Replies

*chuckle* Yes, you are dead to the law. Having died with the Messiah, you are as a man already executed--the law can pass no further condemnation on you. But having died with the Messiah, we must now live in Him. And He keeps the Torah.

I suspect, xzins, that being a mature believer, you're already keeping the vast majority of the Torah: Do you murder? Steal? Commit adultery? Charge usury when loaning to a poor brother? Take things people need to live or work to guaruntee a loan? Worship idols? Practice occultism?

On the positive side: Do you put up railings around high platforms where people walk, like a porch or deck? Do you loan to brethren in need when you can do so? Do you "sacrifice" time and resources to your congregation? Do you raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord? Do you honor your parents and other authorities? Do you strive to make sure that you're not taking the name Christian in vain--that is, for nothing?

There are also many commands that you probably keep in spirit, if not technically correctly: Do you observe Sunday as if it were the Sabbath? Do you observe "appointed times" to thank the Lord for His provision, like Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving (the latter of which, btw, was my Pilgrim ancestors' "Feast of Tabernacles")? Do you have reminders of God's Word up around your house, like paintings and needlework with Bible verses worked in? Do you wear anything as a reminder to walk with God, like a cross necklace or a WWJD bracelet?

We could dicker around on those "technically incorrect" points, but I'm frankly not worried about it. Who am I to judge another man's bondservant? He knows your heart, and He's already paid for every sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1)

I challenge the GRPL and hit them hard on the issue because they actively discourage keeping the Torah, which to my mind puts them under Mat. 5:19, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." You never have. You have not come to the point of keeping the "Jewish law," and the Spirit may never bring you to that point, but you've also never been anything but a supportive brother in the Lord to me. And I thank you for that.

You keep doing what you're doing and keep obeying what the Spirit shows you in the Word, and may the Lord YHVH bless your walk on the narrow path.