A Faith Leading to Conviction
Anyone willing to study Yahweh's word honestly–with an open mind–will not find it hard to prove that most doctrines of nominal churches are really man's doctrines. They quote enough Scripture to appear truthful, but are really fostering teachings far removed from the teachings of Yahshua and the Apostles.
Unbelieving scoffers accept this fact as proof that the Bible is nothing more than the product of man's thinking, just as are erroneous church doctrines.
Church prelates and religious professionals do not think of church doctrines as false teachings, but they admit, without fear or shame, that they do differ from the teachings of the Savior and the Apostles.
They think many of the differences are the inevitable result of changing human conditions.
It is also widely believed among them that special revelation did not end with the Apostles and it is the church's prerogative to teach new truths revealed to it but not to the Bible prophets and Apostles.
Another factor that contributes to the development of false doctrine among both Jews and Gentiles is that the Jews reject the New Testament, while Gentiles for centuries rejected the Old. Yahshua the Messiah said,
What Yahweh has joined together, let man not separate, Matthew 19:6 (NIV).
Wouldn't this apply to the Bible as well as to marriages?
Nowhere is the departure from the teachings of the Apostles more glaring than in the doctrines of faith and grace. Belief in false doctrines dealing with faith and grace precludes rightly understanding Bible teachings about salvation. (A comprehensive discourse on faith can hardly be accomplished without the mentioning of grace and salvation, as the subjects of faith, grace, and salvation are so closely interrelated. But this study will concentrate on faith; any mention of grace and salvation will be merely incidental.)
Unbelieving scoffers accept this fact as proof that the Bible is nothing more than the product of man's thinking, just as are erroneous church doctrines.
Church prelates and religious professionals do not think of church doctrines as false teachings, but they admit, without fear or shame, that they do differ from the teachings of the Savior and the Apostles.
They think many of the differences are the inevitable result of changing human conditions.
It is also widely believed among them that special revelation did not end with the Apostles and it is the church's prerogative to teach new truths revealed to it but not to the Bible prophets and Apostles.
Another factor that contributes to the development of false doctrine among both Jews and Gentiles is that the Jews reject the New Testament, while Gentiles for centuries rejected the Old. Yahshua the Messiah said,
What Yahweh has joined together, let man not separate, Matthew 19:6 (NIV).
Wouldn't this apply to the Bible as well as to marriages?
Nowhere is the departure from the teachings of the Apostles more glaring than in the doctrines of faith and grace. Belief in false doctrines dealing with faith and grace precludes rightly understanding Bible teachings about salvation. (A comprehensive discourse on faith can hardly be accomplished without the mentioning of grace and salvation, as the subjects of faith, grace, and salvation are so closely interrelated. But this study will concentrate on faith; any mention of grace and salvation will be merely incidental.)
Will the Carnal Be Saved?
Man's doctrines view Yahshua's work of salvation as essentially completed by His sacrifice which, when believed and accepted, releases one from the penalty of sin. Yahweh says the penalty is death of the soul, but man says the soul is immortal. Therefore, man reasons that the penalty is not really death, but spiritual separation of the still-living soul from Yahweh and its eternal torture after death of the flesh.
Thinking people can no longer accept the idea of literally burning forever in a hellfire. But, instead of using the Bible to correct doctrines, churchmen now teach that the concept of an eternal burning soul is only symbolic of the real torture, which is the mental anguish of knowing total and eternal separation from Yahweh.
To escape this fate, one must not only accept Yahshua's sacrifice for sin, but also have faith in it. In support of their doctrines of faith, they fondly quote Ephesians 2:8-9,
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Yahweh—not by works so that no one can boast (NIV).
Man's doctrines of faith and grace are essentially summed up in this statement by Lewis Chaffer in Major Bible Themes, "It should be recognized that a carnal Christian is as perfectly saved as the spiritual Christian; for no experience, or merit, or service can form any part of the grounds of salvation. Though but a 'babe' he is, nevertheless, in [Messiah] (And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Messiah, 1 Cor. 3:1). His obligation toward [Yahweh] is not one of the exercise of faith, but rather one of adjustment to the mind and will of [Yahweh]."
This statement ignores Paul's statement,
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, Romans 8:6.
The New International Version doesn't read "carnally minded"; it reads "the mind of a sinful man is death."
Do you understand what this summary of man's doctrines implies? It is implying that a sinfully minded individual can say, "I believe," be baptized and then—being accepted by the Messiah—can continue as a sinfully minded babe in the Word. It says that this individual will be permitted to enter into Yahweh's Kingdom along with spiritually minded saints who struggled to overcome a sinful nature and live by the Word!
This summary, in effect, is saying that salvation of sinfully minded people who believe and are baptized is absolutely certain because of Yahshua's assertion,
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned, Mark 16:16.
Just as the questions and objections of thinking people forced religious leaders and theologians to modify their teaching about punishment for sin, it has also forced a change in their teachings about faith, but only a slight change.
The actions of some sinfully minded, but baptized, people are so reprehensible and sometimes even so unquestionably wicked, it is difficult to believe such people will be saved, even if baptized.
The explanation now is that if Yahshua doesn't forgive such people their sins, it is because they weren't really converted in the first place. That is, they didn't really believe in their hearts nor have the faith that Yahshua will accept.
Again, no turning to inspired Scriptures to correct error in doctrine. Rather, they turn to man's thinking to answer some disturbing questions, which permits most to continue in sin with a clear conscience and with the assurance of salvation.
Faith comes through hearing the message of the Messiah,
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yahweh, Romans 10:17.
But one must believe the message before faith comes. Belief and faith cannot be separated and man's doctrines don't try to part them. Rather, man's doctrines about faith nullify the law of Yahweh,
Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the law, Romans 3:31.
This means the teaching of Yahweh is nullified.
Paul says his teaching of faith upholds the law. But man says Paul's statements like, This righteousness of Yahweh comes through faith in Yahshua to all who believe, Romans 3:22, and, However, to the man who does not work, his faith is credited as righteousness, Romans 4:5, upholds Paul's statement in Romans 10:4. There he says, Messiah is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. This sounds true unless contradictions are examined!
To the mind befuddled by the snake oil of man's doctrines, Paul's statements uphold man's notions about faith. This deception is strong and pervasive and one will occasionally meet a would-be True Worshiper who rejects the entire Book of Romans as being satanically inspired because it seems to advocate lawlessness.
Paul himself told Timothy that,
All Scripture is inspired by Yahweh and is given for rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16. If what Paul says is true, would Yahweh allow anything inspired by Satan to be joined with His sacred Scriptures? Peter was not exaggerating when he wrote that Paul's letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable distort as they do other (inspired) Scriptures (As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction, 2 Pet. 3:16).
Rejection is not the only evidence of misunderstanding. Puzzlement about what Paul meant by something he wrote also indicates misunderstanding. Anyone who sincerely desires to worship Yahweh in spirit and truth will clear the mind of misconceptions induced by man's false doctrines and turn to Yahweh's Word with a mind determined to learn and understand what Paul wrote about faith.
Man's doctrines view Yahshua's work of salvation as essentially completed by His sacrifice which, when believed and accepted, releases one from the penalty of sin. Yahweh says the penalty is death of the soul, but man says the soul is immortal. Therefore, man reasons that the penalty is not really death, but spiritual separation of the still-living soul from Yahweh and its eternal torture after death of the flesh.
Thinking people can no longer accept the idea of literally burning forever in a hellfire. But, instead of using the Bible to correct doctrines, churchmen now teach that the concept of an eternal burning soul is only symbolic of the real torture, which is the mental anguish of knowing total and eternal separation from Yahweh.
To escape this fate, one must not only accept Yahshua's sacrifice for sin, but also have faith in it. In support of their doctrines of faith, they fondly quote Ephesians 2:8-9,
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Yahweh—not by works so that no one can boast (NIV).
Man's doctrines of faith and grace are essentially summed up in this statement by Lewis Chaffer in Major Bible Themes, "It should be recognized that a carnal Christian is as perfectly saved as the spiritual Christian; for no experience, or merit, or service can form any part of the grounds of salvation. Though but a 'babe' he is, nevertheless, in [Messiah] (And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Messiah, 1 Cor. 3:1). His obligation toward [Yahweh] is not one of the exercise of faith, but rather one of adjustment to the mind and will of [Yahweh]."
This statement ignores Paul's statement,
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, Romans 8:6.
The New International Version doesn't read "carnally minded"; it reads "the mind of a sinful man is death."
Do you understand what this summary of man's doctrines implies? It is implying that a sinfully minded individual can say, "I believe," be baptized and then—being accepted by the Messiah—can continue as a sinfully minded babe in the Word. It says that this individual will be permitted to enter into Yahweh's Kingdom along with spiritually minded saints who struggled to overcome a sinful nature and live by the Word!
This summary, in effect, is saying that salvation of sinfully minded people who believe and are baptized is absolutely certain because of Yahshua's assertion,
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned, Mark 16:16.
Just as the questions and objections of thinking people forced religious leaders and theologians to modify their teaching about punishment for sin, it has also forced a change in their teachings about faith, but only a slight change.
The actions of some sinfully minded, but baptized, people are so reprehensible and sometimes even so unquestionably wicked, it is difficult to believe such people will be saved, even if baptized.
The explanation now is that if Yahshua doesn't forgive such people their sins, it is because they weren't really converted in the first place. That is, they didn't really believe in their hearts nor have the faith that Yahshua will accept.
Again, no turning to inspired Scriptures to correct error in doctrine. Rather, they turn to man's thinking to answer some disturbing questions, which permits most to continue in sin with a clear conscience and with the assurance of salvation.
Faith comes through hearing the message of the Messiah,
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yahweh, Romans 10:17.
But one must believe the message before faith comes. Belief and faith cannot be separated and man's doctrines don't try to part them. Rather, man's doctrines about faith nullify the law of Yahweh,
Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the law, Romans 3:31.
This means the teaching of Yahweh is nullified.
Paul says his teaching of faith upholds the law. But man says Paul's statements like, This righteousness of Yahweh comes through faith in Yahshua to all who believe, Romans 3:22, and, However, to the man who does not work, his faith is credited as righteousness, Romans 4:5, upholds Paul's statement in Romans 10:4. There he says, Messiah is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. This sounds true unless contradictions are examined!
To the mind befuddled by the snake oil of man's doctrines, Paul's statements uphold man's notions about faith. This deception is strong and pervasive and one will occasionally meet a would-be True Worshiper who rejects the entire Book of Romans as being satanically inspired because it seems to advocate lawlessness.
Paul himself told Timothy that,
All Scripture is inspired by Yahweh and is given for rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16. If what Paul says is true, would Yahweh allow anything inspired by Satan to be joined with His sacred Scriptures? Peter was not exaggerating when he wrote that Paul's letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable distort as they do other (inspired) Scriptures (As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction, 2 Pet. 3:16).
Rejection is not the only evidence of misunderstanding. Puzzlement about what Paul meant by something he wrote also indicates misunderstanding. Anyone who sincerely desires to worship Yahweh in spirit and truth will clear the mind of misconceptions induced by man's false doctrines and turn to Yahweh's Word with a mind determined to learn and understand what Paul wrote about faith.
Examine the Scriptures
Turning to Yahweh's Word and beginning with the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1, we read,
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (NIV).
The King James Version says “faith” is "substance and evidence." In the RSV faith is said to be "assurance and conviction." The Old English of the KJV may have conveyed the same ideas in the 17th century that the NIV does today, but the NIV says it best to 20th century ears.
Faith is being sure of what you hope for. What do you hope for? Eternal life? Yes, but. ..the first thing you should hope for is that what you believe is truth! If you do not believe Yahweh's truth, you may miss out on what you hope for.
Faith is the certainty of what we do not see. What is it that we do not see? We do not see any real tangible evidence that we will live again after death of the flesh. We cannot grow in grace and truth without growing in knowledge and understanding of Yahweh. As we grow in knowledge and understanding we become more and more certain that Yahweh will do what He has promised to do.
Now that we think faith meant "hope and certainty" to Bible writers, we must test this before we can be certain we really understand what they wrote. The Greek word most frequently translated “faith” in the New Testament is pistis (4102 in Strong's) which means "conviction," especially the conviction that what is believed is true.
Romans 10:17 says,
Consequently faith (i.e. conviction) comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Messiah.
If we are convinced of the truth of the message that Yahshua is the Son of Yahweh, has the power to raise us from death and give us eternal life, we will have the assurance of our hope and the certainty of the fulfillment of the promise. From this we realize that "faith" first meant "conviction" to New Testament writers and "hope and certainty" only by extension. Now we can more accurately comprehend and better appreciate what Paul means in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12:
For this reason Yahweh sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
This doesn't say those who believe a lie will be condemned!
It is a bit of a shock to discover that Old Testament writers never wrote a word that should have been translated faith. When it comes to understanding Yahweh's Word it is a real eye-opener to learn that Paul, the New Testament Apostle, did not quote Habakkuk, the Old Testament prophet. English translations just make it sound as if he did!
Paul wrote:
Clearly no one is justified before Yahweh by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith (pistis - Strong's Greek No. 4102—"convictions"), Galatians 3:11.
Habakkuk said,
See he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith (emunah - Strong's Hebrew No. 530—"fidelity"), Habakkuk 2:4.
Both men are saying that the same sort of people will receive eternal life from Yahweh, the Father of Yahshua the Messiah. They are talking about people who are upright, people who are righteous before Yahweh because of their obedience.
In Habakkuk's day it was people who were faithful in their obedience to all Yahweh's teachings, not just to moral and ritual laws. Their faithfulness included obedience to the ritual law of sacrifice because they believed Yahweh's promise that their sins would be forgiven when they offered up a sin offering.
They were not told that performing sin offerings foreshadowed acceptance of the Messiah's sacrifice for sins. Paul is referring to people in his day who are righteous before Yahweh because they, too, obey all Yahweh's teachings, including moral laws, but not ritual laws of sacrifice.
They are convinced of the truth of Yahweh's promise that if they believe and are baptized in Yahshua's Name, His sacrifice will cover their sins.
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law, Hebrews 7:12 (NIV).
The ceremonial laws of the priesthood and the ritual laws of sacrifice are the laws that Yahshua's sacrifice and elevation to High Priest changed—not Yahweh's teachings, moral laws or commands to observe His appointed Sabbaths and Feasts commanded for ALL generations.
Turning to Yahweh's Word and beginning with the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1, we read,
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (NIV).
The King James Version says “faith” is "substance and evidence." In the RSV faith is said to be "assurance and conviction." The Old English of the KJV may have conveyed the same ideas in the 17th century that the NIV does today, but the NIV says it best to 20th century ears.
Faith is being sure of what you hope for. What do you hope for? Eternal life? Yes, but. ..the first thing you should hope for is that what you believe is truth! If you do not believe Yahweh's truth, you may miss out on what you hope for.
Faith is the certainty of what we do not see. What is it that we do not see? We do not see any real tangible evidence that we will live again after death of the flesh. We cannot grow in grace and truth without growing in knowledge and understanding of Yahweh. As we grow in knowledge and understanding we become more and more certain that Yahweh will do what He has promised to do.
Now that we think faith meant "hope and certainty" to Bible writers, we must test this before we can be certain we really understand what they wrote. The Greek word most frequently translated “faith” in the New Testament is pistis (4102 in Strong's) which means "conviction," especially the conviction that what is believed is true.
Romans 10:17 says,
Consequently faith (i.e. conviction) comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Messiah.
If we are convinced of the truth of the message that Yahshua is the Son of Yahweh, has the power to raise us from death and give us eternal life, we will have the assurance of our hope and the certainty of the fulfillment of the promise. From this we realize that "faith" first meant "conviction" to New Testament writers and "hope and certainty" only by extension. Now we can more accurately comprehend and better appreciate what Paul means in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12:
For this reason Yahweh sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
This doesn't say those who believe a lie will be condemned!
It is a bit of a shock to discover that Old Testament writers never wrote a word that should have been translated faith. When it comes to understanding Yahweh's Word it is a real eye-opener to learn that Paul, the New Testament Apostle, did not quote Habakkuk, the Old Testament prophet. English translations just make it sound as if he did!
Paul wrote:
Clearly no one is justified before Yahweh by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith (pistis - Strong's Greek No. 4102—"convictions"), Galatians 3:11.
Habakkuk said,
See he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith (emunah - Strong's Hebrew No. 530—"fidelity"), Habakkuk 2:4.
Both men are saying that the same sort of people will receive eternal life from Yahweh, the Father of Yahshua the Messiah. They are talking about people who are upright, people who are righteous before Yahweh because of their obedience.
In Habakkuk's day it was people who were faithful in their obedience to all Yahweh's teachings, not just to moral and ritual laws. Their faithfulness included obedience to the ritual law of sacrifice because they believed Yahweh's promise that their sins would be forgiven when they offered up a sin offering.
They were not told that performing sin offerings foreshadowed acceptance of the Messiah's sacrifice for sins. Paul is referring to people in his day who are righteous before Yahweh because they, too, obey all Yahweh's teachings, including moral laws, but not ritual laws of sacrifice.
They are convinced of the truth of Yahweh's promise that if they believe and are baptized in Yahshua's Name, His sacrifice will cover their sins.
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law, Hebrews 7:12 (NIV).
The ceremonial laws of the priesthood and the ritual laws of sacrifice are the laws that Yahshua's sacrifice and elevation to High Priest changed—not Yahweh's teachings, moral laws or commands to observe His appointed Sabbaths and Feasts commanded for ALL generations.
“Faith” in Old Testament: Faithful
Deuteronomy 32:20 and Habakkuk 2:4 are the only two verses in the King James Old Testament in which the word "faith" appears. As noted previously, the word emunah is translated “faith” in Habakkuk. In Deuteronomy the word "faith" is translated from emuwn (529) which means "trusty" or "trustworthiness." Deuteronomy 32:20 should read,
I will hide My face from them, He said, and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are untrustworthy.
The NIV reads, children who are unfaithful.
In the KJV of Isaiah 26:2 the word emuwn is translated “truth.” A check of the word in Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament reveals that emuwn properly means "fidelities," but is derived from a root word which means faithfulness—not faith, but faithfulness or reliableness or trustworthiness.
This bit of word study may seem unnecessary, but it is proof that Old Testament writers were not thinking of faith in the sense New Testament readers understand the word. These Old Testament prophets were thinking fidelity, trust, and trustworthiness in what they wrote.
They weren't thinking "convinced" in the sense of the New Testament Greek word pistis either! It also shows that translators, though scholars and linguists, are often as deceived as the blind sheep to whose deceptions they contribute by their mistranslations.
The dictionary gives several definitions of the English word "faith." The definition most applicable to the Bible is "trust" or “confidence in a person or thing.” Though Old Testament writers never wrote a word that could correctly be translated faith, they did write a lot about trust. As an example, consider Psalm 125:1:
Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever, NIV.
Now think of this as a New Testament writer would have probably written it. Those who put their confidence in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. Confidence, conviction—pistis! Would the New Testament writer be saying something essentially different from the Old Testament writer who wrote a Hebrew word that means “trust”?
Look up the words "trust" and "refuge" in a concordance and see for yourself how many times Old Testament writers wrote about trust in Yahweh and about taking refuge in Him. No one would seek refuge or trust in Yahweh if he were not convinced of the truth of His teaching and the fulfillment of His promises.
This is exactly what New Testament writers are telling us, but with a better sacrifice, a change in the law and a magnification of moral law. A True Worshiper's righteousness cannot exceed that of a Pharisee without obedience to Yahweh's unchanged statutes and ordinances with full assurance that Yahshua's sacrifice will cover sins of weakness and ignorance. Without assurance it is impossible to please Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 32:20 and Habakkuk 2:4 are the only two verses in the King James Old Testament in which the word "faith" appears. As noted previously, the word emunah is translated “faith” in Habakkuk. In Deuteronomy the word "faith" is translated from emuwn (529) which means "trusty" or "trustworthiness." Deuteronomy 32:20 should read,
I will hide My face from them, He said, and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are untrustworthy.
The NIV reads, children who are unfaithful.
In the KJV of Isaiah 26:2 the word emuwn is translated “truth.” A check of the word in Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament reveals that emuwn properly means "fidelities," but is derived from a root word which means faithfulness—not faith, but faithfulness or reliableness or trustworthiness.
This bit of word study may seem unnecessary, but it is proof that Old Testament writers were not thinking of faith in the sense New Testament readers understand the word. These Old Testament prophets were thinking fidelity, trust, and trustworthiness in what they wrote.
They weren't thinking "convinced" in the sense of the New Testament Greek word pistis either! It also shows that translators, though scholars and linguists, are often as deceived as the blind sheep to whose deceptions they contribute by their mistranslations.
The dictionary gives several definitions of the English word "faith." The definition most applicable to the Bible is "trust" or “confidence in a person or thing.” Though Old Testament writers never wrote a word that could correctly be translated faith, they did write a lot about trust. As an example, consider Psalm 125:1:
Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever, NIV.
Now think of this as a New Testament writer would have probably written it. Those who put their confidence in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. Confidence, conviction—pistis! Would the New Testament writer be saying something essentially different from the Old Testament writer who wrote a Hebrew word that means “trust”?
Look up the words "trust" and "refuge" in a concordance and see for yourself how many times Old Testament writers wrote about trust in Yahweh and about taking refuge in Him. No one would seek refuge or trust in Yahweh if he were not convinced of the truth of His teaching and the fulfillment of His promises.
This is exactly what New Testament writers are telling us, but with a better sacrifice, a change in the law and a magnification of moral law. A True Worshiper's righteousness cannot exceed that of a Pharisee without obedience to Yahweh's unchanged statutes and ordinances with full assurance that Yahshua's sacrifice will cover sins of weakness and ignorance. Without assurance it is impossible to please Yahweh.
Faith Comes in Various Strengths
Now that we understand what faith is, let's turn our thoughts to what Yahweh tells us about faith. It was noted that Romans 10:17 (So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yahweh) tells us that faith or conviction comes by hearing the message. We are told also in Galatians 5:22 that faith is a fruit of the Spirit,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
The KJV translated pistis as "faith" in this verse and the NIV translates pistis as faithfulness. It would take a linguist and scholar to explain this difference in translation of the same word. Both Strong and Thayer indicate that pistis is a very complex word with many shades of meaning. The poignant idea in this is that there must be degrees of differences in faith. In other words, not all faith is the same.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as Yahweh hath dealt to every man the measure of faith, Rom. 12:3.
This verse speaks of the measure of faith given to each of us. This speaks of faith given after the individual receives Yahweh's Holy Spirit. It has to be different from the faith of the person who hears the message and believes with enough conviction to receive baptism.
It is unreasonable to think that the faith of a babe in the Word, who is troubled with uncertainties and even doubts at times, would not differ from that of a spiritually mature individual who has grown almost immeasurably beyond the babe in knowledge and understanding of the Word.
Unbelievers and babes in the Word are often told they should have the faith of the Gentiles whom Yahshua healed and especially like that of the Gentile woman. She reminded Yahshua that even the dogs eat crumbs from the children's table, Matthew 15:27. For unbelievers this is true, but for babes in the Word symbolized by the children at the table, the admonishment is FALSE!
We are told these stories about healing unbaptized Gentiles to illustrate the sort of faith needed by a True Worshiper to avoid coming before Yahshua's judgment throne.
A Gentile who is baptized into Yahshua's Name is in the covenant. He or she sits at the table with the children and feeds on the meat of the bread of life; not on the crumbs that fall from the table.
We are not told that the Gentiles that Yahshua healed were baptized. They may have received baptism later, but we are not told that baptism after healing doesn’t apply to the story.
Neither are we told that these Gentiles believed Yahshua is the Son of Yahweh. They probably didn't know or understand anything about Jewish expectations of a Messiah. It is not likely they would have cared one way or the other whether Yahshua was the Messiah even if they knew anything about Jewish expectations.
The chances are that all they knew about Yahshua was that He could heal the sick. So they pleaded with Him to heal them, or a loved one, not because they knew He could, but because they hoped He would.
The implication in these accounts is that Yahshua will have mercy at the judgment upon people who do not know the truth or are not in the covenant, but He does not take part in unrighteousness nor delight in wickedness, 2 Thessalonians 2:12:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Mercy and salvation will be discussed in the discourses of these subjects. The mention of mercy here is only incidental to showing that the faith of these unbaptized Gentiles was one of hope, not conviction.
Now that we understand what faith is, let's turn our thoughts to what Yahweh tells us about faith. It was noted that Romans 10:17 (So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yahweh) tells us that faith or conviction comes by hearing the message. We are told also in Galatians 5:22 that faith is a fruit of the Spirit,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
The KJV translated pistis as "faith" in this verse and the NIV translates pistis as faithfulness. It would take a linguist and scholar to explain this difference in translation of the same word. Both Strong and Thayer indicate that pistis is a very complex word with many shades of meaning. The poignant idea in this is that there must be degrees of differences in faith. In other words, not all faith is the same.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as Yahweh hath dealt to every man the measure of faith, Rom. 12:3.
This verse speaks of the measure of faith given to each of us. This speaks of faith given after the individual receives Yahweh's Holy Spirit. It has to be different from the faith of the person who hears the message and believes with enough conviction to receive baptism.
It is unreasonable to think that the faith of a babe in the Word, who is troubled with uncertainties and even doubts at times, would not differ from that of a spiritually mature individual who has grown almost immeasurably beyond the babe in knowledge and understanding of the Word.
Unbelievers and babes in the Word are often told they should have the faith of the Gentiles whom Yahshua healed and especially like that of the Gentile woman. She reminded Yahshua that even the dogs eat crumbs from the children's table, Matthew 15:27. For unbelievers this is true, but for babes in the Word symbolized by the children at the table, the admonishment is FALSE!
We are told these stories about healing unbaptized Gentiles to illustrate the sort of faith needed by a True Worshiper to avoid coming before Yahshua's judgment throne.
A Gentile who is baptized into Yahshua's Name is in the covenant. He or she sits at the table with the children and feeds on the meat of the bread of life; not on the crumbs that fall from the table.
We are not told that the Gentiles that Yahshua healed were baptized. They may have received baptism later, but we are not told that baptism after healing doesn’t apply to the story.
Neither are we told that these Gentiles believed Yahshua is the Son of Yahweh. They probably didn't know or understand anything about Jewish expectations of a Messiah. It is not likely they would have cared one way or the other whether Yahshua was the Messiah even if they knew anything about Jewish expectations.
The chances are that all they knew about Yahshua was that He could heal the sick. So they pleaded with Him to heal them, or a loved one, not because they knew He could, but because they hoped He would.
The implication in these accounts is that Yahshua will have mercy at the judgment upon people who do not know the truth or are not in the covenant, but He does not take part in unrighteousness nor delight in wickedness, 2 Thessalonians 2:12:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Mercy and salvation will be discussed in the discourses of these subjects. The mention of mercy here is only incidental to showing that the faith of these unbaptized Gentiles was one of hope, not conviction.
To Void the Covenant
Man's doctrines about faith are founded upon Scriptures like the last portion of Hebrews 13:5,
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
And Hebrews 13:8,
Yahshua the Messiah is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Man's reasoning is that because these statements are true, it must be that once a person's sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit is received, it will never be withdrawn. Therefore, the person's past and present sins are not all that is forgiven; all future sins will be forgiven also.
Any questioning of this belief is dealt with by reference to 1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Many Scriptures are quoted and strung together in a way that gives the appearance that false doctrines of faith have scriptural support. For example, “It is not the righteousness earned by obedience to the law, Philippians 3:9, that saves a person. It is the righteousness of Yahshua the Messiah that comes from Yahweh, Romans 10:3, which is imputed apart from works of the law, Romans 4:6, to those who submit to Yahweh's righteousness, Romans 10:3 and comes by faith, Galatians 5:5."
This sounds so spiritual that even Yahweh's elect would be deceived if they ignored other Scriptures that do not support the concept conveyed by this amalgam of Scriptures. The concept is satanic. It is a deception that advocates lawlessness and is predicated upon the deception that Yahweh will never remove His Spirit from a baptized person so long as the person remains steadfast in faith— even if the individual persists in transgressing the law.
If this idea is proved false, then the concept collapses that a believer with faith need do no more than admit to sin. Most believers of false doctrines founded upon misconceptions of Scriptures admit Yahweh's Word is truth. If the proof of the falseness of their beliefs is substantiated by the Word, they will show that they love the truth enough to correct the error of their thinking or show they love the lie more than Yahweh's truth.
Those who believe false doctrines about faith, even if feeding at Yahshua's table, have a faith as weak as that of the Gentiles who came to Yahshua to be healed.
It is true that Yahweh will not take His Spirit from them so long as they remain at the table. Coming to the table is a person's free choice, but so is leaving it. Satan never ceases his efforts to lure people from the table, even people strong in faith because their beliefs are predicated upon sound doctrines.
People of weak faith, because they are confused by beliefs in false doctrines, are particularly vulnerable to Satan's temptations to transgress statutes, ordinances and Yahweh's teachings in the New Covenant. If the truth is rejected when pointed out to them and they continue in the lie, they leave Yahshua's table and Yahweh takes His Spirit from them. These people end up with the dogs under the table feeding on the crumbs of the bread of life that fall from the table.
Whether they believe it or not, their faith is no more than a hope for mercy at the judgment. They have fallen from grace,
Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace, Galatians 5:4.
Yahweh is grieved by the loss of a soul from Yahshua's table, but regardless of His grief, He withdraws His Spirit from them. Yahweh will not be mocked,
Be not deceived; Yahweh is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, Galatians 6:7.
People who become fearful because of the questioning of the truth of their beliefs also have a weak faith. Love is a fruit of the Spirit and perfect love casts out fear,
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love, 1 John 4:18.
Fearfulness indicates resistance to Spiritual growth.
Resistance to the Spirit results in fruit that is shriveled and wormy with false doctrines. Pointing out the fallacies in the doctrines they believe is purging the branches,
Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit, John 15:2.
Unless these fearful people accept the purging and turn to the Scriptures to prove for themselves what is good and acceptable to Yahweh (And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh, Romans 12:2) they will not bring forth good fruit.
Yahshua says that branches that don't bear good fruit are taken away, John 15:2. Can this mean anything other than Yahweh will take His Spirit from a person, symbolized by a branch, who does not bring forth fruits of the Spirit in life? Would Yahweh allow His Holy Spirit to remain with a branch that was cut off from the vine?
Man's doctrines about faith are founded upon Scriptures like the last portion of Hebrews 13:5,
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
And Hebrews 13:8,
Yahshua the Messiah is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Man's reasoning is that because these statements are true, it must be that once a person's sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit is received, it will never be withdrawn. Therefore, the person's past and present sins are not all that is forgiven; all future sins will be forgiven also.
Any questioning of this belief is dealt with by reference to 1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Many Scriptures are quoted and strung together in a way that gives the appearance that false doctrines of faith have scriptural support. For example, “It is not the righteousness earned by obedience to the law, Philippians 3:9, that saves a person. It is the righteousness of Yahshua the Messiah that comes from Yahweh, Romans 10:3, which is imputed apart from works of the law, Romans 4:6, to those who submit to Yahweh's righteousness, Romans 10:3 and comes by faith, Galatians 5:5."
This sounds so spiritual that even Yahweh's elect would be deceived if they ignored other Scriptures that do not support the concept conveyed by this amalgam of Scriptures. The concept is satanic. It is a deception that advocates lawlessness and is predicated upon the deception that Yahweh will never remove His Spirit from a baptized person so long as the person remains steadfast in faith— even if the individual persists in transgressing the law.
If this idea is proved false, then the concept collapses that a believer with faith need do no more than admit to sin. Most believers of false doctrines founded upon misconceptions of Scriptures admit Yahweh's Word is truth. If the proof of the falseness of their beliefs is substantiated by the Word, they will show that they love the truth enough to correct the error of their thinking or show they love the lie more than Yahweh's truth.
Those who believe false doctrines about faith, even if feeding at Yahshua's table, have a faith as weak as that of the Gentiles who came to Yahshua to be healed.
It is true that Yahweh will not take His Spirit from them so long as they remain at the table. Coming to the table is a person's free choice, but so is leaving it. Satan never ceases his efforts to lure people from the table, even people strong in faith because their beliefs are predicated upon sound doctrines.
People of weak faith, because they are confused by beliefs in false doctrines, are particularly vulnerable to Satan's temptations to transgress statutes, ordinances and Yahweh's teachings in the New Covenant. If the truth is rejected when pointed out to them and they continue in the lie, they leave Yahshua's table and Yahweh takes His Spirit from them. These people end up with the dogs under the table feeding on the crumbs of the bread of life that fall from the table.
Whether they believe it or not, their faith is no more than a hope for mercy at the judgment. They have fallen from grace,
Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace, Galatians 5:4.
Yahweh is grieved by the loss of a soul from Yahshua's table, but regardless of His grief, He withdraws His Spirit from them. Yahweh will not be mocked,
Be not deceived; Yahweh is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, Galatians 6:7.
People who become fearful because of the questioning of the truth of their beliefs also have a weak faith. Love is a fruit of the Spirit and perfect love casts out fear,
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love, 1 John 4:18.
Fearfulness indicates resistance to Spiritual growth.
Resistance to the Spirit results in fruit that is shriveled and wormy with false doctrines. Pointing out the fallacies in the doctrines they believe is purging the branches,
Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit, John 15:2.
Unless these fearful people accept the purging and turn to the Scriptures to prove for themselves what is good and acceptable to Yahweh (And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh, Romans 12:2) they will not bring forth good fruit.
Yahshua says that branches that don't bear good fruit are taken away, John 15:2. Can this mean anything other than Yahweh will take His Spirit from a person, symbolized by a branch, who does not bring forth fruits of the Spirit in life? Would Yahweh allow His Holy Spirit to remain with a branch that was cut off from the vine?
Of Snarling Dogs and Repentance
People who become angry, vociferous, and even belligerent in rejecting the questioning of their beliefs are demonstrating that the Spirit has already left them. Previous attitudes and actions may have caused a fall from grace, or their reaction to the questioning was so presumptuously self-righteous it precipitated an immediate fall from grace.
Their attitude and actions prove that the Spirit is no longer with them. They haven't become tail-wagging dogs under the table. They have become snapping, snarling, unfriendly dogs.
Yahweh's children are warned to beware of false prophets (wolves),
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them, Matthew 7:15-20.
These false prophets (wolves) masquerade as apostles of Messiah (teachers of righteousness),
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah, 2 Corinthians 11:13.
And they will deceive many, For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Messiah; and shall deceive many, Matthew 24:5.
Even the elect could be deceived if possible through signs, wonders and false doctrines,
For there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect, Matthew 24:24.
Philippians 3:2 also warns the children to watch out for the dogs,
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the false circumcision (NASB).
What do these warnings mean if not to be careful about being deceived by false prophets or fallen brethren?
The dogs Paul warns about symbolize Jews who came to Yahshua's table by baptism, who did not understand, or would not accept, the change in the law. Today, the dogs symbolize people who have left the table because they misunderstand Yahweh's grace and say there is no law in the New Covenant.
The dogs, especially the dangerous ones, are in danger of losing what little faith they may still have unless they repent and turn away from their unrighteousness and come back to Yahshua before it is too late. As long as there is life there is hope. It is never too late for the living!
The promise is true that Yahshua will forgive the sins of even the false prophets as well as the fallen brethren if they repent with a sincere heart and turn to Him to be healed and renewed in mind and spirit. The evidence that repentant brethren are again feeding at the table will be lives that bring forth fruits of the Spirit that are worthy of repentance,
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that Yahweh is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham, Luke 3:8.
James 5:19-20 tells us that if someone wanders from the truth, someone should bring the wandering one back, because whoever turns a sinner from error will save the person from death,
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
In one's efforts to save a sinner, one must be careful not to become deceived by a false prophet or infected by sin from a dog bite, 2 Peter 2:20; Galatians 5:1. Children at the table and the more spiritually mature brethren serving at the table must not permit their agape (compassion) for fallen brethren to become bitter because of the words or deeds of a fallen brother or sister, even if their philadelphia (brotherly affection) is destroyed.
In Job 1:21, he said,
Yahweh gave and Yahweh has taken away, blessed be the Name of Yahweh.
No one argues with the understanding that the meaning of this is that Yahweh gives life in the flesh and that He takes that life away.
Yahweh also gives His Spirit to the person baptized in Yahshua. Nothing in Scriptures implies He will give His Spirit to anyone who will not enter into the covenant. Many Scriptures, however, tell us or imply that He will take His Spirit from the person who will not endeavor to live life in the flesh by the Spirit,
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, Romans 8:13.
In the light of Job's statement, doesn't it stand to reason that since Yahweh gives His Spirit, He can also take it away?
A branch on the vine must be indwelt by the Spirit! Is it reasonable to assume that Yahweh's Spirit would remain in a branch cut off from the vine? Yahshua the Messiah is the vine, we are the branches.Ifwearenotonthevineweare not in the Messiah. If we are not in the Messiah, Yahweh's Holy Spirit is not in us,
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Yahweh dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of His, Romans 8:9.
People who become angry, vociferous, and even belligerent in rejecting the questioning of their beliefs are demonstrating that the Spirit has already left them. Previous attitudes and actions may have caused a fall from grace, or their reaction to the questioning was so presumptuously self-righteous it precipitated an immediate fall from grace.
Their attitude and actions prove that the Spirit is no longer with them. They haven't become tail-wagging dogs under the table. They have become snapping, snarling, unfriendly dogs.
Yahweh's children are warned to beware of false prophets (wolves),
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them, Matthew 7:15-20.
These false prophets (wolves) masquerade as apostles of Messiah (teachers of righteousness),
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah, 2 Corinthians 11:13.
And they will deceive many, For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Messiah; and shall deceive many, Matthew 24:5.
Even the elect could be deceived if possible through signs, wonders and false doctrines,
For there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect, Matthew 24:24.
Philippians 3:2 also warns the children to watch out for the dogs,
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the false circumcision (NASB).
What do these warnings mean if not to be careful about being deceived by false prophets or fallen brethren?
The dogs Paul warns about symbolize Jews who came to Yahshua's table by baptism, who did not understand, or would not accept, the change in the law. Today, the dogs symbolize people who have left the table because they misunderstand Yahweh's grace and say there is no law in the New Covenant.
The dogs, especially the dangerous ones, are in danger of losing what little faith they may still have unless they repent and turn away from their unrighteousness and come back to Yahshua before it is too late. As long as there is life there is hope. It is never too late for the living!
The promise is true that Yahshua will forgive the sins of even the false prophets as well as the fallen brethren if they repent with a sincere heart and turn to Him to be healed and renewed in mind and spirit. The evidence that repentant brethren are again feeding at the table will be lives that bring forth fruits of the Spirit that are worthy of repentance,
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that Yahweh is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham, Luke 3:8.
James 5:19-20 tells us that if someone wanders from the truth, someone should bring the wandering one back, because whoever turns a sinner from error will save the person from death,
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
In one's efforts to save a sinner, one must be careful not to become deceived by a false prophet or infected by sin from a dog bite, 2 Peter 2:20; Galatians 5:1. Children at the table and the more spiritually mature brethren serving at the table must not permit their agape (compassion) for fallen brethren to become bitter because of the words or deeds of a fallen brother or sister, even if their philadelphia (brotherly affection) is destroyed.
In Job 1:21, he said,
Yahweh gave and Yahweh has taken away, blessed be the Name of Yahweh.
No one argues with the understanding that the meaning of this is that Yahweh gives life in the flesh and that He takes that life away.
Yahweh also gives His Spirit to the person baptized in Yahshua. Nothing in Scriptures implies He will give His Spirit to anyone who will not enter into the covenant. Many Scriptures, however, tell us or imply that He will take His Spirit from the person who will not endeavor to live life in the flesh by the Spirit,
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, Romans 8:13.
In the light of Job's statement, doesn't it stand to reason that since Yahweh gives His Spirit, He can also take it away?
A branch on the vine must be indwelt by the Spirit! Is it reasonable to assume that Yahweh's Spirit would remain in a branch cut off from the vine? Yahshua the Messiah is the vine, we are the branches.Ifwearenotonthevineweare not in the Messiah. If we are not in the Messiah, Yahweh's Holy Spirit is not in us,
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Yahweh dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of His, Romans 8:9.
Having a Vain Faith
This may seem to be the harsh, even cruel, thinking of a legalist to many babes in the Word. These thoughts may especially antagonize those deceived into putting their faith (conviction in the truth) in false doctrines, with assurance (hope) that the Messiah will forgive their sins (transgressions of Yahweh's laws) even if they continue to live in the sinfully minded weakness of the flesh.
Generally, people not in the Sacred Name Movement ignore Yahweh's warning in Matthew 15:9 (But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.) that it is possible to worship Him in vain. They also ignore His commandment in Deuteronomy 12:30-31 that His people must not worship Him the way the pagan nations serve their elohim (gods).
They continue to worship in pagan ways on pagan days because they believe Yahweh will ignore their ignorance until Yahshua's return,
And the times of this ignorance Yahweh winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30.
Many babes in the Word, who have opened their eyes to see the vainness of pagan ways of worship and have willingly followed the lead of Yahweh's Holy Spirit by coming out of error, do not understand that their faith remains vain!
HOW CAN THIS BE? Read again Matthew 15:9, 1 Corinthians 15:14 and also James 2:20. Realize that when these babes in the Word came out of the churches they clung to the vain faith that had been instilled in them by the false doctrines taught in the churches. Such people have indicated a willingness to follow the Spirit wherever it leads, but unless they open their eyes to see their error in understanding faith, they will resist or quench the lead of the Spirit into all truth.
This resistance can lead to a fall from grace and missing out in the first resurrection with those who do not come into judgment. Instead they will come before the great white throne after the second resurrection with a faith that is only a hope that Yahshua will forgive their sins of ignorance and not sins of stiff-necked defiance.
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before Yahweh, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him, Numbers 15:27-28.
This may seem to be the harsh, even cruel, thinking of a legalist to many babes in the Word. These thoughts may especially antagonize those deceived into putting their faith (conviction in the truth) in false doctrines, with assurance (hope) that the Messiah will forgive their sins (transgressions of Yahweh's laws) even if they continue to live in the sinfully minded weakness of the flesh.
Generally, people not in the Sacred Name Movement ignore Yahweh's warning in Matthew 15:9 (But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.) that it is possible to worship Him in vain. They also ignore His commandment in Deuteronomy 12:30-31 that His people must not worship Him the way the pagan nations serve their elohim (gods).
They continue to worship in pagan ways on pagan days because they believe Yahweh will ignore their ignorance until Yahshua's return,
And the times of this ignorance Yahweh winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30.
Many babes in the Word, who have opened their eyes to see the vainness of pagan ways of worship and have willingly followed the lead of Yahweh's Holy Spirit by coming out of error, do not understand that their faith remains vain!
HOW CAN THIS BE? Read again Matthew 15:9, 1 Corinthians 15:14 and also James 2:20. Realize that when these babes in the Word came out of the churches they clung to the vain faith that had been instilled in them by the false doctrines taught in the churches. Such people have indicated a willingness to follow the Spirit wherever it leads, but unless they open their eyes to see their error in understanding faith, they will resist or quench the lead of the Spirit into all truth.
This resistance can lead to a fall from grace and missing out in the first resurrection with those who do not come into judgment. Instead they will come before the great white throne after the second resurrection with a faith that is only a hope that Yahshua will forgive their sins of ignorance and not sins of stiff-necked defiance.
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before Yahweh, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him, Numbers 15:27-28.
-Elder Ralph Henrie
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