This article is part of the Black Thread Series. If you have not read the previous articles, please STOP, and read those first. It is very important that you read the articles in this series in order. To read previous articles in this series, click on the Black Thread link in the left side bar.
"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." -Romans 11:7
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ." -2 Corinthians 3:14
There are a few different meanings to "legalism," in regards to Christianity. There is the form, where some Christians use Jesus simply as their scapegoat, and they live their lives the same they did before they were saved, or they justify having freedom in Christ for living in an ungodly manner. They call those whose heart's desire it is to follow the Words of the Lord "Legalists." This is not the form of legalism this article is about.
The more Scriptural definition for legalism, in the Christian sense, has to do with Judaizers.
Judaizers - "to conform to the spirit, character, principles, or practices of Judaism." -from Dictionary.com.
But when I saw that they are not walking uprightly to the truth of the good news, I said to Peter before all, 'If thou, being a Jew, in the manner of the nations dost live, and not in the manner of the Jews, how the nations dost thou compel to Judaize? we by nature Jews, and not sinners of the nations, having known also that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law, wherefore declared righteous by works of law shall be no flesh.' -Galatians 2:14-16 - Young's Literal Translation
While I find many faults with Young's Literal Translation of the Bible, I commend it for using the word "Judaize" above. The King James Version gets the meaning across more clearly, and instead of using the word "judaize," it defines it:
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. -Galatians 2:14-16 - King James Version
To Judaize is to be a legalist. Scriptural definition of Judaize - to compel 'to live as do the Jews.' The above Scripture tells us that for a time, Peter slid back, and began to Judaize. Even though he knew that he was no longer under the law, and no longer lived under the law, due to pressure from Judaizers (read the whole chapter for context) he started telling the Gentiles that they must live as do the Jews. Paul reprimanded Peter, and reminded him that Jews and Gentiles, both alike, are no longer justified by the law, but are justified instead by belief in Christ Jesus.
I used to to do this.
Remember, the previous article in this series discussed how just one reading through the Bible doesn't teach us all we need to know. A lifetime of Bible reading will nary scratch the surface. It took me until my fourth time reading through the Bible, to realize that I am dead to the Torah, and risen as a new creature unto Christ, born not under the law, but under grace:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -2 Corinthians 5:17
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. -Romans 7:4
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. -Galatians 2:19
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. -John 1:17
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. -Romans 6:14
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. -Galatians 2:21
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. -Galatians 5:4
I used to be a Seventh Day Sabbath Keeper. I attended a Seventh Day Baptist church, and got access to a lot of literature and books on this issue, of which I devoured. Many of those books taught that Christians were supposed to keep Saturday Sabbath, but that the Roman Catholic church was combining paganism with Christianity, and therefore deceptively moved Sabbath to Sunday - the first day of the week, instead of Saturday.
I even read some books that argued that if one keeps Sunday instead of Saturday, then they have taken the mark of the beast, and we all know from Revelation, that anyone who takes the mark of the beast cannot go to heaven.
This is some pretty serious stuff, isn't it? Don't you agree that this is something that needs to be heavily studied? After all, if my going to church on Sundays will send me to hell, I certainly want to change that.
I continued to devour books and read my Bible. On my fourth time through, the Lord gave me the answer I was seeking. It all started with 2 Corinthians chapter 3, and went on from there, as the Lord showed me increasingly relevant Scriptures.
Before we hit the Scriptures, let's narrow down what people who are Torah Observant, Yah-sayers, and Sabbath keepers are. They are Christians who keep the Law. Are we agreed on this? After all, the Bible calls the Torah "The Law."
The Law is important, so surely the New Testament has something to say about Christians and their relationship to the law. It does:
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. -Romans 10:4
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. -Galatians 3:10-11
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. -Galatians 5:4
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. -Galatians 5:18
Are Christians to keep the Ten Commandments? I think both New Testament Christians and Torah Christians will agree that not all of the Torah is to be kept. What I mean is, do Torah Christians sacrifice lambs at a synagogue? Of course not. What makes them Christian, is that they claim Christ's sacrifice on the cross as their eternal sacrificial Lamb. Therefore, I think I can safely conclude that most Torah Christians and New Testament Christians agree that at least part of the Torah has been fulfilled in Christ, as Christ said in Matthew chapter five.
When I was studying this years ago, and attending a Seventh Day Baptist church, I personally concluded that the ceremonial and sacrificial laws were fulfilled in Christ, but that the moral laws and Ten Commandments still stand. And they do - just not how I thought they did at the time.
All moral laws in the Old Covenant are pretty much reiterated under the New Covenant, so none of those are up for question. We know that they are under both covenants and are eternal rules in all times and dispensations.
Therefore this article is going to hone in specifically on the Ten Commandments. Some may argue that the Ten Commandments are purely moral, therefore they apply, but that is not the case. What of the Sabbath Commandment? That seems to cross over into the ceremonial. Ones not keeping the Sabbath isn't going to affect other people's lives - generally - I know there are exceptions.
I believe the Ten Commandments are a basic summation of the Torah, minus the sacrifices and most ceremonial laws. So the question comes - Are Christians supposed to keep the Old Testament Ten Commandments?
I used to believe this (and still do) but I was confused on the Sabbath commandment. This was why I was a Seventh Day keeper for a long time, which also led to me referring to God and Christ only in their Hebrew names, which I no longer do every time anymore, either.
The New Testament is the New Covenant between God and His people. This New Covenant began after Christ resurrected from the dead. Technically then, the New Covenant didn't start until the end of the Gospels.
I earnestly was seeking for the answer on the Ten Commandments, and on my fourth time reading the Bible, God highlighted something that I never noticed before.
Before I show you that Scripture, let's define some terms. The only law that was written on stone and delivered by Moses, with Moses' face shining so bright that he had to veil it, was the Ten Commandments. Therefore, when we see, in the following Scripture quote, references to the law delivered by Moses that was written in stone, that is the Ten Commandments. Here is the Scripture the Lord gave me in my seeking:
"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. 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: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it [he] shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." -2Corinthians 3:6-17
Did you see it?
"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."
We are under the spirit of the law, and we are now under the New Testament.
"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: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?"
The Ten Commandments were part of the ministration of death, and the glory of the Old Testament Law is not as glorious as the New Testament. The Law and Ten Commandments have been done away with.
"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
The Law and Ten Commandments have been done away, but the New Covenant remains, and is more glorious than the Old.
"Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech"
In other words, there is no hidden meaning in 2 Corinthians 3. Plainness of speech is being used here. The Law has been done away with through Christ, and Christians are no longer under the letter of the Ten Commandments, but the spirit.
"And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:"
The only time Moses put a veil over his face, was after he spoke with God, and delivered the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. The law delivered then was the Ten Commandments. The above scripture says that the Ten Commandments and Law have been abolished. This is "great plainness of speech." It's telling us straight out.
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ."
Even now, just like then, people get stuck in the Old Testament, and think they are supposed to keep the Laws of the Old Covenant. If they don't read and understand the New Covenant/New Testament, then they are "blinded" by their reading of the Old Testament. The Old Covenant Laws and the Ten Commandments are "done away in Christ."
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it [he] shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
Those who think they need to keep the Law as well as be Christians have the veil upon their hearts, just like Moses had to wear a veil over his face to hide the glory of God. We no longer require a veil to separate us from God. We now have access to the Glory of God - the Holy of Holies:
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent -Matthew 27:50-51
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. -Hebrews 10:19-22
Christians are not under the letter of the Ten Commandments, but the spirit of them. Each of the Ten Commandments are taught in the New Testament, and how we should follow them under the spirit. One of the places where we see the spirit of the law, is in Matthew chapter five.
What commandments is the Christian under? There are only two:
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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. -Matthew 22:37-14
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. -1 John 2:3
What are "His commandments?" They are:
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. -1 John 3:23
By following these two commandments, (believe on the name of Christ, and love one another) the Christian is automatically keeping all of the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath commandment, without having to keep the Seventh Day Sabbath, which was of the Law. Confused? Don't be. I'll explain in a few moments...
Let The Scriptures Speak for Themselves
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby -Ephesians 2:14-16
The Christian is in Christ, and no longer under the law:
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. -Romans 10:4
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. -Galatians 3:10-11
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. -Galatians 5:4
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. -Galatians 5:18
Under the Old Covenant, the believer was under the Mosaic law. What about the New Covenant in Christ?
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. -John 1:17
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. -Romans 7:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. -Romans 10:4
What about the Christian's relationship to the Ten Commandments and the Torah?
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent -Matthew 27:50-51
Under the Old Covenant, the people of God did not have direct access to God. They had to go through a priest, and the consecrated priest would then go behind the curain/veil that separated the people of God from the Lord. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple TORE in half. The way to God is now open to all who believe. We no longer have the veil of the Torah/Law/Old Covenant in our way. Jesus has become our High Priest. We no longer need to go through a priest. Christians now have direct access to God. Christians can now enter the Holy of Holies.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. -Hebrews 10:19-22
What are the Commandments of Jesus that the Christian is under?
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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. -Matthew 22:37-14
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. -1 John 2:3
And this is his commandment, 1) That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, 2) and love one another, as he gave us commandment. -1 John 3:23
What is the Christian's relationship to the Sabbath rest?
And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. Luke 6:5
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. -Psalm 95:6-11
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus [This the the Greek form of Joshua, referring to Joshua in the Old Testament, not Jesus the Messiah] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. -Hebrews 4:1-11
The above says "For we which have believed do enter into rest."
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30
JESUS is our Sabbath rest. The Sabbath rest isn't a day, it's a person - Jesus Christ. He is the Lord of the Sabbath, and when we accept Him as our Lord, He becomes our Sabbath rest. Faith in Christ is keeping the Sabbath - every day.
Sunday is not the Sabbath, it is the Lord's Day, when Christians gather together:
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet -Revelation 1:10
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. -Mark 16:9
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. -John 20:19
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. -Acts 20:7
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. -1 Corinthians 16:1-3
The Christians in the beginning of Church history gathered together on Sunday - the first day of the week, as the above Scriptures show. This tells us that the Roman Catholic church had nothing to do with Christians gathering on Sundays. There was no Roman Catholic church in existence until around the time of Constantine.
The early Christian church, as read about in the book of Acts, worshipped and gathered together on Sundays. On Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath day) the Christians went into the synagogues and preached Jesus to them. Saturdays were days for spreading the Gospel.
Properly Dividing the Scriptures
There are marked divisions in the Scriptures. I noticed this the first time I read the Bible. Later, I learned there is a term for those divisions. They are called "dispensations."
Are the dispensations biblical? Yes.
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him -Ephesians 1:10
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward -Ephesians 3:2
An understanding of the dispensations helps one properly divide the Scriptures:
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little -Isaiah 28:10
We are no longer under the dispensation of the law, but under the dispensation of faith:
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:22-25
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14
And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished -2 Corinthians 3:13
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby -Ephesians 2:14-16
Having a proper understanding of the dispensations helps us properly divide the Word of Truth:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15
If you are born again, you are dead to the law:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -2 Corinthians 5:17
The law shows us our sin, to show us we need a Saviour. The law leads us to Christ. Once we are born again in Christ, we no longer need the schoolmaster/law:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. -Romans 7:7
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. -Galatians 3:24-25
When you are a new creature in Christ, you are dead to the law:
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 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. -Romans 7:1-6
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -Romans 8:1-4
Born again Christians are not under the law, but they do fulfill it:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -Romans 8:4
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. -Romans 13:8
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. -Romans 13:10
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Galatians 5:14
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. -Matthew 22:35-40
The Mystery of Christ
What is the Mystery of Christ?
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory -Colossians 1:27
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. -1 Timothy 3:16
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. -Romans 11:30-32
Believing Christians are grafted into the spiritual Israel "tree," via their belief in Christ.
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. -Galatian 6:13-16
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. -Galatians 3:26-29
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. -Galatians 3:5-14
Christians are not under the Law/Torah
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. -Romans 6:14-15
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. -Romans 7:4
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. -Romans 8:2
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone -Romans 9:31-32
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. -Romans 10:4
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. -Romans 13:8
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. -Romans 13:10
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. -Galatians 2:16
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. -Galatians 2:19
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. -Galatians 2:21
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. -Galatians 3:2-7
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. -Galatians 3:10-11
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree -Galatians 3:13
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. -Galatians 3:17-19
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus -1 Timothy 2:5
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. -Galatians 3:23-24
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. -Galatians 4:4-5
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. -Galatians 5:4
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Galatians 5:14
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. -Galatians 5:18
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 -Ephesians 2:15
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith -Philippians 3:9
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. -Hebrews 7:19
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. -Hebrews 7:22
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. -Hebrews 10:1
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross -Colossians 2:14
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. -Galatians 5:18
The Bible's Message to 'Torah Observant Christians:'
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. -Galatians 4:21-31
Bondwoman=law. Free woman=spirit. Christians are not under the law, but under the spirit, where there is liberty.
And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it [he] shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. -2 Corinthians 3:13-17
Notes
1) Judaizers are those who would compel Christians to keep the Torah
2) The Scriptures are abundantly clear the the law is "done away," "abolished," and "nailed to the cross."
3) The practice of being a "Torah Observant Christian" is a strand of the Black Thread. Its purpose is to keep keep the Christian in the Old Testament, which veils them from the Spirit of liberty, as described by Paul (and other writers) in the New Testament.
4) Scriptures are clear that Christians who keep the Torah have "fallen from grace." They have committed bigamy, by being married to Christ, while still attempting to be married to the Torah.
5) People like to gravitate to rituals and traditions. While many find their haven in the Mystery Babylon religions, others go the Torah Observant route. The Torah Observant route is as the Pharasees. The Mystery Babylon route also falls under the Pharasee heading, but goes further into perdition, as the woman who rides the beast of Revelation 17.
