What is a Paradox?
Whether one googles “paradox” or uses Webster’s Dictionary to find the definitions of “paradox,” the following list is a partial listing of what one can find:
1. Something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible.
2. Someone who does two things that seem to be opposite to each other or who has qualities that are opposite.
3. A statement that seems to say two opposite things that may be true.
4. A tenet contrary to received opinion.
5. A person, situation or action exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects.
6. Those with spiritual eyes to see and with spiritual ears to hear.
Yahweh created the world we live in to be a paradox from the very foundation (beginning) of the world. It was created a paradox intentionally in order to separate those of the world (spiritually blind and deaf) from those (Nazarenes) who have spiritual eyes and ears.
The Paradox of Physical Life
And I was alive (not dead in sin) apart from the law once (ignorant like a child): but (as an adult) when the commandment came (law of Moses/the letter of the law) sin revived and I died (became a sinner). And the commandment which was to life (provided a path unto salvation) I found to be unto death (eternal damnation for sin), Romans 7:9-10.
This is a paradox. Why? Because Paul/Sha'ul could not obey the commandments as laws, and the fact that the flesh is weak and self-centered, though the commandments could provide eternal life. Eternal life was still out of reach—unobtainable. The letter of the law brings you to the door, "Yahshua." Then, after immersion in Yahshua's name, you are then given a portion of Yah's Spirit to conquer sin and to walk in righteousness.
For sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me (because paradoxical dual nature — the letter condemns — the Spirit brings life) and through it, killed me. (I was condemned by the letter of the Torah/instructions because the flesh which is self-centered/weak and rebellious, prevents/corrupts obedience out of love to walk in righteousness to the instructions/law/Torah.) So the law is HOLY and JuST and GOOD. Did then that which is good become death to me? Yahweh forbid by no means but sin that it might be shown (revealed) as sin, working death (exposing sin) to me through by that which is good (The Spirit of the Torah/instruction/law). So that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful (Obvious — plain as day — ignorance was no longer an excuse). For we know that the law (Torah) is spiritual (a marriage of love); but I am carnal (worldly, rebellious, self-centered), sold under sin. For (as a righteousness seeker with the faith/belief of Yahshua) that which I (fleshly/carnal man would) do (which is sin), I do not allow: for what I would do (as a fleshly man sinner) that I do not do: but (instead do that) what I (as a fleshly person) hate (which is spiritual obedience) that I do. But if what I would not do that I do (which is spiritual obedience, the spirit of the Torah/law/instructions) I consent unto (agree with) the law (selfless love — denial of self) that it is good. So now it is no more that I do it but sin that dwells (still lingering) in me. (With Yah's Spirit I am now motivated to conquer/escape my sin as a seeker of righteousness.). For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, no good thing dwells: for to will (like Yah's mind/Spirit/heart) is present with me: but how to perform that which is good I (as a fleshly man) find not. For the good (righteousness) that I would do. I (in the flesh) do not: but the evil which I do not (no longer want/desire to) do, that I (with Yah’s Spirit) do. Now if I do that (sin) which I would not (do not want to) do, it is no more that I that do it but sin that (still) dwells in me. I find then the law (a Paradoxical law—the letter of the law condemns—the spirit of the law gives life) that when I do good (seek righteousness) evil is (still) present with me. (We still have the thorn of sin with us but with Yah’s Spirit-like mind we can overcome.) For I delight in the law (out of an obedience of love) of Yahweh after the inward (spiritual) man. But I see a different law (Iust, sin, self) in my members warring against the law of my mind (a loving mindset-like mind of Yahweh) and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is (fleshly) in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah our Master. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of Yahweh; but with the flesh the law of sin, Romans 7:11-25.
The Paradox of Spiritual Salvation
The Paradox of Spiritual Salvation can be seen through all the religions of mankind. Yahweh tells us in the word that it is His Holy Spirit that reveals spiritual knowledge and yet mankind invents colleges of theology, seminaries, monasteries or other institutions of so called "Higher Learning." (This is a Paradox — this "higher learning is truly ‘lower’ learning"). Mankind places his trust in his own abilities/ inventions and not in Yah's Spirit, which reveals the truth. Therefore, man is in great error and receives only the instructions of man's sinful selfcentered nature as his reward. Truthfully, the chance of finding a true minister of Yahweh from one of mankind’s seminaries or religious institutions is, for all practical purposes, equal to 0 (zero). Yahweh calls out and chooses His own teachers. All those seeking truth need to understand Yahweh has a deep love for mankind. So much so, that EL has made it possible for any human being, no matter how isolated from society they are, to be able to receive salvation/justification/redemption through faith, trust and a true genuine attempt of living an obedient (out of love) life through seeking the righteousness of Yahweh, by having the faith/belief of Yahshua and following His righteous example — with Yahshua and the commandments — the Torah with all of one’s heart /mind/soul and strength. For those that seek Him in such a manner are those that love (regard, cherish, protect) Him and those that love Him are the ones that find favor/ grace in His eyes. The meaning of the phrase, “to have the faith/belief of Messiah” is to have the "faith/belief as Messiah believed.”
The King answered to Daniel, and said, of a truth your EL is the EL of Elohims and the King of Kings and a revealer of secrets seeing you have been able to reveal this secret, Daniel 2:47.
Parallels Between The Paradoxes — a Mystery?
But we (Nazarenes) speak Yahweh's wisdom in a mystery (parallels/parables or in Hebrew “mashal”) even the wisdom that has been hidden, which Yahweh foreordained before the world to our glory, which 8 October — December 2016 none of the rulers of this world have known: for had they known it, they would not have impaled the Sovereign of Glory (Yahshua). But as it is written, "Things which (fleshly) eye didn't see, and (fleshly) ear did not hear, which did not enter into the heart of man, whatever things Yahweh prepared for those that Love Him." But to us (Nazarenes), Yahweh revealed them through the (Holy) Spirit. For the (Holy) Spirit searches all things. Yes, the deep things of Yahweh. For who among (carnal) men knows the things of a (carnal) man, except the (carnal) spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of Yahweh, except the (Holy) Spirit of Yahweh. (Nazarenes that have Yah's Holy Spirit or righteous mentality-like mind). But we (Nazarenes) received not the (carnal) spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from Yahweh, that we (Nazarenes) might know the things that were freely given to us by Yahweh, which thing also we (Nazarenes) speak not in words which man’s wisdom (worldly schools of lower learning — fruitless though they be) teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. Now the natural (carnal) man does not receive the things (knowledge) of Yahweh’s (Holy) Spirit (not in a school run by man) for they are foolishness to him and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual (discerns) judges all things and he himself is (eternally) judged by no one. For who has known the mind of Yahweh that he should instruct him? But we have Messiah Yahshua's mind (Yahshua has Yah's righteousness-seeking mind.), 1 Corinthians 2:7-16.
Now, where is this leading us to?
The Picture of Salvation
For whoever will call on the name of Yahweh (righteous repu- tation/supreme authority) shall be saved. How then will they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him Whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach, unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of them who preach the evangel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things?” But they did not listen to the Glad news. For Isaiah (Yesha-Yah) says, “Yahweh, who has believed our report?” So faith/belief comes by hearing and hearing by the (spoken) word (by messengers: the angels or children) of Yahweh, Romans 10:13-17.
Nowhere does it say that salvation can only come directly from hearing the word of Yahweh. It is not those who just hear the Torah, it is those who are DOERS, who live the Torah/instructions.
For the hearers of the Torah (instructions) are not just before Yahweh: but the DOERS of the Torah (instructions) shall be justified, Romans 2:13.
This is what it means to "believe in Messiah Yahshua" (Yahweh's Appointed firstborn Son), because to "believe in Yahshua" is to "believe as Yahshua believed" and Yahshua "believed in the righteousness of Yahweh." Yahshua lived His life by living the Torah/Instruction words in the flesh.
Also, the Apostle Sha'ul/Paul did not say that hearing a preacher with one’s ears was the only way to receive "The word of Yahweh." One who reads "the word of Yahweh" with fear and trembling, Phillppians 2:12, in an attempt to be obedient to Yahweh, can be led by the Holy Spirit of Yahweh.
It is those who seek to be like Him (Yah) in righteousness and therefore obedient to Him that receive grace/favor. They are the ones who receive the Holy Spirit of Yahweh and the instructions of Yahweh's mind. This is what it means to be as "like-minded." To be as like-minded with Yahweh you must first obey the letter of the Torah which brings you to the spirit of the Torah. The letter of the Torah/ instructions is an outward physical action. The spirit of the Torah/ instructions is intent to commit "a thought." A thought can be righteous or sinful.
Those who have Yah's Holy Spirit can conquer and subdue even the thought. Therefore, there is no intent to commit sin — break the Torah/instructions. This is the spirit of the Torah/instructions. Those who have Yahweh’s Holy Spirit walk and think in righteousness!
He answered and said to them "To you (the like-minded) it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. For whoever has (the mind/Holy Spirit of Yahweh) to him shall be given (understanding) and he will have abundance, but (the worldly carnal man) whoever does not have (Yah's mind/spirit) from him shall be taken away even that which he has (his natural life and possessions). Therefore I speak to them in parables (mysteries) because seeing they do not see and hearing they do not hear, neither do they understand, because they are carnal (worldly). In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, "by hearing you will hear and will in no way understand; seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive. For this people’s heart (carnal/worldly mentality) has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, their eyes they have closed; (deaf and blind) or else perhaps they might perceive with their (spiritually healed) eyes, hear with their (spiritually healed) ears, understand with their (spiritually healed) heart (seeking righteousness) and should turn again (spiritually awaken) and I would heal them. But blessed are your (Holy Spiritual) eyes, for they see; and your (Holy Spiritual) ears, for they hear, Matthew 13:11-16.
Now the Elohim of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind (righteousness-seeking mentality) one with another according to Messiah Yahshua that you may with one accord and with one mouth glorify the Elohim and Father of our Sovereign Yahshua the Messiah, Romans 15:5-6.
How can the true children (Nazarenes—spiritual images) of Yahweh live peacefully with each other, in one accord, and esteem Yahweh with one voice, unless they think exactly alike and exactly like Yahweh Whom we esteem, if we do not all have the exact same "Likemind" as Yahweh?
A True Paradox
Those that seek salvation for personal sake will never obtain it. Those that seek the righteousness of Yahweh will obtain salvation, justification and redemption.
-Brother Jim DeHart
© 2016 Yahweh's Assemby in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free: (877) 642-4101
Main Line : (573) 642-4100
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free: (877) 642-4101
Main Line : (573) 642-4100