Light Bearer

From the time of Moses God has said this, And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day ( TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,) , it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word ( TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,)is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. For God has said, the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deu 30:6, 10-14 KJV) SO Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ (the word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,) down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ (the word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,) again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word (Christ, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,)is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (Rom 10:4-8 KJV) For by one offering he hath PERFECTED for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us (IN REGARDS TO THIS PERFECTNESS): for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws (Christ through which the word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,) into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (Heb 10:14-16 KJV) THIS is the Word of Faith that we preach! The word (Christ, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,)is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart that is the word of Faith that we preach. For Christ (through which the Word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law,)is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart) is the end of the law (On tables of Stone and parchment) for righteousness to every one that believeth. A NEW MINISTRATION, Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (2Co 3:3-9 KJV) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures...... Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word (The New Ministration,the new Creature, through Christ the Engrafted word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, is in our hearts, and in our minds), which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, (the new Creature, through Christ the Engrafted word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, is in our hearts, and in our minds), and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, (the new Creature, through Christ the Engrafted word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, is in our hearts, and in our minds), and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face (the new Creature, through Christ) in a glass: For he beholdeth himself,(the new Creature, through Christ) and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (the new Creature, through Christ) . But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (the new Creature, through Christ), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Jas 1:18-25 KJV) If ye fulfil the royal law (the Ten Commandments) according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (The New Ministration, the new Creature, through Christ the Engrafted word, TO hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, is in our hearts, and in our minds) . (Jas 2:8-12 KJV)

So my friend this part that is highlighted in bold has me a little confused. I would hate for the last two posts of our conversation be thrown aside but could you elaborate.

Amen. That is the Gospel. For without Him we can do nothing. Christ in us the hope of glory. To fulfil the Word of God. Whom we preach, warning and teaching to present every man PERFECT in CHRIST. Wherein I also labor striving according to HIS WORKING WHICH WORKETH IN ME MIGHTILY. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation (responsibility) of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Col 1:25-29 KJV)

This my friend is true to a point but is not what Christ is talking about in Matt 5:20. The righteousness that we must exceed are the Good works that are to shine that glorify God. This righteousness, These Good Works are of the Law contained in commandments in the Decalogue and through out the Books of Moses. This we know from when Jesus says " one of these least commandments," Jesus pulls the context to the the Law in which the commandments are contained and is not to be destroyed. Matt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Not at all Thess. Sorry about the untimely response. Many things to do and only so much time. Let's take a look. Jesus speaks in verse 20 In respect to the Commandments which are contained in the Law and are not changing until Heaven and Earth pass away. As was said these commandments which are from the law are the good works which man may see shined through us who are light by Christ in us. We are counciled to let this law, these commandments shine that God be glorified. In this context Jesus, in the context that these laws, good works shall not change from what they were then until the culmination in which this system and all that is in it will be destroyed and A New Heavens and New Earth be established with God and all the heavenly host. With this in mind Jesus says, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:19-20 KJV) The issue Jesus is saying about the teachers, is not that they were not living through the Spirit. (though they weren't) But that they were not doing what they ought and were teaching by their example of their not doing. Verse twenty starts with the word "for". That means whatever follows it is the reason or conclusion to what was previously stated. Then after Jesus admonishes those that break one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, in saying they will not enter into heaven he starts to speak of these least commandments by quoting and magnifying laws that are contained in the Decalogue and through out the Books of the Law that pertain to our interaction with one another and God. These are the good works that Shine from us through Christ that glorify God WHICH shall not change in one jot or tittle until all is fulfilled. These next two quotes of yours show a lot of insight. Praise God! Will post on these quotes sometime in the near future. You have a nice evening Thess. May the Lord God of Heaven continue to Bless us all in all His Way, Jesus Christ.

I have to go for now. Thank you everyone for participating in this devotion. May God be glorified.

Matt 5 discloses that.

Hi Ms. MaryJayne. Please read what was posted here in respect to the OP if you have not. Thanks. Will talk later when time allows God willing.

Thanks for the reply Thess. Let's take a look at Matt 5:20. It starts with the word "for", so that means that what was said before has to be considered. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:19-20 KJV) Jesus in verse 19 mentions the commandments. He says this in context to verse 18's mentioning of the law. So it is safe to say that the commandments that Jesus is referring to is of the the Law. These commandments that are of the Law are the Good works that are to shine from us being a light that men may see that God be glorified. With that is the answer to the question to which you replied. What law? The commandments Thess. So now I ask, Which? But before I leave off It would be ill of me not to address something else in respects to Matt5:19,20. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:19-20 KJV) Jesus says, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments". By His use of the word "these" He is signifying that he is about show what commandments and the ones He is conveying are important, but not as important as some others. This we know by His use of the word "least" Something else that needs brought to the forefront. Jesus says in verse 19, "that those who break the commandments and teach men so shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven." And then in verse 20 answers what it means to be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. How do we know? Because he starts verse 20 with the word "for" Which means that what he is about to say is the reason for what he just said. He says the scribe and pharisees righteousness must be exceeded in context to saying that those who break and teach me to break the commandments shall be called least. In other words the scribes and pharisees were doing this and they and all who break the commandments and teach man so shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. So to be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven means we will not enter into the Kingdom Of Heaven. I have to go now Thess. Will try to address the rest of your post later God willing. You have blessed day in Christ Jesus.

Amen brother. The point that is being conveyed is you can't, shouldn't or don't have to for the most part, take a text that is unrelated because of context or whatever and apply it to another. Jesus in Matt 5 is being rather specific in respects to what he is trying to convey. So rather than jump around the bible why not just stay in the passage and look at the context, grammar and sentence structure that is there to see what exactly is being revealed.

JTC had a nice answer Thess. Here is the post to him, Forgive me please for not working through it again. But I wanted to save time and at the same time answer you. So it was asked, "what does our Savior tell us about light? What is it and what is it's purpose?" Let's look at the text shall we. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (Mat 5:14-21 KJV) So light and good works are basically synonyms. Or if you will those that are light produce good works that glorify God that men may see.. As was discussed, The Subject of verses 14 through 17 is light. THIS IS A FACT. So with that being said everything in verse 17 is being stated in regards to this light that shines that men may see our good works that God be glorified. So in relation to this light that shines that men may see our good works that God be glorified Jesus says in verse 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (manifest, display, exemplify, show). For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (caused to be)." So with the light that is to shine that men may see our good works that God be glorified being the subject. Then the Law that is being mentioned is being said in context to that. That means that The good works that shine from the light that God be glorified is of the Law. So what Law Thess?

I agree brother and thanks! That LOGOS program looks pretty awesome. I toyed with the idea of buying it myself. But between ISA2 Basic, theWord and E-Sword I get what need for my devotions and my cutting and pasting needs when sharing through Sabbath School, Pulpit, here, there, everywhere lol..... However I mainly invest in books. And with that being said Mainly lexicons. I did by one for theWord software, the BDAG. But I also have a copy it in book form. The reason I like books more is I would hate for something to happen to our Electrical Grid and not be able to access the helps that I have been brought up in and love so much.

Thanks brother. Context is all I am concerned about. We can't very well for the most part go to another passage in the New Testament to explain what Jesus is saying unless that Passage is relaying the same moment and context in which Jesus is speaking.

Amen and Thanks JTC, nice post. Now let's go further shall we? So it was asked, "what does our Savior tell us about light? What is it and what is it's purpose?" Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (Mat 5:14-21 KJV) So light and good works are basically synonyms. Or if you will those that are light produce good works that glorify God that men may see.. As was discussed, The Subject of verses 14 through 17 is light. THIS IS A FACT. So with that being said everything in verse 17 is being stated in regards to this light that shines that men may see our good works that God be glorified. So in relation to this light that shines that men may see our good works that God be glorified Jesus says in verse 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (manifest, display, exemplify, show). For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (caused to be)." So with the light that is to shine that men may see our good works that God be glorified being the subject. Then the Law that is being mentioned is being said in context to that. That means that The good works that shine from the light that God be glorified is of the Law. So what Law?

That is not the case. Take care.

That is obvious to you, me and others. What is trying to be avoided is dancing through the NT to dispel the teachings of Jesus in the context of Matt. So please within the context of the passage answer the questions. I am interested in what you might see.

The point of the op is to confine the answer to the context that Jesus is speaking.

Hi Cletus! That is Interesting. I never heard that though; can you cite a source?

Hey there Thess! Riddle? Nah. However if you don't mind I would like wait a little bit to see if anyone else is inclined for further input.

Yes Ms. Marilyn I would loved to be used in such a way. But even more so as was said to our friend Thess. It is much better if we are are all used in this manner together as a body, in the Body of Christ the Temple of God.

I wondered why the software programmers did that to the BDB Hebrew Lexicon. It is the same way in the free "theword" bible program and "esword". The actual entry in the book looks nothing like that. For one "light bearer" is nowhere mentioned. I have the book. I wish I could display the entry here so everyone could see it. Nonetheless there are other entries in that link that are more fitting in my view. I tried to copy the entries to post them here but to no avail. As was mentioned above I do have free Bible help programs on my computer though, that have BDB, Strong's BDAG, Thayer.... to name a few on it, that enable me to share the entries. Here is Mickelson's enhanced Strong's entry. I will post it here since I see it as the most informative of what I have available to copy and paste. H1966 הֵילֵל heylel (hay-lale') n-m. 1. something or someone of radiant splendor. 2. (epithet of praise) Radiantly Splendid One. 3. (epithet of rebuke) Boastful One of Radiant Splendor (i.e. as spoken only by Yahweh to the King of Babylon). 4. (in Septuagint, of rebuke) Ἑωσ•φόρος , HeosPhoros, as a placeholder for this Hebrew word, meaning, one carrying it as far as (one can), or carrying it too far (as boastful). 5. (also, astronomically) Ἑωσ•φόρος , HeosPhoros, in a culturally oblique reference to Venus, which can carry its radiance only so far (at dawn and at twilight). 6. (hence, inappropriately reused of time) ἑωσ•φόρος , HeosPhoros, an alternate Septuagint reference to twilight or dawn as the “morning star” (thus causing misconceptions in later translations deriving from the Septuagint, i.e. Latin Vulgate, etc). 7. (positively, in Greek) this Hebrew word could also have been translated as λαμπροσ•φόρος , LamprosPhoros in a positive sense, Bearer of Radiance. 8. (in Latin, mistaken from Greek) φωσ•φόρος , Light Bearer, due to culturally oblique reference to Venus (i.e. as a deity or as an angelic morning-star created to proclaim and celebrate God's glory). 9. (reversal, transliteration from late Latin) LuciFer, as the (fallen) arch-angel. 10. (Note) (Jesus, the Creator, has reclaimed and consolidated any such prior angelic post of Light Bearer in himself). As to how I came to pick light bearer as a screen name It having been made plain that you are Christ's letter, served by us, not having been inscribed by ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart. And we have such confidence through Christ toward God; Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration (through us the able ministers) of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (2Co 3:3-9; Eph 5:8; Php 2:15;Mat 5:16)

You are correct Thess. However I am tired it has been a long day. So I am not getting into anything tonight. I will say I am interested everyone's input though. I love to see the Body work together. More gets accomplished that way to God's glory.

Amen, Yet God has said; Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. FOR I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.....SO Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ (the word) down from above: ) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ (the word) again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word (Christ)is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; For Christ (Through which the word, the law is in the heart, mind and mouth) is the end of the law (on tables of stone and parchment) for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Heb 8:10,Rom 3:31,10:6-8, 4)

Good afternoon everyone. What, if the Gospel of Matthew was all we had. What could be ascertained in regards to the Law that Jesus is speaking about in Matt 5:17. Bear with me please. Let's start in verse 14. The Subject of 14 through 17 is light. That does not change until verse 18. Then the subject changes to Heaven. But only briefly. So what does our Savior tell us about light? What is it and what is it's purpose?