Another Voice of Reason - in USA Today!

 

The Conundrum of Merit

  "The only difference between the sheep and the goats is what they did, or didn't do." - Keith Green

Merit is a tricky subject. We all know that we are saved by faith; but what, exactly, does that mean?

Moses said to Israel in Deuteronomy 9:5 "Do not think it is because of your righteousness" that God is giving Israel the Promised Land. He emphasizes in several other places that is the sovereign work of God that the small, weak, rebellious people of Israel were "chosen." No merit on their part.

On the other hand, the parable of the sheep and the goats, and several other of the Master's parables, seem to indicate that "action" is a requirement.

The Apocalypse of John says: "Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent."

I often say that "merit has merit" - but in what way? 

Here's what I believe, though it flies in the face of conventional theology.

• I believe merit has "merit." That is, I believe our actions matter; and, more than that, I believe our actions reveal our heart, and that as we move towards righteousness in our actions, we obtain favor that allows us to ask for bigger things from Hashem. This does not in any way diminish the work of Yeshua - it is through Him, ultimately, that things in the Spirit are facilitated and accomplished. But we have a role to play, and how big that role is depends on our faith AND our actions (remember "show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.")
• I believe we are saved "from" sin, but we are saved "FOR" good works - meritorious works.
• I believe in the Jewish concept of "Tikkun Olam" - the restoration of all things. This was the work of Yeshua, as the second Adam; he reversed the curse brought by the first Adam. BUT he also opened the door for us to join him in this work. Obviously we are not living in a restored world - yet. But we all have the opportunity, within our sphere of influence, to participate in the restoration. How? By our WORDS and our DEEDS, large and small. Plant a flower. Plant a tree. Speak encouraging words of life to someone. Right a wrong. Repent of sin. 

The list of things any and all of us could do to make the world a better place is endless. Those righteous acts - mitzvot - have value. They help to restore the world, and they help to hasten the return of Messiah - and THAT is a worthy goal.

The Fallacy of a Two State Solution, and the Return of Mashiach

 Soon, and in our day.

Observant Jews all over the world pray for the day that they will return to the land of Israel, the temple will be rebuilt, and Mashiach will return. 

True gentile believers all over the world long for the return of Yeshua (Jesus) to rule and reign.

Could that time be now, for both events?

Politically, the world is turning against Israel. Just 80 years after the holocaust, antisemitism has surged in a way many thought could never happen again.

Geographically, there is already a "two state solution" - Israel and Jordan. The enemies of Israel do not want a "three state solution" - they will only settle for the complete eradication of the nation of Israel.

Spiritually, under the radar, many of us are coming to realize that the "Age of the Gentiles" is coming to a close. The institutional church, built on antisemitic Constantinian politics and traditions, is imploding on itself. True believers are looking for an anchor, they are looking for Truth, and they are returning to the ancient paths.

So, what might be next? I see three possible scenarios:

1. Israel repents. This would be the ideal outcome.
   It may not be a coincidence that October 7 centered on an ungodly rock concert in the holy land. I am not at all condemning the concert, OR condoning the violence - far be it from me! I am just making an observation that Israel is currently a very secular state, and that makes it spiritually weak. If Israel repents, I believe Messiah would come back. Chabad  believes this as well. There are other initiatives underway, such as Facing Each Other - a Jewish organization focused on "Redeeming Yeshua back to Israel."
2. Israel does not repent, and faces a second "great tribulation."
   The first great tribulation for Israel was the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD. Another period of tribulation would not be judgement, but mercy - Hashem calling his people to repentance, attempting to drive them to repentance. God forbid.
3. Israel's enemies reach a point where they are poised to wipe Israel off the map.
   I don't personally believe that Hashem will allow Israel to be destroyed again. This is where the Abrahamic Covenant comes in. Even if Israel does not repent (in a timely fashion,) Even if no one else in the world takes Israel's side, I believe that Hashem would sovereignly step in to prevent Israel's destruction; and at this point in history, that would most likely mean the return of Mashiach. 

I believe prayer changes things, I believe prophecy is "what may be" not "what is inevitable," and I believe that man has a free will that Hashem honors. It may not be tomorrow, it may not be next year, but the return of Messiah is closer than it has ever been. May it be soon and in our day.

"Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.

Moedim

The Torah tells us that God has established moedim - appointed times - for his people. These appointed times include Shabbat (sabbath), Rosh Chodesh (first of each lunar month), Pesach (passover), Hag Hamatzot (unleavened bread), Yom Habikkurim (first fruits) and Shavuot (Pentecost) in the spring, and Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (booths) in the fall.

I was reminded this morning that we, as individuals, also have appointed times; for example, "it is appointed to man once to die." In the long (sometimes dark) years since I last posted on this blog, I have lost a wife, gained a wife, moved, retired, changed roles, and moved through several birthdays. These are all my "appointed times." Anyone who lives long enough will have similar milestones in their life. Appointed times.

My wife and I are attempting to make wise decisions for the time we may have left. We are doing things we enjoy while also planning for the future - whatever that may look like. We've come to the conclusion that it is important to experience life, not just exist.

We especially enjoy times we can "come away" - whether hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, or spending time with those that are important to us, these times help us connect, recharge, and be refreshed in our journey. We make time for each other and for those who are important to us.

In a similar way, the Father calls us to "come away." He has established appointed times - moedim - to give us a rhythm and to ensure that we are regularly in touch with Him. 2 hours of prayer a day, one day a week, one day a month, and then the feast days, ensure that we are regularly called to fellowship with our heavenly Father. In the Christian Tradition, of course, Sunday, Easter, Christmas, and other "appointed times" are intended to fill this role (although I confess I'm more drawn to keep the days and times actually enumerated by God Himself at this point in my spiritual journey.)

Some appointed times are joyful, some are somber, and all mark the passage of time. Both as individuals and corporately, we mark time as we await the return of the One True King. May it be soon and in our day!

As you keep the moedim of your life, may your days be a blessing and may you experience life, and your heavenly Father, in new and exciting ways. Amen.

New Beginnings! Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur

I am not Jewish, and I feel no compulsion to convert. Still, I find it interesting that I am discovering real value in certain Jewish traditions.

Oct. 9, 2019 was Yom Teruah, the day of blowing the trumpet. Of all of God's appointed times in the Torah, this one has no stated purpose. I personally believe that is because the only meaning of this day is prophetic; it looks forward to the second coming of Yeshua, Jesus, which will be heralded by a great blast of the shofar.

For Jews, Yom Teruah has become synonymous with Rosh Hashanah, literally the "head of the year." This is the time when one season of Torah reading ends and another begins. In Jewish tradition it is also the time when God determines whose name is written in the Book of Life.

Ten days after Yom Teruah comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Jewish tradition teaches that the 10 days between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur are a period of grace: if an individual spends the 10 days in genuine repentance God will have mercy and record his/her name in his Book of Life. This seems consistent with the nature and character of God, who "is not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance."

My wife and I are beginning to observe a couple of simple traditions in conjunction with these days.
On Yom Teruah, we try to repair any relationships that have been damaged or fallen into disrepair in the previous year; and we take some smooth stones, write our transgressions from the past year on them, and then take them to a local bridge and, as we repent of our transgressions, we cast the stones into moving water below us. According to tradition you are supposed to look and see if you can see the stones - the fact that you cannot see them any longer is representative of the fact that God has removed your sins "as far as east is from the west."

On Yom Kippur we spent the day fasting, praying, and studying the Word. I felt refreshed and blessed by these days.

I'm looking forward to a year filled with the presence of God. Amen.

Sacrifices vs. Obedience

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "...in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.

But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ "

 

[Yeshua] said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

New Year

Wow, I just looked at this site and realized how long its been since I posted... anything!

We are now four years into our "new" spiritual journey, and it's still a blessing. The Bible is more interesting to me, we are developing new relationships, and I have a whole new perspective on the holiness of God, and what it means to be in relationship with Him.

We are also three years into our Hebrew class (slow but steady.)

This year we are building a new house.

So many new beginnings!