WAKE-UP CALL: Part 4 – HOW DO we ESCAPE from the WORRIES of the world, the deceitfulness of WEALTH and the worldly PLEASURES keeping us in bondage?

12 November 2025

We are proceeding today with studying the third reason Yeshua our Messiah provides us with on why we can find ourselves being STUCK in Babylon, namely:  HEARING the MESSAGE, but it gets choked (blocked, stopped) by the WORRIES of the WORLD and the DECEITFUL GLAMOR of WEALTH and the PLEASURES of LIFE.

In the PARABLE of the SOWER told by Yeshua in Matthew 13:7 some SEEDS SOWED, fell among THORNS, which grew up and CHOCKED the plants.  He then explained in verse 22 this means: “The SEED SOWN among THORNS stands for SOMEONE who HEARS the MESSAGE, but it is CHOCKED (blocked, stopped) by the WORRIES (doubts, uncertainties, fears, concerns) of the WORLD and the DECEITFUL (deceiving, untrustworthy) GLAMOUR (allure, charm, appeal, attraction, excitement, desirability) of WEALTH (prosperity, riches, mammon/ money), so that it produces nothing.  The Luke 8 version includes the GRATIFICATIONS (satisfactions, pleasures, delights) of LIFE.

Last week we explored the WORD on WHO WILL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM. And TODAY we are studying the WORD to determine what we should DO to ESCAPE from the WORRIES of the world, the deceitfulness of WEALTH and the worldly PLEASURES keeping us in bondage.

Paul warns believers in Romans 13:11-14 as follows: “…you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep (to wake-up); for the FINAL DELIVERANCE is nearer than when we first came to trust (have faith, belief, hope). The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and ARM ourselves with the WEAPONS of LIGHT. Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime – not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses (extravagances, luxuries, overindulgences), not quarrelling (fighting, arguing, disagreeing) and being jealous (envious/ spiteful, covetous/ greedy, resentful). Instead, CLOTHE YOURSELVES with MASTER YESHUA the MESSIAH; and don’t WASTE YOUR TIME THINKING about how to provide for the sinful desires (wishes, longing, cravings) of your OLD NATURE. ”

Paul also says in Colossians 3:5-10 “…PUT TO DEATH the EARTHLY PARTS of your nature – sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry); for it is because of these things that God (the Father’s) anger is coming on those who DISOBEYS Him. True enough, you USED TO practice these things in the LIFE you ONCE LIVED; BUT NOW, put them ALL AWAY – anger, exasperation (frustration, irritation), meanness (nastiness, unkindness, spitefulness), slander (defamation/ insult/ offence/ rudeness) and obscene (indecent) talk (conversations). Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the OLD SELF, with its ways, and have PUT ON THE NEW SELF, which is CONTINUALLY BEING RENEWED in FULLER and FULLER KNOWLEDGE, CLOSER and CLOSER to the IMAGE of its CREATOR.”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Paul told the believers: “Therefore, brothers, just as you learned from us how you had to live in order to PLEASE GOD (the FATHER), and just as you are living this way now, we ask you – indeed, UNITED with MASTER YESHUA, we urge you – TO KEEP DOING SO MORE AND MORE. For you know what instructions we gave you on the authority of Master Yeshua. What God (the Father) wants is that you BE HOLY (set-apart, consecrated, sanctified/ dedicated/ purified), that you KEEP AWAY from sexual immorality, that each of you know how to manage his sexual impulses (desires) in a holy and honorable (decent, upright, good) manner, without giving in to lustful (immoral, shameless) desires, like the pagans (unbelievers possibly serving other small letter gods) who don’t know God (the Father).

No one should wrong his brother (other people, your neighbor, PLEASE ALSO READ Genesis 9:19 and the confirmation in Acts 17:26-27 that God had made of ONE BLOOD ALL NATIONS  of MEN DWELLING ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, therefore ALL PEOPLE. Also read Yeshua the Messiah’s definition of your neighbor in the parable of the merciful Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 indicating people who shows MERCY to us is our neighbor and requiring of us to GO and DO THE SAME – show MERCY to other people!) in this matter or take advantage of him, because MASTER YESHUA punishes ALL who do such things – as we have explained to you before at length. For God (the Father) did not call us to live an unclean (impure, polluted, filthy) life but a HOLY one. Therefore, whoever rejects THIS TEACHING is rejecting not a man but GOD (the FATHER), indeed, the ONE who gives you the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit), which is His (Spirit). ”

Peter also says in 1^st Peter 4:1-4 “Therefore, since Messiah suffered physically; you too are to ARM yourselves with the SAME ATTITUDE. For whoever has SUFFERED PHYSICALLY is finished with sin, with the RESULT that he lives the rest of his earthly life NO LONGER CONTROLLED by human desires, BUT BY GOD (the FATHER’s) WILL. For you have spent enough time already living the way the pagans (people not following YHVH, the God of Israel and possibly serve other small letter gods) want you to live – in debauchery (wickedness, sin, depravity, corruption, dishonesty), lust, drunkenness, orgies (saturnalia, wild celebrations characterized by excessive drinking and indiscriminate sexual activity), wild parties (gatherings, events) and forbidden idol worship. They think it strange that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of dissoluteness (self-indulgence, licentiousness/ immorality, recklessness/ irresponsibility/ wildness), and so they heap insults (verbal abuse, name calling, foul language, swearing) on you. But they will have to give an account to Him who stands ready to JUDGE the LIVING and the DEAD (read Revelation 20:11-15).”

John said in 1st John 3:2-10 “Dear friends, we are GOD (the FATHER’s) children now; and it has not yet been made clear what we will become. We do know that WHEN HE APPEARS, we will be LIKE HIM (meaning we will have resurrected bodies); because we will SEE HIM like HE really is. And anyone who has this HOPE in him continues PURIFYING himself, since GOD is PURE. Everyone who KEEPS SINING is VIOLATING (disrespecting, blaspheming, profaning) TORAH (the Word of God as written in Genesis to Deuteronomy, summed up in the Ten Commandments) – indeed, SIN is VIOLATION (defiling/ polluting, desecrating/ vandalizing/ destroying, destructing, harming, abusing, damaging) of TORAH. You know that HE (YESHUA the MESSIAH) appeared to TAKE AWAY SINS, and that THERE IS NO SIN IN HIM. So NO one who REMAINS UNITED WITH HIM continuous sinning; EVERYONE who does continue sinning has neither seen HIM nor know HIM. Children, don’t let anyone deceive you – it is the person that keeps on doing what is RIGHT who is RIGHTEOUS, JUST as GOD (the FATHER) is RIGHTEOUS. The person who KEEPS ON SINNING is form the Adversary (the enemy, the opposition, the Devil/ Satan), because from the very beginning the Adversary has kept on sinning (also read Yeshua our Messiah’s words about this in John 8:44). It was for THIS VERY REASON that the SON of GOD (Yeshua the Messiah) APPEARED, to DESTORY these things of the Adversary. No one who has GOD as his FATHER keeps on sinning, because the SEED PLANTED BY GOD REMIANS in him (alluding to being born again and receiving the Holy Spirit). That is, he cannot continue sinning, because he has GOD as his FATHER. Here is how one can DISTINGUISH CLEARLY between GOD (the FATHER’s) children and those of the Adversary; everyone who does not continue DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT FROM GOD (the FATHER).”

So what does the Word tells us, how do we STOP sinning?

David knew the root of our behavior is found in our THOUGHTS and therefore we read in Psalm 19 the secret of CHANGING our behavior is by aligning our thoughts to the WORD of YHVH. David says in Psalm 19:7-13 the following:

• The TORAH (Genesis to Deuteronomy) of YHVH is PERFECT (faultless, flawless), RESTORING (repairing) the inner person (the soul, including your thoughts and emotions and free will decisions) Psalm 19:7a.

James confirms this saying in James 1:21-22 “So rid yourselves of ALL vulgarity and obvious evil, and receive MEEKLY (humbly) the WORD implanted in you that can SAVE YOUR LIVES. Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the WORD says, BUT DO IT! For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t DO what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But if a person looks closely into the PERFECT TORAH (God the Father’s WORD in Genesis to Deuteronomy, summed up in the Ten Commandments), which GIVES FREEDOM, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the WORK it requires, then he WILL BE BLESED IN WHAT he DOES.”

The Complete Jewish Study Bible – insight for Jews & Christians explains: King David teaches that the Torah is perfect, meant to display both God’s REVEALED WILL and ASPESCTS of HIS DIVINE NATURE we read about in Psalm 19:8-12. The Torah is therefore not just a list of rules that one must follow; for as PURE LIGHT, it EMANATES from GOD HIMSELF and is given with both PRECISION (exactness, accuracy) and AUTHORITY. And we then RESPOND in FEAR and REVERENCE (respect, admiration, devotion) to God’s HOLY WORD.

• The INSTRUCTION (teaching, training, coaching) of YHVH is SURE (unquestionable, undisputable, certain), making WISE the THOUGHTLESS (inconsiderate, unkind, uncaring, selfish, insensitive, rude, impolite). Most Bible versions says: making wise the SIMPLE (Psalm 19:7b).
• The PRECEPTS (principles/ values/ ethics/ morals, rules/ directions, guidelines/ plans/ procedures) of YHVH are RIGHT (correct/ truthful, true/ accurate/ correct), REJOICING the HEART (the soul, emotions/ feelings) Psalm 19:8a.

The Jewish Study Bible explains the heart of a believer rejoices when following the commandments of YHVH because heeding His instructions produces a clear conscience. So it make sense, because when we have a CLEAR CONCIENCE we will be free from FEAR, GUILT and SHAME, and at PEACE and REST and enjoy GOOD RELATIONSHIPS with HIM, ourselves and others and our HEARTS will REJOICE.

• The mitzvah (the COMMANDMENTS) of YHVH is PURE (clean/ unpolluted, wholesome, nourishing, good), enlightening the eyes (edifying/ useful/ educational, clarifying/ helpful to guide a person) Psalm 19:8b.

The Jewish Study Bible explains: the PRECEPTS of GOD are considered RIGHT just as a judicial (legal) decision by a court is right, it STANDS FAST and cannot be shaken. Since the TORAH contains LOVING INSTRUCTIONS that are PERFECT, it RESTORES, MAKE WISE, GIVE REASON FOR REJOICING and PROVIDE ENLIGHTMENT beyond that which this world can ever give, those who are willing to OBEY the TORAH.

John says in 1^st John 3:21-24 “Dear friends, if our HEARTS (soul, thoughts and emotions) know nothing against us (meaning if we are not aware of any sin in our lives), we have CONFIDENCE in approaching God (the Father); then, whatever we ask for, we RECEIVE from Him; BECAUSE WE ARE OBEYING HIS COMMANDS AND DOING THE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM. This is HIS COMMAND: that we are to TRUST (have faith, belief, hope) in the PERSON and POWER of HIS SON YESHUA the MESSIAH and TO KEEP LOVING ONE ANOTHER, just as HE COMMANDED US (Read John 13:34).”

REMEMER: The second most important commandment of the TORAH is to LOVE your neighbor as yourself (also confirmed by Yeshua our Messiah in Matthew 22:38-38). And we further read in 1^st John 3:24 “THOSE who OBEY HIS COMMANDS REMAIN UNITED WITH HIM and HE WITH THEM”.

• And we read in Psalm 19:9-11 “The FEAR of YHVH is CLEAN (uncontaminated, unpolluted), ENDURING FOREVER. The RULINGS of YHVH are TRUE, they are RIGHTEOUS (virtuous/ honorable/ honest, moral, good) altogether (overall), more desirable than gold, than much fine gold, also sweeter than honey or drippings from the honeycomb. Through them your servant is WARNED (cautioned, advised, counseled); in OBEYING (submitting, following, observing, conforming to) them there are GREAT REWARD.

The Nelson’s Bible Dictionary defines the fear of God as a healthy RESPECT mingled with the HONOR and LOVE that we bear for Him. To FEAR God is to recognize His HOLINESS and His prerogative to JUDGE.

The FEAR of GOD the Father is the easiest for me to understand in terms of the fear of a good and trustworthy earthly father, meaning, you will not transgress the rules in your house your father has set, because you know the rules are there to protect the whole family, including you and you want to be in good standing with your father who LOVES you and cares for you and whom you also LOVE and TRUST. You also know if you transgress the rules he has set, he will act justly (fairly, honorably) and there will be negative consequences for you, which you prefer to avoid because such consequences lead to feelings of negative fear (stress and anxiety), guilt and shame. And when one reach adulthood, you understand and appreciate the discipline of your father was to your benefit and you are thankful for it. Much like we read in Hebrews chapter 12.

And then David asks in Psalm 19:12 “Who can discern UNINTENTIONAL (accidental, unplanned) sins?

So what is the difference between INTENTIONAL and UNINTENTIONAL sin?

INTENTIONAL sin, also known as WILLFUL or DELIBERATE sin, occurs when a person knowingly chooses to DISOBEY God’s COMMANDMENTS. Such actions can lead to severe consequences, both spiritually (mentally, emotionally, morally) and in the relationship with God.

UNINTENTIONAL or accidental sin is going against God’s COMMANDMENTS without deliberate intent to disobey Him. This highlights the pervasive (prevalent, rampant) nature of sin and the need for atonement requiring repentance, tuning away from sin and guarding against temptation (enticement to sin).

James also tells us the following in James 4:6-10 “God opposes the arrogant (the proud), but to the humble He gives GRACE (a quotation from Proverbs 3:34) Therefore, submit (bow, yield, surrender) to God (the Father).” Moreover, take a STAND (stance, position) against the Adversary (the enemy, the opposition, the Devil/ Satan), and he will FLEE (run away) from you. Come CLOSE to GOD (the Father), and HE WILL come CLOSE to you. Clean your hands, sinners (offenders/ lawbreakers, outlaws/ criminals); and PURIFY your HEARTS (your soul, your thoughts and emotions), you double-minded people (indicating people unstable in their ways/ behavior, wavering between God’s ways and the world’s ways)! Wail (scream), mourn (grief), sob (cry)! Let your laughter be turned into mourning (sadness) and your joy into gloom (despair). HUMBLE yourselves before Master Yeshua, and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP (also read Matthew 23:12).

And we see in Psalm 19:13b – 14: David asking God to HELP him to

• CLEANSE (wash, purify) me from HIDDEN (concealed/ covered/ masked, secret/ undisclosed) FAULTS (errors, mistakes).
• KEEP your servant from PRESUMTUOUS (arrogant) SINS (iniquities, depravities, immoralities, evil, wickedness), so that they won’t CONTROL me. Then I will be BLAMELESS (innocent, virtuous, righteous, spotless, guiltless) and FREE of GREAT OFFENSE (wrongdoings, transgression, crimes).

And then David closes with these words in verse 14, giving us insight into the SOURCE to be addressed to LIVE a CHANGED LIFE filled with JOY:

• May the WORDS of my MOUTH and the THOUGHTS of my HEART (the things I think and feel which determines what I say and do) be ACCEPTABLE in YOUR PRESENCE, YHVH, my (capital letter) ROCK and (capital letter) REDEEMER (this capital letter ROCK we know from 1 Corinthians 10:3 is a reference in the Old Testament to Yeshua the Messiah!).

David’s words in Psalm 19:14 also reminds us of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 telling us HOW to do this and REMINDING us that it forms part of our DAILY SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

Paul says here: “For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; because the WEAPONS we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have GOD’s POWER (the Holy Spirit) for DEMOLISHING STRONGHOLDS (strangleholds/ powers/ dominions/ controls/ monopolies, throttleholds, grips, locks). We DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS (influences, opinions) and EVERY ARROGANCE (pride, self-importance) that raises itself up against (in contradiction to) the KNOWLEDGE (awareness, understanding) of GOD; we TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE and MAKE IT OBEY the MESSIAH. And when you have BECOME COMPLETELY OBEDIENT, then we will be able to punish every act of disobedience. ”

We therefore see that our WEAPONS are not confrontation as would usually be used in the world, but rather TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, following the HOLY SPIRITS GUIDANCE on the WORD and OBEYING THE WORD BY ALIGNING OUR THOUGHTS to it, meaning we SUBMIT to the INSTRUCTIIONS, PRECEPTS and COMMANDMENTS as written in the TORAH and executed by YESHUA our MESSIAH as our TEACHER, MASTER and EXAMPLE of living in FULL OBEDIENCE to the FATHER. When our THOUGHTS (beliefs, opinions, views) align with the WORD, our EMOTIONS leading to our WORDS and ACTIONS will also be in LINE with the WORD, ensuring we experience peace and joy in spite of problems experienced in the world.

Paul also explains the IMPORTANT ROLE the MIND (our thoughts) play in the way we behave in Romans 12:1-12 saying to the believers in Rome: I exhort you therefore, brothers, in view of God (the Father’s) MERCIES, to offer yourselves as a SACRIFICE, LIVING and SET APART for GOD (devoted to Him). This will please Him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you.

And then Paul explains what it entails to offer oneself as a LIVING SACRIFICE to ABBA FATHER, pleasing Him and worshipping Him as HIS LIVING TEMPLE, by explaining:

• In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the olam hazeh (of this world). Instead, KEEP LETTING yourselves be TRANSFORMED (changed, reformed) by the RENEWING of your MINDS (thoughts, way of thinking), so that you will KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS and WILL AGREE that WHAT HE WANTS is GOOD, SATISFYING and ABLE TO SUCCEED (Romans 12:2).
• For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance (rank, position, status). Instead, DEVELOP a SOBER (a clear-headed, moderate) ESTIMATE of yourself BASED on the STANDARD which GOD has GIVEN to each of you, namely, TRUST (faith/ confidence, belief/ certainty, hope/ expectation).

 For just as there are MANY PARTS that compose ONE BODY, but the parts don’t all have the same FUNCTION; so there are MANY of US (many believers), and IN UNION WITH THE MESSIAH we COMPRISE ONE BODY, with each of us belonging to the others. But we have GIFTS that DIFFER and which are MEANT TO BE USED according to the GRACE that HAS BEEN GIVEN to us (Romans 12:3-6a). Peter confirmed this saying in 1^st Peter 4:10 “As each one has received some SPIRITUAL GIFT, he should USE it to SERVE others, like GOOD MANAGERS of GOD (the Father’s) many-sided (multifaceted) GRACE.”

1. If your GIFTS is PROPHECY (insight/ understanding/ awareness/ comprehension of the Word), use it to the extent (degree, amount) of your TRUST (faith, belief, hope) Romans 12:6b. Peter also said in 1^st Peter 4:11a “…if someone SPEAKS, let him SPEAK GOD (the Father’s) WORDS;”

2. If it is SERVING (helping, aiding, attending), use it to SERVE (Romans 12:7a). Peter also said in 1^st Peter 4:11b “…if someone SERVES, let him DO so out of STRENGTH that God (the Father) SUPPLIES; so that in EVERYTHING GOD (the Father) may be GLORIFIED through YESHUA the MESSIAH.”

3. If you are a TEACHER, use your GIFT in TEACHING (educate, instruct, coach, train) Romans 12:7b.

4. If you are a COUNSELOR (therapist/ person who gives guidance on personal or emotional problems), use your GIFT to COMFORT and EXHORT (encourage) Romans 12:8a.

5. If you are someone who GIVES (provides, contributes), do it SIMPLY (modestly/ discreetly/ tactfully, humbly) and GENEROUSLY (kindly, liberally/ abundantly) Romans 12:8b.

6. If you are in a position of LEADERSHIP (management, control, guidance, governance), lead with DILIGENCE (thoroughness) and ZEAL (enthusiasm/ eagerness, passion, keenness) Romans 12:8c.

7. If you are one who DOES ACTS of MERCY (compassion, kindness, understanding), do them CHEERFULLY (happily, joyfully, optimistically) Romans 12:8d.

• Don’t let LOVE be a mere outward show. Recoil (withdraw, depart) from what is evil (wicked, sinful, corrupt, immoral, foul), and CLING (hold tight) to WHAT is GOOD (decent, respectable, moral, honest, upright, virtuous, righteous). LOVE each other DEVOTEDLY (loyally, faithfully) and with BROTHELY LOVE; and SET EXAMPLES for each other in SHOWING RESPECT (Romans 12:9-10).

I believe this BROTHERLY LOVE is defined by ABBA FATHER’s COMMANDMENTS, not to do any harm to other people. Paul says in Romans 13:8-10 “Don’t owe anyone anything – except to LOVE one another; for WHOEVER LOVES, his FELLOW HUMAN BEING has FULFILLED TORAH (Abba Father’s instructions in Genesis to Deuteronomy, summed up in the Ten Commandments and explained and demonstrated to us by Yeshua our Messiah, who IS THE LIVING TORAH OF ABBA FATHER!). For the COMMANDMENTS, “Don’t commit adultery”, “Don’t murder”, Don’t steal,” “Don’t covet”, and any others are summed up in this ONE RULE: “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.” LOVE DOES NOT DO HARM (damage, injury, destruction, hurt, maltreatment) to a neighbor; therefore LOVE IS THE FULLNESS (completeness) OF TORAH.”

And Paul also said in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10: “Concerning LOVE for the brothers (other people, your neighbor) we do not need to write you, for you yourselves have been TAUGHT BY GOD to LOVE each other; and you DO LOVE all the brothers (other people, your neighbor) throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to DO it even MORE.”

And John tells us in 1^st John 3:10-15 “Here is how one can DISTINGUISH CLEARLY between GOD (the FATHER’s) children and those of the Adversary; everyone who does not continue DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT FROM GOD (the FATHER). Likewise, ANYONE who FAILS to KEEP LOVING HIS BROTHER (other people, your neighbor) IS NOT FROM GOD. For this is the MESSAGE which you have heard from the BEGINNING: that we should LOVE EACH OTHER and not be like Cain, who was from the Evil One (alluding to Satan) and MURDERED his OWN BROTHER.

Why did he murder him? Because his OWN ACTIONS were evil, and his brother’s were RIGHTEOUS (with other words, Abel DID what God wanted, he OBEYED God but Cain did not). Don’t be amazed (stunned, surprised), brothers, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU. We, for our part, KNOW that we have PASSED from DEATH to LIFE because WE KEEP LOVING THE BROTHERS (other people, our neighbor). THE PERSON WHO FAILS TO KEEP ON LOVING IS STILL UNDER THE POWER OF DEATH. EVERYONE WHO HATES HIS BROTHER (other people, our neighbor) IS A MURDERER, AND YOU KNOW NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM.”

The Complete Jewish Study Bible – insight for Jews & Christians, explains: The BELIEVER’s PATH is to FOLLOW YESHUA the MESSIAH and NO LONGER engage (be involved, participate) in sinful practices. This is what DEMONSTRATES (proves/ verifies, validates/ authenticates, shows) the BELIEVER’s RELATIONSHIP to GOD (the Father).

We also know that GODLY LOVE is defined in 1 Corinthians 13 beginning by telling us if we LACK LOVE, our GIFTS mean nothing and we will therefore not be able to make a difference. And then Paul goes on to tell us about this REQUIRED GODLY LOVE being, patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and keeping no record of wrongs. LOVE does not gloat over other people’s sins but takes is delight in the TRUTH. LOVE always bears up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures. LOVE never ends.

Peter added to this in 1^st Peter 4:8 saying: More than anything, KEEP LOVING each other; because LOVE COVERS MANY SINS.” We also read in Proverbs 10:12 “HATE (dislike, disgust/ aversion) stirs up DISPUTES (arguments, disagreements, clashes), but LOVE COVERS ALL KINDS of TRANSGRESSIONS (wrongdoings, misbehaviors, offences).”

Paul further says in Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore as God (the Father’s) HOLY (set-apart, consecrated, sanctified, purified, dedicated) and DEARLY LOVED people, CLOTHE yourselves with FEELINGS of COMPASSION (concern, kindness, consideration) and with KINDNESS (kind-heartedness), HUMILITY (humbleness), GENTLENESS (calmness, tenderness) and PATIENCE. BEAR with one another; if anyone has a COMPLAINT (a grievance, criticism, accusation) against someone else, FORGIVE him. Indeed, just as (God the Father, through) Master Yeshua has FORGIVEN you, so you MUST FORGIVE. Above all these, CLOTHE yourselves with LOVE, which BINDS everything together PERFECTLY…”

• Paul then further says in Romans 12:11 “Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, but SERVE Abba Father and Master Yeshua with spiritual fervor (dedication, enthusiasm, commitment).
• REJOICE (delight, be happy) in your HOPE, be PATIENT (enduring, persevering) in your TROUBLES, and CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN PRAYER (Romans 12:12).
• SHARE what you have with God (the Father’s) people, and PRACTICE HOSPITALITY (friendliness, kindness, generosity) Romans 12:13. John says in 1^st John 3:17-18 “If someone has worldly possessions and sees his brother (other people, his neighbor) in NEED, yet closes his heart against him (does not feel anything for this person), how can he be LOVING GOD? Children, let us LOVE not with WORDS and TALK, but with ACTIONS and in REALITY!”
• And in Romans 12:14 Paul proceeds with: “BLESS those who persecute you – BLESS THEM, don’t curse them!”
• REJOICE with those who rejoice, and WEEP with those who weep. Be SENSITIVE to each other’s NEEDS – don’t think yourselves better than others but make HUMBLE PEOPLE your FRIENDS. Don’t be conceited (self-important, vain, superior, arrogant/ proud) Romans 12:14-16.
• Repay no one evil for evil but try to DO what everyone regards as GOOD (decent, respectable, moral, honest, upright, virtuous, righteous) Romans 12:17.

If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, LIVE IN PEACE (shalom)  with ALL PEOPLE. Paul also highlighted in Romans 14:17 saying that the KINGDOM of GOD the Father is all about RIGHTEOUSNESS, SHALOM (peace) and JOY in the RUACH HAKODESH (the Holy Spirit). And Paul says in Colossians 3:15 “…let SHALOM (peace) which comes from the MESSIAH be your HEART’s DECISION MAKER (making a choice with your free will), for this is why you were called to be PART of a SINGLE BODY (the Body of Believers of Yeshua the Messiah).”

James confirms this saying in James 3:17-18 “But the WISDOM (understanding and knowledge) from ABOVE (from God the Father) is, FIRST of all PURE, then PEACEFUL, KIND, OPEN TO REASON, FULL OF MERCY and GOOD FRUITS, WITHOUT PARTIALITY (bias, one-sidedness) and WITHOUT HYPOCRISY (insincerity, falseness). And PEACEMAKERS who SOW SEED in PEACE RAISE a HARVEST of RIGHTEOSNESS.”

• And Paul further says in Romans 12, NEVER seek revenge, instead, leave that to God (the Father’s) anger; for in the Tanakh (the Old Testament) it is written, “YHVH says, Vengeance is My responsibility; I will repay.” (A reference to Deuteronomy 32:14). On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals (of shame) on his head.” (A reference to Proverbs 25:21-22). Romans 12:17-20.
•  Do not be conquered by evil, but CONQUER (overcome, master, defeat) evil (wickedness, sin/ iniquity/ depravity/ immorality, crime/ wrongdoing/ lawbreaking) with GOOD (being decent, respectable, moral, honest, upright, virtuous, righteous) Romans 12:21.

David asked God in Psalm19:14 to KEEP him as a servant of YHVH, from PRESUMPTUOUS (arrogant, rude, disrespectful) SINS (iniquities, depravities, immoralities, evil, wickedness), so that they won’t CONTROL him. And we read something similar in:

Romans 6:13-23 when Paul calls us to: “…not let sin rule in your mortal bodies, so that it makes you obey (submit to, follow, conform) its desires (wants, wishes, requirements, longings, cravings), and do not offer ANY part of yourselves to sin as an instrument for wickedness. On the contrary, OFFER yourselves to God as people ALIVE from the dead, and your various parts to God as INSTRUMENTS for RIGHTEOUSNESS. For sin will have NO authority (power, right) over you, because you are NOT under legalism (skewing and diminishing the Torah into a system of rule for earning God’s praise without trusting, loving or communing with Him, the Giver of the Torah), but under GRACE.  Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace? HEAVEN FORBID! Don’t you know that if you present yourselves to someone as OBEDIENT SLAVES, then, of the one whom you are OBEYING, you are slaves – whether of SIN, which LEADS to DEATH or of OBEDIENCE (to God the Father and His Word) which LEADS to being made RIGHTEOUS? By God (the Father’s) GRACE, you who were ones SLAVES of sin, OBEYED from your HEART the pattern of teaching to which you were exposed; and AFTER you have been SET FREE from sin, you BECAME ENSLAVED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (doing what is RIGHT and morally just in accordance to Abba Father’s Word). I am using popular language because your human nature is so weak. For just as you USED to offer your various parts as SLAVES to IMPURITY and LAWLESSNESS, which led to MORE LAWLESSNESS; so NOW offer your various parts as SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, which LEADS to being MADE HOLY, SET APART FOR GOD. For when you were SLAVES of SIN, you were FREE in relationship to RIGHTEOUSNESS (therefore, not living righteous); but WHAT BENEFIT did you derive from the things of which you are NOW ASHAMED? The END RESULT of THOSE THINGS WAS DEATH. (Do you REMEMBER in our previous message we learned from the Word that a lifestyle of sin will lead to SPIRITUAL DEATH while living on earth and after DEATH, will lead to not being allowed to ENTER the KINGDOM of GOD the FATHER). However, now, FREED from sin and (willingly, eagerly, happily) ENSLAVED TO GOD , you DO GET THE BENEFIT – it consists in being MADE HOLY, SET-APART  for GOD and its END RESULT is ETERNAL LIFE (being made alive spiritually while living on earth and after death being able to ENTER into the KINGDOM of God). For what one EARNS from SIN is DEATH; but ETERNAL LIFE is what one RECEIVES as a FREE GIFT from GOD (the FATHER), in UNION WITH THE MESSIAH YESHUA, our MASTER.

So what is Paul saying here?

We must understand as people we were DESIGNED to SERVE YHVH our GOD. So if we CHOOSE not to SERVE HIM, we WILL serve another master. Many are DECEIVED by the WORRIES of the WORLD and the DECEITFUL GLAMOR of WEALTH and the PLEASURES of LIFE and through this they SERVE the (small letter) god of this world, knowingly or unknowingly and they experience the fear, guilt and shame that accompanies a live of living in sin and therefore they have little or no peace and joy.

In Matthew 6:9-13 Yeshua our Messiah teaches His disciples how we should PRAY, namely: “Our Father in heaven! May YOUR NAME be kept HOLY. May YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE on earth as in heaven. Give us the food (our DAILY BREAD) we need today. FORGIVE us what we have DONE WRONG, as we too have FORGIVEN those who have wronged us. And do not lead us into HARD TESTING (other Bible versions says: into TEMPTATION), but KEEP us SAVE from the evil one (Satan and his evil forces). For KINGSHIP, POWER and GLORY are YOURS FOREVER.”

We therefore clearly see here a daily prayer to guard us against temptation and the evil one (Satan and his demonic forces).

In 1 Corinthians 10 from verse 11 Paul reminds us that we, living in the acharit- hayamim (the end of days) must learn from the WARNINGS in the historical events written in the Word and then we read from verses 12-14: “Therefore, let anyone who thinks he is standing up be careful not to fall! No temptation has seized you beyond what people experience, and God can be TRUSTED not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. On the contrary, along with the temptation He will also provide THE WAY OUT, so that you will be able to endure. Therefore, my dear friends, RUN FROM IDOLATRY!” And this is where it becomes our CHOICE to RUN from the TEMPTATION. God will make the WAY OUT, but you and I must CHOOSE not to submit to the temptations of the flesh, but instead, to RUN AWAY from it! Similarly to Joseph’s example of running away from Potiphar’s wife who tried her best to seduce him (read Genesis 39). And the reason why he was able to do it was because he DECIDED in his heart upfront he will not sin against God and neither against his neighbor, in this case, his master, Potiphar who entrusted him with his household. We see similar words in Psalm 119:11 where David says: “I treasure Your WORD in my HEART, so that I won’t sin against You.”

Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 “For the Messiah’s LOVE has hold us, because we are convinced that one Man died on behalf of ALL MANKIND and that He died on behalf of ALL in order that those who LIVE should not LIVE any longer for themselves but for the One who on their behalf DIED and was RAISED. So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is UNITED with the Messiah, he is a NEW CREATION – the old has passed; look what has come is FRESH and NEW! And it is ALL from GOD (the Father), who through the MESSIAH has RECONCILED us to HIMSELF and has given us the work of that RECONCILIATION. Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect God (the Father) is making this appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, ‘Be reconciled to God (the Father)!’ God made this sinless Man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that IN UNION with HM we might fully share in God’s RIGHTEOUSNESSS.”

And in Colossians 3:1-4 Paul says: “So if you were raised with the Messiah (meaning if you died to the OLD SELF, being baptized into the death of Yeshua the Messiah and raised as a NEW PERSON, depicted in FEAST SEASON 1 of YHVH, including THREE FEASTS, namely: Passover – the crucifixion of Yeshua our Messiah, Unleavened Bread – His three days in the grave and First Fruits – His resurrection), then SEEK the THINGS ABOVE, where the MESSIAH is SITTING at the RIGHT HAND of GOD (the Father). FOCUS your MINDS (your soul, your thoughts, your decisions with your free will) on the THINGS ABOVE, not on the things on earth. For you have DIED, and your LIFE is HIDDEN with the MESSIAH in GOD (the Father). When the MESSIAH, WHO IS OUR LIFE, APPEARS, then you too WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY!”

And in James 5:19-20 James said to the believers: “My brothers, if one of you wanders from the TRUTH (the Word of Abba Father), and someone causes him to RETURN, you should know that whoever TURNS a SINNER from his WANDERING PATH WILL SAVE him from DEATH (eternal death, also called the second death, read Revelation 20:14-15) and COVER MANY SINS.”

May this be our aim as part of the GREAT COMMISSION given by Yeshua our Messiah to all believers, and may we start with ourselves in following Yeshua our Messiah, THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE and through Him, return to the TRUTH of ABBA FATHER’s WORD from our wandering paths as sinners on the broad way of the world, discovering and develop our GIFTS with the help of the Holy Spirit and then helping others to find their way back, and discovering their GIFTS, SAVING us all from DEATH and COVERING MANY SINS (Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Corinthians 13:7).

Peter said in line with this in 1 Peter 4:7-8 “The accomplishment of the GOAL of ALL THINGS is close at hand. Therefore, KEEP ALERT (WAKE UP and STAY AWAKE) and SELF-CONTROLLED, so that you can PRAY. More than anything, KEEP LOVING each other ACTIVELY (enthusiastically/ willingly/ devotedly and intentionally going beyond mere feelings or words but taking intentional actions demonstrating love through actions); because LOVE COVERS MANY SINS, meaning GODLY (holy, righteous, honest, sincere) LOVE, 1 Corinthians 13 type of LOVE, BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES (trusts, have faith and hope in) ALL THINGS and ENDURES ALL THINGS. And ONLY LOVE will LAST FOREVER because GOD THE FATHER IS LOVE (read 1 John 4:16).” I therefore pray that Abba Father will teach us this type of LOVE, His LOVE, demonstrated by Yeshua our Messiah, through His Holy Spirit, to enable us to LOVE Him above all else and to LOVE other people as ourselves.