My sister and I have been discussing the term 'legalistic' as it is used by Christians against keeping Torah. My conclusion is that it is not about legalism but rather a free will choice:
Obey His Commands or Don't obey His Commands, simple as that.
'Torah' is the Hebrew word and translates to the English word 'Instructions'.
Christians seem to think it is impossible to keep the Dos and Don'ts provide by The Father; His laws, rules and regulations, and would rather follow man made church traditions. Without knowing it, most Christians keep about 200 of the 613 Commandments. Of the 613, not all apply to you and me. Some apply only to the Temple and Priests (n/a today because the Temple doesn't exist). Some apply only to Judges or agriculture, some for just men and some for just women.
Yah provided His Owner's Manual, His set of instructions in righteous living for His created. It contains the terms and conditions of His Covenant between Himself and mankind - a contract. His Instructions are found in Genesis through Deuteronomy and are meant for everyone. It is YHWH's perfect system of government. Spiritual guidelines make up His Faith conditional covenant which, through the observance of Messiah, brings blessings. Reading Scriptures reveals the mystery of His Kingdom; provides a spiritual connection with Y'shua; provides prophetic discernment and is pleasing to YHWH our Creator and His Anointed One, Y'shua.
Yah's Instructions reveal sin as we learn right from wrong. It specifies what is good and acceptable conduct according to our Creator and provides guidelines for righteousness and repentance.
Andrew G. Roth, in his Aramaic English New Testament, breaks down the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) into categories: The 248 Positive (Dos) and the 365 Negative (Don'ts). I will list those categories here for you.
There are 248 Positive Commands as they pertain to these categories:
- YHWH
- Torah
- Temple and Priests
- Sacrifices
- Vows
- Ritual Purity
- Donations to Temple
- Sabbatical Year (Jubilee)
- Animals for food
- Festivals
- Community
- Idolatry
- War
- Social
- Family
- Judicial
- Slaves (bondservants)
- Torts
There are 365 Negative Commands and they pertain to:
- Related practices to idolatry
- Prohibitions resulting in historical events
- Blasphemy
- Temple, Sacrifices and Priests
- Dietary Laws
- Nazarites
- Agriculture
- Loans, Business, Treatment of Slaves
- Justice
- Incest and Forbidden Relationships
- The Monarchy
Yah's Commandments are common sense law for our health and well being. We will experience this system after the return of Y'shua during his thousand year reign on this earth. By reading and studying Scriptures now we will know what is expected of us. He has shown us the End from the Beginning!
It is not up to us to decide how we should honor our Creator - it is about what He wants, not what we think and feel is the right thing. If we love Him we keep His Commandments. Even Y'shua said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Also, "He who has my Commandments with him and keeps them (obeys the Word of God) is he who loves me and will be loved by my Father." (John 14:21) And, "If you keep my Commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept the Commandments of my Father...: (John 15:10). Y'shua kept Torah.
Our Father in heaven gave us free will. He is long-suffering, waiting for us to choose to love Him and by keeping His Commandments we show that love.
