Faith, Grace And Atonement

The Relationship Between

Faith, Grace, and Atonement 1 Corinthians 13:10 Explained by D. J. Love, Minister, TSN, SBC (updated 9-28-2002)

One of Satan's (source of human nature) greatest achievements, if you can call deception an achievement, is the complete misunderstanding of the relationship of Faith, Grace, and Atonement. This deception is so complete that even some of YHVH's Elect have trouble with it, and all have had to overcome it. However, once you understand the beauty of YHVH's "Plan of Salvation," you will never again be satisfied with the false explanations given to mankind by Satan's "Mystery Religions".

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now Faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.

True Faith comes in many ways, but it only comes to those who have the special attribute or ability to Love GOD (YHVH), and to Love their fellow man (or woman), as prescribed by 1 Corinthians 13:All . YHVH (The GOD of True Love) has always known this fact, and because of this fact, He based Salvation itself on our ability to express "Selfless Love". What better way for "The GOD of Love" to replicate Himself in His children!

True Faith may come as per Hebrews 11:1-2, as explained by Romans 1:20 (Revealed in the nature of Creation) or by the hearing of the Truth (words of YHVH) from the gospel of Messiah Y'Shua, as explained by

Romans 1:16-17. In all cases it is YHVH who is ultimately responsible for revealing Himself to those who are capable of believing, in as much as, He has revealed Himself through the Nature of His creation to the whole world.

Romans 1:16-17, 20 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah Yahshua, for it is the power of GOD to Salvation to everyone who believes (the Truth or Gospel and is psychologically or Spiritually changed); to the Jew first (historically speaking), and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of GOD from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all unGODliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth through unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known by GOD is revealed in them, for GOD revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.

Therefore, the basis of True Faith came from YHVH Himself, and not of ourselves; but faith alone needs direction for without proper guidance faith can be expressed improperly, as in the case of idol worship or self-worship. Regardless, there were men (and women) of old who found True Faith in YHVH (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Moses, Job, Abraham, King David, King Solomon, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, and more).

Romans 1:1-6 Paul, a servant of Messiah Y'Shua, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of GOD, 2 which He promised before through his prophets in the Holy

Scriptures (Tanakh), 3 concerning His (First Born human) Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the (natural way of the) flesh (purely physical), 4 who was declared to be the (first Spiritually reborn human) Son of GOD (of many to come) with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness (Love), by the resurrection from among the dead, Messiah Y'Shua our Lord (under YHVH), 5 through whom (according to Messiah's teachings) we (the apostles) received Grace (from YHVH) and Apostleship, to Obedience of Faith among all the nations, for his name's sake. 6 Among whom (according to Messiah's teachings) you are, also, called to be Messiah Y'Shua's (brothers and disciples).

So then, why did Messiah Y'Shua come into existence if Faith could be found without him? See Hebrews chapter 11 (The Elders lived by Faith). ANSWER: Yahshua's life had a three fold purpose, and that was to make the Path to Salvation through the "Gospel of True Faith" more available (Spiritually or psychologically obtainable) to the whole world, and to become both an "Atonement for Sin", and the "High Priest" of the Atonement for all that would believe in the "Gospel of True Faith" as given by his example (ministry on Earth).

Hebrew 2:17 Therefore he (Messiah Y'Shua) was obligated in all things to be made (not remade, but begotten from flesh) like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make Atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (because of the experience).

Note: YHVH cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt anyone with evil. Therefore, Messiah Y'Shua, being tempted and having suffered temptation, cannot be GOD! To

see a further explanation Click Here.

James 1:12-14 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation (tested by evil), for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the LORD GOD promised to those who love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by GOD," for GOD can not be tempted (tested) with evil, and He Himself tempts no one (with evil). 14 But each one (flesh and blood) is tempted (tested), when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

So what is the "Gospel of True Faith," that some men of old found and Messiah Y'Shua taught? It is simply "The Meaning of Life," which ultimately expresses itself as True Love for YHVH and for our fellow man.

Matthew 22:36-40 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" 37 Yahshua said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart (Spirit), and with all your soul (physical life), and with all your mind (Intelligence).' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The whole law and the prophets depend (are built) on these two commandments."

However, YHVH has specifically defined Love as Obedience to the Spiritual Intent of Torah (every word that proceeds from His mouth); which was originally condensed into the Ten Commandments (of Love), and was (later) further condensed into the Two Commandments of Love by Messiah.

Messiah Yahshua did not come (into physical existence) to do away with Torah, but to bring it into the fullness of its Spiritual intent.

Matthew 5:17-18 17 Don't think that I came to destroy the law (Torah or Commandments) or the prophets (prophecies). I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill (Bring it into its Spiritual Greatness). 18 For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven (universe) and Earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law (Spiritual Intent of Torah), until all things are accomplished (The Atonement is made complete, and YHVH's Kingdom is on Earth).

1 Corinthians 13:10 but when that which is complete has come (Millennial Day of Atonement), then that which is partial (Grace and Faith) will be done away with (no longer needed).

'The Elders' (Men and Women of Old) expressed it very well through their obedience through steadfast True Faith, and it was accounted as Righteousness (received Grace or Favor in YHVH's eyes); And because of their steadfast True Faith, YHVH Favored them over all others. This is why their physical seed became YHVH's physically "Chosen People," (to provide a physical example of a Spiritual Truth), and those with "True Faith" are becoming the Spiritual Seed of Abraham, and inheritors of the Spiritual Promises. However, No people, other than those with "True Faith," will receive "Grace" (find Favor) and ultimately become the Children of YHVH on the Millennial "Day of Atonement!" No Other People! It is not enough to be the physical seed of Abraham; for even Abraham needed "True Faith" to find Grace.

Hebrews 11:13 These (the Elders) all died in faith, not having

received The Promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar (as a foreshadow of things to come), and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first GOD's Kingdom, and His (YHVH's) Righteousness (perfection through Love); and all these things (Promises) will be added to you.

Note: The very "First Resurrection" unto eternal life (for mankind, including the Elders) will occur just prior to the Millennial "Day of Atonement" at the Millennial "Sound of the Last Trump," as pictured by the Sacred Seventh Month (symbolic Sabbath Millennium) of Tishri, during the Millennial "Rosh Hashanah" (Feast of Trumpets), and the Millennial "Yom Kippur" (Day of Atonement).

Doesn't it make more Spiritual and logical sense that YHVH would observe the symbolism that He established within His Sacred Year Calendar; Resurrect everyone together at the sound of The Last Trump, and give those (who remain in His good Graces at the end of their physical life) a complete pardon from sin(Atonement); Not one at a time, but ALL AT THE SAME TIME, immediately after or at the First Resurrection to Eternal Life? But Satan (human nature) would have you to believe otherwise, for in so doing Satan can cloud the issues of 'Life after death,' Faith, Grace, Atonement, obscure the identity of the Anti-Messiah, and introduce false doctrines and pagan traditions (Trinity, "Once Saved Always Saved," Xmas, Easter, etc.... .

For how can we understand the meaning of the First Appointed Son of GOD, if we believe that we all go to Heaven when we die? For Messiah Y'Shua is referred to as the First Appointed Son of GOD (First of the First Fruits), only because he was the very first human ever born that was resurrected from among the dead to receive the promise of eternal life; not because he is GOD himself (he is

not), as Satan would have us to believe, but also, to make mankind believe that it is impossible to become perfect, so don't even bother to try, thereby denying the greater majority of mankind access to YHVH's "Grace".

How can we discover the deception of "Once Saved Always Saved," if we aren't aware that Grace does not save us, but is only a "Conditional Promise of Salvation" (a probationary amnesty) based on bearing fruit unto Righteousness? See "Grace." How can we know that the Atonement was only begun with Messiah's ministry on Earth which culminated on the cross, and will not reach complete fulfillment until after the process of the perfecting of the Saints takes place, and not before? For if the pardon from sin takes place prior to our perfecting, then what will we do if we sin before we die? YHVH's Holy Scripture has never taught by word or by example that The Atonement for sin was for future sins, but only for past sins! Therefore, the Atonement MUST occur last on the Final Day of Atonement!

Matthew 26:28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

Note: The word "Remission" does not mean instantaneous; it means over a period of time. And this Period of Time reaches its pinnacle on the "Day of Atonement" that occurs at the beginning of the Sabbath Millennium after "The Resurrection of the Dead" at Messiah Y'Shua's "Second Coming." This Period of Time was and is necessary for two reasons: (Ephesians 4:12) <1> For the Perfecting of Saints, and <2> The time required to develop or build up the size of the "Body of Yahshua" (Yahshua's Spiritual Assembly or Bride).

Can we not see some of Satan's deceptions here? There are many more!

A Further Explanation Matthew 4:1 (NOTE: Only a physical human being can be tempted by physical pleasures or suffering). (1) Then Yahshua (a physical human) was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Strong's # 3985, PELRAZO means tested) by the devil.

Mark 1:13 13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted (Strong's # 3985) by Satan. He was with the wild animals. The angels ministered to him.

Luke 4:1-2, 12-13 (1) Yashua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted (tested) by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. 12 Yahsua answering, said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not (TRY TO) tempt (Strong's # 1598, EKPETRAZO means to test thoroughly) the LORD your GOD.'" 13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him for awhile.

Note: Yahshua was not speaking of himself in verse 12, but

speaking about following Satan's test that he (Yahshua) should tempt YHVH.

So far, we have an evil spirit (source of mental anguish) attacking and testing a physical human being with physical temptations. YHVH is not physical and therefore, cannot be physically tempted. Even if a human or spirit tried to tempt Him. Additionally, since YHVH is the SOURCE of all physical creation, HE cannot be tempted by HIS own creation. Especially the temptation of GREED, and Yahshua was, also, tempted by GREED in the form of power or authority. Since YHVH ALREADY HAS ALL Power and Authority, it would be impossible for Him to receive more; Especially by serving Satan.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (YHVH cannot be tempted, and for this reason can give us a way to escape) 13 No temptation has taken you but such as man can bear. GOD is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 2: 17-18 17 Therefore he (Yahshua) was obligated in all things to become like his brothers (experience temptation), that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make atonement for the sins of the people (based on personal experience). 18 For in that he (Yahshua) himself has suffered being tempted, he is able (BECAUSE OF HIS EXPERIENCE) to help those who are tempted.

SINCE WHEN DOES YHVH NEED PERSONAL EXPERIENCE? YHVH is all knowing!

THEREFORE, Yahshua is NOT YHVH. EXCEPT in Holy Spiritual Mentality. In other words, they are of LIKE MIND. But then so are all true worshippers.