HEAR, O ISRAEL….
We find this passage twice in the entire bible,
being witnessed once by Moses and once by Jesus. In other places this is left out, but this is the first commandment and the others rest upon this,” I AM.”
This is what the Lord is saying, I am these things, I am love, this is my nature, my character, this is what I created man to be, this is the height that man fell from, and to which he is to be restored… What does the scripture mean when it says that the Lord is one? Is it referring to the trinity? It cannot be because it says immediately afterword, and thou shalt… In other words it says because I am so shall you be..
In Deuteronomy chapter 6 the Lord is saying essentially the same thing
[1]Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
[ 2]That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
[ 3]Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
[4]Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
[5]And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
[6]And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
[7]And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
[8]And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
And In Mark 12:29
[29]And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
[30]And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Now the law commanded these things, but could not give the power to accomplish them..Heb 7: 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God
To Know God is to be like Him and to be like Him is eternal Life. Christ came that we might know the Father, in fact the scripture says over and over that He is the exact representation and the revelation of the Father.
In John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
In John chapter 14, Jesus tells them that He is the way to the Father and tells them not to be troubled that He is preparing that way for them, that if they would come to the Father they must go His way, they must follow Him, but Phillip says “show us the Father”.. And Jesus replies that if they have seen him they have seen the Father…again pointing to Character, and perfect love
In Jeremiah 22:16 /The Lord is speaking to his prophet and gives us a picture of His character “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him, was not this to know me? saith the Lord”
This is what Paul means when he tells us that we have liberty, not the liberty to sin, but the freedom to do the will of God by the new and Holy Spirit that is our new birth. Paul points out that all the law is fulfilled in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. He here is trying to show them that only the spirit of God can do and keep this command, that we must obey the spirit of God as he reveals these things..
In Gal 5 verse 16 -26, all this is summed up, not as an option but as the true and only way. The way of the Spirit we receive when we first believe…
[16]This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
[17]For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18]But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[19]Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20]Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21]Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23]Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24]And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25]If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[26]Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
[2 Cor 3: 17-18] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
So what happens if we see God through the glass of some man who does not know Him aright? What if you see Him through some doctrines of man?
The whole intent of God in sending his son was to restore to us what we lost in the garden, namely oneness with him, that as he is so we shall once again be. And tells us it is as we know him that we are changed into that same image.. So we better be sure that we know him rightly, for we will be in the image that we hold…
Hear O Israel takes on an importance never before felt.. For in this and the words that follow the everlasting God is revealed in His glory, His Character clearly seen. God is love..
The Old Testament gave the command that it could not fulfill, but Christ did fulfill all things and He gives you the power of His life. All things are new in Christ.. In keeping His word, in obeying Him we are one with Him.
[Jn 14:22] Jesus answered and said unto him; “if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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[In Gal 5] We are told Christ will become of no effect to us if we try to come to him in any way except by obedience, to His will and walking in his way.
In verse [7] “ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
In verse[13] We are told that we are called unto liberty; But this liberty is not liberty to sin but liberty to do right, for we are told that we must not use it for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
In Romans 8 The way of God and the path Christ sets us on is very clear.. The difference between those who know the word and will of God and those who do not know are clearly delineated, those who live their life in the works of the flesh [listed in Gal 5] do not know him and do not belong to Christ. But those who live the life of the Spirit of God belong to him…
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[2]For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
[3]For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
[4]That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[5]For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
[6]For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
[7]Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
[8]So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9]But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10]And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11]But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
[12]Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
[13]For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
[14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
[15]For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16]The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17]And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[18]For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
So all the” if’s” in the scripture start to make sense, if you have been baptized into Christ you are baptized into His death to sin, but made alive unto righteousness. You have a new life, HIS life, a new Spirit that you obey, not the spirit of this world that lives according flesh, which is death, but the Spirit that comes from God, the Spirit of life.
HEAR O ISRAEL
Part 2
In part one of this series, I have tried to show you that God is one, His purpose one, that we are called to be holy, pure, cleasned from sin, that this is why Jesus died for you, why He gave his overcoming life so that you could now by obedience to Him, to his Spirit of truth overcome the world, the flesh, the devil.
That this and only this is the good news.
In this second part I would like to expose the lie that is the present day doctrine, namely that you don’t have to obey God, that to do or teach obedience is the doctrine of works, and that the imputed righteousness of Christ hides you under a robe that allows you to stay sinful.
For anyone to teach that Christ died to allow sin is the teaching of anti Christ. Do not be deceived… Remember that God is ONE.
That oneness has to compass all the teaching in the word. So to divide the doctrine of faith and works to try explain them is, a dividing of God and God is one. He cannot be divided, nor are we ever called to try to explain Him we are called to obey Him.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
EZK 13: 1-14 [1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2. Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4. O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
6. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
7. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
8. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9. And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
10. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
11. Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
13. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
14. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
15. Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
16. To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
[Jer 12:10] Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness
[Jer 12:11]They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; The whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
[Jer 14:13] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
[Jer 14:14] Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
[Jer 23:16]Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
[Jer 23:17]They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
I am quoting these scriptures to show you something that is going on in all our churches, the doctrines of men have come to be the thing you are told to believe, and they are a false teaching. How foolish to think that Christ died so that you could remain filthy.[ imputed righteousness] Instead of the glorious truth that he came to give you His very life and Spirit so that you could, as He did overcome sin in the flesh.
Why is it that when we read 1 John that we have to make allowances, that we have to put a doctrine there to excuse sin? I will tell you this; Jesus said that the way was agonizing, that many would seek to enter in and would not be able.
Does that sound like the teaching of today? Today, don’t you just have to go to some altar in some church and repeat after me? So easy..so simple…Its all over, you are saved..no hardship, no cross, no following Christ, no death to sin, no narrow way, grace is said to be only the unmerited favor of God. A false vision indeed.. don’t be deceived…untempered mortar…refusing to love the truth…
Yet the word of God clearly teaches that grace is the power and Spirit of a new life. His life, a life that teaches us to be pure and to be holy, in fact we are commanded to be holy in [EPH 1:14] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
EPH 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
[1 Peter 1: 15-16]But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
[Heb 12:14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
In [Titus 2:11-12] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
Now the only way this holiness is imputed to you is if it is a real holiness, God is not going to pretend, you are either in Christ, putting to death the works of the flesh, or you are none of His…[Rom 8: 4-17.]
In 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-17 Paul is pointing to salvation through that cross. To sanctification, through the work of the Holy Spirit, to obtaining the glory of Christ, this is what the gospel does; this is its only message.
The word of God never says that Jesus died so that we can remain in sin, nor does it tell us that we are covered with a robe that allows us to remain hidden from God our Fathers sight. We are told that in[ Heb 4:13] that all creatures are clearly seen and naked before the eyes of God.
[10]And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11]And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
[13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
[14]Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe that strong delusion is here now as we teach the opinions of men, as we teach lies that make sin o.k. even denying the whole purpose that Christ died, as we teach a trampling on the blood of Jesus teaching our doctrines we are daubing untempered mortar on a wall that cannot stand, BE NOT DECEIVED……