TORAH & MITZVAH 23 SEPTEMBER 2018

In this season of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot, it strikes me as appropriate to discuss some spiritual concepts starting with the first Bible verses I memorized EPH 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” Then the following verse says: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works [a mitzvah], which God hath foreordained [prepared in advance] that we should walk in them.” Our Creator’s purpose in creating & saving us was that we would do “mitzvah”s. In Hebrew to do a mitzvah is more than a good deed, but rather a godly deed. It extends in the positive Hebrew meaning to mean obeying God’s Torah. In Christian Bibles, the word Torah (teaching) is most often translated “law”, while in Jewish Bibles it is better translated “teaching” or “instruction”. Torah is something to appreciate & love from God; in Psalm 1:2 it is called “a delight”.

Every now & then someone gets the unusual idea to actually follow God’s Torah (teaching). I did back in 1974-75, and the Bible became a different book to me when I read it with obedience to God in mind. You might say I discovered God’s Torah in 1975. Up to then I had attended Baptist churches for 6 years where God’s “law” (Torah) was viewed as something negative. The last thing these churches wanted to do was “obey Torah”, as they thought that would be adding to grace and earning their salvation. They did not realize that we were saved by grace so that we could do mitzvah, which includes the joy of following God’s teachings. To do God’s will is truly a delight as Psalm 1:2 says.

BUSY. I apologize that this summer I have been very busy & not available for people. I know it has been stressful for some people to not get my attention. I have not even had time for myself. If I have not responded to your messages or emails, then please do not take it personally. I pray that God provides for you when I am not available. Have a blessed day my friend.