Christians: Do you believe that we are *extra* blessed if we follow OT law?

Question

I am not at all trying to say that we should preach that we need to follow OT law. Galations powerfully disputes this.

But do you think that when we do things like tithe, keep the Sabbath holy, etc, etc, that we are especially blessed?

If you think this is true, how far down does this go? I mean clearly, there are some parts of the OT Law that we cannot and should not follow --- things that would need a theocracy instated by God and/or the sacrficial system, when we know that Jesus is the last sacrifice.

But do you think there are certain parts of the OT law that we are blessed by following? If so, what parts, and how so?

Answer 1

This is a great question, but before I answer it, I want to give a little background (or maybe a lot - depending on how wound up I get :-) ) to give you an idea if where I'm coming from.

1. We need to stop segmenting Scripture and look at the Bible more "holistically." There is ONE book - ONE revelation of the ONE true God. All of it, from "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" to "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen," is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." I know it's been used for a LONG time (since 200 AD) but the whole "Old" and "New" thing sort of sets us up for a false dichotomy - pitting the parts of Scripture against each other, if not in thought then at least in practice.

2. We need to stop thinking of the Law as a bad thing. Law and Grace are not in competition with each other - they compliment, not compete. The Hebrew word "torah" means "teaching or instruction" - and even though it is often used in a narrow way, in a large sense, ALL of Scripture is the "torah" of God. Torah is a grace gift from God to His children - intended to be a protection and a guide. We can look at it as a "How to Love God and Each Other Manual." The heart of what Jeremiah terms the "new covenant" is taking what was once written in stone and writing it upon our hearts - but it is the same "torah" - the same instruction. There is only one "Law" - a complex whole comprised of many parts. This is why Paul states that if we break part of it - we have broken it all. So it's not a matter of the Old Law vs. the New anymore than it is a matter of Law vs. Grace. They work together in harmony to reveal to us the fullness of His glory. We don't keep the Law - the Law keeps us.

3. What Galatians preaches against is not obedience to Gods instruction, but the false notion that keeping the Law is a way to righteousness or salvation - the mistaken idea that the letter is above the spirit and the holier-than-thou attitude some tend toward when they think they have better standing with God because of something they are doing.
What Romans speaks against is the same - pointing out over and over again that binding ourselves to the Law as a basis of righteousness is placing ourselves under condemnation, for "by the Law, no man is justified." What has been removed for us is not the instruction itself - but the "curse" - those things we were supposed to do when we failed to do what we were supposed to do.
We tend to take what God intended to be an umbrella of protection and placed so many layers between it and us that instead it's become a suffocating blanket (which I think was part of its intended purpose as well - to show us our inability to "keep" it - our utter hopelessness apart from His mercy and grace). We focus on the "what" rather than the "why" and in doing so - miss the mark completely.
I know this will probably cause all kinds of objections and questions - especially based on what you wrote in your 3rd paragraph - but there isn't one part of Gods Torah that we "cannot and should not follow" - if we strive to understand it from the right perspective. Think about this, we are relying upon the goodness and truth of the "law of sacrifice" when we rely upon that Last, Great and Final Sacrifice. We are relying upon the law of clean and unclean when we trust that He has indeed declared us to be "the righteousness of God." Does this mean I have it all figured out? Not by a long shot - but I'm striving toward that goal (even if it takes me all Eternity) and it's a lot easier to understand what all those "things" were about approaching it from this perspective.

4. We need to really understand what "blessing" is. The Hebrew language has a way of helping us grasp the fullness of a concept by repeating a thought 2 or more ways parallelism). Because of this - I think one of the best "definitions" of what blessing is, is found in what we call the Aaronic Blessing:
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious toward you.
The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.

THAT is blessing - the fullness of His presence and provision. Knowing Him as intimately and completely as possible this side of Eternity.

OK - now that I've written a short novel - I'll try to actually answer the questions. Yes - I think there is blessing in following His instruction. Not just learning about the Sabbath and the "Appointed Times" - but actively participating and celebrating - struggling to understand the "why's" behind the "what's" and rejoicing in the truth that the condemnation and curse of the law has been removed - while the blessing and benefit remains.

What parts? I’m still learning some of this, but I'd say any part we in good conscious can. The "Ten Commandments" are certainly "apllicable parts" - and I have the deep conviction that all of the celebrations that our God has given to us are a gift. In Mark 2:27, Yeshua tells us that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." He is telling us that God gave us this and His other appointed times not simply to give us something to do - but to give us a piece of Himself. There is a blessing contained within the celebration of these times that cannot possibly be experienced or known outside of observance. Somehow, we’re able to feel and see the emotion and passion of our God more clearly. I think it’s pleasing to God when we acknowledge that the celebration gift He gave us is a good gift and worthy of celebration. Our participation in the observance is a big "Thank You" to God and the joy we have in the celebration is a joy to Him.

How? Like I said - I'm still learning some of this - but this much I know: with our hearts wide open to know Him and receive all He desires for His children.

Edit:
Yes, I am the co-founder of a Christian ministry (the primary focus of which is educating Christians about the importance of understanding the Jewish/Biblical roots of the faith) and I've taught in a Christian university. As I have said many times, I have no problem whatsoever with the label Christian. What I have also said repeatedly is that none of this negates the facts that I am still Jewish - that the expression of my faith in the Messiah is biblically (rather than rabbinically) Jewish - and that I have a knowledge of both modern and ancient Jewish thought and culture which sheds light on many of the teachings and events recorded in Scripture. Christianity, no matter how "unJewish" many of its modern expressions might be - has its roots in biblical Judaism.

Paperback: Why must we turn every question I answer into a battlefield? If I have no "right" to answer questions about the Jewish perspective, why do you have the right to answer questions on the Christian perspective (and this question qualifies as the latter)? The difference between us here is I do think you have the right - that your voice adds a needed dimension and a valuable perspective to the discussion - and see absolutely no reason to "monitor" (i.e. your attempt to connect to my network) your behaviour on this board.
I do have to say - I admire your zeal.

Answer 2

Your question implies that there is such a thing as NT law. The law is the law, and it shouldn't be dismissed as inapplicable in today's society. Having said that, no, I don't believe you are "extra" blessed for following it. Christ said this is how you show your love,:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Do you think these are "new" commandments? Keep in mind that the NT was not recorded until decades after he said this. He is speaking about the law.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

If the law is our teacher, it should be the very foundation for which we base our lives, not some obsolete era that we no longer need to follow as you propose. That logic is like trying to be a calculus professor before you learn basic arithmetic. I don't say this to insult you, but to help you rethink the principles discussed in Galatians. Be blessed, even EXTRA blessed with truth and understanding. :)

Answer 3

We are not blessed for following the Law, we are blessed because of the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua that pays the penalty for breaking that Law in our stead. As such, the Law shows us our minimum duty in the worship of the Creator God.

Luke 17:10 In the same way, when you have done all the things which are given you to do, say, There is no profit in us, for we have only done what we were ordered to do. (Bible in Basic English)

Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.(KJV)

The Law is there for us to build on, not for us to reject.

Edit: I fogot to address the part of your question that shows a total misunderstanding of Galatians. The whole book is summed up in verse 5:28.

Gal. 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Those that pratice these things which follow are under the Law! It means that they will die for their sins Romans 6:23, it does not mean that Christains are to practice these things Paul condemns.) 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Where are the prohibitions against such things found?) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW (Emphasis mine).

IN other words, we are to try to live our lives without breaking the Law. How can we do that if it is abolished?

Answer 4

Well there is a difference in your question as most theologians explain the difference in law and grace. Under the law of God(by His grace) or under the law of the world. We are in the last days and as Jesus Christ ushered in or inaugurated His Fathers kingdom (the semieschatological intruding into the now) we no longer are under a law but under the Grace of God in order to follow in obedience. Mat 5:20 "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." But also Mat22:36-37 "Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus replied 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." So while we are yet under the law of God its by His grace and mercy we are saved. John1:17 "For the law was given through moses; grace and truth was given through Jesus Christ." And this is why theologians contrast law and grace. In the OT there was the law for which the people of God were to abide by but now in the NT we have the Son of God praclaiming the Word to us in person and as Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life and no one comes to Father except through Me" But to sum it up Acts 13:39 "Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified by the law of moses." But yes God has blessed some more than others but not because of what they do or work as we know all through the NT "You are saved by faith not by works so that no one can boast in what he does."
But because He sovereignly willed so to bless some more than others as Rom 9 explains "Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for honorable use and another vessel for common use." "Therefore it does not depend on the man who wills or runs but one God who has mercy."

Answer 5

There are no extra blessings only the promise of blessings to the obedient follower of Jesus and worshipper of God. The so-called OT law as you mentioned has been often misunderstood by the children of the kingdon of christendom. As someone pointed out which ones? Because we have the Ten commandments, Law of moses, civil laws of Israel, the law; first five books of moses, natural laws, and health laws(dietary). These make up at least 600 or something altogether. I think many need to understand in a more practical way the difference between them all. In Hebrews 8:7-10, God clearly states the new covenant is not according to the first covenant he enjoined to Israel. That He would write his Laws in our hearts and minds and be merciful to our sins. So is God a Liar ??? And what Laws did he wirte on our hearts if they all are not binding because something must still exsist if he said this ? Do we need sacrafices and circumcision of the penis now ?NO. Do natural laws still remain since that OT time ? Yes. Do we have civil laws to obey ?Yes.( Rob a bank in broad daylight) Do we have health laws ? Yes. (drink piosion or eat maggets and roaches) Do you see my point ? If you do not keep his commandments then your a liar,thief,murder,idolater,sabbath braker and ect... ok.

Answer 6

There were two laws. Which one are you refering to? One written on stone and one written on paper. 10 commandments written on stone stored inside the ark of the covenant will never change and are enforce today. This Law defines sin, it cannot be done away with. The 'Law of Moses' written on paper, stored on the side of the ark of the covenant was done away with at the cross and pointed forward to the sacrifice of Christ and when that happened the Bible is clear that that law was done away with.

God is clear that those who keep ALL his 10 commandments are blessed. No necessarily in worldy ways but blessed in the fruits of the spirit that will last past this sinfilled world.

http://www.sabbathtruth.com/

Answer 7

That would depend upon WHY you follow them. Sacrifice has been made, and the ONE, who gave His life, fulfilled the whole law without spot or blemish. He alone had the power to keep the law without a single fault. That's what made his sacrifice acceptable.

If you keep the law inorder to obtain eternal life, you've fallen from grace. Eternal salvation is either by grace alone or by works alone. NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.

There is more than one salvation taught in God's word. Each of God's children need saved each and every day from the trials of this world. Through honoring our Heavenly Father, we are saved from his chastening rod, and when our Father disciplines His children, "of whom all are partakers", it can hurt. Peter is such a good example of this; He told Jesus, "I'll lay down my life for thy sake". What was Jesus' response? He said, "Will thou lay down thy life for my sake?". OOOPPPSSS. No, Jesus lay down His life for Peter, not the other-way-around. Because of this flesh moment, Peter was allowed to deny the Lord 3 times, and what a spanking that was to Peter; he wept bitterly. While denying his Lord, did Peter stop being God's child? No!!! He was just a disobedient one, but still a child.

God's chastening rod teaches us lessons which we don't forget. The same is true for our fleshly parent's correction rod. It is for instruction and guidance , and yes, it must hurt inorder to be effective.

Answer 8

I believe there are reciprocal laws concerning some of the mandates of the Old Testament.
For example:

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.


It has more to do with the heart of the person who chooses to obey some of the Old Testament law and why.

Answer 9

Absolutely not. We are saved by faith, grace alone. God clearly states that ALL our so called works are filthy rags. Christ did it all for us, it is a free gift from God. Our faith causes us to good works, but none of them will gain us brownie points or improve our chances of getting to heaven. How would you ever know you had done enough. Take the free gift, and thank God for what He did for you.

Answer 10

Yes, as long as you know the difference between laws, ordinances, and statues. For example, Christ did away with the blood ordinances. He also became our Sabbath (resting place 24/7). Also, consider what Christ said in the following verses:

Matthew Chapter 5:17-18
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Luke Chapter 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.