Thursday, 13 February 2020

Is it by Grace or Works that you are saved?

Is it by Grace or Works  that you are saved?
As believers we must constantly check our focus and make sure it is where it needs to be.

This topic is a huge division maker between believers in Yahusha.  Many say we are saved by grace alone while others claim works are also required. What does the Bible say?   We must refer to scripture to know the answers and they are in there,
Sin is defined as transgression of Yahuahs moral law (10 commandments, written by Elohim). It is this moral law that show us what sin IS, so we can pray for the strength to overcome it.
Without this outline, how would one know what sin constitutes?  The problem is this. Many churches are teaching that sinning is just part of being human.  If people believe that it is simply by grace without any action on our pârt at all that saves us then it leaves one open to thinking that sinning is an acceptable part of being a believer.
Where does it say that we can continue in our sin and still be followers? It does not say that anywhere because that is absolute false teaching.
In the Biblical story where Yahusha speaks to the woman who was going to be stoned for adultery does he say its ok to continue in sin? No actually what HE says is.....Go and SIN NO MORE   He tells us in many scriptures that if we die in our sins without repenting or we continue to live in sin we will surely die.  One cannot live the way of mammon and follow his ways and expect to be a follower of Yahusha in the end.  Yahusha will say to many who believe they have made the cut I do not know you. HE is gracious and forgiving but HE does not allow or condone all things, That is very clear as well. Dont allow yourself to be tricked by false teachings. There will be many who are deceived even the elect if not paying attention.  2 Births=1 Death or 1 Birth= 2 Deaths Our choice always.  He warns us of that as well.

Do not get hung up on the words people will use to try to deceive the real message.  Obedience to the commandments of Yahuah is essential to salvation so if that is the case than it is not simply by doing nothing that one is saved is it?

Some simple Biblical facts:
First, you MUST repent of your sins. That IS Biblical. Repentance requires action on our part.
Although salvation is a free gift that is offered because of Yahuahs grace,  what needs to be understood is that first it must be accepted and then there are things that need to be followed.  This again requires action on our part.

Where the confusion comes in, is knowing that salvation is a free gift, absolutely, but there is much more than just accepting Yahusha as our Saviour in order to be a TRUE believer.
We must ask God to come into our lives and accept him as our Saviour and Redeemer. We must be baptised first and then We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. You ARE to go on fighting evil by overcoming temptation and sin on a daily basis, as you grow in the Holy Spirit. That again equates to action needed on our part. Once we live like Yahusha works will automatically follow. It cannot be helped :)
Most have heard the saying  The truth shall set you free?. But what the scripture actually says, goes a little deeper than that. The scripture says  If you HOLD TO MY TEACHING  OR CONTINUE IN MY WORD you are really my disciples THEN you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
So in that scripture 3 different things are addressed.
First you have to hold to or continue his teachings.  If you hold to HIS teaching than you are his but if you are holding to anothers teaching than you are actually not a disciple of Yahusha. This comes into play with pagan practices and false teachings.
If you are holding to a doctrine taught to you by a family member or a church leader or the Popes teaching for example then you may want to be careful as you would be a disciple of that person in actuality, falsely believing yourself to be a believer of Yahusha.  However, scripture states that  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahuah. :Joshua 24 15
The only way to be able to actually find Yahusha teaching is IN THE BIBLE.  This is extremely important. If you do not read the Book to know what is in there daily then how could you be possibly be a follower of Yahusha?
We must accept the fact that we have all been deceived and can still continue to be deceived if we stray from the actual word. The Bible says that the Devil has deceived the WHOLE WORLD.
Salvation is free, and those who repent and accept the sacrifice Yahusha made, become saved BUT you must FOLLOW his teachings not just say you believe in Yahusha to be saved.  Scripture says The road is narrow and few will enter. We must remember when reading Elohims word that none of these scriptures are in there by accident.
Elohim is absolutely gracious for certain. We are given chance after chance after chance while we are here day after day in this place to get it right and to make the right decision and to follow HIM. THAT IS GRACE my friends. .

It is true we were always saved by grace, even before Calvary, but that doesn't excuse sin. If we do not keep the commands, we are sinning. The Bible is clear if we do not confess our sins and repent, we will not receive forgiveness. In Acts chapter 15 the apostles give the early converts four simple tasks and one of them included not eating meats (foods) sacrificed to idols. This can be candy, cupcakes, etc known for specific pagan days. This also includes worshipping pagan gods
Would Yahusha celebrate  Christmas or Easter and eat unclean foods? No. Then neither should we.
Note:  AFTER Calvary the Apostles gave us this instruction because when we eat Christmas candy, Easter candy, Halloween candy, Valentine's Day candy etc., we are eating meats sacrificed to idols. Candy by itself is not a sin, but candy or trinkets and symbols of paganism are a different topic altogether and we need to know the difference.
What does Yahuah say? "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women need their dough, to make cakes to the Queen of Heaven (Ishtar or Easter), and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods (milk and cookies for Santa or Satan), that they may provoke me to anger." Jeremiah 7:18 KJV
This happened before, and it will happen again.
Some people love their pagan feasts and would rather serve Satan than Yahusha. They're trying to make excuses, like alcoholics. When people love their demon, they don't want to let it go. People who take part in pagan feasts and claim they are worshipping Yahuah the Creator during these satanic rituals will be destroyed.
We are ultimately saved by Yahuahs grace as we are not worthy.  It is true we are not saved by good works, lest any man boast but the lives of those who are saved are expected to be characterized by good works!

Paul makes it clear throughout his writings that Elohim’s grace leading to salvation is “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). But Paul’s overall perspective toward  works is generally ignored by opponents of obedience to Elohim’s law.
Look at Paul’s perspective in the next verse. “For we are His workmanship, created in Yahusha Ha Mashiach for good works, which Yahuah prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Those who ignore the reasons for our being Elohim’s “workmanship,” who ignore why we are “created in Yahusha for good works” and why we are to “walk” in them, miss a major part of Paul’s message.
Notice Paul’s correlation of obedience and works related to salvation to Elohim’s work within us, which enables us to accomplish His purpose in us. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is Elohim who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

Keeping the law isn't what saves us. Yahusha alone is.. No man but Yahusha could ever fully keep the law, it's humanly impossible in this sinful flesh. But the law is perfect instruction in righteousness and should be referred to as to how to live a proper life. It's detailed instructions on how to truly love Yahuah and your brothers and sisters. It will never be abolished.

Paul taught that salvation is a gift from Yahuah by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The Greek word for “grace” is charis , meaning a gift or favor.
But we also need to remember that Faith without works is dead Yahusha said that.

James 2:23-26   And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed Yahuah, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of Yahuah.24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Satan hates the true believers who obey the commandments and have faith! Rev 12:17 But he loves the ones who claim 'grace' and love to purposely live in sin(transgression of the law), showing no faith

Hebrews 10:26-31 King James Version (KJV) 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Yahuah.

I'd like to share this here with you all. This is not my story but one I found on the internet and no name attached. It really hit home.

Basically, I learned that Elohim is love and we are saved by grace alone from a miracle He produced in front of my face. I then got into a conversation with two people who claimed to be christians shortly afterwards-and one was gay. The gay christian had been in a relationship for over 20 years and the other christian told him he better repent or he's going to hell. I kindly told the guy that he didn't need to be so mean and since Yahuah is love, he'd understand this guy's love for his partner...

Well, a few hours later I felt so sick to my stomach- like void and didn't realize why until I thought about all I had done that day. I prayed to Yahuah how to make it right and was told to read the book of Romans and to go tell the guy to repent and apologize to the other guy I told not to be so mean.

I did just that and Yahuah healed me of painful cysts in my armpits at the very moment I told the guy I was sorry I was wrong and that homosexuality is a grave sin. I mean I had water/sweat flowing like a fauce/waterhose was turned on full blast ya'll and heard "Daughter, you're healed". The feeling went away and so did the cysts that very moment!! Praise Yahuah.
I learned that day that even though we are saved by grace through faith and that Yahuah will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness and our sins are forgiven if we repent and follow his ways,  HE will NOT let us continue in our sins, live in unholiness nor accept it. It is all very clearly laid out in the scriptures.
Yahuah bless xo

What does it mean to have Grace?

What does it mean to have Grace?

After a friend posted this quote it inspired me to write a piece on God's Grace.
When you finally learn that a persons behaviour has more to do with their internal struggle than it ever did with you, You learn Grace!

The greek word Charis means Grace and is the Hebrew equivalent to the word chesed meaning Lovingkindness.
This word itself describes Yahuahs character. Psalms 36:7, 89:33. In the NT the word charis means divine favour or goodwill. Paul used the word Grace to describe Yahuahs free gift of salvation and Peter used it as well in Acts 15:11 But we that believe that through the grace of Yahuah Ha Mashiach we shall be saved, even as they.
2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul uses this term when quoting Yahusha himself. And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect by your weakness.  Paul finishes the paragraph with for when I am weak then am I strong. 2 Cor 12:10.
Paul uses the term to describe Yahuahs grace even further. But when it pleased Yahuah, Who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace Galatians 1:15. Paul is speaking of being pulled out of religion and saved by the one truth, the Word of God and Yahuahs grace.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Yahusha. The Mystery spoken of in Ephesians 3 becomes clear that it is that Gentiles have been incorporated into the divine family on the same equal footing as the Israelite born by the dispensation of the grace of God Ephesians 3:2. That is amazing news!!! They are now partakers of the covenant promises from which they were formerly excluded. Ephesians 2:12,13.
There are 7 aspects to the mystery pertaining to the time of the gentiles but here we are only addressing the mystery of the Israelite and Gentile in one body.  We must understand the difference between a covenant and a dispensation to understand God's plan and objective. A dispensation is an administration within a period of time that is based on a conditional test to determine if people will be faithful to God and his conditions. A covenant is an eternal agreement made by Yahuah with a group of individuals or humanity as a whole. While all true believers recognize law and grace are two dispensations to be recognized, there are actually 7 to be followed. One of these dispensations is the land dispensation that many misunderstand and is the reason for the war between geographical Israel and the Muslim nations specifically Palestine.

Paul speaks of Yahuahs grace again very clearly in Galatians 5:3-4 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Yahusha has become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. This scripture is in no way stating that the law was done away rather explains that if all you do is the ritual stuff or hold to just the laws but have not grace, than you are missing the entire meaning.  The Jewish believe it is by Yahuahs grace they are saved as well as obeying the law, but they are hard-hearted to Yahusha when he walked among us as well as today.
A little further down in Galatians Paul will make it clear that he again in no way is claiming the law is done away with, instead he knows that he cannot bring people to the truth with arguments over divisive topics. He knows the laws still stand but also understands that as one learns the word and build their relationships with Yahuah, they will gain greater understanding.  As they strengthen their relationship, they will start to obey all his commandments including the fourth commandment that was never done away with. He states it not a necessity for one to be circumcised immediately, but along the way, once one understands the meaning behind the circumcision, they would decide to do on their own in due time. He wanted to make it clear that it did not exclude you from being a follower of Yahusha if that is what you chose, just because you originated from the gentile nations and were not circumcised immediately.  This again is a perfect example of Yahuahs grace but we are not to misunderstand.

2Peter 3:15-18 Subtitled in my Bible Grow in Grace. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Father and Saviour Yahusha Ha Mashiach. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen