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The Test

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Galatians 2:4-5 [My precaution was] because of false brethren who had been secretly smuggled in [to the Christian brotherhood]; they had slipped in to spy on our liberty and the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might again bring us into bondage [under the Law of Moses].5 To them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity].

How would you know if you were one of the “false brethren?” Jesus offered many parables to demonstrate that there truly is a distinction between those who are born of the Spirit and those who are not. He referred to them as goats, tares, or foolish virgins. But what test could you use to detect those who were spying on your “liberty and freedom in Christ”? Paul in his letter to the Galatian believers, or followers of Jesus, provides us with a few clues.

Galatians 2:20-21 provides us with a litmus test for accurately ascertaining whether there are false brothers and sisters among us and whether or not we may also have been poisoned by their unbelief. It reveals whether or not we have yielded “submission” to those who seek to bring us back in to “bondage.” Galatains 2:20-21 states:  I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 [Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.]

This passage provides us with foundational truths for all who seek to not be in bondage ever again; those who desire to not be among the false brethren; those who don’t want to be a goat, or tares, or a foolish virgin. Paul states in verse 21 that the false brethren “set aside, invalidate, and nullify the Grace of God.” What is the Grace of God? It’s a noun and a verb. Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It’s the favor granted to us, by the Father to become one with Him; to be reconciled to Him; to no longer be His enemy; an enemy of HIs righteousness and truth. Yet, Grace is also a verb. It is Glorious Realities As Christ Empowers. In other words, Grace is the empowerment to do God’s will; it’s that thought you have that you should pray, get up early to spend time alone with the Lord, to read the Word, fast, memorize Scripture, go to church, witness to your neighbor, or serve others. Grace is the desire to be righteous, good, seek after God to know Him, or to seek to understand His Word or Truth. Grace is the desire to follow Jesus’ example; to submit and surrender to His teaching, and Truth.

How do false brothers and sisters set aside, invalidate, and nullify God’s Grace? The answer to that question is found in part from the paragraph above, but it is also spelled out for us in verse 20. False brothers and sisters will not seek to be crucified with Jesus but will allow the soul man to manifest and be in charge of their lives. False brothers and sisters seek to smother out the life of Christ in them, not trusting Jesus, leaning wholly on Him. They don’t because they haven’t.

Conversely, if I am living by the Law of Grace – the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus – I will be seeking to live for Grace’s prompting. Who is Grace? Well He is not a she. He is a Person Who makes Jesus and the Word of God known to us. (And He is Amazing!) He is the One Who led you to surrender your life to Jesus. He is the One Who talks to you more than you often know, recognize or acknowledge. He is the One Who reminds you of Scripture, prays through you, calls you to know Jesus. Hebrews 10:29 refers to Him as the Spirit of Grace. Grace is synonymous with the Spirit. Thus, to set aside, invalidate, and nullify God’s Grace is to set aside, invalidate, and nullify the Holy Spirit. As I seek to live according to Grace’s Prompting – the Holy Spirit – I will seek to be sensitive to every inclination, thought, desire, and interest – that is connected to anything of the Word, of His Righteousness, Holiness, or Goodness. I will seek to live for Jesus, and Galatians 2:20. My focus will not be on being crucified with Jesus as much as on living for Him (for crucifixion with Jesus comes through obedience and submission). You see, He died for you, and for me, and the least thing we can do is to live a life of obedience, and submission as a way of saying thank you for all that He has done and is still doing. Oh, and by the way, gratitude, the giving of overflowing thanks, is a characteristic of those who are not one of the false brothers and sisters. Obedience, and submission to the Word of God, and the Spirit of God, is thanksgiving. It is true worship (more than a song).

Ultimately the false brothers, and sisters reject the Holy Spirit. They can’t recognize, nor respond to His activity in and around their lives because they are blind and insensitive to His Person. False brothers and sisters live their lives according to the gospel of death, the soul, darkness, and all that dehumanizes mankind. They are enemies of God and of Jesus and are actually unconscious of this reality. What’s the Good News? The Good News is that if any of this convicts you that is the Holy Spirit. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. The Good News is He is revealing these to you to repent of them – change your mind – change your life style and actions – and ask Jesus for forgiveness. He will forgive you in a moment because He has already taken your punishment. So, be washed in the “Water” of His Word and Spirit and be new – because He makes all things new. Are you ready for His new beginnings? He is ready for you to have them. Behold, He makes all things new. Get back up, be washed in His Blood, and overcome the accuser of the brothers through what His Blood and Spirit has accomplished for you. You are His new beginning!

Happy Yom Kippur or G’Mar Chatima Tova

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What is Yom Kippur? The Bible refers to it as the Day of Atonement or becoming “at-one-in a moment” with God. An article on the website of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews reminds us, in more detail, why Yom Kippur was instituted by God. It states: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year and is the culmination of the High Holy Days. In 2025, the observance of Yom Kippur starts at sunset on October 1 and concludes on the evening of October 2. In Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur marks the final opportunity to repent before God before the Book of Life is sealed for another year. This day marks the culmination of the High Holy Days or Ten Days of Repentance, which began ten days earlier with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year or, as the Bible describes it, the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” The Bible states, “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance” (Leviticus 16:29–32).

The Yom Kippur Goats: “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats — one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.” — (Leviticus 16:7–8) Today, Yom Kippur is marked with a day of fasting and worship in the synagogue. However, when the Temple stood, the people observed an elaborate service, culminating when a red thread representing the sins of Israel would miraculously turn white when they were forgiven. The service that once took place in the Temple was based on the commandments regarding two goats. Today, we only read about that service; however, it is imperative that we understand the meaning behind this ritual. Once we do, we can still benefit from the message. The Bible instructed the High Priest to select two goats and then cast lots to determine each one’s fate. By way of the lots, God would determine which goat would be consecrated to Him and which would become the scapegoat sent into the desert to die. The commandment required that the two goats be identical in appearance, size, and value. These goats would look like twins – the same on the outside – but their destinies would be completely different.

Identical Twins: 2000 years ago mankind’s Identitical Twin, Jesus, came to earth to die in our place, as our substitute. In Matthew 27:15-17, 21-26 the Apostle records an interesting “coincidence”: Now at the Feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free for the people any one prisoner whom they chose.16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner whose name was Barabbas. 17So when they had assembled for this purpose, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to set free for you, Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?…Again the governor said to them, Which of the two do you wish me to release for you? And they said, Barabbas! 22 Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ? 23They all replied, Let Him be crucified! And he said, Why? What has He done that is evil? But they shouted all the louder, Let Him be crucified! 24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was about to break out, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying, I am not guilty of nor responsible for this righteous Man’s blood; see to it yourselves.25 And all the people answered, Let His blood be on us and on our children! 26So he set free for them Barabbas; and he [had] Jesus whipped, and delivered Him up to be crucified. – Obviously it was no coincidence that Jesus, the True Son of God, took the place of Barabbas. Why do I say this? Barabbas’ name translated from Aramaic means, “son of the Father.” But note one more interesting detail in verse 25: Let His blood be on us and on our children! At Yom Kippur the blood of the sacrificial goat was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant, in front of it, and on the horns of bronze altar….in the outer court. (Where was the Ark of the Covenant supposed to be? In the Temple in Jerusalem) Where was Jesus sacrificed? Outside the city gates of Jerusalem. On the “horns” of a cross.

Jesus, our Identical Twin, and Scapegoat, took the place of us goats preparing a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. On this day we celebrate the sacrifice He paid on our behalf 2000 years ago, at Passover. Remember His Sacrifice that made all who will trust in, and receive it – the righteousness of God! From Goats, to sheep, to the righteousness of God! How? Because His Blood is on us! It’s time to give thanks and overflow with it throughout the day.

Happy Yom Kippur!

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What is Yom Kippur? The Bible refers to it as the Day of Atonement or becoming “at-one-in a moment” with God. An article on the website of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews reminds us, in more detail, why Yom Kippur was instituted by God. It states: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year and is the culmination of the High Holy Days. In 2024, the observance of Yom Kippur starts at sunset on October 11 and concludes on the evening of October 12. In Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur marks the final opportunity to repent before God before the Book of Life is sealed for another year. This day marks the culmination of the High Holy Days or Ten Days of Repentance, which began ten days earlier with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur offers Jews the final opportunity of the holy season to repent of their sins. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year or, as the Bible describes it, the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” The Bible states, “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance” (Leviticus 16:29–32).

The Yom Kippur Goats

“Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats — one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.” — Leviticus 16:7–8 Today, Yom Kippur is marked with a day of fasting and worship in the synagogue. However, when the Temple stood, the people observed an elaborate service, culminating when a red thread representing the sins of Israel would miraculously turn white when they were forgiven. The service that once took place in the Temple was based on the commandments regarding two goats. Today, we only read about that service; however, it is imperative that we understand the meaning behind this ritual. Once we do, we can still benefit from the message. The Bible instructed the High Priest to select two goats and then cast lots to determine each one’s fate. By way of the lots, God would determine which goat would be consecrated to Him and which would become the scapegoat sent into the desert to die. The commandment required that the two goats be identical in appearance, size, and value. These goats would look like twins – the same on the outside – but their destinies would be completely different.

A Reminder of Jacob and Esau

The idea of twins that are opposite in nature is familiar in the Bible. Although twins, Jacob and Esau could not have been more different. Ultimately, as adults, they took very different paths in life, and Jacob became the father of God’s people while Esau became the father of Amalek – the nation designated by the Bible as God’s archenemy. The twin goats on Yom Kippur are meant to remind us of Esau and Jacob. The message of the twin goats is that while their appearance may fool men, there is no fooling God. He only determines their appropriate fate. “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). On Yom Kippur, we have an incredible opportunity for forgiveness. But in order for that to happen, we must admit our errors and resolve to be better. We can only do that if we are willing to uncover our greatest shortcomings and confront our hidden vices. We can fool others and even ourselves, but there is no deceiving God. Yom Kippur is a time to come clean. We need to take an honest look inside the places that only we can see. We have to determine where we have gone wrong and make amends. Only then can God cleanse us of our sins.

Through Jesus we are no longer under obligation to observe most of the Feasts and Festivals (Sukkot or Tabernacles will be celebrated during the Millennial Reign of Jesus). The Old Testament sacrifices were never enough to rid the people of the stain of sin and guilt from their hearts, nor did they have the power to change hearts. Hebrews 10:1-10 echoes this thought: For since the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come—instead of fully expressing those things—it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].2 For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin.3 But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for], 4 Because the blood of bulls and goats is powerless to take sins away.5 Hence, when He [Christ] entered into the world, He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me [to offer];6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no delight. 7 Then I said, Behold, here I am, coming to do Your will, O God—[to fulfill] what is written of Me in the volume of the Book.8 When He said just before, You have neither desired, nor have You taken delight in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings—all of which are offered according to the Law—9 He then went on to say, Behold, [here] I am, coming to do Your will. Thus He does away with and annuls the first (former) order [as a means of expiating sin] so that He might inaugurate and establish the second (latter) order.10 And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). AMPC

What does this mean for you and I? Romans 3:23-25 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. AMPC

Jesus made atonement for our sins – making us one with God in a Moment! Jesus’ perfect sacrifice has reconciled all of us, who were enemies of God, to being rightly related to God. Jesus has made peace between God, the Father and all those who are willing to receive and trust God’s Gift of His Son. Paul reminds us that because of Jesus reconciling us to God you and I have been given a ministry and mandate to seek out others who need Jesus’ Atonement and be reconciled to God: 2 Corinthians 5:18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. AMPC

Today we are reminded to give thanks for all the wonderful blessings Jesus’ Atonement has secured for us; to be reconciled to God through repenting of thoughts and actions that are an offense to God; to be reconciled to others, making a fresh commitment to seek to bring others into harmony with God (it’s our ministry). Set aside time today to seek God and draw near to Him, and as a reminder realize this is the day we are to Come Up Here in order to enter His Throne Room to worship, and seek Him for what is to come for the new year.