There is a topic
that keeps surfacing concerning statements that Yahshua made to Nicodemus
regarding being “born again”. People spend endless hours debating and
arguing about just when this rebirth takes place. Much time is spent trying to
decide the meaning of the Greek words Gennao, Anagennao, and Anothen. One will
say that Gennao means conception and the gestation time, another will argue that
it means the actual birth. Let’s look at a couple of scriptures, without
wasting a lot of time, to see who is correct.
By Dave Ganton
Matthew 1:20, “But while he
thought on these things, behold, the angel of Yahweh appeared unto him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife: for that which is conceived
( Gennao #1080) in her
is of the Holy Spirit.” Note that Yahshua was already conceived, and in the
gestation period when the messenger came from Yahweh to Joseph.
Let’s look at another
scripture to shed more light on this, Matthew
2:1, “Now when Yahshua was born (Gennao
#1080) in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came
wise men from the east to Jerusalem.” Notice that this is the same Greek word
as was used for conceived yet this is talking about the time of Yahshua's actual
birth into this world. It can mean both.
The words “begat”
and “begotten” have caused some confusion in their meaning. They are old
English words used in the 1611 King James
version of the scriptures. They mean “To
produce or generate”. They are used in both the old and new testament to
denote both the gestation period and also the actual birth. Yalad, the Hebrew word usually
translated “begat” can also mean the gestation period, the birth, and can
also mean the time of travail accompanying birth, that we would know today as
being in labour.
There is one more word
that we will briefly investigate. It is the word translated again in John 3:3 from the Greek “anothen”. It is used 13
times in the new testament. It is translated 3 times as “again.” John 3:3, John 3:7, and Gal. 4:9. The other ten times
it translated, “from above” 5 times, “top” 3 times, “from the first”
once, “from the beginning” once. Check the following scriptures. Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 1:3, John 3:31, John
19:11, John 19:23 , Acts 26:5, James 1:17, James 3:15, James 3:17.
Since
we can tell from the context of Yahshua's conversation with Nicodemus that what
had to take place for one to enter the kingdom of Yahweh is generated from
Yahweh's throne, it is safe to assume that the meaning of Yahshua's statement
“Gennao anothen” is “born from
above.” We will understand this more clearly as we go through this study.
Instead of debating
semantics we should be studying these scriptures deeply and receiving the
message that Yahshua intended. The initial statement of Yahshua is; John 3:3, “Yahshua answered
and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,(Gennao anothen) he cannot see the
kingdom of Elohim.” Nicodemus thought that Yahshua was talking about literal,
physical birth. Yahshua however, was giving spiritual instruction. This
statement seemed strange to Nicodemus because what Yahshua said could not be
understood from a physical perspective. Paul sheds light on this concept in 1 Corinthians 2:14,
“The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of
Elohim, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because
they are spiritually discerned.” We need not have this block if we allow
Yahweh's Spirit to lead us.
Let
us go ahead now and receive the full significance of what Yahshua told
Nicodemus.
TWO BIRTHS
Within this
conversation that Yahshua had with Nicodemus there is a point that the majority
fail to see. There are two births from above (gennao anothen) mentioned by Yahshua that are required
before one can enter into Yahweh's kingdom. John 3:5 Yahshua
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohim.
Did you notice that one
must be born of water and of the Spirit? I have been told that this all takes
place at the time of water baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit and that
it really means conceived or begotten. I won't debate this point because Yahshua
says this isn't the case, so we will let Him explain. John 3: 6,
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Notice that Yahshua
said that one who is born (gennao)
of the Spirit IS Spirit. There
need be no confusion as to what He meant because He elaborates on the condition
of one born of the Spirit. Verse 8, “The
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not
tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the
Spirit.” Yahshua is saying that those who are born of the Spirit are like the
wind, invisible, coming and going without detection.
Since we are still
visible and our whereabouts can easily be seen, this birth of the Spirit cannot
have taken place at the time of our baptism and receiving of the Holy Spirit.
However, when one has repented and been immersed into the name of Yahshua there
is a rebirth that takes place. This is the first birth that Yahshua spoke about,
being born of water. As with everything in Yahweh's plan for mankind, there is a
sequence of events that take place in a set time order.
BORN OF WATER
Let’s understand this
time order. Notice that born of water comes first. Without first being born of
water one will have no hope of being born of the Spirit. This birth of water is
the precursor of the birth of the Spirit.
Before
being born of water there are steps that must take place in the proper sequence.
The initial step is taken by Yahweh. He must call us to service. John 6:44,
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I
will raise him up at the last day.” Once this call has been issued our
participation begins. We must answer that call and respond to His spiritual
urging. When we do there is a step we are required to take before we can be born
of water. Acts 2:38
Repent. Without heartfelt, sincere repentance the other sequence of events
cannot take place. One must fully come to recognize the condition one is in
prior to the intervention of Yahshua. Ephesians
2:1, “And you
he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins.” Romans 3:23,
“since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Elohim.”
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy
rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have
taken us away,” Isaiah
64:6. Even our
pre-conversion righteousness was as filthy rags compared to that of Elohim.
Until we come to this realization, repentance is not complete. We were all in
line to receive our wages, death eternal. (Rom.6:23)
Yahweh would rather give us a gift, eternal life. This
gift comes not all at once but in stages. I will qualify that statement as we go
through this study.
Once we have taken this
initial step of repentance we are now required to do something that symbolizes
our death. We must be completely immersed in water in the name of Yahshua the
Messiah. Why completely immersed? It symbolizes our death and burial with
Yahshua. Colossians 2:12,
“and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised
with him through faith in the working of Elohim, who raised him from the
dead.” Romans 6:3,
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Messiah
Yahshua were baptized into his death? 4 We
were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Messiah was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of
life.”
Notice that following
baptism we will be walking in newness of life. This is the “born of water”
Yahshua spoke about. 2 Corinthians 5:17,
“Therefore if any man be
in Messiah, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new.” This is what Yahshua meant when He told Nicodemus that one
must be born of water. This is definitely a new birth. The old sinful self was
put to death and reborn as a new and spotless creature properly cleansed to
receive the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Sovereign
Yahshua the Messiah! By his great mercy we have been born again (Anagennao) to a living hope
through the resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:23,
“You have been born again,(Anagennao)
not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word
of Elohim.”
This is not a literal,
physical new birth as Nicodemus thought. This is a spiritual rebirth. The old
sinful nature has been put to death in baptism and born again to no longer walk
in the flesh but in the spirit. Romans
8:9, “But you are not in the flesh, you are in the
Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. Any one who does not have
the Spirit of the Messiah does not belong to him.” Being “in the spirit”
merely means that we no longer respond to the urges of the flesh, our carnal
nature, but we now respond to the urging of Yahweh's Holy Spirit. We can do this
in our new state because of the His Holy Spirit within us.
Titus
3:5, “He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in
righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewal in the Holy Spirit.”
This
receiving of the Holy Spirit is the initial stage of receiving Yahweh's gift of
eternal life. After the burial in baptism with Yahshua we receive Yahweh's
Spirit. We do not receive this Spirit in full as did Yahshua. We receive a small
portion as a down payment, or earnest toward what we will receive in full at the
time we are born of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:22,
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts.” 2 Corinthians 5:5, “Now
he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is Elohim, who also hath given
unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” Eph.1:13,
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the evangel
of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is
the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.”
LIVING WATERS
This earnest or down
payment of Yahweh's Spirit is the living water that Yahshua spoke about on the
last great day of the feast of Tabernacles John
7:37, “In the last day, that great day of the feast,
Yahshua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and
drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which
they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given;
because that Yahshua was not yet glorified.)” This is a wonderful analogy,
which we will explore further at the end of this study.
This
initial portion of Yahweh's Spirit will empower us to live in the way that He
has told us we must. We can no longer live in the way that we once did. Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our
old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin.” Colossians
3:9, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put
off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which
is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
1
Peter 4:3, “Let the time that is past
suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness,
passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.” (RSV)
Have no doubt, at
baptism you became a new person. You have been spiritually reborn. Eph.4:22, “Put off your old nature
which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful
lusts, 23 and be renewed in the
spirit of your minds, 24 and put on
the new nature, created after the likeness of Elohim in true righteousness and
holiness.”
As we walk in this
newness of life guided by the Spirit of Yahweh and Yahshua we begin to develop
within our minds their thought patterns. Gal.5:22,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against
such there is no law.” This is Yahweh's mind revealed to us. This is what we
are to be developing from the time of our spiritual rebirth until the time of
our literal rebirth as spirit beings into Yahweh's kingdom.
We are still flesh and
blood and we are told; 1 Corinthians 15:50, “I tell you this, brethren: flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim, nor does the perishable inherit the
imperishable.” As you can see, in the physical state that we are in we cannot
enter into the kingdom of Yahweh. The spiritual rebirth at baptism is the
initial step we must take to enter into that kingdom.
BORN OF THE SPIRIT
There is definitely a
literal rebirth as we can see by the following. Yahshua made a very plain
statement to Nicodemus. John 3:6,
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the
Spirit is spirit.” Yahshua explains what one born of the Spirit is like. John 3:8, “The wind blows
where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it
comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”
Those in the final rebirth will be spirit beings in Yahweh's kingdom. Just as we
cannot see spirit at this time so we too will be invisible to humans that are
left during the millennium. We will be able to make ourselves visible to them if
we wish just as Yahshua did to the apostles following His resurrection and
glorification.
We are to be the royal
priesthood spoken of in Rev.5: 9,
“And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll
and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for
Elohim from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and hast made them
a kingdom and priests to our Elohim, and they shall reign on earth.” Priests
teach. We will be the teachers of those people who come through the great
tribulation and live on into the millennium. We will be seen by those we teach
if it is required. Is.30:20, “And
though Adonay give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet
your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your
Teacher. 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the
way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Just as Yahshua was Yahweh's representative on earth so we will be His
representative with Yahshua following the first fruit harvest of mankind.
Yahshua is the high
priest and we will serve under Him to teach, direct and correct those who have
not yet come to know our true Elohim. Heb.5:8,
“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and
being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey
him, 10 being designated by Elohim a high priest after the order of
Melchizedek.”
This rebirth at the
return of Yahshua will be a total and complete change to a different state. 1 Cor.15:44,
“It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a
physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” Romans
6:5, “For if we have been united with him in a death like
his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” 1 Cor.15:51,
“Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For
the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall
be changed. 53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this
mortal nature must put on immortality.”
CHILDREN OF ELOHIM
This will be a glorious
and awesome change to be and to look like our loving Elohim. 1 John 3:1,
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of
Elohim; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did
not know him. 2 Beloved, we are Elohim’s children now; it does not yet appear
what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall
see him as he is.” Yahweh and Yahshua are glorious spirit beings that dwell in
a realm of all engulfing light. 1
Tim.6:14, “I charge you to keep the
commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our master
Yahshua Messiah; 15 and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the
blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and master of masters 16 who alone
has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or
can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.”
This is our destiny, to
be born into this glorious spirit realm as true sons of Yahweh. Born into His
very family. If one returns to the original creation of mankind in Gen.1:26, “Then Elohim said,
‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the
earth.’ 27 So Elohim created man in his own image, in the image of Elohim he
created him; male and female he created them.”
If you will notice in
the creation account, verses 24-25 Yahweh created cattle after the cattle kind,
birds after the bird kind, etc. But notice something breath taking. In verse
26-27 we were created after the Elohim kind. We were created to have the same
general shape that Yahweh and Yahshua have. This similarity is because we will
one day be members of Yahweh's very family. Family members resemble each other.
He also did something
else at that time which is very significant. He created within our minds a human
spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:11, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him? even so the things of Elohim knoweth no man, but the Spirit of
Elohim.” Proverbs 20:27,
“The spirit of man
is the candle of Yahweh, searching
all the inward parts of the belly.”
He did this so that at
some time He could make a mind-to-mind connection with us. This He does through
the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands following baptism.
This
is the spring of water we read about earlier in John
7:37-39. Just as a spring of water that comes from within the
earth will at some point come gushing to the surface, so this earnest of
Yahweh's Holy Spirit will one day grow to the point that it will completely
envelope us at the return of Yahshua. John
4:14, “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give
him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a
spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Phil.3:20
But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the
Master Yahshua Messiah, 21 who will
change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables
him even to subject all things to himself. 1 Thes.4:15, “For this we declare to you by the word of the master
that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Master, shall not
precede those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Master himself will descend from
heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of
the trumpet of Elohim. And the dead in the Messiah will rise first; 17 then we
who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Master in the air; and so we shall always be with the Master.”
This is truly being
born again. One can debate and argue endlessly about word meanings to the extent
that the real message intended in the scriptures is lost. There is such simple
beauty in the meaning of Yahshua's statement to Nicodemus that there is no need
for debate. There is a spiritual rebirth at baptism, born of water and a literal
rebirth at Yahshua's return, born of the Spirit.
There is definite
instruction in Yahweh's word in the steps required to be born into His kingdom. 1)
Repent, 2)
be baptised, 3)
receive Yahweh's gift of the Holy Spirit. There is one final step that is
required. 4)
Matthew 24:13,
“But he who endures to
the end will be saved.” Hebrews 3:14,
“For we share in the Messiah, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the
end.”
As we persevere in this
way of life to which we have been called let us treasure the gift of Yahweh's
Spirit within us and let it grow to the point at Yahshua's return when our
physical will no longer be able to contain it at which time we will be born from
above into the very family of Elohim.
Revelation 22:20, “He who testifies to
these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Master Yahshua!”
HalleluYah!!!
May Yahweh bless your studies.
Elder
Dave Ganton
It seems that grace is a topic that we
don’t hear a lot of in the modern day body of the Messiah. We hear a lot about
the Torah and Torah observance, but very little is said of this subject of
“grace.” Yet, it is by His grace that we are saved, not by our own Torah
observance. Shouldn’t we examine this subject of grace a little more
thoroughly?
By Jerry Healan
The
Apostle John wrote, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by
Moses, but grace and truth came by Yahshua the Messiah,” Jn. 1:16-17. What
does this mean, “grace for grace?”
I
recently heard a dear brother speak of John’s statement in these passages in a
rather disparaging manner. He said, in effect, I hear Christianity speaking
about John 1:16 and grace as if it never existed before. But grace was around
before the Messiah and so was the truth. So what is the big deal?
His
statement grievously disappointed me and also caused anger and indignation to
well up in me. It seems as if the more Torah observant we become, the less we
focus on grace. It’s almost as if this grace that is extended through Yahshua
is a one-time deal similar to baptism. We have repented of our sins, been
baptized, had grace extended and now it’s up to us to be observant to the
commands of the Torah for the rest of our lives.
Yahweh’s
grace is something that we need every precious moment of our lives. If we
utilize the Torah properly, it will bring us to the Messiah causing us to
realize our need for Him and His mercy always. The Torah will continually reveal
to us how far short we fall in its daily application in our lives. It will
reveal our constant need for “grace” if we are to inherit the kingdom of
heaven and eternal life. The apostles knew this and wrote about it. We must not
neglect the wondrous salvation that has been extended to us; neither must we
neglect this wondrous grace!
WHAT IS GRACE?
The
word “grace” utilized primarily in the Greek of the New Testament is “charis.”
It is defined as; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or
concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon
the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude). (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
It is generally and variously translated into the following words; acceptable,
benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s,
-worthy).
“Charis”
(grace) comes from another Greek word “chairo,” which is defined as; a
primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off;
impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well. (ibid)
The
main Hebrew word for “grace” is “chen” (pronounced “khane”) and is
defined as; from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or
objective (beauty). (ibid) It is generally and
variously translated as; favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-)favoured.
(ibid)
As
in the Greek, so in the Hebrew; the Hebrew word for “grace” (chen) is
derived from another primitive Hebrew word “chanan” (pronounced “khaw-nan”),
which is defined as; a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior;
to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition). (ibid)
Thus, Yahweh purposely named John the Baptist
who was to go forth preparing the way for Him that was to come (Yahshua). The
name “Yahshua” means “the salvation of Yahweh” or “Yahweh the
Savior.” The name “John” comes from “Yehowchanan” which means
“Yahweh’s grace” or “Yahweh’s favor,” etc.
Isn’t
this interesting that a man named John (Yehowchanan; Yahweh’s grace) is
prepared beforehand to announce and prepare the way for a man named Yahshua (Yehowshua;
Yahweh’s salvation)!
Grace
has to do with mercy, kindness, favor. It has to do with being gracious and
merciful. It has to do with the ALMIGHTY YAHWEH bending or stooping in kindness
to we who are inferior, in order to bestow mercy, and salvation to us.
Otherwise, we will die and remain so forever because we have all sinned and come
short of the glory of Yahweh (Ro. 3:23). Sin earns the penalty of death (Ro.
6:23). But grace, mercy, favor, forgiveness and wondrous salvation to eternal
life are extended to us through Yahshua the Messiah (same verse)!
The
first place that the word “grace” appears is in the book of Genesis, chapter
6. The descendants of Adam had become so wicked and evil that Yahweh was greatly
saddened that he had made man. Therefore, He decreed that He was going to
destroy every living thing that lived and moved upon the face of the earth (Gen.
6:5-7). But Noah found “grace” in the eyes of Yahweh (Gen. 6:8). Only one
man and his family, eight persons, came under the “grace” of Yahweh at that
time. Their lives were spared while all others were destroyed.
Later,
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah became exceedingly wicked in the eyes of
Yahweh. He determined to completely destroy them, but one man, Lot and his
family found “grace” in the eyes of Yahweh and were spared the destruction
that was rained upon the cities and the plain whereon they were built. (Gen. 19)
Still
later, the patriarch Joseph, who was hated and despised by his brothers, being
sold into slavery in Egypt, experienced the “favor” or “grace” of Yahweh
to the point of being raised to second in the kingdom of Egypt immediately under
Pharaoh the king.
The
Israelites came under bondage to the Egyptians and at the proper time, Yahweh,
through His “favor” or “grace,” delivered them from the land of Egypt
with a mighty and uplifted hand (Ex. 3:21; 11:3; 12:36, etc.) Moses found such
“grace” in the eyes of Yahweh that Yahweh revealed the hindermost parts of
His glory to him (Gen. 33).
Ruth,
the Moabitess, experienced “grace” to be able to be married into the Hebrew
lineage wherein one of her descendants, David, became king over all Israel, out
of whose loins the King of Heaven and earth would also issue forth.
Hannah,
in the bitterness of her soul, experienced the grace of Yahweh to be able to
conceive Samuel the prophet who later replaced (temporarily) the lineage of
Aaron as high priest over the tribes of Israel.
David,
the shepherd boy, experienced the grace of Yahweh to eventually be exalted as
king over Israel from whose loins the Messiah, the true Anointed One would issue
forth.
Yes,
the “grace” that we see being experienced in the Old Testament is truly a
tremendous “grace,” “mercy,” and “favor” that should cause us to
respect and honor with joy and thanksgiving.
But
what does Peter mean when he writes, “Of which salvation the prophets have
enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should
come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the
Spirit of the Messiah which was in them did signify, when it testified before
hand the sufferings of the Messiah, and the glory that should follow,” 1 Pet.
1:10-11.
Do
you get that? The prophets, even though given the prophecies of the “grace”
and salvation, which they were moved by the Spirit to proclaim, were searching
diligently, constantly as to exactly when this “grace,” this salvation would
appear. They didn’t have a clue! The prophets were inspired to prophesy of a
greater and more glorious “grace” than what had been experienced in the days
of old!
Those
who had experience the “grace” of Yahweh during those times still perished.
That “grace” only endured for a moment in time! That “grace” was similar
to all “types” that foretold of, or typified the Messiah. The reality that
is found in the Messiah Yahshua is so much greater than the type that foretells.
Moses
was shown the glory of Yahweh which was so great that his face shown for a good
while afterward. He had to place a veil upon his face when he walked among the
Israelites so that they couldn’t behold it. But that glory that shown from
Moses’ face was to be done away or abolished (2 Cor. 3:7, 13), even as the
covenant that was made through him must yield to the far greater covenant which
is made with us through Yahshua the Messiah.
Paul
declares, “But Yahweh, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
loved us,
5
Even when we
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with The Messiah,
(by grace ye are saved;)
6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
The Messiah Yahshua:
7
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through The Messiah Yahshua.
8
For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yahweh:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Eph. 2:4-9.
The grace of old was generally extended
because of the righteous works of those who received it. Noah was perfect in his
generations. Lot was a righteous man. Joseph was righteous. The Israelites came
under bondage through subtilty. Ruth was selfless and obedient. Moses was
obedient. Hannah was unjustly persecuted by her husband’s second wife due to
her own childlessness. David was a man after Yahweh’s own heart, etc., etc.
But look at this wondrous and precious
“grace” which is extended to us through Yahshua the Messiah. It is a free
gift. We have earned death. Yahweh is extending mercy, “grace” to us out of
His own free will and love that He has toward us even when we are yet His
enemies!
GRACE FOR GRACE
John says that we have received “grace for
grace.” The Greek reads thusly, “charis anti charis.” Notice the Greek
word “anti.” This Greek word “anti” is defined as; a primary particle;
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to). (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
“Anti,” in the Greek, carries the same basic meanings that our English word
does. It means to be opposite, against, hostile to, or reverse. For instance,
Messiah : Anti-Messiah, or Christ : Anti-Christ.
Under the auspices of the New Testament, we
are able to receive grace offered through Yahshua the Messiah instead of the
grace of the Old Testament. It is a far greater grace for it endures for all
eternity.
Paul writes, “For the grace of Yahweh that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12
Teaching us that, denying unrighteousness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;
13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great Elohim
and our Saviour Yahshua the Messiah;
14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” Titus 2:11-14.
Surely, when we receive this wondrous grace,
we should treasure it so much that we will yield unto it and allow it and
Yahweh’s Spirit to bring about great changes in our lives. We should walk in
newness of life, not in the old sinful nature, but a nature that now causes us
to esteem Yahweh, His Son and His ways above all else. We should seek to walk in
His righteousness, specifically and especially in the commands of the golden
rule which are: to love Yahweh with all our strength, soul, mind and might, and
our neighbor as ourselves. In other words, we should walk in the commandments,
of Yahweh, especially the ten commandments.
Paul encourages Timothy, “Be not thou
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Sovereign, nor of me his prisoner: but
be thou partaker of the afflictions of the evangel according to the power of
Elohim;
9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in the Messiah Yahshua before the world
began,
10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Yahshua the Messiah,
who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through
the evangel:
11
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the
Gentiles,” 2 Tim. 1:8-11.
How wondrous it is that this grace was already
spoken of as factual even before the world began! But the Messiah has walked
upon the earth in the last days in order to bring that which was spoken before,
into reality.
I think that we can guarantee you that the
grace that was experienced by those of old will most happily and gladly be
exchanged by them for the wondrous grace that is now extended to us through
Yahshua the Messiah.
TAKE WARNING
The grace that is extended to us at this time
is most wondrous indeed! We are cautioned to continue in this grace and faith to
which we have been called, for the Scriptures do reveal that we can quench the
Spirit, “Quench not the Spirit,” 1 Thes. 5:19. How can we do this? Through
neglect, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which
we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began
to be spoken by the Sovereign, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4
Yahweh also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?” Heb.
2:1-4.
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which
was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery,” 1 Thes. 4:14.
We must be careful not to fall away from the
truth, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of The Messiah, let
us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward Yahweh,
2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of
the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3
And this will we do, if Yahweh permit.
4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5
And have tasted the good word of Yahweh, and the powers of the world to come,
6
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of Elohim afresh, and put him to an open shame,”
Heb. 6:1-6.
Again, we are warned, “For if we sin
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins,
27
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
devour the adversaries.
28
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath
trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite
unto the Spirit of grace?
30
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,
saith Yahweh. And again, Yahweh shall judge his people,” Heb. 10:26-30.
We must maintain the faith and grace that has
been extended to us. We must continually be renewed by it.
LOOKING AT THE TYPES
The “types” of grace do teach us of the
true grace, which comes through Yahshua the Messiah. Only Noah and his family
experienced the original grace because of his righteousness and perfection. The
same thing applies to Lot and his daughters. It is through the righteousness and
perfection of Yahshua that His family will be able to experience the greater
grace extended through Him.
Joseph was a righteous and faithful man to the
point that he was raised to be second in power over Egypt. Only Pharaoh was
greater in scope and influence. Joseph was a type of Yahshua who is second in
power in the kingdom of Heaven. Only the Father Yahweh is greater in scope and
influence. Joseph’s brethren sacrificed him by selling him into slavery (a
type of death). But Yahweh utilized the situation in order to save not only
Israel, but much of the rest of the world. Thus, the grace we find in Joseph is
a glorious type of the greater grace found in the Messiah. Yahshua came to
confirm Yahweh’s word that He promised to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob) concerning the family of Israel, but non-Israelites, non-Hebrews can be
grafted into the family of Israel also.
CONCLUSION
The grace that is
extended to us under the New Covenant is far, far greater and much more precious
and wondrous than the grace that existed in ancient times before and under the
Old Testament. The prophets understood this, prophesied about it and searched
diligently as to when this much greater grace would come about. Those who
experienced grace in olden times, experienced it only for a short period of
time, but those who experience the grace offered through Yahshua the Messiah
will experience it for all eternity. This is what John meant when he wrote that
we have received grace for grace. May Yahweh bless you to be able to experience
this awesome and wondrous grace. HalleluYah!!!!!
by David Douglas
I WANT TO FORGIVE…BUT I CAN’T
Forgiveness is a double-edged
sword…and it cuts both ways. Both aspects need to be considered. Human beings
try…and try…and try to forgive, but find that in the end…they fail! Why?
Because they are human! Humanity lacks something. The missing element has been lacking since the
“fall of mankind,” and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of
Eden.
The need to be filled, i.e. to be
restored/completed again, can only be fulfilled through surrender, submission,
and submersion “into” the Messiah. And forgiveness is one of the
“effects”…not the “cause.” Yahshua the Messiah is the cause; He is our
Savior and Redeemer; He is the object of and supplier of our faith.
Forgiveness is just one of the
“Divine Attributes” of Yahweh/Yahshua and unless we allow the Messiah to
come in and abide with us…and in us…we can’t forgive. As humans, we often
make the mistake of thinking our “human attributes” are “Divine,” but
they are not! Yahshua alone made forgiveness through faith available. So…in
truth…forgiveness begins and ends in Yahshua. “I am the beginning and the
end…” (Rev. 1:8; 1:11; and 1:17-18)
In the title above, how the word
“I” is understood controls. “I” alone without Yahweh/Yahshua means
something entirely different than “I” in Messiah. The Apostle Paul knew and
taught the difference in Gal. 2:20, “I am executed (crucified) with the
Messiah: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but the Messiah liveth in me: and the
life I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of Elohim, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.” (Word of Yahweh – 2000) (Emphasis mine).
Shaul (Paul) is declaring Yahshua,
who rose from the dead and is alive forevermore, as his Head, Master, Husband,
and King. Shaul submitted willingly, knowingly, and intentionally to Yahshua,
and Kingdom Citizenship, i.e. Kingdom of Yahweh. The life he now lives is NOT
after the flesh (kingdom of the world), but after the Kingdom of Yahweh. And he
(Shaul) is able to do it through the “faith” of the Messiah…” which he
has taken on. This “faith of Messiah” was made available because Yahshua
“took on himself” the sin (s) of the whole world. He paid the price sin
demanded – death.
Then…and only then…could Shaul
“take on” Messiah, and walk as He walked… in life! Shaul is boldly
declaring he is no longer “without/outside” Messiah, but “in Messiah,”
that is [he says] “the Messiah liveth in me.” Messiah completed Shaul; He filled Shaul up…in body, soul,
and spirit. And TODAY…KNOW THIS: It is Messiah who supplies the power and ability…including
forgiveness…as He works “in” and “through” us!
“I” without Yahshua am
powerless to forgive. That is why “I” alone fail…every time. But “I in
Messiah” prevail, and the Messiah works “His forgiveness” through me, (or
you, or whoever). Only Yahweh/Yahshua have the power and ability to forgive.
So…do you understand why the
statement “I want to forgive…But “I” can’t” requires revelation?
Only Yahweh/Yahshua can truly forgive; and unless they are “in” you…you
can’t.
WHAT MUST I
DO TO BE FORGIVEN?
1 Jn. 1:9, “If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
Forgiveness is only given to those
who confess their “need” to be forgiven. Yahweh is faithful to do His part,
(1 Jn. 1:9), but we must do our part. Admitting we have violated the
instructions of Yahweh, i.e., the Torah, and ‘missed the mark”
…sinned…means facing the truth. The truth is: WE ALL NEED FORGIVENESS! But
not everyone will “ASK” for it. Why? Because they have not, or will not,
submit to the Headship of Yahshua the Messiah. He alone is the “Way” to the
Father. His own words say: “I am the Way…” (Jn. 14:6). And the truth is: A
person is either “In” Him…or they are not “In” Him! (It is similar to
saying woman is “partly” pregnant…not so…either she is or she is not!)
Consider this: “In” Him carries the meaning of “In agreement with
Him”…(and ALL He says). Two cannot walk together unless they agree (Amos
3:3).
The person who doesn’t know
he/she needs forgiveness, or the person who won’t admit he/she needs
forgiveness…has an “I” problem! They are saying, in essence, “I”
disagree with Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned…” Their self-centered
pride says “I” have not sinned, and
therefore ”I” have no need of forgiveness!
Why do some people get this
backwards? Because they don’t understand “cause and effect.” We do not
worship the “effect”…we worship the “cause,” the one who give
it…Yahweh, Yahshua…right? The simple cause of our problem is “being
human”…and WE ALL ARE! So humanly we fall short. This is the exact reason
(this present) Flesh-and-blood (as we see it) will not inherit the Kingdom of
Yahweh. Something has to be changed, and only Yahweh/Yahshua can change
us…restore/complete us. For that to happen WE MUST ADMIT OUR NEED (for
forgiveness) AND ASK! Then…and only then…will the Father and the Son enter
and abide with us, and They will empower us to overcome the works of our flesh…which, if we
practice them, will keep us from inheriting the Kingdom of
Yahweh. (Gal. 5:21)
The Apostle Peter spoke as a
“human being” when he asked “How many times shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? (Mt. 18:21-22) What Peter needed was “How” and NOT
“How many times” because Yahshua basically said endlessly! Yahshua was
trying to teach Peter the “forgiveness” was “Love in action,” which is
Elohim in action because “Elohim is Love” (1 Jn. 4:8, 16). And know this:
This action can only take place in us when Elohim is in us…and Yahweh/Yahshua
come in when we ask for forgiveness! Now we have the Cause and Effect right.
HUMAN VS.
DIVINE FORGIVENESS
The topic of forgiveness is more
complex and involved than meets the eye, i.e. human understanding. “Human
forgiveness” is not “Divine forgiveness.” Humanly…we can forgive a
“trespass” or a “debt” against us…but we do not forget. We keep a
record [mentally] of it. Then we use that memory as a scale to choose whether we
will forgive again or not…right? So when someone asks humanly, it becomes a
“yes” or “no” question. And, in general humanly, we have trouble with
discerning the “motive” behind the asking…right?
In Yahweh’s eyes, He KNOWS “what you are
asking” and “why you are asking it.” In all His KNOWING He is still faithful and just to forgive us
and cleanse us if we truly confess [agree with Him that we sinned] and admit our
NEED to be forgiven. Yahweh does not make mistakes…but humans can…and do. (Ref. 1 John 1:9)
Many
people truly confess and accept help and forgiveness from Yahweh. And they are
sincere (at that moment). But later, being human, if they allow themselves to
become tired, hungry, lonely, weak…they fall short (again). Did they plan to?
Not necessarily, but they did. Hence, through the plan of Yahweh, His grace and
mercy is available through Yahshua the Messiah, to whom we can go in time of
need. (Heb. 4:16) The need: Divine forgiveness!
In the verses just prior to this
message, Hebrew 4:12-15, the writer whom many think is Shaul, was very explicit
about our High Priest – Yahshua, and how He KNOWS what we are going through because He went
through it ALL Himself! He does KNOW what it feels like to be human because He set
aside His “Divinity” and came in the likeness of human flesh. (Phil. 2:6-8;
John 1:14) People often forget, or maybe they just don’t know or understand,
that Yahshua truly does know! Yahshua is Elohim.. He is “One” with the Father. They have “One” plan! Everything They do agrees! (The real question is: Do we agree with Them?)
This very point was put forth in
the wisdom of Yahweh revealed to Solomon. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in Yahweh
with all thine heart and lean NOT to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct thy paths.”
Human
understanding…and human forgiveness…are always incomplete. Natural man
simply cannot comprehend the things of Yahweh. (1 Cor. 2:14) Human understanding
is always wanting to change the plan and instructions of Yahweh. Major No No!! We cannot “add to or…take away from” His
instructions…His Torah! We must follow His plan…confess our sin(-s) and
admit our need…and ask for His Divine forgiveness.
And remember...Only
Yahweh/Yah-shua can forgive sin! We all need the Spirit of Yahweh, the Spirit of
Yahshua the Messiah, “Ruach HaKodesh”...so we can truly forgive. Without the
Holy Spirit we Can’t forgive, it is humanly impossible! Why? Because humans
keep score, and true love does not! (1 Cor. 13:4-8a)
Now here is the double-edged sword of
forgiveness: The “condition,” until you are forgiven by Yahweh/Yahshua you
are not “cleansed of unrighteousness.” (Ref. 1 Jn. 1:9 again) If you are not
cleansed [first]...the holy, righteous, true, pure Spirit of Yahweh/Yahshua will
not inhabit and un-righteous vessel! (Do you honestly think the Spirit of Yahweh
wants to live in a “trash can”?)
Without the Spirit, the power of Yahshua
“in” you, you will not achieve the true and complete forgiveness of Yahweh
toward others. It is absolutely true we must forgive others...but it is also
true, we have to be empowered to do so. First things first! So we can see that
“human” ability alone cannot accomplish forgiveness. It would be exactly
like trying to overcome sin on our own...It cannot be done! It requires Yahshua
“in” you to be done.
The importance of humbly submitting to
Yahweh/Yahshua and “asking” Him for forgiveness “FIRST” is critical!
This all starts with recognizing the need to be forgiven. We cannot change the
order because this is the plan of Yahweh. He has always wanted us to come to Him
(as our Father) and ask for help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) And the
“Way”...is through Yahshua! Jn. 14:6)
Remember the old saying: “To err is
human...but to forgive is Divine!” Well...I rest my case. Human forgiveness
does not equal divine forgiveness. May the Shalom (Peace) of Yahshua abide in
you this day...Brother David Douglas