Month 2:09, Week 2:1 (Rishon/Pesach), Year:Day 5936:038 AM
Gregorian Calendar: Sunday 29 April 2012
The Ultimate Lawlessness
Religious Entertainment Roadshows
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Master, Master,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice Torahlessness!'" (Mt.7:21-23, NKJV).
A sister wrote in to me today because someone she knew had used this passage as a proof text against Universal Salvation, claiming that those who had thus practiced their religion deceitfully were lost in all eternity, thus disproving that everyone is eventually saved.
First of all, this passage has nothing to do with the eternal fate of the unsaved but rather concerns those religious people - pretending believers - who claim to be working for the Master but who in fact are serving their own wills and self-glory. Though they have faith in the miracles, and presumably performed them, they were not spiritually regenerated persons because only those who do the will of Yahweh receive the spirit of regeneration.
This should cause us to soberly reflect on what is going on in Christendom and the Messianic movement, especially when it concerns the miraculous, for Yah'shua (Jesus) here says that such activity, when not accompanied by obedience leading to spiritual regeneration - a change of character and personality so that the character of Messiah is evident in those regenerated - then these people are exhibiting the ultimate Torahlessness or lawlessness. Like the Pharisees and other religious leaders, they are neglecting the "weightier matters of the Torah (Law): justice and mercy and emunah (faith)" (Matt.23:23, NKJV). In other words, prophesying, casting out demons and performing miracles does not bring about the fruits of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit): though important parts of ministry, they are firmly secondary to the main business of changing levim (hearts). And this according to the Saviour, is the essence of Torah-obedience.
There are a great number of preachers these days who love the 'dramatic' and 'showy' aspect of ministry such as these three ministrations bring, whether they are are by means of the Ruach (Spirit) or counterfeit spirits, because they appeal to the fleshy nature in people who love to be entertained. Whilst there are people who need prophecy, deliverance and miracles of healing (for example), these are firmly secondary to soul regeneration and sanctification. And soul regeneration comes only by submission and obedience to Yah'shua's (Jesus') ethical and moral demands.
That is why Yah'shua (Jesus) disavowed these first century religious artists, saying that they had nothing to do with His ministry and were therefore nothing to do with Him. So be careful not only of the wild charismatics and their road-shows but also messianics who place more value on observing times and seasons than they do on character reformation. Miracles and observances are important but they're not the 'main thing', and those who know Yah'shua (Jesus) and belong to Him, put spiritual regeneration first on their list of priorities, and demonstrate that they are the real Torah-observant believers.
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