I have questions of my own for those Torah observant disciples of Yeshua who believe salvation, justification depends on the perfection of someone’s obedience.
1) What did Jesus mean when He said,
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Mat 5:19
Are not both in the kingdom of heaven?
2) What did Paul mean when he said,
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rom 3:20-26
Are we not justified apart from the law, as the Law and the Prophets testify?
3) What did Moses mean when he said,
Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deu 9:6
Is not our inheritance given to us by the grace of God, and not because of our righteousness?
Isn’t repentance unto salvation, resulting in the new birth as children of God, something that happens in a moment of time, but learning the ways of God to walk in them, a journey of a lifetime? (Act 15:19-21). And we will not have arrived even at the end of our lives, for the depth of Torah and the wisdom of His ways is unsearchable.
Therefore,
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” Jam 4:11-12
The comments are open for your answers.
Great questions, Yes, yes and yes.
The instruction Moses gave was for the purpose of teaching a large group of former slaves how to live as a free society. That is still its purpose.
It was never intended to be a means of righteousness before God that we could live up to… if that where the case we are all doomed.
That said Moses instruction is the ideal, to which we would be wise to adapt our lives to as much as possible.
Understanding that our salvation is in the blood of the lamb on the lintel, the door posts and surely on the threshold.
Thank you so much for visiting Barry, and for adding to the discussion. Shalom in Yeshua – Christine
I think that many seek to follow the Ways of Yeshua not for salvation but rather obedience…..as Romans 3:23 states, For all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim. Without His Grace and Yoking ourselves to Him we will continue in disobedience…….we can only know what pleases Him by studying His entire Word as you have stated. We are to boast only in Him alone. Scripture does not contradict itself and is not open to private interpretation. There has always been and always will be Blessings for obedience, and there will be chastisement for rebellion. His Torah has always been about love and always will be, as YHVH never changes Malachi 3:6, For I am YHVH, I shall not change and you oh sons of Ya’aqov, shall not come to an end. Hebrews 13:8, Yeshua Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Deuteronomy 30:14 and Romans 10:8 bear witness to each other…..as the word is near you in your mouth and in your heart.
James speaks of faith and works working together to show the fruit of our salvation…….James 1:22 And become doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. James 2: 14-26, My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, but one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” But you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it? So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But someone might say, “You have belief and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works and I shall show you my belief by my works. You believe hat Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe– and tremble! But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without works is dead? Was not Abrahim our father declared right by works when he offered Yitshaq his son on the altar? Do you see that the belief was working with his works and by the works the belief was perfected? And the Scripture was filled which says, “Abrahim believed Elohim and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” And he was called, “Elohim’s friend.” You see, then, that a man is declared right by works and not by belief alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the whore declared right by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also the belief without the works.
There are many more verses as I’m sure you know that will back this up sister……..Again, I have seen some that go overboard and veer to extremes as we are warned not to do in Proverbs 4:26-27, Consider the path of your feet, and all your ways are established Do not turn to the right or the left; Turn your foot away from evil.
Thank you for your time and may we all grow together in Spirit and Truth as Father desires all to worship Him in Spirit and Truth as it is written in John 4:23 Blessings and Shalom!
You are right Will, in that many seek to learn what is pleasing to YHVH to walk in obedience and not for salvation … but some do believe and teach others that salvation can only be had through obedience and not through faith in the finished work of Yeshua on the cross. As you state, obedience grows within the believer who has been truly saved. Thank you for visiting and for adding to the discussion. Shalom in Yeshua – Christine