Conscience, the Law, the Holy Spirit, and Individuality

How do we make difficult decisions as Disciples of Christ? How do we determine what is right and wrong? What should we wear, and what should we not wear? What shall we eat? What day must we worship? 

The Gospels and Epistles, our Scriptures, never really spell out to us the minutia of God’s law. Or do they? Did you know that there are more than 613 commandments in the gospels and epistles alone, many of which are impossibly demanding? 

If we think other religions are more stringent, let us compare some requirements with that of following the Messiah. For example, another religion may require anywhere from three to five to seven sessions of prayer a day. Not so with us – we are supposed to pray all the time, everywhere, as much as possible, without any form of hypocrisy, without any meaningless repetition, without pride, in sincere petition. In other religions, we may have to thank God for certain things – food, shelter, blessings – but we have to be thankful and give thanks and bless God for everything, in good circumstances and in bad, in life or in death. We cannot pray as in Judaism – that is simply not enough. We cannot pray as the heathens – is in not acceptable. We have to pray the prayers that God wants to hear from us. 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

(1Ti 2:1-4 KJV)

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

(1Ti 2:8 KJV)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

(Php 1:3-4 KJV)

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

(1Th 5:16-18 KJV)

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Mat 6:5-15 KJV)

Wow! Here’s another “Thou shalt not”. Messiah Himself commands us that “Thou shalt not be as the hypocrites.” Who says the Torah is legalism and the NT is completely different – a form of lawlessness?

But… the NT is seriously lacking in detail! It does not tell us, exactly what we should pray. The Messiah gives us only one written prayer, the Lord’s Prayer “Avinu shebashamayim”, but then also forbids us ritualistic repetition? What are we supposed to do the rest of the ceaseless time of prayer?

The NT never specifically tells us what day to worship, what to wear, or what to eat? It does mention freedom – but does freedom mean we can live as we please and do as we like? The NT portrays quite the opposite – liberty itself is a law. We are to walk in liberty and thus not be entangled again from everything which the Messiah set us free from.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 speaks of the “old leaven”. I believe that Paul is speaking of the things of our past life – our bondage in “Egypt” to sin. We are supposed to leave behind and purge away all the leaven of selfishness, pride, immorality, etc. because in Christ we have been made free from those things of Egypt. That is past – we have gone through the waters of cleansing and to look back is unbelief and warrants God’s destruction.

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

(Jud 1:5 KJV)

Christ did not set us free to serve ourselves – the Messiah set us to free to serve Him and to serve others. He broke us from the carnal, beastly, animal nature of selfishness and the human-inherited nature of sin.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

(Gal 5:1 KJV)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

(Gal 5:13 KJV)

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

(Jas 1:25 KJV)

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

(Jas 2:12 KJV)

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

(1Pe 2:15-17 KJV)

So, here are the guidelines by which we live life and make decisions:

1)      The Will of God – we are to present ourselves to God as “living sacrifices” to hear from Him His will for us and to obey it. We must only do the things that are pleasing in His sight

2)      Love for God – we are required to love God and to do all the things that He commands us.

3)      The Holy Spirit guides us, teaches us truth, gives us wisdom and understanding, etc.

Unser Gottes Im Himmel is the law that we must abide by.

What about doubtful things? Romans 14 gives us a clue.

1)      Whatever we do, we must to it to God and as belonging to God.

2)      We should not judge or condemn others.

3)      We are accountable to God alone for our actions.

4)      No food is unclean of itself, but each much follow his own conscience with what he feels is right.

5)      The Kingdom of God is more than eating and drinking.

6)      We must heed the voice of our conscience and show consideration to others, being peacemakers at all times.

7)      We must do all things to edify others and to glorify God. In all things we must have fear of God and show deference to others. 

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

(1Co 10:23-33 KJV)

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1Co 9:15-27 KJV)

Finally, to underline our guiding law with a further stamp from God’s Word, let us examine Romans 2.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Rom 2:12-16 KJV)

What is conscience? Conscience is the law of God written on our heart. And it is not only for those without law, but also for those who were given the law because it was said in the Torah, “vehayu hadevarim haeileh asher anokhi metzavekha haiyom al-levavekha”, meaning “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart”. 

“What is the law of God?”, or to express it better, “What then is the guiding principle of God eternal law?” 

“Love God, love others.” “Serve God, serve others.”

What about me? What about my pleasure, my individuality? I am supposed to be all things to all men, to please and glorify God, and consider others better than myself?

How does the NT regard our individuality? 

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

(Col 3:3 KJV)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

(Gal 2:20 KJV)

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

(1Co 12:20 KJV)

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

(1Co 12:25 KJV)

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

(Rom 12:4-5 KJV)

Religion And Me

Every single person in this world has a belief system. When he aligns his beliefs with that of a group, he joins a religion. Each one of us has values, has goals, and has beliefs. Some people believe in one God, some people believe in no god, and some people believe in many gods. Whatever it is, that person holds to his beliefs. Beliefs are influenced by many factors.

In choosing a religion, you are faced with  your own beliefs-  does the culture and practices of this belief system suit me? Is the god of this religion someone whom I believe in? Every one of us is different and some people choose a religion because of its environment. The people who you gather with, the systems, the rituals, the laws, the customs, etc.  are something you can identify with and something you want to be a part of.

Each one of us has a different idea of "god" - what he is, what he isn't. Even atheists know what kind of god they do not believe in.  Each one of us as a personal "god" that we believe in, hold to, talk to, identify with. This god essential serves our needs and becomes something uniquely ours.

So today I am talking about this individual "god" that serves us, this religion that forms the backbone of our lives, what really is it? It is really *me*. Religion is something that I choose, that is convenient to me, that suits me. I like the community. I like its customs. I subscribe to concept of this deity. In the end, for each and every one of us.

Even the most sacrificial of observances yields benefits to us - the glories of other men. Religion is something of the flesh, where one may excel above others and lord other others, controlling them. Worship of a deity yields prosperity, blessing, etc. that would profit or exalt us in way.

Religion is something of the flesh. It can be exploited by the flesh for selfish purposes. Pride works its way into our hearts. Arrogance, and identification with what you believe to be right above what others believe to be right.

All men have beliefs and all the beliefs of man are inevitably selfish in nature. All the worship of man is really worship of self. Man creates a god in his own image to serve himself - a god or religion or belief system that suits him, justifies his lifestyle, enhances the satisfaction of his soul, or feeds his curiosity for the intangible. Religion feeds the soul - the cravings of the emotions, intellect, or will.

Religion serves me and it all about me.

But let us consider God apart from religion. Let us consider a Supremacy above us, unknown to us, and eternal. God is incumbered by man, man's selfish desires, the soul of men, the beliefs of men, and the religions of man. God is above all our religion. God does not belong to our religion. God does not belong to me. No man can have the sole monopoly of God.

God is free from us. God is wholly other, and eternal. Thus the immortal God is not restricted by the boxes of mortal man and his comfortable religion. Without you, and whether you like it or not, God exists and has power over everything.

Just imagine that concept - that there is a supreme authority above and beyond, greater than you, far more knowleageable than you, whole perspective covers all time, all matter, all space, and who can see through everything. Imagine that God can take in the universe at a glance and at the same time see everything about us - our thoughts, our motives, our intentions - and judges them according to what He believes is right. And because He is so powerful,  He is the one who decides what is right and what is wrong, and He decides right and wrong by His own perfect nature.

 Such a God is not concerned about man's culture and religion. I believe that we cannot claim God nor can we ever presume anything in His presence. Man is so small and so insignificant. His life is like a short burst that appears that vanishes away.

We cannot claim to know God. We cannot know God, unless He reveals Himself to us. We cannot discover God. We cannot touch God. But He can make Himself known to us.

Unless God chooses to encounter us, unless God chooses to make Himself known to us, we are very well ignorant. But no man has an excuse to be ignorant, because the invisible attributes, a revelation of God, is very present to us through nature. And without God, we cannot exist. We can live in ignorance of God, and in that sense without God, but truly without God we cannot live. God commands our attention because He controls what we cannot control - for example the weather.

God sees through all the hypocrisy of man's piety and selfishness of man's devotion. He's just not looking for men to deify him through a religion, men who offer chants, praises, songs or prayers of incense to him. He's looking for men who would serve Him and not themselves.

When I encountered God, I knew that He was a God who, though He owes nothing to men, went 100% out of his way for man. And I knew that this was the God who demands our 100%. God doesn't want our religion. He just wants us to do what He says, and it's really for our good.

God does not and never will fit into our belief systems, our culture, and our religion. We cannot develop a religion around God nor can we claim  Him as our exclusive God - that makes God subservient to us. Nothing we can claim of God nor expect of God except what He says and His promises, and His Word is very good (in the legal sense). And we have no right to demand God's promises but it for Him to make.

I don't seek God for me. I don't create a "god" to serve me. God exists very  well without me. There's really nothing in this following of God for me all at - not even the praises of men. God breaks our mindsets and challenges our expectation. God upsets our life. God makes demands, demands that make no sense to us and cannot be reconciled with any religion because religion is convenient. All religion is worship of convenience and all worship is a worship of self. The "god" in all religion is really "me".

God is not convenient at all. God does not suit me, and is not easily understood by me. God is God, above me.

A "god" that I can prove is an idol. God, however, needs no one to prove Him.

Sanctified by the Commandments?

While studying the traditional tephillim in the Siddur Ashkenaz I noticed most prayers, especially those prayed when performing a mitzvah, say, taking challah or washing hands, usually begin as such:

"baruch attah Adonai, elokeinu melech haolam, asher kideshannu bemitzvotav {insert mitzvah}"

I can understand "Blessed art Thou, HaShem our God, Master of the universe, but how do I theologically understand the "Sanctification by Commandments" concept? Is that biblical? Now just because it sounds foreign and alien doesn't mean it's not biblical.

Okay, this one becomes real simple for me. In the Torah, God gives Noach the Noachide law for all families, but later on gives the Children of Israel laws, laws which define them as a covenant people and a separater. "Asher kideshanu bemitzvotav", "You who sanctify us by your commandments", refers to HaShem who set apart the Children of Israel from all the other peoples of the earth by giving them the Torah and its Mitzvot. "Sanctify" means to set apart. God chose them and set them apart to be a people wholly for him. He gave them laws and ways to live that separated them from all other peoples.

Okay, but how does this apply to me? Well, we believe in sanctification in the sense of perfection, as a work of God perfecting us. But we believe in the "light and darkness" concept of separation, holiness, and setting apart.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
(1Jn 2:3-6 KJV)

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Mat 5:14-19 KJV)

Mussar

I'm trying to understand what mussar means for me, not only as a student of the Bible, Torah, Mishnah, etc. but as a disciple who will not only know God's Word but live it and pass it on.

I first went to the Proverbs of Melech Shlomo to learn what mussar is.

For us in our journey of redemption and righteousness, mussar is the chastening and discipline and instruction in righteousness. And as Paul/Shaul taught his disciple, summarizing the principle of mussar, 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(2Ti 3:16 KJV)

The word "mussar" means instruction, correction, discipline, chastening, etc. Fools despise and reject instruction. They prefer to be proud, ignorant, arrogant, and they hate enlightenment. They hate looking beyond their own selfish wants. Wise men, however, hear and heed correction.

The fear of Hashem is the beginning of wisdom and instruction (mussar). Divrei Torah teaches, reproves, corrects, and instructs in righteousness. God uses the mussar of father and the torah of our mother to teach us, and we must heed them. We must hear and heed mussar, instruction and correction that builds us up and perfects us. We must confront our weaknesses and listen when others tell us of our blind spots. In this way our character is built.

Mussar  also means disciplines, the spiritual discipline of studying Torah and ethics, to learn principles of Godly character, righteous ethics, and learning integrity, selflessness, and through that learning, dealing with the issues of the heart. Through studying mussar we identify areas of weaknesses and needs in our life. Through studying mussar, Ethics of our Fathers and the Ways of the Righteous, we grow. We learn responsibility - for our actions. We study the workings of God's creation and work on our relationships with God and with others also. 

In Judaism, character qualities are spiritual qualities - to be spiritual is to be selfless, loving, humble, mature, joyful etc. Spiritual qualities are Godly qualities - that we may be godly and like God.

Through the Messiah we have been given to partake of the divine nature. 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Adonenu Yeshua the Messiah.
(2Pe 1:3-8 KJV)


Let us remember to do works of tzedekah and heeds the words of mussar both from studying God's Word, from the righteous who walked before us and our parents. God rewards men according to their deeds- we must patiently continue to do good and seek for glory, honor, and immortality (eternal life). The goodness of God (chasdo HaShem) leads us to repentence, to make teshuvah.

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
(Rom 2:3-11 KJV)

And finally, remember that instruction = chastening and chastening = instruction.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(Heb 12:5-15 KJV)