THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE - III

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FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE - III

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

It is necessary that we understand that the Law of Moses is a thing of the past.  It has no place in the life of either Jew or Gentile who has come to Messiah.  All who acknowledge Yahushua as Messiah must recognize that he is IAUE’s chosen high priest; and that he is of the tribe of Judah.  The Law of Moses was administered by the priesthood of the tribe of Levi.  Since the priesthood has changed, as the Scripture says, “there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”  This could not be more clearly stated.

Hebrews 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14  For it is evident that our Master sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto Elohim.

The reason a new priesthood was initiated is because the law administered by the former priesthood was carnal, week, unprofitable and imperfect.  When the new priesthood was initiated, the prior law was “disannulled.” So, what is this new law being administered by Yahushua Messiah, the High Priest of Elohim?  Do not expect to see it written on tablets of stone or scrolls of parchment.  Do not expect it to be comprised of statutes, and ordinances and rules and regulations that you can refer to on paper to memorize them to do them.  No, laws on paper would be no different than the Law of Moses.  They would be something the outer man could keep while maintaining the corrupt inward man of the heart.  What does the Scripture say?

Hebrews 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith IAUE, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Paul elaborates on this new law in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
…
4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Messiah; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto Elohim.
5  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Paul, using the illustration of marriage, explains that a woman is under the law of her husband as love as he lives; but once the husband dies, she is free to marry again.  He goes on to explain that we are freed from the law of that marriage through our union with Messiah’s death.  However, we not only died to the law in Messiah; we were engaged to be married to him who rose from the dead.  This new marriage invoked a new law of the marriage.  This new law will not bring forth fruit unto death as did the Law of Moses.  It will bring forth fruit unto Elohim.

Romans 7:25  I thank Elohim through Yahushua Messiah our Master. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of IAUE; but with the flesh the law of sin.

This new law does not come natural to us.  It cannot be obeyed instinctively, as could the Ten Commandments. Even before a man becomes a disciple of Messiah, when he is spiritually dead and in darkness, he knows it is wrong to kill, to steal, to lie, to dishonor his parents, to curse IAUE.  This law comes natural to us.  The new law must be chosen.  We must, with our mind, be made aware of it and decide to obey it.  This process is one of the most fundamental elements of our discipleship.  Failure in this area is tantamount to a failed discipleship.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yahushua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahushua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Paul tells us that the new law can also be called “walking in the Spirit;” that is to say, to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit is to obey the new law which is being administered by Yahushua Messiah our high priest. Obeying the voice of the Spirit delivers us from the consequences of obeying our natural instincts…even obedience to the Law of Moses.  A disciple who fails to walk in the Spirit is lawless; and this makes him an enemy of IAUE.

Romans 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against IAUE: for it is not subject to the law of IAUE, neither indeed can be.

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please IAUE.

Here we find the purpose of the new law…to please IAUE; or more specifically, to do the will of IAUE. 

Hebrews 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O IAUE. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yahushua Messiah once for all.

This brings us to the very purpose of discipleship to Messiah---learning how to do the will of IAUE.  It is the objective of the new law instituted by our high priest. It cannot be put into code, words on a page; for the will of IAUE is distinctive for each individual.  It is both personal and dynamic; and if we are not walking in the Spirit, we will not be aware of His will as it is revealed to us; and we will find ourselves, even though with good intentions, of doing that which does not please Him.

John 8:28  Then said Yahushua unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Yashushua did nothing of himself.  He initiated nothing.  He did what his Father told him to do.  He spoke what his Father told him to speak.  He did always those things that pleased his Father.  He laid down his life, forsaking his own will to do the will of his Father. 

This is the creative design of man…to do the will of IAUE.  Until we recognize this and devote ourselves to it, we will never experience life as our Creator intended.