Belaboring the Obvious
But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. Titus 3:9 NASB
Disputes – Sermon after sermon, article after article, book after book – all about the place of the Law in the life of a Christian. I wonder if Paul wouldn’t throw up his hands in frustration. Why all this controversy? Isn’t the answer obvious?
Apparently, it’s not.
We know that Paul was a Torah-observant follower of the Way. His own self-declaration confirms this years after his encounter with the risen Lord. We know that James, Peter, John and the other apostles made the same claim. We know that Yeshua lived a life of sinless Torah obedience. Is there any question about this?
Both contemporary orthodox Jews and modern Christians (Catholic and Protestant) seem to think that Paul rejected the Law, that Jesus replaced the Law and that we Christians now live under the opposite of the Law – something called “grace.” This doctrine is so powerful that it stands as the real issue of separation between Jews and Christians. In fact, the more we read from the pens of Jewish authors about the mistakes of Christianity, the more we realize that these authors are reacting to Christian commentators on Paul, not to the actual words of Paul. Neither side seems to have paid attention to the actual words Paul wrote. Instead, they react to the theologians who speak on behalf of the New Testament authors. As an example, we can consider this verse. Out of context, it could be read as “disputes about the replacement of the Law by grace are unprofitable because everyone knows that grace overcomes the Law.” But the next verse dismisses this interpretation. Paul instructs his readers to reject the factious man after two warnings because such a man is “perverted and sinning.” Paul assumes that we will know him by his behavior. How is that possible without the Law? If it’s all grace, then why would behavior matter? If it’s all about “Jesus in my heart,” then why would Paul exhort us to observe what the man does and make a judgment based on that? If the Law really is set aside, then how will we know such a man is sinning? It just doesn’t make any sense. And, in practice, we actually do just what Paul suggests. We actually look at the behavior of others to determine if they are meeting the “standard.” That, of course, implies that there actually is a standard? To claim that the Law no longer applies is to endorse lawlessness, precisely the characteristic of those whom the Bible considers the enemies of God. One way or another, we all subscribe to some form of the Law. Our theology might deny it, but our lives don’t. The only question is this: is our standard God’s standard? If it isn’t, then we have an issue to settle with Him, not with the Church or the theologians.
Perhaps we should start by re-examining the translation. The Greek phrase is machas nomikas. Theological dictionaries actually define this as “controversies respecting the Mosaic laws,” but notice that the word nomikas is an adjective, not a noun. Therefore, the translation cannot be “about the Law.” There is no preposition or noun here. The translation should be “legal fights.” Paul is telling us to avoid court battles, something we can all appreciate.
How did this bit of practical advice turn into a statement about the Law? The only explanation is that the translators read into the words of Paul what they wanted to say, not what he actually said. Paul’s point is obvious. No one wants a court battle. The translators’ position is subterfuge.
Who told you the Law was set aside? Maybe the real question is “Whose Bible are you reading: the Bible of the translator or the Bible of the author?”
Topical Index: dispute, the Law, machas, nomikas, Titus 3:9, translation
For an example read Ps 119:25. Read and compare the ESV, KJV, NIV, NLT, and then the Message translations. The differences borderline the ridiculous; progressively. Perhaps believers need to require these publishers to post a warning label on their bible’s spine: “WARNING! Reader be aware. Not all is the way it reads.”
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (from Psalm 19)
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1.8)
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1.1,2)
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8.3)
Your words were found, and I devoured them. Your words are my joy and my heart’s delight, because I am called by your name, O LORD God of Armies. (Jeremiah 15.16)
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:12)
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24.35)
For the word of G-d is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4.12)
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”(Jeremiah 23:29)
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (John 12:48)
He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. (Acts 7:38)
“Then Abraham said to him, ‘If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even if someone were to rise from the dead.'” (Luke 16.31) – Funny, isn’t it? Surprise, surprise..- Someone did rise from the dead -Who is this man? Why don’t we read what it written concerning Him. As Someone once said to someone, not once, not twice, but three times- “It is written.”
There was a sword Yeshua used to defeat the Usurper. That same sword is available to the children of G-d today. It is a two-edged sword and must be used with great care and caution. It is not a club, but more akin to a scalpel, “and Yeshua answered and said unto them, (them is us) -You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of G-d.” The scriptures? Yes, the Old Covenant writings. Foundational to our faith. How firm a foundation, you saints of the LORD..
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
Oh let the ancient words impart
Courage, peace, a loving heart.
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
Oh let the ancient words impart
A moving, quick incisive dart.
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
Courage, peace, a loving heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
words: Michael W. Smith
“You make search in the holy Writings, in the belief that through them you get eternal life; and it is those Writings which give witness about me.” (John 5.39)
All of these holy writings testify about a Man, the Second Adam. One who is perfect, One who is the Son of Man and the Son of G-d. One who is both human and divine. One who is the Savior, not only of the nation called Israel, but the Savior of the nations. Every knee (it is written) shall bow. Jewish knees, Gentile knees. Famous knees, obscure knees- every knee- including the two belonging to me.
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained/expounded/made clear to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24.27)
There is a central theme for this- our Him-book. It is “Behold, the (-perfect Passover/Last Supper-) Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1.29)
Therefore, if anyone (anyone) is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from G-d, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, G-d was reconciling the world (the world) to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, G-d making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to G-d. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (in Christ) we (all of us, Jew and Gentile) might become the righteousness of G-d. (2 Corinthians 5.17-21)
“I wonder if Paul wouldn’t throw up his hands in frustration.”
or just plain throw up!
I feel it Too Ron.
Even though – before/pre-Skip Moen teachings – there are some of us (probably lots of us if we all knew the truth of the the matter) – that have never believed the lie – the lie that the Law no longer exists & all is grace. That is why we feel sick & leave churches because our hearts get so grieved we can no longer sit under the teaching of one(s) ignorant of the Law or deceived.
AND, if you live & judge by the law you are condemned by the people of only grace living as judgmental. SO – we stay at home & minister when called upon to individuals we hardly know – taking risks they will listen to us. Sometimes they do & some times they don’t – but when they do oh the joy divine.
“We” always hear – judge not least you be judged – & i say judge yourself & others would not have to be judging your fruits or your behavior. But if you don’t believe the Law no longer exists just grace you will not/don’t have a plumb line – you are/can be all over the place.
Glory to the Law fulfilled – YESHUA/Jesus Christ in the flesh – the Law should only be stronger because of His living of such & His death – nothing changed all was fulfilled.
jan
“Both contemporary orthodox Jews and modern Christians (Catholic and Protestant) seem to think that Paul rejected the Law, that Jesus replaced the Law and that we Christians now live under the opposite of the Law?”
*something called “grace.””
Well, I must admit that growing up in a working class Catholic culture in the 50’s, I never heard anything about grace.
The focus was primarily on four things:
– Our Father, who art in Heaven (the Priest)
– Holy Mary, Mother of God (the Nuns)
– The Ten Commandments (the Law)
And less about Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, and the cross on the wall.
I never heard anything about grace until I was out of High School.
The family of my first real girl friend introduced me to Protestantism.
And grace, and art; the love of literature, Rabbinnical thought, and a number of other important things.
They were a model of family happiness that I had never seen much of before.
And have never seen much of since.
Since very few of us understand Hebrew, but do desire to walk in obedience, I would be grateful for an explanation of which of the 600+ laws still apply and which don’t. I once asked that question here and it was suggested that I do my own study and consider it a journey.
My difficulty with that advice is that if we’re talking about laws I’m obligated to obey, but am unclear on, then I need practical instruction, not just continual encouragement to be Torah observant.
Practically speaking, what does that mean today?
Am I actually prohibited from wearing clothes made of more than one fabric? If so, it would help to understand why. That may assist me in understanding other laws that are still applicable. Or why others no longer apply.
Clearly, the law prohibits adultery, so if I had questions about whether I should still refrain from adultery, I get the sense someone here would give me sound reasoning for why the command to have sex only with my wife was still valid.
So why not with the other less understood laws?
In the film “Chocolat,” a young boy tells his mother she’s not supposed to help him with his homework because the teacher wants them to correct their own mistakes. The mother replies by saying, “I didn’t tell you how to fix it, I only told you that you made one.”
Sometimes we only need to be told we made a mistake, but sometimes we need to know how and why to fix it.
Hi Gregg
I can hear that you really want an answer on how to understand and fix this and usually I would gladly want to give you one (or 613 for that matter). But learning from a lesson in the past where I never did the Hebrew “shuv” ( remind the people to turn back to YHWH) but rather shunting, the telling and explaining. And most of the times that did not work. And many times if people tell you how to fix things, you keep on questioning them and not God.
I think doing my own study not only means to know a specific law(there are plenty of websites), but it also means to ask YHWH through His Spirit, to show me the how and the why. If the Torah is written on my heart and part of my DNA then it is easier to accept what God reveals to me. So get the answer from God. And if I am still not satisfied, I try the following:
1. the answer to many questions : ” because I AM Holy” Ps 22;3 or 4
2. the commandments are 613 ways to love God (thanks Skip)
3. start with keeping just ONE at a time. I have found that when the Father sees the desire of my heart, He starts to reveal more and more. And thank goodness He does not reveal all at the same time, for I would never be able to do it all. The Lord knows that I am new to this. But reading about, getting info and trying to explain the laws are still not doing them. Start with an “easy’ one: keep the Sabbath holy.
4. In Hebrew there does not have to be an explanation to everything, it is a mistery and its also good, because God is good. Many times God ( as with Abraham) tells me first to obey and only reveals the “why” later or never. And what’s good for God, surely must be good for me, and you have a lovely, willing heart. Be blessed!
Hello Greg,
I think I hear you and quite often the same question(s) echo in my own heart. We here are seeking after YHWH wholeheartedly and I am impressed that you are as well. It appears to me that if things were as cut and dried as we would like them to be, all tied up in neat boxes, we would be like legalistic robots without need to run to YWHW as our Father. Although I so sympathize with you, when you cannot see the Word any other way, and you are inclined to keep it and obey it as you are led, this seems to be how He has been working in my own life. I hope my answer does not frustrate you, but if it does, please pray for me and keep on walking with Messiah. He is good. Shalom, brother Greg.
“We actually look at the behavior of others to determine if they are meeting the “standard.” That, of course, implies that there actually is a standard?”
Every discussion I have with people who adhere to replacement theology seems to end the same way. They actually believe there is a standard, but “the” standard (Torah) has been replaced by the “new” standard which is simply church attendance, tithing, simple acts of kindness, don’t drink, cuss or do drugs, don’t be a criminal and be sure to ask Jesus into your heart. Oh, and let’s not forget that a week long “mission” trip to a third-world country must be added somewhere to the agenda. In essence, the “church” has devised its own code of conduct or standard of morality by which to judge the behavior of its followers.
Signed,
“Coming out”