TK Torah Keepers

The law of YHWH is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of YHWH is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸ The statutes of YHWH are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of YHWH is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹ The fear of YHWH is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of YHWH are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:7-10 KJV)

 Every time I pray this psalm I find myself wondering if my Christian brethren have ever prayed or read these words.  My Christian brethren contend that they believe the bible to be the true word of God. Many of my brethren adamantly proclaim that the bible is the divinely inspired, ineffable and infallible word of God.  These same brethren are also those who boldly declare that they believe and teach the whole bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.  And yet, when they discover that I am keeping and teaching the Torah, they tell me that I am under a curse, that I am in bondage, that I have denied “Jesus” and that I have rejected salvation.  I am genuinely at a loss to understand the logic of such thinking.  Let us look again at the description of the Torah as given above.

 The TORAH of YHWH is PERFECT

• The TESTIMONY of YHWH is SURE
• The STATUTES of YHWH are RIGHT
• The COMMANDMENTS of YHWH are PURE
• The FEAR of YHWH is CLEAN
• The JUDGMENTS of YHWH are TRUE and RIGHTEOUS

 The first thing that we should note from this description is that the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments, Judgments and even the Fear of YHWH, are all from YHWH.  These are not the laws of the Jews, nor the laws of Moses, nor of any other man.  These instructions, testimonies, statues, commandments, and judgments are the words of YHWH the Sovereign Creator and Ruler of the Universe.  Therefore we must acknowledge their validity and authenticity. We must likewise acknowledge that the Torah, testimony, statutes, commandments, and judgments are the “doctrine of devils” being taught by “seducing spirits” as some would contend from a misreading and application of the Apostle Shaul’s letter to Timothy.

 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1 KJV)  

 YHWH is not a “seducing spirit” nor do I believe his teachings to be “doctrine of devils.” The “Spirit that speaketh expressly” in this verse is the Spirit of YHWH who is concerned about those who being led away from “the faith” as it is taught through his Torah, testimony, statutes, commandments and judgments!

 The second thing we should note is that this positive description of the Torah, Testimonies, Statues, Commandments and Judgments of YHWH appears in the scriptures—the inspired word of YHWH. In other words, this positive description is YHWH’S description and assessment of his own word.  The psaltery is the Creator’s prayer book given to his people to aid them in their worship and devotion.  The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs of worship, inspired by the Spirit of the Holy One in the hearts of his loving and faithful servants.  Therefore we must declare the description of the word of YHWH to be as true as the word itself. If YHWH has declared his word to be perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous, who are we to judge his word otherwise? 

 Third let us carefully note the very attributes ascribed to the word of YHWH.

•  Perfect (tamiym) which means complete, lacking nothing, whole.
• Sure (aman) which means faithful, dependable, true, certain.
• Right (yashar) which means they are correct or accurate.
• Pure (bar) which means pure, without defilement, sincere.
• Clean (tahor) which means it is acceptable, useful, and consistent with being the image of YHWH.
• True (emet) which means it is indeed the truth and therefore sound and dependable.
• Righteous (tzadak) which means correct, right, and just.

 What offense to YHWH could possibly be found in any of these attributes? What curse would YHWH bestow upon those guilty of embodying these attributes in their lives? Only the enemies of YHWH and lovers of darkness would take offense at or feel cursed by the embodiment of these attributes. By giving our lives to embodying the Torah, Testimony, Statute, Commandments, and Judgments of YHWH we manifest these same attributes in our own lives and beings.    

 Finally, let us note that not only are the Torah, Testimonies, Statutes, Commandments, and Judgments, perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous, but they are also of considerable benefit to those who would embrace them.

 The Torah of YHWH is given for the converting of the soul

• The Testimony of YHWH is for making wise the simple
• The Statutes of YHWH rejoice the heart
• The Commandment of YHWH enlightens the eyes
• The Fear of YHWH endures for ever—this implies that those who fear YHWH will likewise endure forever

 We may note that the last one is are described differently.

 The Judgments of YHWH—because they are true and just are to be desired more than gold, and should be seen as sweeter than honey.

 These last two descriptions are describing a genuine believer’s attitude toward the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments and Judgments of YHWH.

 Let us note that nowhere does it say that we are “saved” by keeping the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, and Commandments of YHWH.  Rather that we will be converted, made wise, enlightened, and have our hearts uplifted.  How can keeping the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments, and Judgments of YHWH be a curse?  How can the Fear of YHWH be bondage?  How is it possible that Yeshua the Messiah could have kept Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments, and Judgments of YHWH perfectly, be declared “pleasing” in the sight of YHWH, and then teach his disciples to live contrary to all that he taught by his words and especially by his life!   

 The truth of the matter is the Church is wrong in its view of the Torah!  Those who teach and believe that the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments and Judgments of YHWH are “done away with” or are no longer applicable to a believer’s life, or that they are a curse and bondage to those who live them, do not understand the Word of YHWH. While they contend on the one hand that the word of YHWH is true, inspired, ineffable, inerrant, or infallible, they contradict their own confession by teaching that the word of YHWH is a curse and bondage to those who embrace and live it. If one truly believed the scriptures to be the word of YHWH then they could not teach that the Torah has been done away with.  Those who call the Word of YHWH a “curse,” and describe a life of obedience to the Word of YHWH as “oppression and bondage,” have not truly understood the Torah.  Only those who seek “license” from the word of YHWH would understand the Torah as a curse.  Only those who desire to save their fleshly, carnal, self-centered life from the pains and ravishes of the cross of submission and obedience to the Word of YHWH would dare to call the Torah a curse.  The Torah is only a curse to those who seek to avoid it. According to the scriptures the word of YHWH is a light. Only the wicked seeks to live in darkness.

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105 KJV)

 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. ²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21 KJV)   

 Yeshua is the word become flesh.

 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)

 As such he was the light of the world.

 Then spake Yeshua again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5 KJV)

 We should note that Yeshua embodied the word perfectly, doing all things perfectly pleasing in the eyes of the Father.

 Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17 KJV)

 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29 KJV)

 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18 KJV)

 Our Master, Yeshua, called us to likewise be a light by submitting our lives in obedience to the word of YHWH. 

 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14 KJV)

 To follow Messiah, in a life of complete submission and obedience to the Word of YHWH five things are necessary:  1) The Spirit; 2) The love of YHWH; 3) the Cross; 5) Grace of YHWH; 5) Faith.       

 The SPIRIT:  It is the Spirit of the Holy One that convicts us of sin and draws us toward the source of forgiveness and life.  On our own we will constantly seek freedom (license) from YHWH.  Our flesh will dominate our spirit and lead us to self indulgence and death.  The evidence of this is clearly seen in numerous unhealthy and self-destructive behaviors that we all indulge in, in spite of knowing their destructive effects upon our health, lives and families (such as smoking, over spending, over working, over eating, drugs, alcohol, promiscuous sex, excess). When convicted of our immorality, mortality, sinfulness, and rebellion (usually because we are facing some crises or threat to our life, ego or property) we desire to find the source of healing, help, forgiveness and life.  This is the work of the Spirit which leads us to YHWH through the Messiah and begins the process or creating a new and pure heart within us.  It is the Spirit that begins the process of writing the Torah upon our hearts and inward parts so that we desire to do the word and will of YHWH not seek freedom from it.

 The LOVE of YHWH: Once touched by the overwhelming love of the Father toward us, our hearts are stirred with incredible gratitude toward the one who rescued us, adopted us, blessed us, forgave us, healed us, and loves us.  This is the sole motivation for obedience.  Only obedience motivated by love is acceptable to YHWH—everything else is legalism or manipulation.  Those who attempt to keep the Torah to be saved, gain earthly or spiritual rewards, or to escape the pains of hell, are not pleasing to YHWH; such are motivated only by self-love not the love of YHWH. Those who keep the Torah to gain heaven or escape hell are no different than those who seek license from the Torah. Both positions are an offense to YHWH. To genuinely keep the Torah one must love YHWH above all else including, and especially, the self.

 The CROSS: It is the flesh, with its appetites, instincts, and desires that motivates the flesh’s relentless pursuit of pleasure, satisfaction, and indulgence and causes one to rebel against the notion of living for someone else, or serving others, or giving instead of receiving.  Recognizing that it was “self” that created all of the problems, those moved by the Spirit of the Holy One and touched by the love of YHWH, want considerably less of “self” and more of YHWH!  The only way for this to happen is for one to take the flesh to the cross. Only when a vessel is empty can it be filled.  Only when we have been emptied of “self” can we be filled with the Spirit.  There are many would be believers in the world today claiming to be filled with the Spirit of YHWH—when in fact, they are full only with themselves!  Until the believer takes the flesh/self to the cross there is simply no room for the Spirit of the Holy One.  The emptier we are of self the greater the potential for the filling of the Spirit.  The more we are full of ourselves the less of the Spirit of the Holy One is evident in our lives.    

 GRACE:  Here, we need to be clear not to confuse “grace” with “mercy”.  It is unfortunate that the church has confused the definitions of these two words.  Mercy is undeserved favor.  Grace, on the other hand, is a special gift or endowment.  With this gift of grace we would not, in our own flesh, have the power to overcome our flesh/self and wrestle it to the cross.  The only way that we will take our “self” to the cross is with and by the grace that the Father gives us to do so.  The self is a powerful force.  We will not overcome the self with self.  Rather the self is overcome only by the gift of grace that YHWH bestows upon those the Spirit has stirred and his love has touched.

 FAITH: finally we must have faith.  Here we must understand the difference between faith and belief.  I am a big man (still around 300 pounds).  If I see an old wooden ladder leaning against the side of a building, I evaluate it and must determine whether I believe that this old wooden ladder can support my weight.  After examining the ladder “I believe” it will safely hold my weight—this is belief.  Faith, however, is when I take the first steps on the ladder and actually commit the safety of my life to what I believe.  To keep the Torah in a manner pleasing, acceptable and useful to YHWH requires that I be filled with the Spirit, stirred to love, and take my flesh to the cross.  I will only dare to place my life upon the “old wooden” cross if I believe that YHWH will not leave me hanging there permanently. Faith is the first actual steps of taking the flesh to the cross.  We should note that the crucified were left hanging on the cross until they were dead.  Many victims hung on the cross for days.  Yeshua, however, died quickly.  This was so because Yeshua had faith.  He was completely committed to letting go of self.

 And when Yeshua had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46 KJV)   

 Yeshua had faith that death of self was not the end of life but its beginning.  So too, like our Master, we must have the faith to commit ourselves to death in complete confidence that when the old self is dead, life begins.

 Let us be clear, that we do not come off the cross to live the same old self-loving, self-serving, self-satisfying life that we lived before.  We die to live for YHWH.  The old self that constantly sought license and freedom from the word of YHWH, now, filled with the Spirit, touched by the love of YHWH, equipped by grace and filled with faith, lives to keep the word of YHWH out of gratitude for all that YHWH has done.  Our obedience to the Torah, Testimony, Statutes, Commandments and Judgments of YHWH is a revelation and living confession of the Spirit of YHWH in our lives stirring us to gratitude, obedience, and love.  Never should keeping the word of YHWH be considered bondage or a curse.  Only the flesh which lacks the spirit, grace, faith and love of YHWH would refuse the cross and consider the Torah a curse.