If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalms 11:3
Many Christians today believe that the law is done away with. The word “law” is not even an appropriate translation for the Hebrew word “Torah”. It would be more appropriate to translate that word as “instructions in righteousness”. So now with that definition in hand would our Heavenly Father discard instructions in righteousness just because He sent His Son?
“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14
In the above verse, Yeshua (aka Jesus) is talking about boundaries. Don’t instructions in righteousness constitute boundaries? Don’t they define the manner in which we should walk?
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the Torah, until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-20
These verses occur 2 chapters away in Matthew 5. Many stumble over the word “fulfill”. Before we define that word does it make sense that “fulfill” would we mean to do away with the Torah or the Prophets? Afterall, verse 17 Yeshua says that He did not come to do away with or destroy the Torah or the Prophets. Now let’s take a closer look at that Greek word “fulfill”. The Greek word pleroo actually means to verify or to execute! So Yeshua came to verify and execute the Torah and the Prophets!! Do you want to teach against something our Savior has verified and executed? If you do, you will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. So that means you’ll still be in the Kingdom, but least? What does verse 20 tell us? Does Yeshua say there is a way that you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes, your righteousness needs to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. If you deny Yeshua’s definition of righteousness are you denying Him? By denying Him can your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? It is better to stand on solid ground instead of shaky ground. These are penetrating questions we all must answer.
Build It on a Rock
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. 25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.” Matthew 7:24-27
These verses occur 2 chapters away in Matthew 5. Many stumble over the word “fulfill”. Before we define that word does it make sense that “fulfill” would we mean to do away with the Torah or the Prophets? Afterall, verse 17 Yeshua says that He did not come to do away with or destroy the Torah or the Prophets. Now let’s take a closer look at that Greek word “fulfill”. The Greek word pleroo actually means to verify or to execute! So Yeshua came to verify and execute the Torah and the Prophets!! Do you want to teach against something our Savior has verified and executed? If you do, you will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. So that means you’ll still be in the Kingdom, but least? What does verse 20 tell us? Does Yeshua say there is a way that you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes, your righteousness needs to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. If you deny Yeshua’s definition of righteousness are you denying Him? By denying Him can your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? It is better to stand on solid ground instead of shaky ground. These are penetrating questions we all must answer.
Isn’t it better to be the wise man who built on a solid foundation? Yeshua is clear in this parable that a shaky foundation will collapse. Are Yeshua’s words founded in the Torah and the Prophets? If you don’t hear or do Yeshua’s words will your house collapse when the storms come?
The Word Is The Torah
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. John 1:1-5
John starts his gospel out by establishing who the Word is. He was in the beginning at creation and made all things. He was calling out Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees and establishing a covenant with him, then Isaac his son, then Isaac’s son Jacob (later named Israel). Was He the one at the burning bush calling Moses to return to Egypt and redeem the nation of Israel from bondage? Was it this Word that was meeting with Moses and giving him the commandments on Mount Sinai?
Dear brothers and sisters shall we build on foundation that will not waste away or shall we build on a foundation that will perish? Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you (ref. Matthew 7:7) and you will be walking in the footsteps of our Savior! This is the path of truth and righteousness and blessed will be those who walk in that path empowered by His Holy Spirit!