A movement emerged in which some claim following Torah in regard to obedience to God. The Torah-observance dominates the emphasis to the point of seeing Jesus as the example to continue following Torah as instructed in the Old Testament.
To them in order to obey God one must refer to the Torah and observe feasts and religious ceremony. However is this accurate?
God says:
Keep my commandments
Obey my statutes
So that means to some we must maintain Torah.
What is Torah?
Torah is the instruction of the law as given in the first five books of the Bible. They contain ordinances to carry out obedience to the Law, but is not the Law itself. Torah is a Hebrew word for the first five book. In Greek it is Pentateuch. However, followers of the Law usually do not call themselves “Pentateuch-followers,” they tend to regard the Hebrew word. There is a specific reason for that.
The Old Testament to the Jews required the Law written in stone. The Mosaic covenant of the Law provided the basis of God’s standard principles. It was a precursor to the promised Messiah who would fulfill the Law.
The Law proved faith in which was required due to the transgression of man. The tedious requirements shown the intensity of transgression and painted the picture of sin. Because man could not keep the standard and his flesh weak in sin, the Law was weak.
However, the law was merely a tutor to bring us to Christ and to the original intent of having the law already in the heart and following out of love. The Law was inferior and not able to keep us. Jesus provided the means to have his grace and indwell with the Holy Spirit to follow the principle laws, which are naturally manifested by believing in Jesus Christ and being led by the Spirit, which is why there is no condemnation for those who walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
The Jews confronted Jesus about the Law. They took it to extremes, yet were hypocritical in their definition. Jesus reiterated aspects of the Law to show them their faults. He also revealed that the Law was basic principle:
[Mat 22:36-40] 36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The merit is believing in Jesus. And the fruit bears from it.
Done Away With?
When we question following the Torah, Torah-observers quickly jump to the misconception that we are claiming lawlessness. They regard Torah as the Law, so it would be natural for those who disregard Torah as law-breaking. Hiowever, those in Christ still abide by Law. We still refrain from sin. Just that the ordinances of the Law, and the old covenant are annulled.
I agree with my contenders that many Christians use Romans 6 and grace as an exemption and license to sin, which is a cop-out to them to not address sin. That’s not what it means. We DO have a law of commandments to obey as God’s standards. Lawlessness is not the excuse.
The Word says not everyone who says “lord lord” shall enter the kingdom; that Jesus will say depart from me workers of iniquity (lawbreakers). Torah-keepers will go to this verse, some even extending it to violation of observing the feasts (which is merely inferred) to prove the Law (10 Commandments) shall not be violated in any manner. However in context that passage was regarding false prophets and their fruit to deceive by committing evil. Evildoers strive to commit violation.
When the Pharisees confronted Jesus about the Law, He informed them that we did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (complete its purpose). The Law was a tutor to bring us to Christ.
[Gal 3:24-25] 24 Wherefore the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith is come, we are no longer under a school-master.
The Law is not written in stone, but on our hearts
[2Co 3:3 KJV] 3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
However, the ordinances of the Law have been annulled.
[Eph 2:15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace…
The old covenant was abolished for the new (Hebrews 7 and 8). The ceremonial ordinances of the old covenant were abolished.
However, the law is weak. It served a purpose to not only outline what sin is (by defining the standard of God), it also shown we are in debt to it if under it and are doomed and would not pass the requirements. Therefore we need grace. The law served as a shadow and a tutor to bring us to Christ that we are justified by faith (Gal 3:24). Now we see the law in a more personal light; through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but he fulfilled (completed) the law. The law of Christ is superior and covers all the law (Gal 6:2). Jesus said all the law is contained in two: love the Lord God with all your heart mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.
But are believers of the New Testament under the Law?
The Law is bondage. The New Testament provides grace that we are not bound in debt to the law.
[Gal 5:1-4] 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
If one claims responsibility to the Law as such, one is in debt to the WHOLE law. If one claims obedience to ordinances of the law as their banner they fall from grace. Justifying by the works of the law exempts one from grace.
[Gal 5:18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
We are not under the law, so are we exempt from obeying God?
[Rom 6:14-15] 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Faith supersedes the law, so do we dismiss the law?
[Rom 3:31] 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Believers obey Jesus Christ. In Him we establish the law. True we are not under the law, but by being led by the holy Spirit we still have an inclining towards righteousness of God to establish His standards. Although we are not under the law in that manner, in us we obey Christ and thus fulfill the requirements of the law. God sanctifies us to obey the law as we are walking in the spirit, thus need no ordinance of law because we are inclined to honor Him in His righteousness.
[Rom 10:3-6] 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]:)
So are we lawless?
There are ordinances of the law and we are under the New Covenant, thus the ordinances were abolished. Yes they were. So therefore the manner in which we regard the law is spiritual. The law written in stone is inferior to the law in our hearts. The Law is written on stone has been done away.
[Rom 7:6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.
[2Co 3:2-3, 6-8, 11] 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. … 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? … 11 For if that which is done away [was] glorious, much more that which remaineth [is] glorious.
The priesthood changed in regard to the new covenant. Thus the law changed. The law written on stone was carnal.
[Heb 7:12-14, 16, 18-19] 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. … 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. … 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The New Testament supersedes the old commandment, but in regard to the principles of the Torah has a basis in God that believers in Jesus Christ see through Him. The Commandment of Christ holds in a manner in which is obeyed through Jesus in the heart:
[1Jo 3:23-24] 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
A new commandment is given.
[Jhn 13:34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
However, if you do not have Jesus Christ, you are none of His.
[Rom 8:9 KJV] 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The written stone letter is not what commands believers, but a law written on their hearts. Mosaic Law is inferior to the Law of Messiah, though the Law of Christ contains precepts in the Law of Moses.
In the perspective of the new covenant, the law is recognized as written on the heart,
[Rom 2:15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
The fulfillment of the Law in the new covenant is this:
[Rom 13:8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
[Gal 6:2] Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
So where does that bring us with Sabbath?
Every so often I am barraged by a strict observance Sabbath-keeper imposing on me the requirement of that one law in the 10 Commandments that refers to the 4th commandment. Namely keeping the Sabbath holy. It is as if that one is of the most obvious so is most important.
They do not question your testimony, nor even ask if you are “born-again.” Their first inquiry is usually, “Do you observe Sabbath.” I know then I have a contender on my hands looking to trap me.
Now, I understand what this question entails. It asks if I am of those under the sign of God’s people as written in Ezek 20:12 and hold the strict sabbath-keeping in obedience to the Commandments as opposed to the Sunday worshippers who are under example of Rome. That’s what they mean. But quite honestly, they ASSUME you are a lawbreaker if your answer is not satisfying to support their measure of observing the seventh day Sabbath.
You see, they immediately already assume contempt towards anyone not answering with emphasis on their strict ordinance. You could be observing Sabbath, but not make it a spectacle and still they will accuse you of not obeying it. To them it is more than obedience, it is boasting in that ONE law of obedience. I never hear them say, “Hey are you an adulterous?” or “Do you covet your neighbor’s things?” Their reason they say is because THIS one law is commonly broken and justified, and the only one meant as forever. All right, so let’s explore.
Sabbath was given to the Jews as were the other commandments under the Mosaic Law, along with it were ceremonial feasts and ordinances. They were written in stone as a significant stamp of importance. When God gave that law to make the seventh day holy to the Jews (Exodus 20) it was among other commandments (10). It was regarded as a day to cease from work; a rest to reflect on holiness of God. It was written in stone so in a sense ratified. Although the laws were established from the beginning, it was then written in a form for the Jews to have a guide. However, it was not practiced before the Mosaic Law was written, therefore not forever.
The argument is that by disregarding that one law one is disobedient. But reality aren’t we guilty of ALL God’s law and need grace? Scripture tells if you break ONE law you are contempt of them all. That is if you are under the law. The law contains more than 10, it has been calculated to about 613 all together with ceremonial, moral, and ordinances.
The Pharisees had their own interpretation of what it entails to follow obedience to Sabbath. They extended it. When they accused Jesus of disobeying He pointed at them with a scenario challenging their hypocrisy. Then he concluded to tell that Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), and furthermore declared He was Lord of the Sabbath (v 28).
Sabbath serves us as a rest (Ex 20; Heb 4). It provided a day to recoup and cease from work. It also was the day the Jews met in the synagogue. But was that the official meeting day? Many did because they did not work and set up as the ceremonial day to gather. That time was to set apart so one can rest and incline towards God (in holiness).
But what about making it that demanding observance or else violating God’s laws?
We shall not judge if one keeps it as a ceremonial day. That is a liberty. Likewise we shall not judge one who doesn’t strictly observe the same way. One verse is Col 2:16-17 that tells not to judge according to observance of new moons or sabbaths and such. But contenders quickly jump on you that it was talking about the ceremonial “sabbaths” of the Jews, not to disregard the seventh day moral Sabbath.
However, Sabbaths were an ordinance for Israel under the Mosaic Law.
[2Ch 2:4] 4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate [it] to him, [and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel.
We established we are not under the Mosaic Law necessarily, nor their ordinances. Yet they defend the 4th Commandment was implied well before the Mosaic Law. Recorded in Genesis 1 on the seventh day God rested. Sure He did. We are also given a perpetual spiritual rest in Christ (Hebrews 4). But again man was not made for Sabbath (man doesn’t serve Sabbath), but Sabbath for man (Sabbath provides us a privilege to rest). God didn’t make it a law except in the Law of Moses. The fact that God rested, He also gives us rest. We can “rest” in that (no pun intended).
Often disputed is Romans 14:5 in not regarding one day sacred over another. They charge that wasn’t regarding THE Sabbath or else it would violate God’s law. It refers to Sabbaths weekly, monthly, and yearly as a ceremonial requirement regardless. But what are they really afraid of?
Our rest is in Jesus. Jesus is our rest thus rest in Him is spiritually keeping the Sabbath DESPITE whether one holds to the specific day. It is about Jesus. We enter His rest when we come to Him (Hebrews 4) despite a day. If we take that Sabbath day aside, it will be beneficial to us. But does that mean if you worship God on Sunday you are NOT obeying?
In Acts 2:15 when Gentiles began receiving the gift of salvation, the Jewish Christians had to address what they will do with them not following the same traditions and what manner of the Mosaic laws Gentiles should be instructed to obey. The council settled they were exempt and not force them into their traditions.
Jews met in the synagogue, and Jewish Christians met as habit keeping on the seventh day. Sabbath-keepers tell you Jesus and Paul observed the Sabbath, so we are to follow their examples. However, they were accustomed to that practice. Paul didn’t necessarily observe Sabbath as a requirement, but it was the day many had habit of continuing so he met them there. He also continued one meeting unto the next day (Sunday). Sabbath was never one of the sins addressed by Paul, nor even by Jesus.
Sabbath-keepers like to hold you in contempt. They regard Sunday as the Roman Catholic day in honor of the Sun-god. However it is no more the day of the Sun-god to Christians than Saturday is the Saturn-god.
They will tell you there are no record of Sunday worship before Constantine in the 4th century. However that is inaccurate. Often times the early church met on Sunday as revealed in the letters of the early church after 70AD and before even 200AD. When I pointed this out to my contender he merely pass it off as written by apostate Christians. Disciples of the disciples as apostate? Whatever.
Believers gathered on the first day (Sunday) to meet and break bread (Acts 20). They would take up offerings on the first day (1Cor 16:2). My contender tried to convince me that was not a habit, just a day to collect. Although Paul told them do it every week.
Though I will say I don’t think it is fair to say we can officially declare that Sunday replaced the Saturday meaning of Sabbath or that we change from the seventh day to the first on our own accord as the Christian Sabbath. In that I may agree with Sabbath-keepers. The acknowledged day by God in reference to the day of Sabbath was the seventh day on Saturday. There isn’t necessarily a “Christian Sabbath.” However, that doesn’t mean Christians shouldn’t gather on Sunday, or Monday, or any other day. Early believers gathered daily in homes. Our culture has as a habit made Sunday a day off, thereby has been the convenient day to assemble. Any day is good to assemble even if Sunday. It would not be fair to say Sunday was due to adhering to a Roman law any more than it would to say Sabbath-keepers decided to change the time of the original Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday to the Roman calendar measure of time as Saturday 12am to 12pm.
The thing I will say is whether I do set aside the Sabbath doesn’t make that ONE law the one that defines me. I wonder why they boast in that ONE law. I never hear them boasting that today they didn’t have an adulterous thought or stole from their neighbor. They do go out of their way to boast in their keeping that ONE. The reason is pride. They believe that by differentiating that ONE law that they can say they are more holy than their fellow believer and make that their specific proof to condemn others. They make a show of it.
Sabbath ultimately means rest in essence (Heb 4). We perpetually can rest in Jesus whether we hold to that one ordained seventh day, or rest on another day. But DO take a day to rest even if you don’t rest on the day interpreted, since we are not under the same ordinance of law. But make it deliberate for your benefit to rest and sit with God at a designated day and assemble with other believers. However if one chooses, he has liberty to honor the Sabbath and feasts, and any other ceremonial practice. Just that it isn’t a requirement to obey the Law.
That is the commandment of the new covenant. If you have Jesus, the Commandments of Christ are followed. You have a relationship with God, regard Him in all your ways, rest in His Sabbath (perpetual rest as He did), and have respect for your neighbor. When one understands Sabbath entirely, it becomes a bit of a different example.It takes on a more perpetual meaning, even as the Day may still be set apart.
So What About Obedience as Proven Works?
Works of the Law doesn’t save.
[Eph 2:8-9] 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.though will be evident.
Many prove that works is required. Works and fruit will follow one’s testimony.
[Jas 2:18, 20] 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. … 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
[Gal 5:22-23] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
However, to define oneself by boasting in works is also vain.
[Tit 3:9] But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
If one puts himself in regard of the Law as a measure he becomes indebted to the Law. One failed mark disqualifies you. Therefore the law condemns you. You need a savior in order to pay the price of sin.
But the good news is that Jesus paid the price by his crucifixion. It was proven satisfactory by His resurrection. His merit satisfied the sin if you apply it. For that you have to accept what he did and receive. This by believing in Him that you do not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The meaning of “believe” is more personal that just to acknowledge. It means to wholly put your full trust into, to put your whole weight upon. And repent of sin, that is to agree with God that you have transgressed so that you acknowledge you need His salvation power. And thus by believing and receiving, you will be resurrected from death to life. Jesus Christ is the firstfruit and you can trust in Him.
Your relationship with Him is your salvation as His Spirit indwells you to lead and guide you in His righteousness. Not of works, but by faith. Your faith (trust in Him) will access the holy Spirit to operate in your life. As you walk in His Spirit, you are made new and become a workmanship of God in a process. The law still applies in a manner, but is fulfilled in Jesus. Therefore the law is transcended by grace. You have the grace of Jesus Christ to follow through, to have been forgiven, and to obey Him. If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1John 1:9).
Shall we then go and sin? The apostle Paul made it clear that grace covers sin, yet warned certainly not go and sin. We still may sin. But also have a propitiation of cover in the event you falter. And the law is not indebted to your loss if you are in Christ. However, if in Christ, your account for sin is kept short as it is brought to the table to be remedied. Already covered and forgiven? Perhaps, but needing to be addressed for your continual spiritual walk without a seared conscience towards God that may hinder your walk and mess up your testimony for Christ.