Was Israel saved by works of the law, or were they saved by grace through faith to the works of the law? Deuteronomy 30:6-8 And Yehovah thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Yehovah thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And Yehovah thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of Yehovah, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. Just before entering the promised land, a shadow picture of the kingdom of heaven, Moses tells the people that Yehovah will circumcise their hearts so that they can love him and return to keep ALL his commandments including the sabbath and the biblical feast days. Notice that Yehovah is the one who changes their hearts and restores them to faithful obedience when they sin. It was not self righteous attempts to obey that saved Israel, it was the grace of the father through faith in his word. We on this side of Yeshuas resurrection are no different. We are not saved by our obedience, we are saved to our obedience including keeping the sabbath and the biblical feast days since we are now grafted in to Israel through Yeshuas blood.(Ephesians 2) James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works:shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. So it is according to James that if we say we believe Yeshua and do not follow in his example(Torah obedience) and do the works prepared for us then we are as good as dead. But the believer whose faith is genuine does the works of the law and these works are the fruit of his faith, not merit points earning his place in the kingdom.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 01:51:47 +0000