Monday, November 28, 2011

If God's Eternal Law Has Been Abolished...?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
As unfathomable as it sounds, many Christians today are taught that the Laws, Commandments, Regulations and Instructions which Almighty God said were eternal regulations, have been abolished at the cross. The problem with this incredibly false doctrine is that there is an enormous amount of Scripture throughout The Whole Testament that absolutely refutes this notion. Yet, despite overwhelming scriptural evidence to the contrary, people still believe and teach that God’s eternal Laws, Commandments, and Instructions have been abolished at the cross.
In point of fact, apart from twisting the letters and teachings of Paul the apostle (2 Peter 3:14-18), there is not a single Biblical witness which even suggests that God's eternal Laws, Commandments and Instructions, have even been suspended, let alone abolished.
Moreover, even Paul the apostle openly testified that he still believed EVERYTHING taught by the Law and the prophets, (Acts 24:14-16; Acts 25:7-8). So by his own testimony, even Paul the apostle denies the assertion that he taught that the Laws and Commandments of God were abolished. Therefore, when we teach that Paul says that the laws and Commandments of God were suspended or even abolished, we are in fact speaking in direct contradiction to what Paul said about himself and his ministry.
From a Biblical standpoint, the false doctrine leads to a serious legal problem. Scripture is very clear that EVERY TRUTH MUST be firmly established by the mouths of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28). The apostle Paul is the only biblical witness that even remotely APPEARS to suggest that God’s law and Commandments have been abolished, but even Paul DENIES that this is what he taught. Therefore, no matter how widely accepted this assertion may be, the idea that Almighty God abolished His eternal Laws, Commandments, and Instructions at the cross, CANNOT possibly be deemed to be sound doctrine.
Careful study of the Scriptures clearly shows that Paul was ONLY refuting the false doctrines of rabbinical Judaism which erroneously taught that obeying the Law together WITH obeying the rabbinical oral tradition of the rabbis and elders is what CAUSED or brought about a person’s salvation. Paul refuted this false doctrine in his day, because he knew the Scriptures taught that our righteousness could never be achieved by our own works (Isaiah 64:6). Paul believed as the Scriptures teach that obeying God Law and Commandments comes AFTER salvation through Messiah, and not before it (Ezekiel 36:25-27). Obedience does not cause our salvation, but true salvation will always cause our obedience to God's laws and Commandments. Paul never advocated violating God’s Laws and Commandments to prove our faith in Christ.
Please consider this question: Is it very likely or even possible for a person to be doing the will of Almighty God if they are choosing to live a lifestyle that is consistently contrary to God's Laws, Commandments and Instructions? In other words can a person who consistently chooses to live a lifestyle that does what God says, "Do Not Do," or if they choose to consistently refuse to do what God says to do, can that person truly be said to be doing the will of God? The answer is obviously, "NO." God cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13). All of God's Laws Commandments and Instructions are a direct reflection of Who and What God is, therefore violating God's Word, CANNOT be doing God’s will.
Keeping this principle in mind, what follows is a series of "IF/THEN" statements, which clearly highlight the problem with this erroneous doctrine. This is not by any means an exhaustive list, but it's enough to get you started asking some pretty hard questions and studying it for yourself.
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did MESSIAH HIMSELF say that He did not do so (Matthew 5:17-20)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why does Almighty God make obeying His Commandments the sign that indicates our love for Him, throughout the Whole Testament, (Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 11:1; Deuteronomy 11:22; Deuteronomy 19:9; Deuteronomy 30:16; Joshua 22:5; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 13:22; Daniel 9:4; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 15:10; 1 John 5:2-3)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why does Jesus say that only those who DO Almighty God the Heavenly Father's will are to be identified as members of his family (Matthew 12:46-50)? Notice further that believing in Jesus does not automatically make us into children of God. It gives us the POWER TO BECOME the children of God (John 1:12), because the power of the Holy Spirit will empower us to do the will and word of God (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Philippians 2:13).
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why is LAWLESSNESS, [living a lifestyle outside of God's Laws and Instructions], why does Messiah still condemn LAWLESSNESS on the future day of judgment, (Matthew 7:21-23)? If the Law has been done away with, then how can anyone still be called lawless on the future day of judgment?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why is it prophesied that God’s Law will be taught during the millennial reign of Messiah; (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why is it prophesied that the LAW will be written upon our hearts? Why would a law be written on our heart during the new covenant, which supposedly made the LAW obsolete? (Jeremiah 31:33)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why is God's Law given the same name and titles as Messiah Himself. The Law is referred to as EVERLASTING and "TRUTH" (Psalm 119:42 cf. John 14:6)? Did the resurrected and everlasting Messiah abolish Himself?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why does our faith in Christ establish the Law, even after Christ's resurrection (Romans 3:31)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why does the apostle Paul's still call it Holy (meaning set apart for God's holy use)? Why does Paul call it righteous? Why does Paul still call the Law GOOD, and spiritual, long after the death and resurrection of Messiah, (Romans 7:12, 14)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did the apostle Paul continue to delight in God's Law, (Romans 7:22)? Would Paul truly delight in the Law that he thought was obsolete?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did Paul teach that the Old Testament was written for OUR INSTRUCTION (Romans 15:4)? Paul wrote this well after the resurrection of Messiah. If something has truly become worthless and obsolete, can it still instruct us how to live for God correctly?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did the apostle Paul teach that ALL SCRIPTURE, and not just some of it, was profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17)? In fact, when Paul referred to Scripture, to what was Paul referring? Most of the New Testament was not written, nor was it being widely distributed at the time. Only the so-called Old Testament was widely known to be Scripture. So if the law was done away with, then why would Paul teach that it was CURRENTLY PROFITABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and to make someone completely equipped for every good work? Could a Law that was truly obsolete continue to do what Paul said it could?

Moreover, if the apostle Paul was truly teaching that God’s Law and Commandments were abolished at the cross, then why did he claim he never taught or walked that way (Acts 24:14-16; Acts 25:7-8; Acts 28:14-17)?
Moreover, if the apostle Paul truly taught that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did away with the Laws, Commandments and instructions of God as so many claim, then how is it that the Bereans were able to check the Old Testament Scriptures, (which is all they would have had), and by them verify that Paul's testimony concerning Jesus Christ was true? If Paul was teaching that the eternal laws of God were now abolished through the cross, then would the Bereans have verified and believed him using only the Old Testament, (Acts 17:11)? The Old Testament was all that the Bereans had to verify Paul's teachings. If Paul was truly teaching that the Laws of God have been abolished, the Bereans would've considered him a false teacher and would not have believed Paul (Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Isaiah 8:20).
Moreover, If Paul was truly teaching that the Law and customs which God handed down to Moses were done away with at the cross, then why did he instruct the Corinthian church (a predominantly Gentile congregation) to observe the feast of Passover and unleavened bread (1 Corinthians 5:8)?
Moreover, if Paul was truly teaching that the Law and customs which God handed down to Moses is now abolished then why did Paul still refer to it as being GOOD when it is used properly, even years after the resurrection of Messiah (1 Timothy 1:8)?
Moreover, if Paul was teaching that God law was now abolished, then why did he consider himself still bound to it (Romans 7:25)? Moreover, in the context of Romans chapter 7, we see that Paul considered being bound to God’s Law a good thing.
Moreover, if Paul was teaching that God law is now abolished, then why did Paul teach that it was still being used to define what sin is, (Romans 7:7)? Can an obsolete measure be used to define something properly?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are No longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did the apostle Paul teach that it was still good enough to make a person wise unto salvation, and that it brought Timothy into faith in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why does the apostle James still call it PERFECT, and the LAW OF LIBERTY even after the death and resurrection of Messiah (James 1:25; James 2:12)?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why are we commanded to walk before God in the same manner that Jesus Christ walked (1 John 2:6)? Jesus kept God's Law and honored the teachings of the prophets. If we are truly walking as Jesus walked, wouldn't we do the same?
IF the death and resurrection of Messiah completed, finished and abolished God's Laws and Commandments, so that believers are no longer obligated to obey them today as so many claim, then why did the beloved apostle John write that SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW (or living lawlessly, 1 John 3:4)? God caused John to write this between circa 27 to 57 (years AFTER the death, the resurrection of Messiah, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So if God's Law and the prophets were NOT considered to be done away with or abolished even 27 years after Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, exactly when was the Law abolished? Answer: It has not been, (cf. Romans 3:31).
Brother R. Michel Lankford






























Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Glaring Contradictions

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
One of God's chief characteristics is that he is consistent. He does not contradict Himself, (2 Timothy 2:13). As believers in Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ, we are expressly commanded to become imitators of our Heavenly Father (Ephesians 5:1). That is our goal and objective as God's children.
Unfortunately, there are huge glaring inconsistencies in the way that Christians today are taught to apply the Scriptures. For the most part, modern-day Christians are NOT taught to apply Scripture consistently across the board, based upon what Scripture actually says, but by tradition and practice, we have trained ourselves to apply Scripture, SOLELY on the basis of the Roman Catholic traditions of men, various modern cultural mores, and our personal preferences, instead of what Scripture actually says.
All too often we fall into inconsistent application of Scripture, and it doesn't seem to matter much whether we're dealing with Old Testament Scripture or New Testament Scripture. The rules of God that we happen to personally favor, those we keep. The scriptural teachings which we do not personally favor, those we tend to simply reject, and say it has been done away with at the cross, in the name of GRACE. I will give an example of how modern-day Christendom practices this selective obedience and applying both Testaments of Scripture. It's a dangerous practice from which we should repent.
Part of the problem with obeying the traditions of human beings and disobeying the word of God (which is worshiping God in vain (Matthew 15:9; Mark 13:1-7), is that, when we follow our own human traditions and disobey God's word, we become noticeably inconsistent in how we apply the word of God.
When we develop such habits, we gradually and progressively begin to do what seems right in our own eyes instead of what God actually says. That's dangerous, (Deuteronomy 12:8; Psalm 81:12; Proverbs 3:7, 14:12, 16:25; Isaiah 5:20-24; Romans 11:25).
These glaring inconsistencies only serve to hurt our own stability in the Lord, and it also harms our witness to those who are uninformed because we are inconsistent, so they assume that God's word cannot be true because of how we live and how we present God's principles to them.
One perfect example of this "Selective Application" or "Cafeteria theology" is in the area of tithes and offerings. I have been a Christian for almost 25 years, and I've served in various capacities of ministry for 20 years, in multiple denominations throughout Christendom. In all that time I have rarely seen a single year go by without hearing at least one, and many times two sermons a year on the benefits of tithing. For those unfamiliar with tithing, it is the Scriptural practice of setting aside the first 10% of one's income (or anything else of value that one receives), to the service of God, and the support of ministry, church, and benevolence. During "Stewardship" weeks as they are now often affectionately called, modern Christian pastors are fond of reverting to Old Testament teachings when it favors their cause, for rarely has a stewardship week gone by where the preacher will not use Malachi chapter 3, in order to extricate believers from their wallets. That's because Almighty God speaking through the prophet Malachi sends an awesome conviction and at once makes an awesome promise to God's people:
Malachi 3:8-12 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts; 12 "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV)
The Conviction: The tithes and offerings belong to God. Anyone withholding those things from God is both robbing God and also preventing God from righteously being able to bless them. So, people are sinning (even to the point of being under a curse) when they do not tithe.
The Promise of Blessings: As a principle, tithing has some great promises. When we tithe, Almighty God will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing upon us which we will not be able to contain. Almighty God will rebuke the devourer from us. The works of our hands will produce good results. God will cause our reputations to improve in the eyes of other nations when His people tithe. Moreover, it is the only place in Scripture where we are told to put God to the test and see how faithful He is. So believers can use tithing to grow their faith and build intimacy with God so they can see how faithful He is to provide for them. All of that is great.
For the record, yes, I still believe in tithing. I do personally tithe, Gladly, because I have experienced many of these blessings in various ways throughout the years, but there is a glaring inconsistency in the way that we are taught to treat and apply Scripture within modern-day Christendom.
Think about it for a moment. The tithes and offerings are still valid and binding on the believer, but the Sabbath (one of the 10 Commandments was changed or altogether abolished at the cross? That makes no sense!
In modern-day Christendom, they correctly teach and treat the tithes and offerings as though they are still binding upon and beneficial to the believer today, (which they are), but they teach that honoring the Sabbath of the LORD (which God says identifies us as belonging to Almighty God, Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12; cf. Genesis 2:1-3); the Sabbaths of the Lord, (one of the 10 Commandments), are no longer valid or binding? How does that work?! Putting God first with your money by being faithful to the tithes and offerings is still valid and beneficial to the believer today, but remembering to rest on the LORD'S Sabbath Days, and remembering to keep them holy unto the Lord, this our Preachers teach is not valid and has no value anymore?
So, resting on the LORD's Sabbath days is supposedly a burden which supposedly has been abolished through the freedom purchased for us in the death of Christ Jesus, but tithing is still a blessing which we must still respect, and obey as a matter of faithful discipleship? How inconsistent is that?! The same prophet, who reminds us to be faithful to remember God with our increase, also commands us by God's word to remember the law given to Moses (Malachi 4:4). So, Malachi 3:8-12 is still valid and beneficial to the believer today, but Malachi 4:4, which honors Almighty God is deemed to be no longer valid? Beloved that makes no sense.

 

We selectively obey the New Testament too

I wish that I could honestly tell you that our selective obedience or cafeteria theology was applied solely to Old Testament teaching and principles, but sadly we do the same thing with the New Testament. Sadly, we have come to define and apply key concepts of Scripture as WE choose, instead of what God says. I give you this example as follows:
Please bear with me, because in a moment you will see that not only is this passage completely misapplied, but I will show you a passage where the modern body of Christ applies this exact same principle in reverse when it happens to fit in with the traditions that they prefer. This is one of the cornerstone passages for Whole Testament Theology, and it tends to drive those who choose to observe the Babylonian version of Christianity absolutely nuts:
Matthew 5:17-20 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20 NASB)

 

What the Passage Actually Says:

According to Christ's own words three things must occur before any of the Laws of God can be deemed to have been annulled or done away with:
1. Earth must pass away.
2. Heaven must pass away.
3. All of the Scripture and prophets must be completely fulfilled and accomplished.
Has our present earth passed away? No it has not.
Have the present heavens passed away? No they have not.
Has everything that was prophesied, predicted and promised in the Scriptures been completely fulfilled and accomplished? No it has not.
In fact, among many things, there are still promises of inheritances promise to Abraham which have not yet been granted to Israel. Therefore the whole Scripture has not been accomplished.
This "Passing away" event was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 65:17). It was confirmed and re-prophesied again by the apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:13), and the apostle John, (Revelation 21:1). Now this is significant because it means that the apostles understood that this provision of the Scriptures was NOT fulfilled completed or accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, because even after the death and resurrection of Messiah, believers were still looking forward to this event taking place.
Moreover, we have the promise that until this event occurs Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The passage is extremely self-explanatory. Until the new heaven and new earth come and there is an end to all sin, (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1), until then we are not allowed to abolish the least Commandment from God's Law.

 

What we teach to excuse ourselves from obeying God

It's pretty clear. So how do people get around it? What have we train ourselves to believe that makes it seem okay in our minds to violate even the teachings of Jesus Christ, and so abolish God's Law and Commandments prematurely? Well, if it was not so sad, scary, rebellious and disobedient, it would ALMOST be kind of cute how we have managed to twist and manipulate God's word to give ourselves permission to do exactly what we please, instead of what God said.
What we have done is we have REDEFINED the word FULFILL. You see, what Christendom has erroneously taught by upholding the traditions of human beings, is that after Jesus fulfilled them by obeying God's Law and Commandments, then supposedly Jesus Christ abolished them through His death.
The glaring contradiction is that even Messiah openly declared that this was not what He came to do. Therefore, the Law could not possibly be abolished at His death, since that is not what He came to do. Remember, Jesus only said and did as the Father told Him to do, and no more (John 16:15; John 8:29). So if even Messiah says that abolishing the Law or the prophets was NOT part of His mission, (Matthew 5:17-20), then how could God's Law and Commandments possibly have been abolished at the cross, when Christ successfully completed His mission? They couldn't have been, because even Messiah says they weren't.
Nevertheless, we continually incorrectly redefine fulfill to mean since Jesus "fulfilled" them, then we presume that this means that we can overtly prematurely abolish the Law and the Prophets. According to our own definitions, we presume to overtly deny and disobey God's Law based on our own human redefinitions of the term.
The word fulfill literally means to fill up and to bring to the forefront of our minds and our understanding. So what modern Christendom would have us believe is that Messiah came to fulfill; He came to fill up the Law, He came to bring the Law to the forefront of our minds and understanding, and then He would throw it all away by His death, even though He said that would not be the result of what He came to do.
Now that is a glaring contradiction by itself, but shockingly, I have an even bigger one. The reason that I know that this redefinition of the word "fulfill" as it is used in modern-day Christendom is purely a human fabrication, and not based on the word of God, is that modern-day Christendom uses the complete opposite meaning and application for the exact same word in other places. I offer this example:
Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. (Matthew 3:13-15 ESV)
 

Apparently the Word FULFILL Means Whatever WE Desire It to Mean on Any Given Day

 
Now, here is the kicker. The word FULFILL used in Matthew 3:13-15 above, is the EXACT SAME WORD FULFILL, in the exact same context as it is used in Matthew 5:17-20. In BOTH cases the word “FULFILL” is Greek Strong's #4137, (plêroô). Jesus required John the Baptist to baptize Him in order to "Fulfill all righteousness." Yet when it comes to baptism, do we have the audacity to tell the new believer that there is no need for them to be baptized because Jesus "fulfilled" it for them, and so now baptism has been abolished? Do we dare to teach such heresy?! Of course not! That would be absurd. Yet, we have the audacity to twist the exact same word in the exact same context when it comes to obeying the rest of the law and the prophets, as we are commanded by Christ, in Matthew 5:17-20.
Exactly how does the word fulfill come to mean that we should still follow Christ's example in baptism as in Matthew 3:13-15, but we pervert the same word fulfill has come to mean the direct opposite, and that somehow we should not follow His example as directed in Matthew 5:17-20?
When we apply God's word as WE choose, if we apply it one way when it suits us, and in a completely opposite manner when it does not suit us, then who exactly are we worshiping at that point? Are we not worshiping ourselves and our own desires instead of God? Are we not making an Idol of our own preferences and desires when we mistreat God's word this way?
If we know how to correctly apply the word when we require tithes and offerings and when we exhort believers to be baptized, should we not apply God's word with equal faithfulness and devotion to obey, when we read Matthew 5:17-20?
Brother Michel Lankford










































Friday, November 18, 2011

Isn't It Legalism?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
QUESTION: When you say that a disciple and follower of Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ is still obligated to respect, to honor, and to obey all of God's Laws, teachings and instructions wherever possible, as best as one can, are you not then also teaching that people are saved and made righteous before God by their own works of obedience to the Law?
That is a common accusation and misconception, but it is not at all accurate. This is kind of like a catchall comeback that many people in Christendom are taught to use because it's an instant answer that gives us a convenient excuse not to look too closely at God's Commands and Instructions. If I just call something legalism than it makes it okay to ignore it, and God will honor it, because I'm under grace, or so we are led to believe. The problem with that misguided notion is that contrary to what has now become common practice, true Biblical Grace will NEVER give you permission to disregard or disobey God's Laws, Commandments, or His Instructions. Such a thing is sin and lawlessness, NOT Grace; (Philippians 2:13; 1 John 3:4; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 10:26).
 

God's Eternal Regulations Can Be Abolished, but Our Eternal Life Is Presumed Secure?

Who gives us the promise of eternal life? What basis do we have for believing that are everlasting life is truly secure? Beloved, we believe in God's gift of eternal life through His Son Yeshua the Messiah. The promise of eternal life is based on faith, and our faith is based on our understanding and our trust in the character of the One who gave the promises. The same God who gave us the promise of eternal life through His Son is the very same Almighty God who also gave us His Instructions Laws and Commandments, many of which He also said were eternal regulations.
The common misconception that God abolished His eternal regulations at the cross violates some key principles:
First, if God's everlasting regulations can be abolished at the cross, then they cannot possibly be everlasting as God said they were, by any stretch of the imagination.
Second, if God says that He is establishing an eternal regulation, and at this same time that same regulation can be abolished or done away with at the cross, as so many claim, then by what means can our eternal life possibly be thought secure? If God's eternal regulations can be abolished, then our eternal life cannot possibly be secure because it can be abolished as well since the same God established both principles. If indeed Almighty God's eternal regulations are not secure, then our promise of eternal life cannot possibly be secure either, since God's Law, His Promises and our eternal life is promised and upheld by the same God. If the unchanging God can abolish His everlasting regulations, then our eternal lives are not safe either. So, when people attack God's Law by claiming that it has been abolished at the cross, by necessity, they also unwittingly undermine their own beliefs in God's eternal salvation as well.

 

 

The Opposite of God's Law Is Not God's Grace. The Opposite of God's Grace Is Not God's Law.

One of the most common lies and twisting of the Scriptures which we have inherited since the fourth century perversion is the idea that the Law, Commandments, and Instructions of God, are the direct opposite and exclusive of God's grace. That cannot be so, because God cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Both God's Law and God's Grace are given by the same One and Almighty God. God will never apply His own Grace in such a manner as to undermine His own Laws, Commands, and Instructions. Likewise, Almighty God will not apply His own Laws, Commands, and Instructions in such a manner that would undermine His Grace, because once again the same God who gave us the Law, also provides His Grace, so they cannot be opposite, or exclusive from one another.
Contrary to popular misconception the OPPOSITE of Grace IS NOT LAW. The OPPOSITE of GRACE literally means TO DEFAME, PROFANE, or DEMEAN what is HOLY, GOOD, or CLEAN.
Contrary to popular misconception, the opposite of LAW is NOT Grace. The OPPOSITE of LAW is LAWLESSNESS.

 

 

Who Shall Live Their Lives for God?

There is yet another area where modern-day Christianity paints itself into a theological corner without fully realizing it. Please consider this. We know from the plain reading of Scripture that we were created for God's pleasure and not our own, so the whole purpose of our human existence is to learn and to do what pleases God (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Moreover, we also know from the Scriptures that the unredeemed sinner who has his mind centered on the sinful nature, is hostile to God and he CANNOT please God (Romans 8:5-8). Now please think about this carefully. If it is impossible for the sinner to obey God because he still has his mind set on the sinful nature, and at the same time, you erroneously tell believers that they can now disobey God's eternal Commands and Instructions, because supposedly they are not under God's Law, but only His Grace, than I put it to you plainly, If the sinner cannot obey God, and the believers are told that obeying God is no longer necessary because they are under grace, then who is left to obey God in the world? Who is left that will model how to walk with God if His own people are taught that obeying His instructions is obsolete. Think about it.

 

 

Those Who Do God's Will are His Family

Colossians 3:20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20 NASB)
Matthew 12:46-50 He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly His mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48 But He replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50 HCSB; cf. Isaiah 56:1-7).
Isaiah 56:4-5 For the LORD says this: “For the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold firmly to My covenant, I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each of them an everlasting name that will never be cut off. (Isaiah 56:4-5 HCSB)
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NASB 25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NASB)
In John chapter 3, we see that the Pharisee Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and Messiah teaches him on the necessity to be born-again (John 3:3, 7). We need to be transformed by God from the inside out so that we will be made right with God, and able to do what pleases Him. We also see that Nicodemus clearly does not understand Messiah's teaching, (John 3:4, 9). What's more interesting is that Messiah expected Nicodemus to already fully understand what was meant by being born-again (John 3:10). That's because the internal change of the rebirth and regeneration was already described in the so-called Old Testament of the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:25-27). That's why Nicodemus was expected to understand it, because it was already promised in the Old Testament. Let's quickly review the rundown of what God says will happen when someone is truly born-again and God does the work of regeneration inside of them.
1. God cleanses us from everything that He considers filthy (Ezekiel 36:25). Notice that God will purge all idolatry from us. This means that the truly born-again person will NOT want to indulge in anything that was associated with idolatry or the worship of false gods. In the New Testament, believers are commanded to continue cooperating with God through that process (James 1:21-22,:27 Ephesians 4:22; 1 Peter 2:1).
2. God will remove our old heart which is hardened by sin, and He will give us a renewed heart, (Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 51:10-13).
3. God Will send His Holy Spirit to take up residence in us, (Ezekiel 36:27a). Now, that is a description of being born-again if there ever was one.
Please pay close attention. What does Almighty God HIMSELF say will be the result or the fruit or the visible evidence that such a transformation actually took place inside the believer? God is very specific about the ultimate evidence that a born-again experience has truly taken place:
Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:27 NASB)
Since GOD HIMSELF says that the RESULT of the HOLY SPIRIT coming to live inside a person will CAUSE us to WALK ACCORDING TO HIS STATUTES, and that we will CAREFULLY OBSERVE HIS ORDINANCES, then how can someone who preaches and teaches that God's Eternal Commandments have been abolished or done away with at the cross, how can they possibly be teaching and preaching by the same Holy Spirit of God?
Beloved, I respectfully suggest that preachers and teachers have misread, misunderstood, misinterpreted, misapplied and or twisted the apostle Paul's teachings in a huge way, (2 Peter 3:14-18), in order to come up with the pervasive misguided doctrine which tells them that the Laws, Commandments, and Instructions of Almighty God, which HE said were ETERNAL REGULATIONS, have now been abolished at the cross. Will the same Holy Spirit who guided and empowered people to OBEY God's Commandments, for thousands of years, will that same Holy Spirit now teach people to do the direct opposite of those regulations? How can this be?!
Some religiously minded Christians who favor the traditions of men will no doubt be upset that I dare to raise such a question, but the truly honest Christian has to agree that it is a fair question based on the plain reading and text of the Scriptures.

 

Obeying God's Commandments Happens AFTER Salvation

Keeping all of these concepts in mind, let us now revisit the question that was posed at the very beginning of this paper: "When you say that a disciple and follower of Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ is still obligated to respect, to honor, and to obey all of God's Laws, teachings and instructions wherever possible, as best as one can, are you not then also teaching that people are saved and made righteous before God by their own works of obedience to the Law?"
The simple answer to that question is "NO." Despite the many accusations and misconceptions about Whole Testament Theology, I am NOT advocating that our righteousness before God and our salvation is achieved by our own obedience to God's Eternal Laws, Commandments, and Instructions. Let me be perfectly clear about what I am saying, and what I believe that Scripture clearly teaches to those who have ears to hear, and eyes that are good and full of light:
Obeying God's Eternal Laws, Commandments, and Instructions will never cause or bring about a person's salvation. That is a gift given to us solely through Messiah's death and resurrection. By the same token, if the regenerating work of salvation has truly occurred inside of a person, Salvation will cause them to obey God's Eternal Laws Commandments and Instructions. Obeying God does not cause your salvation, but do not deceive yourself, true salvation causes you to obey God.
Children do not obey their parents in order to get born or adopted or to belong into their physical family, but after they are born and adopted into the family, then they are required to grow into obedience to their parents. One of the key reasons children within natural families are required to obey their parents is for their own safety as they grow, and so they will learn the disciplines that will help them be healthy and mature and productive citizens of society, who are able to make decisions that will truly benefit themselves and others.
In the same way, we do not obey God's Commandments and precepts in order to get saved and born-again, but after we are saved and born-again into God's family, we are then required to obey God's Commandments so that we will become mature healthy and productive citizens of God's eternal kingdom, which is governed by His Kingdom's Laws and principles and precepts. By learning to obey God's Commandments and precepts, we not only receive God's blessing and approval, but we become mature healthy and productive citizens of God's eternal kingdom, who bring blessing both to ourselves and others.
Obeying God's Commands does not cause or bring about our salvation, but obeying God is a sure sign that salvation has indeed truly occurred within us, and that we are growing and maturing into healthy and productive citizens of God's eternal kingdom. What we obey and follow, demonstrates to whom and to what we actually belong, (Romans 6:15-16). We do not obey God in order to become His children, but after receiving the free gift of being born-again and adopted through Messiah, we grow in loving obedience to God because we already are His children.
Please allow me to illustrate the point another way, by using a common standard of morality with which every believer already agrees in order to help us to more clearly understand this extremely critical concept.
Every believer who loves God and loves Jesus Christ knows that a lifestyle which practices lying or deception is sinfully wrong. So let's use lying versus truth telling to highlight this key principle. Let us say that you have a person who is extremely honest. They love the truth. They do not lie. They are noted for being honest truth tellers, but unfortunately this honest truth teller has not accepted, does not believe and as such does not follow Jesus Christ the Messiah. Will that person who does not believe or obey Messiah be saved and be welcomed into heaven as a citizen of God's kingdom, even though they do not believe and obey Messiah, simply because they are honest and not a liar? Of course not! No matter how honest, morally strict or independently upright a person might be, if they did not choose to believe and obey God, and if they do not choose to appropriate the forgiveness of sins which Jesus Christ purchased on our behalf through his death and resurrection, the honest truth teller who is without the benefit of Christ's sacrifice is still lost and condemned according to Scripture. That's because our own works of righteousness are as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). As a result, God Himself must grant us His righteousness through Messiah. Which is why it is written:
John 3:36"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 (NASB)
So by itself, and apart from living in a right relationship with Almighty God and Jesus Christ, the act or lifestyle of simply avoiding deception and being a truth teller alone, is not what will cause or bring about a person's eternal salvation. This same exact principle is true about obeying any Law or Command found in the Scriptures. Obeying the commands found in Torah, obeying the so-called Old Testament, or for that matter, obeying the commands of the New Testament by itself; indeed obeying any command by itself apart from Messiah, cannot and will not cause or bring about a person's salvation. Just as it is written:
Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, " THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (Galatians 3:11NASB77)
At the same time, let us look at the flip side of the same coin which is equally true. Let us say that the truth teller in our previous example now comes to faith and obedience to Almighty God and Jesus Christ. Would it be wise for him to say that since being an honest truth teller is not what caused or brought about his salvation, that he should now stop working on maintaining or improving his integrity? Should the truth teller now become lackadaisical, and become a liar because he is saved by grace and not by telling the truth? Of course not! The very implication is ludicrous.
Conversely, let's say that we encounter a person who has had problems throughout his life with lying and dishonesty, but he comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ. The same question applies. Would it be wise to tell this new believer that since overcoming lying by itself will not save him, then it is okay for him to go ahead and continue breaking God's Commandments concerning integrity, go ahead and continue to maintain the habit of lying and deceiving, because overcoming lying and learning to be a truth teller is not what will cause or bring about your salvation anyway; would this be sound teaching? Of course not! Such teaching would be insanely foolish, not to mention deadly (Revelation 21:7-8).
As shockingly insane as these examples may seem, that is exactly the state to which established modern-day Christianity has degraded over the centuries of obeying the traditions of men instead of obeying God's Laws and standards. They may not adopt this mindset openly. They may not adopt this mindset in the areas of such blatantly recognizable sins such as lying and deception, but that is exactly the mindset and approach that they use with more, "Socially acceptable sins" within the church. When it comes to sins such as breaking the Torah, violating the Sabbaths, idolatry, rebellion, witchcraft, greed, coveting and even lust, the approach that is often taken is that there is no great need or great urgency to overcome these things because, "We are not under the law, but under grace."
In fact, in many cases, what the vast majority of churches and organizations in modern-day Christendom actually teach and practice is that since obeying God's Law will not save you, then go ahead and go out of your way to actively violate God's Laws and Commandments, go ahead and do the opposite of what God specifically says He desires and requires, and Almighty God will accept you regardless, because you believe Jesus and so you are now under grace.
Truly, truly, I tell you before Yahweh Almighty God, and His Son Yeshua who is Messiah that this traditional mis-definition and approach to grace is one of the most prevailing deceptions in the modern church. It is a destructive heresy, and we must repent.
True biblical grace gives us the willingness and growing ability to obey God's Law, it doesn't give us a license to disobey Him. God's true work of grace will cause a believer to obey God's standards. A person under grace does not look for loopholes to actively do the opposite of what God says in the name of grace. (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Philippians 2:13; Galatians 6:7-9).
We must turn away from those heretical traditions and common practices of disregarding God standards in favor of the traditions of men, and we must instead return to what God actually says throughout the Whole Testament of Scripture.
Brother R. Michel Lankford




































Tuesday, November 15, 2011

For Which Faith Do You Contend?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

When people hear me talk about Whole Testament theology, many questions spring to mind. Are you simply advocating another Hebrew roots movement? Are you turning Jewish? Isn't it just messianic Judaism? Are you trying to be saved and justified before God by your own works of obedience to the Law instead of being saved by God's grace?
Each of these questions is valid and understandable in some respects. Each one of these deserves its own paper, and so I will divide most of these questions into separate documents. For the moment I will concentrate on the questions, "Are you simply advocating another Hebrew roots movement? Are you turning Jewish? Isn't it just messianic Judaism?
In all honesty, none of those labels truthfully fit. The fact is that both messianic Judaism and traditional Christianity have at times fallen into obeying the traditions of men rather than obeying the word of God, which Messiah says is the equivalent of worshiping God in vain, (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13; cf. John 4:24). So what I advocate is not merely Hebrew roots, it's not merely Messianic Judaism, neither is it traditional Christianity but instead, it is deliberately Whole Testament, Biblical Christianity of the first century. So what's the difference?
Basically most of the traditions that are accepted and commonly practiced in modern-day Christendom today come from the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church which largely began in the 300s to 600's A.D.
By circa 600 A.D, Pope Gregory I, officially ordered that all ancient pagan religious rites and practices could be modified, adapted, and were to be officially enveloped into the 'normal life of the church.' now much of this was being practiced for almost 300 years by human tradition, but it was given the popes official seal of approval in the early 600s A.D.
The problem is this. Such a decree from Pope Gregory I, runs directly 180° contrary to the written Word of God, in BOTH Testaments of Scripture; (Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 4:2; 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 8:3, 12:1-4, 8, 29-32; Joshua 1:7-8, Jeremiah 10:1-2; Psalm 1; Matthew 5:17-20; Mark 7:6-9; John 14:21, 15:14; Acts 5:29-30; Romans 10:31; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Colossians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 1 John 2:3-8; 3:22-24; 4:21; 5:2-3; James 1:19-27; Jude 1:3; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 17:1-18:4; Revelation 22:18-19). That is not an exhaustive list, but clearly, we are expressly told to obey the commands of Almighty God throughout the Whole Testament of Scripture.


To Whom Will You Belong?

Romans 6:15-16 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Romans 6:15-16 HCSB)
It is through the decrees of the popes that the above Scriptures were disobeyed, replacing the Sabbaths with Sunday worship, and replacing the appointed times of meeting for rehearsal which God commanded in the Scriptures with the idolatrous traditions of Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Halloween/harvest festivals Etc. etc. were adapted into the normal life of the church, in spite of the fact that Scripture in both Testaments expressly forbids incorporating pagan idolatrous religious traditions and practices into the life of a God follower. It is expressly forbidden in Scripture, but modern-day Christendom still does it based solely on human tradition and the decrees of the Roman Catholic popes.
Here is the question that every honest Christian must face. Does the Pope have the legitimate right to change or abolish any part of God's written Word? Make no mistake about it. That is the real debate, and it is still at issue today.
If you truly believe that the popes can cause sin to become righteous, and that the popes can cause righteousness to become sin, if they can make it acceptable before God for us to violate God's expressly written Word, if you're willing to bank your immortal soul that God will honor the decrees of the popes ahead of His own Word, then by all means continue to honor Roman Catholic papal tradition and continue to violate God's expressly written Word. I seriously advise AGAINST that choice, but if you're going to do that, you might as well become Roman Catholic, and trust the Pope and the Virgin Mary for your salvation which is what Roman Catholics are required by Roman Catholic law to do, even though it is forbidden by the Scriptures ( i.e. John 3:36; 14:6; 17:3; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:2, 4:10 Cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Jeremiah 17:5).
On the other hand, if you wisely decide to agree with the Scriptures and to trust Almighty God and the Messiah that He has sent for your salvation, then why would you ever continue obeying Roman Catholic tradition and doctrine, and why would you continue to disobey God's Commands in order to keep honoring the commands and traditions of the popes?
According to God's Word, we belong to whatever we choose to honor and obey. If we obey our sinful nature, we belong to our sinful nature. If we obey the traditions of human beings, and disobey God's Word to do so, then we belong to the world. If we obey the teachings of Almighty God, and Jesus Christ the Messiah, then we belong to God and the Messiah. In God's economy, we belong to whatever we choose to obey, (Romans 6:16; Galatians 6:7-9).
When I uphold the LORD’s Sabbaths, feasts and appointed times of meeting which Almighty God established as an everlasting regulation, and at the same time I devoutly disregard the idolatrous pagan inspired traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, then I am making a living declaration that I belong to Yahweh Almighty God, and Yeshua the Messiah, and that I intend to worship God in spirit and truth, and not according to the traditions of men (John 4:24; Exodus 31:13; Exodus 20:12; Exodus 20:20; Revelation 14:12). It's that simple.

Seeking to Return to the Ancient Paths

Jeremiah 18:15 'For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway, (Jeremiah 18:15 NASB77)
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' ( Jeremiah 6:16 NASB77)
Any religion, faith, tradition, or practice which runs contrary to Scripture is at the very least in error, at the very worst heresy and false religion, no matter which race of peoples came up with the tradition.
Legitimate Whole Testament theology understands that there have been serious mistakes in religious and rabbinical Judaism, just as there have been in religious and traditional Christianity. Both sides are wrong inasmuch as they violate the expressly written Word of God in order to perpetuate their own traditions. Disobeying or violating the explicit word of God in order to keep so-called Christian traditions [which are usually in fact Roman Catholic attempts to "Christianize" pagan idolatrous traditions], is biblically sinfully wrong. On the other hand, disobeying and violating the explicit Word of God in order to maintain Jewish rabbinical religious traditions is equally wrong, and equally sinful according to God's word.
Some Hebrew roots movements seek to identify with Israel so badly that they actually repeat some of the horrible mistakes that Israel has made in disobeying God. Conversely, many Christian groups and organizations are so eager to disassociate themselves from all things Hebrew; they fall into copying the traditionally pagan and idolatrous religious traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, in order to be, "Christian." Neither of these crooked paths is good. Both extremes are equally sinfully ridiculous.
Whole Testament theology recognizes the all too human propensity of people in congregations to replace God's Word and Commandments with our own human traditions. Recognizing this human weakness as the sin which it truly is, genuine Whole Testament theology makes a diligent and conscious effort to avoid falling into observing human traditions wherever it happens to violate the Word of God.
Acts 5:29-30 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. (Acts 5:29-30 HCSB)

 

 

Tradition….Tradition!!

Mark 7:8-9 "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." 9 He was also saying to them, "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. (Mark 7:8-9 NASB77)
Mark 7:13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that." ( Mark 7:13 NASB77)
In fact for those who claim that it is okay to uphold the traditions of men because they are a so-called "New Testament Church, and therefore under grace," I would caution these theologians to be extremely careful that they do not speak foolishly. Moreover I would caution them to look at the New Testament more carefully because if you are authentically a true New Testament church, you would wholeheartedly refuse to hold fast to the traditions of men even on the basis of the New Testament alone. Why do I say that?
If you do any search on the word tradition in the New Testament, you will find that the word appears between 13 and 14 times depending on your English translation. Here's the key point. Of all the times the word tradition is mentioned in the New Testament, ONLY ONCE IS IT USED IN ANY POSITIVE CONTEXT. In every other instance traditions of men are condemned by God in the New Testament. So, if you do not care to reject the traditions of men in favor of upholding God's Word, then in that case you are not even being true to the New Testament either. So please do not deceive yourself.
"Tradition*" in NASB95 (Matthew 15:2-6; Mark 7:3-13; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 1:14; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

 

For Which Faith Are Christians Commanded to Contend?

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was already once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 1:3 NASB)
True Whole Testament theology seeks to return to the Christianity that was once delivered to the Saints and taught by the apostles in the first century.
In short, within the first century, the apostle Jude declared that faithful disciples [which is what Christians claim to be] should earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
The fact is that in the faith which was already delivered to the saints in the first century, the saints were taught to honor the Biblical Sabbath on the seventh day. In the faith that was delivered to the saints in the first century, believers were earnestly taught not to mix the practices of idolatrous paganism into their worship of Almighty God and following His Son Jesus Christ; (Jeremiah 10:1-2 cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; James 1:21-27). The practices such as Sunday worship, Lent, Easter and Christmas were correctly thought to be idolatrous paganism, and they were not even incorporated into Christian worship until well into the 300s A.D. and beyond.
On the contrary, believers in the first century were taught to respect the feasts of the LORD described in Scripture (Deuteronomy 16; Leviticus 23), and how each one pointed to the Messiah. By the same token, first century Christianity strictly observed the written Word of God while soundly rejecting pharisaical rabbinical oral traditions of men which the Pharisees erroneously taught and believed was equal to or greater than the written Word of God. First century Christians rejected this idea, much the same way that true Biblical Christians today should correctly reject the edicts and traditions of the popes.
Please notice some very important things in Jude's admonition.
1. First, Jude was writing in the first century about our need to earnestly contend for the faith that was already completely delivered to the saints "once for all" by the first century, and even then he was warning people to contend for that particular faith, because obviously people were already beginning to stray from the faith delivered to the saints, and it obviously concerned Jude greatly.
2. In order to contend for the faith that was already once for all delivered to the saints in the first century, we have to have an idea of what that was. When where the traditions that we now accept originally adopted into Christian doctrine and practice? Since God does not change, do the practices and traditions and doctrines which we accept by practice today, do they match what God had already required previously in the Scriptures? If they don't, then obviously we are not practicing the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, to which Jude referred.
Therefore if any of the traditions that we hold dear teach us to do the opposite of what the apostles would have done in the first century, then we cannot possibly be upholding and contending for the same faith that was once for all given to the Saints.
The key difference is that while genuine Whole Testament theology does have a strong Hebrew roots component, it diligently seeks to avoid stumbling into following after the traditions of men on the Hebrew side of things, just as we earnestly try to avoid falling into obeying the traditions of men on the so-called Christian side of things.
Disobeying the Word of God in favor of following the religious traditions of men is equally wrong, whether those religious traditions come from the Catholic Church, Protestant church, or rabbinical Judaism.
Disobeying God's Word in order to keep our own traditions is sinfully wrong, no matter which race came up with the tradition. Whole testament theology seeks to avoid the ditch on either side of the road, and we want to walk the path that Yahweh lays out according to the clear directions of His Word. So Yes, we follow Hebrew roots, but only inasmuch as we can prove it by the rightly divided Whole Testament of Scriptures.
Brother Michel Lankford








































Tuesday, November 8, 2011

How Do I Know That I Truly Love God?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 

The Glaring Contradiction in Terms

In the so-called "New Testament Church," people are very fond of saying that because of Christ, the only two Commandments that the Christian is required to keep is to love Almighty God with all our heart soul mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is based on Messiah's teaching concerning the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40; Matthew 7:12). Messiah taught that as long as we do those two things that we have fulfilled the entire law and the prophets. Look at the paragraph below, and see if this logic sounds familiar. Have you previously heard or even spoken arguments that sound like this?

Using the two Greatest Commandments as their justification, the modern and postmodern Christian supposes that as long as I love God with all my being and love my neighbor as myself, then I can ignore anything else that God has Commanded, because after all, "God knows my heart," "God knows that I love Him." "God sent Jesus Christ so that I would not be under the burden of obeying His Laws."

So, the modern and post-modern Christian reasons that as long as he does these two things God will be pleased, and He does not need to concern Himself with anything else that God Commanded in His Laws.
We have all heard this illogical logic, have we not? This belief is so prevalent in modern Christendom, but is this belief and understanding correct? It sounds good, but is it true? The whole issue hinges upon, what does it mean to love God?
Most modern Christians have a very loosey-goosey, touchy-feely personal opinion based definition of what it means to love God. Many people believe that loving God means to 'feel good about God.' For many people, feeling favorably and affectionately disposed toward God, or the idea of God, and not being overtly hostile against God is the same as loving God, but is such thinking accurate?
Here's why the argument italicized above is so completely wrong. In order to make the italicized argument become true, one has to ignore, redefine and mis-define how God and Jesus Christ have defined what it means to love God. In order for the italicized argument to become true, one has to completely ignore how God defines what it means to love Him, and how Jesus Christ has defined what it means to love God.
The Whole Testament of Scripture is crystal clear about what it means to love God. The principle component to LOVING GOD IS TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. Throughout the Whole Testament of Scripture, God links loving Him directly with KEEPING His Commandments. Let us be clear on this. God has directly linked loving Him with keeping His Commandments. He has restated this no less than 16 times in the Scriptures!
Beloved, I encourage you to consider for a moment, how many times did the Almighty speak, "Let There Be Light," before there was light (Genesis 1:1-3)? He spoke the universe into being once, and it happened just as Almighty God spoke it. So, how much more seriously should we take it when God Himself directly links loving Him with Obeying His Commandments, 16 times?!
Here's another interesting, "Coincidence." The Old Testament makes up two thirds of the Bible. The New Testament makes up one third of the Scriptures. Interestingly enough, approximately two thirds of the places where God links loving Him with keeping His Commandments are found in the so-called Old Testament (11 references). The other one third (5 references), are stated in the so-called New Testament. It's interesting that the number of times God said this is proportionate in both portions of the Testament:
(Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 11:1; Deuteronomy 11:22; Deuteronomy 19:9; Deuteronomy 30:16; Joshua 22:5; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 13:22; Daniel 9:4; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 15:10; 1 John 5:2-3)
In the end, what modern and postmodern Christianity teaches is absolutely a contradiction in terms. For on the one hand they teach that the only commandment required for the Christian is to love God with their entire being, and love their neighbor as themselves, and since they are under grace, and not "under the law," then they are not required to obey anything else that God has commanded.
The problem with that logic is that God directly links loving God with obeying Him, and keeping His commandments. So under modern-day Christendom's faulty logic, where they falsely teach that the Laws of God have been abolished, what they end up teaching is something to the effect of, 'Well, since you are Christian, all you are required to do is to love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself, but since you are not under the law anymore and don't have to obey His Commandments, then you don't really have to love God anymore either.' that's what such teaching amounts to, based on God's definition of what it means to love Him.
We know, even from the so-called New Testament that God cannot deny or contradict Himself, (2 Timothy 2:13). Therefore, when God makes a Law or gives a Commandment, it is always going to be directly in keeping and rightly consistent with His character and nature. So when He says that the Greatest Commandment is to love Almighty God, and He repeatedly directly links Loving Him with keeping His Commandments, even in the New Testament, then is there any legitimate chance that He abolished the Law and Commandments, which He essentially said that obeying was the fruit and evidence of our loving Him? NOT A CHANCE.

 

You shall love the Lord your God...Reestablishing His Standard

Loving God with Our Whole Heart
The heart is the seat and fountainhead of all our affections and desires. Since God directly links Loving Him with keeping His Commandments, then if we are going to love God with ALL our heart, which even modern Christians claim is still a Commandment, then how can we possibly continue to teach that God's Laws and Commandments have been abolished at the cross, especially when God himself says it's not been abolished? (Psalm 19:7-14; Matthew 5:17-20, 7:21) Nobody who truly loves God can continue to speak contrary to what God has Commanded, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45).
So if I truly love God with my whole heart, then my desires and affections are going to agree more and more with God's Laws, Commandments, and what He says that He desires. My desires and affections are NOT going to contradict the Laws and Commandments of God.
Moreover, if I am truly loving God with my whole heart as the Greatest Commandment requires, then out of the abundance of my heart I will not be able to continue to speak in ways that undermine, diminish or abolish God's Laws and Commandments. If I love God with all my heart, then my desires and affections are going to agree with God's Laws and Commandments, not abolish it. Likewise if I love God with my whole heart, then out of the abundance of my heart I'm going to speak in ways that truly authentically agree with God's Laws and Commandments. I won't teach people to disobey God in the name of grace.
The same principle applies to loving God with my entire soul (mind will and emotions). If I love God with my entire soul then I will not allow my mind to continue to think in ways which are contrary to God's Laws and Commandments (Romans 8:5-8). I will not continue to allow myself to make choices which are contrary to God's Laws and Commandments and I will not continue to indulge in emotional overflow which is contrary to God's Laws and Commandments. If I overcome, and submit to loving God (by submitting to and upholding His Laws and Commandments) in my soul, then that will eventually overflow and I will eventually become more and more "a doer" of God's Laws and Commandments in my body, which is what it means to love God with my physical strength.
1 John 2:1-4 “My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;” 1 John 2:1-4 (NASB77)
1 John 5:1-3 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:1-3 (ESV)
May God be with you and bless you as you seek to learn and honor His Commandments
Brother Michel Lankford
A Summary of all that we Studied






















Thursday, November 3, 2011

Understanding Whole Testament Theology

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

 

Lesson one: The Minimum Standards of Whole Testament Theology

 

 

Basic Characteristics Overview of Whole Testament Theology

1. Yahweh Almighty God is God and He does not change
2. We must be changed to agree with God, because God will not change to agree with us.
3. Jesus of Nazareth (Yeshua) is the Messiah and Christ of God.
4. Salvation is a free gift of grace, but growth, maturity and affective discipleship is not free. Moreover, God's true grace will give us the growing desire and ability to obey God's Law. God's true grace will never give us permission to break God's Laws.
5. Rightly divided Scripture cannot contradict rightly divided Scripture. Since the Old Testament was God's word written first, then no rightly divided New Testament doctrine can possibly contradict Old Testament Commands, instructions and teachings, and still be correct, because God does not change. If there appears to be a contradiction, then our own interpretation must be faulty.
6. We must seek to worship God in spirit and truth, and diligently avoid worshiping God in vain.
7. The effective disciple who lives to glorify God should worship God on purpose. They should be deliberate about what they choose to do and what traditions they choose to practice or what they refuse to practice. They should know why they are making those choices, and how their choices are truly supported by rightly divided Scripture. That is the only way that one can truthfully call themselves a Bible believing or Bible pursuant man or woman of God. Anything less is self-delusion and deception (1 John 1:5-8; 1 Corinthians 10;31; James 1:19-25).

 

 

More detailed Explanations

1. Yahweh Almighty God is God and He does not change: (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hebrews 13:8). The words, Commands and principles that Almighty God declared in the Hebrew Scriptures are still true in the Fulfillment Scriptures. Wherever Yahweh Almighty God has declared something to be righteous 5000 years ago, then observing that principle will still be righteous today. Likewise, if the Almighty has openly declared something to be sinful, wicked or an abomination 5000 years ago, then God will still consider that same practice to be a wicked abomination today. Wherever Almighty God has made a Commandment upon His people which He says is an everlasting regulation, then the true God follower and disciple of Messiah, is still required to honor respect and obey those regulations as much as possible, for love's sake, because God does not change, and those who love Him will obey Him (Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 7:21; John 14:21; 1 John 2:3-4,7-8; 3:4, 3:22-24, 1 John 4:21, 5:1-3).
2. We must be changed to agree with God: Authentic discipleship is about submitting to God and allowing HIM to change our hearts and minds so that we will come into agreement with HIS definitions in all matters. It is NOT expecting God to adapt His definitions or standards to suit our own definitions, preferences and desires. There is a huge difference, (Amos 3:3; Isaiah 5:20-24; Matthew 6:22-23; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 12:1-2). We cannot hope to successfully walk with God, unless and until we learn to agree with God and His definitions in the first place.
3. Jesus (Yeshua) is Messiah: Whole Testament believers believe that Yeshua of Nazareth is the Messiah and Christ of God promised since (Genesis 3:15). We believe the Messiah's atonement through His sacrifice through His death to purchase our forgiveness required for our breaking the Laws of Almighty God. We believe that Yeshua the Messiah IS the living embodiment of the Passover Lamb upon His death - the fulfillment of (Isaiah 53:1-12). We believe that upon His resurrection from the dead, Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah then became the eternal High Priest, thereby changing the technique by which the sacrificial system is carried out and administered, but it still goes on in heaven today (Hebrews 7:25).
4. Salvation IS a free gift of grace, but maturity and discipleship is NOT a free gift: Growing into a mature and effective disciple is a Cooperative Work of Grace. Righteousness and salvation is given to us as a gift through Messiah to all who will believe, ask, and accept it. No man can earn it by his own works of the Law. At the same time, progressive works of repentance away from sin and walking toward God in obedience to God's Laws will ALWAYS follow salvation, as the fruit and the evidence that the grace and salvation of God has truly taken place within us. Our own obedience to God's Laws and Commandments will never cause or bring about our right standing with God, but at the same time, the Whole Testament of Scripture bears witness that no person who has been truly saved by the grace of God will continue to disregard, disrespect or live a lifestyle that persists in willfully disobeying God's Laws, Commandments, and Principles. Do not be deceived. Obeying God's Law can never cause your salvation, but true salvation will always cause you to progressively desire and progressively be able to obey God's Laws through the power of the Holy Spirit; (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 30:6; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 19; Daniel 9:4; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 7:21; John 14:21, 23-24; John 15: 10, 14; Romans 3:31; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:13; James 1:19-25; James 2:18,26; 1 John 2:3-4,7-8; 3:4, 3:22-24, 1 John 4:21, 5:1-3; Hebrews 10:26; Revelation 14:12). Authentic grace gives us the desire, the power, and the growing ability to progressively obey God's Laws. It will never provide us any license to abolish or disobey God's Holy Laws or instructions.
5. The Authority of God's written Word: Whole Testament theology believes that all Scripture from Genesis to Revelation is God's written Word. That it is all true, relevant, and directly applicable to the God follower or Christian today.
We believe that Almighty God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them by speaking His Word (Genesis 1:1-3, 31). He also re-creates our lives when we hear, receive and obey His words.
As Whole Testament believers, we believe that Yeshua the Messiah defeated the temptations of the devil by speaking God's written Word with His mouth, which He was already obeying in His life, (See Matthew 4; Luke 4; cf. Hebrews 4:15). Messiah could have used any means available to Him to defeat the adversary, but He obeyed and spoke the written Scriptures, yes even the Old Testament Scriptures. He did so as our example (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).
Therefore, we believe that God said what He meant and means what He says. We believe that all Scripture (Old Testament and New Testament) is God breathed, anointed and appointed by God.
Rightly divided Scripture all fits together and never contradicts itself. If the Scripture appears to contradict itself, then it is our understanding, our interpretation or our own applications which are faulty, and we must keep studying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Since God does not change, and He does not contradict Himself (2 Timothy 2:13), and since the so-called Old Testament was obviously written first, then no correctly interpreted New Testament doctrine will ever contradict Old Testament teachings, doctrines and Commandments. Again, if it appears to do so, then our interpretations and understanding is faulty, because God does not change.
We believe that The Whole Testament is all Scripture and completely sufficient for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the people of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, by the apostle Paul's own statement, if a person throws away, abolishes or disregards the so-called Old Testament (which is the only thing he was referring to when he wrote to Timothy), then that disciple who disregards or abolishes the Commandments Instructions and teachings of the Old Testament, cannot possibly be thoroughly equipped for every good work that God would have them to do. Think about it. Those are Paul's words in the New Testament.
The Bible only remains Scripture when it is read, divided, interpreted and applied correctly.
The Holy Bible in the Books of Genesis to Revelation is the inerrant written word of God, but if and when it is NOT correctly read, interpreted, or when it is misapplied or abused, then at that point it then becomes human opinion or a poor commentary on the Scripture, and it is no longer Scripture. Whenever it is misread, misinterpreted or misapplied, it is then no longer Scripture, because in that case it is no longer true to what God actually said. So it then ceases to be Scripture at that point, and it becomes human opinion or commentary on the Scripture. There is a vast difference. So in order to remain Scripture, it must originate from the books of Genesis to Revelation, and it must also be correctly read, rightly interpreted, correctly divided, and rightly applied in such a way that it would remain true throughout the entire book of Scripture.
We believe that when it is rightly divided and obediently applied in the context of being in right relationship with God and Jesus Christ the Messiah, Scripture is completely sufficient to give us true wisdom in every situation, guidance and comfort through every hardship, and ultimate victory in every battle.
We believe that it is the refusal to rightly divide and obey God's word that is at the root cause of every human ill and character defect we will ever encounter. Restoration only begins and continues when we hear and believe the truth, when we repent from disobeying God's truth, and when we turn to God, and we begin and continue to walk in agreement with God.
6. We must worship Almighty God in spirit and truth, and avoid worshiping God in vain: Even within the confines of the so-called New Testament, Messiah made a clear distinction which is often overlooked within modern-day Christendom. Messiah made a crystal clear distinction between those who worship Almighty God in spirit and truth, (which are those that The Father seeks and desires, John 4:24), and those who worship Almighty God, but who do so in vain (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13). Whole Testament theology, seeks to train ourselves and others to qualify for the first group, and avoid falling into the second group.
According to Messiah there are two principal ways in which people worship God in vain. First, whenever we allow the traditions of human beings to become so important that we treat human traditions as though they were doctrines of God, when in fact they are not. Second, we worship God in vain when we disobey what God actually did command and we replace what God commanded with doing our own traditions instead. Sometimes we even go further than that. Unless we are diligent to guard against it, we can actually get to the point where by practice and tradition we can indulge and practices that God actually forbids, but we delude ourselves into thinking that God will accept it, because we do it, "In Jesus' Name."
If one disobeys a direct command of God that is, if they say by tradition and practice, "Do not do what God has said to do, but do this other thing instead,…" and incidentally what they are advising also happens to be something which God expressly forbids doing, then both of those things would be worshiping God in vain.
For this reason, Whole Testament pursuant people are extremely selective about which religious traditions and practices we will accept and observe, and which we will reject. Such decisions must never be made based on passions and desires, emotions or preferences, but instead it must be made by making a diligent comparison of the religious tradition, its regular pattern of practices through history, alongside the Commandments of Scripture. No matter how long-held or deeply cherished it might be, if any religious tradition, celebration or practice, happens to violate any explicit instruction of Scripture, it must be rejected if one seeks to worship Almighty God in spirit and truth.
It is for this reason that Whole Testament pursuant people DO NOT observe the traditions of replacing the seventh day Sabbath with Sunday worship. We do not observe the traditions of Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day or halloween among others; all of these clearly contain festival days, decorations, traditions and practices which are historically idolatrous and demonic by nature, and which consequently are expressly Biblically FORBIDDEN. All one needs to do is care enough to look into the history of these festivals and compare them with Scripture, and one can clearly see that those practices are declared to be an abomination according to the Scriptures.
It's also noteworthy that none of these traditions were accepted into Christian practice, because they were considered idolatrous until after the fourth century or A.D. 300. All of these practices were officially brought in by royal edict of Roman emperors, and then later they were officially adopted into Christendom by the decree of the Roman Catholic church in the popes, in direct defiance of Holy Scripture. Any diligent search will show that this is indisputable fact. All those traditions and festival days are the commandments of men in direct disobedience to the Commandments of God.
Scripture expressly commands us NOT to incorporate the idolatrous, pagan and demonic traditions of the worship of false gods into the worship of the real and True God. Remember that God does not change. If Almighty God called something an abomination 5000 years ago, it's still an abomination today. Almighty God looks at such doings as an act of idolatry, even if we do not see it that way (Exodus 32:1-10; Deuteronomy 12:1-4, 8, 29-32; Jeremiah 10:1-2; Matthew 5:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; James 1:19-27;1 John 5:1-3; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 21:7-8)
For this reason, Whole Testament believers uphold, returning to the ancient paths and earnestly contending for that faith which was once for all delivered to the Saints in the first century, just as we are commanded to do in the New Testament (Jude 1:3; cf. Jeremiah 6:16a).
It's important to understand that by the time of the first century the faith and practices which we were to follow, defend, and earnestly contend for, was already once for all delivered to the Saints. The first century saints honored the seventh day Sabbath, they honored the Feasts of the Lord, and they recognized how each pointed to the Messiah, and they were taught to forsake pagan practices and not to bring them into the churches. There is ample historical and scriptural evidence to this fact. With this in mind, any tradition or practice which overtly contradicts what first century Saints would have done, (such as the practices which some now indulge which were brought into the church's after the fourth century A.D. cannot possibly be the same faith that was once for all delivered to the Saints.
Consequently, we wholeheartedly support and congregate around the Biblically required feast days and appointed times of meetings with the Lord for rehearsal which are: the celebration of the seventh day Sabbaths, Passover, Unleavened Bread, The Feast of Weeks culminating in Pentecost. These are the spring feasts which were fulfilled in Messiah's first coming and His resurrection.
We also gather and congregate around the fall feasts, which will have multiple fulfillments during Messiah's second coming and millennial reign; The Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement & Judgment), and a seven-day feast of Tabernacles (representing the wedding supper of the Lamb, with the eighth day Sabbath representing eternal habitation with the LORD). These are the feast which God instituted to point the way to and testify to the Messiah and Christ. Honoring the LORD'S Sabbaths feasts is one component which identifies people as being committed to and belonging to Almighty God, and they are recognized by Him
(Exodus 31:12-17; Isaiah 56:1-7; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20), while on the other hand, man-made feasts and traditions of our own inventions are not.
7. Worship God on Purpose: A disciple should know what they are doing, they should know and understand why they are doing it or they should know and understand why they are deliberately choosing not to do something, and they should be able to defend that choice within properly divided Scripture. If they cannot, then they are being much too passive for their own good health as disciples.
The passive disciple is the ineffective disciple. There is very little that is more dangerous to a person's walk with God than becoming passive. It is extremely spiritually hazardous to either take up a certain practice or forgo a certain practice simply because, something is commonly accepted or rejected passively. Remember Joshua and Caleb of old. They were the only two men from their entire generation to enter the promised land after the wilderness, because they purposely followed God instead of what was popular and commonly accepted by the population.
The Whole Testament theological point of view seeks to firmly reestablish Biblical authority in all matters of our faith and practice. The authentic disciple should be proactive and deliberate in what we are doing. In other words, when he or she chooses to do something or not to do something in life, the disciple makes those decisions on purpose. Basically, whenever a growing disciple chooses either to add or eliminate a particular practice from our lives, he or she should be able to clearly demonstrate that they have a sound biblical basis across both Testaments of Scripture for adding or eliminating a particular practice, because whatever we choose to do or not do must be done or eliminated on purpose to glorify God. Moreover, a disciple should be so entirely clear about what he or she embraces and practices, or why he or she refuses or eliminates certain practices, that they are ready to defend it if anyone should ask (1 Corinthians 6:19, 10:31; 1 Peter 3:15). The Whole Testament believer should be able to tell you Biblically why he or she does or does not do a particular common practice. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 6:4-9; Joshua 1:7-8; Psalms 1:1-6, 25:4-5, 51:10-13, 119:33-40; Luke 12:48; Colossians 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17-24; Acts 17:28; 1 Peter 3:15; Revelation 4:11).
Thank you for your kind attention. May God bless you as you diligently study and obey His Word. Brother Michel Lankford