Saturday, October 6, 2012

The Book of Jacob

In English Bibles, there is a book called "The Letter to James." The Greek name for the book is not "Demetrios" which is translated "James," but rather "Iacobos" which translates as "Jacob." This is important because this is a Hebrew book. It is written by a Hebrew and is overflowing with Hebraic thought. Consider 1:25: "But the one who looks intently into the perfect Torah, the Torah that gives freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts--he shall be blessed in what he does." This verse tells us the following:
1. The Torah (in Hebrew means "instruction")is perfect. YHVH's instructions to His people are perfect. If He tells us what to eat, when to worship, and how to worship, we should obey instantly without debate.
2. The Torah gives freedom. Some believe that to follow YHVH is to lose freedom. "I can't do this. I can't do that." However, this scripture gives us a different result. By following the Torah I have the freedom to avoid sin and its consequences. The Torah instructs me how to live a life that pleases YHVH and His Son Yeshua. Yeshua knew this and was Torah observant.
3. To have freedom in Torah, you must continue to walk in obedience. This is not about making a decision for Christ and being once saved always saved. There is no such thing from a Hebraic interpretation of the scriptures. It is a Gentile doctrine recently created to grow a large church.
4. If you are not a doer of Torah, you lose the blessing. The verse instructs us that we will be blessed in what we do if what we do is Torah. I have people try to tell me that I don't have to obey the Torah. I tell them, not a chance. YHVH has blessed us and I would be a fool to walk away from the blessing. To those that disagree, I say, "So, how is it working out for you?"

The Torah is YHVH's instruction to teach His people how to live. If you are not one of His, the Torah does not apply to you. It is only for YHVH's people. I am pleased that I am part of a community that obeys Torah. When I watch people rise early on Sun-Day to visit churches that worship on the wrong day, I am saddened. So many sincere people being misled. Elohim have mercy on those that reject Torah.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Blessing or Cursing Israel

The Presbyterian Church is considering divestment from companies doing business with Israel. Genesis 12: 2-3 says: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." With these Scriptures in mind, consider the following:

"PRLog (Press Release) - May 31, 2012 - The following is a joint statement by Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA), International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA) and the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS).

The Presbyterian Church (USA), despite its historic concern for justice, is considering a move that violates basic principles of justice—targeted divestment from specific companies doing business with Israel. Divestment is the practice of withdrawing investments from companies in order to create economic and political pressure against those companies, or governments with which they do business. In this case, by withdrawing investments from companies supplying materials to Israel’s defense and security programs, divestment proponents hope to force Israel into an immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Judea and Samaria."