The misunderstanding and misapplication of the concepts of grace and mercy within mainstream Christian doctrine largely stem from an interpretation that portrays these gifts as license to neglect the law or to live without accountability to Yah's commandments. This view tends to distort the balance between grace, mercy, and obedience, resulting in a skewed perspective of Yah's covenant and relationship with Israel, as well as the role of Yahusha.
The Error of Christian Doctrine Regarding the Law
One of the primary errors in Christian doctrine is the notion that grace abolishes the law, leading to the belief that once one accepts Yahusha, they are no longer bound to follow Yah’s commandments. This is in direct contradiction to Yahusha's own words, where He explicitly states that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Fulfillment here does not mean "ending" the law but rather upholding it and completing its purpose by living in full obedience to Yah.
Yah’s law was the standard by which Israel was judged for disobedience, leading to their exile and punishment. The concept that the law could now be irrelevant undercuts the entire narrative of Scripture where Yah is constantly calling His people back to repentance and adherence to His laws. If the law were truly made obsolete, it would render Yah’s judgments, the warnings of the prophets, and the need for repentance meaningless.
Grace and Mercy Misunderstood
In mainstream Christian circles, grace and mercy are often presented as a kind of escape from the law, where grace is interpreted as Yah’s unmerited favor and mercy is seen as His forgiveness without the need for ongoing repentance and correction. However, this understanding misses a critical point: grace and mercy do not negate the law; they provide the means by which we can repent, be restored, and continue striving toward obedience.
Grace is the empowerment from Yah to live in accordance with His laws despite the flesh's weaknesses. It is not permission to sin freely but rather the strength to overcome sin. When Paul speaks about grace, especially in Romans 6:1-2, he explicitly says that we are not to continue in sin just because grace abounds. Instead, grace should be viewed as the favor that enables us to align with Yah’s commandments.
Mercy, on the other hand, is Yah’s willingness to forgive us when we fail to uphold His law, but it is never a blanket immunity from the consequences of sin. We are still called to repent and to strive for obedience. Yahusha acts as our advocate when we err, but this advocacy does not eliminate the need for repentance and correction. His role is to intercede for us when we fall short, not to remove our responsibility to follow the law.
The Fight Against the Flesh
The true journey of following Yahusha involves a constant struggle against the flesh, which seeks to pull us away from obedience to Yah’s commandments. The flesh represents our fallen nature, which is prone to sin, rebellion, and lawlessness. The goal of the believer is to discipline the flesh through obedience, repentance, and perseverance, continually growing stronger in faith and righteousness.
Mainstream Christianity often downplays this struggle by implying that grace allows one to bypass the need for such discipline. However, Scripture makes it clear that we are to “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), which implies effort, endurance, and a commitment to walking in righteousness. Yahusha’s role as our advocate is not to eliminate the struggle, but to guide us through it, offering grace and mercy as we strive to overcome sin.
When we sin, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Yahusha stands before the Father on our behalf, advocating for us. However, this advocacy is conditional upon our repentance and return to obedience. The goal is not to live in continual sin under the assumption that grace will always cover us, but to use grace as a tool to strengthen our resolve against the flesh and grow in steadfastness.
Christian Doctrine vs. Israel’s Covenant Understanding
Christian doctrine often teaches that believers are no longer under the law because of Yahusha’s sacrifice. However, Israel’s covenant understanding is that the law remains at the center of the relationship between Yah and His people. Yahusha's sacrifice did not abolish the law but fulfilled the need for the ultimate atonement, opening the door for Israel to return to Yah in full obedience. Grace allows for restoration when we fall, but it is not an excuse to abandon Yah’s commandments.
Mercy, in the context of Israel, is Yah’s compassion when they break His covenant, offering them opportunities for repentance and restoration. Yah’s judgment of Israel for their disobedience proves that He takes His law seriously, and that mercy is only extended to those who turn back to Him.
Yah’s Word Exceeds His Name
It is important to note that Yah’s Word holds such significance that it even exceeds His name. Psalm 138:2 states, “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” This demonstrates the supreme authority and unchanging nature of Yah’s commandments. For the Gentiles seeking to follow and please the God of Israel, it is essential to understand that obedience to Yah’s Word is critical. His law is not a mere suggestion but a divine commandment that reflects His righteousness. If they are to be part of Yah’s future kingdom, they must strive against the flesh and obey His laws, just as Israel is called to do.
The Role of Gentiles in Acts 15
The discussion in Acts 15 is often cited in Christian doctrine as evidence that Gentiles are not required to follow the law in its entirety. However, this passage must be understood within its proper context. The Gentiles were not Israelites and had little to no understanding of the laws of Israel, making it difficult for them to fully embrace these commandments all at once. The apostles, recognizing this, gave the Gentiles a portion of the law to keep them from falling into outright sin.
In Acts 15:20, the apostles instruct the Gentiles to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. These were basic guidelines to help them avoid sinful practices common in the Gentile world. However, this does not mean the Gentiles were exempt from following the law altogether. These initial instructions were meant to ease them into a life of obedience. As they grew in understanding, they were expected to learn and follow the rest of Yah’s commandments, including the Ten Commandments, if they hoped to be part of Yah’s kingdom.
Yah’s law remains the standard for all people, Israelite and Gentile alike. The Ten Commandments are not just for Israel but are universal laws that reflect Yah’s eternal nature and His expectations for righteous living. If Gentiles wish to be included in Yah’s future kingdom, they must obey these commandments and strive to live in accordance with His laws.
Conclusion
Christianity’s common misunderstanding of grace and mercy leads to the dangerous belief that Yah’s law is no longer relevant. This view not only misinterprets the role of grace and mercy but also disregards the central place of Yah’s commandments in the lives of both Israelites and Gentiles. Grace is not freedom from the law but the strength to uphold it, and mercy is Yah’s willingness to forgive us when we return to Him in repentance.
Gentiles who seek to follow the God of Israel must understand that Yah’s Word exceeds His name (Psalm 138:2), and thus His commandments cannot be ignored. They must strive to fight against the flesh and obey the law if they wish to be part of Yah’s future kingdom. Acts 15 provided Gentiles with initial instructions because they were not Israelites and would have difficulty understanding the law in its entirety. However, these were just a starting point, and Gentiles are still expected to obey the Ten Commandments and grow in their understanding of Yah’s full law.
Most importantly, Yah would never have punished Israel so severely for breaking His law, only to then absolve Gentiles from any responsibility to obey it. The very fact that Israel suffered exile and captivity for disobedience proves the seriousness of Yah’s law. His justice is impartial, and His expectations for righteousness apply to all people. To think that Gentiles would be excused from the commandments that Yah judged His chosen people by is a misunderstanding of Yah’s righteousness. If both Israel and Gentiles are to share in Yah’s future kingdom, both must obey His law, for His commandments remain eternal.
This article is well written, and very well received. Thank you. for this article.