Middot U'Mitzvot: Character Qualities and Commandments
Sin and Death Defeated


G-d's Torah is the best source of instruction
in character qualities and holy living


Sin and Death Defeated - Victory in Messiah

“The sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

There is much reason to rejoice as we remember the day of Yeshua’s Resurrection! Rejoice because it is the day that He gained the victory, for us, over sin and death and the grave. Because of His triumph we can confidently echo the words of Isaiah, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (Is. 25:8) as well as the words of Hosea, “O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” The question, however, is…are we living out that victory? Are we filled with the joy and the power that comes from knowing that we have gained the victory through Yeshua our Messiah? Or, do we still let the inconveniences of this life get in our way and bring us down? Others should look at us and see something different. They should see the joy and the confidence that we have in Messiah’s victory and they should be drawn to it. Messiah’s victory in our lives should spill over into the lives of others. His victory and our victory should become their victory as well. So, how can you share this wonderful victory in Messiah with others? Discuss some ideas with your classmates and with your friends and family.

Light for the World - Shine Your Light

“You are the light of the world….let your light shine before men, so that they may see the good things that you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14a, 16

Did you know that Yeshua has entrusted a very important job to you? You are a front line worker in His harvest fields of life! Yeshua did not give you the gift of light and life just to keep it to yourself. No, He has given you light and life so that you can share it with others. As Yeshua is THE Light to the world leading men from sin and death into light and life eternal, we are also to be lights for the world leading others to Him. Whenever we live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and that is in obedience to His Word, our light shines. Whenever we say a kind word or do a good deed, our light shines. Whenever we put hands and feet on what we say we believe, our light shines. When others see our light shining in the words that we say and in the deeds that we do, they will recognize Yeshua in us and give praise to our God. And, what other job could be more important than that, right?!? So, let the light of Yeshua in you shine, shine, shine!

Transformed By His Word - Renew Your Mind

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

As believers in Messiah Yeshua, the battle over sin and temptation is won or lost in our hearts and in our minds. What we think about, talk about, read, and watch is what fills our hearts and our minds. That is why it is so important to be in God’s Word – to read God’s Word, to study it, and to memorize it. If we fill ourselves up with the garbage of this world – with its lures and its lies – then we are more easily tripped up and sin when we are faced with temptation. Part of being a child of God means that we are always in the process of growing – that we are always in the process of being changed and transformed into the likeness of Yeshua. When we allow our hearts and our minds to be filled with the Word of God, we will be renewed and we will know what God’s will is for our lives. The answer to every question is found in the love letter that God has written to us – it is found in the Bible. So, get into God’s Word and let it renew your mind!

Fix Your Hope on Him - Focused and Ready

“Therefore, get your minds ready for work, keep yourselves under control, and fix your hopes fully on the gift you will receive when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13

What occupies your thoughts? How do you spend your time? Is God a part of what you do each day? Peter tells us to be ready for what the Lord has planned for us. He tells us to be focused on the things of God. Nothing in this life – even the newest, greatest fad – is as important as your relationship with God. If we keep our attention fixed on God’s Word and doing His work, we will be ready when Yeshua calls us. Life can be unpredictable, but when we put our hope and our trust in Yeshua, then even the twists and the turns – even the bumps and the bruises of life cannot defeat us or wear us down. There is great reward for those who stay the course and finish running the race. Soon, Yeshua will return and He will want to talk to you about how you lived your life – about what was important to you and how you spent your time here on the earth. So, are you ready for Him? Are you ready for what the Lord would like to do with your life?

Kehilat Sar Shalom

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