posted 02-14-2000 12:42 PM         

Jn. 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true Eloheem (God), and Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ), whom thou hast sent.

Without a true living knowledge of Yeshua, we cannot receive eternal life. Not everyone knows or hears Yeshua in a quickened way, though they may know Him with the carnal mind only. Even the devils believed Yeshua was the Son of Eloheem, but it was not a real faith that effects salvation.

Jn. 8:19 - Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Yeshua answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Lk. 4:41 - And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Mashiach the Son of Eloheem. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Mashiach.

Those who don't respond to Yeshua in a living faith and those who don't truly know Him, are living after the carnal mind or old man. The carnal mind is against Eloheem in everything.

Rom. 8:7, 8 - Because the carnal mind is enmity against Eloheem: for it is not subject to the law of Eloheem, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Eloheem.

The carnal mind may exercise a belief in Eloheem and put on a form of godliness (2 Tim. 3:1-5), similar as the devil believes in Eloheem and appears as an angel of light and his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14, 15); but none of this has anything to do with true, saving faith. Only those that are of Eloheem hear Eloheem's words.

Jn 8:47 - He that is of Eloheem heareth Eloheem's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of Eloheem.

Before anyone can be of Eloheem, i.e. born of Eloheem, (born again, born of the Spirit - see Jn. 3:3-5), they must first be drawn by Eloheem.

Jn. 6:44 - No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Yeshua lightens all men coming into the world (Jn. 1:9) with a true sense of what is right and what is wrong. Everyone, at one time or another, is drawn by Eloheem. He draws us, in complete undeserving mercy, by arousing us from our slumber of sin; through touching us with His grace that appears to all people.

Titus 2:11, 12 - For the grace of Eloheem 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.

Grace comes to us and says:

Eph. 5:14 - Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Mashiach shall give thee light.

Eloheem can awaken us in many ways, such as through affliction, removing things from our lives that we idolize more than Him, through visions or dreams etc. But most of all, He chooses to awaken us by His Word.

Heb. 4:12 - For the word of Eloheem is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When grace touches us, it gives us an opportunity for change. If we humble ourselves to its convictions, we will receive more grace from Eloheem; and He will renew us and lift us into a new life. Consider the importance of humbling ourselves:

James 4:6-10 - But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, Eloheem resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to Eloheem. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to Eloheem, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of Adonai (the Lord), and he shall lift you up.

Matt. 18:3, 4 - Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isa. 66:2 – To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Isa. 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Ps. 34:18 - Yahveh is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Eloheem touches us by His Spirit in our inward man and revives a sense of sin and danger in us, as well as a lively faith towards Yeshua, that we may look to Him and be healed. We must heed the call and deny our self - forsake the old man (along with all his false faith and self-righteousness), and come to Yeshua in the drawings of the Father. The hard ground of our heart must be broken up (through humility, repentance and sorrow for sin), so the aspirations of the inward man can break through and reach out to Yeshua in lively faith. After we are touched by grace and yield to its convictions and believe in Yeshua, deep in spirit (in our inward man) we delight in the law of Eloheem and want to obey Him. But in the flesh and carnal mind, sin still tugs on us - evil is still present. Therefore, there is a warfare. Part of us wants to yield to sin and another part, the inward man, wants to obey Eloheem.

Rom. 7:21-35 - I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of Eloheem after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank Eloheem through Yeshua ha Mashiach our Adon (Lord). So then with the mind I myself serve the law of Eloheem; but with the flesh the law of sin.

When the Spirit of Yeshua enters and revives the inward man, there is grace and ability in us to overcome the evil that is still present. We are strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (see Eph. 3:16). After we believe in Yeshua and receive His Spirit, the key is to feel after Yeshua deep in spirit and abide in Him - mortifying the deeds of the body through the Spirit, so we won't fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Rom. 8:9-13 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Eloheem dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Mashiach, he is none of his. And if Mashiach be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Yeshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Mashiach from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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.

But, not all come to Yeshua. Not all receive His Spirit. Though Eloheem draws all people to Himself, not everyone responds to Him when He convicts them by His grace. The opportunity passes them by and they choose to remain hardened in sin.

Jn. 3:19-21 - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Yeshua came to preach to humble souls; who realize they are sinners needing a Savior. He came to preach to the brokenhearted, to the poor, to preach deliverance to the captives.

Lk. 4:18-19 - The Spirit of Adonai is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of Adonai.

It is extremely important to remain humble and broken, maintaining a lively warmth towards the convictions of the Spirit. Only then are we in a receptive and prepared condition, that we may respond to Yeshua in faith and be healed and set free. Therefore:

See Lk. 3:3-14 - The work of John's ministry was to prepare peoples hearts for the coming of Yeshua. Their hearts were being prepared to have ears to hear the Word in a saving way. John exhorted souls to live righteously. But though he was the greatest of prophets, the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than he (Mt. 11:11). Yeshua spoke from heaven, John spoke from the earth. Many followed John and perhaps their hearts were softened by his ministry and teachings. But he was to decrease and Yeshua was to increase. (See Jn. 3:30-36). Like John, Yeshua encouraged souls to repent and continue in His word, but He also was going to baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Lk. 3:16). At most John exhorted souls to strive to live righteously. But Yeshua was to give grace to souls that they could indeed live righteously. He came to write His law in the heart and to teach souls by His Spirit and give them power to obey. This was the promise of the new covenant, and this promise is fulfilled in all whose hearts are prepared to hear and receive the good news of the gospel in a saving way. Those who were prepared in heart, i.e. through obeying the convictions and knocks of the Spirit, were in a place to receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 5:32 - And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom Eloheem hath given to them that obey him.

Before Yeshua died and rose from the dead, the disciples had followed and obeyed Him - they were being dealt with, their hearts were being softened. He promised He would manifest Himself to them if they obeyed Him and continued in His word.

Jn. 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Jn. 14:23 - Yeshua 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.

Through following His teachings their hearts were made soft, tender, and pliable. After He rose from the dead, He exhorted His disciples to wait for the coming of the Spirit to inspire their ministry. There was a time to be doing and a time to be waiting (in watchfulness, prayer and stillness). The day came when the disciples were prepared in heart, praying in one place with one accord, and the Holy Spirit came upon them and inspired their lives and ministry in a deeper way. They were then anointed to preach the gospel with power. We won't know who Yeshua is in any saving, intimate way until we first answer His knocks on our heart.

Rev. 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Remember, when touched by Eloheem’s grace, the inward man delights to obey Yeshua. The inward man hears Yeshua's voice and opens to Him. The old man or carnal mind is not subject to the law of Eloheem and does not open to Him. When we side with our carnal mind and its subtle justifications, we resist the knocks of the Holy Spirit; and avoid doing what we know, deep within our inward man, we ought to do. When we are being dealt with and drawn by Eloheem, we feel an inner struggle. Part of us wants to follow the carnal mind, another part wants to take a leap of faith and follow the convictions of the Spirit (which, if followed, lead to Yeshua). When we humble ourselves to follow the convictions of the Spirit, we are allowing the faith of the inward man to respond to Yeshua. At first our flesh will rebel and attempt to trouble us, making us believe we are making a wrong decision.

Indeed, following the convictions (please read Yeshua’s teachings) of the Spirit is not an easy path especially when our flesh still tugs on us and we easily yield to our proud and stubborn carnal mind. Yeshua taught us that the way is strait and narrow and that few find it, (Matt. 7:13, 14). He taught us to take up the cross, to hate our own life, and to deny ourselves. As mentioned above, after we are touched by Eloheem’s grace in our inward man and aroused from our slumber, deep in spirit we delight in the law of Eloheem. But another part of us, our carnal mind, is against Yeshua's teachings. The carnal mind is what we must hate, deny, and forsake; that Yeshua may raise up our inward man. The inward man naturally follows Yeshua's words when touched by His grace. Consider how contrary Yeshua's teachings are to our carnal way of living.

He taught us to be humble and meek. But our fallen state of mind teaches us that pride and revenge are good things. Yeshua taught us not only not to kill anyone; but also to not be resentful and to forgive those who hurt us. He taught us to not only love and be kind to people we know, but even to love and be kind to people we don't know and even to be kind to people who mistreat us and persecute us and to pray for them too; rather than scorning them and hating them, and being vexed with them.

Moreover, He taught us not only to not commit adultery but also to not lust on anyone in our heart. He taught that when we give alms, fast, and pray to do all these in secret and not to do it openly, because the carnal mind likes to parade itself for its seemingly good deeds.

Furthermore, He taught us to avoid trust in riches, to forsake all, to labor not for the meat which perishes, to simplify our lives - taking no thought for what we shall eat and drink or wear etc. (Please read Matt. Chapters 5-7 and 16:24-26; Mk. 10:17-25; Lk. 14:33; Jn. 6:27 etc.) Yeshua's teachings are contrary to our carnal mind, but His words are natural for us in our inward man. Be encouraged to feel after Him deep in spirit - continually asking Him to help you obey Him. Persist in this. There is a race to run (Heb. 12:1, 2).

Side note.

Lk. 17:10 - … when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

It is one thing to obey Yeshua by will-power alone (wherein there are often thoughts of pride in one's strivings and loose condemnation of others), and it is another thing to obey Yeshua in a spirit of total dependence and humility; wherein we continually set Yeshua before us, crying out to Him to enable us to overcome sin. The former results in self-flattery and taking pride in one's own strivings; which generates feelings of superiority and provokes loose condemnation of others. The Spirit cannot fully make His abode in such souls and He departs from them. But the latter results in glorifying Yeshua, who gives humble souls more and more of His Spirit, as well as strength to keep their eye single towards Him. Such souls take captive every thought - asking Yeshua to cut off evil thoughts of slander, pride, lust etc. at their inception. Such souls abide in the Vine in childlike trust and dependence on Yeshua, reaching out to Him in faith and asking Him to fill them with His Spirit. They realize that without Him they can do nothing.

Jn. 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Those who truly abide in the Vine are not even conscious of their virtue. Their left hand does not know what their right hand is doing ( Matt. 6:3). They dwell in a low place, without even being conscious of their humility. They naturally desire to serve others instead of lord over them ( Matt. 20:25-28). They totally lack a spirit of competition and envy. They prefer to remain unknown. Like Yeshua, they make themselves of no reputation (Phil. 2:7), and they seek the honor that comes from Eloheem only (Jn. 5:44). Nor do they worry about where their necessities will come from (Lk. 12:22-30). They live in total dependence on Yeshua and have forsaken their selfishness and independence. They have chosen to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Eloheem. They have chosen to align themselves with His inherent order and divine law; which He intended for them to live by from the beginning. They live according to Eloheem’s eternal law in a natural way and their needs are met without effort and frustration. They just abide in the Vine, in intimate communion with Yeshua, and humbly carry out His will a step at a time. They completely yield to Yeshua in simplicity, like a little child (Matt. 18:3, 4), completely dying to their own will daily - spontaneously doing Yeshua’s will for the love and glory of Yeshua.

End of side note.

Reach out to Yeshua in faith, paying no attention to the rebellion and unrest of your feelings or carnal mind. Join with the peace and faith (which you will find if you humble yourself and fervently pray to Yeshua to give you the grace to do His will) emanating from the inward man towards Yeshua and you will be blessed. We exercise faith in Yeshua with the faith that comes from the inward man. This faith is exercised from a deeper level of our being than from our carnal mind. If we don't go by our feelings or fleeting emotions, or the rebellion of our flesh; but instead follow through with doing what the Spirit shows us - by joining to the faith of the inward man, we will be quickened more and more and the Holy Spirit will pour upon us from on high, inspire our lives, and give us an understanding of who Yeshua is in a deeper way.

1 Jn. 5:20 - And we know that the Son of Eloheem is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Yeshua ha Mashiach. This is the true Eloheem, and eternal life.

It is one thing to hear the gospel and confess Yeshua with the carnal mind, which is against Yeshua when it comes to obeying Him, and it is another thing to believe in Yeshua with the faith that comes from the inward man - which same faith is nigh in the heart and found by all who humble themselves to yield to Yeshua’s knocks on their heart.

Rom. 10:8-11 - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Adonai Yeshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Eloheem hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

It is by the Holy Spirit (quickening our inward man) that we can confess that Yeshua is Adonai in a saving way.

1 Cor. 12:3 - Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of Eloheem calleth Yeshua accursed: and that no man can say that Yeshua is Adonai, but by the Holy Ghost.

Eph. 1:13 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

Side note.

It is Eloheem’s mercy that we are all dealt with at one time or another. We may be in the depth of sin and self-righteousness, not even seeking Him, when He may choose to wake us up by His love and mercy. After He awakens us and revives us from our slumber in sin, it is up to us to choose to follow on to know Him in a deeper way; if we desire to be truly filled with the Spirit, healed, and saved.

Hos. 6:2, 3 - After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know Yahveh: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

In our flesh is no good, thing but as we yield to the convictions of the Spirit, a new birth begins to take place. At first, however, this new birth and the desire to make a change for the better, may not be very perceptible.

Jn 3:8 - The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The new birth comes about little by little through yielding to the knocks and convictions of the Spirit and through anchoring our love on Yeshua, crying out to Him for healing and deliverance. When the new birth first begins, the flesh still tugs on us. But Eloheem, in His mercy, may chasten us (Heb. 12:5-11); or put us through persecutions, afflictions, and hardships that serve to subdue our flesh so we can yield to His Spirit in humble, spontaneous obedience. When we are weak then we are strong and the power and grace of Mashiach rests upon us. Though the outward man perish the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Cor. 12:9-10 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Mashiach may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Mashiach's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Cor. 4:16, 17 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

As we humble ourselves to walk with Yeshua, we are prepared to be endued with power from on high and to be filled with His Spirit in a deeper way. His grace and power is then able to animate all our thoughts, words, and actions and we are lifted into another realm altogether.

Heb. 12:22-24 - But ye are come to mount Sion, unto the city of the living Eloheem, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to Eloheem the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Yeshua the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

End of side note.

To sum: We must remain humble and childlike. Our eyes must be preserved open to the revelation of Yeshua - constantly keeping our heart stayed on Him; through watching and praying, obeying Him in all things. This is how we walk in the Spirit and all our actions that proceed from this quickened faith are built on the sure foundation. Only then shall we return to Zion with everlasting joy upon our heads. And as we persevere in faith and are faithful to obey Yeshua to the end, the time will come when sin will be totally abolished and death will be swallowed up in victory.

Isa. 35:3-10 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your Eloheem will come with vengeance, even Eloheem with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of Yahveh shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isa. 25: 6-9 And in this mountain shall Yahveh of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and Yahveh Eloheem will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: For Yahveh hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our Eloheem; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Yahveh; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

There is a superficial faith that is but a dream in the imagination that does not pertain to real belief in Yeshua. The flesh can never confess Yeshua aright. Yeshua said that they that are of Eloheem hear Eloheem's words and they that are not of Eloheem don't hear His words. (Jn. 8:47). Though such may believe that Yeshua existed and that He is the Son of Eloheem, yet they don't really know Him, (Jn. 8:19). John the Baptist even said that men don't receive Yeshua's testimony, but they that do, set to their seal that Eloheem is true, (Jn. 3:32-33). Those who hear, understand, receive, and believe Yeshua are born of Eloheem. A superficial confession of Yeshua is not enough. Even the disciples of Yeshua, who forsook all, and followed Yeshua, and even confessed Yeshua to be Mashiach (Mt. 16:16-17), still needed a true conversion. They still needed to die to their old life and old way of hearing and obeying from a uncircumcised heart and were yet to hear and obey from the circumcised heart of the new man. Peter even was confident that he was ready to die for Yeshua, but even after all this Yeshua called him satan and asked him to strengthen his brethren after he was converted, (Lk. 22:31-34). The devils even believed Yeshua was the Son of Eloheem, (Lk. 4:34, 41). The flesh and old man profits nothing and can't bring forth true faith in Yeshua but only a dream in the imagination fed with mere human affection. The Spirit must quicken our inner man to hear Yeshua, (Jn 6:63). He gives us an understanding that we may know Him that is true, (1 Jn. 5:20) which same knowledge is life eternal, (Jn. 17:3). Only those that are born of Eloheem are not dull of hearing. They alone receive Yeshua's testimony. And it is only the humble, broken, childlike in heart that are in a place to hear and receive the engrafted Word (with the ears and faith of the inner man) which is able to save their souls. In such souls the word distills as dew and creates them anew. They are begotten by the word of truth.

Everyone has a capacity to hear the Word and to receive the indwelling of Yeshua's Spirit. But before souls can receive the healing virtue of the Word their hearts must be somewhat softened up and made pliable, fit to receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save them. How, then, does the heart get softened? By yielding to the teachings, reproofs, corrections, and dealings of Yeshua's Spirit. Yeshua lightens all men coming into the world (John 1:9) with a true sense of what is right and what is wrong. As the soul humbles itself as a little child and yields to the Spirit's reproofs (thereby breaking up the hard ground of the heart) the hidden man of the heart, breathed into the soul by the Spirit, responds to the Word which affects the soul's relationship with Eloheem in a deeper way through causing the Spirit now to make His abode, by degrees, in the soul. The work of reconciliation is thus begun and carried on as the soul abides in the faith and obedience of the inner man and avoids being sidetracked by the snares of the devil (such as self-righteousness, fleshly striving, pride, lust, desire for riches etc.) But by quenching and rejecting the corrections and reproofs of the Spirit the heart becomes harder and harder until the soul is not in a place to hear, receive, or believe the Word in any saving way and remains cut of from the direct leading of the Spirit.

Lk. 11:13 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Eloheem has sent to us the Scriptures, pointing out to us that we are to call out to Him in faith for the gift of the Holy Spirit - that we may become partakers of divine nature (see 2 Pt. 1:4) and overcome sin. But if we don't humble ourselves and approach Eloheem in true contrition and humility, desiring and begging Him to have mercy on us and to send His Holy Spirit into our lives to purify us, we cannot be saved.

Therefore, seek from Eloheem His Holy Spirit. It is indeed for sinners that He came, to convert them to Himself and to bring healing to all who would believe in Him. When He arouses us by His grace, He teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts etc. (Titus 2:11, 12). He counsels us in spirit and/or by His word to get rid in our lives of all evil pursuits, as best we can, and to despise evil works. He instructs us to have nothing to do with wicked and vain talk or thinking. In all things, therefore, let us humble ourselves and cling to Him with all our might, lest the opportunity to change and follow Him passes us by and we lose the desire to do what is right. Let us become passionately in love with Mashiach and think upon His commandments so as to do them. Let us separate ourselves completely from anything that is taking our heart and mind away from Yeshua and from following His Word.

He certainly is ready to give us help. He cures incurable passions and gives redemption to those who call upon Him, to those who turn away from worldly attachment as best they can, freely wishing to do so by forcing their mind away from earthly cares and evil thoughts and holding fast to Yeshua with eager desire.

After having sought, found, and obeyed Yeshua, we must preserve our relationship with Him. It is possible for us to lose our salvation if we don't continually watch and pray. We are required to watch, pray, be sober and not to faint (1 Thess. 5:6, 17; Eph. 6:18; 1 Pt. 4:7; Luke 18:1; 21:36). Yeshua said those who endure to the end will be saved (Matt. 10:22), and that those who are faithful unto death will be given a crown of life (Rev. 2:10). We are made partakers of Mashiach only to the degree that we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Heb. 3:14), and it is possible to be led away with the error of the wicked and fall from our steadfastness, if we are not watchful (2 Pt. 3:17).

Be watchful. Set aside a time each day to be still, truly forsaking all and denying your self (in the sense of not entertaining lustful thoughts, accusations, slanders, covetousness, self-exaltation etc.) Lay hold of the cleansing blood of Mashiach by faith and you eventually will touch the flow of grace, and Mashiach's righteousness will flow through you.

There is a need for continual watchfulness, because so many things work towards either keeping us from ever reaching the place, in spirit, where grace is received and we are renewed in a deeper way. Or, if we are rooted in a constant prayful state of mind, there are many things that will work on pulling us out of our ceaseless prayerful state of mind - out of Mashiach - back into the carnal mind and its inordinate desires. Our part is to watch and pray, not allowing ourselves to willfully meditate on sinful thoughts.
This is where the pure and holy fear of Eloheem comes in. We must deny ourselves in the sense of guarding the door of our heart for the love of Yeshua because we fear to bring grief to His heart and we also fear to deviate from His vivifying and regenerating Presence, because it means certain alienation when we do depart from Him. To live in "fear of Eloheem" means to be in a continual alert and watchful condition so as to not let sin slip into our heart and cut us off from Yeshua and His grace. We must never do or think anything that we know will displease Eloheem and sever our relationship with Him.

The key is to be adorned within with a meek and quiet spirit, petitioning Yeshua to help us keep sinful thoughts from entering our heart. The Holy Spirit delights to be present with a childlike, meek and quiet spirit.

1 Pt. 3:4 - But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Eloheem of great price.

Let us be encouraged to let go of our inordinate desires and reach out to Yeshua, expectantly waiting for a stronger manifestation of His grace that will totally root sin out of our heart.

1 Pt. 1:13 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Yeshua ha Mashiach.

Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things, so also love and devotion to Yeshua - which is enkindled more and more as we remain little in our own sight yielding to His grace - has the power of burning sin and bestowing everlasting peace on those who set Him continually before their eyes.

The essence of watchfulness and prayer is to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and to be firmly established in Yeshua - standing before Him in faith, contrition and obedience. The more we obey, the more distinct does communion with Him become, which same communion cleanses us in a deeper way. By hearing the Spirit speaking to us in our inward man, and by responding in the faith and obedience that the Spirit gives us, are we in a place to put off the old man and put on the new man in a deeper way. When we abide in Yeshua in intimate communion, His love flows into our lives and purifies us as we yield in obedience. We must draw nigh to Him, bending all the powers of our soul towards Him, and He will draw nigh to us giving us grace to overcome. Consider the following verses in light of keeping Yeshua uppermost in your mind (retaining Eloheem in your knowledge) so as not to be given over to a reprobate mind:

Ps. 16:8 - I have set Yahveh always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Isa. 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Deut. 23:14 - For Yahveh thy Eloheem walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Ps. 91:9-11 - Because thou hast made Yahveh, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Ps. 28:7 - Yahveh is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

As we watch and pray everyday, we are made sensible of the freshness of the Spirit, and are strengthened and rooted as we obey His guidance. From this place of abiding in the Spirit, the written word is opened and understood in a true life-giving way.

And Yeshua (Jesus) called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4)

Just as children that are of a humble heart are in a place to be led, so likewise those who are grieved at their own sinful condition and inability to do what is right, are in a place to be led by the Spirit of Mashiach (Christ) into the kingdom of Eloheem (God). Yeshua did not come to save proud self-righteous people who flatter themselves in their good deeds whereby they believe they are wonderful people. Rather He came to save those that realize they are sinners and that realize they need Eloheem's love, care, and grace, moment by moment, to do what is right. (See Mark 2:15-17; Luke 18:9-17). When we cry out to Yeshua for help and come to Him in true childlike love, humility and trust He gives us His Spirit and begins to make a REAL change in our lives by the power of His grace. This change will be lasting if we CONTINUE YIELDING TO HIS GRACE, THROUGH FAITH, HUMBLY SUBMITTING TO THE COUNSEL, GUIDANCE, REPROOFS, AND CORRECTIONS OF HIS SPIRIT.

See Titus 2:11-14. Grace brings salvation and teaches and enables us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Grace will purify us and make us zealous of good works IF WE HUMBLY SUBMIT TO ITS POWER which Yeshua purchased for us by His blood. Masihach lightens all people coming into the world (John 1:9) and as we yield to His light and grace our deeds will be wrought by the power of Eloheem. But those who love darkness resist the light lest their deeds should be reproved, (see John 3:19-21). Yeshua cannot save us unless we allow Him by coming to Him in true love, faith and humility that we may be led by His will and wisdom and not our own. We are saved by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8-10) in the sense of remaining little in our own sight, trusting Yeshua to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. His grace will form us into His workmanship AS WE REMAIN LOW, HUMBLY SUBMITTING TO THE STREAM OF THOUGHTS, ASPIRATIONS AND TEACHINGS OF GRACE that come into our awareness as Yeshua sees fit. Our work, therefore, is to constantly remain in a humble, broken frame of mind wherein we are constantly receptive to and yielded to the leadings and enabling power of the Spirit so He can complete His work in and through us.

We are either free from sin or free from righteousness. We are either subject to the government, thoughts and suggestions of the devil, or we are subject to the government, counsel and guidance of Masihach. True freedom is experienced when we are willingly subject to the will and wisdom of Eloheem which He reveals to us through the Spirit of Yeshua. WE WERE CREATED TO LIVE BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF ELOHEEM. As we obey His daily guidance out of love for Him, this is what gives us true life and contentment. Imprisonment and bondage is experienced when we yield our mind and members to the will and wisdom of the serpent. Though this may create a seeming peace and rest in sin, yet fruits of misery, confusion, disorientation, meaninglessness etc. are bound to surface.

When we first come to Yeshua through yielding to the faint drawings and convictions of the Spirit, there is yet much darkness and filth in us that makes obedience to the motions of sin seem easier than obeying the motions of the Spirit. For this reason Eloheem may chastise and discipline us to keep us open to His leadings and to keep us on the right path. If we yield to His discipline, forsaking what He asks us to forsake, and doing what He asks us to do, afterward it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness, (see Hebrews 12:5-11). The more we yield to the drawings of the Spirit the more we are cleansed, the old man put off, the new man raised, and the stronger our desires grow to obey and do what is pleasing in His sight and the less need there will be for chastisement. But when we quench the Spirit and persistently disobey Him, and hardened ourselves against His disciplining rod, our conscience becomes seared, and we may end up wallowing in sin with no remorse or repentance. This is a dangerous place to be in. The key is to maintain a childlike love, humility and brokenness (keeping our own insufficiency ever before our eyes) waiting on and trusting in Yeshua to lead us on the right path, daily yielding to His motions, chastisement, and corrections. This is not a easy path but much conflict and tribulation is to be gone through. There is a need to die daily to our own will and wisdom, and to grow in the will and wisdom of Eloheem by keeping our mind single to catch and obey the heavenly manna and whispers of the still small voice of the Spirit. This is a hard path, a strait and narrow way, and it requires a life of constant prayer, watchfulness, patience, faith, receptiveness etc. because the powers of darkness seek distract our heart and attention and to separate us from the heavenly manna of the Spirit which is our true source of livelihood.

Traps To Avoid

The serpent has many subtle traps to draw the soul away from receiving the much needed heavenly food and nourishment. One tactic he has is to create a discontentment in the soul towards the daily portion of heavenly bread, given to the soul by the Spirit, by suggesting to the soul to seek after forbidden knowledge, high thoughts and airy notions, prying into mysteries etc. where Eloheem does not lead. If the soul yields to this temptation it will be sidetracked from the true path and may seem to grow exceeding spiritual, high and lofty, but what really happens is it loses its appetite for the true simple, plain manna, which causes its spiritual growth to be stunted. Such a soul must see its error, repent, and go back to the feet of Yeshua and humbly wait on Him for his/her daily portion of manna. Keeping here, and abiding here, true spiritual growth takes place. Those that do keep to the daily leadings and commands of Yeshua, (taking up the cross to the flesh and being obedient to the leadings though very humiliating and contemptible to the proud flesh and self-will,) may be bombarded with mockings, scornings, revilings etc. which the enemy uses to try to discourage them from obeying the plain commands of the Spirit. Or the serpent may, through his false ministers, feed the soul with watered-down doctrine that pleases the flesh but stunts the soul's growth and leads it away from the kingdom instead of closer to it. Through false ministers he also goes to an opposite extreme and binds the soul to rules and regulations outside the Spirit's leading. This forces the soul to leave off patiently waiting on the Spirit and to instead, in haste, get into the fleshly striving in an attempt to create its own righteousness. There are also other traps the serpent uses such as, either spiritualizing a leading that is suppose to be obeyed in a very literal way or literalizing a leading that is intended in a symbolical way. Or, when the Spirit gives a faint (but certain) leading that is to be obeyed the serpent attempts to beguile the soul into looking for something more extraordinary and clear, thus moving the soul to despise the day of small things (resisting the guidance of Yeshua in its humble, lowly appearances). If the soul persists to desire some extraordinary clear light or revelation (and resists the faint whispers of the Spirit whom leads the soul in ways lowly, in ways of love and humble service to others, in ways of forsaking the world etc.) he or she may be given over to a strong delusion, and led into paths and entanglements that Eloheem does not lead. The serpent may also lead the soul to trust in riches, serve mammon, lust, envy, wrath, hatred, self-righteousness etc., etc. The Spirit has His ways of revealing to each individual his or her entanglements and secret sins (either by His light shining in their heart, through dreams, through the written word, through chastisements, through others etc.) and it is up to each individual to choose whom they will yield to and obey - either the voice of the true Shepherd or the strangers voice. If we don't maintain childlike simplicity and trust in Yeshua we will be in danger of yielding to all the crafty reasonings the serpent suggests to us that go against the plain, simple leadings of the Spirit.

Discernment of the voice of the Spirit and the voice of the serpent is something we grow in. The true Church of Masihach is made up of people who have His Spirit and are subject to His leadings. Those that are well acquainted with the guidance of the Spirit are in a place to help the less mature to know the Spirit's voice. True ministers of Masihach don't point souls to themselves or to outward rules and regulations merely but to the Spirit of Yeshua, to learn of Him, and to obey what He is asking of them at their level of growth - never asking of them more than what they are ready for or less. However, if Yeshua asks something of us that our flesh does not want to do we must be careful to not rationalize our way out of it by saying it is the strangers voice. To follow the guidance of the Spirit is not a easy path especially when the flesh and self-will is still much alive in us. This is where we have to watch out for the crafty reasonings of our deceitful heart. Many times the guidance of the Spirit is very strict and one-pointed and must be followed without rebellion. Please read through the Gospels and see what Yeshua asked of people. He taught them to love and forgive their enemies rather than taking revenge. He taught souls to sell what they have, live in simplicity, trust in Eloheem to take care of them and to spend their time and energy in seeking the kingdom of Eloheem etc., etc. Many things He taught are opposite of our selfish desires but the more we come to Him in humility and yield to His leadings, the more our desires and aspirations grow wherein we desire to obey and please Eloheem.

Just as Noah, being warned of Eloheem of things not yet seen, moved with fear and prepared an ark to the saving of his house (Hebrews 11:7), likewise the childlike broken soul, who realizes they are heading for destruction and who realizes their insufficiency to do anything right, will daily sit at the feet of Yeshua, in love, reverence and godly fear, humbly submitting to His daily word and guidance. The end result is that the soul will have a happy eternity.

Please consider this wise advice which was penned over 300 years ago:

Mind what was forbidden you, or required of you in that time, when you felt the warmth from Eloheem. For there is then a heavenly voice, and a heavenly vision most commonly in the heart, though the enemy turns the mind, as much as may be, from heeding it. There is then oftentimes somewhat of the worldly nature and course discovered, or somewhat of Eloheem's will made manifest; somewhat that you do, or have done, which then you see to be not of the Father, but of the world; and somewhat perhaps of the Father, which you know you ought to become subject to, but you are afraid of the cross, or shame, or would have some more clearness first. Oh! call this to mind afterwards: and if ever you would receive life, and come into union with Eloheem's truth, and receive His Spirit and power, and be established therein; become obedient to the heavenly vision! Consult not with flesh and blood, but enter into the obedience of that very thing, which was forbid or required, be it little or much. This is the right way, this is that your mind should be exercised in. And if your mind be exercised faithfully here, the Lord will strengthen you against the tempter, when he comes with his temptations and subtle objections. But if you falter here, and become unfaithful in the little, you are not like to meet with more; no, nor with the preservation of the Lord in that little. And indeed this is the cause of the miscarriage of many, because they receive not that little which was made manifest, in the love of it; but had pleasure in the unrighteousness, and so lingered in pleasing the spirit of the world, both in themselves and others, when they were called by the Lord to quit it, and travel out of it.

[i]

See also:

* Abiding In Mashiach

* Be Still

* The Way Of Holiness

* Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem

posted 02-14-2000 06:57 PM            

The retiring beyond all thoughts and reasonings, to the inward life and sense of the inner man, to feel somewhat springing from the Spirit of Yeshua, is the work of the soul. Beneath the darkness there is somewhat to stay the mind of the soul until the clear leading and enablement of the Spirit is manifest. The soul is to continue to live in the inward sense of His direction. Our work is to lead souls to Mashiach in the inner man, and to center there, waiting on Yahveh, to lead us in the way wherein we should go. The leading must be obeyed daily and all hasty foreign desires resisted steadfast in the faith, going where Yeshua bids go and waiting where He bids wait. Here is travail, here is labor, here is a strait and narrow way, and much tribulation through which Mashiach is formed in the soul. The sabbath rest is entered when the old man is fully crucified.

I can only say to this HalleluYah !!!! Praise you Yahweh and Praise you Yahshua

posted 12-02-2000 06:01 PM            

There's absolutely nothing I like to do better than to read good commentary on the Word, that's the reason I spend a lot of time at Eliyah.com. The commentary you have presented here ranks right up there with the best. Its got that quality about it that says that the author believes that which he has written, that the author is speaking from experience; important qualities for commentary on the Word.

May Yahweh bless you for presenting this material to others.

[This message has been edited by Sabba (edited 12-02-2000).]

posted 12-03-2000 12:59 AM         

Your word about freeing oneself from affection toward parents and relatives, that is also not always a good thing Ed.

In some individual cases it must be done, if the parents or relatives are so against you that you can't obey the word unless you free yourself from them, but having affection for them is not bad otherwise, it is a god given natural love, even to love our enemies we are commanded.

Sometimes a man's salvation is perhaps, seemingly, slow and evolved like you picture it here, other times it is instant, there is no finding out god's ways, and salvation cannot be restricted to any one formula such as you have laid out here.

Murderers, heathens, and others who have not made themselves worthy are called and saved at once, so go figure.

If there is pride involved in anyone's salvation testimony, such as making themselves line up with the word,before they recieve grace, then they have a problem.

posted 12-07-2000 11:58 AM         

I agree.

Eloheem can arouse anyone from their slumber from sin even when they are not seeking Him. After we are aroused by His grace and mercy it is up to us to choose to follow on to know Yahveh. It is up to us to choose to humble ourselves (thereby receiving more grace) and make a change for the better by trusting Yeshua to change us more and more. Or we can choose to harden our heart and resist the grace etc.

Before we even turn to Eloheem He stands at the door knocking in His mercy and we don't deserve it.

But when we are changed by Yeshua and then later do despite the Spirit of grace perhaps then we have to do something to attract grace again such as repentance, asking, seeking, knocking etc.

Anyway, I edited some of the material. Thanks for the feedback.