Steady as She Goes
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1 NASB
To walk – There is little doubt about Paul’s Hebrew idiom behind this Greek word, peripatesai (from the verb paripateo). “To walk” is the common metaphor for “living according to a specific code of conduct,” and in Hebrew thought that code of conduct was Torah. Some Christian theologians might argue that Paul revised or abandoned this Hebraic view when he “converted” to Christianity, but the text doesn’t support this. In fact, at the end of his ministry in Israel, Paul still defends himself as a Pharisee who observes both the written and oral Torah (see Acts 24:14-16). We have studied this too many times to mention. Paul and all the other apostles were Jewish in their outlook and practice.
With this in mind, we need to read Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians as his fervent desire that they also embrace Torah obedience. Why should Gentiles bother with these Jewish requirements? Paul provides the answer. First, Torah is not viewed as requirements. Because Torah outlines the way God wants His people to live in this world (and the next), Torah obedience is first and foremost the expression of faithful loyalty to God. Following the directions of the King isn’t really about keeping the laws of the Kingdom. It is really about honoring the King. The fact that we do this by keeping His commandments is the by-product of a desire to honor Him, but the motivation doesn’t come from external compulsion. It comes from love for Him. This is why Scripture constantly decries those who merely follow the rules. The behavior may be externally the same, but it is the heart of the matter that matters.
Secondly, Torah is the way we become human. To be in His image is to behave as He behaves, and Torah is how God behaves. So, when I follow Torah, I become like Him and that means I become more and more human. Torah obedience is all for my benefit. I can become what He designed me to be as I bring my life into conformity with His design. What else can it mean to have the goal of being conformed to His image?
Thirdly, Torah is freedom. In the ancient world, all men knew that the gods were in charge of life. But other than YHWH, the gods did not reveal how man should live. So if you were a pagan Gentile, you knew that you had to do something about pleasing the gods or face the consequences, but you really had no idea what the gods actually required. This led to enormous anxiety. You never knew if your actions would result in punishment or reward. Then along comes Moses and he tells you exactly what God wants. What FREEDOM! What RELIEF! Now I finally can do what God asks without fear. Torah is my escape from fear and anxiety. Torah is freedom from worry.
“To walk in a manner worthy” has nothing to do with rule-bound behavior. It has everything to do with honor, humanity and freedom. Is that how you look at it?
Topical Index: walk, paripateo, Torah, Ephesians 4:1
“To walk in a manner worthy” has nothing to do with rule-bound behavior. It has everything to do with honor, humanity and freedom.”
For so long I have viewed my walk with Christ as being someone who is accepted while being “unworthy.” Because of that, I think somehow I didnt know how to “walk in a manner worthy.”
I also often find myself “anxious” on how God will view or judge my behavior. It probably has something to do with my pentecostal, fire and brimstone, have a bad thought during church and drive home and get killed in a car accident and end up in hell, up bringing. Walking out of that mentality, so far has been a difficult thing to do.
Accepting and living torah, knowing what the “requirements” are, seems simple enough. And realizing that these “requirements” are actually just willfully being faithful to the Character of God opens up my whole perspective of “conduct”
For me personally this was a great post, and there is a lot for me to digest in these last two Words. Thank you skip.
Nate
I was brought up much the same way, Nate. I never quite knew the “rules” for living a holy life! They seemed to change with the time and place…but no worries. We are FREE! I never understood what that meant either!! I love the journey of learning His requirements for holy living. Thank you for putting it so clearly.
“Accepting and living torah, knowing what the “requirements” are, seems simple enough. And realizing that these “requirements” are actually just willfully being faithful to the Character of God opens up my whole perspective of “conduct” ”
I don’t have to guess what the requirements/rules are. HalleluYah!
This was very good, I identified with this very much and have always believed it to be this way. Thank you.
“To walk in a manner worthy” has nothing to do with rule-bound behavior. It has everything to do with honor, humanity and freedom. Is that how you look at it?
Wow! This is great! I always thought of it as rules of the kingdom and the way of blessing. That seems to be the explanation I have heard through most of my studies. (Because that is what I have heard does not mean that is what was said :)) Recently, more often I have heard Torah explained as a revelation of who Yah is. This brings it home even closer and brings joy to my heart.
I agree with this wholeheartedly………“To walk in a manner worthy” has nothing to do with rule-bound behavior. It has everything to do with honor, humanity and freedom.
When I teach on the “Ten Commandments” I usually refer to them as “Love Principles”. They show us how to love (honor) God and love (honor) one another. When we violate one of these “principles” we sin against LOVE. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second was to love your neighbor. The only way to walk free and alive is to do it from the heart. Great post!
Great post, Skip!
It is instructive: “first and foremost”, and, “Secondly”; and it is also comforting: “Thirdly, Torah is freedom.”
It is a beautiful and comforting thing to experience the community of believers, and the uniqueness of each created one. The Creator is beyond understanding!
” In fact, at the end of his ministry in Israel, Paul still defends himself as a Pharisee who observes both the written and oral Torah (see Acts 24:14-16).”
How do you see the oral law referred to in that pericope? It specifically mentions the “things which are written in the law and in the prophets” but no mention of any adherence to the Talmud .
Right, you have to add some of his other statements like Acts 28:17-18 and 25:8 and 26:4-5. In addition, you need to recognize that his claim to be a Pharisee includes observance of the oral Torah since no one could be a Pharisee without such observance.
thanks Skip! more and more I find the desire to obey is because I want to not because I have to…
If Torah is Freedom why did Isreal have so much trouble after gettting Torah to be Obedient ?? Why is it that still today there so much discord and confusion among themselves in Israel itself eg;; The Kenneset division and constant bickering ???
?????
The reason that Torah is not freedom in some parts of Israel today is that Yeshua is not completely accepted as the Messiah. It has to be written on the heart as in God’s promise in Jeremiah 32:39-41 and my favorite is Ezekiel 11:19 “And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” This is such an awesome miracle to my mind, that God has chosen to change the hearts and minds of those He has chosen, all along the path of history. I am eternally thankful He would take my willful heart and change it to suit His purposes. In Jeremiah there is much to be said about the circumcised heart.
While I understand your appreciation of the passage in Jeremiah, please note that this passage is not about what transpires after one acknowledges Yeshua as Messiah. Read the whole context. It is about the reign of the Messiah – an event that we are still waiting to see. At that point the Torah will be written on the hearts of men. Teaching will no longer be necessary. And notice that this applies only to the houses of Israel and Judah. So, your idea that Torah is not freedom in some parts of Israel today is not supported by this text. The truth is a bit more shocking. Torah is freedom no matter where it is found because it provides instruction in living that is acceptable to God. It frees every observant person from the dread of not knowing precisely what God expects.
Thank you Skip..I’m always willing to take correction in the way I see a passage of scripture.
Shalom Skip!
I love your articles and insight! However, in your previous reply to Kate Schear you wrote
…Torah is freedom no matter where it is found because it provides instruction in living that is acceptable to God. It frees every observant person from the dread of not knowing precisely what God expects….
I have met a lot of Torah observant people over the years and I find that statement to be not totally correct. I personally know people that, at least, claim to be Torah observant, that see no freedom. But, they rather see Torah as a way to appease the god, so to speak, as you talked about in your article. Torah is not kept out of love to their creator, but rather, a way to keep him from coming down on them, either in this life or the next. They have become so legalistic that they would even refuse to help a brother or sister in need on Shabbat. They put Torah observance above human life when it is unnecessary. They truly believe that it is this observance that will cause them to be accepted in the world to come. I am not saying these people are lost but they are confused. When I have been around these people, they seem unsure about life or whether or not Torah observance really is a benefit! I heard one man say, that if he didn’t see Torah as logical and that it had some benefit, he would probably not keep it at all. I would agree that any Torah observance is a good thing, but our attitude towards why we do it does count, in my opinion.
Shalom!
You describe the behavior of people Paul knew. He called them Judaizers. They are still with us today. But just as it was in Paul’s day, their behavior does not diminish the true value of Torah. Paul says as much in many places. So, ignore what you see in the behavior of those who have not discovered the freedom of Torah and lean on the text. Then help them see that their confusion comes from converted what is good and just and holy into a set of rules. And then go watch Moshe Kapinski speak about all this from an orthodox point of view (Moshe’s interview can be found on the DVD set “Lessons from Israel”, first series)
I am confused about something. I was taught to obey ‘the whole counsel of God.’ After every service we sang ‘God be with you till we meet again. By His counsels, guide uphold you.’ I don’t understand why you focus on Torah and not all the counsels of God’s Word. Am I missing something?
Technically, Torah is the first five books of the Tanakh. But by the time of the first century, when the New Testament was written, the word Torah was expanded to mean all of the Tanakh. That’s the way I use it – the full Scriptures from Genesis to the last of the Writings
I have friends who say that anything after the 5 books is commentary on the Torah. But, if Yeshua is the Word and He is Torah then wouldn’t the Gospels be Torah? Just sayin. Also, I have been going through the 613 commandments….the ones which are for us. Most we do because we live in a society that taught us to live that way for the most part. They seem pretty basic, kind of like highlights. I don’t find the commands are adequate enough for some of the issues at hand. Some things aren’t even mentioned in the Torah. Without the prophets, writings and N.T. it leaves you out there. But, when you add the rest of the bible books and it fills in all the gaps and expounds. It addresses things that were not mentioned.
We had a discussion and someone said Torah is masculine and the rest is feminine. I said I could see that. Torah is like nuts and bolts and few words. The rest is just like the way we women talk. We’ll give you a sermon and cover all the bases so you get the full picture and then some.
Lois,
Later in the same passage there is a hint of what Paul called the whole counsel of God “Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. “
The Torah cycle as heard and studied in the synagogues was a 7 year cycle of two consecutive 3 years and one year on the sabbatical year.
In my opinion Paul spent studying with and teaching the congregation in Ephesus through the 3 year Torah cycle. Much the same way Messiah revealed himself to Paul in Arabia for three years when he came to faith.
Galatians 1: 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[d] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[e] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[f] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
Being new to the community, I am learning as I go…and I am learning a LOT–both from you, Skip, and from fellow believers. Here is my question–what exactly constitutes Torah? The first five books of the Old Testament? And everything in them? Or more? Thank you for the information.
Concerning Kate’s observations and Skip’s response, can the principles of Torah be considered part of the “things of God” spoken of in 1 Corinthians 2:11, and which cannot be understood but for the guidance of the Holy Spirit? These postings, your work, Skip, the thoughts of the community–I feel as if I’ve stumbled upon the most valuable of treasure!
Awesome Article!
~ Therefore, just as you have received Yeshua The Messiah Our LORD, walk in Him..~ (Colossians 2.6)
And how did we receive Him?
by repentance and faith.. -purposefully turning from darkness and choosing to turn toward the Light of the world. Every choice (yes, even the good ones) are followed by a consequence. – And what, are the consequences of obedience? What delights any Father more than obedient children?
And how are we to walk in Him? by faith, our right-response to what God says- and this “right-response” would be? – obedience.
~ the just shall live by faith ~ (Habakkuk 2.4) ~ For without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that is brought near to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him ~ (Hebrews 11.6)
~ Whatever He (the Author and Completer of our faith) says unto you: do it ~”
And Who was it that said, ~ if you love Me, keep My commandments? ~
“The truth is a bit more shocking. Torah is freedom no matter where it is found because it provides instruction in living that is acceptable to God. It frees every observant person from the dread of not knowing precisely what God expect
Romans 6:17″But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?
During the “Hippie” movement of the 1960’s, that culture also wanted to be free from religious law, free from establishment, free from rules and regulations by any authority, and the fruits of that generation is still infuencing our culture today. In Janice Joplin’s famous song, Me and Bobby McGee,
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose….
Why is it so hard for Christians to accept the Torah’s instructions for living? When you become a parent, do you have a standard for how that child is to be raised? Do you have rules and regulations for the child as he grows to help him become a healthy, happy and well-adjusted adult? Because you love them with all of your heart…..Torah is the instruction book of life that God has given us access to because He loves us….even more than we love our own children….what kind of freedom do we want..
Janice’s song can be found in the 5th century BC in Greece and in the 16th century BC in Egypt. It is part of our culture’s DNA now. The cry for “Freedom!” is actually a cry of removing all restraint because we view “freedom” in relation to “restrictive rule and regulations.” Think of the current political environment and you will see this same division in action. It takes a shift in paradigm to see instruction as freedom, a shift that even the children of Israel were not able to make when they came out of Egypt.
Freedom is found in being “chained” to the right Master. Bob Dylan was right: “you gotta serve somebody”- ~ so choose you this day Who you will serve ~ The Torah (instructions) of Romans 6,7 and 8 display this clearly for us. Notice the language used: James, the servant of God… Moses, my servant is dead.. Who do you “abad?” Adam, – abad ADONAI.. amein!!
And please, let none of us fail to remember- ~ all the Scriptures (all of them) center around a Person- Our LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ. ~Behold the (incarnated-crucified-resurrected-living-interceding-reigning Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world! ~
~ and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself ~ (Luke 24.27)