Before we begin this study, I first want to
clarify something … Christians are not to condemn the worldly people, who are
carnal by nature and do not know Elohei – or understand the ways of Elohim
through grace in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. But Christians ARE to warn fellow
Christians against sinful activity and steer them back to the straight and
narrow when they begin to backslide into carnal behaviors again (Luke
17:3; 1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians
6:2-3; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:2; James 7:4).
So, as we read today’s study together, let us remember that there is a big difference between the world and Christians, and that is what Paul is referring to while he writes to the Church. Yeshua NEVER pooh-poohed sinful behaviors and He NEVER told Believers to turn a blind eye to those behaviors. WHAT He DID SAY was to beware of religiosity … religious people condemning those carnal sinners who do not know Elohei or the grace of Elohim through Yeshua. Piously religious people (acting righteous by works according to the Law without accepting Yeshua’s blood atonement/salvation) are sinners without salvation, the same as carnal worldly people without salvation (Matthew 7:5; John 8:1-16; Romans 2:21-22; James 7:4).
Be wise. Be discerning. Be filled with the Ruach Ha'Kodesh so that you judge rightly according to Elohim’s grace and Yeshua’s example.
THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 2
“My friend, no matter who you are, you have no excuse for condemning others, for in condemning someone else, you are condemning yourself, for you are guilty of the same misdeeds yourself. We are sure, though, that when Elohei judges in such matters, that judgement will be factual and impartial. When you are condemning another for what you yourself do, do you think that you will escape Elohim’s judgement? How about Elohim’s rich kindness to you? And think of His patience and forbearance toward you. Do you ignore the fact that Elohim’s kindness should lead you to a change of heart?
By your hard and impatient heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when Elohim will reveal the justice of His judgments. For He will award to every man according to his works. He will give everlasting life to those who, by perseverance in doing good, have sought to attain glory, honor, and immorality. But on the contrary, to the self-willed who rebel against the truth but yield to lies, He will give wrath and fury. Also affliction and anguish will be the lot of every human soul who has committed evil – to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. And there will be glory, honor and grace to everyone who has done good – to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For Elohim is impartial and treats everyone alike.
Those who have sinned without knowledge of The Law will perish without reverence to The Law, and those who had The Law and sinned against it will be judged by The Law. For it is not the hearing of The Law that makes a man righteous in Elohim’s sight, but rather it is his obedience to The Law that justifies him. When the Gentiles, who do not have The Law, instinctively do what The Law demands, they are as a law to themselves, even though they do not have The Law. They prove that the demands of The Law are written on their hearts. It is their conscience that speaks to them, arguing a case, either condemning or justifying it. This too, will be considered on the day when Elohim passes judgement on the secret thoughts of men, which, according to the Gospel that I preach, will be through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.
Well, you are Jew by name and you feel secure in The Law, and you boast of Elohei. And you know His Will, and from your knowledge of The Law you can appreciate the more excellent way. You are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those in the dark. You admonish the foolish, and teach the children, for in The Law you have the framework of knowledge and the essentials of Truth. But listen! Do you who can teach others, also teach yourselves? Do you yourself steal while you preach against stealing? You say that one must not commit adultery … but are you yourself an adulterer? You abhor idolatry, but do you at the same time rob the heathen temples? You boast about The Law, but do you dishonor Elohei when you break it? In fact, the Scriptures themselves declare, “Because you sin, the Name of Elohei is dishonored among the heathen” (Ezekiel 36:20).
Circumcision is truly a good thing if you keep
The Law, but of you break The Law your circumcision becomes as uncircumcision.
And if an uncircumcised man meets the requirements of The Law, will not his uncircumcision
be regarded as circumcision? And so those who keep The Law, though not circumcised
in their body, can pass judgement on you who have kept the letter of The Law by
being circumcised but are otherwise Lawbreakers.
To be a Jew is really not just about the outward appearance. The same holds good for circumcision; it is really not just an outward operation of the body. No, to be a real Jew is to be one from within. And similarly, a real circumcision is of the heart; it is spiritual, not physical. And such a one will get praise from Elohim, even if not from men."
