Just because most of us do not dive into Torah law does not mean it isn’t applicable to our lives today.
Rabbi Schneider, in his series Decoding the Torah, highlights the profound implications of understanding God’s law for modern believers. While it’s commonly taught that Christians are no longer bound by the Old Testament law, the speaker emphasizes that we can still find incredible value in studying it.
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The Torah, or the first five books of the Bible, contains 613 laws that many may see as irrelevant for New Testament believers. However, Schneider asserts that these laws offer us a unique window into God’s nature and character. While Christians are not under the law in the sense that we are no longer bound by it for salvation, God’s law still reveals His self-revelation, giving us guidance on how to walk in His ways.
Unfortunately, many Christians today are unaware of how the law and grace work together. The modern church often emphasizes “easy grace” and forgiveness, but this can lead to a shallow understanding of the Christian walk.
Schneider points out that without a proper reverence for God’s law, we lose something essential—both the fear of God and the blessing that comes with understanding His principles.
Jesus Himself confirmed the law’s ongoing relevance. In Matthew 5:17, He declared, “I did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” His death on the cross fulfilled the law’s demands, but He also affirmed that the law remains significant until heaven and earth pass away. Jesus also taught that those who “keep and teach” the commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The apostle Paul also affirmed the law’s goodness, stating that it is holy, spiritual, righteous and good. The problem, however, lies not with the law itself but with humanity’s inability to keep it. This is where Jesus comes in—He enables believers to walk in God’s ways through the Holy Spirit. By accepting Christ and being born again, we are empowered to live according to God’s law in the Spirit.
Understanding the Torah, as Schneider puts it, is not about legalism but about receiving the spiritual insight that comes from knowing God’s Word. The law, as the first grace, paved the way for the fullness of grace through Jesus Christ. Christians are called to study the Torah, not as a burden, but as a way to draw closer to God and live according to His will.
In rediscovering the wisdom of the Torah, we reconnect with the ancient foundations of our faith and experience deeper blessings in our walk with Christ.
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
