First, let's get the correct Christian definition:

Let's remember that this term was coined around 1830-1840, so about 170 years ago.  It was coined for Christian purposes by Christians and it is a term that Christians apply to Christians, Jews and others.  Let's quickly examine all five of these definitions.

LAW:  I'm sure that it would be fair to assume that the person who wrote the definition is referring to "The Old Testament" as "the Law."  If you open up a dictionary and read how the term Law is defined, you will notice that there is a vast difference between "Law" and "Torah."  There are 613 "Laws" in the Torah, about 200 apply to priests, about 100 apply to the Temple, another 100 or so apply to judges and leaders and another 50 or so apply to either men or women, so in reality there are about 150 laws that apply to everyone.  But, the Hebrew word Torah does not translate as LAW, it translates something like "Instruction in Righteousness."  From an ancient Hebrew perspective the word Torah creates a word picture in our minds of shooting at a target.  When you aim, you give it your best and then let the arrow go, sometimes you miss center, but if you hit the target you feel pretty confident that your levels of skill are still good, if you miss the target altogether then you could define that as, "sin."  A child is not expected to hit the target as well as an adult, but when YHWH gave Torah (instructions in righteousness) He did not make them impossible for humanity to keep. 

Another element of the word "torah"  is derived from the Hebrew/Aramaic root "aur" (or), meaning "light":

"For the commandment (mitzvah) is a lamp and the teaching (Torah) is light (aur);

And reproofs for discipline are the way of life." (Mishlei/Pr. 6:23)

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path." (Tehillim/Ps. 119:105)

In the Aramaic New Covenant Writings, the word for "torah" is aur-rayta, which is the exact root for "light" that describes the Torah given at Sinai:

"For all the Prophets and the Aur-ayta (Torah) prophesied until Yochanan," (Matthew 11:13).

"Or haven't you read in the Aur-ayta (Torah) that on the Shabbat the priests desecrate the Temple and yet they are innocent?"  (Matthew 12:5)

"On these two commandments the Aur-ayta (Torah) and the Prophets hang," (Matthew 22:40)

The bottom line is this: If anyone thinks that the 10 Commandments are impossible to keep they could not possibly have a relationship with Mashiyach Y'shua. Now let’s look at the Gospel.

GOSPEL: The Gospel is also a very specific truth.  The Gospel of Mashiyach was revealed just after Adam and Eve sinned.  Long before Y'shua came as Mashiyach, Torah Observant Jews were teaching that "her seed" refers or points to Mashiyach:

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed ;

it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15)

Hebrews 4:2 says "the Gospel was preached unto them," Paul clearly teaches that those who left Egypt were given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel, so obviously the Gospel originated before the First Century.  Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned they were cut off from YHWH, they sinned and immediately realized they were naked.  Obviously they were naked before sin too (because YHWH made some clothes for them) but their nakedness was now shame, guilt, and condemnation from haSatan. 

After sin, Satan had them where he wanted them and if you've ever felt condemned you know how haSatan talks to your mind, and of course Satan is actively recruiting others to think and speak his "language of condemnation."  Guilt of course is due to spiritual separation, wrong doing, which also provides individuals with a feeling of emptiness and despair.  The sinner doesn't know if they will be forgiven until they present their case before YHWH, confess their sins, and ask for forgiveness.  Guilt is a function of the Ruach haKodesh; it is a force that makes us feel terrible so that we will go and make it right with YHWH and other people.  The shame of course also came along by Adam and Eve knowing that their sin was preventable, they had needlessly exposed themselves to this very undesirable situation and risked everything even though they didn't fully understand the consequences.

Nevertheless, we all know what happened to the first couple.  YHWH said, "Where are you?" even though, of course, He knew where they were, but He was giving them a moment to compose themselves so they could prepare to speak with Him.  Did He forgive them?  Yes He did, but He also provided punishment, which came in the form of curses against them and us.

LAW:  The curses against Adam and Eve became part of a "universal law" that would apply to all the rest of the inhabitants of the earth.  "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil : and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever..."  (Genesis 3:22)  Man who was initially sinless became like the angelic host, to know good and evil, but if man were to eat of the Tree of Life and live forever then he would never be able to return to his perfect and sinless state.  Through His Most awesome Mercy YHWH blocked mankind from becoming eternal beings then and there, so that through death there could be redemption of transgression, but that through life each human would experience both worlds, the Kingdom of Elohim and the fallen world of sin. If you miss this next point then you will miss the whole plan of redemption and never understand it properly, and the point is this.

 "For YHWH is our judge, YHWH is our lawgiver, YHWH is our king; He will save us."

Isaiah 33:22

Make no mistake about it: There are many lawgivers but YHWH is the only legitimate lawgiver because His Torah is what sustains the entire plan of Redemption.  His Word is His LAW!!!  If you are having a difficult time comprehending this extremely vital concept then I would recommend that you say the following phrase to yourself about 8 or 10 times.

His WORD is His LAW!

His WORD is His LAW!

His WORD is His LAW!

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."  (Genesis 49:10)

The scepter refers to the imperial rod of divine lawmaking and justice, YHWH holds the scepter and the scepter is none other than Mashiyach.  The lawgiver from between his feet simply refers to the lineage of Judah, that successive generations through the lineage of Judah would "hold" this scepter until Shiloh comes to take his seat over all the "lawmakers" of the earth.  We must never ever assume that the laws of our governments are endorsed by the YHWH or His Mashiyach and we must never diminish the importance of YHWH's Word which is Torah.

Please read these two verses VERY carefully:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of Elohim may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

Anyone who pits Torah (YHWH's Instructions) against Grace or the Gospel has a very, very big problem on their hands because they are ignorant of the "Way" of righteousness.  Even a child can understand this if you explain it to them, and you likely do this when your child needs correction.  When a child is disobedient, let's say they tell a lie, you don't punish them immediately, you teach them why lying is wrong and how it is going to hurt them if they don't stop.  You explain the cause and effect of good and evil.  When they miss the mark and make a mistake you can usually detect that look of horror on their face and oftentimes a ready admission of guilt, but you wouldn't think of punishing your child every time they fail, especially if you can clearly see that they are genuinely sorry and regret what they did! No, you just hug them, maybe sometimes you even cry with them, and you tell them that when you were a child that you had to learn to tell the truth too, perhaps you also tell them how your own father and mother corrected you when you lied and how you overcame lying.

Then you'll tell them the blessings you've received over your life because of telling the truth, and that you wouldn't even think of lying because it brings harm to you and others, it brings curses, shame, and YHWH hates liars!  That's how gospel works as well, law and grace are applied in a functional way so that all YHWH's children understand the cause and effect for themselves.  That's what YHWH did for us through Mashiyach.  He had every right to punish us, but he didn't, he saw our desperate need as children to be loved.  He poured out his life for us until we could do nothing but fall at His feet and cry out to Him.  Abba Father!!!  You loved us while we where yet sinners!!!  How blessed is His Name!!  How much more we desire to please Him, now we have nothing to stop us from turning to Him and putting all our trust in Him!!!  That is the meaning of the Scripture when Y’shua teaches:

"Ask, and it shall be given to you.  Seek, and you shall find.  Knock, and it shall be opened to you.  For anyone that asks will receive, and that seeks, will find.  And to him that knock, it will be opened to him.  Or whom among you fathers if his son asks of him for bread, why to him would hold out a rock?  And if he asks a fish of him, why to him would hold out a snake? And if, therefore, you who are imperfect know to give good gifts to your sons, how so much more your Father who is in heaven will give good to those that ask Him." (Matthew 7:7-11)

GOSPEL: Cain & Abel

YHWH's Good News (Gospel) is the Way of truth which is a continuum of revelation of YHWH's intent to redeem fallen man.  This plan of redemption is what also provided protection to Cain after he killed Abel.  YHWH showed great Grace to Cain after he murdered his brother.  Was it not haSatan who put the envy, hatred, evil imaginations and jealousy in Cain's mind against his brother?  The Law at this time was a spiritual consciousness, Cain also knew that he had acted on some very wicked thoughts about his brother, but the Gospel was also what kept Cain from being killed by YHWH and YHWH protected him from being killed by others.  Everyone on earth would have soon heard of the incident, everyone lived in close proximity to each other and Cain knew that he faced the possibility of someone taking vengeance on him.  For Cain to fear for his life indicates that he felt condemnation mixed with guilt for what he did.

GOSPEL: Noah

In Noah's days it was exceedingly evil upon the whole earth, much like it is today, and the Gospel went like this... get on the boat now...or you'll have to tread water for 150 days without food or fresh water, will you receive "the Gospel" and get on the boat?  Here's the Good News.  Noah you will invest ONE HUNDRED YEARS building a big boat, and in a hundred years every human being on earth is going to hear about you. When they hear, each one will have the option to come and listen and hear the Good News and turn from their wickedness, or they will perish.

GOSPEL: Abraham

Abraham got circumcised and entered into Covenant with YHWH, he and everyone in his Gentile household with him.  The Gospel went like this... There is ONE ELOHIM, whose Name is YHWH!  Don't want to get your foreskin snipped, no problem, but you are cut out of the Promise, you are cut out of the Blessing and you will have no inheritance with YHWH's people.  318 men got circumcised and all their male offspring when they heard "The Gospel from Abraham."  Circumcision is a symbol of separating good from evil, a part of the flesh is cut away. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YHWH, to do justice and judgment; that YHWH may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19)  Mashiyach is, was and always will be, the WAY!  Peter issues a stern warning when he says, "For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known it, to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them." (2 Peter 2:21)  Make NO mistake about it, "the Gospel" and "the Way of righteousness" are synonymous with the Kingdom of Elohim.

GOSPEL: Moses

Moshe received the "Ten Commandments" written by the Finger of Elohim, now if you had better ideas and went off to kindle a fire on Shabbat, make yourself some barbecued pork, no problem for Moshe, but you would perish.  Moshe and all the righteous household of Faith would plead with you to not do it, but ultimately they would let you make your own choices.  That was the Gospel according to YHWH revealed by Moshe.  You are a sovereign individual, you choose life or death because of your testimony and your obedience or disobedience, YHWH calls everyone to humility and obedience.  Moshe preached the Gospel to all the Israelites but in the course of time the Levites who were called to train up the Israelites in Torah turned away from YHWH, "But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the Torah; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says YHWH of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law." (Malachi 2:8, 9)

GOSPEL: Y'shua

Most people on earth have heard a version of the "Gospel of Jesus" through a religious institution, rather than receiving it into their hearts, or having it written on their hearts by the finger of YHWH.  Remember when YHWH wrote the Ten Commandments with His finger on stone?  Remember when Jeremiah prophesied of the New Covenant and YHWH said that EVERYONE would know him from the least to the greatest?  Read Jeremiah 31:31-37 carefully, but for our purposes here please meditate on verse 33 which states: "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says YHWH, I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people."   How absolutely beautiful this verse is for those who know Y'shua.  Of course this means that the work of the Ruach haKodesh is to write Torah upon our hearts, that Grace would abound because we would NOT break the Law, but would be redeemed from the curse of the law. The curse of the law is for those who choose to turn against YHWH's Torah, remember what happened to Adam and Eve?  Remember the curses that YHWH put on them???  Here they are:

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over thee.   And unto Adam he said, Because you have hearkened unto the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and you shall eat the herb of the field;  In the sweat of thy face shall you eat bread, till you return unto the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you arte, and unto dust shall you return."  (Genesis 3:16-19)  These are forever reminders for all the human race, they are curses for breaking "the Law", those who pit YHWH's "Law" against the Gospel are following a wicked religion.

Without Torah (LAW) there can be no Gospel, it is Torah that reveals how to separate good from evil.  About 6,000 years of human experience on this planet witnesses that YHWH’s Laws are Just.  YHWH's Law provides the parameters for Judgment, Justice, Peace, Equality, Protection of personal liberty and freedom, the protection of the sovereignty of each individual and the protection of everyone's property. To pit the Law against the Gospel is a false Gospel as Rav Shaul clearly teaches:

"I am stunned into silence, as if dead, that you have so quickly forgotten Mashiyach who has called you to his grace and gone to another gospel that is non-existent, but there are men who agitated you and desired to pervert the Gospel of Mashiyach. For if us, or even an angel from heaven, preach outside from what was preached to you, let them be cursed. As I said before, so I say again: Whichever man preaches to you outside of what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-10)

It might well be a very popular motif within the Church systems, nearly every Christian denomination has bought into the use of the term "legalism," however it is unsanctified, unholy and demonic.  Anyone who points their finger at another person and suggests that they prefer the Law to the Gospel is extremely ignorant of the motivation of that person.  Additionally, Rav Shaul (Paul) says, "Who are you to judge another man's servant?" (Romans 14:4)

If you've read other articles here at www.mashiyach.com then you may already know some of the Hebrew origins of the word Justification versus the contemporary theology of Justification.  But if you haven't, here it is in a nutshell.  The word justify and the word righteous come from the same prime Hebrew word Tsadaq, the truth of the matter is that justification is really "applied righteousness," and the question then is how is righteousness applied.  The answer is very simple:

YHWH TSIDKENU

(YHWH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS)

Mashiyach Y'shua ministers to his people according to YHWH Tsidkenu, Y'shua has been, is, and will always be our righteousness but if you sin and refuse to repent, you will die in your sins.  Why?  Because you've come into agreement with haSatan the destroyer who is the accuser of the brethren, a thief and a liar and you've chosen a lie rather than the truth.  Not only will you die in your sins, you will have no atonement and you will have no advocate therefore in the resurrection you will be marked as a supporter of the "other" kingdom.  Sorry, but neither you nor any other soul who has ever lived on this planet will enjoy "sin for a season" and then make it into the first resurrection.  The fact of the matter is the doctrine of Justification by a belief system alone is also wicked device of the enemy, because it takes obedience as well as belief in order to be saved.  The religious element can shout out their doctrines loud and proud but they will NEVER change or reverse what the Word of YHWH has spoken.  It is impossible, do NOT believe the religious lie that Salvation is just a mindset, NO, it's a lifestyle and a complete transformation.

In other words you must be conformed into the Image of Elohim to make it.  You must be "born again", and this term in Hebrew actually literally means to be "Born from the Beginning", yes that means as though you never sinned, as though you were like Adam and Eve before they sinned. 

Impossible?  It's not impossible, but neither is it a cake walk.  Your family, friends, boss and mailman might shake their heads at you, even your pastor and your church or synagogue might mock you for following Mashiyach, BUT, the point is that HE MUST LIVE WITHIN YOU.  The Spirit of Mashiyach will NOT dwell where sin dwells therefore His righteousness becomes part of you, what does that mean.  Well, you are already sitting down so here it comes... you are called to live as Y'shua lived.  Be just like Y'shua.  Live like Y'shua and his disciples.  Do you want to call that works?  Only a fool would call LOVE, Peace and Joy something like "works."  But wait a minute, what if you observe Shabbat, is that works?  For some it is, for others it is FAR from "works".  Now who is justified?  The one who finds Shabbat a burden, or the one who can't wait for the next Shabbat?  I can hardly believe it when people point their fingers at others and call them legalists because they observe Torah.  WOW!!  Is anyone "justified" by works?  Is anyone justified by a cerebral belief system?  NO, neither!!  "Justification" comes about when a person is living a life that is pleasing unto YHWH and no finger pointing, anti-Torah Christians are going to be pleasing YHWH while they are servants of sin!

Maybe you are starting to see something here already.  Justified means to be made just, being just means that a person has applied righteousness to their lives.  WORKS, is a word that has come to mean "doing Torah" when in fact it's origin is more of a religious application of tradition, nevertheless, when we are obedient to YHWH's Word it is because He has given us the Grace to walk in His righteousness.  Do you see how these two terms are played off against each other?  The “legalism” garbage my friend is a doctrine of demons, make NO mistake about it!  Do you live as a Christian?  Do you steal, cheat on your spouse, lie, covet, drink blood, sacrifice to idols, are you an idolater then?  NO you're not because you make very sure that you don't cross that line, and that my friend has come to be defined as "works"?  From my in-depth research and study of Torah and the life of Mashiyach I've listed every one of the 613 Laws of Torah and I can show any legitimate Christian that they are already keeping from 65 to 95 percent of "The Law."  Yes, the "Old Testament Law," and let me clarify that as Torah; because I've had some Christians actually write me and say they don't need Torah but that they'll just stick with their Bibles.  NO, Torah IS your Bible!!!  Also from experience with Christian pastors and leaders around the world I have NEVER heard of a Christian tell me that carnal Christians who willfully and repeatedly break the Word of YHWH will get saved.

YHWH saves, the revealed name of Mashiyach is "Y'shua," YHWH our Salvation.  If you keep Torah you are in very good company.  In fact, you might be able to answer this question: 

Who was it said of that...

"you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the law"? 

Answer:  In Acts 21:24 it was Paul the Apostle.

The real problem that every Christian faces is what to do when they discover that their church has bought into the number one doctrine of demons, and teaches against Torah.  What do you do when Christians point their finger at you and can call you a legalist, simply because you want to live according to the Word of the Living Elohim?  Those who have come out from the churches know that it's a sorrowful heartache that's like having their guts ripped out of them.  Family members, pastors, old friends start cursing them and laying all manner of unclean and dirty imaginations against those who choose the Faith that was once delivered to the Righteous.  Yes "the Righteous" are called the Kedoshim in Hebrew which means "SET APART PEOPLE", it is by Grace alone that you will survive the contempt of your own church people and it is by Grace that you will have the JOY of watching the Ruach haKodesh write Torah upon your heart!  Grace is the gift of power to cease from breaking Torah and stand up for what is right!  The power of the word "legalism" is simply to put souls in bondage to false religion or to keep them from leaving "the church," but would you rather be imbedded in a church, or be embedded in the Kingdom of Elohim and the fact of the matter is that they are NOT one and the same!

Imagine watching David dancing as the Holy Ark of the Covenant was rolling up to Jerusalem, there David was in a linen ephod dancing like a wild man, the shofarim (trumpets) blasting, the Israelis shouting for joy, and right there beside you is your Christian friends with their arms folded, scowl looks on their faces... LEGALISM they pout!!!  An "exaltation of the Law"!!!

Solomon said that sometimes, even a whip for the back of a fool isn't going to help them, but nevertheless we are to love those who hate us and bless them that persecute us, pray for them that are in bondage to haSatan and all manner of demon and unclean spirit.  Yes, it's popular for Christians to set themselves in an "upper class," above the law.  Yes Christo-Paganism has given itself license to openly trash the Word of YHWH and condemn anyone who disagrees with their very bad religious choices.  As far as me and my house we will worship YHWH and you better believe that we elevate the Word of YHWH which is Torah, but we don't make an idol out of Torah or use Torah for incantations, nor do we EVER suggest that people will get saved on the merits of their "works" because without Faith it is impossible to please YHWH.  We must believe that YHWH is a good Father, and a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him but also that the Word of YHWH became FLESH and dwelt among us.  YHWH is the Lawgiver and Mashiyach is the ARM OF YHWH revealed and like Apostle Paul said... "Wherefore the torah is holy, and the Mitzvah (commandment) holy, and just, and good." (Romans 7:12)

So let's say your Christian "friends" are anti-Torah and are busy warning you off Torah Observance, well here's a picture.  David "bought" Michal (Saul's daughter) with Philistine foreskins, you know the story.  Saul conjured up a plan to snuff out David, he used his daughter Michal as a snare for David, so rather than ask for a dowry Saul asked for a hundred Philistine foreskins hoping that David would be killed in the process, but David and his men went out and got 200, YHWH was surely with David.  Imagine your boyfriend showing up with a platter of foreskins as a present for your dad and let's face it, David was a warrior (not a certified mohel) every one of those foreskins was from an enemy with the potential of killing David.  Michal loved David but somehow she failed to realize the source of his strength, which is why she mocked him for his "exaltation of Law."  Because Michal scorned David for his love of Torah (righteousness) she remained barren all her years.  So it is with the false church system, anti-Torah Christians who scorn Torah bear no fruits to the Kingdom of Elohim because they do not respect how and what YHWH did through His Mashiyach Y'shua to bring down the enemy.  Y'shua proved that YHWH is JUST and His Laws are Holy, Just and Good and that as a loving Father He gives Grace to the humble and resists the proud.  Michal represents the false bride, the false church who calls other Christians legalists because they "exalt the Law", the true bride of Mashiyach is careful to observe every Word the proceeds from the Mouth of the Living Elohim, because His Word which is Torah, is true altogether!

Most Christians have never been around Torah observant Jews who put their trust in Mashiyach, but I recall a Christian lady saying one time..."they're hugging Y'shua", excuse me, I said???  Yes she said, "when they hug Torah like that they are hugging Y'shua because HE IS THE WORD MADE FLESH."  Wow, I thought to myself, she was given a beautiful connection, in the spiritual world this woman could see beyond words on a scroll, to the intent of Torah.  She could see that when the Israelites left the bondage of Egypt that YHWH gave them a Covenant of beauty and freedom.  YHWH even said:

"If you shall hearken unto the voice of YHWH your Elohim, to keep His commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the Torah, and if you turn unto YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.  It is not in heaven, that you should 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 you should 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 is very nigh unto you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.  See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command you this day to love YHWH your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply: and YHWH your Elohim shall bless you in the land where you are going to possess it.  But if your heart turn away, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that you shall surely perish, and that you shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither you pass over Jordan to go to possess it.  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: That you may love YHWH your Elohim, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cleave unto him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which YHWH swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."  (D'varim/Deuteronomy 30:10-20)

If you're not Jewish you would be very wise to take this to heart.  Remember that these words were also directed to a "mixed multitude" from all the nations who joined with the Israelites to come out of Egypt.  Also remember that all these souls were essentially pagans, they were the seed of Avraham but they had been in Egypt for 400 years, they had learned the pagan customs and they practiced sun and man worship.  In other words, YHWH brought YOU out of Egypt right along with them.  Regardless of your natural birthright, YOU are the one who YHWH wants to cherish, if only you will lift up your voice and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! 

Do NOT believe the lie that Torah is for Jews only.  Don't believe it whether it comes from Jews or Christians because it is still the same lie.  Look at Caleb the Kenezite who wasn't a Jew but who became a most faithful and trusted witness, he was NOT a Jew, but his Faith made him one with Judah, and not only a Jew but he had a "different spirit", he became an example for all other Jews, Israelites and Goy to emulate.  Look at Ruth the Moabite, and she became the mother of Mashiyach?  From her ancestry came Mashiyach!  In other words, YHWH chooses whom He chooses and men can play all the religious and political games they want but they cannot steal your true identity, unless you let them.

Torah is freedom and you are either walking in Torah and free from sin or you're not.  All the religious posturing and propaganda in the world will NEVER substitute for truth.

Everyone knows that a formula is a set form of words, or something definite or authoritative or a procedure to be followed or something prescribed for a specific occasion....oops that really sounds a lot like "statement of faith" doesn't it?   Yes that's right, this 4th definition is really saying that one formula is better than another formula.  In other words when people call you a "legalist", one of the definitions then is that their "formula" is better than your "formula."  It doesn't matter how long someone is going to preach their doctrine at you and tell you that they have no "formula", but the fact that they would preach about anything tells you that yes they do have a formula.  In fact some people actually go to university for many years to receive credentials so they can authoritatively teach a formulae.  Answer this question: What must I do to be saved?  BUT, don't give me a formula of any sort!!!  Nope, you can't do it, because the minute you open your mouth you will give me a set of things that you believe, even if you just quote Scripture to me and nothing else, it doesn't matter because you will quote the Scripture chronologically according to your formula.  On the other hand if you were just to pick up your Bible and give it to me and say "read this"!  Ooops, that was your answer, a formula.

In other words those who point their finger at your formula are judging your formula and this term "legalism" is simply their way of saying that their formula is better than yours.  But really the bottom line here is that the word legalism itself is legalism by it's own definition.  Stay with me now we're coming up to the finish line and we're going to win this battle together.  Legalism is the theological way of pointing a finger at someone else, but the stakes here are extremely high.  The term "legalism" is the trump card for lawless Christians to point their fingers at others and judge others.  If anyone ever calls you a legalist because of how you serve the King of all Kings it is very likely that it is not them, but a religious demon inside of them who is accusing you.  I won't mention any names but a lot of Christian literature regularly employs the term legalism against other Christians.  The source and authority of anyone using this term against another person is satanic, there is no other conclusion that one can come to and I can prove this by natural and spiritual law beyond a shadow of doubt.

No organized denominational religious status quo will never label you as a legalist if you follow their formula, as you are accepted by your peers based on their formula.  But when you point your fingers at others and call their formula legalism your peers are likely to have broad smiles on their faces because you are showing solidarity with their religious traditions (formulae).  Condemnation of other human beings is in fact part of Christian culture, Christians have become Satan's little helpers. Where does it say in Scripture that we must condemn others in order to be saved?  Where did Christians learn this ministry of condemnation?  "For Elohim sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)  "Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven:" (Luke 6:37)  Don't be calling people legalists unless you want judgment to fall on your own head!

Traditionally, official Vatican documents were bound in red cloth tape and this is also where the 17th to 18th Century British Monarchy got their government tradition from.  During the 4th Century all the Roman empire was "made Christian," Rome was the capital for the world's "superpower" that controlled all religious and governmental matters.  "Rome" remade it's own religion called Christianity.  The heart of Catholicism is sun worship, and yet the Protestant reformers did not fall far from the apple tree, which is why all Christian denominations that reject Torah are daughters of the harlot system.  Paul issued strict warning to all who have ears to hear:

"For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now will let, until he be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Master shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause Elohim shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

It would be nearly impossible to epitomize the mystery of iniquity with a better example than the word "legalism" and how it is being used within Christianity today.  There is no better way to define religion than "red tape", from the dawn of time YHWH came to His own, He walked in the garden with Adam and Eve and He appears to all who seek Him in Spirit and in Truth according to His Ruach haKodesh.  Religion, on the other hand is man's carnal response to YHWH, it makes rules, traditions, buzz words, status quo trends and walls between YHWH and His people.  YHWH sent Mashiyach to expose and take down the false traditions of mankind, but many loved the bondage of their traditions far more than they loved the freedom of Truth.  What Mashiyach did for us came at a great price and it is because of what he did that we must be empowered to observe Torah by Grace, not of our own strength lest any man should boast.

CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER:

Based on the Word of YHWH El Elyon, I hereby declare in the authority if His Majesty Y'shua Mashiyach in this written affidavit that the use of the term legalism is a wicked device of Satan.  It is not of the Household of Faith.  It is a lie against the Truth.  I further declare that ample warning has been issued to all Christians and others who read this affidavit that such person's who read this affidavit and continue to use such device as the term "legalist" are culpable of transgressing both the letter and intent of the Word of YHWH by condemning the souls of others.  I declare and proclaim on this, the

25th day of October 2007

that the following witnesses of Scripture will bear witness to this affidavit as follows:

"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,

that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Romans 14:13

"Humble yourselves in the sight of YHWH, and He shall lift you up.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother,

speaks evil of the Torah, and judges the Torah: but if you judge the Torah,

you are not a doer of the Torah, but a judge.

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy:

who are you that judge another?" 

James 4:10-12

“Then shall you call, and YHWH shall answer; you shall cry, and he shall say,

Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke,

the pointing of the finger, and speaking vanity;”

Isaiah 58:9

"Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Master draws nigh.

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of YHWH, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of YHWH; that YHWH is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

  James 5:8-11

Let Elohim be true, and every man a liar

Baruch ben Daniel

Signed in the presence and the witness of His Majesty Y'shua Mashiyach according to the Ruach haKodesh