Because Elohim, who commanded the light to arise from darkness, has Himself shined in our hearts, that we might be illuminated with the knowledge of the glory of Elohim on the face of Y’shua the Mashiyach.* 7. But we have this treasure in an earthen vessel that the excellence of the power might be from Elohim, and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:6-7 AENT pg. 542)
* A.G. Roth: This verse strengthens the idea that the glory of Elohim is “reflected” in Y’shua’s face.
And hereby is his love perfected with us; that we may have open countenances in the day of judgment; because as he was, so also are we in this world. 18. In love there is no fear; but perfect love casts out fear; because fear exists in peril, and he that fears* is not perfected in love.
(1 John 4:17-18 AENT pg. 658)
* A.G. Roth: This refers to the fear of man, the fear of loss and every other form of fear, except the Fear of YHWH. The Fear of YHWH helps to perfect the love of YHWH. A young child is taught about boundaries to protect and sustain the child’s welfare. The more understanding a child has of their boundaries and environment, the more likely they will not fall into danger. A child does not have the knowledge of their parent; neither does mankind have all the knowledge that YHWH has. When YHWH establishes righteous boundaries for mankind, it is only a fool who oversteps them.
And everyone that practices sin, perpetrates iniquity; for all sin is iniquity. (1 John 3:4 AENT pg. 654).
“…all sin is iniquity.” Sin and iniquity are equivalent according to the “New Testament,” more aptly called the Renewed Covenant. But what is iniquity?
The dictionary defines iniquity as “lack of justice or righteousness; wickedness; injustice.” The page at Dictionary.com includes a usage example from the Torah (Exodus 34:6-7). Iniquity (lack of righteousness) can therefore be described as “Lawlessness,” which is “Torah-lessness” for those who consider the Bible to be Divinely inspired by the Creator.
You therefore, my beloved, as you know (these things) beforehand, guard yourselves or else, by going after the error of the Torahless, you fall from your steadfastness. (2 Peter 3:17 AENT pg.458).
While sin is sin, meaning that sin is Torahlessness, without compromise, keep in mind that there is a difference between the occasional lapse vs. a lifestyle of practicing sin:
Everyone that is born of Elohim does not practice sin because his seed is in him and he cannot sin because he is born of Elohim. (1 John 3:9 AENT pg.654)
Secondly, our Father in Heaven has always been merciful towards those who repent:
YHWH, YHWH El, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7).
Does your Sword need sharpening? Pick up your copy of the Aramaic NT today:
“Therefore let us also, who have all these witnesses surrounding us like clouds, cast from us all encumbrances and sin which is always prepared for us; and let us run with patience the race that is appointed for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 AENT pg.424).
Notice here how we are encouraged to remove ourselves not only from sin, but ALSO from “encumbrances.”
Encumbrances must be somehow different from “sin:” Why else would the writer distinguish the two using the separator “and?” Therefore, we can improve our Race by removing (1) sin and (2) encumbrances from our lives. Here we will focus on #2. However, the NT definition of sin may surprise you: Check here and here.
Back to “encumbrances:” Are there things in your life which slow down your race, even if they’re not firmly in the “sin” category? Take a moment and prayerfully consider this.
Chocolate may not qualify as sin, but it could be an encumbrance; caffeine and alcohol are arguably in this same category. With what reading material do we fill our minds? Which TV shows, movies, music do we allow past the gates of our eyes & ears? Which relationships hinder our walk, and which friends exhort us higher? Our expenditures of time, money, and resources: Are these an encumbrance to our race? It is up to the individual to decide for themselves.
Consider the witnesses who surround us who are mentioned in the previous chapter: Hebrews 11. Consider the shortness of this present life compared with eternity. Are we really running our race with patience, efficiency, with a goal to actually win?
Don’t you know that they who run in the stadium, run all of them; yet it is one who gains the victory. You run so as to attain. 25. For everyone who engages in the contest restrains his desires in everything. And they run to obtain a crown that perishes; but we, one that does not perish. 26. I therefore so run, not as for something unknown; and I so struggle, not as struggling against air; 27. But I subdue my body, and reduce it to servitude; lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should despise myself. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 AENT pg.514.)
May the Messiah Y’shua bless your race.
Teddy,
Yerubilee
Do you find the translation of these NT verses to be attractive? They have been translated into English directly from the Aramaic–the language spoken by Messiah Y’shua. More info at the link below:
P.S. The Aramaic-speaking Syrian church has always known without a doubt that the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews was Paul the Apostle. This fact was only debated in the West, never in the East.
One man discriminates between days; and another judges all days alike. But let every one be sure in regard to his knowledge. 6. He that esteems a day, esteems (it) for his Master: and he that esteems not a day for his Master, he does not esteem (it). And he that eats, eats to his Master and gives thanks to Elohim: and he that eats not to his Master he eats not and gives thanks to Elohim. (Romans 14:5 AENT)