Implications, Implications
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so; Romans 8:7
Does Not Subject Itself – The expression is strong in Greek: ouk hupotassetai. The negative (ouk) is the unconditional kind. It is never the case. The verb for submission (hupotasso) means “to place in proper order.” The person who is hostile toward God always refuses to put God in the proper place. Such a person will not acknowledge God’s rightful sovereignty. Such a person does not recognize (because they choose not to recognize) the duty we have to serve the Creator. In other words, their answer to life’s most important question, “What does God demand of me?” is “I choose to do what I wish. As far as I am concerned, God has no demand on me!” Such a person foolishly believes in the right of self-determination.
We recognize the foolishness in this direction, but we might not have noticed the implication behind Paul’s claim. The Torah is not set aside because this man rejects it. In fact, his guilt is established precisely because He does reject God’s instructions. We can see the great implication in this verse by writing its opposite. “. . . because the mind set on the Spirit is at peace with God; for it does subject itself to the Law of God because the Spirit enables it to do so.” The opposite of the man hostile to God is not the man free from the Law. The opposite of the hostile man is the man who submits to the Torah, who subjects himself to it. This is the man at peace with God!
Paul’s statement endorses obedience to the Torah. Men are found guilty when they refuse to obey it and found at peace when they do. The wicked reject God’s Torah. The righteous embrace God’s Torah. That’s about the summary of life under God’s banner. How Christianity came to believe that the righteous are released from Torah is a long story of politics, philosophy, persecution and bias. But that story is nearly as important as seeing the implication in Paul’s statement. Torah is our guide for peace with God. It does not produce righteousness nor is it the basis of our redemption. But it is vital for our usefulness to God, for our witness to the world and for harmony among men. Without it, we are no better off than the redeemed man who is left to himself to determine his way in the world.
Reading Paul often requires a new set of glasses; a set of glasses that fit the face of a rabbinic Pharisee who found the Messiah. The worldview seen through those lenses is very different than the worldview we normally associate with Christianity. It takes some time to get used to these new views. But it is so important. After all, we aren’t in this game to prove our theology. We are here to do His bidding, to follow His directions and to see His will become reality on earth as it is in heaven.
Topical Index: Torah, law, hupotasso, submit, Romans 8:7
I like this post!
“Torah is our guide for peace with God. It does not produce righteousness nor is it the basis of our redemption. But it is vital for our usefulness to God, for our witness to the world and for harmony among men. ”
Thank you! That actually helps sort a few issues out in my head.
And I totally agree that it takes some getting used to. Sometimes I feel like Neo in the Matrix after he chose the red pill. But it’s worth it.
Amanda
Good choice of imagery. Actually, The Matrix is based on many philosophical themes from Greek thinking, including the idea of a paradigm shift (an awakening).
“Sometimes I feel like Neo in the Matrix after he chose the red pill. But it’s worth it.”
Hi Amanda,
That’s a very interesting observation to me, I never made that connection.
I tend to think, incorrectly, that the Bible reflects a “Western” worldview.
When I think of The Matrix, I tend to think in terms of Maya, which is “Eastern.”
Maya (Sanskrit माया māyāa[›]), has multiple meanings, within a Hindu or Sikh context, the word refers to concepts of “illusion”.
In the Eastern worldview, when Neo takes the red pill, he leaves the normal world of Illusion behind, and enters the world of the Spirit, the world of the Real.
I guess if we think in terms of the Bible, the infinite Mr Smith would be the “tester” Ha Satan 🙂
Shalom,
“It does not produce righteousness nor is it the basis of our redemption.”
I would have to say yes and no to this declaration … with all due respect my brother Skip!
I am not sure that we can separate the righteousness and perfection of Adonai Yeshua from His redemptive plan. His victory needs to be viewed in the context of His innocence and perfect upholding of the law … His righteousness … He could not be bound by any accusations nor could He be found guilty!
As such I agree that any faithful works that we produce can not result in personal righteousness … however these works performed by Spirit are indeed righteous. In fact it seems quite clear that life was found in Torah … it was not just achievable without Yeshua!
Anyway … I concur that believers do ourselves a tremendous dis-service when trying to walk “the path” without the map. Yes the heart can be humble and responsive to the Spirit but the results significantly reduced! To the greater extreme the wandering around the path can often lead one to straying way beyond the protective fence provided by The Lord and result in getting “lost”! I think there is a bit more to embracing Torah then may meet the eye!
All in all a really strong message! Ahmein!
“Torah is our guide for peace with God. It does not produce righteousness nor is it the basis of our redemption. But it is vital for our usefulness to God, for our witness to the world and for harmony among men. ”
Skip,
I know we cannot base a theology on one verse, but this one seems pretty straightforward. How does your statement line up with Deuteronomy 6:25, “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.”
Would you please explain this verse?
The word translated “our righteousness” in Deut 6:25 is the Hebrew word “ts’dakah” which can mean any of moral virtue, justice, rightness or prosperity. Perhaps we need to look at 6:24 for context:
We learn the principle from the life of Abraham that obedience brings blessings, disobedience brings curses. Indeed it is prosperity for us (not in the sense of materialism, but rather spiritual, physical and emotional well-being) that we follow the commandments of God.
Following Torah does not justify us before God; that was never its purpose. It does however teach us of and point us to the one who is our justification, our redemption and our propitiation (the one who makes up the shortfall).
Shabbat Shalom.
Look for the answer on April 24.
Thank you so much for making this so clear. So few understand and they suffer so.
Hallelujah once again for the cross. -For of Him, through Him and to Him are all things- including Torah! (He wrote the book!- lol!)
The question (in reverse) is why do we subject ourselves unto His law? Why do I care at all what G-d says? (just sayin’..) It is because dear family we (all) have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. We are (hallelujah!) His! We are His by right of creation and we are His (once again) because of Calvary. “We” are His “purchased possession!” He is our Kinsman-Redeemer and we (together y’all) are (both) the body and the bride of Yeshua!
Who gave us our first breath? (Who will ‘take away’ our last?) Who redeems our life from destruction? Who daily “loadeth us with benefits?” “It is the LORD!” Christ is all, and in you all.
Every word of G-d is pure. -Every word- (up to and including) the Torah, the Tanakh , and the Brit Chadasha! It all good!
Don’t be limited to the N.T.- don’t be “separated” by the O.T.,- but become “one in Christ”. We are “one” in Christ Jesus. He is the Unifier, He is the Uniter, He is the Reconciler, He is our Redeemer, He is the Lamb of G-d (foreshadowed in the Old, fulfilled in the New)- (concealed in the Old- revealed in the New)- this book is His book. His words- (all of them) bring life to us.
Yes, brother Skip, we do need some new “glasses” indeed. We (us) are to walk by faith (and not by sight). “Thus saith the LORD”- desperately needs to enter once again into our vocabulary. We all should be asking throughout the course of our every day- LORD, -what will you have me to do?
If we ask to do His will,- will He answer us?