Musing – How does this OT promise relate to our NT Christianity?

Hebraic Musing – How does this OT promise relate to our NT Christianity?

I like the way the Old Testament prophets say things so clearly, and then they re-word it to clarify the message. Since at least two witnesses are required to condemn one to a death penalty, His Word typically restates the flip side, or both sides of laws, thus providing at least two witnesses. (See note.) Maybe He does this so hard-headed Germans like me are sure to understand.

Here is one of those examples from Ezekiel 33:12-16 with numbers added for the first statement and each of the five re-statements:

  “Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, (1) ‘The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and (2) the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. (3) The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.’ (4) If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done.  (5) And if I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right—  if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die.  None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.” NIV   Note the last two sentences sound like message of the New Testament – ‘Repent and be saved.’

Yet some adhere to a doctrine of ‘eternal security’ or ‘once saved, always saved’.  And there is much discussion about the validity of this doctrine; or is the discussion about the interpretation of the doctrine?

Let me propose a clarification, which will probably trigger some responses.  If a ‘saved’ individual commits sins (acts of thought, deed or action), in itself, that does not disqualify him/her from the status of righteousness provided by our Savior, Yeshua HaMashiach.  If, however, that ‘saved’ person deliberately decides to ignore righteous living and effectively says ‘Lord, you are no longer lord of my life’ then that person’s salvation is in jeopardy.  However Ezekiel, speaking for the Lord, provides restoration options.

The extent and deliberateness of the willfully disobedient heart is ultimately the Lord’s decision, not ours.    Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 that we are not to judge those outside the church – What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”  So we have a responsibility to judge one another regarding matters having to do with church discipline and restoration of our brother, but not with judging salvific issues.

Point to ponder

And if we can claim Him, do we also still have the free will to un-claim Him?

Shalom

Yosef                                                                             April 24, 2012

a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Author “Hebraic Insights – 95 messages exploring the Hebrew Roots of Christian faith”

Yosef1@cox.net         www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note:
Excerpts from #14 in “Hebraic Insights – messages exploring the Hebrew Roots of Christian faith”

Commandments are stated in two ways. … These Rabbis conclude that in order for a violation of Torah law to result in punishment, the commandment must be stated twice, once in its positive form (you shall do X) and once in its negative (you shall not do the opposite of X). Thus the law itself is presented in two forms, or two witnesses, mandated in the imperative, and its opposite should be explicitly prohibited. Watch for examples like these as you read the Torah:

                           Positive                       Opposite
                        Eat clean food.            Do not eat unclean food.
                        Respect life.                Do not murder.
                        do good …                   Turn from evil                         Psalm 37:27

Now that you are aware, you will find many more examples!