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The Big Question

     Then is there anything we can do to be “more righteous” in his sight?

     Is there any amount of Torah Observance that we can apply to our life that can make us be more righteous in the eyes of G-D? No. So we are fundamentally, constitutionally, righteous before God. So that means one thing. That there is nothing that we can do to change our presence, our stand before him.

     RESPONSE: The above logic looks real good on the surface. However it contains a fundamental logic error which makes all of the difference in the world. This is the error of EQUIVICATION. The error of EQUIVICATION occurs when an ambiguous word is used to mean one thing in the beginning, but something else in the conclusion. Two examples: A record is an album of music. The criminal had a record. Therefore the criminal had an album of music. All stars are energized by fusion. Tom Cruise is a big star. Therefore Tom Cruise is energized by fusion. There is a common misunderstanding that pits James 2:18 against Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 3:6-9. The problem here is misunderstanding the Semitic text. The Hebrew and Aramaic word TZADAKA (Just/Righteous) is an ambiguous word with many meanings. This word can mean "to display righteousness" and it can be a synonym for "salvation." For example, Jn. 7:29 "the people... and the publicans “justified G-d”, being immersed with the immersion of Yochanan." Here it is clear that TZADAKA refers to a "display of righteousness" and NOT salvation, since the people clearly were not bringing salvation to God. When Paul says Abraham was justified by faith (Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 3:6-9) he speaks in the context of "salvation" and refers to Gen. 15:6. This is the same usage as in Psalm 71:15 where TZADAKA is used in poetic parallelism as a synonym for "Salvation" (YESHUA). When Ya'akov (James) says that Abraham was justified by works he speaks in context of a display of righteousness (James 2:18) and refers to an event in Gen. 22 which took place many years AFTER Abraham had ALREADY been justified by faith (in Gen. 15:6). In the Hebrew/Aramaic there is absolutely NO conflict between Paul and Ya'akov (James) here.

     Ok, now that we understand the two ambiguous words here and properly understand what Ya'akov and Paul are saying we can also see the clear error in the statement we quoted above. In the beginning question above "Righteous" is used as a synonym for Salvation: Do we see ourselves as righteous individuals? Righteous before him through the blood of Messiah? But in the conclusion, the question uses the word Righteousness to refer to a display of righteousness or righteous deeds: Now the truth is this. We do see ourselves as righteous (saved) individuals. However we can also be more righteous (display of good deeds) than we are right now if we become more Torah Observant. This is CLEARLY taught in the Scriptures: And it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all these commandments before YHVH our Elohim, just as he commanded us. (Deut. 6:25) ...if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully-- he is righteous... (Ezek. 18:9) ...it is those who obey the Torah who will be declared righteous. (Rom. 2:13-- WOW! YOU MEAN PAUL SAID THAT?!!!) Now I ask you again: ...is there anything we can do to be more righteous in his sight? Is there any amount of Torah Observance that we can apply to our life that can make us be more righteous in the eyes of YHVH? YES! Let no man deceive you. “Know” Torah, know more righteousness, “no” Torah, less righteousness.