Greetings Fellow Saints in Training, I’m Rod Thomas and welcome to another Perception Moment. Perception Moments is an offspring of the “It’s Not As You Perceive” umbrella of podcast series AND blog postings designed to provoke dialogue, inform, and encourage you, the Truth Seeking Believer in Messiah, in righteous living while providing you with useful resources to contend for the True Faith Once Delivered to the Saints of the first century. I don’t pretend or presume to be a Torah expert nor some type of prophet or great teacher with some unique, direct connection to God and Jesus. Indeed, I love Yehovah and Torah more than anything and I seek each day to have that special relationship with the Creator of the Universe as the Saints of Old once did. All I am is one who has taken on the mantle of carrying out the great commission through the medium of the internet and its associated forums. We are seeking to share with anyone who would come to read or listen, the truths, lessons, and information that we are blessed by the Spirit to receive. So please join us as often as you have the opportunity and share with us the awesome wonders of the Creator’s Word and the profound benefits to be had as a Messianic Believer.
Let’s dive in!
About three weeks ago, Hilary and I received in to our home three Jehovah’s Witnesses who had originally approached her a week prior requesting to have a “Bible Study” with us in our home. Not being ignorant that Jehovah’s Witnesses go from door-to-door in their associated neighborhoods for purposes of “evangelizing” unknowing and uneducated people (that is uneducated in the Word of God) and seeing an opportunity to share our Faith with them, she excitedly seized upon the opportunity having them come to our home for a formal discussion. I was somewhat indifferent to this opportunity, sensing that these folks would come armed to tear down whatever belief-system we have and show us salvation from their perspective and from their Bibles– essentially evangelize us into their religion. Additionally, I was quite aware of Hilary’s purpose in inviting them over and that was to expose the paganism and error of their religion and in turn evangelize them in to our Faith. I honestly saw a difficult situation brewing and predicted there would be a tremendous waste of time to be had by both sides. I’ll be the first to admit that I did not possess the faith that we would be able to get them to see the errors of their religion. Nevertheless, I give it to Hilary for being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in this matter.
Well, the meeting began as planned. As I’d anticipated, the JW’s took immediate control of the discussion. They brought with them their own Bible translation that they carefully and aggressively coddled and touted as the true word of “Jehovah.” (I would insert here that they were quite adamant that God’s name was “Jehovah” and that we must pronounce it “Jehovah” and not Yehovah or Yahweh or the like. In fact: they went so far as to say that we were absolutely in error by our referring to Jesus as Yeshua or Yehoshua and corrected us on this matter several occasions during the discussion.)
They did provide us with the option of referring to our own translations, but read strictly from their personal translation. Initially, I found myself actually appreciating their zeal and apparent love for God. I actually gave them kudos for their “Great Commission” like lifestyle of boldly going from door-to-door to share their faith. The first half-hour or so of the conversation seemed to focus on areas of their religion that was consistent with Messianic understanding of the Truths of Yehovah’s Word. However, as we moved in to the next phase of our discussion, the revelation of their religion to us took on a very ominous and troubling dimension. Each area and topic from then on that was discussed went from Bible-supported doctrine and beliefs to strange and absurd manmade traditions and dogma that they vehemently proclaimed as truth. When I asked them to support from theirs or anyone else’ Bible that which they were spouting as truth, they talked around the topic with verbose and confusing babble and used Bible passages that did not even remotely support their claims. When I attempted to correct them on their statements using the Bible as the standard, they essentially told me that my interpretation of the passages of the Bible in question was grossly in error or in Star Wars parlance: “the droids you’re looking for are not here.”
It was here that my ire began to build and I found myself ready to blow in what I’d like to describe as “righteous indignation.” With raised voice and terse tone, I demanded that they cease the foolishness of trying to convince us that their outright lies and errors was God’s Truth. I even tried to step off my bully pulpit and asked them to simply admit that which they held as truth was their belief and not Bible-supported truth; and by doing so they would garner my acceptance of them as fair and honest souls simply seeking truth like the rest of us. Well, needless to say, Hilary and I received no such conciliation from them. The primary leader of the three also became frustrated and obviously angry over my challenges of their religion and he too dove headlong into a retort and challenge of my understanding of Bible. The discussion spiraled out of control even further when one of the female JW’s launched in to what I would describe as a tirade about Jesus eliminating any concern or requirement for His followers to follow Torah (or in her terminology the law). She even insinuated that by us studying, observing, and obeying Torah, we were putting Jesus’ work on the earth and on the cross to no effect and ignoring altogether His authority over our lives. It got ugly and ultimately led to a sudden conclusion–surprisingly civil I might add–to our session. For the male leader of the group, he seemingly could not get out of here quick enough. For the women, they at least left us with hope that we would meet again and iron out our differences.
In hindsight, I realize the error of my ways and am saddened over the poor behavior I displayed towards the JWs that evening. If there is ever a next time, I will certainly exercise better self-control and submit fully to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I could easily discuss in this and the next several Perception Moment episodes the many areas of the Jehovah’s Witness’ religion that starkly fly in complete opposition to the Truths that are contained in Yehovah’s Word. There are a couple of issues that came out of this meeting with the JWs that caused me to pause and weigh their significance/relevance for the Messianic Believer today. I will briefly cover one here, now, and then in the next episode bring up the other.
The issue of the day has to do with us being capable of keeping Torah well or even perfectly and for that matter is it even necessary to keep Torah knowing that Yeshua kept Torah perfectly. This came up in our discussion with the JW’s. Well, the short answer I would say is: Yes! We are indeed capable of keeping Torah well and even perfectly. How do we know this: well as always, the Holy Writ provides us examples and proofs. In this particular instance, we find in Luke where Zacharias the priest and his wife Elizabeth (ultimately the parents of John the Immerser) kept Yehovah’s Law blamelessly (blameless in the Greek is amemptos meaning free from default or defect). I refer you to Luke 1: 5&6:
CJB Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, King of Y’hudah, there was a cohen named Z’kharyah who belonged to the Aviyah division. His wife was a descendant of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva.
(Luk 1:5 CJB)CJB Luke 1:6 Both of them were righteous before God, observing all the mitzvot and ordinances of ADONAI blamelessly. (Luk 1:6 CJB)
There are other examples in Scripture that highly suggests that we can, as is seen in His people’s example, keep Yehovah’s Laws perfectly.
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
DBY Genesis 17:1 And Abram was ninety-nine years old, when Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty *God: walk before my face, and be perfect. (Gen 17:1 DBY)
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Granted, many would contend that in the case of Noah, Job and even Abram, the Law had not as yet been given to man. On the contrary, I say the Laws of Yehovah had not been codified as we have them today in our Bibles, but knowledge of God’s requirements of man (i.e., His Laws and commandments) was apparently known to those who lived pre-Sinai and the dissemination of the Law by Moses to the Children of Israel. How do we know this? The story of Cain and Abel clearly details a practice followed by Abel and Cain that is part and parcel of the Law that would centuries later be given to Moses and the Children of Israel. Consider if you would the following passage:
ASV Genesis 4:1 And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah. 2 And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it. (Gen 4:1-7 ASV)
Two key elements to pick up here as it relates to the Laws or Yehovah being known to the pre-Sinai patriarchs:
1. The practice of offering proper sacrifices to Yehovah was known by both Cain and Abel as evident in their actions and Yehovah’s reaction to their offerings. (Reference verses 3 through 7)
2. As a concept and a reality, sin was known to both Cain and Abel as evident in Yehovah’s scolding of Cain when he became wroth with Abel over Abel’s offering being accepted by Yah and Cain’s offering not being accepted. Yehovah, as denoted in verse 7, tells Cain that failure to do what is right in the sight of Yehovah will invite sin in to one’s life. Sin then, is known only via Yehovah’s expressed Laws and Commandments.
So then the follow-up question must be: how did the pre-Sinai patriarchs know the Law? To be honest, the Scriptures do not expound upon this, but commonsense and reasoning must prevail here. Yehovah’s Laws and Commandments were earnestly taught to Adam who in turn taught them to his offspring and the cycle from there is supposed to continue in like manner in perpetuity. Consider Deuteronomy 4: 8, 9:
CJB Deuteronomy 4:8 What great nation is there that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah which I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves diligently as long as you live, so that you won’t forget what you saw with your own eyes, so that these things won’t vanish from your hearts. Rather, make them known to your children and grandchildren- (Deu 4:8 CJB)
So Yehovah’s expectations and requirements for man as to how we are to live are not up to debate and if followed according to the way the Father had set it up to be followed, no one on earth would have been ignorant of God’s Laws and Commandments.
Yet man reached a point in history where man forgot much of Yehovah’s Laws and Commandments, as they have been forgotten even today. When the Israelites entered in to Egypt and endured years of slavery and oppression, Yehovah’s presence and Word was absent. It wasn’t until Moses led the Children of Israel out of bondage in to the wilderness that Yehovah re-established His Laws with that nation with the promise of making the nation a unique people amongst the nations of the world:
6 For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God: Jehovah thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 7 Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: 8 but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, 1 (Deu 7: 6-9, ASV).
Then there is Exodus 19: 5 & 6:
CJB Exodus 19:5 Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you will be a kingdom of cohanim for me, a nation set apart.’ These are the words you are to speak to the people of Isra’el.” (Exo 19:5 CJB)
So it is today: are we any different from these our predecessors? Has not our Father transferred this most auspicious mantle (i.e., to be a special people unto Himself) upon those of us among mankind who are True disciples of Yeshua Hamaschiah? Did He not bestow upon us the same expectations that He bestowed upon the Children of Israel in the wilderness. Consider:
DBY Revelation 1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father: to him be the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen. (Rev 1:6 DBY).
Then there is this:
DBY Revelation 5:8 And when it took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth. (Rev 5:8-10, DBY)
The standards to achieve the job of being a King and Priest in Yehovah’s Kingdom has not changed whatsoever over the last 3-1/2 millennia. Yehovah requires obedience and perfection of those who would be His chosen. Yehovah told the nation of Israel:
DBY Deuteronomy 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with Jehovah thy God. (Deu 18:13 DBY).
Likewise, Yeshua taught:
CJB Matthew 5:48 Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Mat 5:48 CJB)
The issue thus comes full circle: what does perfection look like? How is perfection defined? Simple: via Torah!
One of the three JW’s who sat at the table and responded to my acclamation that obedience to Torah is essential for one’s salvation said with absolute certainty: Yeshua gave us ONLY two commandments to follow and those commandments are:
1. Love God
2. Love Your Brother as Yourself
Indeed, Yeshua did give that Law. But I then asked that person (who did not respond to this question), What does that love for God and for our brethren look like?’ I padded that question with, ‘my understanding of how to love God and my brethren is probably different from your understanding of how to love God and your brethren.
The defining source as how to love God and our fellow man is only found in Torah. John in his general epistle stated:
1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Let us face it: we all have individual and differing opinions, perceptions, and levels of understanding on virtually every topic and issue of life. Love has to be one of those massive concepts that are never devoid of a number of opinions and ideas as to what it actually means and how it is best expressed. Some of those ideas run consistently amongst many individuals throughout society while other ideas and opinions of how love is viewed and expressed are held by others in society. Yet despite such variances, every individual will label their personal understanding, ideas and expressions of love as “love.” Well, we can’t have 6 billion differing opinions of love friends. And quite frankly, regardless how wonderful we believe we are as a people, only one opinion matters on this issue and that is God’s opinion. God has not left us in the dark as to what his standards for love are; how He wants to be loved; how we are to love one another. He gave them to us in His Word; in His Torah. Yet millions around the world, especially those of the JW’s, will tell us that all we need to do is Love God and Love man and the rest is up to Jesus.
Indeed Yeshua paid our sin debt in full. Having done so, are we then supposed to live according to our individual concepts of how a Believer is supposed to live? What does Paul say about this?
ESV Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! (Rom 6:15 ESV)
And again, what defines sin? Torah!!!!! It always, always, always comes back to Torah! Whether we are defining what it is God expects of us; what love looks like; or even the definition of sin. No matter how hard my JW friends (well maybe not friends in the classic sense–hey, how does Torah define friendship) contend, Yehovah has provided us His idea, His opinion, and His requirements of mankind. When we say that we no longer need Torah, we are effectively saying we no longer need Yehovah to define for us what He expects of us. And these little concepts that are actually big–huge concepts–like love God and love man mean nothing unless they are defined by Yah Himself and Yah has done that through His Torah. Why do we kick against the prick dear Friends when all we’re doing is resisting the rule of Yehovah and His Holy Spirit in our lives.
You know what’s funny? Society defines two classes of people: law abiding and criminals. Criminals are those who break the law in one form or another. Now these individuals who break the law may do so in the open or in secret; they may get caught or they may not have been caught by the poh poh. Ultimately, these individuals either lose their freedoms or will eventually lose their freedoms in society. Law abiding citizens, on the other hand, obey the law (at least for the most part) and thus they reap the benefits of living freely in society. Thus, they enjoy order and relative safety because the laws of the land regulate behavior and correct those situations and individuals who fail to comply with established rules and laws. No society, no organization, and no ideal or concept such as a religion can exist for long if there is no rule of law to govern the lives and behavior of its members.
So then dear believer, what makes us believe that the would-be Christian can determine for him or herself how he or she must or should live; or how we must understand or view things? Without a standard or mold by which to pattern our behavior and understanding, human organizations and societies fall apart quite rapidly. All sports games run via a set of laws and rules, otherwise chaos would ensue quite rapidly and no true winner of those games could ever be faithfully identified. Let’s stop fooling ourselves, we cannot get away from Torah no matter how hard we inappropriately apply the teachings of Paul.
With that, let’s pick this up next time.
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