Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Shalom,
Law and Grace – part 13
Romans 3:20 For no human, on the basis of Torah observance, will be set right in His sight—for through the Torah comes awareness of sin.
In sports there is something called an “unforced error.” That’s when you make a mistake by yourself and on your own. This kind of mistake or error is not because of any strategy of the opponent, but is simply the result of tripping over your own feet or shadow, so to speak. In the kingdom of God, feeling tension between Law and Grace is such an unforced error.
The very concept of “Law” seems to lead us toward “Legalism.” I like how Jonathan Settel has taught us to replace “Law” with the term “God’s righteous principles.” Legalism is the belief that obedience will justify us before God. There SHOULD be tension between Legalism and Grace, but never between Law and Grace.
Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is set right not by deeds based on Torah, but rather through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua. So even we have put our trust in Messiah Yeshua, in order that we might be set right based on trust in Messiah and not by deeds based on Torah—because no human will be justified by deeds based on Torah.
The “sin problem” we inherited from Father Adam was healed at the Cross by Yeshua. 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive. We can never “perform” our way to eternal life. Father Abraham slept while God cut covenant. Genesis 15:12 When the sun was about to set and a deep sleep fell on Abram His faith was counted as righteousness…. 18a On that day Adonai cut a covenant with Abram. Abraham was asleep, not doing “Mitzvot” (fulfilling commandments).
That covenant that God made with Abraham was not done away in Moses, but expanded, explained and clarified. And the Mosaic covenant was not done away in Yeshua, it was expanded, explained and clarified. The Mosaic covenant was never intended for salvation, but to reveal the need for the Savior.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Torah sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the Torah. For I would not have known about coveting if the Torah had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Now that we’ve cleared that up, what else is there? How about some “Shalom?” Everyone (both believers and non-believers) knows he/she is missing something. We all long to be complete in Him. Colossians 2:9 For all the fullness of Deity lives bodily in Him, 10a and in Him you have been filled to fullness. Obedience (performance in the flesh) can never fill us up, but a relationship with the Savior (Who commands us to obey Him) does.
Psalm 46:11(10) “Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.” 12(11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us. The God of Jacob is our strong tower. Selah
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 26-Jan-2022 24th of Sh’vat, 5782
Ex 22:27-23:5 1 Ki 13 Ps 104 Jn 1:24-51 (1 Tim 1)
Week 5
Memory Verse: Romans 8:28 Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.
21 1/24 Monday: Genesis 39-40
22 1/25 Tuesday: Genesis 41
23 1/26 Wednesday: Genesis 42-43
24 1/27 Thursday: Genesis 44-45
25 1/28 Friday: Genesis 46-47