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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

What did Paul say when he spoke?

A quick perusal thru the book of Acts in the life of Paul; I can find no less than 12 different times he was either invited to speak or just spoke out in different cities, places and synagogues. Many times on the Sabbath (not SUN-day).

This is the same Paul whose resume of following Torah; the teachings and instructions of The Creator, were nonpareil. He spoke of himself in Philippians 3, as if to compare his ‘Jewish spirituality with anyone else’. This guy was circumcised on the 8th day, born of the seed of Jacob of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, according to the Law, a Pharisee. Zealous? He persecuted and killed followers of The Way. Blameless according to The Law!

So what happens to this Paul’s after his encounter with Jesus on that Damascus Road? The same Jesus who spoke with a Hebrew accent to Paul by the way! Did Paul become a Christian and say what we say in modern Christianity? “Hey Guys! We don’t have to observe Sabbath any more! We’re free in Christ! And the really good news is we don’t have to observe that law anymore! Because we have liberty in Christ and it’s been nailed to the cross! Pork chops anyone?”

So I’m just wondering why this Pharisee of Pharisee, ardent Torah Observer never once mentioned any of this to the brethren in the book of Acts.

Why didn’t he take the time to say any of these things! He was given ample opportunity time and time again.

Even the proverbial letter to the Gentiles; Acts 15, (that’s us) listed the 3 baby steps instructions’ for those who believe in Messiah; Pure (Holy) Worship, Pure Food and Pure (holy) Living. After that, they were to meet on the Sabbath to hear Moses read and grow from there!

Before anyone responds, hear me clear, Salvation is NOT based on works!!!! Faith in what Jesus did and why He did what He did! Again, I am not saying observation of the instructions saves ANYONE! It’s about love for Him! Do we Love Him and Show Him by wanting to obey His instructions?

If you need the specific chapter and verses e mail me and I’ll get them to you!

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

1st Corinthians 13 Revisited and Amplified in a Godley Way. December 2009

Science without the Scriptures is we called magic. Definitions without the Scriptures are called opinions. Get a lot of opinions together and agree on a few of those and you’ll get a denomination and maybe another flavor of Christianity. Get counseling without the Scriptures and you’ll get a monthly invoice.

So if you would; indulge me this month, and correct me if I’m way off base by e mailing me or calling me. While out jogging recently my mind thought of the ‘Love’ chapter that Paul wrote to the people in Corinth, (1 Cor. 13). If this is Truth, then why are so many marriages messed up having recited this passage. If Love is the Greatest, then why are a lot of other relationships messed up, on many levels, personally, inside the church, nation, global etc? Something’s wrong. Is it Paul? The Word of God?

Maybe it’s our definition of love without the Scriptures! (Read Matt: 22 34:40) When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law, notice that Jesus didn’t say; ‘Oh don’t worry about this Law stuff, it’s all going to be over soon anyway, so let’s get a pork chop.’ No, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, I notice that Jesus quotes a lot of that Old Testament stuff, especially ‘The Law’, then for the 2nds greatest commandment He quotes from Leviticus. These 2 ‘commandment’s are the summation of ‘Love according to Jesus’ in priority. Love God and then Love your Neighbor as yourself. Jesus goes on to say, on these 2 commandments hangs/hinges the Whole Law and the Prophets. Look at the door in the room you are in now. Notice the 2 hinges on which the door hangs? What are they attached to? The Whole frame! How can we have just the 2 love commandment and all the others done away with? No wonder many today don’t have a religious clue as to what house they walked in cause they’ve torn down the door frame all in Jesus name! When the Master Carpenter Himself didn’t even do nor teach that!

Is it too much for me to get you to agree that Jesus defined Love with these 2 commandments and the Rest of the The Law as well? Based on what Jesus said? Indulge me, and say Yes! Let’s substitute the Word Love with Law and see if 1st Corinthians 13 makes a bit more sense.

‘If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not obey the Law, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy, and know all the mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains but do not obey the Law, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to the poor and if I surrender my body to be burned but do not obey the Law, it profits me nothing. The Law teaches me patience, the teaches me kindness, how not to be jealous, The Law teaches me not to brag and not be arrogant, it teaches me not to act unbecomingly, not to seek my own, it also teaches me how not to be provoked and it teaches me how not take into account a wrong suffered. Likewise the Law, or the teachings an instructions of The Creator/Our Father teaches me not to rejoice in unrighteousness rather rejoices with the Truth! It also teaches me how to bear all things, how to believe in the things Our Father wants us to believe in and hope and how and why to endure because The Law Never fails. But now faith, hope and The Law abide in these 3; but the greatest of these is The Law!’ (A Godley Amplification of 1 Cor. 13)

How far fetched is what I just wrote? If you think its way out there and not worth exploring, testing and living, just go on doing what you’ve been taught to do and watch more families, communities, nations and people get messed up, all in Jesus name of course. If you’re sick and tired of man’s way getting us to where we are, then throw it away and lets’ do it The Way Our Father says! He clearly tells us!

I and we are here to help, let us know how, call or e mail. Because we are all on a Path and we all need help.

One last note, Keeping The Law is NOT a requirement for Salvation, never has been, never will be and I’m not saying it is! But since we just agreed that The Law is LOVE, why wouldn’t you want to be In Love all the time?