My Dearest Zeteo;

Greetings of peace and joy to you, my dear friend. I was delighted with your response to my latest challenge, and thankful to receive your reply. It is difficult to draw lines in the sand today, especially when society is having such a hard time even recognizing the beach. The value of the truth is growing daily, however, and my concern for your search of these things is greater today than ever before. Speaking out against social ills is very much a part of the truth that Ruach ha Qodesh has given me, but it is in speaking out about these matters that many will take offense. I was concerned about how my last letter might affect you, and I must confess that in spite of God's promises - I was worried. Surely, my perception of God's truth will be unacceptable to some, but I am thankful for your eagerness to hear more. I am equally thankful that you are following the law of comparison, and verifying everything that I am teaching against the Word of God.

It would be a simple task for me to state that, by enduring His crucifixion [tc], Yahshuah ha Mashiach offered His life as a sacrifice for our sins, and that by personally accepting His sacrifice; we receive complete forgiveness [tc] and acceptance from our Father in Heaven. And, in that acceptance, we receive eternal life. But being told these facts does not really explain how to apply Yahshuah ha Mashiach as the cure for sin today. Additionally, I can tell you that through Yahshuah you are saved, but if I cannot produce examples of what His salvation provides, or that eternal death is in fact a reality, what motivation is there for you to deal with Him?

Yahshuah said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). While many ignore this statement, or view His remark only in its application to eternal life, the fact of the matter is that His salvation also came, "To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness [tc] before Him all our days" (Luke 1:74-75). In order to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all our days then, His salvation must provide the means whereby our lives can be changed moment by moment and day to day - Today... Praise be unto our King, because it does!

Everything changed with the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, but another change transpired at the cross of Calvary when Yahshuah died for our sins. Through His sacrifice, He provided restoration to all who would receive Him as Messiah and Master. Our failure to adhere to God's rules introduced us to the curse of submission, authority and death. Man was meant to have a helpmate, not a subordinate - women was meant to have a partner, not a boss. And we were meant to live forever. Our knowledge of good and evil has in fact made us, "Like God" (Genesis 3:5), inasmuch as we now know good and evil, but unlike God, until we declare our faith in Yahshuah, we do not possess His righteousness, holiness or truth and eternal death looms upon us. Upon declaring our faith in the Messiah, however, we receive the power and authority to abide within the boundaries of submission and authority unto Him, and death no longer holds sway over our eternal existence. And, His Ruach ha Qodesh is given to us, to the same degree that He was given to Yahshuah, so that we can exert righteous authority in our lives, and walk with God (obediently) in the Garden once again.

Salvation through Yahshuah comes in two waves, Zeteo. First, in accepting the reality of His crucifixion, we accept Him as Messiah. We are saved by His sacrifice. His Blood is our atonement - our covering. When we approach our Heavenly Father, He cannot see our sins, because the blood of Yahshuah covers those sins. The second wave of salvation is found in accepting the Mastership of Yahshuah - in and over our lives. We are not saved by anything we have done, but we are saved to live for God's glory, and obedience to the call and leading of God is imperative to maintaining salvation. [This is a monumental area of dispute within the religious institutions].

Obedience to the Mastership of our Messiah does not impel every soul to a life of evangelism, apostleship, pastoral ministry, or any other set of duties. Not all have the same gift. Nor does His Mastership commit every believer to a life of poverty, or promise every disciple a life of abundance. We each have a unique call. Obedience to the Mastership of our Messiah means that we follow His direction. We may never be called to evangelize, but our obedient lifestyle may offer a testimony to thousands of souls throughout our lifetime. The fact remains, however, that if He commands His children to obey, it must be possible for them to honor His wish. He provides the tools we need!

Listen to the Word of God: "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and reverence, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in you faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, reverence, and in your reverence, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Master Yahshuah ha Mashiach. For as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Messiah Yahshuah ha Mashiach will be abundantly supplied to you" (2 Peter 1:3-11).

These Words do not present an obscure promise of future victories, Zeteo, but clearly speak of application and victory - Today! As His followers, sin and the curse cause us difficulty as we attempt to partake of the divine nature, but as His followers, these things are no longer masters over us. Yahshuah is our Master when we submit to His Mastership, and Yahshuah's sacrifice provides a complete atonement, a complete covering, not a partial or flawed restoration. The full Gospel provides victory now, as well as for eternity.

The Bible says we can overcome sin (Genesis 4:7). Elsewhere we are admonished to "choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). We have been told to, "Depart from evil and do good" (Psalms 37:27), and, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God" (Psalms 50:23). Therefore, it must be God's will that we do these things - But How?

By accepting the sacrifice of Messiah, and through our faithful obedience to His Mastership, we are released from the power and authority of sin (Romans & Galatians). Satan cannot stand before the Blood of the Lamb. Does this mean we are perfect and flawless in our faith-walk, and that we will never sin again? NO, in all truthfulness, it does not. We are sinners. And we all fall short of the glory of God. By accepting the sacrifice of Messiah though, we find God's forgiveness as we faithfully strive to obey our Master.

You see, Zeteo, sin caused a rift between humanity and God. And once mankind submitted to sin, we affectively surrendered ourselves to Satan's dominion. But God, knowing what was going to happen beforehand, developed a plan whereby we could elect to return to His Kingdom. It is important to know, however, that just as Adam and Eve chose to defy God, we have the same freedom of choice today. And just as Yahshuah chose to submit and suffer on the cross, each person has the right to choose whether they will "overcome" evil through Yahshuah, or not. This is our free will. [More on this in a moment].

Just so you understand, the word sin, simply means, "missing the mark." When God says, "There is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7: 20); He is saying that no man is capable of always hitting the mark. We ALL miss - we ALL fall short. While our goal is to live above the curse, as humans we sometimes miss the mark. The difference that should be noticeable in the life of every Disciple of Yahshuah, however, is that God's children should be missing the mark much less frequently as we mature.

Furthermore, the Word of God offers a parable to those who believe they are without sin (Luke 18: 9-14), and any who doubt that they miss the mark should hear God on that point. Yet, as disciples who are born-again to life anew, we are told that sin is not to overtake us. In Genesis 4:7, the Master told Cain, "Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." God says we can master sin. But this verse should also compel us to ask, "Why is sin crouching at the door?" "Why does sin desire me?" "Why does sin even exist?"

I believe that understanding Lucifer is essential to answering these questions, because Satan is sin's originator. God created Lucifer as a magnificent being (Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:11-19), but as children of God, our position, authority and splendor will exceed what Lucifer enjoyed. God is offering His kingdom to His children. Nothing will be withheld from us. If the power, authority and splendor given to Lucifer made him think he was greater than God, what makes us think we would be more prepared to handle these things than he?

Life is intended to prepare us for God's kingdom, that we "Might become partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). Life is meant to teach us who we are in relationship to God. Without sin, our pride could be as Satan's, making us useless to God. Through sin though, we learn humility, and although God says, "I will remember their sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17), He never promised that we would ever forget them. The remembrances of our sin (s) will surely keep pride in check. Eternally!

I recall my experiences in Vietnam as if they occurred yesterday. I left that country in November 1968. I recall them, but I cannot experience the pain of my memories any longer. I recall when my parents died, but while I may still miss them, I am unable to feel the anguish of their passing today. Sin, in our eternal memory, will be like those recollections. Forevermore in our remembrance, we will humbly throw our crowns before God's throne, and fall on our face in praise, worship and thanksgiving to the God who loved us enough to die for us. Our repentant sin prepares us to humbly meet God. And it prepares us to take on the full role of a child of God. Lucifer is given as an example!

Furthermore, God says, "Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Yahshuah might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith that was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Yahshuah, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor" (Galatians 3:22-25). Knowledge of sin came through the law (Romans 3:20). If the law produces sin, and the law is our tutor (Galatians 3), then sin is a tool of the law, as a tutor. If the intent of sin is to teach humility and obedience before God, and to remind us of His greatness and our lowliness, then once we learn these things, sin becomes an encumbrance; sin is no longer necessary. Through Yahshuah ha Mashiach, God has given us His divine power, glory and excellence, that by these we could "Escape the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Peter 1:4).

In other words, the law [tc] was introduced to teach us about sin. Once we know the truth about sin - its purpose (humility), affect (death) and cure (Yahshuah ha Mashiach) - and accept the cure, sin becomes unnecessary. The Books of Romans and Galatians teach this truth, but the institutions desiring to enslave the EKKLESIA openly deny these things.

Once we discover the truth about sin though, which comes only through an outpouring of God's grace, and we humbly bow to the throne of glory, confessing our sin and claiming the redemption of our soul through the Blood of Yahshuah ha Mashiach, sin is no longer needed. We have learned the lessons the law intended to teach. Paul said we do not nullify the law through faith, we establish it (Romans 3:31). We establish the law by confessing our sin and need for the Messiah. As life proceeds, we offer and plead the Blood of our Messiah daily, as His priests, and abide under the covering (atonement) that He has provided. WE ARE NOT PERFECT, JUST FORGIVEN!

In this understanding of sin, we can come to terms with the fact that once we learn the truth about sin, we can master it. "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Mashiach Yahshuah have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Mashiach was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:1-4). Just as we choose Yahshuah as our Messiah, we continue to choose Him as Master, ordering our lives right before Him. We can do these things! Unfortunately, we have not been taught this truth.

The spiritual battle takes on an entirely different complexion when we understand that victory has already been won in Yahshuah. We have the victory, but the race is not over (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3). As mankind struggles daily with issues of life, God's children are free to produce the fruit of the Spirit. The bearing of fruit is evidence of His indwelling, and stands in direct conflict with the deeds of the flesh [tc] (Galatians 5:16-24). Every Disciple has the authority to declare their life aright, and the indwelling Spirit is given to help us make it so, but we also have the freedom to elect not to do them. We can choose. If we select correctly, our lives will change:

Dealing with humanity, as a whole, should be different for God's children. We are commanded to, "Love your neighbor...Love your enemy...Love them as I have loved you." We must recognize that our Heavenly Father created every soul, and we are free to love His created beings.
God's children should treat the environment [tc] with utmost respect. We know who created the world and declared it "good", and as wise stewards, therefore, we must guard everything He has given us. We do not worship the creation, as many are now inclined, but we prize and care for that which God has given us - out of respect for Him.
The Disciple's view of material possessions [tc] should be different too. If all things are from God, and if we surrender everything back to Him, then we acknowledge that we actually possess nothing - here. Our kingdom is with God, and our riches are stored with Him. The material possessions He permits us, are to be used for His glory.
While Tribulation is part of every life, God's children have the capacity, through Yahshuah, to face tribulation with unswerving faith. Troubles do not go away because of faith, but our understanding regarding God, who is in charge, allows us to endure those situations.

Our lives are to be a testimony to the Gospel of Yahshuah our Messiah. As His children, what we say and do can reflect the fact that, while we are sinners, we have been set free from sin. In spite of our errors, we can press on, repenting when we miss the mark. We are His ambassadors, and the application of His Mastership to our everyday life should give us the courage to confront whatever issue befalls us.

The plan laid out in God's Word requires that we wholeheartedly submit, "as unto God"; man to Yahshuah and woman to man, in spite of our knowledge of good and evil. Everything here is temporary. Whether pleasant or troubling - it will pass. We do not know the number of our days, and each day may be our last. Can we submit daily? Can we set ourselves down humbly before God, and submit to Him, as well as to each other, on a moment-by-moment, day-by-day basis? This is what God wants us to do, and if it is His will, then it must be attainable.

In our discussion on prayer, I said that as we determine the will of God, and faithfully ask for the fulfillment of His will, He would provide the means. If we lack the capacity to do any portion of His expressed will, we need only ask, "In the name of Yahshuah", and He will strengthen us in our desire to please Him. Yahshuah's Blood demolishes the curse, therefore, because as we confront the enemy in spiritual warfare, we plead the power of the Blood of the Lamb upon every evil, rebuking it in the name of Yahshuah ha Mashiach, and through the Blood of the Lamb the curse is obscured, forcing every evil to flee from HIS presence. This is how we overcome!

Am I perfect? Absolutely NOT! Do I always hit the mark? Absolutely NOT! Does every act of my life please my Master and Messiah? God forgive me, NO! "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Mashiach Yahshuah" (Philippians 3:13-14). This is precisely what Paul was speaking of, Zeteo, but we have learned to disregard what Ruach ha Qodesh has taught us. We must not disregard Him any longer!

And, spiritually speaking, the curse of Genesis 3 is also meant for our good. In Matthew 6:25-34, Yahshuah offered His counsel regarding matters of life: food, drinks, clothing and time. His command is simple, "Do not be anxious." In contrast, He says we should "seek" our heavenly Father and His kingdom. Favorable application of the curse is possible only through faith in the Son of God, because in Him it is no longer a burden. Our not being anxious must be applied to the areas of sex and race, or anything else that is totally out of our control, because as we seek the will of our Heavenly Father, these matters become insignificant. The curse becomes beneficial - in this lifetime - as we submit to God's will.

The relationship between the sexes was marred greatly in the Garden of Eden, but the repair completed by Yahshuah at Calvary, restores our relationships. His cure though, is the only possible reconciliation available between humanity and God.

Unquestionably, many women are capable of teaching men spiritual things, just as many women are better than men in matters of math, science, athletics or any other area of endeavor. To consider otherwise is a sin. But women cannot become overseers, elders, pastors or teachers of men, in the Church. Simply, God has given men these responsibilities - it is a spiritual law. Our finite knowledge of good and evil, coupled with the fact that we live in a world under Satan's influence, dictate that we are in no condition to debate the qualities of God's law, as we see them. Like spanking and physical discipline, we lose by following man instead of God, but God's cure sets us free from being "anxious" over these matters, and gives us the power to abide by His commands.

Spiritually, ability is not at issue; obedience and submission are. When we consider Yahshuah, we see a faithfully submissive Servant, whom we are to imitate (Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 5:1). Our gifts, calling or sex, can never be a source of pride, because even though spiritual leadership and decision making fall upon the man, everything must be based upon the Word of God, through prayer, in submission to our Messiah, and everything must be applied and acted upon in the love of Yahshuah.

While Jezebel insists upon leading and having her way, and punishes her spouse, mentally, physically or sexually, whenever he decides against her wishes, apostate Ahab will either surrender leadership and the decision making process, or be arbitrary and contentious in his actions. The Blood of our Messiah, however, empowers us to submit and obey to God's will, and to each other. Mankind frequently uses Scripture as a whip, applying a verse to their benefit, while ignoring the whole of God's Word. If Yahshuah is the cure, His Word will be a source of healing, not pain; a source of exhortation and conviction, for repentance and salvation, not for abuse or personal edification.

The following points offer a few of the most abused passages, in the area of gender, and expose the true nature of God's Word. Please read the passages, my friend, and consider the context of the verse. Then, in your understanding, you will know when a passage is being used as a whip:

1 Corinthians 14:34-36 directs women to maintain silence in the Ekklesia, and instructs them to be in subjection to their husband. In context, this passage:
    Follows teachings on the use of the gifts, which are given equally (with some restrictions) to every member of the body (1 Corinthians 12).
    Follows the definitive teaching on love (1 Corinthians 13).
    Precedes a command that all things must be "done properly and in an orderly manner," including submission and authority - applied to both sexes (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Ephesians 5:22-24 & 33, speaks of subjection and respect, and in context:
    Follows a reminder that all are sinners saved by grace (Ephesians 2).
    Follows a teaching on faithful stewardship (Ephesians 3).
    Follows a chapter defining the unity of the body under Yahshuah, and confirms our purpose (Ephesians 4).
    Is mingled between extensive commands to men; to love, sanctify, nourish and cherish their wives, which applied, make it impossible to disobey the rules of submission and authority.

Colossians 3:18-25, talks of subjection, love and obedience. In context it:
    Follows God's desire that the EKKLESIA be filled with the, "Knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).
    Follows a teaching of being built-up through discipline (Colossians 2:5).
    Follows instructions to conquer false teachings (Colossians 2:15).
    Follows the command to put on the new self (Colossians 3:2).

The husband/wife relationship is a spiritual type of the Messiah, Zeteo. A faithful marriage is a testimony to the unsaved world. The faithfulness of a submissive wife, alongside the faithful exercise of God's authority by the husband, present the love of Yahshuah to the world. There is no room for physical, mental or spiritual abuse in this relationship, and capitulation of authority violates the pattern provided. God hates divorce and abuse, because they present a picture of abandonment to the world, but Yahshuah never abused His EKKLESIA, nor did He abandon it to Satan. Otherwise, we would be eternally lost in our sin.

Our sin has placed both men and women under the curse of submission and authority, but just as marriage is a type of the Messiah, through marriage we can also see the fullness of our release from the curse in Him. The Blood of the Lamb, applied to marriage, parallels the application of His Blood to our individual lives, because we are the bride and He is the Bridegroom.

Husbands are to protect their wife and children, not belittle, overpower or ignore. Wives are to faithfully submit, not rebel or dominate. We must not miss the point that, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). The false shepherds have neglected to protect the sheep by not teaching about spiritual warfare, humility or submission, and by not teaching about our victory through His Blood. We must apply our knowledge in our daily walk though, and glorify God, because abiding in faithful submission complies with the will of God. We have found His will! Therefore, in Yahshuah, we can abide. That is reconciliation. And that is the victory we can have through God's cure!

A current "hot" topic in American politics is the family, but anyone who believes a politician can solve our nations ills, while the same politician turns their back on God, is deceived. It is not Family, when a morally and financially bankrupt government spends trillions of borrowed dollars on abortion, welfare, phony social programs, corrupt foreign aid or space programs, while men, women and children are starving and homeless across the land. Family is not releasing rapists and murderers into society, while those who protest the murder of innocent unborn children are sent to prison. The infrastructure of America is collapsing, because we have turned our back on God. These issues must be reconciled to Him though, because only in the Word of God, through Yahshuah, can we find hope, understanding for family and His solution to our national ills. Politicians do not understand these matters, but His disciples must.

In Yahshuah, we see a completely different picture of men, women and family, and how they are to relate. Our photograph of marriage [tc] and the family, maintained in context, is one of harmony, compassion and love, and differs radically from the world's view. The teaching on the husband/wife relationship is even more explicit though, and in returning to the fullness of the Gospel; in returning to the Blood of the Lamb, we can claim His reconciliation for every relationship. Let's explore the family and marriage for awhile then, so we can learn about His will for us, and learn how else salvation through Yahshuah can cure us from our sin:

The family began the moment God created woman. In Genesis 2:21-24, we are told that God "fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man" (2:22). Upon seeing Eve for the first time, Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (2:23). God added, "For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (2:24).

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!
How can this be?

In God's sight, He sees a married couple as one. As long as married couples view each other as individuals, they remain individuals. But if a couple will put on "spiritual" glasses, and look at each other through God's eyes, they will see "one person". That is exactly what God says, that is exactly what God sees, and that is exactly what God wants us to see.

God says the two are one flesh. They are one flesh so much so that an unbeliever is saved through marriage to a Disciple of Yahshuah. This salvation comes about for the sake of the children - provided they remain together (1 Corinthians 7:12-16), which means that reconciliation through Yahshuah is all inclusive.

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!
What else does God say about marriage?

"The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does" (1 Corinthians 7:4). "So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Mashiach also does the Ekklesia, because we are members of His body" (Ephesians 5:28-29). What God is saying is, in marriage, we are one, and as one, we are the sole authority of the other's body. We are to cherish our mate's body as if it were our own - because it is!

If I violate the physical body in which I dwell, spiritually I am violating my mate, because she has authority over my body. If I use the body I occupy in an illicit affair, I am using her possession sinfully. If I deny her pleasure, I am denying myself. If I strike her, I damage myself. My actions involving the body I occupy, either sanctify or desecrate her, and what she does to the body she occupies, sanctifies or desecrates me. In pleasing each other, we actually please ourselves.

Through Yahshuah, we can surrender rightful ownership of our bodies to our partners, and be reconciled to our spouse. Imagine the impact that a complete surrendering can have on a marriage. Imagine the ecstasy of a sexual relationship so united and anointed. The Song of Solomon is our standard and goal in this area, and this is the will of God for us. We can enjoy this harmony when we permit the Blood of the Lamb to cover our marriage.

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!

If we view each other in spiritual unity, adultery, abuse and divorce will end. Through Yahshuah we have the liberty to freely submit to each other, and in our submission, we become one. The command, that any found in adultery, be stoned to death, has new meaning, when we know that the sinning partner has defiled their mate's body. The innocent partner is released from the bondage which the sin has placed "their" body, through the death of their mate, because the marriage bond is nullified upon the death of a mate. Even though repentance is important to this issue, we must also acknowledge the spiritual implication of divorce, because divorce is a type of death.

And, while oneness is a spiritual truth, divorce [tc] is also a reality of Scripture and life, which necessitates that we understand this issue as well. God has provided divorce as a means whereby we can live with the consequences of our sin, because we do miss the mark. Once again though, the matter of divorce has been distorted, and many brethren are caught in the maelstrom of an angry, spiteful and financially corrupt legal system. Instead of displaying the loving reconciliation of Yahshuah, many professing 'Christians' are falling in line with the rest of the world when confronted with separation. God provided for divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9; and 1 Corinthians 7:12-16), but His provision is not for the way we do it today:

The first provision for divorce is connected to what I call, "The first command of marriage". Simply, the command is that we, "not to be bound together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6: 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:21). As disciples of Yahshuah, we are not to date or marry unbelievers. This is a difficult order, but implementing this command is easier than living a lifetime with a mate who does not believe as we do. (And please keep in mind that this is not speaking of a disciple who finds the Master after they marry an unbeliever). The dating Disciple of Yahshuah must never be deceived into believing they will convert their "mate" after marriage, because although possible, Satan can bind a marriage for years, and the life of discipleship will be hindered during that time.

God has allowed for His children who find themselves unequally bound, however (1 Corinthians 7:12-16), and as we consider these matters, we must keep in mind that the Word of God has literal and spiritual applications. When we are told to "let" an unbelieving mate leave, we must recognize that the spiritual and mental aspect of "leaving," is as important as the literal, because the impact is the same. Hear what God says on this issue:
In 1 Corinthians 7:12-13, God speaks to the believer who is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever "consents to live with" the believer. The Greek word for "consents" is SUNEUDOKEO, and it means to be like-minded. Having like-mindedness with a disciple of Yahshuah, means the unbelieving mate allows for, and cooperates with, the spiritual and physical demands of their partner's faith.
1 Corinthians 7:15 speaks to the believer who is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever leaves, because of their mates faith. If the unbeliever physically leaves, we are told that the faithful servant "is not under bondage." Divorce under this circumstance is authorized.

I also believe that this passage provides for the faithful disciple who is married to an abusive mate, and the abusive unbeliever does not physically leave. Physical, mental and sexual abuse is denial of the conditions of 1 Corinthians 7, because spiritual "consent" is absent when abuse is present. Like-mindedness is absent when abuse exists. Every Disciple of Yahshuah must protect his or her self from an abusive situation - as well as protect any children they may have. Therefore, I contend that 1 Corinthians 7 provides an umbrella covering those children. If an unbelieving mate abuses the disciple or their children, the disciple is required to save themselves and their children from that abuse. The believer is free to "send away", or leave the non-consenting spouse. They are not under bondage.

The second area of sanctioned divorce involves chastity and immorality. What should the Disciple do when they discover their spouse has committed adultery? As disciples, we cannot bow to Baal one moment, return to God the next, and expect God to be pleased. If we repeatedly stray from the Master, we trample under foot the Blood of the Lamb. Adultery parallels idolatry, and just as God seeks faithful servants, He expects His children to remain faithful to each other. Sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV and AIDS, may very well represent the plague of idolatry, as God views it, and we must rightfully ask how the offended mate can ever trust their partner again, following an adulterous affair. What security is there in an adulterous union? While God speaks against allowing an errant spouse to return (Jeremiah 3), He also speaks of forgiveness. How do we apply this?

On the matter of reconciliation, including chastity and divorce, we are to forgive, so God can forgive us. Sins have been committed; repentance and forgiveness must pour from our hearts. Yahshuah is our focus, and reconciliation must be our individual goal. Separation cannot be laden with hatred, and divorce between disciples cannot be Satan's playground. Because we miss the mark, God has provided a means whereby we can live with the consequences of our sin. Divorce between disciples, however, must display the love of Yahshuah.

Ezra was faced with a situation where the nation of Israel, including the priests and Levites, had intermarried with their heathen neighbors (Ezekiel 9:2). In so doing, they were called "unfaithful". The decrees from God to us about adultery, divorce and intermarriage, are as strong today as they were then. We are a nation of priests, but through our infidelities, we are "defiling" the nation.

Men and women who have divorced for whatever reason, must repent and reconcile, insofar as they are able. In light of the Word of God, divorced couples must reunite wherever possible, but where circumstances make reuniting impossible, reconciliation and forgiveness must be evident. All unfair and suppressive "settlements" must be renegotiated in the sight of God, and whatever is unjust or unrighteous, especially where children are involved, must be repented of, and reconciled. God will not be mocked!

God's children must wake up, and come alive in the fullness of Yahshuah in our lives, because all who believe on Yahshuah ha Mashiach as Messiah and Master are CHILDREN OF God. The precious Blood of the Lamb cleanses us. And if we believe that is so, how do you think God would have us act? How would God have us deal with our mates and children? How would God have us behave in our dealings with other men and women? The outline of marriage, provided by God, presents exciting realities and prospects for us, but Satan has distorted every teaching that has come from the Throne of Glory. Reconciliation through Yahshuah overcomes all evil though, and allows us to live for Him - today!

We must also unite in the spiritual battle being fought for our children, and repent from the spirit of abandonment. We must reconcile once again with the God who created us, and with the children He has provided.

I truly believe that the reconciliation of many of these things within the world will be a product of a revival, Zeteo. As people reform their lives under Yahshuah, and acknowledge His Mastership, revival will sweep around the world. A spirit of humble victory must accompany revival though, because revival comes at a great cost: The Blood of the Lamb. As we plead His Blood upon the circumstances of our lives though, we must also seek for the destruction of those fortresses that stand against Him. We are commanded to pray for these things, and we cannot be timid any longer.

As the return of Yahshuah nears, every living soul will have an opportunity to reassess their life in the Light of the Messiah. While many will reject God's cure, the daughters of Yahshuah will find and apply the truth of God's plan for them. And as the world laughs and mocks, the sons of Yahshuah will fully acknowledge their role, applying God's truth in submission to His Mastership. Yahshuah prayed that we would be one (John 17); therefore, it is His will that we be united in love once again, like in the Garden, before the fall. He has provided the way. The Good News, the full Gospel of Yahshuah our Messiah, sets us free from bondage to sin and the curse. We all have sinned, and we are all born under the curse, but the sacrifice of Yahshuah releases us from that bondage. We are free to serve Him in newness of life, because His Blood covers us. As we determine to follow Him, however, we must grasp the completeness of reconciliation - not only man's reconciliation to God, but man to man, man to woman, man and woman to the world, and the world to God, because His Blood covers everything that He originally declared "good."

The Good News comes in two waves, however, and the second wave is causing tremendous failure throughout Babylon, because the false religious institutions cannot abide by the actions that must be taken. Yahshuah is our Master, just as much as He is our Messiah. Obedience to His commands are fundamental to salvation and a fruitful life. While many cling to the cross, proclaiming salvation, they ignore His Mastership and defile the very cross to which they cling. Obedience is our free choice, however, and we can elect to obey, or not. We can elect to abide, or not. God will not force His will upon us. By ignoring and denying the truth of choice, however, and by rejecting His Mastership in the process, Babylon is about to pay a very steep price - as you will see.

We have already received forgiveness, my friend. We have already inherited the kingdom of God. Eternity has already begun for those who have accepted Yahshuah as Messiah and Master. And these things are free. The blood that Yahshuah shed on the cross covers us. When our heavenly Father looks upon us, the blood of His Son covering us prevents Him from seeing the sin that would otherwise be evident. And, in the purity that His blood covering provides, we can stand before our Father's throne as His children. And as children of God, eternal life is ours - and that life begins today!

Enjoy the freedom and liberty of the Messiah, Zeteo. Find the fullness of that which you are seeking. He is standing at the door of your heart, knocking. Will you let Him in? My heartfelt prayer is for you, dear friend, that you may know beyond doubt the fullness of your search. My peace I give to you.

As always, I remain faithfully yours in Yahshuah our Messiah,

larry vosen

Topical concordance:

Anxiety/Depression - Vs - Hope/Trust:
Old Testament: Psalms 12:25, 37(all), 38:18, 55:22-23; Isaiah (all).

New Testament: Matthew 6:25-34, 10:19-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 10:41-42, 12:4-7, 12:11-12, 12:22-32; Philippians 4:6; 1Peter 5:7.

Commandments, The Ten:
Old Testament: Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 7:9, 21:23, 27:26; Joshua 22:5; 1Chronicles 22:13, 28:8-9; Proverbs (all), 2:1-5, 3:1-12, 6:23-24; Isaiah (all), 58; Jeremiah (all), 6:16-21.

New Testament: Matthew 5:18-22, 7:12, 12:11-12, 19:16-19, 22:36-40; Mark 7:8,12:28-24; John 8:31-32, 13:15,21,34-35, 14:21, 15(all); Acts 15:1-35; Galatians 3:13; Titus 1:14-15; 1John 2:3-11, 3:2-3,22-24, 4:21, 5:2-3,17; 2John 1:4-9.

Deeds of the flesh:
Old Testament: Genesis 9:20-27; Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy (all); Job 11:20, 24:13, 28:28; Psalms 4:4-5, 5:4-7, 37:27, 50:23; Jeremiah 7:8-11; Micah 2(all); Habakkuk 1-2(all).

New Testament: Matthew 15:19-20; Mark 7:14-23; Romans 1:32-2:3, 6:15-22, 8:5-8, 12-14(all); 1 Corinthians 3:3, 6:9-11, 7:2,9; 2 Corinthians 5:13-15, 7:1, 12:20-21, 13:7; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 1:4, 2(all), 4:31, 5:3-14; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:5-17, 3:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 5:22; 1 Timothy 1:8-11, 5:6-25, 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9, 2:11-13; Hebrews 2:18, 6:7-8, 10:26-31, 12:1-2, 13:4; James 1:14-21, 2:2-6, 3:6, 3:14-15, 4:1-2; 1 Peter 1:14-16, 2:1,11-12, 4:3-5; 2 Peter 1:4, 2:1-19, 3:3; 1 John 3:4-10; 2 John 1:9; Jude 1:7-16; Revelation 9:20-21, 21:7-8, 22:15.

Divorce:
Old Testament: Exodus (all); Leviticus (all); Deuteronomy (all); Ezra 9-10(all); Jeremiah 3:1-5; Malachi 2:14-16.

New Testament: Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7(all), 11:3,7,11-12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 5:9; Hebrews 13:4.

Environment:
Old Testament: Genesis 1:28-30, 2:15-19, 9:2; Job 39; Psalms 8:6; Jonah 4:5-11.

New Testament: Hebrews 2:6-8; Revelation 11:18.

Forgiveness:
Old Testament: Genesis 45:1 ff, 50:17-21; Psalms 25:6-7, 32:1-7, 79:8-13, 103 & 130(all); Isaiah 44:21-23, 65:17; Jeremiah (all), 31:34; Jonah (all); Zechariah 3(all).

New Testament: Matthew 6:14-15,23-24, 16:19, 18:15-35; Mark 4:24-25, 11:25-26; Luke 7:47, 17:3-10; John 5:14; Acts 7:59-60, 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:19-22, 2:13-15; 1 Timothy 1:12-16; Hebrews 8:12, 9:22, 10:17.

Marriage:
Old Testament: Genesis 1-3(all); Leviticus 18:18; Proverbs 5:15-19; Song of Solomon (all); Malachi 2:14-16.

New Testament: Matthew 19:3-6, 19:10-12; John 2:1-11; Romans 7:2,3; 1 Corinthians 7(all), 11:3-12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 5:9; Hebrews 13:4.

NOTE: 1 Corinthians 7 speaks of marriage, and within the chapter, we are told that men and women are either; virgin (never been married), unmarried (divorced) or widow (surviving mate). (Wherever the word "unmarried" is used, it is the Greek, AGAMAS, and it speaks of someone divorced). Through this passage, we see that the rules of marriage for virgins, and remarriage in the case of those divorced or widowed, are identical. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11 is a perfect example). Therefore, when Paul gives directions to the unmarried and widows in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, he is speaking to those divorced or widowed, and his reference in 7:32 shows that the "unmarried" can be male or female. So, we find the Word of God instructing all His children, whether virgin, widowed or divorced.

Materialism:
Old Testament: Exodus (all); 1 Kings 11(all); Job 1:21; Psalms 49(all), 127:1-2; Proverbs 8:18-21, 23:4-5; Ecclesiastes (all); Isaiah 55:1-3; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Daniel (all), Habakkuk 2(all); Zephaniah 1:13.

New Testament: Matthew 6:19-24, 10:9-10, 13:44-46, 19:21-30, 23:23; Mark 8:34-38, 10:21-25; Luke 6:24-25, 6:38, 12:15-21, 12:33, 14:12-14, 14:33, 16:9-17, 18:29-30; John 3:27, 6:27; Acts 2:44-47, 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 4:7, Philippians 3:7-11; Colossians 3:2; 1 Timothy 6:7-11, 6:17; James 5:1-6; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Revelation 3:14-18.

Righteousness:
Old Testament: Psalms (all); Hosea (all); Micah 6:8.

New Testament: Matthew 5:10,13-20,48: Mark 4:24; Luke 16:1-13; Romans 6:4, 13:13; 1 Corinthians 15:33-34; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 1:9-11,27-29; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 1 Timothy 4:8-9.

Yahshuah, Crucified:
Old Testament: Leviticus 17:11; Psalms 22(all), 34:20, 118:5-14.

New Testament: Matthew 20:18-19, 26:2, 27(all); Luke 1:74-75; John 1:9; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:13-20; Hebrews 2:9-18.

Yahshuah, Currently:
Old Testament: Psalms 110:5; Habakkuk 26:62.

New Testament: Matthew 26:64; Mark 16:20; Acts 2:32-33, 5:31, 7:56; Ephesians 1:18-21; Colossians 2:9-10, 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 2:9-11, 2:18, 3:1, 4:12-16, 6:17-21, 7:3, 8:1-2, 9:11-12, 10:11-13, 12:2; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Revelation (all).

Yahshuah, Deity:
Understand the Old Testament name of YAHUAH, when you study the New Testament. Historically, the Yahudah (Jews) totally eliminated all use of the tetragrammaton (YHWH) from their speech, and replaced His Name with the phrase, "The Lord". This is also true of the phrase, "I am", because that was the name given, to the nation of Israel in Egypt - when they asked Moses the name of the God who sent him to them. Moses was to say, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Many false teachers want you to believe that Yahshuah never declared His Deity, while He lived, but the evidence of His Deity, and His declaration of His Deity is overwhelming - both through His Name, and through His use of the phrase, "I am". Thanks be unto God!
Old Testament: Psalms 2:12, 23(all), 78(all), 99(all), 100(all); Micah 7:7-20.

New Testament: Matthew 9:2-7, 11:27-30, 16:13-17, 22:41-45, 26:63-66; Mark 2:5-11, 5:19-26, 14:61-62, 15:2; Luke 1:26-38, 8:26-39, 22:66-70, 23:3; John 3:16-21, 4:25-26*, 5:37, 6(all)*, 8(all)*, 10(all)*, 11:25-26, 12:44-50, 13:12-20, 14:6,9-11, 15(all), 17:6; Acts 2:36; Romans 1:4; Colossians 1:13-20, 2:9; Hebrews 1:3,8-9; 3:6, 4:14, 5:8-10, 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 1 John 2:22-23; 4:2-3,15; 5:1; Revelation (all) see: 1:4-7,8,17-18, 22:12-16*.

Yahshuah, In Prophecy:
Old Testament: Genesis 3:15, 22:8, 22:18; Exodus 17:8-13; Leviticus 14:49-53; Numbers 7:89, 21:6-9; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 1 Chronicles 17:12-14; Psalms 16:8-12, 21-22(all), 45:2-7, 68:18, 69:7-9, 69:20-21, 72(all), 78:2, 91:11-12, 110(all), 118:22-26; Proverbs 8:22-31; Isaiah 2:2-4, 7:14-16, 8:14, 9:1-7, 11:1-5, 28:16-18, 30(all), 35(all), 40:3-11, 42(all), 5:22-25, 49:4-10, 50:6, 52:13-53:12, 59:16-21, 60:1-3, 61:1-3, 62:11, 63:14; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 31:15, 33:15-16; Daniel 7:13-14; Hosea 11:1; Micah 5:1-4, Hg. 2:6-7; Zechariah 6:12-13, 9:9-10, 11:12-13, 12:10, 13:1, 14:1-11.

Letter 9 - Reconciliation, Sin's Cure.

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH! How can this be?

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH! What else does God say about marriage?

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!
How can this be?

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH!
What else does God say about marriage?