Rabbi’s Reflections – Sunday, December 3, 2023
Shavuah Tov,
Life In The Body part 49 – Romans, part 224
Romans 14:22 The faith you have, keep it to yourself before God. How fortunate is the one who does not condemn himself for what he approves.
Reading the TLV could create questions. A better translation of the first part of this verse might be, “You have faith, hang on to it before God.” That’s a positive profession of faith, “You have faith!” What follows is an admonition to hold it close, in other words, hang on to it.
Life is one big trial of faith. And while we’re on the subject, what is faith? Faith is belief that the promises of God are true and have either already come to pass (fulfilled) or will soon come to pass (about to be fulfilled). If you doubt me, read Hebrews 11, verse 1.
But there is one more step to faith, and that is lining up our actions (our walk) with what we believe (about the promises of God). Said another way, faith is living our lives consistent with what we believe. Romans 1:17b …“But the righteous shall live by emunah (faith).” And couple that with Jacob 2:20b …faith without works is dead?
In the last part of our subject verse, Paul speaks of one who does not “condemn himself.” How could someone “condemn himself?” By being disobedient to the covenant in which he believes. 2Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. There is no such thing as “blind faith.” Faith that is blind is not faith at all. We see, but our sight is informed and enabled by our faith.
Does this sound new? 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Part of being a “new creation” is to walk in newness, it is the “born again” experience. Romans 6:6 knowing our old man was crucified with Him so that the sinful body might be done away with, so we no longer serve sin. 7 For he who has died is set free from sin.
Since Yeshua set us free,… Galatians 5:1 For freedom, Messiah set us free—so stand firm, and do not be burdened by a yoke of slavery again. …let’s not put ourselves back in prison. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! Shavuah Tov (have a good week).
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarsson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 3-Dec-2023 20th of Kislev, 5784
Ge 37:1-11 1 Sa 10 Ps 50 Mk 7 (1 Co 9)