Obeying Torah

Obeying Torah

Some have asked about the need to obey Torah, the Law. The Law is codified in the first five books of our Bible. We call this the Pentateuch.

Jesus, when asked about this topic, rightly summarized the Torah this way. “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NASB20)

This is the reason He would later say, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34 NASB20)

Paul says something similar, writing in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love” (NASB20).

This kind of Love is (agapé). The form of Love sourced in God Himself.

It is faith that pleases God according to Hebrews 11:6.

We also read in Philippians 2:13 that He works in us to desire and to do the good and godly things He planned should characterize our lives (see Ephesians 2:10).

So then, faith in God (like Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness) is obedience and it produces Love and causes Love to overflow from us to others, thus meeting the righteous requirement of the Torah (see Romans 8:3-4).

Grace and peace to you.
Larry