This marvelously wonderful and both simple-yet-complex verse ... which has 6 " I 's " in it ... holds the key to uniting one's will with The M'SHIKHA !
We will unlock the MYSTERY of how to keep Torah flawlessly by examining the grammar of Galatians 2:20.
But please note well:
Keeping as many as possible of the 613 laws commonly thought of as "Torah" does have its function ... as well as those things written in the Psalms and Prophets... in the Christian church.
It is written in Scripture that the Apostles were in the Temple at the appointed prayer times of the morning and evening sacrifices, after the Resurrection. It would be fool-hardy to think that the Apostle Paul abandoned all the spiritual training he had as a Pharisee.
What made the difference to the Christian Apostles after the Resurrection was that keeping of Torah now was submitted to the ONE+ Who+ wrote it, lived it, and more... FULFILLED IT ! Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA now was alive after HE+ had been crucified ... and was living in their hearts!
Those who are natural-minded and who are trying to know CHRIST (M'SHIKHA+ ) through keeping the Torah are as lost as ever...
if... if... if...
they have NOT entered into a personal relationship with Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA.
The Old Covenant is finished; the New Covenant through M'SHIKHA+ must be entered into by repentance, a death to self, and baptism into His+ death.
The discipline the Apostles embraced, then, was accomplished via their love for Y'SHU+. It naturally flowed into and out from them all as they lived TOTALLY for Y'SHU+ ( Y'SHUA+, Hebrew; JESUS, English).
What they embraced is called "spiritual discipline," such as indicated by the Psalmist's words in Psalm 119:164 ~
"Seven times a day will I praise THEE."
Discipline ... a submitting of one's body, mind, soul, and spirit to exercises of faith such as fasting, regular prayer times, Bible reading, corporate worship and individual worship... is a necessary part of a Christian's walk.
A separation from the world and its ways and values and conduct, as well as dress and things of "entertainment," is part of that discipline also.
The Christian church as a whole has neglected and negated DISCIPLINE as part of its structure. This is why various "Torah-keeping" groups hold an attraction for seekers: they want that structure of discipline.
Most likely, the discipline embraced by some of the Orders in various church organizations is the ONLY THING that stands between that church organization... and total destruction.
Thus, for those who follow Y'SHU+ ( JESUS, Y'SHUA+ )
... whether by a spiritual discipline of keeping Torah or a spiritual discipline of some sort placed upon one by the HOLY SPIRIT...
discipline and discipleship are VERY IMPORTANT to the survival of the church, wherever it may be found.
/ Sr. J. H. +++
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