שלום האם יש לך שלום עם אלוהים? SHALOM Do you have peace with G-d? The following four facts explain how it is possible to know the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya acov. G-d Himself has provided the way through the Holy Scriptures. First Fact The G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya acov loves you. He created you for a specific purpose, that you might know Him in a close and intimate way and enjoy His peace forever. THE LOVE OF G-D י- ה א ד נ י ט ב ו ס ח ו ר ב-ח ס ד ל כ ל-ק ר א יך : י-ח ס ך ד ל ע ל י ו ה א ד נ י א ל-ר ח ם ו ח ן א ר ך י ם ו ר ב-ח ס ד ו א מ ת (תהלים פו: ה,יג,טו) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You For your loving kindness towards me is great... But You, O Lord are a merciful and gracious G-d, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth. (Psalm 86:5,13,15) PEACE WITH G-D י נ כ י י ד ע י א ת-ה ח ב ת א ר נ כ י ח ב ע ל יכ ם נ א ם-ה' מ ח ב ת ל ם ו ל א ל ר ע ה ל ת ת ל כ ם ח ר ית ו ת ק ו ה (ירמיה כט: יא) For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Why then, do only a few experience this love, joy and peace with G-d through a close personal relationship with Him? MAN IS SINFUL Second Fact Man is sinful and separated from G-d. Therefore he cannot enjoy the love of G-d and a personal relationship with Him. י ד ם א ין צ יק ר ץ א ר י ע ה- ב ו ל א י ח ט א (קהלת ז: כ) Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) MAN IS SEPARATED FROM G-D ה ן ל א-ק צ ר ה י ד-ה' מ ה יע ו ל א-כ ב ד ה ז נ מ מ ע : י א ם- ע נ ת יכ ם ה י מ ב ל ים ינ כ ם ל ב ין א ל ה יכ ם ו ח את יכ ם ה ס יר פ נ ים מ ם מ מ ע (ישעיה נט: א ב) Behold, the Lord s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your G-d, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2) Man was created to have fellowship with G-d. But, in his stubbornness, man chose to go his own way and therefore this fellowship with his creator was severed. This stubbornness, characterised by active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin. Hebrew - English edition page 1
HOLY G-D WE CANNOT BRIDGE THE GAP THROUGH OUR OWN GOOD WORKS. ו ה י כ מ א נ כ ב ג ד ע ים ל-צ ד ק ת ינ ו ב ל ע ל ה נ ו ע נ נ ר ח י א נ (ישעיה סד: ה) SINFUL MAN G-d is Holy and man is sinful. This diagram illustrates the fact that a great gap separates them. The arrows indicate that man is continually trying to reach G-d and a happy life through his own efforts: through keeping commandments, through living a good, moral life, through philosophy or through religion. For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Isaiah 64:5 [Isaiah 64:6 in English]) The third fact explains what is the one and only way to bridge this gap. Third Fact The atoning blood of the Meshiach is the only way that G-d has provided to solve the problem of man s sin. Only by means of the Meshiach s sacrifice are you able to experience a personal relationship with G-d and a satisfying and peaceful life. THE ATONING BLOOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO G-D NOW AND FOREVER י נ פ ה ר ם ה וא ו א נ י נ ת יו ל כ ם ע ל-ה ז ח ל כ ר ע ל- נ פ ת יכ ם י-ה ם ה א פ י כ ר (ויקרא יז: יא) For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement. (Leviticus 17:11) THE ATONING BLOOD OF THE MESHIACH IS THE WAY G-D HAS PROVIDED SO THAT WE CAN APPROACH HIM. ו ה א מ ח ל ל מ ע ינ מ ד א מ ע נ ת ינ מ ס ר ל מ נ ע ל יו ב ח ב ר ת נ ר א-ל נ : נ אן ע ינ א י ל ד ר נ ינ ו ה' ה פ יע א ת ע ן נ (ישעיה נ: ה-ו) But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our wellbeing fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5-6) IDENTIFYING G-D S MESHIACH The atonement of the Meshiach was prophesied in the Tanach so we would be able to identify Him: From the lineage of the house of David. ( Micah 5:1; 5:2 in English) His supernatural character. (Isaiah 9:5-6) His death on a cross. (Isaiah 53:9-10) His resurrection from the dead. (Isaiah 53:12, Psalms 16:10) His death before the second destruction of the temple, that was destroyed in 70 CE. (Daniel 9:26) This diagram illustrates that G-d has bridged the gap that separates us from Him by sending the Meshiach, the Lamb of G-d, to die in our place and to pay the debt for our sin. The Meshiach took upon Himself the penalty we deserve. By His death, the Meshiach provided us peace with G-d. There is only one man in history who fulfilled all these prophecies Hebrew - English edition page 2
YESHUA OF NAZARETH, IS G-D S MESHIACH The life of Yeshua was prophesied by these prophets and many others. (ישוע טען להיות המשיח והצהיר:) ל ח ב את י ל ב ל א ת ה ר ה א א ת ה ב יא ים; ל א את י ל ב ל י א ם ל ק י ם. (מתי ה, יז) (Yeshua claimed to be the Meshiach and declared) Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)* THE RESURRECTION OF YESHUA FROM THE DEAD PROVED THAT THE ATONING BLOOD WAS ACCEPTABLE TO G-D ה יח מ ת ע ד ח ט א ינ נ ק ר ו ק ם ל ת ח ה ם ה ל י י, ל פ י ה ת ב ים; ו נ ר ה א ל יפ א ו ח ר ך א ל ה נ ים- ע ר. ח ר י כ ן נ ר ה ב ת ח ת א ל י ת ר מ ח מ מ א ת ח ים (1 לקורינתיים טו: ג-ו) The Meshiach died for our sins He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and He appeared to Cephas then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren... (1 Corinthians 15:3-6) *These verses are taken from the New Testament that G-d promised to make with man according to Jeremiah the prophet (Jeremiah 31:30-33 [Jeremiah 31:31-34 in English]). However, being aware of these three facts is not sufficient. It is not enough to know that Yeshua of Nazareth is G-d s Meshiach WE EXPRESS OUR TRUST IN THE ATONEMENT OF THE MESHIACH BY RECEIVING YESHUA THE MESCHIACH PERSONALLY א ב ל ל א ה א ר ק ל א ת, ה א מ ינ ים מ, נ ת ן ק ף ל ה י ת נ ים ל אל ה ים. (יוחנן א, יב) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of G-d, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12) WE RECEIVE YESHUA THE MESHIACH BY FAITH ה ן ח ס ד נ ע ם ע ל-י ד י ה א מ נ ה; ו ז את ל א מ ד כ ם, י א ם מ נ ת א ל ה ים ה יא. א ין ז ה נ ב ע מ ע ים, ד י א י ת א ה א י. (אל האפסים ב, ח ט) Fourth Fact As the children of Israel trusted in the atoning sacrifices (Leviticus 16:21), we are to trust in a personal way in the atonement of Yeshua the Meshiach, so that through it we experience the love of G-d and a personal and intimate relationship with Him. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of G-d; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) HOW DO WE RECEIVE YESHUA AS THE MESHIACH? He calls us to turn personally to Him (ישוע אומר) ה נ נ י ע מ ד ל י ד ה ל ת ו ד פ ק. א י י י מ ע א ת ק ל י ו י פ ח א ת ה ל ת, א נ ס א ל יו ו א ס ע ד א ו ה א א י. (ההתגלות ג: כ ( (Yeshua is speaking) Behold I stand at the door and knock If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20) Receiving the Meshiach, Yeshua, involves turning from our ways to G-d (repentance) and trusting that Yeshua the Meshiach will enter our lives, forgive our sins and restore the severed relationship between us and G-d. Then G-d changes us and transforms us into people after His own heart. We receive the Meshiach Yeshua as a result of faith, a willful act. There are people who think that Jewish people who receive the Meshiach are no longer Jewish. This thinking is incorrect. This person is no less Jewish than before; on the contrary, he is a person who has devoted himself to the Jewish Meshiach. Hebrew - English edition page 3
THESE TWO CIRCLES ILLUSTRATE TWO TYPES OF LIVES: M P Life directed by the person themselves P The person sits on the throne. M The Meshiach is outside the life. This circle illustrates a life where the relationship with G-d is severed. A life like this is under G-d s judgment. M P Life directed by Yeshua the Meshiach M The Meshiach sits on the throne inside the person s life. P The person listens to the Meshiach and is submissive to Him and willfully chooses to obey the Meshiach Yeshua as Lord. Which of the two circles best represents your life now? Which of these two circles would you like to have represent your life? Faith enables you to receive Yeshua the Meshiach into your life here and now, through prayer. G-d knows your heart. He s more interested in the intent of your heart than in the words you express. Here is a suggested prayer: G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya acov, I have sinned and need your forgiveness. I thank you that the atoning blood of Yeshua took away my sins. I open the door of my heart to You and receive Yeshua the Meshiach as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you for forgiving my sins and for giving me eternal life. Please enter my life and take control of it. Make me a man after your own heart. Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, pray it now and at this moment; Yeshua the Meshiach, will come into your life, just as He promised! HOW TO KNOW THAT YESHUA THE MESHIACH IS IN YOUR LIFE Did you receive the Meshiach into your life? According to His promise in Revelation 3:20, where is the Meshiach right now in relation to you? (See page 16). The Meshiach promised to come into your heart. Therefore, how can you be sure that G-d has answered your prayer? (Based on G-d s faithfulness and the trustworthiness of His Word). THE BIBLE PROMISES ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL WHO RECEIVE THE MESHIACH ו ז את ה יא ה ע ד ת: א ל ה ים נ ת ן ל נ ח י ע ל ם, ו ה ח ים ה א ה ן א ין ל ה א ין ל מ י ים. ח ה ל ן י ה ל ם. מ י ה ב נ ה ח ים. ז את ת ב י א ל יכ ם, ה א מ ינ ים ם ן-ה א ל ה ים, ל מ ע ן ד ע ל כ ם ח י ע ל ם (א ליוחנן ה: יא-יג) This is the testimony: G-d has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of G-d does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of G-d, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:11-13) Thank G-d often that Yeshua the Meshiach is in your life and that He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). You can know on the basis of His promise that the Meshiach lives in you and that you have eternal life, from the very moment you invite Him in. He will not deceive you. What about your feelings? DO NOT DEPEND ON FEELINGS Salvation is based on G-d s promised Word - the Bible - not on your personal feelings. The follower of Yeshua lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of G-d Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (G-d and His Word), faith (our trust in G-d and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience). (John 14:21). FACT FAITH FEELING The train will run with or without a passenger car. However, it would be useless to attempt to pull the train by the passenger car. In the same way, as believers we do not depend on feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of G-d and the promises of His holy Word. NOW THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE MESHIACH Many things have happened to you: 1. The Meshiach came into your heart. (Revelation 3:20; Colossians 1:27) 2. Your sins were forgiven. (Colossians 1:14) 3. You became a child of G-d. (John 1:12) 4. You began the great adventure for which G-d created you. (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18) 5. You received eternal life. (1 John 5:11-13, John 3:16) Can you think of anything greater than receiving the Meshiach? Would you thank G-d in prayer right now for what He has done for you? By thanking G-d, you demonstrate your faith. What else? Hebrew - English edition page 4
SUGGESTIONS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH Spiritual growth results from trusting the Meshiach. The righteous man shall live by faith (Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable you to trust G-d increasingly with every detail of your life and to practice the following: 1. Go to G-d in prayer daily. (John 15:7) 2. Read G-d's Word, the Bible, daily. (Acts 17:11) Begin with the Gospel of John. 3. Obey G-d, moment by moment. (John 14:21) 4. Witness for the Meshiach by your life and words. (Mathew 4:19, John 15:8) 5. Trust G-d for every detail of your life. (1 Peter 5:7) 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower your daily life and witness. (Galatians 5:16, 17 and Acts 1:8) THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONGREGATION In Hebrews 10:25, we are encouraged to meet regularly with other believers. Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside from the burning flames and the fire in the log goes out. So is it with your relationship to other believers. If you do not belong to a local fellowship of believers, do not wait to be invited. Take the initiative; contact or visit a nearby congregation where the Meshiach is honored and His Word is preached. Start this week, and make plans to attend regularly. If this article has been helpful to you, please give it or read it to someone else. This way you might help another person come to know G-d personally. WANT FURTHER HELP? If you would like help in developing a closer relationship with the Meshiach, please visit: www.hereslife.com/connect www.chosenpeople.com We encourage the use of this material. However, in order to maintain quality and protect the content from changes, neither this article nor parts thereof may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Here s Life Australia, PO Box 565, Mulgrave, VIC 3170 Australia. 1985-2008 Here s Life Australia A.C.N 002 310 796 HebEngJpWBw0809 Hebrew - English edition page 5