The modern Christian (Roman) Church would have us believe that Yehovah's perfect instructions on how to live our life have been done away with. They would say people under the "New Covenant" do not need or can't even live by Torah, even if they tried. They would say we cannot earn our Salvation by following God's "law" and it's even a sin to try, thereby denying Christ's great sacrifice by attempting to follow His (the Father's) instructions. They would say that God the Father tried Torah with the "Jews" and they failed Him, so a better way had to be introduced and presented to the Gentiles.
These are just a few of the remarks I've heard over the years concerning this subject. Yes, I realize all Christians don't say these things and this study is not about condemning individuals in the Church. Instead, this study is about what the institution of the Church teaches vs what the Bible teaches, vis-a'-vis, Torah in the New Testament.
So, I would begin to answer these "churchy" ideas with a simple question; "Do you follow man or God?".
This is not a trite question. The question is important because our final judge on these matters will be Yeshua (Jesus) Himself and His Word, and not a human denomination or doctrine. But we must determine what is His "Word", what is the "New Covenant", what is Sin, and just who Jesus is! We will answer these questions and more while studying this issue.
Right now let's look at a few verses on His "perfect law" since it has been mentioned (ESV used, generally):
Psa_19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
[in the Hebrew this literally states that Torah is true and without error, having Yehovah Himself as The witness to this fact]
Pro 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. (KJV used)
[I've used the KJV here because it has the most direct translation from the Hebrew. It emphasizes the fact that man-made doctrine is not required because Yehovah has already given us good doctrine and that doctrine is Torah! It truly makes all the various Christian "denominations of abominations", with their differing doctrinal ideas, superfluous.]
Heb_7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
[This is one of the most misunderstood verses in Hebrews. Roman Christians have told me they have a better hope than Torah! But, what is it that was not made perfect here? Just a cursory reading of the chapter tells us it was the human Aaronic Priests that were, in fact, sinners like the rest of us and not perfect, so the better hope is through Yeshua, who is a Priest forever, in the Order of Melchizedek! It isn't saying the Law is not perfect. It is saying we have a better, improved Covenant because of Yeshua. Btw, it is the same Covenant but without the weakness of human priests. The Covenant described in the New Testament has been "renewed and improved". It was prophesied in the Old Testament. (See Jeremiah 31:31-40) Please notice, Jeremiah speaks of Torah being written on our hearts so we may follow it willingly! (See James 1) Also, please understand, the word "new", in Hebrew, can be translated as "renewed". When one looks at the Whole Word this becomes clear.]
Heb_7:28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
[... related to verse 19, shown above.]
Heb_10:1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
[How often have you heard a Roman Christian say; "the Law is just a shadow of good things to come ..."? Look closely at the verse. It doesn't say the Law is a shadow, but "has", that is, it contains a shadow of good things to come. That shadow was the continually offered animal sacrifices which did not make one perfect, which pointed to the One and Only sacrifice given just once for all of us; Yeshua! This is the entire point of Hebrews Ch. 10! Contextually speaking, the word "shadow" here is more appropriately called, "foreshadowing".]
Jas_1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
[Why would James (actually Ya'a'kov) say we must do Torah to be blessed? He says it because this is where our blessings come from! (Read all of Deuteronomy!)
Before continuing to the book of Matthew to start our digging into the N.T., lets state a definition or two which will become important to our study. What does it mean to be "Righteous", to have "Righteousness"? I'm using the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Righteous
1. acting in accord with divine law : free from guilt or sin.
2. a: morally right or justifiable; a righteous decision.
b: arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality; righteous indignation.
3. slang: genuine, excellent.
righteously - adverb
righteousness - noun
And, how is sin defined by the Bible?
1 John 3:4: Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (ESV)
1 John 3:4 : Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (KJV)
Btw, the word, "lawlessness" in the Greek is; "anomia", meaning, being WITHOUT TORAH!
Interesting isn't it? To be Righteous one must be practicing Torah, to be Sinful one must be without Torah!
... stay tuned for more!
The Observer
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