264 Are we there yet | nazareneisrael2house

Are we there yet?

Most of us who have and were ourselves once children, remember how when we went on a long journey in our family car, how children soon get tired sitting for hours before we finally get to our destination and often during the journey ask: ‘Are we there yet? Or, ‘When will we be there?’ That is very similar to us who have been called to follow the way of Elohim, who are required to grow in grace and knowledge, to overcome our bad habits with good habits, to eventually get to a point that our way of life and conduct conforms entirely to the way of Elohim. The point is that repentance is a life-long process, during which we are continuously exposed to trials and tests to enable us to build our characters to ultimately beconformed to the image of Elohim.

Similar to a long journey in a motor vehicle children get lulled in to a state of slumber during which they become unaware of what is going on around them, we often get lulled into a state of slumber and continue on our journey without caring what we do and how we live for short and sometimes even longer periods of time. It was for this reason when Yahshua our Messiah walked the earth, talking about the Torah and the Prophets, that He taught His disciples in Matthew 5: 17 & 18, saying: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill (or make it more binding, as witnessed in the rest of Matthew 5 ending in verse 48). (18) For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” If you think or believe that Yahshua accomplished all when He died and was resurrected, you are mistaken as He told His disciples in verses 19 & 20, saying: “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”He did not mean that the scribes and the Pharisees will not make it into the kingdom of Elohim, but He meant that those of us from the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who are because of our past behavior and habits, even now more prone to idolatry and the eating of un-kosher foods and need to be much more aware of what we are doing in our walk with Elohim, since what has become habitual to them, have still to be learnt and applied by us before we are ready. Then there are some of us who after following the way of Elohim for a number of years get to a point where we start believing we have made it and need not do much more to make it into the kingdom of Elohim. Even though most of us, who have been walking in the way of Elohim for some time, have come a long way, we will still have a long way to go before we will finally make it into the kingdom.

In addition, our journey is not only about ourselves, since we as watchmen have been called to show the rest of mankind how living the way of Elohim will result in blessings and benefits that will last long beyond this age during which we are living today. We are also called to grow in both grace and knowledge, until we are able to teach others being called at this time, until our dying day, or when Messiah returns one day, as Yahshua himself taught in Matthew 24: 14 and 42 – 51, saying: “And this gospel of the (coming) kingdom (of Elohim) shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (42)Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Master is coming. (43)But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. (44)For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. (45)Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? (46)Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. (47)Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (48)But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time, (49)and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; (50)the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, (51)and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; weeping shall be there and the gnashing of teeth.” But, to get back to the question of how far we are on our journey, we need to answer a number of pertinent questions, namely:are the mezuzahs on the doorposts of our homestotally kosher? What about the meat that we eat? Does it conform to the standard that Elohim require of us? Yes the second part of the Sh’ma informs us in Deuteronomy 11: 20 – 21 that if we write the words of the commandments on the doorposts of our homes and gates that our days and the days of our children shall be multiplied in the land of which YHVH swore to your fathers (in the faith) to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth, (meaning eternally). But, if we do not do it according to the way Elohim informs us to do it and as Yahshua confirmed in Matthew 23: 1 – 3, that the Pharisees need to tell us how to do it, then can we truly expect to be in the kingdom? If many of us still buy the meat that we eat from the local slaughter houses, without ensuring that the meat they sell are totally kosher, can we truly expect to be in the kingdom?

YHVH expects us to follow His word in detail and that it is a sin for us to agree to practices that are forbidden by Elohim, or to forbid the practices that are commanded by Him. We have a number of examples in the Scriptures showing how absolutely careful we should be when it comes to serving YHVH our Elohim. Nadab and Abihu the two sons of Aaron knew that only their father Aaron the High Priest in Israel could offer incense on a fire pan to YHVH and that he should only do so once a year on the Day of Atonement. But we read from Leviticus 10: 1 & 2: ‘Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before YHVH, which He had not commanded them. (2) And fire came out from the presence of YHVH and consumed them, and they died before YHVH.’ This shows that we need to be very careful how we serve YHVH. But we see later in verse 9 why these two sons of Aaron became so arrogant to do what they did when YHVH spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die— it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations.” Aaron’s sons did what they were commanded not to do, but they did so because they were under the influence of alcohol. We have a second witness about the severity of Elohim, if we do not obey Him in the exact detail that He prescribes. To be able to understand what went wrong in this case, we need to consider the commandments in this regard by reading from Numbers 4: 15, as follows: “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they may not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.” Later when King David was escorting the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, he did not do it as YHVH commanded, as witnessed in 2 Samuel 6: 2 – 10, in this way: ‘And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of Elohim which is called by the Name, the very name of YHVH of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. (3) And they placed the ark of Elohim on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. (4) So they brought it with the ark of Elohim from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. (5) Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before YHVH with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. (6) But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of Elohim and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. (7) And the anger of YHVH burned against Uzzah, and Elohim struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of Elohim.(8) And David became angry because of (YHVH)’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. (9) So David was afraid of YHVH that day; and he said, “How can the ark of YHVH come to me?” (10) And David was unwilling to move the ark of YHVH into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.’

King David was actually angry with himself, because he as the King of the nation should have known Elohim’s specific instructions regarding the transport of the Ark of the Covenant. King David later realized why YHVH acted as He did, as we read from 1 Chronicles 15: 2, 13 - 15, as follows: ‘Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of Elohim but the Levites; for YHVH chose them to carry the ark of Elohim, and to minister to Him forever. (13) Because you did not carry it at the first, YHVH our Elohim made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.” (14) So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of YHVH Elohim of Israel. (15) And the sons of the Levites carried the ark of Elohim on their shoulders, with the poles thereon as Moses had commanded according to the word of YHVH.’ This does not mean that Uzzah will not be in the Kingdom of Elohim one day, but it means that YHVH is extremely serious about His word. Rav Kepha warns us about this in 2 Peter 3: 9, saying: “Adonai is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Rav Shaul writes in this regard in Romans 2: 4, saying: ‘Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, nor knowing that the kindness of Elohim leads you to repentance?’ Rav Shaul also tells us that YHVH has promised to reveal our sins of ignorance to us in Philippians 3: 15 - 17, saying: ‘Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, Elohim will reveal that also to you; (16) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. (17) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.’ But we should remember that once we have been shown the correct way, we should not divert in any way from it, as Yahshua warned in Luke 12: 47 & 48, saying: “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, (48) but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” However, there are those who assume YHVH has changed over the years, once He got to know us. Performing ‘good’ deeds, does not make us righteous, as Yahshua explained in Matthew 7: 21 – 23, saying: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ (23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ YHVH never changes as we read from Malachi 3: 6, saying: “For I, YHVH, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” YHVH has given us a pattern according to which He wants us to worship Him and it has not changed!

When YHVH created Adam and Eve in His image, evil existed outside of mankind, since it was foreign to the true nature and image of Elohim. Adam and Eve’s hearts and minds were in perfect unity with Elohimand they did not have the knowledge of good and evil. However, this total integration came to an end as a result of the fall of mankind, when Eve took of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and gave to her husband Adam, and he also ate. This shattered the image of Elohim within the human mind and soul and it became in need of rectification or ‘tikkun’. After Noah’s flood to rid the world of all rebellious people, YHVH Elohim who knows the end from the beginning, started over a third time with one man named Abram, when mankind rebelled once again by building a tower whose top was to reach into heaven as per Satan’s example mentioned in Isaiah 14: 12 – 14, to make for themselves a name (to worship) and He scattered mankind abroad over the face of the earth. Similar to those of us whom YHVH is calling out of the world today, YHVH called Abram to leave his country, family and his father’s house to go to a land which He promised to his children through Isaac and then Jacob as their eternal inheritance, provided they obeyed Him and as a sign of the covenant between them, circumcise their male children at age eight days old. A second part of the promise was that YHVH would bring the children of Israel, who would later be scattered into the world because of idolatry, back to the covenant relationship He made with them together with the house of Judah at Mount Sinai, through Abraham’s one seed, namely Yahshua, through whom He would also eventually save all mankind, after the second resurrection. Even though Yahshua the word of YHVH or the image of Elohim came to earth the first time specifically to bring the lost sheep of the house of Israel back to the faith into which He was born – which is essentially a covenant relationship with Elohim, His death on the impalement stake atoned for both houses as prophesied by the high priest Caiaphas before Messiah’s death in John 11: 49 – 52, as follows: ‘But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, (50) nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” (51) Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being the high priest that year, he prophesied that Yahshua was going to die for the nation (of Judah), (52) and not for the nation only, but that He might also gather together into one the children of Elohim who are scattered abroad (namely the lost sheep of the house of Israel).’

The house of Judah has ever since their return from captivity in Babylon about 2,500 years ago, believed in a Messiah who is coming to rule the commonwealth of Israel consisting of both houses, after bringing them together at His coming. As explained in Romans 11 and especially in verses 25 – 29, YHVH has purposefully hidden the identity of Yahshua the Messiah from the house of Judah, so as to allow a predetermined number of those from the lost sheep of the house of Israel whom he is busy calling from the churches of the world (who used to believe they are mere Gentiles, plus some real Gentiles), to be reconciled to Him through Yahshua, as follows: ‘For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to (Jewish) Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; (26) and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” (27) “AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (28) From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of Elohim’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; (29) for the gifs and the calling of Elohim are irrevocable.’ Because the house of Judah remained Torah observant, they know what sin is and are forgiven their transgressions if they repent and return to obeying Elohim and His teachings once again as is confirmed in Ezekiel 18 and especially in verse 23, in this way: “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares YHVH Elohim, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live (eternally)?” This was confirmed by Yahshua when a Jewish man asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life in Matthew 19: 16, Yahshua answered him in verse 17, saying: “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Those of us from the lost ten tribes who used to believe that we were Gentiles and have forgotten what sin was, due to our disregard of Torah (the only means by which to obtain eternal life), have to return to Elohim by being immersed into Yahshua’s saving name, as Rav Kepha explained in Acts 2: 36 – 39, saying: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that Elohim has made Him both Master and Messiah—this Yahshua whom you crucified.” (37) Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Kepha and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (38) And Kepha said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit. (39) For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off[1], as many as YHVH our Elohim shall call to Himself[2].” We from the house of Israel receive the Set-apart Spirit after immersion and the laying-on of hands of a teaching elder in Elohim’s congregation, whereas those from the house of Judah obtain it by obedience to YHVH, as confirmed in Acts 5: 32, as follows: “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Set-apart Spirit, whom Elohim has given to those who obey Him.” All of mankind is in need of repair spiritually, physically and even psychologically due to the fall of man. But, Jews and returnees from the house of Israel have different ways to do so, as Rav Shaul explained in Hebrews 9: 13 & 14, saying:‘For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, (14) how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?’ This tells us that the sacrifices the Levites used to make ensuredforgiveness of sins, but we require a better sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, namely the blood of Messiah, since we have forgotten what sin is. It is noteworthy that Jews also stopped offering sacrifices for sin after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. In support of this we read from Jeremiah 7: 22 & 23: “for I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. (23) But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your Elohim, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ We also read the current belief of our Jewish Brothers regarding forgiveness of sin, as defined by Chabad, as follows: ‘Sin in four dimensions’ ‘The Midrash recounts the following dialogue on the significance of sin:

Wisdom was asked: What is the fate of the transgressor? Wisdom replied: Evil pursues iniquity (Proverbs 13:21).
Prophecy was asked: What is the fate of the transgressor? Prophesy replied: The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20).
The Torah was asked: What is the fate of the transgressor? Torah replied: He shall bring a guilt-offering, and it shall atone for him (Leviticus, ch. 5).
Elohim was asked: What is the fate of the transgressor? Elohim replied: He shall do teshuvah, and it shall atone for him.’

This confirms what we’ve read from Ezekiel 18: 23 and Acts 5: 32 quoted earlier. We need to remember that Yahshua was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (as He also confirmed in verse 24 of Matthew 15[3]), and everything He spoke about in the ‘Renewed Covenant’ was directed at us, else we will miss most of what He was teaching us. We need to understand that even though Messiah came to bring us back to the Father as well as to Brother Judah, the people amongst whom He lived was mostly from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi, otherwise known as the house of Judah, since the house of Israel was already scattered into the world more than 700 hundred years before. He therefore used conversations with them purely to serve as examples to us. We need to understand that healing of the individual means healing of the inner self. If we are made whole on the inside, we will also be fulfilled on the outside. Even though we may know Messiah, this healing (or ‘tikkun’) requires some effort on our part to occur. Rav Shaul called it, ‘renewing the mind’ in Romans 12: 2, saying: ‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of Elohim is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.’ But, only a few people are willing to make the effort to take the time to achieve this renewal. We will make every effort to heal the body of diseases, but will not endure the inconvenience of achieving the renewal of our minds. This renewal requires us to regain the unity within our souls and spirits (or minds) through the Set-apart Spirit which we lost when we were divorced from Elohim, because of idolatry. We need to truly get to know Messiah in order to know what is deadly and can damage the Spirit given us when we were immersed in His name. Many still suffer from deadened emotions as a lack of self-worth and a lack of inner peace. They continue to live in exile from their own true self. The sad thing is that very few have the insight to know that something is wrong within them and that this inner pain can only be healed by inner healing. We need to understand that Messiah came that we might have life and experience it more fully, but so few are experiencing this abundant life in their daily lives.

Torah puts great emphasis on character development (middot) – on us becoming better people. This is called ‘tikkun middot’ (correcting our character). Torah also lays down certain moral laws. Inside each one of us we have a good and a bad inclination. The good nature continuously advises us to do and act in the proper manner, according to Elohim’s teachings. But, the bad inclination inspired by Satan’s constant broadcasts, challenges the good and tries to get us to sin. There is a constant battle between the two, but with Elohim’s Set-apart Spirit guiding us and our own will power the good can win, resulting in an improved character. In becoming constantly aware that we should improve and build a character like that of Messiah – meaning we should conform to the image of Elohim’s Son, it is in the observance of ethical behavior that rectifies the soul (life) and spirit (mind). Middot actually means more than character development; it also includes discipline, honor and doing the right thing. This is why Elohim allows trials and tribulations into our lives, as these tests build inner character and help to perfect our faith, as Rav Yaa’cov wrote in James 1: 2 – 4, saying: ‘Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.’ Rav Kepha agreed with this saying 1 Peter 1: 6 & 7:‘In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, (7) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah.’

If we as Nazarene Israelites truly obey Torah, why do we struggle in our personal lives and why are many distressed by various temptations? Teachers can no longer ignore this problem. What is the real cause of moral decay among us?The problem lies in the education of congregations. There has been an over emphasis on getting knowledge at the expense of embracing Torah with the whole heart (or belief system) as a means of character building. Many spend hours searching for knowledge, but do not grasp the lessons of morality, discipline, honor, respect and character building. We are failing,because teachers neglect to teach qualities from the Torah, but also to live out Torah as examples to their disciples and outsiders. Rav Shaul wrote about this problem in Romans 2: 19 – 23, saying: ‘And are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, (20) a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, (21) you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? (22) You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (23) You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor Elohim? Rav Kepha tells us how to conduct ourselves to ensure that we do what is right in 2 Peter 1: 4 – 9, saying: ‘For by these He has granted us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (5) Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in you moral excellence, knowledge; (6) and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; (7) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Master Yahshua Messiah.(9) For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from former sins.’

Our heads might be full of knowledge but our hearts are far away as we imitate our Gentile friends and neighbors. Only when our hearts no longer have a desire for the ways of the Gentiles, will we become immune to their influences, as Yahshua told His disciples in Luke 21: 34 - 36, saying: “Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation (unrighteousness) and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; (35) for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. (36) But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Teachers should prepare their congregants to stand against temptations and teach them Scriptural ethics. We need to teach the commands to refrain from harming one’s fellow man, to avoid doing evil to the weak and fatherless and teach the things fundamental to Scriptural ethics. Most of the ethical commands specified in the Scriptures belong in this category, namely: do justice; avoid bribery, robbery and oppression; defend the widow and the orphan; be compassionate to those who work for us; and the prohibition of gossip. Added to this are the commandments to sustain the poor, feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Scriptural ethics, which cautions man to love and respect his fellow man, reaches its highest level in the commandment in Leviticus 19: 17 & 18, in this way: “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. (18) You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am YHVH.” The main aim of this commandment, as of others, is to avoidunfounded hatred which destroys the life of society or a community. The general trend of social ethics was summed up by the prophet Amos in Amos 5: 15, when he said: ‘Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps YHVH Elohim of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.’ The prophet Micah similarly summed up the duty of man in Micah 6: 8, saying: ‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does YHVH require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim?’As teachers of Elohim’s called out people, we need to emphasize faith by works, character building, respect, honor, discipline and taking responsibility. These are basic Torah concepts that teachers and congregants need to emulate to become role models to new believers whom Elohim is busy calling. When others see that these qualities make one a better human being and bring inner joy, happiness, and peace, they too will seek these qualities and fruits in their lives. Rav Shaul wrote about these character traits to the Hebrews, Galatians, Colossians and Ephesians, saying:

In Hebrews 12: 11, ‘All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.’
In Galatians 5: 22 & 23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (or punishment).”
In Colossians 3: 9 & 10: “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, (10) and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” and
In Ephesians 4: 23 & 24: ‘And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (24) And put on the new self, which in the likeness of Elohim has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.’

Only sincere teachers will be successful because there are so many that needs the daily advice of a practical Torah life-style. We also need to be aware of Rav Yaa’cov’s warning to teachers in James 3: 1, saying: ‘Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.’ As teachers we need to address the problems of the heart (what we believe) and spirit (our minds – where our characters are being built). We and our congregants need to ask Elohim to give us more of His Set-apart Spirit to lead us to following the deeper meanings of His Torah truths. When our hearts and minds are right, we will know intuitively right from wrong and good from evil and will start building Elohim’s character within each one of those of us called by Elohim. We will choose the good because it is right and will know that Elohim gave us His Torah teachings for our good, as Rav Kepha wrote in 1 Peter 1: 13, saying: ‘Therefore, gird you minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah.’

Those who get worried about our Jewish Brothers and their faith in the coming of Messiah to rule the world from Jerusalem, need to read Zechariah 12: 7 – 10, as follows: “YHVH also will save the tents of Judah first in order that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be magnified above Judah. (8) In that day YHVH will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like Elohim, like the angel of YHVH before them. (9) And it will come about in that day that I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (These nations will be gathered against Jerusalem when Messiah comes, totry and prevent Him from ruling the world.) (10) And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace (by which we are saved) and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born.” Even though we need not be concerned about the salvation of our Jewish Brothers, we need to pray that they remain Torah observant until Messiah returns if we want to be resurrected one day, in case we die before Messiah’s return, as Rav Shaul confirmed in Romans 11: 15, saying:‘For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?’Rav Shaul concludes the subject in 1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 23 & 50 – 52, saying: ‘But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruit(s) of those who are asleep. (21) For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah all shall be made alive. (23) But each in his own order: Messiah the first fruits, after that those who are Messiah’s at His coming. (50) Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim (as part of the ruling class); nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (51) Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.’ We need to strive to obey Torah according to the requirements specified by Elohim, but also continue to proclaim the good news of the coming kingdom of Elohim into the world.That is how we will know we are there and ready when we die or when Messiah returns. Think about it!

[1] ‘Far off’: a phrase used by the prophet Daniel when He prayed in Babylon prior to Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel returned to the Promised Land to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple in Daniel 9: 7, saying: “Righteousness belongs to Thee, O Adonai, but to us open shame, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are far away in all the countries to which Thou hast driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against Thee.”

[2] This means we should only immerse those of the house of Israel whom YHVH is busy calling out of the churches of the world, not those whom we want to convert, or those from the house of Judah!

[3]Matthew 15: 24, ‘But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”’