LESSON 17

NO PARTIALITY WITH YAHWEH

    As was mentioned earlier, to know Yahweh is to love Yahweh. To love Yahweh is to obey Yahweh. To know and obey Yahweh’s law is essential to our salvation.

   Romans 2:11-13, For there is no partiality with Yahweh, for all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law; for it is not the hearers of the law who are just before Yahweh, but the doers of  the law will be justified (NASV).

   The law is the will of Yahweh. Grace is the ability and authority of Yahweh to forgive, overlook, cancel punishment, and to do away with the curse received by breaking that law.

   An important point to remember when reading the so-called New Testament, is that the New Testament, as we know it today, DID NOT exist until approximately 310 AD. That's well over 200 years after the death of the Messiah and the death of His immediate followers. Before the New Testament was “canonized” (canon means a list of which books are included), it contained evangels and letters written by the apostles or the disciples of the Messiah. These letters, of course, were written and sent to various assemblies (churches), after which time they were copied and sent on to other assemblies. Then, around the year 310 C.E., these letters were compiled and put into the book form we have today.

   As we read the following passages, keep in mind that the people we are going to be reading about DID NOT have the “New Testament” from which to read, guiding them towards proving or disproving truth from error. The only authorized source that they had available to them was the Tanach or what we call the “Old Testament” which consisted only of the books from Genesis to Malachi.

   In Acts 17:11, when the Apostle Paul went to the Bereans to explain to them the “Good News” of the Messiah, they DID NOT simply take his word for the things he was saying. Rather, to prove the words of Paul, they went to the scriptures to verify the things he said. Once again, the only scriptures that were available to the Bereans at that time were exclusively what we call the Old Testament, since such a thing as the New Testament did not exist at that time.

   Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (NASB).

   Notice, that because of their not simply believing the things Paul was saying, but rather verifying them with the scriptures, which was the Tanach or so-called “Old Testament,” it is said that “they were more NOBLE-minded” than those in Thessalonica. Of course, these Bereans NEVER found in the Tanach or Old Testament that the Almighty planned on doing away with His holy, righteous and good law (Romans 7:12) at some future date.

   Paul, in talking to Timothy, comments of the sacred writings that, again, were exclusively the Old Testament. Stated again, to impress upon the reader’s mind the importance of this statement, there was no such thing as a New Testament at the time Paul made this comment to Timothy.

   2 Timothy 3:15 ...and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahshua (NASB).

   2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by Yahweh and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of Yahweh may be adequate, equipped for every good work (NASB).  Here Paul is telling Timothy that ALL scripture is profitable for teaching. Now since the New Testament would not even exist for another 100 years, what scriptures do you think  that Timothy knew from childhood (vs. 15), as being profitable for teaching? He was certainly speaking of the Old Testament. So if anyone had any questions about the things Yahweh commanded, Paul told Timothy to go to what we call the “Old Testament” for the answers.

   In Acts 18:24, we're told of a man named Apollos, who, along with being called an “eloquent man,” is said to have been mighty in the scriptures. This means that he knew what the “OLD TESTAMENT” said, since the Old Testament scriptures were the ONLY scriptures that they had at the time.

   Acts 18:24-28 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures...he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Yahshua... Verse 28 ...for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures (the Old Testament) that Yahshua was the Messiah (NASB).

   How did Apollos powerfully refute the Jews and prove that Yahshua was the Messiah? He did it by ...demonstrating by the Scriptures... To what scriptures did Apollos go? The New Testament did not exist at the time. The only scriptures he had were the Old Testament scriptures. Another consideration concerning the scriptures is that Apollos used them to prove that Yahshua was the Messiah. Do you suppose for a moment that Apollos could have possibly taken these unbelieving Jews to the writings of one of the followers of the Messiah, like Peter, John, or Paul, to prove that Yahshua was the Messiah? There were no writings as of that time. He proved Yahshua from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22:6-22).

   Let’s take a closer look at what Paul said here concerning Yahweh's law: Acts 24:14 But this I admit to you, that according to the way which they call a sect I do serve the  Elohim of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and what is written in the prophets (NASB).

   Many in Churchianity today believe that most of the “Old Testament,” specifically Yahweh's laws, were done away with. Is that what Paul was teaching? NO!  He said he believed EVERYTHING that is in accordance with the law. And again, since there was not any such thing as a New Testament at the time, no one thought that the law was anything other than Yahweh's law, as given through Moses.

   Notice what Paul said about the law: Romans 2:11-13 For there is no partiality with Yahweh. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law; for it is not the hearers of the law who are just before Yahweh, but the doers of the law will be justified (NASB). Paul could not have said it any clearer! “The DOERS of the law WILL BE JUSTIFIED.”

   Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the law (NASB). 

 HOW COULD PAUL TEACH NO LAW?

   Did Paul contradict himself? Could he say so clearly that we establish the law through faith and then say in another place that the law has been done away with? NEVER did Paul say the law has been done away with. What he did say was: ...the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore did that which is good (the law) become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin (a breaking of Yahweh's law—1 John 3:4), in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good (the law—Romans 7:12-13, NASB).

   1 John 5:3  This is the love of Yahweh, that we keep His commandments. The law and grace do not work in competition with each other, but in perfect cooperation. The law points out sin; grace saves us from sin.

   A text which combines the two in their true relationship is found in Revelation 14:12, Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua (KJV). What a perfect description of faith and works. The combination is found in those that are saved. Works of obedience are the real test of love. This is why they are so necessary in the life of a true believer. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20, KJV). Words and profession are not enough. The true evidence is obedience. Again, the Messiah said: If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15). This is the love of Yahweh that we keep His commandments (1 John 5:3). That is exactly what most people today DO NOT WANT. If loving Yahweh demands that we obey Him, the majority will reject it. Unfortunately, most people today are not looking for truth, but rather a smooth, easy, comfortable religion, which will allow them to live the way they please and still believe they have the assurance of salvation. Such a religion does not exist.

   As Paul puts it in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth (the law is truth—Psalm 119:142) and shall be turned unto fables. The ultimate fable is that Yahweh no longer expects His law to be obeyed. One of the strongest texts in the Bible on this subject is found in 1 John 2:4, He that says, I know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in Him. John could write that with such assurance because it is one of the most deeply established truths in the Bible. Yahshua spoke of those who said, Master, in Your Name we did all these things. But they did not do the will of the Father. Yahshua described many who would seek entrance into the Kingdom, claiming to be workers of miracles in the name of the Messiah. But He will say, Depart from Me, I NEVER KNEW YOU, you workers of LAWLESSNESS (Matthew 7:21-23).

   To know Yahweh is to love Yahweh, and to love Yahweh is to obey Him. The Apostle John's valid assumption is very clear and simple: If one is not obeying Yahweh, he does not love Yahweh. And if he does not love Yahweh, then he does not know Yahweh. John assures us, And this is eternal life, that they might know You, the Only True Elohim and Yahshua the Messiah, the One whom You have sent (John 17:3).

 ANIMAL SACRIFICES

    Why do we not sacrifice animals today? A common question among those who do not keep Yahweh's law is, “If you keep the law, why do you not sacrifice animals also?”The reason is rather simple. ONLY priests were allowed to offer sacrifices. Numbers 18:7-8 But you and your sons...shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil, to perform the service. I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death. Then Yahweh spoke to Aaron, “Now behold, I Myself have given you charge of My offerings, even all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel...as a portion and to your sons as a perpetual allotment.” 

   So you see, all the sacrifices HAD to be done by the priest and they had to be made in the Temple. We, the laymen, were never allowed to offer up sacrifices. Since no priesthood is established today, and the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., no sacrifices are made to this day.

   Here is a deeper explanation: Most people do not realize that Yahweh commanded sacrifices for a variety of reasons in His law. For instance, when a baby was born after the days of purification, which was 40 days for a male and 80 days for a female (Leviticus 12:2-5), a lamb and a turtledove or 2 turtledoves were to be offered by the priest (Luke 2:24; Leviticus 12:6-8). When a leper was cured of leprosy, he was commanded to go to the priest to present an offering (Matthew 8:4; Leviticus 14:1-14). Such sacrifices as these (not sin offerings) continued to be offered by the priest even after the death of the Messiah. For instance, Paul himself continued to make offerings after the death of Yahshua. 

   Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple, giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. This was obviously a Nazarite vow that these four men and now Paul were under, and the sacrifice that was to be offered was a ram (Numbers 6:18-20). Again, keep in mind that this was AFTER the death of the Messiah.

   Acts 24:17-18 Now after several years, I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar.

SACRIFICES ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS

    Why were these sacrifices still offered after the death of the Messiah? They were offered because the Messiah did not die to become a substitute for all the sacrifices, such as the sacrifice for purification of a newborn child or the sacrifice of a leper being healed. He died to become a sacrifice for SIN, exclusively. Hebrews 10:12, ...but He, having offered one sacrifice for sin for all time, sat down at the right hand of Yahweh.

   The offering of sacrifices for our sins ceased when Yahshua died as a sacrifice for us. All other sacrifices ceased when the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. and the priesthood stopped. That is why we do not continue to make offerings, because the priests were the ONLY ones allowed to make the sacrifices and it had to be done in the temple, which has been destroyed.

   So many people are unaware of this fact. The Messiah, Yahshua, died as a sacrifice for our sins, NOT for all the sacrifices that were commanded in the law.

NO CHANGE IN THE LAW

   How often have you heard ministers today quote Malachi 3:6 and boldly proclaim that, Yahweh does not change? They will then preach about the numerous warnings in the Bible about adding to or taking away from Yahweh's Word! They will then turn right around and twist a passage to say that all the things Yahweh commanded His People to obey are no longer important to us, as New Testament believers.

   Notice two of these warnings are about NOT adding to or taking away from Yahweh's Word, which are found in the book of Deuteronomy:

   Deuteronomy 4:2, You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh  your Elohim which I command you.

   Deuteronomy 12:32, Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

   Even after warning His people twice NOT to take away from anything, specifically from the book of Deuteronomy, which contains Yahweh's law, many today have been told to do exactly that. They are taught that they can now DISREGARD, no longer obey, Yahweh's law. Again, the laws which contain the Sabbath day (Deuteronomy 5:12-14), feast days (Deuteronomy 16) and food laws (Deuteronomy 14) have not been fulfilled. They are still in effect. These are Yahweh’s laws we’re discussing. Who is any man to teach that we no longer have to keep them?

YAHWEH’S PERFECT LAW (Psalm 19:7)

   Psalm 19:7, The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring  the soul... We are told that Yahweh’s law is perfect. Is it possible to improve on something that is perfect? Did Yahweh give His law, only to realize later that He made a mistake? No, not at all, as was mentioned earlier, Paul tells us that, not only has Yahweh's law NOT been done away with, it has been established in the New Testament (Romans 3:31).

   As you read the following passages, please remember: Yahweh does not change, Malachi 3:6.

   Proverbs 28:9, He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. If Yahweh does not change, and He says He does NOT, then those who twist the writings of Paul, to do away with Yahweh's law, are praying prayers that are an abomination.

YAHWEH’S LAW IS TRUTH

 — Psalm 119:142, Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.

 — James 5:19-20, My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth (the law) and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner (a breaker of the law, 1 John 3:4) from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

YAHWEH’S LAW IS LIBERTY

    Psalm 119:44-45, So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.

   James 1:25, But one who looks intently at the perfect law (Psalm 19:7), the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer, but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

YAHWEH’S LAW IS LIGHT

   Proverbs 6:23, For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

   Malachi 2:6, The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

THE LAW OF YAHWEH AND THE WORD OF YAHWEH ARE ONE AND THE SAME

    Isaiah 5:24, Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of Yahweh of Hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.

   Micah 4:2, And many nations shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.

ALL THE PROPHETS CAME TO RESTORE THE LAW

    Consider for a moment that all the prophets sent by Almighty Yahweh, throughout the history of the Bible, including the Messiah (pointed out in Matthew 5:17-19), were sent to turn the people back to the keeping of the commandments of Yahweh. They also explained the consequences of their disobedience if they did not turn back.

   Matthew 19:16-17, And behold, one came and said unto Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And He said unto him, “If you will enter into life, keep the commandments.”

   Nehemiah 8:1-3, And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra, the scribe, to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which Yahweh had given to Israel. Then Ezra, the priest, brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month (the Feast of Trumpets). He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

   Now read Isaiah 2:2-3. This is a prophetic passage speaking of the Kingdom age--the age to come.

   Jeremiah 6:16-19,  Thus says Yahweh, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not walk in it.” And I set watchmen over you, saying, “Listen to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not listen.” Therefore, hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans, because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it also.

   Jeremiah 9:13, Yahweh said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it…”

   Jeremiah 16:11, Then you are to say to them, “It is because your forefathers have forsaken Me,” declares Yahweh, “and have followed other mighty ones and served them and bowed down to them; but Me they have forsaken and have not kept My law.”

   Jeremiah 32:23, They took possession of it, but they did not obey Your voice or walk in Your law; they have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore, You have made all this calamity come upon them.

   Ezekiel 18:21, But if the wicked man turns from all his sins (1 John 3:4) which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

   Daniel 9:11-13, Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us...yet we have not sought the favor of Yahweh our Elohim by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth.

   Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your Elohim, I also will forget your children.

   Hosea 8:1, Put the trumpet to your lips! Like an eagle, the enemy comes against the house of Yahweh, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

   Zechariah 7:12, They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which Yahweh of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of Hosts.

   Hundreds of other examples might be given to show that it was Yahweh's law that ALL the prophets came to restore. Down through history, Almighty Yahweh expected His laws to be obeyed.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBEY THE LAW?

    Many ministers today are teaching that, since the law is spiritual and we are carnal, no human being will ever be able in this life to meet the requirements of Yahweh's perfect law. He tells us in Psalm 19:7-8 that He is able to restore the soul... Is this true? Did Yahweh give us this great idealistic, impossible goal toward which converted souls should struggle, but never could expect to attain? Is there some hidden reservation or secret meaning in the many commands to obey the law? Did Yahweh mean what He said and say what He meant? Not only is it possible to obey Yahweh's law, it is required. Even though we cannot keep them all perfectly, we are never to stop trying!

   1 John 2:3, By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

   Paul wrote in Romans 8:3, For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, Yahweh did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.

   Yahweh rejects the argument that we are going to sin because we are only human. Yahshua’s sinless life proves that argument to be false. Yahshua was human and He did not sin at all.

   Although it is true that ALL have sinned, ALL do not have to continue in sin. We could ask the person, with this erroneous teaching, the question: “Which of the commandments do you find impossible to obey? Do you have a hard time controlling yourself when it comes to lying, cheating, stealing, worshipping idols, or changing the boundary markers of your property? Could it be that fornication is something that you find impossible (or are unwilling) to give up? Perhaps you believed the lie of the adversary that you have a disease called drunkenness.”

   Read with understanding the answer that the Apostle Paul gave in Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Messiah Who strengthens me. How could Paul make such a statement? It was because it was no longer Paul living his life; it was Yahshua the Messiah, living in and through Paul.

   Galatians 2:20, I have been executed with Messiah; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah Who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of Yahweh, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

   This same strength of the Spirit is offered to ALL who will “lose their lives” and allow the Messiah Yahshua to live His life through them. May Almighty Yahweh bless the honest heart and mind of the one who is willing to believe, not only the words of the Apostle Paul, but also the very words and will of Yahweh!

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