by Barry W. Gaugler
Is the keeping of Torah important to our Creator? Consider what is written in Jeremiah 31:31-33:
"Behold the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God and they shall be my people." (KJV)
Notice in the above passage that the Spirit is speaking directly to the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah. He is declaring a new covenant with His people. Some try to say, that this is speaking allegorically about the church, and not Israel. That is twisting scripture, as the language is perfectly clear, to whom Elohim is addressing. The New Covenant spoken of here, is with Israel and Judah. Yes. I know, that it is also given for the Goyim who claim the promises, by being grafted into Israel. Notice also where Elohim is writing His instructions (Torah). It is to be written in their hearts. We need to ask ourselves this question. If we are not to observe Torah, why would the Spirit write Torah upon our hearts? I believe, it is because, our love for Yeshua, is to be so great, that the thought of breaking His commandments would be absolutely repulsive to those who love and trust in him.
It is important to understand this important fact. It is by our Father's grace, that we are able to live Torah, through the working of Ruach haKodesh in our inner being. It is the Ruach, imparting to us the life of Yeshua haMashiach. It is not something we can work to achieve of our own volition, strength, or human nature. It is only achieved through surrendering your life completely to Yeshua.
Many are afraid, that by surrendering to Yeshua, their life will be over, and that they will never be able to enjoy life again. Nothing could be further from the truth. Life in Messiah is full and rich. Those who follow after their own ways, or the ways of this world live empty lives. They are always searching for some pleasure that will remain for more than a few hours, but they can never seem to find it. Their joy is shallow, and soon fades. I often hear their words, and have even said them myself in the past, "Is this all there is to life?" Their motto is "Life stinks, and then you die." Those who do not know Yeshua as their savior are constantly looking for something. Their lives are always miserable and empty. They may deny it to your face, but in their heart of hearts, they know it's true. When they place their heads on their pillow at night, and are alone with their thoughts, they know. There is no escape from the reality that you feel alone and empty.
It doesn't matter how many so called friends they have, or how much stuff they have gathered, or how much they travel around the world. They feel empty. They are searching for something, and they can never seem to find satisfaction. The reason, is because, they are searching in all the wrong places. Lives that are apart from Yeshua, are always filled with oppression. Have you ever noticed how angry their lives are without Yeshua? Always wanting to fight, or always cutting other people down? Even at their parties, fights break out. When it's all over, they end up praying to their porcelain god, asking him to just get them through another hangover. Swearing to him that they will never drink another drop (until next time). Lives that are surrendered to Messiah Yeshua however, are always full and rich, even during the hard times. Do we suffer hard times? Of course we do, but there is that blessed assurance, that in the end; We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
