Fight Night In Your Gardens

Fighting Within & Knowing When to Walk Away from a Fight
by py thomas
© October 7, 2013

 

This is a letter addressed to the professed Believers in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) – the sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation, thus it includes me; and may it enlighten all who read it and be stirred in their spirit-man to take these considerations to heart…leading to a circumcised heart, with the blood of Yeshua cleaning their blood that was tainted with sin in the beginning.  It started in the Garden of Eden and was defeated in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Gardens are the source where life grows, and where death of the old occurs to yield even more fruitfulness.

Theme Scripture

⁹ But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, then a second time; and after that, have nothing more to do with him. ¹¹ You may be sure that such a person has been perverted and is sinning: he stands self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

Exposing the Ring Master of the Fight.  Is there any real or true love for YHVH apart from obedience?

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!^{[a] 5} You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)

More and more, I see the strategy of the Adversary seducing those who have entered into the covenant of salvation into a war among themselves.  A house cannot stand if it’s divided. 

²⁵ However, knowing what they were thinking, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not survive. (Matthew 12:25)

CAUTION & WARNINGS.  Being one who now understands the importance of the Torah and the original testament, like many others, have joined the ranks to encourage and exhort others who have made the confession of faith and entered into the covenant of salvation through Yeshua (Jesus), to be completed in their redemption.   And, part of that process and subsequent responsibility lies with the individual – the call to holiness, which is the call to obedience that removes the lawless living from our lives.  Yet, the Adversary battles this call to holiness, with his counterfeit call to carnal and vain imaginations and rationalizations to keep us from holiness / obedience, knowing without obedience to YHVH’s Law and commandments we will be found guilty of the sin of rebellion,  which is lawlessness.   Remember, it was Adam and Eve’s rebellion against the one Law/Commandment that YHVH gave them that ushered in death into the world – both spiritual and natural.   If we don’t heed Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction because of lawlessness, we too will find ourselves being consumed by the wrath YHVH as stated in Isaiah 66:

¹⁵For — look! — Adonai will come in fire,
and His chariots will be like the whirlwind,
to render His anger furiously,
His rebuke with blazing fire.
¹⁶ For Adonai will judge all humanity
with fire and with the sword,
and those slain by Adonai will be many.

¹⁷ “Those who consecrate and purify themselves
in order to enter the gardens,
then follow the one who was already there,
eating pig meat, reptiles and mice,
will all be destroyed together,” says Adonai.
¹⁸ “For I [know] their deeds and their thoughts.

“[The time] is coming when I will gather together all nations and languages. They will come and see my glory, ¹⁹ and I will give them a sign. I will send some of their survivors to the nations of Tarshish, Pul, Lud (these are archers), Tuval, Greece and more distant coasts, where they have neither heard of my fame nor seen my glory. They will proclaim My glory in these nations; ²⁰ and they will bring all your kinsmen out of all the nations as an offering to Adonai — on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules, on camels — to My holy mountain Yerushalayim,” says Adonai, “just as the people of Isra’el themselves bring their offerings in clean vessels to the house of Adonai. ²¹ I will also take cohanim [priests] and L’vi’im [Levites] from them,” says Adonai.

²² “For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making will continue in my presence,” says Adonai, “so will your descendants and your name continue.

²³ “Every month on Rosh-Hodesh
and every week on Shabbat [Sabbath],
everyone living will come
to worship in my presence,” says Adonai.
²⁴ “As they leave, they will look on the corpses
of the people who rebelled against me.
For their worm will never die,
and their fire will never be quenched;
but they will be abhorrent
to all humanity.”

[“Every month on Rosh-Hodesh
and every week on Shabbat,
everyone living will come
to worship in my presence,” says Adonai.]

 What the Law & Commandments Truly Teaches.  How can we effectively share the Good News about Yeshua the Messiah with those of Hebrew/Jewish descent without knowing and observing YHVH’s righteous requirements given in the beginning to this group of His chosen?  We can’t.  

1.       They’ll know the Messiah by His Hebrew name, not a Greek name that diminishes His deity. 

2.       They will know our witness is sure and true if we observe and keep the Torah, which enables us to understand the prophets that point to Yeshua as the Messiah. 

3.       They will know our witness is true if we keep YHVH’s holy Shabbats (Sabbaths) and observe the days given to them in the beginning by YHVH that are to be kept Holy.

4.       They will know us by our understanding of the importance of not defiling our temples (our bodies) with that which YHVH says is unclean, for He will not dwell in unclean places or people.

What good does it do one to understand the Law, commandments, statutes, precepts of YHVH if their own hearts are never changed?  Likewise, what good does it do a person to make the confession of faith, enter into the covenant of salvation and not search out and study the whole counsel of the Word of YHVH and their hearts and minds are never changed into the image of the Messiah; and their so-called walk of faith is fraught with lawlessness?  Living apart from the Law (Torah) is sin and the Word of YHVH refers to it as “lawlessness.”

⁴ Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4)

²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Yeshua the Messiah and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

²⁴ Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.  (1 John 3:22-24)

Note that YHVH’s requirement for our righteous living, our walk of faith is demonstrated by our willingness to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12), as described in 1 John 3:22-24 – keeping in consistency as to what was stated in the beginning.  But, how will we know unless we search out and apply the full counsel of YHVH’s Word?  We won’t; and worst yet, those that don’t are sadly at the mercy of those who teach in error and/or ignorance falsity and not truth.

·         1 John 3:22 points to the conditions of our petitions being answered favorably, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”  Specifically the requirements are that we keep YHVH’s commandments (plural). 

·         1 John 3:23 directs us to also keep the one commandment that Yeshua gave us, but does NOT invalidate the commandments of YHVH  - here are just a few of the New Testament references to the importance of YHVH’s commandments, which we learn from the Law (Torah):

• 2 John 1:6  This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
  
  (Note:  In 2 John 1:6 - How can one keep the commandments which were given from the beginning if they are being instructed that the Torah (Law) is no longer relevant where the commandments are given?  They can’t.)
  
  
• Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah. 
  
  (Note:  In Revelation 12:17 – We see that the spiritual warfare is against those who keep the commandments. If we observe and obey YHVH’s commandments, then we are blessed. If we don’t keep them, it brings  a curse on us (see Deuteronomy 28).  So those who oppose and have dismissed the Law and commandments are those who will and do war against those that do obey the Torah and commandments. 
  
   Further, it calls us to not only keep the commandments, but we must also have the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah, which is to love one another.  Unfortunately, many of the saints are lopsided, they want totalk about love, but omitting loving YHVH first, demonstrated by keeping His commandments. We are commanded to love our God, ELOHIM with all our hearts, mind and soul as stated in the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:5); and then repeated by Yeshua to us in Matthew, Luke and Mark).
  
  
• Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.
  
  (Note:  In Revelation 14:12 – We are told that our patience is developed by the keeping of the commandments – there is no hurry up and fix-it quick scenarios in play.  It requires diligence and pattering our lives around YHVH’s commandments, His Sabbaths Holy Days of observances.  It is a reminder to us that it takes time and focus to work out our salvation.  We learn by repetition. Observing YHVH’s weekly Sabbaths for example is our dress rehearsal for entering into the eternal rest.  If we refuse to learn how to observe the Sabbath that He has ordained as Holy, is it no small wonder why He says in Hebrews 4:3-11 –

3For we who have believed do enter into that rest, as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest...” And yet His works have come into being from the foundation of the world. 4For somewhere He has said thus about the seventh day, “And Elohim rested on the seventh day from all His works,” 5and in this again, “If they shall enter into My rest...” 6Since then it remains for some to enter into it, and those who formerly received the Good News did not enter in because of disobedience,j 7He again defines a certain day, “Today,” saying through Dawid so much later, as it has been said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Yehoshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9So there remains a Sabbath-keepingk for the people of Elohim. 10For the one, having entered into His rest, has himself also rested from his works, as Elohim rested from His own. 11Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-11)

 

• The million dollar question:  Do you consider yourself to be numbered as one of the people of Elohim, Creator & Judge? If so, it is clearly stated YHVH’s requirement of His people (the saints/sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation) to observe YHWH’s Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9).
  
  
• Revelation 22:14  Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
  
  (Note:  Revelation 22:14 cites yet another example of YHVH’s righteous requirement of us to DO His commandments, which for those that do, will have  the right to the tree of life, and be permitted to enter into the gates of the city – the New Jerusalem.)

Rejecting the Authority of the Law & Commandments of YHWH…Yeshua Didn’t, Why Do Others?  The Adversary is sharpening its weapons with intensity, counterfeiting the Refiner’s fire that is set up to burn out everything in us that is not like Yeshua.   Just as soon as we feel the heat of the Refiner’s fire burning up carnality, soulishness and the self-serving thinking that needs to die in us, the Adversary doubles back and brings faulty rationalizations to our minds to justify our sinfulness.  The problem as it has been from the beginning is SIN. 

I read many posts from the Beloved and they point out what this person is doing, what another is doing…all the atrocities that are occurring, but none are dealing with it from the standpoint about what YHVH says about sin. 

All authority is appointed by YHVH, the good, bad and the ugly.  This is an excellent example of the gazillion posts I have seen regarding the corruption in our government.  Although this is true, the Word of YHVH teaches us by example in the original covenant (Old Testament) that every time YHVH’s people rebelled against Him, He appointed corrupt authority over them that they might repent and turn from their wicked ways.

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)

The Adversary the devil continues to set up strongholds in the places of faith in the sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation.  While all agree to the joy and prospect of salvation, there are those who believe there is no relevancy to the Law and commandments of YHVH…always wanting to cite what the Apostle Paul stated (who by the way, always referred to what YHVH stated in the beginning  when He gave the Law and the commandments; and upon His conversion, understood the relevancy of the Torah/Law in fulfilling the prophecy of Yeshua being the Messiah, and being freed from the bondage of sin (not the Law) that we could indeed be made holy by obeying the Law and commandments of YHVH).  There is nothing wrong with citing the Apostle Paul, however in doing so, Paul also exorted those in the household of faith the need for holiness,  with holiness being defined over and over again as obedience to the Torah and commandments of YHVH; which subsequently is the outpouring of how we show that we truly love YHVH.

Keeping It  Real – Reality Check.  Let me ask something of those of you who are parents…if your child(ren) constantly disobeys you and the standards and codes of behavior you are trying to instill in them, doesn’t that make it appear as though your child(ren) don’t love you because they won’t listen to you?  How much more so then, would it not be a reasonable requirement for us to obey our Heavenly Father’s code of conduct and standards for being a part of His family (especially now because we’re no longer separated from Him due or sin BECAUSE OF Yeshua’s shed blood and resurrection)?  Even if you’re not a parent, those who had authority of you while you were growing up (parents and/or guardians) at some point you heard this very scenario directed at you.

However, one’s refusal to acknowledge what YHVH established from the beginning keeps them in darkness with respect to YHVH’s righteous requirements of those who enter into covenant relationship with Him through Yeshua.  To the same degree it likewise keeps those of Hebrew/Jewish descent from seeing that Yeshua is the Messiah.   This my dear friends is the in-house fighting that the Adversary the Devil continues to proliferate in both camps.

On the other side of the aisle we have those who observe and keep the Torah (Law) and commandments and can present factual and truthful arguments that align with the whole counsel of YHVH’s Word, but few mention the call and requirement of holiness; and as equally sad those who have rejected the Torah and commandments – both camps going in their own ways and not in the full counsel and wisdom of YHVH’s righteous requirements of us. 

Our Destiny is To Be Holy.  Be ye holy as He is holy.  How can we know what YHVH considers holy without studying His Word from the beginning?  Do we just jump into it in the New Testament without knowing or understanding the history behind sin and holiness?  How can we appreciate holiness apart from the Law, commandments, statutes and precepts left on record for us, and understood through the discernment and help of  the Holy Spirit?  It makes about as much sense to only study and apply the New Testaments writings and think we’re complete in our covenant of salvation, without knowing its origin, history and requirements, any more so than if we only studied the history of the United States starting with the early 1900’s and ignore and/or say that there is no relevancy in U.S. history from it beginning on July 4, 1776 through July 4, 1899.

¹⁵... but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”^[a]

Footnotes:

a.       1 Peter 1:16 Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7

As it was from the beginning,  YHWH stated in Leviticus:

⁴⁴ For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. ⁴⁵ For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Having been one who initially came from what I refer to as the “traditions of men” church experience, where the Torah and commandments were seldom referred to(and if so, in a very vague and disconnected way); and  having been influenced by the Holy Spirit to search out the full counsel of YHVH’s Word, embracing the Torah because of my covenant of salvation through Yeshua, and observing and keeping YHVH’s Shabbats (Sabbaths), I am thankful in hindsight as it has afforded me a perspective and understanding that bridges the original testament with the new testament.

More than anything, it has heightened by awareness and desire to “be holy as He is holy.”  Holiness is the call to the surrender to obedience of YHVH’s righteous requirements of His chosen people.    

Building Bridges Together, Not Division.  Albeit the arguments will continue about doctrines, traditions of men and the like.  But at the end of the day, every soul will have to give an account to YHVH about Yeshua.  I am not  perfect, but m truly being perfected.  It is often a horrifying experience to be able to see the impact of sin and sinful choices I’ve made in my lifetime, but I take comfort that YHVH is faithful and just to cleanse me from all unrighteous when I meet His condition of confessing and taking ownership of my sins at the point of having Godly sorrow for having offended Him.

I would be a liar if I said I could not stand against sin and temptation that is my constant battle in this life.  Because I truly now do have the power to say no BECAUSE OF the power and authority of the covenant of salvation I entered into.  Now whether I do it or not, is a matter of choice, a matter of my will.  If I say I love YHVH, yet don’t want to obey His righteous requirements of me, then not only do I not love Him, I don’t truly revere or fear Him.

So in all your discussing and debating about YHVH, remember most of all, its all about dismantling the sinful nature – dying to self; and being made alive in the surrender to obedience to YHVH’s righteous requirements outlined in His Torah…thereby renewing His right spirit within us; creating a clean heart in us that is no longer darkened or under the influence of the Evil one;  making us more than conquerors – the conquering of our sin natures through the might and power of the blood covenant and the teaching and guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

As for me, I don’t want to bring contaminated or profaned worship due to disobedience, knowing that the only way any of us will be found to be well pleasing to YHVH, is by our faith and trust in YHVH’s entire Word being applied and activated in all of our ways.

Many are called, but few are chosen.  Have you ever asked yourself why this is so?  What are YHVH’s requirements of us?  Do you have the testimony of being a partaker in the sufferings of the Messiah?  Have you yet to become the “poor in spirit,” in which you have surrendered to decrease (self) that Yeshua’s example of holy living can increase in you?  Or are you still in denial and refusal about YHVH’s requirements of you?

Even the breath in our bodies belong to ELOHIM, Creator and Judge.  So just what are you really talking about with the oxygen He is giving you to exist with?  Are you caught up in foolish wrangling, or have you learned to shake the dust off your sandals, pray for those in darkness and move forward?

We see these things happening around us and in the world, but are we taking note to our own sinful conditions and willing to be made holy as He is holy?

Selah.

In Yeshua’s Awesome & Strong Name, His maidservant
py thomas