Tattoos

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Also, we have to observe that planting two kinds of seeds, different fabrics woven together. Any resident Hebrew historians know what the significance of that is?

The other questions are excellent, but this question is actually the best one of all.

They point out the every issue that I have shared on several threads lately, the difference between the Western and Hebraic worldviews, and why it is so difficult for us to actually understand and apply the old covenant writings. Be at peace with yourself, because, Hellenistic Jews don't understand the old scriptures much better than we do - if at all!

First, the Hebrew sages recognize that we are to know God and His ways, while at the same time they also confess that such a goal is impossible to reach. A paradox that drives most westerners crazy. The thrust of Judaism is not to understand God so much as to discern what it takes to please Him. They seek the face of God as a concept: A single deity and as the only creator. God has historically been viewed by the Hebrew sages as an absolute unity of complex elements, natures, attributes, and modes of existence, which is different and more comprehensive than either the Trinitarian or Oneness doctrines will allow for.

While the Hebrew mindset wants to know the what is required (action, verb, performance based religion) Western thinking, however, desires to know the why and the how (knowledge and information, got it figured out).

The Jewish answer to the posed questions is simple, "Because God said so." end of discussion. No, there is no recorded Hebrew solution to the kinds of issues posed in the original questions. The other most common Jewish answer is, "I don't know why." However, not many western-thinking Christians can live with these kinds of responses. It leaves too many other questions dangling in the air.

The modern-day legalistic approach to the old covenant is with, "This is the law, obey it." I like that approach. It's simple and to the point. The grace based believers come from the position of, "The Law has been done away with, we are now living under grace, so forget the law or you will fall from grace and lose your salvation."

The truth? It is as I posted earlier, life with God is a balance of love and obedience. It is a personal, intimate relationship where how one performs in the relationship determines the quality of that relationship. A pure performance based relationship (rules and regulations) will always be cold and for the most part, barren. A love only (emotional, no boundaries) based relationship will soon become boring and lacking in substance. God has indicated that He is looking for adult (mature) companionship, not walking among mindless slaves or giddy, carefree kids.

The Jews need to get rid of some of the Jewish belief system and discover grace, and the Christians need to get rid of the Roman paganism belief system and discover obedience to God, rather than men. Both need to discard all of that which is not based on scripture and embrace the life of spiritual freedom - with its intended responsibilities.

Comment: Our God is a covenant God.

Question: Can anyone list the New Covenant requirements that humans are to meet, as their obligation under the covenant agreement? If anyone cannot list those requirements, then they are not living up to the agreement, and cannot expect God to honor His side of the bargain. It will be just as it was in the days of old:

Answer: Some old branches were cut off the olive tree to make room for the grafting in of the unruly branches of the wild tree. It is also written that if we (grafted in branches) fail to measure up to the requirements of the New Covenant, He will cut us off too And, that it will be real easy to graft back in (again) the original branches that were cutoff for our benefit.

Conclusion: Let us start seeking the kingdom of God first - seeking His face. Let us follow after the leadership of those who consistently point the way to Jesus Christ, using the scriptures as the road map. Then, placing your trust only in the Christ and taking personal responsibly of working out our own salvation. Yes, even with fear and trembling. Not because we desire to avoid going to hell, but because we might fail to give our God the love and honer He rightly deserves.

A much wiser man that I was recorded as saying something like this: "I will love, honor and worship Jesus whether I make it to heaven or not. Saved or lost, live or die, it is not for what's in it for me, I do it because He is alone worthy."

Projection: While on this earth, my relational attitude with God should be, not what's in for me, but how can God receive glory through (in) me? God does not exist for my pleasure or even my well being. I exist for His pleasure and for His glory. May I learn to keep these priorities straight.