We’re currently in the midst of discussing the major themes contained in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses’ Grand Opus.
So far we have touched on the themes of MONOTHEISM (that there is only ONE God) and LOYALTY (Israel must pledge 100% allegiance to HASHEM).
The next theme is COVENANT.
This is of HUUUUUUUUUGE importance!!!
In Deuteronomy, Moses reaffirms the Covenant relationship between God and Israel by reviewing and discussing the legal and religious elements of both the Abrahamic Covenant and the Law given at Mount Sinai.
One of the important things we’re going to find is that BOTH of these covenants go way beyond just the emotional and spiritual.
What do I mean by that exactly?
What I mean is that the Covenant relationship between God and Israel created obligations requiring ACTION on both parties!
If you do as instructed, God will respond with blessings.
If you don’t do as instructed, then God will respond in another way, and it’s probably not going to be very pleasant.
In addition, these actions must be done with a proper attitude and intent in one’s heart.
I believe this theme of COVENANT is the number one thing the modern gentile church can learn from Torah.
Over and over again in the Torah, Israel is told that physical actions must accompany her faith.
Faith and works are considered to go hand-in-hand.
One without the other is dead.
True faith isn’t going to some evangelical Christian meeting, accepting the J-man as your Lord and Savior and then going right back to your pork-eating, fornicating, and pagan Easter celebrating ways.
I used to go to a typical evangelical Christian church and I can assure you that what I just said is absolutely TRUE.
The church really teaches that once one has accepted the J-man as their Lord and Savior, there aren’t any further obligations.
Everything and I mean EVERYTHING has become spiritualized.
Actions have become secondary to one’s emotions.
It’s like “works” is considered a four-letter word in the gentile church.
This is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo dangerous!
Here’s what you’ve got to understand.
The reason actions are so important is because they serve as important daily reminders that reinforce your beliefs and keep you on the straight path.
You’ve GOT TO PRAY EVERY DAY.
You’ve got to study TORAH every single day!
You’ve got to make time to fellowship with like-minded believers ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Why?
Because over time, you literally become what you consistently think and do.
I’m not talking about a temporary falling into some kind of sin.
I’m referring to your daily habits.
I once read that close to over 90% of those who go to one of those evangelical revival meetings fall away from the faith within weeks of attending the event.
And the same can be said of those who attend those pricey self-help motivational seminars.
I’m told that after the initial high from the seminar wears out (usually within days), people go right back to their old ways of doing things.
I’m not surprised.
How can a mere one-day event, no matter how inspiring, accomplish lasting change?
The truth is, it can’t.
That’s why God gave the Torah to His People.
Remember, God saved Israel first and then AFTERWARDS gave them the Torah as a guidebook for how to live one’s life and achieve true fulfillment.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“In the same way,
was not even Rahab the prostitute
considered righteous for what she did
when she gave lodging to the spies
and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead.”
-James 2:25-26
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