There is a growing problem in the body of Messiah that makes me angry, and it is disgracing and disrespecting the Name of YaHuWaH, our Elohim. It’s getting harder and harder to believe that this is happening! Grown and mature adults claiming to be Set-Apart for Abba YaHuWaH are massacring other believers with their lies, deceit, anger, and wrath, all in the Name of Whom??? We are called to be imitators of Messiah Yahusha and walk as He walked!
Therefore become imitators of Yahusha [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another–practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Messiah also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to Elohim [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” Ephesians 5:1-2
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk habitually in the Ruach haQodesh [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for Elohim and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Ruach haQodesh and the desire of the Ruach haQodesh opposes the sinful nature; for these two, [the sinful nature and the Ruach haQodesh] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Ruach haQodesh you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim. But the fruit of the Ruach haQodesh [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Messiah Yahusha have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the Ruach haQodesh we must also walk by the Ruach haQodesh [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage–our conduct empowered by the Ruach haQodesh. We must not become conceited, challenging, or provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:13-26
Their pride, their puffed-up spirit, their knowledge of scripture, and the Hebrew language are the cause of a lot of these incidents amongst believers! Just because you have knowledge of scripture doesn’t mean anything if you can’t walk in the Ruach haQodesh and display the fruit that comes from the Master! One of the saddest things I have ever seen is a believer without compassion!
If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know. But if anyone loves Elohim [with awe-filled reverence, obedience, and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].” 1 Corinthians 8:2-3
And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from Elohim to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].” 1 Corinthians 13:2, 4-7
I know sometimes it is hard to walk as Yahusha did and we all fall short and sin, but this is willful disobedience to scripture and the leading of the Ruach haQodesh!
So then, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim.” Romans 8:12-14
Love is the completion of the Law and the instructions of YaHuWaH! Messiah was asked by His disciples what is the greatest commandment of the Torah.
Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” He told him, “You are to love YaHuWaH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.” Matthew 22:36-40
In conclusion, the greatest of these is to love YaHuWaH with all your heart, soul, and strength! When we tear down others, bear false witness, slander, gossip, deceive, take out our anger on others, and are wroth with others, we are not showing YaHuWaH our Elohim that we love Him. If you look at my first paragraph you will see that I ask in whose Name we do these things. We are only as good as the One we represent. When we do these things, we bring shame, disrespect, and disgrace to the Name of YaHuWaH our Elohim. Scripture says, “If you honor Me amongst men, I will honor you before My Father”.
So then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of Elohim. Therefore put away all filthiness and overflow of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your lives. And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is worthless. Clean and undefiled religion before the Elohim and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:19-27
My prayer for all is that we remain humble before the Master, that His Ruach will lead and guide us into all truth, and that we walk in the love that He called us to walk in towards our fellow man and, first and foremost, our Elohim.
YaHuWaH bless you and guard you.
Ron