One Torah for All
One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. Exodus 12:49
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Following Mashiach
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:10
In truth you went after following my teaching, and following my conduct, and following my will, and following my faith, and following my spirit, and following my love, and following my patience,
Shaul set a good example for Timote’os to follow. We should also follow this same example, which is also in Mashiach Yeshua. Mashiach Yeshua is our ultimate example, one truly worthy of following. Each and every one of us is called to be a follower of Mashiach Yeshua. A person should not only follow the example of Mashiach Yeshua and live as He lived, but a person should also follow Mashiach Yeshua as He will lead one into eternal life in the Olam Haba (world to come). What a person is doing and what a person is saying should be a direct result of following the example set before him.
Yochanan [John] 13:15
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
Just exactly what is it Yeshua did for us? He humbled Himself, even to the point of death. How many times have we seen men trying to elevate themselves over their brothers in an effort to be a leader? Yet, the leadership example of Mashiach Yeshua is one in which He laid down His life for His brethren. This is the mark of a true leader from YHWH, one we cannot afford to miss. The attitude of a truly called leader is not one of “me” first, but one in which he puts others before himself. A true shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. A true leader of YHWH serves His people. This is a picture of a Spirit-filled leader.
YHWH Delivers when we follow Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:11
And following my persecutions, and following my sufferings. What things befell me in Antiokyah and in ‘Lyqanon, and in Lust’rah; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all Adonai delivered me.
YHWH will deliver us through our persecutions and sufferings, if we trust and obey Him. He will see us through all of them. He may not remove us from these trials, persecutions, and sufferings. However, He will give us the strength and courage to endure each and every one of them as He perfects the image of His Son Yeshua in each one of us.
Furthermore, we should not be surprised that we are persecuted. In the same way in which they persecuted Mashiach Yeshua, whom we follow, so too, shall they persecute us.
Persecution as a Result of Following Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:12
Yea, and all that would live righteously in Mashiach Yeshua shall suffer persecution.
Yeshua even taught us that we were to expect the same type of treatment He received.
Yochanan [John] 15:20
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”
This truth is found in many places throughout all of Scripture in various forms. Here is another such passage.
Kepha Aleph [1st Peter] 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you to test you, as though a strange thing were happening to you.
The normal mode of life for those who belong to YHWH is of being tested and refined by Him in a continual process. This process lasts one’s whole life through. We need to accept this truth and walk in these times of testing, learning what it is He is revealing to us, without kicking against the pricks of His Spirit. This will help to instill in us His humility as well as work to destroy the prideful nature within us that is so prevalent from birth. Let us yield to His Spirit during these times so that what we will reap is eternal life and a place in the Olam Haba (world to come)!
Deceiving and Being Deceived for Refusing to Follow Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:13
But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
However, those who do not yield to such times of refinement are those whose hearts are evil and who are imposters in the way. These same ones will grow worse, not better over the course of their lives, because not only do they deceive others, but also they themselves are deceived. Moreover, there is no greater deception than the deception one perpetrates upon himself.
We have all seen those who have stood up among us, claiming to be someone, yet in time, their true nature is revealed fully through the fruit that each bears. Just because one comes in the name of Yeshua our Mashiach, does not mean he is genuine. We are to test these men thoroughly to see what is in each one, so that we will not be led astray into things of which it is not even proper to speak. Take great care about who you personally are following, that he is a true follower of Mashiach Yeshua in all aspects of his life. Is the person you have chosen to follow setting a good example in every area of his life? If not, then he is not worthy of your following him.
Knowing Our Teachers Who also Follow Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:14
But abide you in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them.
Here is the truth in this matter. We are to know those who teach us. We are to know their fruits and their spirit. We are to know them as fully as possible. This not only protects us, but it protects them as well. For, when something comes forth from their mouths that does not seem quite right, then we have a duty and an obligation to go to that person and ask questions. We need to make our teachers accountable for what they teach. They certainly are accountable to YHWH. However, do we realize they are also accountable to those whom they teach as well?
Ma’aseh [Acts] 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.
Now who was it these Bereans were examining and whose words and teaching they were comparing to what Scripture says? It was Shaul. Now if they were commended for doing this with Shaul, how much more should we do this with those who stand up among us in these days teaching us the word of YHWH?
Brethren, any person who teaches the word of YHWH and becomes offended by someone questioning what he is teaching, is a person from whom to run away! While there may be truth coming out of that person’s mouth, it is most assuredly mixed with error! Run! Save yourselves from heartache. Sadly, in these days many teachers will not allow others to question what they are teaching. These teachers take on an air of infallibility, which is contrary to what Scripture teaches us about our teachers. In short, those teachers and leaders who do such things are seeking idol worshippers, the idol being them.
It is the word of YHWH that must have complete authority in each and every one of our lives without exception. If it does not, then how can a person be our brother? He cannot. Before a person can be a leader, he must be a follower of Mashiach Yeshua. If a person cannot follow and obey the Voice of YHWH, such a person is not someone worthy of being followed. If we do not make our teachers and leaders accountable, who will?
Wisdom for Life Because of Following Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:15
And that from your youth you have been a student of the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for life in the faith which is in Yeshua the Mashiach.
Scripture teaches us that there is a worldly wisdom and there is a spiritual wisdom. Let us be careful to discern between the two. Each one of us desires to walk in the wisdom that is from above rather than in the wisdom of this present world.
Qorintyah [1st Corinthians] 1:21
For seeing that in the wisdom of the Elohim the world through its wisdom knew not the Elohim, it was the Elohim's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
True wisdom consists of not only knowing Torah, but also especially in obeying those same Torah commandments, which, by the way, includes hearing and obeying His Voice; not just obeying His Voice when we feel like it, but in everything that He speaks to us through His Spirit.
It is in this way that YHWH through Yeshua our Mashiach has opened up to all who are willing to obey Him, to be able to enter into that wisdom and have life by the faith that exists in Yeshua our Mashiach and to follow Him completely and fully.
Following Him in Righteousness
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:16
Every scripture breathed by the Ruach, teaching him to see, and for correction, and for healing, and for instruction in the righteousness.
The word “scripture” in the above passage is כָּל כָּתוּב שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בָּרוּחַ – “kal katuv shenniktav baruach,” means all written which was written by the Ruach, in short, Scripture.
We also find the following in another passage.
Ivrim [Hebrews] 1:1
Elohim, having of old time spoken to the fathers in the prophets by various portions and in various manners,
Many of YHWH’s prophets wrote down the visions, messages and signs that YHWH spoke through them. Accordingly, because it was through the Ruach Qodesh that these things were written, they are Scripture. The first and foremost of these writings is, of course, the Torah Moshe. Then there are the writings of the other various prophets. These writings are no less Scripture as well. Yeshua teaches us this very truth.
Luqa [Luke] 24:44
And He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the Torah Moshe, and the prophets, and the tehillim, concerning Me.”
Yeshua verified that all these various scrolls written by the various prophets were Scripture and would come to pass.
While it is true these many and various writings were not compiled into a single work until much later after the days of Mashiach Yeshua, this does not make them any less Scripture. In the days of Mashiach Yeshua, each writing was contained in its own scroll. Even today in synagogues, there are separate scrolls for the various writings. The putting of these writings into a single work, a book, did not happen until much later in the history of man.
Our standard is the Torah Moshe. If a writing is in harmony with these commandments and does not contradict the Torah Moshe, then it may very well be considered Scripture. For what good are these various writings brought about through the Ruach Qodesh? These various writings were given for the edification and up-building of the body of Mashiach Yeshua.
There are four things that cover every conceivable aspect of a person’s life. Scripture is good for these four things:
Scripture first of all, opens our eyes to His truth so that we might see Mashiach.
Ivrim [Hebrews] 1:2
has at the end of these days spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
If we are open and honest, we will be able to see Yeshua as the One spoken of over and over in the Torah Moshe and in the prophets and in the writings. A person cannot see this without this ability being given to him from the Spirit of YHWH.
The written word of YHWH is also good for correction. When a person, any person, needs correction, what that person does not need to hear, is another person’s opinion. What he needs is the word of YHWH! When we are sent to a person with a word of correction, the only way that correction will truly come to pass is if we bring the word of YHWH to that person. If a person brings his own opinion it will do nothing of eternal value in the other person’s life.
The written word of YHWH is also good for healing. This is not only physical healing, but emotional, spiritual, and mental healing as well. Whatever type of healing is needed in a person’s life, His word will provide the needed balm!
Then finally, the written word is good for instructing us in the way of right living. Without these instructions, we are dead in our sins and have no hope. However, with the written word of YHWH pointing the way to Yeshua our Mashiach and as we live according to the righteous example He has provided for us, we will also be able to live in that same righteousness, not of our own strength and power, but by His Spirit!
Completed in Elohim for Following Him
Timote’os Bet [2nd Timothy] 3:17
That the man of the Elohim may be complete, furnished completely for every good work.
YHWH has given us His written word that we might have everything we need pertaining to life and the work He has called us to do. We are lacking nothing in Mashiach, but rather we have abundance to overflowing of everything we need; many times these things are provided even before we know we need them.
Luqa [Luke] 6:38
“give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure you measure it shall be measured to you again.”
The principle here is the same principle as sowing and reaping. If one sows sparingly, then sparingly one shall reap! However, if one sows in abundance, not withholding, then in abundance he shall reap! This principle is not only true of material things, but it is especially true of spiritual matters. If a person sows abundantly those truths YHWH entrusts to him, he shall also reap an abundance of spiritual truths being increased to him from YHWH.
How are you doing in your sowing His word in the lives of others? Do you feel kind of dried up? Then sow more and sow more often!
ABBA YHWH, we ask that You would correct us where we need correction and that You would instruct us where we need instruction, that we might walk in the power of Your Spirit rather than in our own understanding; in the name of Yeshua our Mashiach. Amein
Shabbat Shalom
Zerubbabel ben Emunah
www.onetorahforall.com
zerubbabel@onetorahforall.com
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