Grace? Works? Huh?

Paul vs. Christ?

Let me ask a simple question:

If Yah'shua (Jesus) was speaking at the Motel 6 and Paul was speaking at the Hilton, who would you go see?

Hypothetically speaking, there is probably only one correct answer since Paul would drop whatever he was going to speak about and listen to Yah'shua at the Motel 6.

In the same sense, I believe we should not interpret Yah'shua's words by Paul's. Rather, it should be the other way around. In light of Yah'shua's words, what did Paul mean when he wrote Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, etc...?

So let us ask the age old question; what should I do to inherit eternal life?

Yah'shua would respond, "If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." (Matthew 19:17)

But wait a minute; what does Paul say in Ephesians 2:8-9? "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Yahweh - not by works, so that no one can boast."

Many people see a difference in Yah'shua's words and Paul's. They conclude that Yah'shua and the non-Pauline epistles were written to specifically Jews, and not a Gentile audience. The same groups believe the thirteen Pauline epistles (not including Hebrews) are written for only Gentiles of the "Uncircumcision".

The next step many take is to believe the Gentiles have nothing to do with the Law (Torah). This is understandable, since that would seem like the easy way to go. However, can we really say that Gentiles are only judged by whatever their conscience tells them? Are Jewish believers still held completely accountable to Torah?

Let us dig bit into what Paul says of the differences between Gentiles and Jews, and also his views of Torah.

In Romans 10:12-13, Paul states, "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Unfortunately, verse 12 is not enough for those who believe there is a difference between Jew and Gentile. Paul himself makes it clear; and the context reveals he is discussing salvation. Also very popular is Romans 11 and his analogy of the olive tree. If understood correctly, one will see that the Gentiles are grafted in, not the other way around. They are the ones who were once aliens, but now pitch their tents in the house of Israel. So, what does Torah say about those who are aliens in regards to Torah?

Numbers 15:15-16 is undoubtedly reason to believe, accompanied by Paul’s olive tree analogy, why the nations are also responsible to Torah. "The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD: The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you."

Next is Paul's view of Torah which we can figure from Romans 7:7, 12, "What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good."

Rather than highlighting the beauty of Torah found in verses 7 and 12, many will only quote what is between them. What Paul is simply saying between these verses is that the Law brings death. Surely anyone would wholeheartedly agree with him, and this poses no problem to the Torah. It is because it brings death that we must be so intimate with it so we may learn about life. It is safe to assume Paul inserts what he says in verse 12 because he knew people would misunderstand him! We are made aware of sin by the Law. Paul goes on to even say that the Law is "spiritual".

Paul, in the previous chapter of the same epistle, says, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2). Paul makes it very clear what sin is; anything done against Yahweh's holy Torah. He encourages us to not break Torah!!!

Perhaps some plain logic will appeal to those who continue to view the Law as void to the non-Jew.

What did Paul, the author of the epistles people extract "lawlessness" from, do with Torah? In Acts 25 an interesting story transpires. Jews are accusing Paul of many serious wrongs. How does he reply? "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple..." (Acts 25:8) It seems that Paul attempted to live without sin (anything against Torah). In 1st Corinthians 11:1, Paul begs, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." What was Paul's example? A life led with the love of Torah. Even more importantly, he says multiple times to follow the example of Yah'shua. Peter says Yah'shua was, "a lamb without blemish or defect." (1st Peter 1:19) Shouldn't we also try to live up to Torah like Paul and Yah'shua did?

It seems interesting that people would read into Paul's letters that he advocated everyone to forget the Torah, while he himself followed it. One would have to admit Paul's hypocrisy if he wrote such things.

The intent of this paper is not to declare that eternal life is bought with the Law. Through grace alone can we find ourselves in the presence of Yahweh. However, it is apparent that grace is the first step. The next step is obedience. Yahweh says the Torah "is not too difficult for you..." (Deuteronomy 30:11). Choose to take Yahweh at His Word, and know He didn't create commandments that are impossible to follow. It is unfeasible to follow every commandment perfectly, and even if you do follow Yahweh's command, it could still be imperfect. This can be found in the story of Cain in Genesis 4 and his jealousy.

But, through a thorough study of Scripture, there is ample proof of Yahweh caring more for the heart than the Law. So, one must ask, "what place is my heart at?" If your heart is at the right place, then you will follow the commands. If you follow the commands, and your heart is not with you, they are in vain since Yahweh can not and will not accept heartless acts.

An attainable and imperative goal is to have your heart in the right place to follow the commandments with all of your soul. This is what Yah'shua taught, and yes, Paul as well.

Therefore, the New Covenant Scripture is in complete harmony, for Jew and Gentile alike.

In 1st John 3:4, the beloved apostle states, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."

Yah'shua said, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (John 15:10)

---

All Scripture translations are from the NIV

Courtesy of http://www.myspace.com/bigd72