Ariel HaNaviy Messianic Jew and Torah Teacher with Messianic Congregation 'The Harvest'

My answer might seem a bit different so I hope it makes it into the forum. I want to state right up front that I now affirm with perfect faith that Christ is the GOAL of the Torah (Rom 10:4). I don't want anyone to misunderstand my beliefs as a Messianic—yet still religious—Jew. I believe the signs of genuine faith should be both internal to me personally as well as external to those around me. I really appreciate the way folks on this forum took this question and made it personal. It is a blessing to read the wonderful testimonies of what the LORD has done in so many lives.

Many folks listed new lifestyle changes (enjoy fellowship, seek to maintain a pure life, demonstrate love for others, etc.). For many religious people—including unsaved religious Jews—the lifestyle changes that result from salvation may not always look that different on the outside, given that they are most likely already leading decent, moral lives (albeit by the power of the flesh). 

Instead, for many religious Jews, the radical changes are likely to be articulated as being primarily internal. Along with the good works that vindicate true faith (James 2:17, 18), the mouth will in fact also reveal what is on the heart (Lk 6:45; Eph 5:19) and vindicate genuine saving faith. Unsaved religious Jews (and saved religious Jews alike) believe that every waking moment is an experience of walking in the fear of God and loyalty to his Torah, so please allow me to share this perspective, with its many references to Jewish religious life, in answer to this question.

Here is a peek inside the mind of the old me and the new me who has now actualized his new, genuine saving faith:

•	Old: I was circumcised in flesh only (Rom. 2:28)
•	New: I am now also circumcised in heart (Deut 10:16; Deut 30:6; Rom. 2:29)

•	Old: I used to daily read the Law of Moshe (Moses) with a veil over my heart (2 Cor 3:14, 15)
•	New: I now daily read the very same Law of Moshe with the veil removed (2 Cor 3:16)

•	Old: I used to search the Scriptures (OT) hoping I might somehow find the Messiah and eternal life (Jn 5:39)
•	New: I now read the very same Scriptures, which now includes the Apostolic Writings (NT), and actually see the Messiah (Lk 24:25)

•	Old: I used to think my temporal covenant membership in National Isra'el was most important to God (Rom. 9:4-6)
•	New: I now understand that my new, lasting covenant membership in Remnant Isra'el is what God wanted all along (Rom. 9:27; Rom 10:1; Rom 11:26)

•	Old: I used to believe that “works,” and “works of the Law,” which are both actually terms we Jews use among ourselves to indicate “ethnic-based covenant membership,” would save me (Acts 15:1, 5; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:15, 16)
•	New: I now understand that faith in Yeshua (Jesus) saves me (Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8, 9)

•	Old: I used to believe that all Jews and only Jews are “righteous” and therefore have a place in the World to Come (see rabbinic interpretation of Is 60:21 from Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:1, and Rom 3:29; Rom 4:9; Rom 9:24; Gal 2:15)
•	New: I now understand that Jews and Gentiles in Messiah are both sons of Abraham (Acts 10:34, 35; Acts 15:8, 9; Rom 10:12, 13; Gal 3:7)

•	Old: I used to think I walked out the Torah blamelessly (Phil 3:6), but it was really self-seeking and by the flesh (Matt 23:5, 6; Rom 7:18), with a heart of stone (Ez 11:19; Ez 36:26), bearing fruit for death (Rom 7:10), yet I still hoped God would accept my loyalty to Torah (Rom 2:17-24; Rom 7:5; Rom 9:31, 32)
•	New: I now have the Torah written on my mind (Rom 7:22, 25), on my heart of flesh (Jer 31:33; Ez 11:19, 20; Ez 36:26, 27; Heb 8:10; Heb 10:16), and the loyalty I have to the Torah, which in fact God commands (Deut 6:6-9), now receives praise from God (Rom 2:29) and is empowered by the Ruach HaKodesh, that is, the Holy Spirit (Ez 11:19, 20; Ez 36:26, 27)

•	Old: I used to love my neighbor simply as I love myself (Lev 19:18)
•	New: I now love as Yeshua has loved me (Jn 13:34; Eph 5:2)

September 25 2015 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

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