Playing Opposites
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23
Sin – Kenneth Bailey makes an interesting observation about this verse. “We expect [Paul] to say ‘whatsoever is not of faith is unbelief.’ But for Paul the opposite of faith is sin because his understanding of faith includes obedience.”[1] Bailey doesn’t go quite far enough. For Paul, faith doesn’t include obedience. Faith is obedience. Since the Hebrew view of obedience is obedience of the heart, and the heart is the seat of emotions, volition and cognition, faith without obedience is a contradiction. Faith isn’t something I believe. It is something that encompasses my feelings, my thoughts and my actions.
What this means is that there is no such thing as faith as mental assent. Greek culture might call cognitive apprehension and propositional declaration of a doctrine or dogma faith, but that doesn’t make it so. Hebrew faith expresses me, all of me, on the Way toward alignment with God’s purposes and will. It isn’t a moment of conversion. It is a lifetime of transformation. It is START without STOP, a change in direction, a new way to go, perseverance toward hope.
Of course, the road is bumpy. The road has potholes and diversions and dangerous bridges. We get tired. We get confused. We make terrible judgments. But it’s a lifetime of travel in the same direction. To go another way is sin. So, the opposite of obedience is the wrong way. The opposite of faith is sin.
“In every culture the message of the gospel is in constant danger of being compromised by the value system that supports that culture and its goals.”[2] If we are going to be faithful, we must recognize, understand, evaluate and reject this compromise. It doesn’t matter how long the compromise has been part of our thinking. It doesn’t matter where it came from or the motivations behind it. To compromise obedience to the instructions of the Lord is to walk away from faith, no matter what name you put on it. Compromise is sin.
THINK! Think about the values of this culture. Identify a few of them and see if they are present in your “faith.” Maybe you’ll find intellectualism or the desire to be recognized. Maybe you’ll discover fear underneath your financial incentives. Maybe you’ll uncover denominational or doctrinal pride, or anxious addictions, or selective concern for others or a tolerant view of sexuality. Maybe you just want to be right. “Whatever is not from a lifelong commitment to the ways of God is sin.”
Topical Index: sin, obedience, Romans 14:23, culture, values
[1] Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, p. 166.
[2] Bailey, p. 166.
thank you skip..i was just saying to the director of my womens online prayer group that i am learning that faith is not a one time thing or a one time mind set that only a special few attain.(which i always thought it was and wondered why i didnt have it)..
its an action. its a decision. its a moment to moment conscience effort to do things one of two ways, either take the problem in my hands & let it do what its always done,which is too work its rot in my life, a fire fueled with worry,pride,anxiety or dread. Or, i can give it all too the Perfecter & allow God to shape it or me. And its usually me!!!!!!! thank you for teaching truths skip..i appreciate you more then you know..as a recovering addict im learning if God’s not in it, I dont want it..though the Lord may not always give me what i want..he always gives me what he wants me to have which is so much better anyhow
YOU GOT IT!!!
“Maybe you’ll find intellectualism or the desire to be recognized. Maybe you’ll discover fear underneath your financial incentives. Maybe you’ll uncover denominational or doctrinal pride, or anxious addictions, or selective concern for others or …. Maybe you just want to be right.” On these counts, I must plead guilty. However, the journey in the Way has exposed these acts as transgressions against God in my life and in His loving mercy, they have been worked out of me. Having just about lost everything, finances do not hold the priority in my life they once did. Having the denomination I loved turn on me, all pride in belonging left. Having had several paradigm shifts, wanting to be right didn’t seem as important. I came to really understand that since God had not abandoned me in my lack of understanding truth, how could I abandon others who disagreed with me? Faith is a verb and for me, that is the journey.
Once again, see the TW for May 2. Faith is the journey, not the destination. Barry is right. It is walking in the Way, not getting to heaven. Why do I keep walking when all of my circumstances seem to collapse around me? Because there is evidence for me – evidence that offers me hope (and hope is a verb).
This is the reason I delight in this website. The line from the movie “Cool Hand Luke” is not far off the mark. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” G-d is speaking to us all the time. We just do not have the “ears to hear.” We (and I just said we), have become dull in our hearing. – Now “hear” this. (what that a pun?)
Faith (it is written) comes by hearing. G-d speaks. We listen. His part? He speaks. Our part? We listen. Are you listening (now)? (Can you “hear me” now?) He is the G-d of the here and now. He is our “right here/right now” G-d!) But, He is also “both” now-and later. Yes, (praise G-d, there is a heaven, and yes, I say to my shame with lack of tears in my eyes -there is a place of eternal burning.
And how do I “know” these things? “It is written”. “If” it is written in the Book- it is so. (Amen!)
Y’shua answered and said unto them, “You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of G-d.” (Matthew 22:29) This (of course!) is only one verse from among thousands. But what a verse it is!
Who was He speaking to?) We could say (and do say)- Oh, that was then.. and this is now. Let’s not take the scripture “out of context”, but rather study the “time period” and the people and the place, etc. Let us do everything in our power to avoid having the finger of G-d (which wrote the ten words BTW) point directly at us.
Our Bible was written for who? I’m in the running for the understatement of the year award: (The answer given to this question will determine much.) The Bible was written to who? and for who? and for the purpose of? – Or is it “just” an “interesting” pile of poetry, history, and made-up stories to keep us “entertained” on Sunday mornings. (I’d rather be fishing..- how ’bout you?)
“You” do err, not knowing the scripture (yes-brother Skip- the O.T. scripture)- (the N.T. was not yet written when Y’shua spoke these words.) Y’shua said- (should we “pay attention” to this man’s words? -Who was this guy anyway? – Is this not the carpenter’s son? -Matthew 13.35), “You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me.” (John 5:39) – They “testify” of who?
According to Y’shua’s words (who never lies)- the scriptures testify (or tell) of someone. We read in Luke 24:32 “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” He who? Who was it that “opened” the scripture? We read again in G-d’s book in John 15:5- …”for without Me you can do nothing.” -Who is this “me?”
“Faith” is our (right) response to what G-d says and faith is our (right) response to who G-d is. What G-d says and who He is are one and the same. He is the living, (now incarnated in us) Word of G-d. “It is written”-(once again..)-“On his robe and on his thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19.16)
Who is this man? -is this not the carpenter’s son? -can anything good come out of Nazareth? -Who is this king of glory?
The just shall by his faith-live. (Habakkuk 2.4) Faith, -(it is written), comes by “hearing”- and “hearing” by the word(s) of G-d. (Rabbi Shaul-Romans 10.17) “Hear” O Israel- the LORD (our G-d) is ONE. (Deuteronomy 6.4) One LORD-one faith-one baptism. One G-d and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:5,6) “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (I Corinthians 12.13)
-Y’shua answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of G-d.” (Matthew 4.4)
Our “right” response to the words of YHWH is (of course) obedience. Over the course of time as we endeavor (with His help) to walk worthy the LORD- (after all-we are called by His name), we “see” this journey as not a sprint, but instead a marathon. It is a “long journey in the same direction”. But (praise His name) even though I stumble along the way- (does “yesterday” count?-lol!), The Lily of the Valley “restoreth my soul”, and once again (by His grace) I face the dawning of a new day. Today, LORD, I choose you. I willingly gladly, freely and wholly submit and commit to listen to the Ruach Hakodesh that I may think your thoughts after you, and remember your words to do them. Enable and empower me, my Deliverer and Shield, to walk worthy of my Master and Morning Star, unto all pleasing. This feeble prayer I offer, from bended knee, in the only saving Name which is above every name. Amen.
“Hebrew faith expresses me, all of me, on the Way toward alignment with God’s purposes and will.”
The second half of the above quote is what really got my attention: “…on the Way toward alignment with God’s purposes and will.” If I’m understanding that correctly, my faith is not yet perfect, not yet complete, even though I have no doubts, until that faith lines up perfectly with God’s will. Consequently, even though I may have all the faith in the world, possess no doubts whatsoever, if moving that mountain into the sea does not fit God’s purpose for that mountain, it ain’t gonna’ happen; just like having faith that God will heal me of my C.O.P.D. will not happen until that healing fits His purpose. Is that correct?
As we build toward the discussion of May 1 and 2, we are looking for a way to understand the activity of faith – and of the biblical view of being human. Thing happen along the way. But it is traveling along the Way that matters, not the things of the happenings. Moving toward or away from is the measure of faithful presence.
“Moving toward or away from is the measure of faithful presence.”
That little tid-bit ties it for me – thank you!
I remember the tears in my daughter’s eyes when she felt as if “she just didn’t “measure up!”. I pulled her close and lovingly told her- (in so many words) – there was only “perfect” man who ever lived. I can say the same words (really) to anyone who now (or ever) walked upon the earth. “There is none righteous- no, not one. (including the one writing these words).
But, deep within the beating heart of every one of us who are called by His name is the desire to be like Him. Rabbi Shaul felt it deeply when he cried out (recognizing his need for deliverance). O, wretched man that I am- who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7.24)
My answer to Paul today is: whose very name means “Deliverance/Salvation?” What a weight was lifted from my shoulders when the Ruach Hakodesh (the Holy Breath) after years of gently pursuing me was able to finally “drill through” the layers of this thick skull the good news of the words of Paul found in Romans 8.1- “There is therefore now- no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
If it would satisfy some “inner desire”-you may whip out the “finger of accusation”, point it directly at me and declare (accurately BTW)- You,sir, are a sinner. I would not run and hide from this but rather freely and gladly declare- “you,sir (or madam), are exactly correct- praise G-d, I am.”
I know what I’ve done, I know who I am, but (far) better than this, I know who I belong to and I also know (yada) my Redeemer lives. I belong to Him. I am His purchased possession. I will compete with Rabbi Shaul for top(?) billing: “This is a faithful word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
..But the joy of sins “forgiven”. Hallelujah! If the Son therefore shall make you free- you shall be free indeed. Listen to these words from Ephesians 1- ..o the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;..
Christ (the Messiah) died for our sins. It was my sin that held Him there- until it was accomplished. If our sin was the reason for His death (and it was)- what today- is our view of sin? Yes.. which we are we “inclined?” Are we running “to sin?” or are we running away? If sin separates us from our G-d (who is holy) and we wish to draw near to Him and enjoy His presence- what can “wash away” our sins? What is the cure for sin? What is the antidote for this poison within? “Who” shall deliver us?
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.