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Does Traditional Christianity Actually Promote "Following" Christ?

Revealing traditional Christianity's institutional hypocrisy and its lawlessness (anti-torah) based opposition to the true faith of and in Christ

[Note:  The terms “traditional Christian” and “traditional Christianity” as used in this article refers to the majority within the “Christianity” category of religions.  Their use is not meant to include all persons or organizations that call themselves Christian.  I, myself, am a “Christian” or “Messianic” since I revere and truly seek to follow the actual Messiah revealed in the New Testament writings.  Sadly, at this time very few among the estimated 2 billion humans who label themselves “Christian" are excluded from my “traditional Christian” reference.]

Introduction:

This article will present clear, unambiguous facts from the Bible that for the vast majority of traditional Christians will be a stunning and disturbing revelation. - a revelation that includes the fact that they have been deceived into accepting grossly unscriptural foundational teachings.  Most traditional Christians, due to the seduction and deception tradition instead of Scriptural truth tragically holds over their minds, will probably exhibit a knee-jerk reaction of anger and bitterness while likely never seriously or sincerely considering the simple facts presented.

Put simply, this discussion will expose what is perhaps the most infamous and glaring example of institutionalized hypocrisy found within the teachings of traditional Christianity.  This hypocrisy results in a situation in which many of those who call themselves “Christian” knowingly or unknowingly do not - I say again - do NOT “follow Christ.” Worse still, the deception generated by this hypocrisy actually positions them as followers of the one who is in direct opposition to Messiah and stands as his most fiercely determined enemy - Satan's antichrist.

The misuse and misinterpretation of the epistles of the apostle Paul will also be discussed, specifically the way in which they are used to overrule the teachings of Messiah Yahshua (Christ Jesus).  In fact, proof of such misuse is a primary objective of this discussion.

An astonishing and widespread fact is that many traditional Christians apparently do not really care that they are actually not following Christ.  In some cases they readily and even boldly admit it and seem oblivious to the tragic, potential spiritual suicide their admission reveals.

Most Christians, whether they realize it or not, do not and never have followed Christ, and this includes most who sincerely yet ignorantly claim otherwise.  Instead, all they care about is following their church's teachings regardless of how contrary to Scripture those teachings may be.  It is a terrible yet common tragedy that Christians the world over blindly, flippantly, and usually unknowingly discard the faith-example and teachings of the very person - Christ - whom they falsely claim to follow.  This fact is proven true by the numerous examples of the anger and dismissal of Yahshua the Messiah's (Christ's) teachings that I and others regularly witness whenever we show what Messiah, himself, actually taught.  Most Christians flatly reject Christ's example whenever that example is shown to differ with what their church teaches, and that difference is generally easy to show.

As I prove in this article, by overruling Messiah's teachings and example with what they wrongly consider the teachings of Paul, Christianity proves itself to have effectively and quite literally seated their distorted version of the devoted apostle Paul on the throne of God!  Such an action amounts to yet another example found in traditional Christianity of blatant idolatry - the willful worship of a false, manmade God!

The debate between “law versus grace,” which is actually a debate between “law versus lawlessness” or “torah versus anti-torah,” has been waged ever since the origins of traditional Christianity in 4th century Rome.  (Note: True Christianity/Messianism began in first century Jerusalem and is simply a completion of the original Biblical faith of Abraham)  This debate generally and wrongly centers upon the alleged teachings of the apostle Paul.  Amazingly, the teachings of the Messiah on this matter are rarely considered within “Christianity."  Isn't it odd that Christianity ignores the teachings of the very "Christ" it claims to promote?  And therein lies a clue to the presence and definition of the hypocrisy.

A universal and very typical argument put forth by most traditional Christians, which will be addressed in this article, is that the death of Messiah on the cross "abrogated" or "did away with" the Law (torah).  In order to prove this they must show that Messiah never taught that the torah would be applicable after his death.  If it can be shown that Messiah spoke in favor of torah and condemned those opposing torah when he addressed the faith scene to come after his death then their argument crumbles into a smoldering heap of falsehood.

Well, to the dismay of those who teach and believe that the Law was nullified by Messiah's death, I will show that Messiah did indeed speak during his earthly ministry before his death of the FUTURE relevance of torah AFTER he died, which means Messiah directly refutes the idiotically fanciful and false belief that his death put an end to his teachings, including his teaching the need for torah observance.

To prevent the reader from missing such information I have placed a stop sign graphic like this where teachings of Messiah from the gospel accounts undeniably refer to a FUTURE scenario of faith AFTER his death.  I could have placed the graphic at just about every instance where Messiah addresses the Law since all his teachings are applicable in the lives of his followers after his death; however, I chose to limit my graphic symbol to only those places that are so blatant in their future reference that they are beyond dispute.  That stop sign becomes an impenetrable barrier of factual truth that the lawlessness embracing Law (torah) haters of traditional Christianity cannot explain away no matter how much verbal gymnastics and distortion of Scripture is utilized.  The only way to get around it is for the lawlessness promoters to admit the truth, which is that they do not care what Messiah says.  In short, the blasphemous, lawlessness argument of torah abolishment is "stopped" in its tracks, and those promoting it are forced to admit that either they have no interest in following Christ and/or that they prefer to follow a false Christ image - an antichrist - fashioned together from the deep centuries-old great harlot pit of traditional Christian lawless error.

Unfortunately, the ruthlessly crafty great harlot through centuries of tyrannical rule and some cunning censorship of Scripture or portions of Scripture eventually established lawlessness (anti-torah) as the standard position within mainline traditional Christianity.  However, bringing the words of Messiah Yahshua (Jesus) into the debate reveals the harlotry, torpedoes the arguments of those who promote that the “Law” has been abolished, and exposes the anti-Christ foundation of their lawless arguments.

Effectively, by bringing Messiah’s own teachings and example into the debate the question of whether or not torah is still applicable in the lives of Christians is settled, and debating over what Paul may or may not teach becomes somewhat immaterial.  It is for that reason that Messiah's teachings are purposely avoided by most Christian organizations when the issue of the "Law" (torah) is discussed.

If you are a traditional Christian/Messianic who believes that the torah (Law) has been abolished or superceded or even optional, then after reading this article you will have to decide whom you follow – Christ (Messiah) or antichrist.

I am not being overly dramatic.  I am quite serious.  You will have to sincerely and honestly choose whom you follow – The Messiah of the Living God or Satan – which is without doubt THE most important choice you will ever have to make.  Your choice may very well determine your eternal destiny – a destiny that has only one of two outcomes:  1) eternal life, or 2) eternal death.

Preliminary Definitions:

“Torah” (toe-RAH’) is the Hebrew word for “teaching” or “instruction” and is often rendered - somewhat incorrectly - as “Law” in English translations of Scripture.  Its use in conversation and writing may to refer to either:

1. The 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).
2. The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (entire Older Testament).  The term “Tanakh” (tah-NOCK') is an acronym taken from combining the Hebrew words Torah (Law), Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).  The term "Old" Testament is an implicitly irreverent term.  Therefore I generally use “Tanakh” when referring to what traditional Christians call the "Old" Testament unless communication necessitates otherwise.
3. The traditions/opinions of Jewish sages.  These are Jewish traditions that are generally not found in the written torah - the Holy Scriptures.  This is often called the “oral” torah because it was allegedly perfectly, without error, passed down orally from Moses instead of written.  I reject the "perfect" transmittal claim because it is totally unsubstantiated despite what Judaic followers deceitfully claim.
4. All of the above.

Given the 4 definitions above, I do not personally accept definitions number 3 and 4 as being the true Divinely ordained "torah."  Therefore, in this discussion definition number 1, often called the "Law," will be considered the core heart-and-soul of torah and definition number 2 as God's torah (instructions) in a broader sense.  Basically, all of the Tanakh should be considered the teachings/instructions of God and therefore His torah.

I discuss the importance of the New Testament elsewhere on this site.  It is important to note that even in the New Testament it is clear that the writers did NOT consider their writings to be the "torah" of God even though it is certainly to be considered Divine teachings so long as it is properly interpreted from the Hebraic context in which it was written and its teachings are verified/checked by referencing the Tanakh just as was done by the Bereans of Acts 17:11.

It is assumed for the purposes of this article that you are already familiar with traditional Christianity’s teaching that the “Law” (torah) is no longer in effect – that it has been “annulled” or “superceded” or "abrogated" or "abolished” or “replaced.”  In other words, I am assuming you already know that the position of traditional Christianity is fundamentally anti-torah.  This is such a soundly recognized fact of traditional Christian ideology that I do not see the need to provide evidence.  Few, if any, traditional Christian doctrines are more firmly established than is the anti-torah doctrine.  In fact, it may very well be THE most foundational doctrine of the Christian religion and is generally accepted throughout otherwise differing denominations.  Therefore, do not expect me to quote from Christian commentaries to prove their anti-torah (anti-Law) foundations since the reader should already know it.  If you were not aware of it, you are now.

Additional evidence supporting the position taken in this discussion is shown by the fact that most Christians do not even know what “torah” is despite the fact that the written torah constitutes the very core of Biblical thought in both the Tanakh (Older Testament) and the New Testament.  Indeed, a primary proof of traditional Christianity’s severe departure from Scriptural doctrine is the fact that “torah” holds no position of importance whatsoever in Christianity except for its rejection.  Instead of being revered in Christianity, torah is opposed and often despised.

I am personally convinced that a primary objective of some within traditional Christianity's upper echelons of leadership is the elimination of torah from the world and that such has been their goal since traditional Christianity's 4th century Roman birth.  However, their efforts will not succeed since their success requires the elimination of The Living God.  I place my bet with YHWH The Living God.  How about you?

The ceaseless struggle of traditional Christianity and other ideological efforts to try and rid the world of God's eternal instructions is a major factor that will ultimately bring an end to all things as The Eternal One's limit of mercy is reached and He finally has all He can stand of the fervent opposition to His precious, perfect teachings.  Such a rejection is actually a rejection of Him since rejection of YHWH's teachings is no different that a rejection of the One who gave such instructions.

Now on to the discussion, which appropriately starts with words from the mouth of the beloved King, Yahshua the Messiah (Christ).

Mat 10:38-40 (ESV)

³⁸  And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  ³⁹  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ⁴⁰  Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

When as a teenager I first dedicated myself to Christ I was under the impression that the primary goal of every Christian was to “follow Christ” and that the church I attended was accurately teaching me how to “follow Christ.”  In fact, the very name of the denomination in which I was raised, the "church of Christ", explicitly distinguishes itself through its name to advocate following Christ.  (Boy was I wrong about that assumption!)  For the 30-plus years I was within the traditional Christian sphere of influence I continued to believe that such was the primary teaching of traditional Christianity.  Indeed, if you ask just about any Christian today they will tell you (unless they are woefully ignorant or judge Biblical truth to be of no importance) that Christians are those who “follow Christ” or who should strive to “follow Christ.”

Do traditional Christians really “follow Christ" by observing the torah (teachings) of Messiah?  More importantly, do traditional Christian leaders actually teach Christians to “follow Christ?”

What does it mean to “follow Christ” or to be "Christ-like"?

First, what is the basic understanding behind the concept of being a “follower” of Messiah?

Contrary to what most people may think, the overwhelming majority of Christians are basically ignorant of what it means to be a “follower” of Messiah.  If “following Christ” or being "Christ-like" were truly the understood goal of most Christians and the central agenda of most Christian leaders then Christianity would be immensely different in form and ideology than it is today.

The third edition of the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament edited by Fredrick William Danker needs no introduction as it is the standard lexicon for Greek New Testament studies.  This Lexcion defines the Greek term akoloutheo (ak-ol-oo-theh´-o, Strong's #0190), which is rendered as "follow" in Matthew 10:38 and the gospel parallels of Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23, as:

1. literally to move behind someone in the same direction, come after
2. to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead, accompany, go along with
3. to follow someone as a disciple, be a disciple, follow
4. to comply with, follow, obey
5. to come after something else in sequence, follow

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by Joseph Henry Thayer, D.D. defines it as:

1. to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him
2. to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple; side with his party ... to cleave steadfastly to one, conform wholly to his example, in living and if need be in dying also

The simple common sense meaning behind the concept of “follower” is that “followers” strive to mimic or copy the characteristics and to practice and promote the teachings of the one whom they claim to follow.  Therefore, to “follow Christ” is to:

1. Think as he thinks
2. Approve of what he approves of
3. Oppose what he opposes
4. Worship as he worshipped (and WHO he, himself, worshipped as his God - yes, Christ worshipped God as his God as is discussed elsewhere on this site.)
5. Learn and practice his teachings
6. Revere what he revered
7. obey him

Perhaps the best understanding is to "conform wholly to his [Messiah's] example" as previously shown from Thayer's Lexicon.  In short, to follow Messiah is to be like him in every way possible in word and deed and to revere, obey, and practice his instructions while following his example.  The ultimate goal of a "follower" of Messiah is to perfectly copy Messiah's example.  That is what being “Christ-like” means.

So, do most Christian leaders teach this?  Do they truly teach that Christians are to “follow Christ”?  Furthermore, do most Christians “follow” the Messiah in the common sense way just defined?

Most Christians probably object to my daring to even ask such a question and will present evidence allegedly showing that Christians are taught to follow Christ.  Such evidence will likely consist of Christian commentaries or teaching materials.  For sure such material does certainly appear to instruct Christians to be Christ-like; however, appearances can be deceiving.

Can such evidence be proven illegitimate?  Can it be proven that Christianity teaches AGAINST following Messiah?

To answer this question let us study Messiah’s teachings and practices concerning the torah and compare them to the dominant anti-torah teachings of traditional Christianity.  It is important to remember the foundational anti-torah (lawless) core dogma of Christianity, as this fact proves crucial to answering the question.

What are Messiah’s teachings regarding the Torah (Law ) and the Obligation of Christians/Messianics to Follow Him?

The verses I will present by no means exhaust the evidence of Messiah's pro-torah teachings but represent only a subset of more evidence in the gospels that illustrate directly, by example, and in parable form the rock-solid pro-torah stance of our beloved King Messiah.

These verses should suffice to prove Messiah's unambiguous PRO-torah position and how true Christians/Messianics are to adopt the same mindset.  Those who choose to reject such beliefs and teachings of Messiah demonstrate a rejection of Messiah, himself.  Casting off Messiah's example and teachings demonstrates a decision to NOT be among those who strive to "follow" him.  Instead, the person is shown to be a follower of the anti-christ and a recipient of the "mark of the beast."  Choose carefully whom you accept – Messiah or traditional Christianity’s agents of lawlessness who directly contradict him!

Each set of verses presented will be broken down and scrutinized on a verse-by-verse basis.

Yahshua the Messiah (incorrectly nicknamed “Jesus” the Christ by Christianity) was a forceful and passionate advocate of God’s - his God and ours - eternal Torah.  There is no clearer proof of this fact than his own words as recorded in the gospel of Matthew.  I will quote from two different Bible versions.

Matt. 5:17  "Don't think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete.”

The word rendered “destroy” in the KJV literally means, as rendered in the Jewish New Testament, to “abolish.”  Some Christians and Christian leaders cunningly avoid terms like “abolish,” preferring instead terms such as replaced, superceded, annulled, or other similar words that do not sound as harsh.  However, use of such terms carry the same meaning as “abolish” since the end result – the cancellation of torah - is the same.  Thus, such Christians and Christian leaders show themselves to be deceitful participants in word games as they attempt to “sugar coat” or conceal the fact that they DO teach the torah (Law) is abolished and thus directly oppose the teachings of Messiah.

Messiah said his coming did NOT abolish Torah.  Traditional Christianity teaches that his coming DID abolish Torah.  The teachings of Messiah (did NOT abolish) and traditional Christian leaders (DID abolish) are completely the opposite of one another!  Whose teaching should you follow?

Dr. Brad Young, author of the outstanding book, Jesus the Jewish Theologian, points out that in verse 17 Yahshua was actually making use of a common Hebraic expression with the use of “destroy/abolish” and “fulfill/complete”.  In the Hebraic context of Yahshua’s day those who misinterpreted or misapplied torah were said to “destoy” it, and those who correctly interpreted and applied torah “fulfilled” it.  Therefore, Dr. Young postulates that the intent behind the symbolic use of “fulfill” and “destroy” was:

“Don’t think that I have come to misinterpret the torah.  I have not come to wrongly interpret but to interpret it correctly.”

I personally think Dr. Young may be incorrect in this case since the verse following (vs. 18) seems to support the more literal meaning.

Regardless of whether the common interpretation or Dr. Young’s interpretation is applied, the verse is still proven to be a pro-torah statement from Messiah. 

 Matt. 5:18 “Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah-not until everything that must happen has happened.”

This verse needs no in-depth explanation.  Even a young child can understand its meaning.

 Here we have a clear example where Messiah was direct and obvious in teaching that AFTER his death the torah would still be in force.  It is too obvious to even waste much time on.  Nevertheless, despite the clear FUTURE reference most Christians still insists the torah has been "abrogated" or "abolished!"

Could those who so boldly and gleefully declare death to the Law (Torah) please tell me when heaven and earth passed away?  Would the torah opponents of Christianity please produce evidence of the destruction of heaven and earth?  Would the Pope and his Cardinals, Charles Stanley, James Kennedy, Charles Swindoll, James Dobson, Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Max Lucado, Jerry Falwell, Robert Schuller, Pat Robertson, and all others among Christianity’s elite leaders who teach that the torah has been annulled please prove the past destruction of our planet?  I will graciously accept a combination of their evidence if they cannot supply it individually.

The likelihood of my ever receiving such evidence is very remote indeed since no such evidence exists – or more to the point – THEY ARE WRONG ABOUT THE DEMISE OF GOD’S ETERNAL TORAH UNLESS THEY CAN PROVIDE SUCH EVIDENCE!

Furthermore, when were all things fulfilled?  Last time I checked Messiah had not yet returned, the world was still spiraling into sinful oblivion and rebellion against YHWH (God), wars were being fought, people are still going through life’s ups and downs, with the exception of the extreme northern and southern latitudes the sun still rises every morning and sets each night, etc.  So it appears to me all things have not yet been fulfilled.

Heaven and earth are still here; therefore, not even the most minor elements of the “Law” (torah) have been annulled.  Anyone who claims otherwise directly opposes Messiah’s teachings.  Nevertheless, once again traditional Christianity does claim otherwise and, thus, does not hesitate to implicitly call Messiah Yahshua a liar and a fool for teaching that the torah is still in effect.  The term “fool” does apply; however, it applies to the torah opponents within traditional Christianity and not to Messiah.

 Matt. 5:19 “So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot [commandments] and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."

 Once again we have a clear reference to FUTURE faith practices that a person must adhere to AFTER Messiah's death.  Yet traditional Christian leaders and most Christians usually do not stop at promoting anyway that the torah has been abolished.  No.  They often go further by declaring that it is wrong for a person to even attempt to be torah observant, which once again directly contradicts the words of Messiah as voiced in verse 19.  Ironically, the belief of some Christians that it is "sinful" to strive to observe torah is proven particularly ridiculous by the fact that without torah (Law) there is no definition of “sin.”

The admonition to “follow” Messiah and to thus conform wholly to his example is unmistakably shown to be obligatory - a necessary requirement - for all who claim to be Christian or Messianic.  Do traditional Christians strive to conform wholly to his example – to:

• Think as he thinks
• Approve of what he approves
• Oppose what he opposes
• Worship as he worshipped (and WHO he worshipped as his God)
• Learn and practice his teachings
• Revere what he revered
• And obey him?

So, Do traditional Christians strive to conform wholly to his example?  NO!  If they did Christianity would not persist in its deliberate anti-Messiah position against torah.

It is impossible for a person to have “received” (accepted) Messiah while rejecting his teachings.  Amazingly, however, the world of traditional Christianity has established such rejection as a foundational Christian doctrine!  Since such anti-torah traditional Christians are obviously “ashamed” of Messiah’s pro-torah teachings, Messiah may very well be “ashamed” of them when he returns in glory to consummate the promised Messianic Kingdom on earth.

 The stop sign was used primary to emphasize Mark 8:38 and Luke 9:26.  Note that in both of those verses Messiah clearly refers to a FUTURE situation - a future scenario that will not be fulfilled until the second coming of Christ - where those who reject his words, which by the way include his pro-torah words, will suffer shame when he comes in glory to consummate the Kingdom of God on earth.

I have a brief article separately published that was based upon these verses.  It is entitled “Yahshua's Warning Against Failure to Honor the Eternal Teachings (torah).”  To limit the length of this particular discussion I will not paste that material here.  Instead, I direct you to that article for proof that Messiah was literally and directly warning against the very anti-torah mindset that traditional Christianity promotes.  As I say in that article:

Imagine that!  Constantinian Christian leaders demonstrate clear "contempt for" the torah as they teach as a FOUNDATIONAL doctrine of Christianity that the torah is no longer in effect - that we are in "the condition of without law."  Therefore my friend, they are literally and directly promoting the very ideology that Yahshua says will result in eternal damnation - the condition that will result in Yahshua saying, "I never knew you, depart from me!"

 In case the obvious FUTURE reference was missed, allow me to direct your thoughts back to the verses.  In both examples of gospel verses we have Messiah directly and unambiguously referring to a FUTURE time when he will address those who promoted and embraced "lawlessness/iniquity."  His negative opinion of such people at the fulfillment of this FUTURE scenario is very clearly displayed.

Furthermore, note the contrast Messiah presents in Matthew’s record between the wise man who 1) “hears” and “does” and the unwise man who 2) “hears” and “does not do”.  Even though Messiah is unmistakable in showing obedience to his teachings is obligatory, traditional Christianity nevertheless “hears” and “does NOT do”, thereby advocating “unwise” doctrines that directly oppose Messiah.  So it is actually worse than the “unwise” example since Christianity not only “does not do” his words, they go further by openly rejecting and fervently teaching AGAINST his words!

Here Messiah makes it clear that you are either with him or against him.  It is not possible to be “with” Messiah while teaching doctrine that is “against” what he taught.  Traditional Christianity’s anti-torah teachings are a slap in the face of Messiah and firmly against him.  Sadly, millions upon millions are therefore “scattered” in a world of lawless rebellion against God.

Messiah further warns against being a “law-breaker” in the parable of the sower.

 Yes, that pesky stop sign again.  Pesky, that is, if you are among those who believe that the "Law" is no longer in effect after Messiah's death.  Matthew 13:36-42, particularly verses 41 and 42, undeniably refer to a FUTURE time at Messiah's second coming when the LAW-BREAKERS (those who oppose and reject the "Law") will be thrown into a fiery furnace.  Do you want to end up in a fiery furnace?  I thought not.  Then I advise that if you believe the Law has been "done away with" you change your mindset and become one of Messiah's true followers who embrace and promote torah instead of rejecting and teaching against it.

At this point it would be prudent to pause and consider the gravity – the enormous importance - of Messiah’s warnings found in Matthew 7:23, Matthew 13:41-42, and Luke 13:27.  Taken together they read:

 Matt. 7:23  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' … Matt. 13: 41  The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42  and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." … Luke 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Recall from the previously mentioned article:

... Further confirmation of this is found in the very term translated "iniquity" in the KJV [and "workers of lawlessness" in the ESV translation quoted previously in this discussion]. The New American Standard Version and others more appropriately translate the term "lawlessness".  Since Torah is "law", the lawless are those who do not keep Torah. In fact from the following verse the point is further confirmed.

1 John 3:4 - ⁴ Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977.

1 John 3:4 - ⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The Greek word translated "lawlessness" in the NASB and "transgression of the law" in the KJV is one and the same word - anomia - and is shown from Strong's lexicon to be:

458 anomia {an-om-ee'-ah}
from 459; TDNT - 4:1085,646; n f
AV - iniquity 12, unrighteousness 1, transgress the law + 4160 1, transgression of the law 1; 15

1) the condition of without law

1a) because ignorant of it

1b) because of violating it

2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

Likewise, Thayer's Greek lexicon defines anomia precisely the same as:

BDB/Thayers # 458 anomia {an-om-ee'-ah}
from 459; TDNT - 4:1085,646; n f
AV - iniquity 12, unrighteousness 1, transgress the law + 4060 1, transgression of the law 1; 15

1) the condition of without law

1a) because ignorant of it

1b) because of violating it

2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness ...

 The point to grasp is that in Matthew 7:23 and 13:41 Messiah DIRECTLY condemns, in an undeniable FUTURE reference, those who have "contempt and violation of the Law" and/or who promote "the condition without Law (torah)".  Those are not my words.  Those are the words of Yahshua the Messiah, and individuals who do not like them provide proof of their choice to reject and oppose Messiah!

Though the precise same Greek word, anomia, is not used in Luke 13:27 for the term of "workers of iniquity" as shown in the KJV, a very similar word is used. That Greek word is adikia.  Among Thayer's Greek Lexicion's definition of this word is: a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness.  Furthermore, given the almost identical nature of the three statements we can be reasonably certain that the same meaning applies to all – that meaning being “contempt and violation of torah.”

So, Matthew 7:23, 13:41, and Luke 13:27 provide us crystal clear, common sense, unequivocal proof that Messiah vehemently opposes - then, now,  and in the FUTURE, those who show contempt for his God’s torah (Law), the torah that he perfectly obeyed from the God to whom he was perfectly devoted.  How much evidence is needed to prove that Messiah personally and repeatedly condemns violation of God's eternal Law - the torah?  Furthermore, if he condemns torah violation, what is his obvious feeling for those who actually teach torah has been abolished?  

Messiah absolutely, indisputable opposes the anti-torah mindset of traditional Christianity!  Therefore, traditional Christianity IS promoting an antichrist message!  What is it going to take to awaken traditional Christians from the drunken stupor caused by the wine of the great harlot of Revelation?

Continuing with Messiah's words:

In these verses we see Messiah responding to a question about torah.  Few Christians realize that such questions were very common and that they reflect the Jewish (Hebraic) underpinning of the gospels.  A strikingly similar conversation is recorded in Jewish literature between two prominent rabbis and a potential Jewish proselyte.

Within the same timeframe as Messiah Yahshua, actually a bit before his time, there were two dominant rabbinic schools of thought within the Pharisaic sect of the widely varying, pluralistic sphere of Jewish belief – the school of Hillel and the school of Shammai.  The lasting impact of these too schools is still heavily felt today in Rabbinic Judaism.

There was a notable rivalry and mutually respectful debate between the two competing mindsets of Hillel and Shammai, with Hillel usually being less strict in his interpretation of torah.

One day a young man approached Shammai and stated that he would adopt torah into his life and convert to the Jewish way if Shammai could explain torah (Law) while he, the young man, stood on one leg.  Enraged by what he viewed as an impossible question and irreverent mocking of the torah, Shammai drove the young man away with his staff.

The young man then approached Hillel with the same request.  Hillel responded, “Love the lord thy God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and your neighbor as yourself.  The rest is commentary.”

Having received his answer, the young man adopted the Jewish way and began his journey of torah learning.

This represents but one of many common parallels between Yahshua’s teachings and Hebraic thought.  It is quite possible that since the Hillel/Shammai influence was deeply felt in Yahshua’s day that the questioner was actually seeking to know with which school of thought Yahshua agreed.

Regardless, Messiah’s answer was thoroughly Jewish and with the standard, no-need-to-mention, pro-torah understanding of his day.  There is no hint whatsoever of any anti-torah sentiment in Messiah’s response.  In fact, in general the gospels present a very Jewish Messiah who often used standard rabbinic methods, such as parables, to convey truth.  Even his arguments with rabbis of his day was rabbinic since spirited debate was and is typical in rabbinic circles.

Delving into Messiah’s Jewishness is beyond the scope of this dicussion.  An excellent book revealing Messiah’s Jewishness is “Jesus the Jewish Theologian” by Dr. Brad Young.  That book is packed with evidence of Messiah’s pro-torah Hebraic nature.  I highly recommend that book to anyone who truly seeks to become Christ-like.

A fundamental means of showing "honor" to the "son" is to honor his example by following him.  As stated earlier, it is impossible to "follow" or "honor" Christ unless his teachings are "honored" and adhered to.  Of course, the same applies to YHWH, the "Father who sent him."

Implicit within Messiah's statement in the gospel of John is the reverse, which is that "He who DOES honor the Son DOES also Honor the Father who sent him.", and to do so requires that the "torah" (teachings) be honored.

“... He who believes in me, does not believe in me but in Him who sent me. ...”

Belief is more than simply an intellectual acknowledgment.  It requires devotion and that the one who has a believing faith actually "follows" the object of their faith.  Messiah clearly states that to properly believe (demonstrate faith) in him one must demonstrate faith in YHWH the Creator - his God and ours.  A common sense basic ingredient of that faith requires devotion to YHWH's instructions (torah).  Sadly, instead of devotion to torah traditional Christianity through its anti-torah foundational position promotes rejection of the Living God's teachings.

“... He who sees (understands) me sees (understands) the One who sent Me. ...”

The Hebraic and thus Scriptural meaning of "see" in a Spiritual context is akin to understanding; therefore, to "see" Messiah is to understand him.  Elsewhere it is stated that Messiah and God are one.  I discuss that in other areas of this website, but the basic meaning is that Messiah as the perfectly obedient servant of the One who sent him is "one" in purpose and will with Father God.  It is also stated that we are to be "one" with Messiah and with God in precisely the same manner.  How can we "see" or be "one" with Messiah if we reject his undeniable pro-torah stance?

To "see" Messiah is to follow him, and to follow Messiah is to revere and observe the teachings to which he, himself, was devoted.

“... I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness. ..."

Scripture teaches that the torah is light.  Messiah, as the perfect example of torah was, quite literally, the torah made flesh since he lived his life as his God and ours intended all to live.  This makes Messiah also "light."  To reject Messiah's teachings regarding torah is to choose to remain in darkness.

 “... If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  48  “He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."

Here Messiah makes mention of hearing his sayings (teachings) and choosing to not keep them.   His words are obviously timeless in their application - applying as much today AFTER his death as they did then BEFORE his death.  This is made particularly clear by his mention of "the last day," which obviously refers to a FUTURE time.

This reminds us of the previously discussed parable of the wise man who 1) “hears” and “does” and the unwise man who 2) “hears” and “does not do”.  He states that the one who rejects him by rejecting his teachings will be judged by those teachings ("... the word I spoke ...").  Anyone who believes or promotes that the torah is abolished is indeed rejecting Messiah's words.

What does the New Testament say elsewhere regarding the Torah of Messiah and if a Christian should follow Messiah?

The following verses speak for themselves showing that a true "follower" of Messiah walks as he walked spiritually and that such a walk includes reverence and observance of the eternal torah (teachings).

1John 2:1-6 (ESV)

1  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  2  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.  4  Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  5  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him:  6  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1John 3:3-4 (ESV)

3  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.  4  Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

2John 1:6-11

6  And this is love, that we are walking about [fig, conducting ourselves] according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning that you should be walking about in it.  7  Because many deceivers entered into the world, the ones not confessing Jesus Christ [as] coming in flesh; this is the deceiver and the antichrist.  8  Be watching yourselves so that we do not lose what we worked for, _but_ [that] we shall receive a full reward.  9  Every one transgressing and not abiding in the teaching [or, doctrine] of Christ does not have God. The one abiding in the teaching [or, doctrine] of Christ, this one has both the Father and the Son.  10  If anyone comes to you* and does not bring this teaching [or, doctrine], stop receiving him into [your] house, and stop saying to him, "Rejoice!" [or, stop greeting him].  11  For the one saying to him, "Rejoice!" [or, the one greeting him] contributes to [or, shares in] his evil works.

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

There is of course much disagreement to the position in this article expressed from traditional Christians, and often the disagreement is voiced as ...

But the Apostle Paul says …  (The Standard NON-Response)

This is actually a non-response.  It is more truthfully seen to be a trained avoidance and purposeful misdirection of the issue since those using it often realize, despite their likely denial, that they are sidestepping Messiah’s teachings.  Therefore, whether explicitly or implicitly users of this non-response recognize that their understanding of New Testament teachings does indeed conflict with the words of Messiah, the one whom they claim to follow – i.e. that their teachings stand against Messiah’s.

Every time I have ever presented Messiah’s unmistakable pro-torah stance and how it is impossible to “follow Christ” while rejecting torah the inevitable and immediate standard response of the torah opposing traditional Christian is to bring the apostle Paul’s epistles into the discussion.  This ALWAYS happens.

No matter how much evidence is presented showing Messiah’s pro-torah teachings they flippantly and instantly discard it and redirect the conversation to what they think are teachings of the apostle Paul that allegedly show that the torah (Law) is no longer in effect.  Of course by doing so they unwittingly prove that they do not care what Messiah teaches and thus are NOT followers of Messiah.  And since Messiah is PRO-torah and they are ANTI-torah they also prove themselves to be enemies of Messiah.

Those who think Paul is anti-torah are grossly ignorant of Paul’s intent, largely because they are ignorant of the Hebraic mindset of Paul and are among the very people Peter alludes to in 2 Peter 3:14-17.

2Peter 3:14-17 (NRSV)

14  Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;  15  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,  16  speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.   17  You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability.

Indeed, traditional Christian leaders and most Christians do misinterpret and twist Paul’s writings to their and their followers’ own destruction.  Additionally, they are carried away with the error of the lawless - those who oppose torah.  The result is to cause themselves and others to be found WITH “spot or blemish” instead of without!

Do not casually miss the enormously important information Peter provides in verse 17 -  a warning that applies NOW just as much as THEN.  The LAWLESS (anti-torah) people are the ones Peter explicitly warns us about when he says we are not to be "carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability."  Furthermore, the stability to which he refers is at least in part the stability provided by reverence and observance of God's eternal torah!

Regardless of what Paul may or may not have been trying to convey in his writings, Christians, especially Christian leaders, need to realize the following:

• Yahshua is the Messiah - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua is the Son of God - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua gave himself as a substitutionary death penalty for sin - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua was raised from the dead by the Eternal God - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua will return to rule as King in his Father's Kingdom - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua is the head of the Messianic (Christian) community - NOT PAUL
• The Messianic community is the body of Messiah - NOT PAUL
• Ultimate, fully empowered God-given authority was given to Yahshua - NOT PAUL

As I communicate with others I am increasingly made aware of the extent to which a distorted “Paul” like figure has become the unofficial yet actual Messiah and even the God of traditional anti-torah Christianity.

I accept and aggressively defend Paul’s writings against the threat of growing anti-Paulism and anti-missionary attack but am certain that he has been grossly misinterpreted and misrepresented by the vast majority of Christians.  The worship of a falsely represented Paul instead of Messiah and God that I observe practiced by Christian teachers disgusts me as I see them attempt to understand Paul from a Greco-Roman mind set then use their incorrect, lawless interpretations to overrule Messiah’s teachings and to declare God's Holy and Eternal instructions abolished, thereby even overruling God’s teachings (torah).  It is because of the flawed misuse of Paul’s writings to overrule Messiah and God that I state again without apology that a distorted Paul-like figure is the unofficial yet actual Messiah and God of traditional Christianity.

Unfortunately, the Paul-worship attitude common within traditional Christianity is so deeply entrenched that most traditional Christians seem incapable of shaking its effects – or have no desire to do so since their misinterpretation implies they have freedom to transgress God's commands.  It is the spiritual equivalent of a powerful drug addiction that has its victim locked in an almost inescapable psychological dependency.  Instead of interpreting Paul’s writings in the light of Messiah’s teachings, they interpret Messiah’s words in the light of a faulty interpretation of the writings of Paul.  Therefore, if they believe Paul taught that the torah was done away with then it does not matter how strongly the words of Messiah demonstrate support for torah.  In just about all cases where Christians are presented with the sure PRO-torah message of Messiah, they willfully choose to let what they consider to be the teachings of Paul overrule those of Messiah.

There is another reason why I honestly believe, without sarcastic intent, that Paul - or more correctly an anti-Paul fashioned together from gross ignorance and misinterpretation of Paul’s writings - is the de-facto Messiah and even the God of traditional Christianity: 

• Christianity wrongly teaches that Messiah is God, but let us assume for the purposes of this point that they are correct.
• Nevertheless, Christianity openly and without apology elevates the distorted anti-Paul's alleged teachings above those of the mangod Messiah whom it promotes as God.  Of course Christianity also flippantly and blasphemously elevates the distorted anti-Paul's teachings above the entirety of instructions given through the prophets by the indisputable God of the Tanakh (Old Testament).
• Therefore, by overruling Messiah's teachings and example with what they wrongly consider the teachings of Paul, Christianity proves itself to have effectively and quite literally seated their false Paul on the throne of God!

The entire scenario is absolute spiritual insanity!  I continue to be amazed at the LACK of true reverence shown Messiah and God by traditional Christianity.  Sure there may be some reverence shown, but it is not being totally directed towards the true Messiah and true God despite the insistence some present that it is.

Many Christians are taught and largely accept the horrendously false teaching that because of his death Yahshua's teachings are no longer valid!  Most of these false teachings are derived from an ignorant, unhebraic, and in many cases anti-Semitic MISinterpretation of the Paul’s writings.  Because of this terrible and potentially damning error many Christians zealously blaspheme (scorn or reject) Messiah by proclaiming that all he taught was "nailed to the cross".

I have personally been present at church services prior to my realization that traditional Christian teachings are often horribly unscriptural where the preacher boldly stated that because of Messiah’s death many of his teachings, particularly his pro-torah teachings, no longer apply.  Similarly, while watching a popular TV evangelist from California I witnessed him saying the same thing.  Both preachers made sure to point out that Christians are actually to follow the teachings of Paul INSTEAD OF Messiah!

Effectively, traditional Christianity teaches and Christians apparently feel that Messiah's teachings died with Him and that upon his resurrection one of the most fundamental aspects of his teachings along with his example as a torah observant devotee to the One and Only Living God whom he, himself, worshipped were nullified because of the wildly unscriptural, lawless concept of a new "dispensation of grace"!  How can a person possibly say they follow Messiah or are "Christ-like" while discarding his very teachings?

The common saying of "What Would Jesus Do" (WWJD) may be better phrased as "What Would Jesus Think" regarding the common "dispensational" teaching that his instructions were abolished upon his death!  In their sloppy zeal to chop the Bible into neat little sections most traditional Christian leaders and their unlearned followers have brazenly, enthusiastically, and irreverently not spared even Messiah’s own teachings from their theological hatchets!

There is only one real reason a Christian or Messianic will allow the alleged teachings of the anti-Paul of Christianity rule supreme over those of Messiah and even The Living Creator God – because he or she prefers to do so due to the fact most traditional Christians do not want to accept the idea that God’s eternal teachings (torah/Law) are still in effect!  They prefer the “freedom” of lawlessness! They want to feed their sinful nature by desiring to believe they are free to sin!  They want to "do what is right in their own eyes" just as pre-captivity Israel was shown to do in the writings of the prophets.

The situation is one of many examples that hearken back to Paul’s warning to Timothy as quoted from the Analytical-Literal Translation:

2Timothy 4:3-4 (ALT)

3 For there will be a time when they themselves will not put up with sound teaching,  but according to their own lusts they will heap up teachers to themselves, itching in the ear [fig., craving to hear what they want to hear],  4  and on the one hand they will turn away the ear from the truth, on the other hand they will be turned aside to myths.

But wait.  We are not talking about what Paul said are we?  We are discussing what Messiah says; therefore, what Paul may or may not say is totally irrelevant!  And with that realization a bright light pierces the darkness of deception and exposes the treachery – often unwitting - and error of those who slyly attempt to avoid Messiah’s words by redirecting the focus to Paul.

Here is my point regarding Paul:  Paul’s teachings, whatever they may be, should NEVER, EVER overrule those of Yahshua the Messiah.  In ALL cases with ALL personalities introduced in the New Testament the teachings of Messiah are THE final authority.  We are to follow Messiah, NOT Paul, and in cases where Messiah’s and Paul’s teachings appear to contradict there are only three possible choices:

1. Reject what Paul said and cling to Messiah’s teachings, or
2. Realize that you likely misinterpreted Paul’s epistles, or
3. Consider that scattered statements in Paul's writings may include some corruption caused by biased Christian scribes making either intentional or unintentional mistakes during their copying copies of copies of copies of the ancient writings.  In such cases, those few verses may need to be put aside as potentially flawed.

Of the three choices given above the second – “Realize that you likely misinterpreted Paul’s epistles” – is the correct selection in my opinion.  Regrettably, many who fall into the same misinterpretation trap as traditional Christians yet who realize torah is not abolished label Paul as a false apostle, reject him, and in extreme cases become fanatical Paul slanderers and anti-Paul activists – a movement I call anti-Paulism and which I passionately and unapologetically oppose.  The choice to reject Paul by anti-Paulists is based on either severe ignorance or wicked motives or both.  However, at least they are wise enough to know that the torah (Law) of The Living God is NOT annulled.

Under no circumstances should a true Christian or Messianic ever elevate the teachings of Paul above those of Messiah, an error that is so common within traditional Christianity that few Christians possess the discernment to even realize they practice it.  Practicing it is tantamount to utter rejection and usurping of Messiah and therefore embracing the antichrist since “antichrist,” if translators had decided to translate the word, is literally rendered in English as “usurper of Christ” or “against Christ” or “instead of (replacement) Christ”.  Elevating anyone’s teachings above Messiah’s “usurps” Messiah, is “against” Messiah, and “replaces” Messiah as the head of the Messianic community of believers.

I will end this segment of our discussion repeating what needs to be repeated and repeated and repeated until traditional anti-Law Christians finally grasp it.

• Yahshua is the Messiah - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua is the Son of God - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua gave himself as a substitutionary death penalty for sin - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua was raised from the dead by the Eternal God - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua will return to rule as King in his Father's Kingdom - NOT PAUL
• Yahshua is the head of the Messianic (Christian) community - NOT PAUL
• The Messianic community is the body of Messiah - NOT PAUL
• Ultimate, fully empowered God-given authority was given to Yahshua - NOT PAUL

If that does not settle the issue and stop the sacrilegious use of Paul’s alleged teachings to overrule Messiah’s then nothing will, and those guilty of continuing such error are tragically beyond the reach of reason or Scripture.   The bottom line fact is this:

Conclusion:

In order to reduce the length of this article I have presented only a handful of verses from the Bible.  There are many more I could have shown from Messiah's own words and from areas other than the gospel accounts.  However, I see no reason why more evidence is required.  Quite frankly, if the material I have presented does not convince the reader then nothing will and the reader proves him or herself to be hardened and deceived beyond the reach of truth.  Nevertheless, I may add even more material over time, and I ask you to revisit this article periodically to check for any updates.  I also ask that you consider referring others to this immensely important discussion.

The teachings of Messiah (Christ) from which “Christianity” gets it’s name and those of traditional Christian leaders could not be more opposite in their view of Torah.  They are as far apart on the issue as white is to black and east is to west.  Christian leaders and the overwhelming majority of Christians REJECT Messiah’s unyielding embrace of Torah.  Rejecting Messiah’s teachings on torah is actually a rejection of Messiah.  Christian teaching regarding the torah (Law) is fundamentally against Messiah (Christ) and therefore anti-christ.

Yes!  Most traditional Christians are taught doctrines that actually make them enemies of the very Messiah they claim to follow and, according to the words of Messiah, places them in a position of potential eternal condemnation!

Personally, I am convinced that many Christians, particularly Christian leaders, realize their agenda conflicts with the actual teachings of Yahshua the Messiah, falsely named “Jesus” the Christ.  (Even the promotion of the false name “Jesus” is proof that Christian leaders do not follow the true Messiah, do not care about truth, and willfully choose to promote falsehood.)  “Following” Christ has not been, is not, and will apparently never be the actual message advanced by many traditional Christian leaders and embraced by many traditional Christians.

Simply put, there is no possible way to show oneself to be a follower of Messiah – to be "Christ-like" – while practicing or promoting an ideology that considers the torah (Law) to be null and void.

A sad irony of history is that the very term “Christianity”, as applied to the traditional Christian religious system, is essentially phony since it indicates Christianity is a religion that promotes “following” Christ (Messiah), when in fact traditional Christianity advances an agenda that largely opposes Messiah’s teachings.  A more accurate term for the majority of Christian organizations is Anti-Christ-ianity since they are anti (against) the teachings of Christ.

Incredibly, most Christian people act more like “sheeple” as they neither flinch nor seriously scrutinize the teachings of their leaders even when those leaders promote doctrines that explicitly contradict teachings of Messiah.  It reminds me of a tragic news story I read recently on an Internet news site involving hundreds of sheep in the country of Turkey.

A number of sheepherders were sharing grazing land for their sheep.  One sheep with an apparent death wish decided to jump from a high cliff.  To the horror of the shepherds 1500 sheep dutifully and robotically followed the “leader” off the cliff.  Four hundred and fifty sheep perished, and those that lived did so only because the pile of sheep corpses at the base of the cliff eventually became a large fluffy cushion for those blindly joining the herd in this “blind leading the blind” animal tragedy.

Unfortunately, most traditional Christians “follow” the lead of their teachers much like the hapless sheep followed their “leader” in the example just given.

Friend, I plead with you to  and consider the eternal question of whom you follow.  Do you truly follow Messiah or are you following someone or something that promotes an ideology that directly contradicts and opposes Messiah?  Please.  With and open mind and heart I ask that you calmly, sincerely, and Scripturally consider the issues raised in this discussion.