Great Expectations

[Seeker47]

Recently, mobility issues caused Bestwife and I to obtain a handicap parking permit. We were issued the permit after legally establishing her disability.

I do not use the parking placard when Bestwife is not with me. I believe abusing this privilege violates Torah even though Moses’ list contains no such prohibition.

When Yeshua fulfilled the law, He elevated Torah from physical to spiritual. The elevated spiritual requirements of Torah make God’s laws more difficult to keep, not easier. More is expected of us. For example, from “do not commit adultery” to “lust is adulty” is a major jump up the scale of responsibility. From “Do not Defraud your neighbor” to “Do not unnecessarily burden your neighbor”; (perhaps by taking a parking space he needs more than you), is also a major jump in YHWH’s expectations.

This is a direct repudiation of cheap grace. The “New Covenant” wrote these requirements on our hearts; it did not void anything. When we now acknowledge the Holy Spirit, God’s expectations are unavoidable.

People say no one except Christ could keep all the Torah laws, and they are correct. The Hebrews needed a savior; and He came for his lost sheep.

The followers of Yeshua need one even more, now that He has elevated the spirit far above the physical.

 

[tablet123]

The Bible teaches that believers should submit to governing authorities and civil laws as these are established by God to maintain order, punish wrongdoing, and promote the common good.

However, Scripture also notes that obedience to God takes precedence if human laws contradict divine commands.

It is right to not use the handicap parking if there is no one in the vehicle that is handicapped.

And they do not give out handicap stickers for people who are overweight and out of shape.

So people should not park there but suck it up and get some exercise.

Does America have to be number one in that too.

Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Jesus did go farther with the New Testament for it is a spiritual covenant and not a physical covenant like the Old Testament.

Some people think Jesus and Paul contradict but that is ridiculous.

Paul expounded further on the Christian walk and the importance of Jesus being Lord and Savior but the teachings came from Jesus.

 

[Seeker47]

Yes, indeed. I thought about using the, "Ye have heard..." statements in my OP but it just got to long.

 

[Ceph]

Gods way is about being an honest upstanding person. There doesn't need to be a lot of words to say that.

 

[Seeker47]

What you say is true. Guidance from The Spirit it is never words, just an overwhelming conviction; a powerful sense of the righteous that is both beautiful and irresistible. I am not perfect by any means and make no claims to honest nor upstanding, but treasure those precious few moments beyond words.

 

[waleglory]

Recently, mobility issues caused Bestwife and I to obtain a handicap parking permit. We were issued the permit after legally establishing her disability.

I do not use the parking placard when Bestwife is not with me. I believe abusing this privilege violates Torah even though Moses’ list contains no such prohibition.

When Yeshua fulfilled the law, He elevated Torah from physical to spiritual. The elevated spiritual requirements of Torah make God’s laws more difficult to keep, not easier. More is expected of us. For example, from “do not commit adultery” to “lust is adulty” is a major jump up the scale of responsibility. From “Do not Defraud your neighbor” to “Do not unnecessarily burden your neighbor”; (perhaps by taking a parking space he needs more than you), is also a major jump in YHWH’s expectations.

This is a direct repudiation of cheap grace. The “New Covenant” wrote these requirements on our hearts; it did not void anything. When we now acknowledge the Holy Spirit, God’s expectations are unavoidable.

People say no one except Christ could keep all the Torah laws, and they are correct. The Hebrews needed a savior; and He came for his lost sheep.

The followers of Yeshua need one even more, now that He has elevated the spirit far above the

I appreciate your emphasis on integrity and not abusing privileges. Choosing not to use the handicap placard when your wife is not with you is a good example of loving your neighbor in practice.

I also agree that Yeshua calls His followers beyond mere outward compliance to inward righteousness. He teaches that obedience begins in the heart, not just in external actions.

At the same time, I would be careful with the idea that Yeshua made Torah "harder" in the sense of adding new laws. Rather, He revealed God's original intent behind the commandments and exposed the inadequacy of merely external obedience. This is why salvation is by God's grace through faith, while genuine faith produces a transformed life that seeks to obey Him.

The New Covenant does not abolish God's moral standards; it empowers believers through the Holy Spirit to live them out. Our obedience is therefore the fruit of salvation, not the means of earning it.

As Paul wrote, "Do we then nullify the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we uphold the law" (Romans 3:31). Yet we also remember that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

 

[God-fearing]

Recently, mobility issues caused Bestwife and I to obtain a handicap parking permit. We were issued the permit after legally establishing her disability.

I do not use the parking placard when Bestwife is not with me. I believe abusing this privilege violates Torah even though Moses’ list contains no such prohibition.

When Yeshua fulfilled the law, He elevated Torah from physical to spiritual. The elevated spiritual requirements of Torah make God’s laws more difficult to keep, not easier. More is expected of us. For example, from “do not commit adultery” to “lust is adulty” is a major jump up the scale of responsibility. From “Do not Defraud your neighbor” to “Do not unnecessarily burden your neighbor”; (perhaps by taking a parking space he needs more than you), is also a major jump in YHWH’s expectations.

This is a direct repudiation of cheap grace. The “New Covenant” wrote these requirements on our hearts; it did not void anything. When we now acknowledge the Holy Spirit, God’s expectations are unavoidable.

People say no one except Christ could keep all the Torah laws, and they are correct. The Hebrews needed a savior; and He came for his lost sheep.

The followers of Yeshua need one even more, now that He has elevated the spirit far above the physical.

Some may say ...hey who's gonna know....others may say ....I bet there's another who takes advantage so why not.
Good for you saint that you are aware that Jesus is watching and your never alone.

 

[Gideon300]

Recently, mobility issues caused Bestwife and I to obtain a handicap parking permit. We were issued the permit after legally establishing her disability.

I do not use the parking placard when Bestwife is not with me. I believe abusing this privilege violates Torah even though Moses’ list contains no such prohibition.

When Yeshua fulfilled the law, He elevated Torah from physical to spiritual. The elevated spiritual requirements of Torah make God’s laws more difficult to keep, not easier. More is expected of us. For example, from “do not commit adultery” to “lust is adulty” is a major jump up the scale of responsibility. From “Do not Defraud your neighbor” to “Do not unnecessarily burden your neighbor”; (perhaps by taking a parking space he needs more than you), is also a major jump in YHWH’s expectations.

This is a direct repudiation of cheap grace. The “New Covenant” wrote these requirements on our hearts; it did not void anything. When we now acknowledge the Holy Spirit, God’s expectations are unavoidable.

People say no one except Christ could keep all the Torah laws, and they are correct. The Hebrews needed a savior; and He came for his lost sheep.

The followers of Yeshua need one even more, now that He has elevated the spirit far above the physical.

I'm not guided by Torah laws. I'm led by the Spirit and by conscience, which is where the Holy Spirit speaks. My wife also has a disability permit and I likewise do not use it if I'm in the car by myself. It's not just the law. It is because I might deprive someone who really needs it of a spot.

 

[Seeker47]

Some may say ...hey who's gonna know....others may say ....I bet there's another who takes advantage so why not.
Good for you saint that you are aware that Jesus is watching and your never alone.

Thank you.

 

[Seeker47]

I appreciate your emphasis on integrity and not abusing privileges. Choosing not to use the handicap placard when your wife is not with you is a good example of loving your neighbor in practice.

I also agree that Yeshua calls His followers beyond mere outward compliance to inward righteousness. He teaches that obedience begins in the heart, not just in external actions.

At the same time, I would be careful with the idea that Yeshua made Torah "harder" in the sense of adding new laws. Rather, He revealed God's original intent behind the commandments and exposed the inadequacy of merely external obedience. This is why salvation is by God's grace through faith, while genuine faith produces a transformed life that seeks to obey Him.

The New Covenant does not abolish God's moral standards; it empowers believers through the Holy Spirit to live them out. Our obedience is therefore the fruit of salvation, not the means of earning it.

As Paul wrote, "Do we then nullify the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we uphold the law" (Romans 3:31). Yet we also remember that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

Agree. I struggled with the word "harder' too. I thought about "broader" or "deeper" or "comprehensive" but wasn't excited about those either. Maybe "deeper" would have been a better choice.

I appreciate the care you gave reading my post and your very insightful response.