What are the basic principles of becoming and remaining a
disciple of Messiah Yeshua? This is an important question for not only those
being drawn to the Father, or the new believers, but also for us who have been
in this covenant for years. As Paul has encouraged us as we were saved so shall
we remain in Messiah.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1
John 1:8-9
This statement of Messiah’s witness is the first place of
understanding that both the saved and the unsaved must come to.
There is a difference between the sin and a sin. A sin is an
act committed that is in opposition to the very nature of YHWH’s being (His
life, Word, and will). The sin goes to the depths of a man’s heart. It is the nature we have received from Adam
which attempts to replace YHWH as our maker with a self-generated being. This
is the sin of death; it is the root of all acts of sin. Mankind deceives
himself into believing if he acts right God will be pleased with Him not
realizing that the very idea that he can make himself right is an act of sin. “Thou
shalt have no other God” (maker).
It is as we trust in Messiahs death as a place where our old
man (of the self) dies that we are freed to trust YHWH living through us, one
with us, making us righteous.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 3:19
To repent is to turn away. How many sincere believers have
come to a hatred of their own ways only to find themselves in a life and death
struggle to not do those things? It is this very state of being which Paul
speaks on when he cries “wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this
body of death”.
Our own ways, even if our intension is to do what pleases
YHWH, must die. This death of the self willing itself to be formed is only
found as we are joined to Messiah by covenant making the two to be one; for His
death becomes our death. Messiah becomes the door of the sheep. His atoning
death accomplished so much more than forgiveness of sins; it is the way we pass
from the death of a self-willed existence into the life of YHWH’s Spirit living
in us.
I said therefore unto
you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye
shall die in your sins. John 8:24
He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
If Messiah becomes only a way that our failures are forgiven
then we make Him a minister of sin instead of a minister of YHWH’s deliverance
from death to life. The act of forgiveness from YHWH will not stop the hurt and
death your sin causes in other people. Do we truly belief that YHWH’s purpose
and will in striking His Son was to give his children free license to sin. YHWH is no respecter of
persons a believers sin is just as vile as an atheist.
And saying, Repent ye:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:2
Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Bring forth therefore
fruits meet for repentance: Matthew
3:8
The basic tenant of a disciple’s life according to Hebrews
is repentance from dead works and faith toward YHWH. This is the answer to
Pauls cry as he has said it is through Yeshua the Messiah of YHWH. Yeshua
promised that if we put our faith in Him then He and the Father will live in us
and be we will be one.
The idea that Yeshua is living in you to encourage you to do
the right thing is a false way. Paul said it is no longer I but Messiah living
in me. We must repent from our own works not try to change our works. However a
coin with only one side is counterfeit; if our repentance is not joined simultaneously
to our trust in YHWH to be our maker and do His will and work through us then
it is of no use.
In conclusion the first step in being a disciple of Messiah
is to repent of the self-made life of Adam while placing full trust, reliance, dependence,
and expectation in YHWH’s Spirit to make you alive with the Fathers life.
