Pondering the 10 Days of Awe this year ('22), my heart was turned intently to the word "Deed." Perhaps this word "Deed" has been passed over and not considered as much as it deserves in terms of being a legal matter or as an important document, kept on record to be as legally binding as any other type of "Deed" we may be acquainted with, such as Mortgage Deeds, Car or Boat Titles, or Property Deeds. All are familiar Deeds of ownership and are common to the worldly legal system.
Take a look at these very recognizable legal terms below, but this time consider them in a spiritual, Biblical context.
Deeds, Court, Representation by Legal Council,
Law, Acquittal, Judgment, Binding,
Witness, Account, Acquittal
All these terms flooded in as the word "Deed" became a constant train of thought for about two weeks as the 10 Days Of Awe drew near. By "seeing" all these legal terms being eternally relevant and the thought of "Deeds" being collected, and recorded in heaven with our names on them, the word "Deed" hit me with fresh eyes.
Deeds represent ownership and are binding legal instruments. How often have we thought, "I wish they would own their action or behavior?” Whether one "owns" their Deed(s) or not, the Deed(s) are being constantly recorded, bearing the owner's name, and are non-transferable; they belong exclusively to the Deed-Holder. The shoulder-shrugging, nonchalant mantra of, "Oh well, He knows my heart" doesn't dispose of, or absolve one of the Deed. Our Deeds are a VERY serious spiritual, legal matter.
2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book Of Life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their **Deeds.
Righteous Deeds Rewarded | Evil Deeds Judged
Many verses describe the wages of sin or evil deeds resulting in death and everlasting punishment, and many passages speak of rewards for righteous deeds. Here are just a couple below to consider.
Righteous Deeds performed by the leading of the Ruach Ha’Qodesh result in rewards (awards).
Jeremiah 17:10- I, the Lord, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Matthew 16:27- For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Evil Deeds (unconfessed) committed by the leading of carnal appetites appeases the sin-ridden flesh and transgress YHVH’S Law (Commandments), resulting in His dreaded yet righteous Judgment, administered by YHVH Himself in His Sovereign Heavenly Court. His Court is the last place anyone wants to be without an advocate!
John 3:20- For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
1 John 3:12- not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil,
Elohim’s High Court of Heaven-
Confession or Admission Of Ownership (Guilt)- Admitting the Deed is a confession of guilt and responsibility, accepting ownership of the Deed (action), and not attempting to shift blame (demonstrates a humble heart and honesty). As John 3:20 stated above, evildoers hate the Light of exposure.
Repentance (turning from sin) and remorse (demonstrating a broken and contrite spirit). Without confession and repentance, reconciliation between two parties is impossible. The Deed must be "settled" correctly and in order.
Atonement is granted by asking the "Great Counselor" Yeshua to wash away (expunge) the guilty stain from our record with His blood. He alone has become the propitiation (turning away wrath to satisfy or pardon) for our sins (transgressing the Law / Commandments). The very blood of Yeshua then atones for the Deed, and the Deed is then “expunged” (wiped away) from our record FOREVER. [Acquittal, noun, criminal Law- the deliverance and release of a person appearing before a court on a charge of crime, as by a finding of not guilty, a discharge or release from an obligation, duty, or debt.]
Yeshua Is Our ONLY Advocate-
1 John 1-2 (1) My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Yeshua, the Righteous One. (2) He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Forgiveness
It is vitally important to state that forgiveness for the believer is not a choice but an obligation. To receive forgiveness, we must first have a heart of forgiveness for others. In this principle, we see the representation of Yeshua as our Advocate in the Sovereign High Court of Heaven extended only to those who have shown a willingness to forgive others. Grudge holders, the insincere and the hard-hearted, receive no representation in the High Court of Heaven. Having Yeshua represent us as Atoning Legal Counsel, is a consequence of our obedience to forgive the Deeds of others. We can forgive and still maintain healthy boundaries if need be. The ability to separate the sin from the sinner, and to be burdened by the fact that without repentance, the transgressor will spend eternity separated from Elohim in hell, should be reason enough to spur us toward prayers of concern, that fear for their soul’s destiny.
Matt.6:14- For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt. 6:15- But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Colossians 3:13- bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.
When we conduct our inward inventory during the annual 10 Days Of Awe, we consider our Deeds' eternal, and legal ramifications. To be given 10 days each year for introspection by the Most High is such a merciful act. May we all consider the weight of our Deeds. May we walk soberly, preparing for the "taking away," and pray to be found walking in repentance. Let us be both forgiving and forgiven, and found worthy to be called His spotless "Bride."
If this has resonated with your heart in any way, please leave a comment, and share your perspective(s). Just knowing you were here makes my heart sing! -Shalom