Keep the Commandments?

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” – John 14:15

This seems like plain and simple instruction. Keep the commandments. Yahusha (Jesus) mentions this many times. John, James, Peter, and even Paul echo this in their writings. The Hebrew writings that we call the Old Testament certainly speak of this.

Yet, the modern mainstream church has weakened these statements by suggesting we only believe and confess His Name.

“Do you think we NEED to follow the commandments to be saved?” is one of the most frequently asked questions I get nowadays. Not far behind is the question, “Have you read Galatians?” And to be honest, I used to believe that we were supposed to stay away from the “works” of following the commandments.

“For by favor you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

This was one of my go-to verses. But what kept me from reading on to the very next verse?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahusha UNTO GOOD WORKS, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

The modern faith has been diluted into simply confessing and believing that Jesus is the Savior. But I believe these words are mostly lost in translation. There is much more to belief in the Messiah than what the English language suggests. The Hebrew concept of belief is not just a mental concept. It also involves action.

“Yahusha Messiah, the Master of us, through whom we have received favour and office of the emissary for BELIEF-OBEDIENCE among all the nations on behalf of His Name.” – Romans 1:4-5

Belief as a Hebrew concept involves obedience, compliance, and submission. The Greek word “hypakoe” is used in Romans 1:5 to instill a message of us conforming our conduct to God’s commands (Strongs 5218). Even Yahusha (Jesus) connects belief to obedience!

“He who BELIEVES in the Son possess everlasting life, but he who DOES NOT OBEY the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Elohim remains on him.” – John 3:36

The Messiah uses BELIEF and OBEDIENCE in an interchangeable way to show us who will see life versus wrath. Yahusha speaks of keeping the commandments many times, particularly in John 14-15, if you’d like to read those chapters. But the concept of keeping the commandments is connected throughout the entirety of Scripture. All the authors in the New Testament speak of action when it comes to belief. Even the Messiah and John the Baptist require action:

James – “And become DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22

Paul – “For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the DOERS OF THE TORAH shall be declared right.” – Romans 2:13

John – “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.” – 1 John 3:18

Peter – “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality, judges according to each one’s WORK, pass the time of your sojourning in fear.” – 1 Peter 1:17

John the Baptist – “REPENT, and believe in the Good News.” – Mark 1:15

Yahusha (Jesus) – “But if you wish to enter into life, GUARD THE COMMANDS.” – Matthew 19:17

The Good News is to be obeyed, and not just heard and spoken of, as is taught in our western way of thinking. We are blessed when we hear AND do the Word of Yahuah. Our requirement is not just believing that Yahusha (Jesus) is the Messiah, but also doing what He came to preach…the commandments of His Father!

“He who does not love Me does not guard My Words. And the Word which you hear is not Mine but of the Father Who sent Me.” – John 14:24

“My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” – John 7:16

The Messiah’s message was not a new one. It was KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. Just make sure to do it God’s way and not the way of Pharisaical or modern church tradition (See Mark 7 and Matthew 15). A great place to start in understanding the importance of this topic is Deuteronomy 6. Here you will see the obedience that He expects from us:

• Fear Yahuah our Elohim and guard His commands (v. 2)
• Love Yahuah with all our heart, being, and might (v. 5)
• Bind these commands on your hand and between your eyes (v. 8)
• Write the commands on your doorpost (v. 9)
• Know who brought you out of the bondage of Egypt (v. 12)
• Diligently guard His commands (v. 17)
• Guarding the commands is righteousness (v. 25)

Keeping the commandments is not trying to earn your salvation. Only Yahusha the Messiah can provide salvation. He is our High Priest who makes atonement for us. Anyone without Him is lost, as a High Priest is required for salvation. But if you truly BELIEVE on Him, you will do your best to OBEY the commandments. And you will WANT TO OBEY the commandments.

“Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim AND the belief of Yahusha.” – Revelation 14:12

Believe on the Messiah. He is our High Priest. And keep the commandments. Be doers and not just hearers of the Word my friends. Shalom!