Busy Time for Me

Time gets away extremely quickly these days!  Being a construction contractor to support my ministry habit, at times gets in the way of the very thing it is intended to support.  Because we had a somewhat slow winter, I will not complain now about the work that has come my way!  I feel very blessed just to be working!

Even though I haven't been able to do much writing lately, I feel I am experiencing a time of spiritual growth.  There is much confirmation going on in me personally, of things I have sensed in the spirit realm that our loving Heavenly Father is bringing into reality. 

Over the past several years I have placed my "complete theology package" on a shelf.  It has been a wonderful experience to examine each component of my personal theology under the scrutiny of scripture.  Although much of what I believed and even preached publicly has either had to remain on the shelf or be discarded completely, it is gratifying when some components are found to be biblically sound.  The goal of all of this is to have a theology (belief system) that is firmly rooted in the whole of scripture, as opposed to the loosely based, denomination supporting structure found in the church world today.

We are on a journey that is sure to get even more adventuresome in the days to come.

 

Shalom

More on the Renewed Covenant

The following is commentary from Don Harris at www.thinkredink.com.  Please go to his website and get the rest of the story.

Last week, I mentioned that there was a fatal flaw in the popular Messianic Doctrine. I also pointed out that if we take it as read that the prevalent Messianic teachers are correct in their assumption about the Brit Hadasha, i.e. that the "New Testament" is not a "new" covenant at all but a "re-newed covenant", it remains contingent upon us to ask, "Which covenant has been renewed?"

This question is quickly answered by leaders and by those versed in the doctrine, "Why, the Mosaic covenant, of course!" (By this they mean the covenant of Laws given to Moses.)

I have been commissioned (it seems uniquely commissioned) of the Lord YHVH in this matter. I speak with authority because I know within myself that it is the truth and the rejection of it may cost you your very soul. Accept or reject it, but you will reject it at your own peril.

The covenant upon which our salvation is based IS NOT the Mosaic covenant. It cannot be. The Mosaic covenant is an interruptive, stop gap measure that YHVH put into place to maintain a relationship with a gainsaying, argumentative and stiff-necked people who had no ability to serve their God in grace and truth. "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17 You may not "take or leave" this truth and remain theologically accurate in your thinking or worship.

 

Shalom

The Covenant

Jeremiah, the prophet said: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer. 31:31-34)

This passage has caused some misunderstanding within the body of Messiah.  Many teach that Yahuweh is simply renewing His covenant with Moses, and therefore restoring the Torah to all believers in Messiah.  This view does NOT withstand the scrutiny of Scripture.  We must be willing to take a hard and fast look at what Yeshua did in being the mediator of a New Covenant with us.

In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he articulates some changes to the Torah (Yahuweh's teaching and instructions).  Paul's understanding of circumcision not being necessary for salvation was contrary to the Mosaic law.  He also stated that HIS gospel (that message which the Holy Spirit taught to him in the Arabian desert) was the ONLY gospel that is truth for us.  His (re)introduction of the Melchezedic priesthood was contrary to Levitical order.

In light of this evidence, I submit to you that it was NOT the Mosaic covenant that was renewed, but our Father's covenant with Abraham!  This is extremely important for us to understand as Abraham's covenant was based on faith.  Abraham HEARD the voice of the Almighty and he believed!  That covenant is renewed with YOU!  Have you HEARD His voice?  Will you BELIEVE?

Shalom