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From What Are We Set Free?
by Chaia Kravitz
In terms of Messianic beliefs, there is no question that salvation is through Grace alone. But where does the Law fit in, in the life of a Jewish Believer? Torah is still alive, and still relevant. My brother Marc S. Handelsman makes some excellent points in his article "Liberation Day." There is no question that salvation is through Grace alone, by faith in Yeshua. The point of debate is how Mosaic Law fits into the life of a Jewish Believer. Yeshua Himself admitted that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The Torah has been likened to a contract between G-d and His Chosen People. When a contract is fulfilled, the terms and conditions still apply. A marriage contract is fulfilled when the couple is cohabitating as man and wife, and only ends upon death. So too does the Law apply to our lives as Jewish Believers -- the contract with G-d has made with us in His Torah only ends upon our earthly deaths. In Yeshua we are free -- not free from the Law, but from the curse of the Law. For example, adultery was a sin in the Tanach, as well as the Brit Chadesha. However, because of Yeshua's sacrifice, if someone is guilty of adultery, he or she is not dragged to the outskirts of the city and stoned to death, as is the perscribed punishment in Leviticus. Instead, a person can turn away from sin by repenting. Forgiveness by G-d is given when asked, and the slate is wiped clean. Throughout the Brit Chadesha, we are exhorted to follow G-d's commandments: Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (NIV) What laws or commandments are being discussed? Since Yeshua only had the Tanach as Scripture in His day, it is reasonable to assume He is referring to Mosaic Law. There are also some very practical reasons for a Jewish Believer to maintain a Torah-based lifestyle. We have to remember that our unsaved Jewish brothers and sisters are watching our every move. These are people who equate coming to faith in Yeshua with deserting our Jewishness. The onus is on us to prove them wrong. When they see Jewish people who profess faith in Yeshua living a Jewish lifestyle, following Jewish customs, and observing Jewish holidays, it makes more of an impact than any tract or soapbox preaching ever could. In no place in the Brit Chadesha does it say that Jewish people are exempt from the Law when they accept Yeshua. G-d's Word is eternal -- He does not change His mind, and He never changed the rules. Where does this leave Gentile Believers? While it is arguable whether or not the Law applies to Gentiles, those Messianics with whom I fellowship state that they feel obligated to observe Torah for a variety of reasons. In becoming a Believer in Yeshua, they have become part of Israel, grafted in to the Olive Tree. It is like an adoption. If someone is adopted into a new family, he or she must obey the rules of that home, even if they are different than what is used to. The Laws of the House of Israel are Torah. They believe that in living a "Jewish" lifestyle, that they are emulating the life of Yeshua -- indeed, a good model towards which to strive. And they believe that G-d has truly put Torah upon their hearts. This is not legalism -- I would only be concerned if someone was preaching that salvation came through works of Torah, and Torah alone. No, one does not have to follow Torah, but after weighing all of the evidence, I can only ask: Why not?Chaia Kravitz is the Editor and Webmaster of Messianic Jewish Online. Copyright 2003
- Romans 1:16, NIV |