Your Daily Slice

 

ADAR 20

Who is Righteous?

 

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness EXCEEDS that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall by no means enter into the reign of the heavens.”  (Mat 5:20 ISR, emphasis mine)

 

Please notice that Messiah Yeshua is not attacking and criticizing the scribes and Pharisees for being righteous; in reality, this statement acknowledges the fact that they are.  It is important to recognize that during the time of our Master, not all the afore mentioned groups were proud, arrogant, and hypocritical; most of them loved the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, loved His Torah, and tried with everything in them to walk in His ways.  The scribes and the Pharisees were the Torah keepers and Torah teachers of that day, and according to Yeshua, we were to do what they told us to do (see Mat 23:1-3).

What, then, was the requirement for entering the kingdom of our Elohim?  We are to conform ourselves to the Torah of our Elohim, walking in His ways because of the love that we have for Him, for who He is.  True righteousness begins in the heart; it is an inward attitude of devotion to our Creator, reflected in and through a set-apart, righteous life of obedience to His Torah.  Love and obedience to Elohim are of the utmost importance; life is no longer self-centered, but Elohim-centered. 

It is unfortunate that we can still find the proverbial hypocrites that demand we do the dictates of Torah, yet conveniently forget about the love, devotion and compassion that needs to be added as well (see Mat 23:23).  Especially recognizable on social media, the label of “Torah Terrorists” is not a pretty one. These are people that have gained a ‘smidgen’ of Torah knowledge and proceed to flog and castigate others with what they think they know.  The favorite target of attack appears to be those who are still a part of the westernized church system yet loving their Creator with everything in them.  Truthfully, these “Terrorists” set themselves up as judge, jury and executioner of those that they target, a position they have no right to.

We must remember that the words of the Scriptures were written by Jews and came from a societal structure of ‘Honor and Shame’.  We are called to honor our Elohim (1Sam 2:30; Ps 104:1), honor our parents (Ex 20:12), and honor one another (Rom 13:7), while remaining true to the command that we “love our neighbor as ourselves” (see Lev 19:13-18).  We are never called to bring shame on one that is created in the image of Elohim, not in any way.  To do so is a violation of Torah.  When we mock, ridicule, and hurl accusations against those who may not believe entirely the way that we do, we are not walking in the righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees”.

True righteousness will never ridicule, mock, or treat with contempt those who are part of the westernized church system, or those who are still struggling with the elements of Torah.  For as we have learned through these past few days, examining the instructions found in Matthew chapter 5, we – those of us who have made the decision to walk this Torah walk – are a people on display, called to be a light in this dark world.  Always remember to whom we are to bring honor to.

 

“… For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Master. Walk as children of light – for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and truth – proving what is well-pleasing to the Master.”  (Eph 5:8-10 ISR, emphasis mine)

“… For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but RIGHTEOUSNESS, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh. Anyone who serves the Messiah in this fashion both pleases God and wins the approval of other people.” (Rom 14:17-18 CJB, emphasis mine)

 

Avinu, Malkeinu, our Father, our King, we come to You, and we thank You for Your grace, mercy and favor which are continuously poured out upon us.  Abba, help us to walk in the righteousness that You have laid out for us, found only in Your divine instructions in moral and righteous living, Your Torah.  Help us to never look with contempt and pride upon those who may not be on the same path as us.  May our walk always bring honor to You, and never bring shame to those who are watching.  In the Name of Yeshua of Nazareth we pray, Amein.

 

©2022