“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says Yahweh Sabaoth. (Zechariah 4: 6)
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The Burden of Change
In the Aramaic English New Testament, Andrew Gabriel Roth uses a phrase in his note to Matthew 18: 3 that is very instructive. This is Andrew’s translation of Matthew 18: 3:
“Truly I say to you, that unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
This is Andrew’s note to that verse:
“The burden of change is upon mankind to nurture the spiritual man according to the Image of Elohim, but false religion puts the burden of change on Heaven, demanding that Heaven conform to man’s religion. The carnal man seeks ‘flaws’ in Torah and Mashiyach to justify his own transgression.”
“The burden of change” is the central phrase upon which I want to focus. Some people who have been too well-churched will argue that the burden of change in believers’ lives is on the Holy Spirit. While it’s true that Yahweh’s Spirit guides and directs us toward Him, the decision to trust and obey the Holy Spirit is entirely ours.
To explain what I mean, I want to begin by taking a look at Genesis 4: 1-8:
1 Now the man [Adam] had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of Yahweh.” 2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And Yahweh had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (NASB)
These are the central points in Genesis 4: 1-8:
- Cain brought a grain offering to Yahweh and Abel brought a blood offering.
- Yahweh required a blood offering for redemption and salvation. It was symbolic of the Messiah’s blood sacrifice.
- Yahweh had regard for Abel’s offering but not for Cain’s offering.
When Cain realized that Yahweh wasn’t pleased with his offering, he became very angry. We know that he was contemplating killing his brother and that eventually he did kill Abel, so Yahweh met with Cain and said this:
“Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
From Yahweh’s perspective, the solution was simple. Cain needed to do right. He needed to take control of his thoughts and actions and bring them into alignment with Yahweh’s plan. Anything less was unacceptable.
Stated another way, the burden of change was on Cain. He had to demonstrate faith and obedience once he knew the truth. We know that Cain failed miserably and suffered the consequences.
This is the point: knowing right is one thing and doing right is another. Knowing right is not enough. Doing right is key and that’s our responsibility.
We are living during perilous times. We are being called upon daily to make choices that demonstrate whose we are. In the days ahead, understanding our responsibility to do right will be of paramount importance. Far too many people who think they are saved believe that their thoughts and actions don’t matter, but they do.
The Holy Spirit’s job is to guide and direct us. Our job is to trust and obey Him. Therefore, the burden of change is on us.
If you have doubts, think about what the Messiah meant when He said,
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7: 21-23)
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“If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
Change that Yahweh calls “good” begins in the hearts of believers—people who are recognizable because they are different.
We are different because we belong to Him and are called by His Name. We are Yahweh’s people, His followers.
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His Name is Yahweh, the website, is a companion of the book His Name is Yahweh.
To download His Name is Yahweh: Revised Edition for free in PDF format, click on the title below:
- His Name is Yahweh: Revised Edition in PDF format
His Name is Yahweh has been downloaded and shared in congregations all over the world. Please take advantage of this opportunity to read and share essential information about Yahweh.
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To purchase His Name is Yahweh: Revised Edition in paperback or in eBook, click here.
To see videos that explain the importance of Yahweh’s Name, click here.
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“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17: 22-24)
See “His Name is Yahweh”.
