The Real McCoy
For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:18
Approved – Who is acceptable to God and approved by men? To answer this question, we need to look at the Greek word dokimos. It means, “to be certified as completely real.” It is not about tolerance. It is about perfect conformity to an accepted standard. To be approved is to be recognized as the real McCoy. Paul writes to fellow believers. He instructs them to live in such a way that they will be acceptable to God and found to be the real deal by men. But his instructions don’t make any sense at all if he thinks that the approval needs to come from fellow believers. If I am in the house of the Lord, I am already approved by my brothers and sisters and I am certainly acceptable to God. In order for Paul’s exhortation to make sense, we must recognize that the approval must come from outside the circle of believers. In other words, we must live in such a way that those who would be critics are forced to admit we are the genuine article. Our lives must give no offense to those who are looking for an excuse to reject our beliefs. Paul isn’t talking about gaining the approval of fellow believers. He is talking about gaining the approval of those who don’t believe. In the context of first century Rome, Paul is talking about his fellow Jews who have not accepted Yeshua as the Messiah.
But we don’t live in the Rome in the first century. What does this mean for us? The first thing to notice is that Paul is teaching about service to the Messiah, the Christ. This isn’t optional! We are responsible for the salvation of others. That doesn’t mean we “save” them. But it does mean that we are required to live in such a way that they will not view us as hypocrites. If we wish to serve Yeshua, we must meet the standard set by God and men. That standard is Torah (Paul would never have meant anything else). That’s why Paul can say, “Against these things there is no law.” We are not to live with such inconsiderate arrogance that we use our “freedom” to damage the witness of our claims to serve the living God. We could claim our salvation sets us free (whatever that means), but if we are going to emulate the Master, our freedom will be relinquished in an act of selfless humility (just as Yeshua Himself gave up His freedom to become a slave – Philippians 2). Do you want the mind of Christ? Then act like He acted. Give up your “rights” and take on a life that will magnify Him. Live with such purity that men have no choice but to approve you and the God you serve.
Within the household of God, all are equal. All are redeemed sinners, unworthy recipients of God’s grace. All are called to humble obedience. All are adopted children of the King. But that also means that all are expected to shine in ways that attract others to the King. There is no room for displays of superiority. The goal is to attract through humility.
So tell me, are you living in such a way that those who do not believe are drawn to YHWH because you are the real deal?
Topical Index: Romans 14:18, approve, dokimos
Great article, Skip. Todah Rabah.
AMEN!
Thanks brother Skip for your dedication to bring this kind of teaching every day. My passion for unnderstanding Jesus and the Apostles from the first century perspective has been a long one. (I guess it has been 25years or more) I have been fortunate to sit under some very gifted and solid/balanced teaching for a lot of years. One day soon, Lord willing, I will share how this journey began.
If you have a moment to respond to a question I have I would appreciate it? Paul uses the term “works of the Law,” it seems to be used by him only in the New Testament. Does this reference point to an idiom that would be identifiable to his readers. I have heard different points on this subject, I would be thankful if you could point me to some general or specific direction. Blessings!
Yes, I believe that Bob Gorelik is correct when he says that this is an idiomatic expression, or at least a technical expression in Paul, for the idea of legalism (as we would know it). In other words, those who advocated “works of the Law” were really suggesting that dutiful obedience to the legal code was the necessary and sufficient condition for a relationship with YHWH. Paul argues that while obedience is a necessary condition for usefulness before YHWH, it is not a sufficient condition for the relationship. The relationship depends entirely on grace. Legalism has no place in faith even though passionate obedience does.
Thanks bro, this is a good help. Those idioms are so crucial to our understanding, or our misunderstandings, if we are not aware of them. Thanks again!
Just saw my many typos in previous comments. I’m not illiterate, just hastily responding with iPhone.
Hey, we all know what that’s like, especially me. Do you want me to correct them? I can edit comments.
Romans 14:11 – (We’ll get a “running start” on this passage today). Every knee shall bow. This includes the two I possess. I need to spend more time practicing. Amen.
Accepted by G-d and approved by men. V18 is preceded by V17. “For the kingdom of G-d is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.” For he that in these things serveth (avad) Christ is acceptable to G-d and approved by men. In what things? Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh. This is the “gold standard.” Is my heart rightly-related? (vertically- toward YHWH and horizontally- toward my neighbor). Is my heart right with G-d? Is there nothing between my soul and the Savior?
I ask forgiveness for posting these many words, but what is more important than an intimate relationship with the (now) living G-d, our Abba, through the sacred, sacrificial blood of Y’shua HaMashiach our ADONAI? (Galatians chapter 3)
Have your affections been nailed to the cross?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Do you count all things for Jesus but loss?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Is your heart right with G-d,
Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,
Right in the sight of G-d?
Have you dominion o’er self and o’er sin?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Over all evil without and within?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Is there no more condemnation for sin?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Does Jesus rule in the temple within?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Are all your pow’rs under Jesus’ control?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Does He this moment abide in your soul?
Is your heart right with G-d?
Hello everyone, forgive me for my mistakes in spelling and punctuations. I am not the smartest fish in the small round bowl, but I am still revolving…….. I mean evolving!
Blogging is like talking. The thoughts are often more important than the written words.
Hi again…
This is a challenging word! I often find it easy to conform, especially at work. As a teacher, I definitely teach a more conservative message, even explaining some of Skip’s points from his Genesis study (my one Jewish student gets really wide-eyed when the crazy lady actually knows these stories). But then there are the times when I lose it and am definitely not attracting others to YHWH.
I suppose that God knows my heart though. Yet another to give Thanks!
from Hebrews chapter 10- I love the book of Hebrews – it appears to me, one of the “keywords” is “better!” Or as my English teacher used to say (before she was fired..) “more gooder!”
For the Torah has in it a shadow of the good things to come, but not the actual manifestation of the originals. Therefore, it can never, by means of the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, bring to the goal those who approach the Holy Place to offer them. Otherwise, wouldn’t the offering of those sacrifices have ceased? For if the people performing the service had been cleansed once and for all, they would no longer have sins on their conscience. No, it is quite the contrary – in these sacrifices is a reminder of sins, year after year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. This is why, on coming into the world, He says, “It has not been your will to have an animal sacrifice and a meal offering; rather, you have prepared for me a body. No, you have not been pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said, ‘Look! In the scroll of the book it is written about me. I have come to do your will.'” In saying first, “You neither willed nor were pleased with animal sacrifices, meal offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings,” things which are offered in accordance with the Torah; and then, “Look, I have come to do your will”; He takes away the first system in order to set up the second. It is in connection with this will that we have been separated for G-d and made holy, once and for all, through the offering of Yeshua the Messiah’s body. Now every cohen stands every day doing his service, offering over and over the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this ONE, after he had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of G-d, from then on to wait until his enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has brought to the goal for all time those who are being set apart for G-d and made holy. And the Ruach HaKodesh too bears witness to us; for after saying, ” ‘This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days,’ says ADONAI: ‘I will put my Torah on their hearts, and write it on their minds . . . ,’ ” He then adds, ” ‘And their sins and their wickednesses I will remember no more.’ ” Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed. So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua. He inaugurated it for us as a new and living way through the parokhet, by means of his flesh. We also have a great cohen over God’s household. Therefore, let us approach the Holiest Place with a sincere heart, in the full assurance that comes from trusting – with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, of raging fire that will consume the enemies. Someone who disregards the Torah of Moshe is put to death without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses. Think how much worse will be the punishment deserved by someone who has trampled underfoot the Son of God; who has treated as something common the blood of the covenantq which made him holy; and who has insulted the Spirit, giver of God’s grace! 30 For the One we know is the One who said, “Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay,” and then said, “ADONAI will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God! But remember the earlier days, when, after you had received the light, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
Two things are required in order to continue this discussion. First, we must know the translation source you are quoting. Second, we must review David Stern’s analysis of this chapter in Hebrews.
This is Hebrews chapter 10 from the Complete Online Jewish Bible. Another great source for all things Bible is biblos.com. This site also includes a lexicon, a very handy thing to have, when studying the words of scripture. Nothing beats the original languages (whether Greek or Hebrew, -Hebrew especially!)
Pardon my ignorance, but who is David Stern? Is he a commentator?