Should Christians follow the Torah? Or, a conversation I recently had

I received an email a few months ago, to which I responded. I would like to share with you her words and mine (Hers are in blockquotes) I take issue with many things she said, though not all are mentioned here. The conversation continued on, and I will share that next, but one thing (er, actually a whole lot of information) at a time:

You mentioned in your previous email about not adding to Christ's word. I too believe we should not. However, just as it is imperative to not add, it is also vitally important not to take away. As for Paul, he spoke at length about these topics, in fact he nearly recited the verse from Jeremiah 31.

Paul's words:

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares." Romans 2:13-16

Jeremiah's words:

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Jer. 31:33

Not to be contentious, only conversing here.....I do not believe that the Jews are saved. Scripture is very plain that the ONLY way to heaven is through Christ. If someone does not have the faith in Jesus, and uses the Law as salvation.....Jesus said he will not see heaven.

I too believe NO ONE is saved through the law, only through salvation bought for us with a heavy price paid for by Christ's willing sacrifice. Ephesians 2:8-9 confirms this. However, that does not negate the fact that the Law {also called the Torah} is from YHVH's own mouth, which has spoken the same truth from the beginning, now and forever. The prophet Isaiah spoke of days to come:

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." Isaiah 45:22-23

I won't squabble on what you believe you need to do to be like Christ,but I do know scripture tells Gentiles what is expected of them, and the Law of the Jewish is not yoked on them. I am a Gentile because I do not come from the Jewish descent. In Acts 15 there is considerable mention about what the Gentiles need practice and in Galatians 3 we are told that living by the law is not living by faith and well...without faith it is impossible to please him....(Heb) And in Col. 2 we are told not to judge each other by things as such. For Paul to dismiss the necessity of these areas tells me that it isn't necessary for Christian living. When I became a Christian, Christ came to live in me through the Holy Spirit.

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Jesus, you are all one. Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29

The Lord's children are Israel. ONE Israel. "It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.." Romans 9:6-8 We should not strive to be Jews, whose hearts are hardened for a time, or like lawless, licentiousness Gentiles who do not realize that once our salvation was bought, we are called to be set apart and be holy.

And, I agree with you-- it is not our place to judge. We are not called to judge evil either, but that does not mean it does not still exist. We just have no right to condemn anyone else lest we condemn ourselves in the process. Admittedly I have been {and still am at times} guilty of ignoring my plank to point out my brother's/sister's stick. In fact, one of the last lines in Revelation, John says: "Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy." Rev. 22:10-11

As far as celebrating the shabbot....I think that is wonderful! But if we tie that into a needed thing to be like Christ we add to Christs word.The Sabboth is for the Jewish and according to the Old Testament...they need to honor that forever. But the New testament Christians met on the First day of the week, but even then that is not a commanded day of worship.

Well, yes, Sunday is all wrong. The feasts, appointed times and commandments are of YHVH {God}--(see Ezek.20:20, Lev. 23:2). They are not simply Jewish celebrations {except possibly Hanukkah}, they are His appointed times, times commanded by YHVH to last until the end of this earth as we know it. And He doesn't change {Numbers 23:19}, nor has His Son, who has been with the Father from the beginning {Hebrews 13:18} The appointed times point to the Messiah as well as end-time {future} events. While it is good to honor and worship the Lord every day, there is still a reason {and specific time} for the Sabbath. I believe that the Sabbath and the appointed times given by God in Leviticus 23 are God’s personal appointments with His children.. The Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel (His children) – By honoring the Sabbath, we show which God we serve. I believe the the Lord's plan of salvation, as well as prophecy of end time events, are pictured in the feasts:

*Jesus was crucified on Passover and was buried during Unleavened Bread.

*Jesus rose from the dead on Firstfruits – starting the counting of 50 days (Omer) until Pentecost.

*YHVH sent His Spirit on Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks)

*The Feast of Trumpets is a picture of Jesus' return

*The Day of Atonement is a picture of those who have denied themselves, taken up their cross, and followed the Messiah. They will be the priests and will reign with Him 1,000 years)

*The Feast of Tabernacles is a picture of the 1,000 year reign.

I could adopt a black child, but I could never make him white...so yes, we are grafted into Gods family through Christ, but I can never be a Jew. In Galations 4 it speaks of the adoption, but goes on to say in verses 9 and 10 that we become weak to observe the days,,,,why do we want bondage? Romans 8 addresses our adoption too--out of bondage...saved by hope in Christ.

True, you could never make your child white. But would he not be required to follow your rules at home, just as any biological child you reared? Would he have his own rules just because he was adopted, or did you adopt him to make him part of your family?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is also smack-dab in the middle of the Bible. From my understanding, it is all about the delight of the commandments. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4

I am pretty sure Galatians 4 is talking about following false idols, who have their own signs and seasons. The Galatians were led away into following false gods, not the one true God. Our Father, way back in the beginning, created the moon and stars to be used for signs and for seasons {Genesis 1:14}.

The Lord's commandments are not bondage. Jesus said so himself:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30