Belief and the Law

Are You Walking the Walk, or just Talking the Talk?

By Bill Bates

ecently, a certain man of the Catholic faith approached one of the members of our Assembly and made disparaging remarks about the leadership and teachings of our fellowship. This certain man elaborated to our brethren that we were fabricating untruths and teaching him falsely. He contended that we only use bits and pieces of certain scriptures to support our beliefs, and that we merely take one scripture and ignore the other ones around it. In that context, the entire gist of him sharing his contentions with our brethren was to make it clear to him that we have taught him a wholesale lie – despite what we say, we are no longer required to recognize and keep Yahweh’s Laws and Commands.

Sadly, upon hearing this before-mentioned conversation between this man and my brethren, two rather charismatic Christian fellows chimed in on the topic. For the next hour or so, these two had a “rompin-stompin” good time in berating our Assembly about what they perceive us to believe. They have concluded that we are trying to “work” for our salvation, when all we have do to is “believe”!

As always, it amazes me that these types of people are continually bent on attacking what they think we believe, when truth be known, they have never actually taken the time or cared enough to find out what our beliefs really are and what scriptural authority these beliefs are based upon. I am amazed even more that, instead of approaching someone of our Assembly who is well grounded in their beliefs to get their answers or to provoke a discussion or argument, they instead employ a predatory tactic usually found in nature of trying to “pick off” or “separate” the ones of the “herd” whom they believe to be weakest, and then they “attack” their beliefs.

If those same people would just come to the source of the teachings in which they may disagree or deem to be false, they would find out that we have never claimed that the Law (Torah) “saves” us. To the contrary, we teach that someone who trusts in the Law alone for salvation falls from favor (Galatians 5:4). The truth of the matter is, we just simply hold that true belief in the Messiah entails not just talking the talk – we believe you have to walk the walk!

Romans 2:13 says: “For not the hearers of the Law are just before YHWH, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.” (KJV)

James 1:25 also says: “the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV)

And what “perfect law” was James talking about? The Greek word for “law” in that verse is “nomos,” which can be found in Strong’s Concordance under #3551. Strong’s shows nomos to generally mean a “regulation,” and specifically “of Moses,” which is what the Scriptures call the Torah or Law.

Paul uses that same word, nomos, in Romans 2:13, essentially saying that “the doers of the (torah) shall be justified.” Thus, in accordance with what was written by Paul and James, if we are teaching a lie when we say that our walk is perfected in keeping the Law, or “nomos,” then would you not have to say the same thing about Paul and James?  

How could that be? It is not! We of the Assembly do not believe that to be the case, as we believe that Paul and James taught truth. Likewise, we teach what they taught. We are just very careful to study the Scriptures deeply as Peter warned us that Paul’s letters contained things that were hard to understand, “which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other scriptures.” (2 Peter 3:16 NIV). We do not merely rely on what man tells us, which seems to be the norm for today for people who claim to be “Believers.”

With that in mind, I would like to address these issues of what they assume we believe. As a result, we need ot delve a little deeper into the simple concept of “walking the walk,” and how our true belief is contingent upon it. In conjunction with that concept, as those men have claimed that only belief is a requirement to be saved, let us therefore first examine what it really means to believe in the Messiah.

               WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO

                   BELIEVE IN YAHSHUA?

From the beginning to the end, the New Testament compels us to believe in Yahshua HaMashiach. The well-known scripture, John 3:16, makes it clear that Yahweh so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that “whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Other verses give us a promise that those who believe in Yahshua receive forgiveness of their sins (Acts 10:43) and  salvation (Romans 1:16). Thus, believing in Yahshua is indeed very important.

In awareness of this scriptural mandate, many have been instructed by the churches they attend that all they need to do is simplhy believe upon Yahshua (to Christians, the improper Latinizee-Greek name, J-sus) to receive the benefit of all of his promised blessings. But what many do not realize is what Yahshua and the New Testament authors actually meant by the proclamation to “believe.” The common concept of the vast majority of those claiming to be “believers” assume tht to believe means simply to recognize Yahshua as Savior.

As a result of that misconception, many teachers with good intentions have mistakenly said that nothing else is required along with belief. Their reasoning is derived from the assumption that if any works are involved, then a person is attempting to earn his salvation, which is impossible to do (Galatians 2:16). Doubtlessly, it is by grace – Yahweh’s unmerited favor toward us – through faith, that we are saved (2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 5:8).

But, if no works are involved, does this mean that one who merely believes that Yahweh exists, that Yahshua is His Son, and who is willing to receive all of Yahweh’s promises, does not need to do anything else? Does this mean that such a person can live a life that includes sexual immorality, lying, stealing, murdering – breakaing Yahweh’s every command – and still receive eternal life? Isn’t this contrary to James 2:17, which states: “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (NIV).

Another version of that scripture says: “so also belief, If it does not have works, is in itself dead.” (The ISR Scriptures)

For a very long time people have wrestled with understanding the relationship between believing in the Messiah and good works. Man’s opinion and interpretations abound. As a result, let us lay aside any preconceived notions or human teachings and see how Yahshua and the writers of the New Testament explain what believing in Yahshua really means.

        TRUE BELIEF REQUIRES ACCEPTING

            ALL OF YAHSHUA’S TEACHINGS

Yahshua miraculously fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two small fish; with His disciples gathering up 12 baskets of leftover food (John 6:5-13). Seeing this miracle, “…then those men, when they had seen the sign that Yahshua did, said, ‘this is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world’” (v. 14) – a reference to a great successor to Moses as foretold in Scripture. These men believed that Yahshua truly was from Yahweh.

After Yahshua departed, many of those who were miraculously fed sought Him out. They wanted Him to perform another miracle, saying that this would help them to believe (v. 30). Despite their wishes, rather than perform another miracle, Yahshua taught them.

In His teachings, Yahshua explained that, unlike the physical bread the crowd had recently eaten, He was the True Bread from heaven who gives eternal life to the world (vss. 32-33). He further told them that His followers would need to “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood” (vs. 53), alluding to the symbols of bread and wine in the annual Passover and internalizing what these meant, affirming their covenant relationship with Him. This would ultimately lead to eternal life (vs. 54).

Many of those who listened to Yahshua, including His own disciples, found this teaching difficult to understand (vs. 60). In further addressing this confused group, Yahshua said to them, ‘“But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Yahshua knew from the beginning who they wore who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” After this, “many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (vss. 64, 66).

The sad fact was, though many of those people who had walked away had said that they “believed” after they saw Yahshua perform a miracle, they did not believe what He spoke. What Yahshua meant by believing in Him included believing everything He said. It meant far more than just accepting free gifts that He was offering.

                  TRUE BELIEF REQUIRES THE

                        CONVICTION TO OBEY

One of  the many traditions of the Yahudim (Jews) during the first century was to ritually wash their hands in a special way prior to eating. Upon notice that some of Yahshua’s disciples had started eating without going through with this fastidious ritual, some of the Pharisees and scribes found fault with them and asked Yahshua why did His disciples eat with “unwashen hands” (Mark 7:1-5).

In response, Yahshua told them that they were hypocrites for even asking such a question. He declared that these words from the Old Testament (TaNaKh) applied to them: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” (vss.6-7).

Continuing on, Yahshua said, “For laying aside the commandments of Yahweh, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do … all too well you reject the commandment of Yahweh, that you may keep your tradition. (vss 8-9) As you see from these verses, notice that Yahshua did not condemn nor find fault with the Pharisees for keeping Yahweh’s commands. To the contrary, He only chastised them for forsaking His commands to follow their own.

Today, many who claim to believe in the Messiah also follow the commandments of men rather than those of Yahweh. For instance, instead of assembling to worship Yahweh on the biblical weekly Sabbath (sunset Friday evening to dark Saturday), and observing the annual Holy Days as Yahweh commanded, they worship on Sunday and on holidays that originated in pagan religious worship, including Christ-mass and Easter (Ishtar).

In that light, you must realize a serious fact. In His well known “Sermon on the Mount,” Yahshua said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in your Name, and cast out demons in your Name, and done many might works in your Name?’ And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me, you who work lawlessness!’” (Mat. 7:21-23, the ISR Scriptures).

That word, “lawlessness” is rendered “iniquity” in the KJV and is the Greek word “anomia (Strongs #458). It means “illegality, i.e. violation of Law; wickedness, inequity, transgression of the Law, unrighteousness.

With that in mind, after hearing the very words of our Messiah, if in your life you work “anomia” and are violating “nomos,” does He truly know you? Are you part of a religious organization, such as Catholicism, that knows His Name (Catechism 203-211), casts out demons in His Name, and done many might works in His Name, but still work lawlessness?

If so, in accepting the absolutely correct teaching that we cannot earn our salvation through works, have you naively embraced the incorrect teaching that keeping Yahweh’s Law does not matter? Yahshua’s own words clearly show that He expects believers to lay aside the commandments of men and keep the Commandments of Yahweh, even though that obedience will not earn them salvation.

The notion that one can believe in the Messiah without obeying His instructions, or keeping the Commandments, is a common but flawed perspective. Yahshua addressed this same error in think in His earthly ministry by asking, “Why do you call me ‘Master, Master’ and do not what I say?” (Luke 6:46) That question espouses the truth that genuine belief in Yahshua is not a passive experience – He wants you to “walk the walk.” True followers of Yahshua will act on His teachings!

               LAW AND GRACE ARE INSEPARABLE

Even with the explanation that true belief invokes actions on the part of a believer, most people today that call themselves Christians still find it difficult to understand the relationship between Yahweh’s grace and Yahweh’s law. The common view of today’s churches is, “if there is something we must actually do to be forgiven, then grace is meaningless because grace implies that the Father demands nothing in return.”

Actually there is some truth to that assumption. Grace, Yahweh’s favor or good will toward us, is undeserved. It is inclusive of unmerited pardon or forgiveness of sin. That cannot be earned.

But on the other hand, Yahweh’s grace was never intended as a wholesale license to continue sinning! Paul made this truth very plain:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2).

It should be obvious that Grace and Law are inseparable, as the Scriptures clearly teach. Sin, the breaking of Yahweh’s Law (1 John 3:4), is to be removed. What would be the point in pardoning people of their sins, just to allow them to continue violating Yahweh’s Law? That would make absolutely no sense at all, and is Scripturally forbidden (Hebrews 6:4-6 & 10:26-31)!

This would also be a complete contradiction of Paul’s teaching that Yahshua HaMashiach “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Grace, made possible through Yahshua’s sacrifice of Himself, allows for us to be “redeemed” – to be bought back by Yahweh through Yahshua’s paying of the ultimate price. That redemption includes our being purified as Yahweh’s “own special people” through the gift of His Set-Apart Spirit, making us “zealous for good works.”

Those words of Paul may be one of the ‘bits and pieces of certain Scriptures” that we have been accused of  using to support our beliefs, but how can you deny the plain meaning in those few words? Yes, grace, through Yahshua’s sacrifice, supplies the forgiveness that the Law cannot give. But grace does not replace the laws of Yahweh, as Scripture shows. Instead, grace gives us a fresh start, a chance to begin life anew, to start over in accordance with Yahweh’s teachings, which includes the righteous principles espoused in His Law. In full effect, grace includes Yahweh giving us the spiritual help to obey.

                  WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?

As stated earlier, to the majority of people today, grace is misunderstood. To believe that Yahweh requires nothing from us except to believe that Yahshua is His Son, and that He died for our sins would deprive us of the salvation we seek, as it would leave us still in our sins!

And I challenge you, do not just take my word for it. See what your Bible has to say:

“So you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to Yahweh in Yahshua the Messiah, our Master. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, to obey it in its lusts, neither present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to Yahweh.  For sin shall not rule over you, for you are not under the Law but under favor. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under favor? Let it not be! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:11-16 ISR)

Regretfully, many sincere people still think that no changes are required of them to receive Yahweh’s gift of grace other than to believe on the Name of the Messiah and accept His shed blood for their sins. Paul’s words above show that this is simply not true. Sin is to be put away and we become servants in obedience to righteousness.

The most popular and misunderstood scripture that expounds upon the importance of Yahshua’s death is perhaps John 3:16: “For Yahweh so loved the world that He gave His only brought-forth Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life.” (ISR Scriptures)

The last part of this verse, “..that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life,” has been only partially understood by untold millions of people. Many mistakenly assume that belief in the Savior means only believing His identity and promises, and that it does not include any reciprocal action on their own part. But as we discussed earlier, truly believing in Yahshua is demonstrated by one’s actions.

The Scriptures tell us emphatically that to be saved one must repent of our selfish ways, turn to Yahweh in faith, and believe what Yahshua has told us to do. (Acts 2:38). Yet, many professing believers in the Messiah still do not demonstrate their belief by  living as Yahshua Himself lived, and instructed us to do (1 Jo 2:6) Even then, as the Bible reveals, this initial, minimal level of belief is not all that Yahshua desires of us. Once again, in Luke 6:46, He states: But why do you call me ‘Master,Master,’ and do not what I say?”

When a rich young man asked Yahshua what it would take for him to enter eternal life, he got an answer that would shock many today:  “…if you want to enter into life, obey the Commandments.” (Mat 19:17b NIV).

Yahshua also warned that “whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.”(Mat. 5:19).

Even Paul knew this truth when he explained that “the law is holy, and the commandments holy and just and good.” (Rom. 7:12).Therefore, Yahweh wants us to keep his laws in the spirit as well as in the letter, and genuinely understand and apply their full intent. Salvation is offered to those who truly believe – those who are willing to strive to keep Yahweh’s commandments from the heart.

Not convinced? Do you need more proof as to whether there is anything more we must do than what is traditionally taught? Okay, go then to the very end of your Bible. Who were the ones who enraged the dragon? Revelation 12:17 says:

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring, those who obey Yahweh’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Yahshua. (NIV).

Also, you will find where it plainly states, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life (for the gift of eternal life), and may enter through the gates into the city[New Jerusalem]. (Rev. 22:14).

A studious look at the Scriptures shows that there is a lot more for you and me to do than merely accept the Name of the Messiah, call ourselves some denominational name, and accept the shed blood of  our Savior. Yahweh wants us to transform our lives (2 Cor. 5:17), to build us into His righteous character – which is revealed through His Law.

To be accepted by Yahweh, to receive that promised blessing, which is a gift and cannot be earned, we must want to keep His Laws because we respect and love them, and have repented of breaking them. Then, we must accept Yahweh’s grace for forgiveness of our past failure to properly adhere to His righteous laws, thus sinning; and from then on, striving with His help to start being obedient, always repenting and seeking forgiveness when we fall short.

WHEN DOES YAHSHUA’S DEATH APPLY TO YOU?

The death of Yahshua HaMashiach applies to us when we are personally drawn by Yahweh to understand His truths and then respond. If you have been called by Yahweh (see John 6:44), then you already recognize how Yahshua’s death applies to you.

Accepting Yahshua’s death must be accompanied by repentance – a change of direction from our old sinful life (2 Cor. 5:17). It is also required that we exercise faith in what the Messiah has taught us. This means that we can begin obeying Yahweh’s law, which works to liberate us from our captivity to sin (Romans 6:11-23).

Yes, John 3:16 is absolutely true – we must believe upon Yahshua. But we must fully understand what that means. The truth is that there is something for us to do, once we are drawn to understand the truth. We must know that our sins – everyone’s – have made necessary the death of our Messiah, without which we would have died in our sins, permanently and forever forgotten.

But instead, Yahshua died in our place. We deserve death – He didn’t. Anyone who sins deserves death (Rom. 6:23). But Yahweh is merciful to us and gave His Son to willingly take our penalty upon Himself and die in our place.

In response, He expects us to listen to His instructions and obey His commands. That is what Yahshua died for.

YAHWEH’S COMMANDS VS. MAN’S TRADITIONS

Keep in mind, Proverbs 14:12 tells us that there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death. Matthew 7:13-14 also tells us that the narrow way which leads to life is hard pressed and few there be that find it; while the road that is traveled by many leads to destruction. With that in mind, can you truly afford to base your salvation on doctrines of men, as taught to the masses? If only a few find the life that Yahshua spoke of, what does it say about any belief system that you might share with untold millions of others, who have been taught that all they have to do is merely believe?

Then again, I beg you to not just take my word for it; search the scriptures for yourself.  Be like the Bereans who were “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:10-11). The Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonicans because they proved everything they heard from Paul and Silas. They studied the Scriptures daily, refusing to follow the doctrines of men. As a result, they followed Paul and Silas as they themselves followed the words of the Messiah.

The Bereans’ attitude has been a very rare trait in the past, and is certainly rare in today’s world. We should all take their attitude to heart and apply all that we learn “with readiness of mind.” When they knew Yahweh commanded it, they did it – no matter what the consequences. In fact, in their diligent search of the Scriptures, the Bereans had a prime example of true belief and “walking the walk.”

               ABRAHAM WALKED THE WALK  

Despite what is said about belief being the only prerequisite to salvation, the Apostle James said that “even the demons believe and tremble!” (James 2:19), revealing that “just believing” is not enough. The type of faith that is required is exhibited through the patriarch Abraham, who was a prime example. His faith was alive, possessing the two most important characteristics: belief and obedience.

In Genesis 12, Yahweh revealed that it was time to begin His nation, Israel, through Abraham: “And Yahweh said to Abram, ‘Go yourself out of your land, from your relatives and from your father’s house, to a land which I will show you.” (ISR)

Yahweh promised to bless Abram and make him a great nation. But, this was not as easy as it sounded. Abram had to leave his father’s house, his relatives, his friends, and his life, and travel to a distant land. He could have protested, argued, even said no. Realize, Babylon was the very center of society, commerce, and convenience of life (much like NYC, Rome, London, or LA is today). Why would someone want to just walk away from civilization and wander around in tents in the remote land of Canaan?

Remarkably, Abram did not oppose or resist Yahweh’s request. He did not ask, “Why do I have to do anything to receive your promises?” He just simply obeyed Yahweh.

“So Abram left, as Yahweh had commanded him, and lot went with him” (Gen. 12:4). He went out despite the fact that he had no idea where he was going. However, convinced by Yahweh’s Word, “He was looking  for the city having foundations, whose builder and maker is Yahweh” (Heb. 11:10). Thus, from the beginning of Abraham’s calling, belief in and obedience to Yahweh’s word were the two definite characteristics of his faith.

In recognizing that extraordinary faith of Abraham, He (Yahweh) brought him (Abram) outside and said, ‘Look now toward the heavens, and count the stars if you can.’ And He said to him, ‘So are your seed.’ And he believed in Yahweh, and He reckoned it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:5-6). Abram’s righteousness was accorded to faith in Yahweh’s word backed up by obedience, “because Abraham obeyed My voice and guarded My charge: My commands, my laws, and my torah” (Gen 26:5).

What then were the examples of Abraham’s obedience in conjunction with belief? Other than “pulling up stakes” and leaving all that he knew to head off into the unknown at the age of 99, Abraham, in obedience to Yahweh, circumcised himself and all the males of his household as a sign of the covenant Yahweh made with him (Gen. 17:23). Paul refers to this sign as “a seal of the righteousness of the belief” that Abraham already exhibited before his circumcision. Through that act, he was not only the physical father of the circumcision adhered to by Israel, but through belief and by example he became the “father of all those believing…” (Rom. 4:11). Yet, the most profound test of Abraham’s belief and obedience still remained.

The most intensive challenge to the faith of Abraham came when he was asked to offer up his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering: And it came to be after these events that Elohim tried Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said to Him, “Here I am.” And He said, “Take your son, now, your only son Yitshaq [Isaac], whom you love, and go to the land of Moriyah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of he mountains that I command you.” And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Yitshaq his son. And he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place which Elohim had commanded him (Gen. 22:1-3, the Scriptures).

Again, Abraham believed and obeyed, “reckoning that Elohim was able to raise, even from the dead” (Heb. 11:19). These very characteristics from “the father of all believing,” Abraham, set him apart as a unique servant and friend of Yahweh – and should be our example of walking the walk. All true believers who walk in the steps of Abraham’s faith are justified by faith. But it is a living and proactive faith that departs from the ways of the world and manmade beliefs, and submits to the ways of Yahweh. Upon doing our part – repenting, being baptized, and receiving yahweh’s Spirit – we become Yahweh’s begotten sons, the seed of Abraham, and heirs according to the promise given to faithful Abraham (Romans 4:11, 16-25, Galatians 3:28-29.

YAHWEH’S LAW IS THEREFORE REAL, AND AFFECTS YOUR LIFE

As we have discussed, most “believers” do not think that true belief requires obeying Yahweh’s laws – at best considering them optional. Sadly, those people do not understand that obedience or disobedience to “nomos” carries the potential not only for great good in our lives, but also the potential for great harm.

Choosing whether or not to “walk the walk” of true belief through the action of obedience results in consequences that we must accept. The Creator of the universe has set in motion certain laws, bot physical and spiritual, that leaves our lives ruled by cause and effect.

We are all familiar with the basic laws of physics, which governs how phyusical objects react under certain conditions. For example, when you step off of a cliff, the “law” of gravity ensures that you fall to the ground. Gravity is always in effect, whether we believe it or not. If you step off of that cliff, the law of gravity does not care if your action was accidental or intentional; you still fall and get hurt. Even then, just because the law of gravity can be harmful, it does not mean that the law is always harmful. That same law guarantees that you do not step out of your house and float off into space.

Similarly, Yahweh has established spiritual laws. Like gravity, these laws are solid and unchanging. Also like gravity, these laws themselves are invisible, but their effects are equally real. They affect how people interact with each other, and with Yahweh.

When the laws of gravity are ignored, the effect is quickly visible. When someone tries to ignore Yahweh’s spiritual laws, the effects are just as real, though they may take longer to notice. Instead of broken bones from falling off a cliff, ignoring Yahweh’s Spiritual laws can lead to broken marriages, shattered relationships, failed jobs, and ruined lives. Case in point, do you not find it odd that the very church organizations that promote the belief that Yahweh’s laws are done away, suffer a higher divorce rate than for couples who do not belong to a “church”?

Think about it. What are these Spiritual laws? Yahweh has summarized them in ten principles widely known as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), but can be found in their entirety in the first five books of the Old Testament, and is called the Torah.

In applying them to our lives, what might happen if you were to violate the first four commands? What if you made the “almighty dollar” your elohim (“god” in most texts), line the walls of your home with idols, use Yahweh’s Name in vain, and ignore Yahweh’s weekly Sabbath of rest? Would you instantly feel the pain as you would after stepping off a cliff? Maybe, but likely not. You might even for awhile believe that you were getting away with disobedience, but there would be penalties. Even then, by that disobedience you would be keeping Yahweh from being actively engaged in your life, where He could intervene when needed, or bless you (Psa. 66:18; Isa. 59:1-2).

The same is true for the next six commands, which govern human relationships. What if you disrespect your parents, murder those who got in your way, became unfaithful to your spouse, steal something from your neighbor, lie to your boss, and lust after every possession or person of the opposite sex you see? Would you feel the pain right away? Maybe, maybe not. Yet, sooner or later, you would pay the penalty, and you life would be miserable as a result.

Look at it this way, Yahweh’s spiritual laws are a blueprint for human happiness. They are in effect, just like gravity, whether or not you choose to “believe” in them.

Yahweh’s laws of cause and effect are real, and they can operate for your benefit, or for your harm. Yahweh said, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live, that you may love YHWH your Elohim, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling toHim, for He is your Life and Length of your days” (Deut. 30:9-20 NKJ).

Each of us has the choice whether or not we will follow Yahweh’s spiritual laws. And just as our lives would be filled with problems if we hardheartedly tried to defy the law of gravity rather than using it to our benefit, so too will we experience grief if we ignore Yahweh’s law. But when we choose to follow His law, we will experience His blessings of abundant life that come from obedience instead of the curses for breaking those laws.

As for me, I believe; therefore my actions work to reflect that fact. In all truth, I agree with James who said, “Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works,” (James 2:18, ISR).I choose to put my belief on display by “walking the walk” and reaping Yahweh’s promises and blessings thereof, no matter what man or his religions think about it. I hope you will, too. ~