3 23 26 – Following Orders in the Lord's Army

We have completed one week of our study in the book of Leviticus—Vayikra ("and He called"). As we have learned, the root word of vayikra is karav ("to draw near"). This book, the heart of the Torah, the book of holiness, the book that contains the four initial prerequisites for new covenant believers (Acts 15:19–21; Lev. 11, 19), is filled with more details than you can "shake a stick at"! Truly to the point of being overwhelming and mind-boggling. Maybe that is why I call Leviticus the speed bump of the Torah (most likely to avoid it :-).

Through many conversations over the past couple of weeks, there have been quite a few people in my life facing abundant challenges. Many have been struggling with spiritual victory in their daily lives. There is the constant pressure to conform to the cultural standards of this world. And, honestly, if we were to speak out loud, most of us would admit that we live in a world where most of us feel we need to perform in order to be accepted. In our minds, more times than not, we feel inadequate. We battle with emotions and too often do not see the results in the timeframe we want to see them. When we sin, we repent, yet the struggle between the body and the soul is relentless (Gal. 5:16–22). These struggling thoughts come from the soul, and those thoughts contain the positive will to be more than we are! Our body consciousness, more often than not, prevents spiritual transformation in our lives.

I think it is fair to say that we all have desires for health in each of the major areas of life (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, and financial), but the lower energy of the body keeps us from attaining those idealistic goals because it keeps us trapped within our comfort zones. Ugh! The korbanot—the offerings that allow us to draw near—have the disciplined answers to those dilemmas.

The Apostle Paul spoke of a militant lifestyle (2 Cor. 10:3–5; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:1–5; Eph. 6:10–18), and through this disciplined lifestyle we are expected to be spiritually transformed (Rom. 12:1–2). The problem that we all face is obtaining the militant mindset.

When the "sergeant" tells us to get up early in the morning, the body says, "I'm comfortable," hits the snooze button, and rolls over to the other side (Prov. 26:14). Ironically, and tragically, we are disciplined in every other area of our lives, but many ignore discipline in the spiritual realm.

For most of us, especially here in America, we live in a world of creature comforts—TV, movies, electronics, Wi-Fi, tools that make work easier—and we are constantly looking for easier ways to make money and enjoy every area of life, including the spiritual. We want joy in our lives but lack the mental discipline to achieve it. As a whole, we have become slothful drifters (Heb. 2:1–3), and the current condition of our nation shows that we have been turning on our "hinges" too much.

Instead of spending extra time studying the Word, we seek the creature comforts of civilian life, which is evident by the constant battle between our body and soul. Life demonstrates for us that whatever we think or feel will be revealed in our actions, and everything we do influences the thoughts that run through our mind.

Our actions influence our mind (Ex. 24:7; Jer. 7:23–24). Good intentions do not always produce good behavior. However, if we behave correctly, then we come to feel the right feelings, and the right thoughts will line up harmoniously (do you remember the choo-choo train analogy and my sixth-grade report card: Facts, Faith & Feelings?).

Why am I emphasizing actions—works/maasim—in an evangelical world that deemphasizes them? Because James says, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14). It is not that deeds are the sum total of our existence, but deeds are necessary to conform us to the image of His dear Son (Rom. 8:29), and they are necessary to bring forth the fruit you were created for (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8, 14).

Scripturally, the only way to really know God (Deut. 4:29; 1 John 2:3–6; 5:2–3) is to walk in His ways—to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer (James 1:23; 2 Chron. 31:21; Ps. 119:2, 10, 58, 145).

The daily focus should be to purposefully set our sights on seeking the Lord and doing it. We should know, every day, that this reality should be in us and our conscience: that God is in the heavens giving us instructions on how to live and elevate our lives to new heights. Intellectual realization is only the start. What we experience is making our knowledge through action—through deeds. And once you perform a commandment (mitzvah), the holiness of those deeds enters into your being. It is not just a ritualistic performance; you become one with the deeds (Rev. 2:5).

Are you undisciplined? Are you angry? Bitter? Lustful? These and so much more can be rectified through action—teshuvah. This concept of doing things when you do not feel like it is true for every commandment, because with every commandment (mitzvah) that the Lord gives you, He joins (tzav) you in it (Tzav is the name of this week's Torah portion :-). And when you do it with proper intention, you become one with it—this is how you come to know God (1 John 2:3–5). Every joy-filled action leads us closer to genuine interaction with God, where blessings abound (Deut. 28:45–47). 

We are influenced by our actions. Our hearts are drawn to the deeds we do, whether bad or good. Through these actions we weaken the negative feelings that produce fear in life. If we push our body consciousness into daily discipline, then life will start breaking free, and the race can be won (1 Cor. 9:24–27). Resistance is in every area of life because we are more body-conscious than spiritually conscious. It is only when we make the desire to change that life changes; a habit is capitalized action.

What we do depends on what we are. We are what we do, and we are creating ourselves continually. We have a conscious and subconscious. Negative deeds with negative thoughts strengthen the yetzer hara (evil inclination), and that is one yucky feeling!

If you find yourself in a rut? Going through the motions? Cannot get up early in the morning? Do not give up! Subjugate the body. Feel the mitzvah (commandment). Make the body comply. Like every area of life, perfect practice makes perfect. As you do it repetitively, your conscience will be programmed. It is not a burden (1 John 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12), but a habit. It is not out of fear; it is out of love (John 14:15, 21–23).

Act, delegate, or delete. Those are your only options in the Lord's Army. Remember the old adage as you head into this week: the further you get away from something, the harder it is to come back. It is time to do the work that you did at the beginning and return to your first love (Rev. 2:4).

Shalom!

Passover is coming soon! I will be in McBride, Michigan, on April 1, 2026. Come join us as we celebrate the Spring Feast season!