AS A CHRISTIAN, DO THE COMMANDS IN LEVITICUS STILL APPLY TO ME TODAY?
I must admit that I have struggled with what commands in Leviticus--much less the rest of the Old Testament--mean to me as a believer in the 21st century. As you read through Leviticus, there are commands about things that seem minor, like what we eat or not getting tattoos, to “BIG THINGS” like the Ten Commandments. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” [1] Yet the second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [2] is not part of the Ten Commandments. In fact, it is surrounded by various commands such as not showing partiality to the poor and eating any flesh with the blood in it. So, which of these commands apply to me today? This is a very controversial subject among theologians.
I would like to share where I am at. This is NOT a “thus sayeth the Lord” thing. In my mind, this is a Romans 14 kind of thing[3]. How we as believers follow ALL the commands of the Old Testament (OT) is not essential for our eternal salvation, but I do think it is critical for our sanctification.
We know from the NT that keeping HIS commandments is what one does if they love the Lord.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. – John 14:15-16
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – 1 John 5:2-4
It is pretty clear that following His commandments is an important trait of a believer, so we don’t get a free pass.
This was debated in the first ecumenical council found in Acts 15. There, the Gentile believers were instructed to abstain from:
· What has been sacrificed to idols,
· Eating things with blood still in it,
· What has been strangled,
· From sexual immorality.
This seems to be a limited list. One thing to note is that it does not include anything about not worshiping other gods, obey parents, steal, or murder. So, obviously, this can’t be an exhaustive list.
The light bulb went on for me when I studied Reformed theology. The Reformers divide the commandments of the OT into three different categories: Civil (laws for the nation of Israel), Ceremonial (“Holy” laws related to Jewish worship and the distinctiveness as a people, and Moral (Primarily the Ten Commandments, but there are others like “loving your neighbor as yourself.”). The Civil laws don’t directly apply to the church, though do reflect the moral law. The Acts 15 passage applies to the Ceremonial law; this includes the sexual immorality portion because this was often associated with worship[4]. This leaves the Moral law. Considering that Jesus dealt with all of the Ten Commandments either directly or indirectly, it is clear we should be following these.[5]
Leviticus 26 discusses the benefits of obeying and observing His statues. These benefits are more descriptive than prescriptive.[6] We see this every day, those who follow the moral law of God, generally live long and happy lives. Often it is not easy, but with eternity in mind, well worth it.
Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him. Psalm 128:1
Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:40
[1] Matthew 22:37 quoting Deuteronomy 6:4.
[2] Matthew 22:28 quoting Leviticus19:18 & 34.
[3] Reading Romans 14 Paul exhorts us not to quarrel over opinions. There are things that people are passionate about by not clear in Scripture. The examples Paul uses are: esteeming every day alike or saying the Sabbath is more important than other days and eating habits.
[4] Consider Ephesians 5:3, “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” (NLT”
[5] Of the Ten Commandments, the Fourth (Remember the Sabbath) seems to be the only commandment that theologians will debate over. Many argue that Jesus didn’t seem to follow it. Generally, it is clear that we should follow the principle, but how and when to me is a Romans 14 thing. The is a great book call: 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth discusses the benefits and blessings of keeping a sabbath.
[6] Describes what happens generically versus prescribes what will absolutely happen. Example: In Exodus 20:12a it states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long.” This does not mean everyone who honors their parents WILL have a long life.
I would like to share where I am at. This is NOT a “thus sayeth the Lord” thing. In my mind, this is a Romans 14 kind of thing[3]. How we as believers follow ALL the commands of the Old Testament (OT) is not essential for our eternal salvation, but I do think it is critical for our sanctification.
We know from the NT that keeping HIS commandments is what one does if they love the Lord.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. – John 14:15-16
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – 1 John 5:2-4
It is pretty clear that following His commandments is an important trait of a believer, so we don’t get a free pass.
This was debated in the first ecumenical council found in Acts 15. There, the Gentile believers were instructed to abstain from:
· What has been sacrificed to idols,
· Eating things with blood still in it,
· What has been strangled,
· From sexual immorality.
This seems to be a limited list. One thing to note is that it does not include anything about not worshiping other gods, obey parents, steal, or murder. So, obviously, this can’t be an exhaustive list.
The light bulb went on for me when I studied Reformed theology. The Reformers divide the commandments of the OT into three different categories: Civil (laws for the nation of Israel), Ceremonial (“Holy” laws related to Jewish worship and the distinctiveness as a people, and Moral (Primarily the Ten Commandments, but there are others like “loving your neighbor as yourself.”). The Civil laws don’t directly apply to the church, though do reflect the moral law. The Acts 15 passage applies to the Ceremonial law; this includes the sexual immorality portion because this was often associated with worship[4]. This leaves the Moral law. Considering that Jesus dealt with all of the Ten Commandments either directly or indirectly, it is clear we should be following these.[5]
Leviticus 26 discusses the benefits of obeying and observing His statues. These benefits are more descriptive than prescriptive.[6] We see this every day, those who follow the moral law of God, generally live long and happy lives. Often it is not easy, but with eternity in mind, well worth it.
Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him. Psalm 128:1
Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:40
[1] Matthew 22:37 quoting Deuteronomy 6:4.
[2] Matthew 22:28 quoting Leviticus19:18 & 34.
[3] Reading Romans 14 Paul exhorts us not to quarrel over opinions. There are things that people are passionate about by not clear in Scripture. The examples Paul uses are: esteeming every day alike or saying the Sabbath is more important than other days and eating habits.
[4] Consider Ephesians 5:3, “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” (NLT”
[5] Of the Ten Commandments, the Fourth (Remember the Sabbath) seems to be the only commandment that theologians will debate over. Many argue that Jesus didn’t seem to follow it. Generally, it is clear that we should follow the principle, but how and when to me is a Romans 14 thing. The is a great book call: 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth discusses the benefits and blessings of keeping a sabbath.
[6] Describes what happens generically versus prescribes what will absolutely happen. Example: In Exodus 20:12a it states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long.” This does not mean everyone who honors their parents WILL have a long life.
by Michael Burner
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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1 Comment
I find the bible a little different, I believe the Bible states we were grafted in to the faith meaning we are not Jews but through christ we are grafted in to the Jewish Faith. We know through very little study that the Bible states when Hebrews go to different lands that they are not to do as the pagans do. Meaning they are to remain loyal to God and his commandments. If Jesus is the word and the word was God and is with God that would therefore mean when God handed down the law to Moses, Jesus was there. They are indeed one. So, when Yeshuah, I don't like the name Jesus because I'm sure you have heard before Jesus mean Hail Zues the name Constantine added. But when he says if you love me you will obey the commandments he is talking about all 213 commandments. But at the same time, Paul says we are not bound by the law. Well who is bound prisoners are bound and we are not bound we have free will that will determine whether we are true Believers or Luke warm. You see God doesn't want mindless slaves, he wants participants in the creation that love him. I despise the fact I have to drive a car for work because I know what the bible says about those whose destroy the earth and with the rise in earthquake, and other natural disasters that we see going on due to oil we now it's destroying the earth. I repent daily for it or more like weekly. I used to talk to a preacher and throw thoughts I have by him and one day I spoke of Buddha, Lao Tzu, Krishna and Yeshuah or Yahusha. And he called Buddha a heretic. I don't hate the guy but I washed my hands of him. There are just some people you can't reach because they are comfortable in there sin. Jesus said if anyone came with a different gospel they are of the wicked one. Well Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, and Yeshuah all taught the same thing, reference the book Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu and Jesus and the parallel sayings. Buddha was beaten for teaching love, kindness and mercy. Krishna was killed for teaching love kindness and mercy, Lao Tzu was stoned-but not in the sense described of in the old testament. No they built a stone statue in honor of him and prayed to it and then of course the son of God came and taught the same things the prior ones did. Well there is a verse in the bible that explains them all. It's the story of the vineyard owner. I'm sure you are familiar with it. The vineyard is earth and God sends his messengers to collect the rent for the earth he has giving us. The first messenger he sends they beat-Buddha, the second messenger they kill Krishna was killed in the great war when Arjuna was king and the people had lost their way Like Sodom and Gomorrah did and he had to go to war with them to get them back on track, well in the battle Krishna wa shot in the foot with an arrow and died from the would, Lao Tzu was stoned, this is where in all stories you can see how man screws it all up. Lao Tzu died a while philosopher as they would call him but they built a stone statue and worshipped it. Didn't practice what he taught. The at this point in history God says I will send my son, they will listen to him. Ofcourse scripture explains the didn't because in that parable the torture and kill the son. As Jesus was tortured and killed. Another Fallacy of Christianity is the claim he died for all sin. That's not the case the bible clearly points out in Hebrews 10:26 that if you know it's a sin (and sin is defined as breaking Devine law) which is definitely what the 613 commandments are. If you know it's a sin and do it anyway there remains no sacrifice for you.That explains right there that Jesus died for unintentional sin. Sin that we did not know was sin. The entire Bible is a how to live on earth. We ate vegetables until after the flood, a flood would destroy all plant life, so we had to eat meat for a time period but meat is to only be eaten as needed not a staple in our diet. People eat meat for every meal now. Meat causes inflamation. Why because if a meat isn't salted the jewish way it leaves moisture in eat and in ever piece of meat there are reminisce of blood and the bible says Do not eat the blood of the animal. All the 613 laws were for us to live spiritually, mentally and physically healthy lives. Constantine was a Roman Pagan until his death bed when he converted but all our Christian holy days are reminisce of pagan ones Christmas=Saturnalia, Easter=the day the honored Ischtar (a fertility Goddess) and so on. Plus to add more to the flawed religion is Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu all said they were just men, only Yeshuah said he was the way truth and the light. Well Hindus say Krishna said he was supreme, which could just be another way of saying he was gifted with the holy spirit. But known claimed to be God but Yeshuah. I here Christians all the time say well its impossible to live by the law but if the story of Abraham and Isiaac doesn't explain it I don't know what does sure it may be impossible but God looks for effort, just as Abraham put in effort. The kosher diet is the most antiinflammatory diet. Every disease starts with inflammation. Chew on that, interested to hear your response.