WALK In The POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
For we are the circumcision, which worship YAHUAH in ruach, and rejoice in YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH, and have no confidence in the flesh. (1)
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Yisrael, of the tribe of Binyamiyn, an Ivriy of the Ivriym; as touching the Torah, a Parashiy;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the called out assembly; touching the righteousness which is in the Torah, blameless. (2)
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for HA’MASHIACH. (3)
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH my ADONAI: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win HA’MASHIACH,
And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the Torah, but that which is through belief in HA’MASHIACH, the righteousness which is of YAH by belief: (4)
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
PHILIPPIYM (PHILIPPIANS) 3:3-11
Personal Notes:
(1) Torah teaches that we must not rely on our flesh (for dust you are, and to dust shall you return) but that we obey our Father YAHUAH as His children. we are the real circumcision if we obey YAHUAH and do His will. Circumcision counts for nothing if we are unwilling to turn to YAHUAH’s instructions and follow in the steps of His MASHIACH (Jeremiah 9) Rav Shaul (Paul) repeatedly teaches that circumcision of the heart must come first; circumcision of the flesh can never begin to substitute the perfect work of the RUACH HA’QODESH.
(2) By including Pharisaic tutelage, Rav Shaul is specifically references the “Oral Law” in which he was without fault. YAHUSHA rebuked the Pharisees (contrary to popular Christian opinion) not for keeping Torah of Moshe, but for superseding Torah with their traditions. (Matthew 15:1-20). YAHUSHA clearly advocates Torah observance (Matthew 5:17-20). Rav Shaul quotes extensively from Torah – indeed, from all the Tanakh – to uphold every teaching he puts forth! There is nothing Rav Shaul (Paul) upholds which is the Torah of YAHUAH, not the traditions of men.
(3) Because Rav Shaul (Paul) knew that the halakha (way to walk) of YAHUSHA was superior to that of the Pharisees. It was not that YAHUSHA abandoned Torah, ELOHIYM forbid! But that YAHUSHA understood, clarified and revealed Torah for better than any other teacher that Rav Shaul (Paul) knew, and Rav Shaul (Paul) associated with the greatest souls within Judaism! (Luke 24:44-45) Sadly, many have never been able to enter into discussion as it permits to YAHUSHA, Rav Shaul (Paul) and Torah, as they’ve been led to believe by false religion that Paul was anti-Torah!
(4) As the footnote in very 6, Rav Shaul (Paul) is talking about his former life under rabbinical traditions (see Galatians 1:14), hence, this is Oral Torah in contradistinction to the belief/faith in MASHIACH. YAHUSHA never contradicted the Written Torah of Moshe and said so on many occasions. When the Apostle Rav Shaul (Paul) says, “I have parted with all things and have counted (them) as dung” he is talking about parting with the material things and religiosity. In his writings he honors, “sons of Yisrael to whom belong the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and Torah, and the ministration, and the promises, and the fathers; And from among whom MASHIACH appeared in the flesh,” (Romans 9:4) However he distinguishes between righteousness (Justification) of men that comes through flowing a religion (any religion) versus righteousness which is from ELOHIYM.
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And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of YAHUAH is at hand.
MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 10:7
Shalom!
Your Brother, Gera’el Toma
Aka Gerald W Thomas in New Hebron, Mississippi
