Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, February 20, 2023
Shalom,
Could It Be That Simple? – Romans, part 30
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.
What is Paul describing? That we cannot approach God through striving in the flesh. The Torah (and by extension, the entire Bible) make us aware of God’s righteous standard. But, being aware of righteousness and striving to attain to it will never justify us before the perfectly holy God. The solution to our “flesh problem” is simply in front of our noses.
Romans 3:22b … the righteousness of God through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua.
Could “getting right” with God really be that simple? The rabbis have always known (and have always taught) that if we break any law (ever at any time), it is as if we have never obeyed God in any point, ever. In other words, Jacob 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole Torah but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
Yes, today we are highlighting the difference between the works of the flesh and living by the grace of God. The Torah, God’s righteous standard, doesn’t change, how we approach God in our desire to obey Him does. Paul is telling us that we approach the righteousness of God, not through works of the flesh, but by putting trust in Messiah Yeshua. When we trust Him, we do what He does, and He only does what He has seen from the Father.
Yeshua came so that we could be taught the human character traits necessary to obey God. As you might imagine, they are all contrary to the ways of this world. John 10:10b I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly! Satan wants to frustrate the people of God. He wants to shed light on sin in a way that shames us, so we will be ashamed to approach God.
The “accusation” must stop… Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed One, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters—the one who accuses them before our God day and night—has been thrown out.
Yeshua’s plan is quite the opposite. Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Yeshua called each of His Apostles by saying two words to them, “Follow me.” He is speaking that same invitation to you today. Will you answer His call, “Hineni,” meaning “here I am, Lord, and I’m ready to serve you. His answer, John 17:21b “Feed My sheep!” Yes, love God and love people, it really is that simple.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 20-Feb-2023 29th of Sh’vat, 5783
Ex 25:17-30 2 Ki 15-16 Ps 140 Jn 13 (Tit 2)