ChangeThe definition of change that will be discussed throughout this message is "To cause to be different" as defined in The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Change and repentance go hand in hand. Continuing in sin for example is not an indulgence that Yahweh has given permission for and is part of why we need instruction from Messiah Yahshua. During the middle ages the Catholic Church sold what they called indulgences. Basically if you wished to commit a sin all you had to do was purchase it before hand. Today's society does it a little different by minimizing sin to the point that sin is almost acceptable. We need to rise above such things and make permanent changes. The problem of demanding righteousness is that one must live it. Yahshua ran into such problems with the Pharisees. How many times did Yahshua accuse the Pharisees of being hypocrites? More importantly how many times will I be accused of being a hypocrite? The standard has been set. (Amos 7:7-8) In Hebrews we find that the bar has been raised just as Yahshua expressed in defining the path to the kingdom in Matthew 5-7. (Heb. 10:26-27, 5:8-9, 6:4-6, vain repetition, Mat. 6:7) Sin causes us to be separated from Yahweh and Messiah Yahshua. The path to a righteous change has to be in a strong foundation. Yahshua has demonstrated that a strong foundation is built on rock. This is the spiritual rock of Messiah, our example but do we offend him in our indiscretion. (1Cor. 10:1-15) Paul speaking to the assembly of Corinth says flee from Idolatry as these things are the weakness of ordinary men. Are you ordinary or are you Yahshua's disciples? Start ridding your home of Idolatry. The man or if single the woman has to clean her home so that it would be appropriate for a great king to visit. Messiah is coming! We start with the physical because it is the simplest, the spiritual will follow if we are Messiah's disciples. We have looked at salvation; we have pondered what has to be done in our home, we must act now. How has the word of Yah changed you? When I ask myself this question I wonder if my faith is a conviction more than it is a strong feeling. Have I put my feet to the pavement and done what is required of me so that Messiah has found me acceptable as a disciple. It is hard, I know that I have many things that I do wrong but have I made the change to fix them? If not then I am not an heir. In Galatians, Paul speaks about the test we each must endure. We have been under the bondage of this world, yielding to its teachings. Now we are Messiah's. (Galatians 4:1-6) Heirs must consider if they are worthy of an inheritance but as with such things the one giving the heritage is the one in control. Immersion cleans one from past sin but it doesn't establish our acceptance of the covenant as we might still fall away to evil. We read in Hebrews that with the shedding of blood Messiah established a new covenant with Yahweh on our behalf. (Heb.8:6-8, Jer. 31:30-34, Heb. 8:13) The keeping of the law is not the promise that was established with Abraham but much of it was given because of Israel's indiscretions. (Gal. 3:16-29) It is by faith that we make changes toward Yahweh and it is by faith (study) we show ourselves approved. Abraham is the example of this faith and his seed Yahshua Messiah is the result of the promise made to him by Yahweh. (Gen. 26:5) The way has been cleared; our past indiscretions are cleared from our conscious through Messiah Yahshua. We need to accept the covenant by changing so that we are not diminished to the point that our sins now in knowledge are worse than those before knowledge of the promise given through Yahshua. The promise is better because it is a promise of a spiritual kingdom. Our fathers looked for a physical release from wickedness so that the small plot of land called Israel might be free. We are looking for a spiritual kingdom which will be much larger and encompass a greater variety of people. The old promise was just a small portion of the new promise and so Abraham's promise is enlarged to the point that if it is possible all flesh might be changed to an imperishable existence. The desire to be part of that is strong brethren if you let it grow. This strong righteousness is the leaven of Yahweh. Leaven is presented in perfection at the feast of Weeks. If we don't change permanently towards Yahweh and forsake everything else we will not hear the voice that calls us to the door of the everlasting kingdom. Change is not easy but the spirit will guide. (Rev. 3:14-22) | 
