Does Torah Guide Your Life?

What is your reaction, when you read this question? Does it strike you as absurd or does it resonate with you? Here’s a second question to ponder: Whose standard of ethics do you follow – the ethics of the powerfully corrupt, who do what ever they want, just because they can? The ethics of the legalists, those who see only in ‘black’ and ‘white’, but not the greys? Or, perhaps you operate through situational ethics, in which your decision is based on a particular set of circumstances, ignoring any over-riding ethical standard? Or, as with a minority of human beings, do you focus on the ethical standards of God, as outlined in Torah (Genesis to Revelation)? Irrespective of the ethical standard you follow, there are consequences, positive and negative consequences.

Is it a coincidence that most of the codes of conduct in democratic countries are based on God’s command to us to “Love your neighbor as yourself?” (Leviticus 19:18) There are no higher ethical standards than God’s, and yet, even His are not legalistic, as some proclaim. In God’s code of behaviour there is room for shift, if the circumstances warrant. For example, as we read in Luke 13:15b, in which Adonai Yeshua admonished the Pharisees – Each one of you on Shabbat — don’t you unloose your ox or your donkey from the stall and lead him off to drink? Unlike Rabbinic Judaism, which seems to focus on man being made for Shabbat, Adonai Yeshua clearly proclaimed, as found in Mark 2:27 – Shabbat was made for mankind, not mankind for Shabbat.

Consider the adage, ‘You can’t take it with you, when you die’. That applies to the physical only; what we take with us, when we die is the spiritual aspects of our lives. If we haven’t experienced the spiritual consequences during our lifetime, we will experience them in our after-lifetime. I can hear the scoffing now. Be careful, my friend, what you scoff here on earth may come back to you in the after-life.

Beloved, If we are not trying to live by Yahweh’s ethical standards, then we are focused on either man’s created rules or those of satan, both of which are grossly inferior to His.

CONSIDER: Whose ethical standards are guiding your life? Are you following the ethics of the powerfully corrupt, the legalists, those of the situation or other guidelines created by man? Considering most of the laws in the free-world derive from Torah, does it make sense to follow the ethical standards of the One who created Torah?

ACTION:  I urge you to read through Torah and read the ethical guidelines which God gave to us to lead our lives. You may believe that you are a good person and that your ethics are appropriate, and they may be for the situation.  However, I can guarantee, if you examine them carefully, you will find they will never reach the high standard of our Sovereign Abba.

Pray: Beloved Abba. I ask You to help me understand Your standards of ethical behaviour. I pray Your Blessed Holy Spirit instruct me in walking Your narrow path to righteousness. In Your Beloved Name I pray.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.