.
Luke 1:52
He has PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR THRONES,
And EXALTED THE LOWLY.
James 4:6
But He gives more GRACE. Therefore He says:
“God RESISTS THE PROUD,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God RESISTS THE PROUD,
But GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
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When God repeats Himself this many times we better pay attention.
The secret ingredient in the story of the woman caught in adultery is the woman’s newfound but genuine repentance. She was exposed - maybe dragged outside naked. Her sin was put on full display for all her friends, family and neighbors to see. She could have dug her heels in and pretended what she did was OK. And that would have been evidenced by defiant words. But this woman said nothing until Jesus first addressed her. Her silence is outward evidence that she was not arrogant or proud - but humbled by the experience.
The real villains in this story are the scribes and Pharisees - the so-called “experts” in the law. These men were full of themselves and were determined to kill the One who was going around town granting grace to the “undeserving” - not knowing that we’re ALL undeserving. Their superficial understanding of the law gave them a false sense of superiority. They exalted themselves in their own eyes and held the “unwashed masses” in contempt - disqualifying themselves from forgiveness.
Self-righteous law-keeping sets you up for a fall. Humility moves God’s heart. When God sees your broken heart, He offers forgiveness before you can do anything to mess things up.
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