I have been writing and speaking over the last several years about a myriad of topics, most of which revolves around faith and the problems I have encountered in my own journey. I will confess that I am far from knowledgable, or even wise, when it comes to faith in God above and the actual faith-walk that the so many people seemingly claim themselves to be on because they attend a Christian church and acknowledge the Holy Bible as the core source of their profession and belief. In fact, if you’ve been following my writings and podcasts, you will see that my own personal progression in learning and studying what this religion is all about has shifted from one belief system into another and subsequently, another. My journey has taken me from new age paganism, through old-school Lutheranism, into the world of reformed theology, and into the world of Messianic Judaism. Where to next? The question really is this: where do I actually stand in my beliefs?
Well, to begin with, I have tried to point out in the past that there are quite a variety of structures and methodologies within the framework of belief in the canonical book called the Holy Bible. Many call these divisions in belief practices “denominations.” And within each of those denominational groups lie a multitude of smaller groups that can even differentiate themselves one from another. For example, within the denomination of Baptist there are many splinter groups that, though they all call themselves “Baptists,” do tend to be quite different from each other. And each group seems very confident that their ideologies of how faith and worship and understanding of the God of the Bible are the only correct way. So many of their practices may differentiate (sometimes) quite drastically from the other splinter groups under that same title group. Now, you add to this the hundreds of other denominations that all profess belief in the Holy Bible and you can see how this extreme diversity can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing and cause people to just walk away from religion all together! I have been at that brink numerous times and can say with certainty that I don’t have the answer to the age old question: “Which one is the right one?”
I will state this though regarding my basics in belief: There is a supreme being, God, if you will, who is the creator and ruler of the universe. I say that with conviction and confidence because I cannot explain away how all things, including human beings, just came into a perfectly operating existence without the design and perfection of a being of greater power and intelligence. Primordial ooze or cosmic explosions just don’t put all things into a perfect balance of operation. I also contend that our planet could be no closer or further away from the sun without causing complete damage to the entire ecosystem, and that all the other stars and planets of the universe are definitely in a fixed and perfect placement. There is no easy explaining how all the human parts work in perfect symbiosis with each other part in order for our existence to sustain and continue. This life that we see and experience is no by-product of an accident or evolution. No. The universe is working and existing because of that supreme God. So…I do give full credit to the Bible in answering the most basic of human questions regarding the beginning of all things and how they came to be. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
With that being said though, the struggle I have most is with all of the other details. I’ve read that book several ways and at several times and have, over time, come to alter some of my understandings of various topics of study. Either because I’ve fallen under the spell of someone’s slanted interpretations and teachings and conclusions regarding what the book is telling us, or, I had read things with too much naivety and ignorance in mind and heart. Essentially I have had to wipe my slate clean from those influences…whether good or bad. But at the core, I have always stood on the belief that this book, comprising of 66 individual writings from approximately 40 authors over the course of approximately 1500 years, is divinely inspired by God above. And though I may have faltered at times to see clearly what He is trying to say in parts, I am also certain that many areas are very clear and concise (such as don’t murder or worship other “gods”). But as to the exact manner of how our deity worship and daily walk is supposed to be practiced…I don’t have the exact definitive answers. Since most of the believers in the Bible all agree in unison that the God of the book is the supreme being and creator of all things, how is it that there is so much contention and disagreement about many of the details? Or worse yet (for me anyway) is how can so many learned and intelligent people who have solely devoted their entire lives to the study of this one book all seem to walk away with such a wide range of understandings and interpretations and conclusions?
The only solace I can find in my struggles reading this Bible is that if the countless “experts” are having a difficult time grasping and concluding exactly what the authors of these writings are trying to convey to the people of earth, through the supposed very words they believe that God the creator of the universe gave them to share, well, then I really cannot beat myself up too much! Again, this is where so many people like myself struggle and where so many get to a point and just give up. They walk through life knowing that God exists, that His word is the Bible, and that He is calling us to live a good moral life. Yet, there are also many details given from above that call us to worship this God of the Bible and, yet, nothing but chaos and divisions abound.
No religion on the planet has created more controversy, division, outrage, chaos, and even violence, than has belief in the Biblical deity above. And, to an extension, this includes Islamic and Jewish believers, since this is the same deity they also claim. It seems that as much as God above has extended His words to the denizens of this planet in one form or another, so has the disputes and conflicts as to what He is saying, and to whom, been. God spoke, people listened, then argued with each other as to what He said. This has gone on for countless centuries and is still very active today! I will not side with one faction or another simply because I am standing on the outside, looking in, trying to get back to the original source without the sway or influences of man. It seems to me that, like so many other good things, humans have this great tendency to muddy the truth and stir in dissensions. I’m trying very hard to avoid that. I’m trying hard to just read what we have been given and base my conclusions on…the very words alone!
Thus…why I seem to be in a state of evolution (if I can use that word in a Biblical conversation). This is why my “walk” has seemingly shifted from one path to another. This is why I appear to have started at one point, turned around in the journey at times and have gone back to the very beginning to start again. This is why I seem antagonistic toward “denominations” in my writings and podcasts. I just want to be as right as possible without being seen as someone who is just blending in with everyone else. Just because “everyone else is doing it,” doesn’t meant that it is right! The more I look at His words, the more I see that man has injected too much of himself into defining His words and has even overtaken the initial words given by this supreme being to the point that what I read in that Bible and what I see so many people doing…all seem to be in great contradiction to one another.
Everyone has an opinion, an interpretation, of what they think is the correct way of walking with the God of the Bible. Even within so-called like-minded groups (or denominations), there seems to always be disagreements and discord between the believers. But, I think we also know that will always be, no matter how black and white the writings are on any subject matter. I, for one, am not in a mood or place that I want to be in concert or conflict with the others as to how they walk this faith. I am going to just keep on asking Him to show me what He is trying to say…in hopes that He gives me enough to walk in faith His way.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn fromme, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Jesus (Matthew 11)
So…an invitation from Messiah. We are often invited to a variety of things throughout our lives. Whether it is to family events, work meetings, social gatherings, religious groups, or just the myriad of other settings where we are given the opportunity to participate with others, the invitation is the request to “go” and be part of something outside our normal day to day. Sometimes the invitation is tempting and exciting. Sometimes it is something that taxes our heart, soul and mind. There are times when the invitation is a blessing, while other times we view it as a curse. No matter the invitation, we are being called to do something.
I, for one, am not the most adventurous person these days when it comes to participating in gatherings. I’ve found that as I’ve grown into my “older” years that I tend to enjoy more quiet routines rather than I do large crowds. So when an invitation comes my way I always have to take a deep breath, gather my priorities, and respond accordingly, often outside of my comfort zone. But there are many times that I also find the invitation turns out to be a blessing in disguise. I may end up going somewhere and really enjoy myself. It may be that the gathering I attend turns out to be the very thing my soul needed! And yet there are those rare moments when you take an invitation in the light of “this should be fun” only to later realize that you will spend the next several days or weeks in regret of accepting the invite.
One thing I do notice most is the importance to take time out of our routines for the sake of others. If someone has offered you an invite, they obviously took the time to think of you…to request your presence…and that they value your time with them. You might not want to go, but it isn’t always about what you want now, is it? In life, we often have to do things for the benefit of others. This is what that whole ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself’ concept is about that Jesus was telling the crowds when he was quoting the two greatest commandments given from God above. Obviously, if they are important to God, they should be important to us…right?
Yet, as humans, we can also get to a point of feeling over-burdened when we are bombarded with lots of invitations, or for the sake of clarity, demands on us that are being made quite regularly. Between work and family and social commitments, we can easily become overwhelmed with too many requests for our attention. Overloaded, we can reach a breaking point and a variety of responses or reactions can occur. Sometimes those reactions can be adverse and even have a negative affect on our mental, emotional, and even physical well being. From mood disorders, anxieties, depression, ulcers, and other potential ailments, being overwhelmed can take us out of the game, so to speak, and cause us to shut down. There has to be a balance. There has to be a lighter load.
When we drive our car a lot, we depend on it to daily keep us moving to the necessary destinations. In order to do that, we must maintain the engine and other mechanical parts by routine oil changes and tune ups, keeping good tires on it, and being attentive to other aspects of the vehicle. If we drive it hard and don’t take care of it, it could very well break down and that will cause even greater issues. The same goes for humans. If we don’t maintain our bodies, our minds, and even our spirits, we can neglect ourselves to the point where something breaks down and we are out of commission. We, like our vehicles, can only go so long, so far, without a break for rest and maintenance. Driving long distances, for example on a road trip, we often need to stop and fuel up, stretch our legs, rest our bodies and our cars. This is so important! If our minds cloud, our joints ache, the vehicle starts to make weird sounds, or gas levels get too low, we are going to be out of commission. Those rest stops along the highways and byways are there for a reason! We all need to take breaks!
The Jews in Jesus’ day were burdened. They were over taxed, over worked, and were being pulled in a multitude of directions by demands from not only the Romans, but also the various religious leaders of the day. These people were originally called by God above to keep the Torah, His instructions or commandments, that He gave Moses in the wilderness. That was it. Nothing more, nothing less. But the leaders of that time had added so many extra duties, rules, and other things, that it was near impossible to keep them all. They were so overwhelmed by all the demands from so many all around them that folks were at a breaking point. Like the overload of invitations and burdens, if they didn’t find relief, take time to maintain and rest, they would break down. Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah, came to free them, and us, from that!
His first words were to “come” to Him. In order to fix a problem we need to go and get the remedy. It is a first-step action on our part. We are already laden with a burden, a yoke around our necks, that weighs us down and makes our daily walk difficult. And if we keep going the way we have been going and don’t get rest, don’t get some relief, don’t get the proper repairs needed, and lighten our load, we are going to break down! Yet, here, Messiah is telling us that He will exchange our heavy yoke for His, that His yoke is light compared to the demands and weight the world currently is laying on us. He is also offering us rest…in Him! He also says that we are to learn from Him. At this point He is telling the people that He came to turn us away from the world’s ways, from man’s ways, and point us back to God’s ways. That the world’s ways were the heavy burden and yoke! He tells us exactly what we need to know…from God Himself. He is giving us the freedom to walk away from man-made rules and simply follow God’s ways.
Can you imagine how you would feel if you were in a position that required you to do, for example, one hundred various tasks every day at work, but you discover that more than half of those tasks were not only unnecessary for the end result, but that they were also not even part of the original job description? Now, can you imagine how freeing it would be if you were to get a new boss that did away with all those extra, unnecessary duties? Well, that is what Messiah is telling the people, telling us. He is telling us it is ok to stop, rest, get rid of the unnecessary baggage and walk in the freedom that He offers us! He is not saying that we can sit back and do nothing. He’s not saying that we don’t need to follow God’s Torah, His commands. Nor is He giving us the green light to start living life and faith in any way we want to. No, He is telling us to cast aside the ways of man and follow Him…who, followed God’s instructions perfectly. This is an invitation that should not be a burden, but one that we can readily accept and be blessed by!
It’s ok to take breaks. We all need them. And what is more freeing is when we can lighten our loads so as to allow us a better life balance! We need those rest stops along the way on our journey. We need to take time for necessary preventative maintenance. And most of all, we need to put aside all the excess commands, demands, and baggage that gets in the way from our having a proper relationship with God above through His Son Yeshua (Jesus). When faith through God’s instructions (Torah) is muddled and clouded by the many added “ways and means” that man has heaped on over the centuries, people tend to become overwhelmed with superfluous things and the excess heavy load causes them to loose sight of God and His original Words. It was happening in the days of Jesus, and it is definitely happening in the world of “churchianity” today.
Folks, there are so many schools of thought and practices that people think are necessary to follow in order to properly worship and walk with Yahweh Adonai (our Lord God above), but are in fact all overflowing with unnecessary additional doctrines and decrees that man conceived and/or invented so as to fit theirpersonal ideology of what they believe faith in God above should be. That is why there are so many faith practices and orders of religion existing out there. Jesus knew this when He said in Matthew 15 (quoting Isaiah 29) “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings commands of men.” This was happening back then, and it still happens today! And yet the Bible is very clear that there is only one way to the Father above, and that is through His Son Yeshua (Jesus) and His keeping of the law (or Torah) perfectly. The Bible also says clearly that we are to follow Him, copy Him, walk in His ways as His disciples! Are we following Jesus and His ways or are we following the rules, precepts, and doctrines of man?
“For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah Yeshua, who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus (Yeshua) every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Messiah is master, to the glory of God the father. (Philippians 2:6-11)
I hope that it is obvious that there is the way of Christ Messiah and there are the ways that man has prescribed and defined when it comes to walking in the footsteps of Yeshua (Jesus). We cannot straddle the two worlds, because the two worlds are quite different (if you read the Scriptures). The yoke of men is quite confusing, burdensome, and often weighs down people to the point of giving up. The yoke of following Messiah is clearly spelled out and given in His Word. He helps us on that walk all the way and it brings us peace and joy and happiness! So, let us therefore walk in the freedom He has invited us to…by following Him! And “let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to the Prince and Perfecter of our belief, Yeshua (Jesus)..”!
Breaking News Alert! We are ALL victims of a diabolical plan to destroy humanity!
Pretty bold statement! And actually one that is not necessarily too far off from the truth! We are all, in one form or fashion, participants of a plan that was set in motion long ago to bring the fall of mankind and destroy humanity! Now, if you have been reading any of my writings or listening to my podcast “Things I Preach To Myself About” these last few years, you’ll know that this obviously has something to do with God and the Bible and something with spiritual battles. And, I would say you are right…for the most part! Like a snowball that is rolling down hill, the initial attacker of humanity that started this destruction plot long ago really doesn’t have to do much anymore these days. Oh, sure, maybe a little “house-keeping” duties here or there to keep folks in line within the scope of the operation, but, for the most part, he doesn’t have to actually push the snowball anymore. In fact, it is our own power and energy (or, in laymen’s terms: our own naivety and ignorance) that keeps the rolling motion going! As the snowball rolls down, it gathers more snow to it and becomes larger and subsequently its own weight keeps that downward motion happening! Thus, the destruction of humanity is almost running on auto-pilot!
Do you remember the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”? A boy is watching sheep and yells that there is a wolf attacking, though no wolf was involved. The villagers all came running to render aid. No wolf. Later the boy does it again, and the villagers run to help. As before…no wolf. This happens several times with the same “no wolf” results. Eventually a real wolf approaches the boy and he begins to call for help again. But, the villagers are tired of the lies and deceit and do not come. The boy and sheep are attacked and the story ends. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Well, in the grand scheme of our destruction, we are easily fooled and swayed in much the same way as the villagers with repeated lies and deceptions. Growing up, our parents, religious leaders, and to an extension the education system, were supposed to be the primary source of our learning. Learning about life, morals, history, manners and mannerisms, culture, and interactions with people. We learn by seeing, by hearing, and by doing. We ‘trust’ that the information we are being given is the truth and we readily accept it that way. But what happens when we get older and discover that what we were taught, what we were being told all along, was not exactly the truth? What is our reaction, then, to finding out that the very people we held in trust have either twisted the story or flat-out lied to us? The ormal reactions are anger, hurt, sadness, and even despair. But one of the biggest results is causing us to distrust. Like the villagers, we become filled with doubts and suspicions about almost everything we are told and inevitably lose our confidence and faith in the source. Regaining trust is no small task. Once the trust has been broken, it takes a lot of time, effort, and energy in order to gain back even a small amount!
This very thing happens to so many that either grew up in religious families who regularly attended so-called ‘churches’, or became believers in the Bible through a ministry. A person becomes “saved” and begins attending a church group and starts what is called a ‘discipleship’ program. This is essentially an education system to take people with little to no knowledge of the faith and fill them with hopefully Biblical knowledge to strengthen their faith and walk as a believer. The Jewish people in the Tanakh, the Old Testament, would have weekly readings of the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible) and would go through the entire Torah once a year. By the time they were adults, they had memorized most of the writings and knew the words intimately. In more modern times people would join Bible studies for a deeper learning of the words they heard weekly from church pulpits. But, as with many subjects, over time, disputes of definition and understandings would arise and people would simply break off and gather with other like-minded people and start their own groups. This would continue through the centuries and even occurs today. This is how we have ended up with so many “denominations” of belief. Group A would believe a particular way about the Bible and group B would think them wrong and start their own group. Before you know it, people in A or B would grow disillusioned with the beliefs and start another group…and so on and so on!
Over time, folks within their respective group would either continue to embrace their understanding or they would discover flaws in the beliefs and leave. But what happens when a person realizes that the lies and deceit actually goes all the way back to the beginning? Before there were “groups” or denominations that had started splintering off from one another? Well…that is where our trust becomes shattered and the damage is done. The enemy’s plan of destruction now gains another victim. Once someone discovers that there is so much misinformation, so many lies believed, so much deception that has just been accepted over the years, that in most cases they just…quit. They toss everything that they once held in high esteem out and close the door. This is how the villagers ended up turning their back on the boy and left him to his doom. Those who completely walk away from God and His Word are now the shattered souls who have become the success story of the devil himself. These are the people who have grown cold and complacent to any and all talk of religion or belief in a higher being. These are the folks who, like the villagers, will not respond anymore to the call of God because their heart and soul have been decimated. And…they are not alone. They were once inside that rolling snowball, that has over time now become an avalanche, with all the others, but have left…preferring to be out in the cold alone, rather than continuing on with the continuing lies and deceptions.
But…there is a remnant. Not all that have jumped out of the rolling, growing avalanche of destruction have given up seeking God above. On the contrary, there are a growing number who have walked away from the mainstream of deceptions and are starting over…but this time from the beginning. They are turning to the real truth, but not man’s version. Many are realizing that the devil has had a plan of destruction since the beginning and he is using man’s great weakness of being easily swayed by the masses as a catalyst to keep his plan ‘rolling’ down hill! Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden and yet were deceived by the devil. How much easier is it to sway people today who don’t walk and seek Him diligently? Instead of believing God’s words, they simply believe what the supposedly learned men tell them. Instead of walking in obedience and spirit, they simply walk the already smooth and paved path that so many others are walking. “Follow the crowd!” It is always so much easier to go with the crowd! The snowball was simply the start…the devil speaking and challenging man to question; ‘did God say…?’ And for most who don’t know what He says…they are easily drawn into the ever-growing avalanche of man’s version of faith! Man’s ego and pride keep the momentum rolling downward.
So the question remains: where are you…right now? Are you part of the avalanche? Did you jump on when it was a smaller snowball and, because all your family and friends are rolling, decide to stay? Do you answer the question “did God say” with answers that have readily been formatted in simple form from a pulpit or do you gather the answer direct from the Word? The devil’s plan to take out humanity is simple: keep people believing lies! After all…the Bible does call him the “father of lies”! And, if someone should happen to look out away from the deception, the devil will create diversions and distractions to keep them from the truth! We are bombarded daily with so many diversions and distractions from the world around…all brought right into our minds, hearts and even souls from our phones, tablets, computers, and television/radio. We see the elevated preachers and teachers that so many readily accept as telling the truth and, because of their position, are never challenged. People strive to live simple, easy beliefs so that they can focus more of their attention on everything else going on. Their priorities are to live their best life now and carry a pocket-sized version of God so that they feel comfortable within their “faith”. After all, everyone else is doing it…right?
Matthew 7, Jesus says: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” It’s obvious that the direction (down hill) that most are on is not the right one. If the right gate is small, it tells me that it is not an easy gate to find in the first place, and that we must be diligent to seek it out ourselves…because most, including the learned leaders, haven’t obviously found it themselves. If they don’t know the right way to enter into the Kingdom, you probably don’t want to be in that group. And the path being narrow means that there isn’t much room for deviations on the journey. In that case, most (again with most) who tell you that there are a lot of “ways” to the Kingdom obviously don’t know the true way. Again, you probably don’t want to be in that group! We might think that what we are being told is truth, because so many are readily buying into their narratives, but just looking at that verse from the Messiah, who came to point people to the “right” way, shows me that the vast majority out there are going the wrong way.
So all that being said, here we are in the beginning of another calendar year…2024. Perhaps it is time to say goodbye to the old and start new. Start from the beginning. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war (live our lives) according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations (cast down imaginations) and every lofty thing that rises up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah…” (2 Cor 10).
We are to put aside man, the flesh, the history, the lies, the deceptions, and all that is currently rolling downhill according to the devil’s plan to destroy humanity, and we are to cling to the truth and hope that God above has given us from the very beginning. We put aside every weight and hinderance…which includes man’s plans, man’s religions…and conform our life to God’s plans…alone! We are not to follow the world (which is currently going downhill in the avalanche to destruction), but God alone! It’s ok to trust and believe again! Just believe in Him and His Word.
I am an over-thinker. I am also an over-planner. You know how some people can plan a trip, wait until the last minute to pack, and then just head out the door and go? Well, that is not me! If there is going to be a trip, vacation, or any such event that will take miles and days…it’ll be researched, planned, plotted, organized, laid-out, mapped, and every other activity needed to make sure that there is no missed issues or questions that can arise! As an example, just to take a 3 day trip to a forested area for hiking would take me several days of research into where to stay (of course after evaluating reviews), looking at pictures of the area, and mapping the location. Then comes booking the room and assuring confirmations. It will also require an itinerary for each day as to where to hike, park, and also various places to eat in the area. This will all be accompanied by copious notes to review over and over again…even before departing! Next comes the packing. The planning for that will usually begin a many days before leaving because I need to make sure I bring enough to cover any situation that could arise with weather or breakdowns and have also have a contingency plan for any emergencies. Thus, when the day arrives to pack (usually the night before), all will be ready to put in the suitcase and backpack. The vehicle will have already been checked over a couple of days beforehand for tires, gas, fluids, and necessary safety/emergency equipment…even if the drive is only a couple hours away. The day of departure: review all things once more before getting in the car and driving off. Now, this may sound like obsessive compulsive…well, it sort of is….but that’s beside the point. The thing is…people plan! Some plan simple and spur of the moment. Some, like myself, will over plan and over think the plan. Regardless of the method of planning, when it comes to putting your plans in motion, you still have to get in the car and go! All the planning in the world doesn’t mean anything unless you get in, start the engine, put the vehicle in gear, and drive! Just getting in the car doesn’t make a trip. Looking at the transportation in the driveway does not make your vacation happen. You have to follow through with your plan…otherwise all your efforts up to that point are meaningless!
The same scenario can be said for many who claim themselves believers in the God of the Bible. They say they believe the Bible and have even read some of what it says. They’ll say that they believe in God and Jesus (Yeshua). They might believe in all the stories and the history contained in the Book. They might even attend groups that talk about the contents of the Book weekly and celebrate some of the “holidays” they believe are taught from the book. And yet, with all the reading and research and gained knowledge and perceived understanding of the messages within the Book, the question remains: are they actually participating in that journey that we are called to take by the Writer of the Book or are they just “sitting in their cars?” The plan has already been laid out. So whether you’re an over-planner or a spur-of-the-moment person, the plan is set in place and the maps are all laid out in front of us. So…have we actually started to go…to walk…to take the journey forward as laid out in the Book? Ya‛aqoḇ (James) says in chapter 2 of his letter; “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” Believing that the Book and all within it are true does not guarantee you a successful journey! I believe, and even trust completely, that the map makers have drawn all the roads and towns on the maps correctly. I have faith in their work! But, that doesn’t assure me success to my planned destination. They can only point the direction. I have to actually do the leg work to get there! Sitting on my butt doesn’t qualify!
Sad to say that most folks are very content just having the insight and knowledge that God has booked a trip for us, and that He even spells it out within the covers of His Word, the Holy Scriptures. But, that’s where their journey sits…in the driveway, so to speak. Many might have accepted the travel plans and absolutely love the destination ahead, but most just think that trusting the “map” is good enough. They will think that if they believe it’s true, that is all that’s needed and will bring them to the end of the road. Then there are some who what to take the blessed journey, but are either afraid to start to travel the roadway because they feel overwhelmed and nervous…wondering if they have the capacity to go the distance…or, they are feeling pressures from those around them who don’t want them to take that particular journey. They might favor the destination but feel that the travel course is too much, possibly too dangerous, and that they will either fail or be ostracized by friends and family for even attempting such a journey So, they end up just sitting in the driveway and “pretending” that they will still make it to the final destination without ever having to leave the comfort and safety of the world they know. And yet, like any journey, in order to get anywhere, you do actually have to take the first steps away from where you are. You cannot make it to heaven if you never leave your current place. You don’t arrive somewhere without ever leaving your starting point. I would never get to the hiking trails if I just stayed in the comforts of my home. No matter how hard I wished or prayed or daydreamed or talked about…I will never step foot on those trails and experience the beauty and the foliage with my own senses if I never leave my current place. Heaven is the same!
This might all sound simple or basic. But the reality is that most folks who want heaven don’t realize that the Bible clearly tells…nay, commands…that we must actively participate in Yahweh Adonai’s instructions, plans, commands, and decrees! We are to physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually follow His ways (maps, paths, directions, and instructions)! Sitting with a map book in your hands and seeing the destinations described doesn’t get you there. Listening to people tell you what the book says doesn’t magically bring you to the destination either. Listening to other people’s journeys will not take you from point A to point B. Only by getting up and actually doing the walk yourself will you get from this life to the next! Shaul (Paul) writes to the believers in Philippi that they are to “work out your own deliverance (salvation)” (Philippians 2:12). Matthew Henry comments that we are to work thoroughly at this, that we must “be diligent in the use of all the means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our salvation, by doing something now and then about it; but we must work out our salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering therein to the end.” The course of a believer in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is one of action on our part. It is a journey of diligence and obedience. It is a trek that we must actively participate and walk in every day of our lives! There is no other way!
I am so tired of hearing all these preachers and teachers ramble on about short cuts and easy walks and happy trails they say the Bible guarantees everyone! They make the journey sound easy, but in actuality all they do is diminish the reality of the trek’s highs and lows. This is not a path paved in gold. There are no easy roads! Every step takes effort and energy on our part with the help of Yahweh’s Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit). Every forward motion requires us to push away the old life and thinking and completely follow God’s ways. This is what is called active obedience on our part! To think that we can sit back on our laurels and coast in to the finish line is one of the biggest lies westernized “Christianity” has perpetrated on people who have either not read the Word for themselves or have just accepted whatever teachers and preachers say from a pulpit without being a Berean for themselves. Many have fallen prey to what is called ‘easy believism’ which says that all you have to do is say a prayer (sinner’s prayer) and TA-DA! You’re all good with God! Another aspect of that ‘easy believism’ is that you’re saved by grace alone through faith alone, in Christ alone and that works are not needed as part of the walk. Yet that is contrary to what all the Scriptures clearly say! All those in faith actually had to walk and produce “fruits”. No fruit, no faith. Simple. John, a disciple of Yeshua, wrote in his 1st letter, chapter 2, this: “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” And Scripture records the Messiah’s own commands to His followers in the gospel of John, chapter 14 where He says “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” So, what were Yeshua’s commands?
Well, a piece of history for you. Yeshua (Jesus) and His followers were all Jews (with some gentiles sprinkled in for good measure). The people of that time were adherents to the Torah, which is where the commands of God were given (in the first 5 books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The Torah (which means ‘instructions’) were given by Yahweh Adonai to His chosen people, the Israelites, so that they would be set apart from the other nations. He gave His words of instruction and law to the people so that, through the people of Israel, all nations could see and learn from them how to walk in obedience to Elohim and, thus, be grafted in so the gentiles could also walk according to God’s ways. God seeks our voluntary worship of Him through His instructions to the people of the earth! The instructions don’t have various ‘options’ laid out that says “this part is strictly for the Jews” and “this section is strictly for the gentiles”. The instructions, the Torah, were given for all. Given to the Jews first to be the example to the rest of the nations (people) so that all would come to faith in Yahweh Adonai. There was/is no distinction between Jew and gentile when it comes to what Elohim requires of people on the earth to walk in obedience to Him. It was only through man’s alterations/reinterpretations of the Word of God that there came to be the changes most practice today. Roman emperor Constantine and the growing gentile believers in ‘Jesus’ decided to put away the Jewishness of Yahweh’s word to the Israelites and edit the Word to fit only the “new Christian” believer’s new Romanized practices. This was a mix of accepted pagan practice (acceptable to the Roman rulers of the day) and Messiah’s teachings. Since the temple was gone by 70 AD, the rest of Torah could be diminished, or even done away with, and a new religion came to be that removed the need to adhere to the commands of God. They decided that they were no longer applicable. Yet, no where does Messiah (Christ) say that they were done away with.
Yeshua came to fulfill the Torah. His own words in Matthew 5:17 says “Think not that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Fulfill means to follow through with it, to do, to make happen. Yeshua came to fulfill the law so that the law might be fulfilled in us, not so that we can continue breaking it without suffering the consequences. He came to save us from the consequences of breaking the law, not from the law itself. He also said that He “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), which were the Israelites who had drifted away from Torah by following man’s traditions instead of Elohim’s commands. His entire ministry teaching was expounding on the Torah; pointing people back to obedience to Torah. He never said they were ending. He explicitly preached to the people that they must turn back to that which was initially given by Moses from Yahweh Himself. If Yeshua’s (Jesus’) commands were to follow Torah, then why did the gentiles do away with it in their new religion? If people say they are following ‘Jesus’, and He specifically said to do Torah, then why are they not doing what it says in Scriptures? This is comparative to having a map that spells out the exact path you are to take to get to your destination, but you think that there is a better way and write out your own directions! Does that make any sense at all? When the instructions are clearly laid out for you, why would you go and make up your own? That, in essence, is telling God above that “you know a better way” and that you feel His ways are too archaic to be followed anymore. Sounds to me a bit like words that Satan would say! After all, Satan questioned and challenged everything that Yahweh instructed the people to follow. Satan is the master deceiver and the father of lies! So essentially, the devil has done a great job misleading people and attempting to destroy the right path that our Elohim commanded us to take by creating a false ‘new’ path that has mixed in some essence of truth, and yet, is none the less a completely different road.
Proverbs 22:28 says “Do not remove the ancient boundary which your fathers have set.” And Jeremiah 6:16 says “Thus said Yahweh, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and find rest for yourselves.” Jeremiah continues on in verse 16 by saying “But they said, ‘We do not walk in it.’” Which is what we clearly see going on today in the world. The Christian religion created back in the 3rd and 4th centuries had evolved from the old paths that Yeshua was trying to point people back to. Even today, there is so much controversy and matters of debate over various Scriptures because theologians are constantly trying to rectify and justify the various pieces of Scripture that don’t seem to fit quite right. They take various writings of Paul and twist them to justify their belief system that is negating the words of Jesus Himself and the commands to follow Torah. They create a works-free theology that lifts responsibility off of the believers from actually having to walk in obedience to Yahweh Adonai’s commands. The “scholars” have invented additional assurances to give comfort to people who might feel ‘guilty of sin’ by telling them slogans like “once saved, always saved” and “don’t worry about any tribulation from God, believers will be ‘snatched away’ before that happens”. All of these are heresies are created by twisting the Scriptures to fit the modern westernized thinking and to give people false assurances. When in actuality, we should be looking at the Word of God through the lens He intended when He gave His word to the people in the Torah. Being grafted in means assimilating ourselves to the root…which was the Jewish faith in Yahweh through His Torah. Being grafted in does not mean that we are to chang the root! But, yet, the Greco-Roman alterations created a religion that did just that…remove the root and replace it with sprinklings of pagan and modern thinking. What they ended up creating was a new “root”, so to speak. And as time evolved, so did the religion. Which brings us to today.
What we have now is a hybrid mix of some Jewish and some pagan practices that are sprinkled in with westernized “new testament” theology. All this has been customized over the centuries to fit into the various cultures over the centuries. Instead of people adhering to the commands of Yahweh Adonai, folks these days follow the teachings of men who have minimized, and even deleted, His Torah. They follow a new ‘Jesus’ and ‘God’ and put most of their focus on Paul’s doctrines instead of following Yahweh and His Messiah Yeshua and the Torah that was given to the people of Israel for all nations. The pulpits have taught more on new theologies and doctrines rather than the actual Scriptures given by Elohim above. Deuteronomy 12, Adonai warns the people of following the pagan practices of the nations around them. He says “…be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” Exodus 22 warns “He who sacrifices to any god, other than to Adonai alone, shall be utterly destroyed.” And in Deuteronomy 32 it says “They made Him (Yahweh) jealous with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons who were not Elohim, to gods whom they have not known…new gods who came lately, whom your fathers did not dread.”
Folks, it’s one thing to want to get to the destination of Heaven. It’s another to invent and follow your own road map. Yahweh gave us the map we are to follow! He didn’t create ‘many maps’! He gave one map…for all the people. We have to not only to prepare ourselves for the journey…which includes knowing the exact directions we will need to get to our destination…but we also have to follow those exact directions as given to us by the map maker Himself! Once we choose to follow the right path, His path, we then need to get up and actually walk the walk! You’ve heard the term ‘walking in the footsteps of Jesus’? Well, numerous times Yeshua gives us the exact instructions of how to follow His Father’s map by saying the words “Follow Me”! To follow someone is an action. Something we purposefully have to do! We don’t follow by sitting on a chair, or sitting in a car, or sitting in a pew, or sitting on our laurels. We follow by doing exactly what the person we are following is doing! Yeshua followed the Torah and the laws. He walked the Father’s path as an example to us all. We are to do the very same…step by step, moment by moment…without modifications or changes. We don’t follow some of the path, but are instructed to follow the whole path! The map has never changed all these centuries! The disciple Thomas was confused one day and asked Yeshua, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Yeshua said “I am the way, the truth, and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
Thus, we have our map, our guide, and our Messiah! Just follow Him!
Oh, there are so many topics that I have covered up to this point. Some in conjunction with others, some standing alone. Most of the topics I’ve covered have been recorded to help keep me understanding the big picture of what our daily walk with Adonai above should be like, in accordance to His Word, the set-apart (Holy) Scriptures. As I have been progressively learning and growing in my faith-walk, I have picked up, and put down, many teachings and theologies from famous, and not so famous, pastors, preachers, teachers, and theologians. Over the many recent months, I have shed off many doctrines and creeds that I once accepted at face value, and have instead come to embrace the simple and pure truths of Scripture in their original context and meanings. Essentially, trying to not follow the crowds who had long ago embraced man’s ways and doctrines…the very ones that Yeshua, Himself, had rebuked! (Mark 7:6-8 And He (Yeshua) answering, said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it has been written, ‘This people respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men. Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast the traditions of men.”)
Yeshua Jesus also had words for the many who doubted or didn’t accept the clear truths they had heard and seen from Him themselves. In Matthew 11, Yeshua laments the state of many people and cities that both He, and John, had preached the good news to, and who had refused to turn away from their self-driven, wayward lives. He spoke the truth, and yet they rejected His Words because what He said didn’t fit into their perception of how Messiah should be. They wanted an immediate warrior to destroy the enemies of Israel, but instead they saw Yeshua as nothing more than a weak lamb. They wanted a King above all kings, and yet they saw Him a simple meek servant. Those who Messiah condemned lost out because they thought they knew better, that they were more learned. In reality, they were trapped within their own ideologies and doctrines because they clung tightly to the teachings of men instead of the Words of God. Likewise, we’ve been programmed to accept the teachings of the Christian churches as correct because…well, that’s just the way it always has been! But, what if you are following teachings that, say, took a wrong turn long ago? Well, then you could end up very lost…and nowhere near your initial goals to follow Adonai above. There will always be a learning curve when you first begin any journey, but if the instructions we start out with are flawed or difficult to understand, we could end up going the wrong direction without even knowing it. Many roadmaps (theologies) that have been presented to westernized society over the centuries had actually come from preconceived ideologies and thoughts of men who had specific agendas and biases. So, while the path I began on long ago might appear to be somewhat more of aimless wanderings (from a birds-eye view), there has always been one fixed constant that kept me moving (somewhat) in the right direction; the desire to know Adonai Elohim, the God of the Bible.
I have tried to keep the core of most of my writings and podcasts encompassed and adherent to the Scriptures alone, since they are the very source for all studying and reading the Words of Elohim, given to us through His Ruach (Spirit), conveyed through the voices and hands of men who were divinely appointed to be His messengers to the world! The Bible is the very source for all our lives, interpreted by the Holy Spirit to our heart and soul and mind. We are instructed to read and meditate on the Words of God daily (Jos 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.”). These Words are the light we need to navigate through the complexities and difficulties that we will have in this life (Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”). They are also the Words given as instruction (Torah) on how to worship and praise Abba Father above! They teach us how we are to live daily in an acceptable and set-apart manner before, not only Yahweh, but also the peoples of this world (Rom 12:1 “I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Elohim, to present your bodies a living offering – set-apart, well-pleasing to Elohim – your reasonable worship.”) There is nothing outside of the Scriptures that should have more sway and affect on a believer of the God of Israel.
There are a vast array of organizations (churches and ministries) that claim to be representatives of Yeshua Jesus who teach their followers a variety of ways to worship the God of the Bible and have a living relationship with His Son. But, are they all correct? Do they all adhere to the commands of Elohim? Do they truly point people to God through Yeshua Jesus? Well, you have read and heard many of my rants where I have come across harsh concerning the many men and religious groups who, over the centuries, have usurped and even thwarted the Bible as being the only complete source for knowing and serving Hashem (the Name above all names). I have gone on tirades against the many who have purposefully diminished the Words of God as absolute truth. I have wrestled with the countless doctrines and creeds of men that have attempted to put YHWH in a box and define Him specifically in one fashion or another. Most modern westernized churches, through the various bias translations of Scripture, have tried to redefine the complete source of our salvation. Essentially, they have created for themselves a new religion based on skewed ideologies and doctrines of men. As we are to emulate Yeshua Messiah, we need to follow Him completely; to follow His teachings, which expounded on His Scriptures, the Tanakh, (or what is referred to as the Old Testament.) What many seem to miss is that we are to interpret the New Testament writings through the lens of the Old Testament, instead of trying to interpret the Old Testament through the lens of the new writings; as most of Christendom has been doing for centuries. I say all this not to be contentious or think that I am right and that so many are wrong, but to simply point out these very things to show that the road most of us have travelled along up to this point has had its origins based on defective maps created by men. Essentially, people created a reinterpretation of the original map for us to follow based on their personal bias and agendas, instead of staying with the original map planned out by God Himself. But, thanks be to God that there are many U-turns and redirects that will blessedly show up; but only when we take time to actually look at His original map!
There is a reason that history is so important to study. It has been said that if we don’t learn from history, then we are doomed to repeat it. We can clearly see that this is true just by taking time to actually research church history; how we got from ‘there’ to ‘here’. It is one thing to study the Words contained within the covers of the Holy Bible, it is another to understand the original context of what is being said by who and why. Asking the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘how’, and ‘why’ of the text, in relationship to all other context, puts a very unique and very different perspective compared to what we’ve been led and taught to believe. (Most of which has been based on the teachings of post-apostolic early church forefathers). I have spoken about the historical “changes” implemented by a certain 4th century pagan Roman emperor and the later church “leaders” before, so I won’t go into too much detail, other than to say that deep alterations to the first century follower’s practices and adherences were extremely dramatic, and those changes literally created a “new religion” by the end 325AD. So, please, do your own research to see!
We gentiles are a people much like the Israelites in the Tanakh who were continually driven to do their own thing, despite what Elohim’s Word instructed us to do. In essence, humanity has mastered the skill of creating our own ways to worship by redefining who God is, by reinterpreting the texts to fit our ideologies, by giving fancy names and doctrines to our various groups, and by cancelling out the teachings of Scripture that don’t fit our personal views…all so we can sound prominent, righteous, and stoic because of our interpretations of His Word. We love to elevate teachers and leaders onto pedestals who will promote our created traditions. And we know best how to market our religion through music and books and media so as to draw in the masses with the latest ways of how they should all think and feel towards our Elohim. I guess I can be so bold as to say that the current stream of “christianity” that much of the world sees today is really nothing more than a professional program…filled with idolatry, materialism, and even apostasy, sprinkled with some happy love verses out of context, that is far removed from the original commands of how we are to truly worship and follow our Elohim.
Much of this has stemmed from man injecting subtle hints and personal bias into the translations of the Bible. This, we know for fact, has happened and yet the people just ignored and accepted it. These misinterpretations have greatly affected how we read and understand His Word. Let’s look at one (minor?) fairly obvious alteration to the New Testament; the book of James. The title should actually be Jacob, or the Jewish name Ya’aqob! (The original Greek name “Iakōbos” means Jacob) So…what was the point of changing the author’s name into a drastically different name? I mean, there are other “Jacobs” in the Bible, so why rename this particular guy? The current accepted name “James” first appeared in the 14th century when John Wycliffe translated the Latin name Iacomus as James in the first English translation of the Bible. All the future translations just stuck with the incorrect name! This great error was reinforced after King James sponsored an “new” English translation, which was originally called the Authorized Version in 1611 (and didn’t actually get called the King James Bible until 1797). Again…why? Why the alterations to the original texts? I’ll tell you one reason: they wanted to do away with the Jewishness of the Bible! There was enough hatred toward Israel by the English that making Scriptures read and sound more “westernized” would draw in more believers. (Also meaning more revenue for the church coffers!) This history is fully documented…they never tried to “hide” this fact.
As more older and complete copies of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts have been discovered, they (the translators) will compare them with current transcripts and might adjust the text accordingly. But in most cases, the discoveries do not change verbiage enough to affect or alter the theology or history. Yet, that didn’t stop many of the translators over the centuries to take liberties when translating into modern languages (and is also dependent on if they were using a previous translations like the latin vulgate, or if they were translating from the original languages). Some groups or individuals, when translating into English (and various other languages), may also have had a particular worldview, and the Bible’s writings might conflict with that view, so small adjustments to the text would be made to alter the original meaning. Sadly, this is often the case with many of the loosely paraphrased editions of Scripture…meaning that they will rewrite some verses enough to lead the reader to interpret the text a particular way. We can easily see that simply by comparing many the “versions” of Scripture all at once. Thankfully, there is software now days available that has the technology to look at a variety of Bible translations all at once so as to compare them with each other. And, honestly, I highly suggest that ALL of your studies be done in this fashion! Clinging to one translation alone, (either because that is what you were raised on or perhaps you believe it is that only “authorized” text (though, I’m not sure who authorized it, since only Adonai Elohim can do that)) is akin to putting your entire understanding of God into the hands of one opinion. Some people might find that a particular translation is too complicated to read, so they’ll find a simpler version, which can often result in a twisted misunderstanding of the original context and really miss out on what Elohim intended for us to know.
The same approach to the study of Scripture (looking at a variety of translations) can also apply to which pastors, preachers, and teachers you are in lockstep with. Placing all your hopes and learning on one person or ministry is dangerous, and will often lead to the idol worship of man (not to mention also having a very narrow, or even possibly false, teaching that is not Biblical and will lead you down the wrong paths.) Knowing the complete truth of Scripture will lead us, by the Ruach HaKodesh, to the truth of Messiah Yeshua…which is our only salvation! Yet we can see most problems arise when we have too many worldviews being injected into the Words of God just to fit personal narratives. We are to listen only to the Words of Elohim, not the world. Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” But many in the “church” today are driven to be conformed to the ways of this world, to fit in, to be like those around them. They think that if they act like the world around them, accept the world’s way of thinking, water-down the Holy Words of God for the people, that they will be accepted and then can enjoy the fruits of both worlds. They take their “maps” that are altered just to get others onboard. Before you know it, the original map from Yahweh doesn’t look at all like the one people today are using to direct their lives. People want to have their own selected leaders over them, ones who pander or cater to their wants and desires, not the strictness they perceive that comes from Elohim above.
In 1 Samuel chapter 8, the people were growing restless with Yahweh, and since their leader, Samuel, was getting old and his two kids were not quite up to the task of carrying their father’s torch (since they also didn’t walk properly in the Way), the people themselves had their own agenda and plan, much like most do today. Starting in verse 4 it reads: Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us—like all the nations.” (In other words, they wanted to be like those other people all around them, the very ones whom God said “do not be like them!”) But the matter was displeasing in Samuel’s eyes when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to Adonai. Then Adonai said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For they have not rejected you, rather they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds that they have done since the day I brought them out of Egypt to this day—forsaking Me and worshiping other gods—so they are doing to you also.” Adonai follows with a warning of what will happen if the people get what they want…in this case; a king…and He also knows that they will whine about that later as well! It’s important to remember that what we think we want or need will not be in our best interest! When we try to put our definition of wants and needs above God’s definition of what we need…we will often be filled with regret when He gives us over to the desires of our hearts! (Romans 1:24).
We are not robots; brainless programs that follow blindly to the commands given us. Our Elohim wants us to be free to worship Him in spirit and truth, from our hearts, and to wholly desire to know and love Him! Yet, He knows us (Jeremiah 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”), wants what is best for us (Matthew 11:28“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”), and gives us the instructions we need to bring us through this journey (Psalm 119:1-2 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Torah (instructions) of Adonai. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.) His Word is the light we need in this dark world. His Word is the map that brings us into fellowship with Him. The Creator of the universe came down to us when we were lost and gave us the Way…through Messiah Yeshua! His Words are for all who seek to stand before Him in glory and live eternally in the Light of salvation! We are to follow Him through Yeshua, not follow man. We are to study His Torah and follow His Torah, and know His Torah (instructions). Yeshua followed the Torah and instructed us in John 14:15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” And what is His commandments? The entire Torah. The law was not nailed to the cross. The punishment for breaking the law was!
Let us walk in the footsteps of our Rabbi and our Messiah/Savior Yeshua…to use His map, not the ones created by man, but His alone for our whole journey with Him to eternity.
…that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Yeshua Messiah is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10
Oh, just how much the name of Yeshua/Jesus drives people crazy! And, unless his name is being used in a blaspheme way, people don’t want to hear it! If you spew an expletive out using the name of Jesus Christ, it is perfectly fine and accepted. Yet, if you speak the name of Yeshua Jesus to someone by explaining who he is as the Messiah and what he taught, you will be met with eye-rolling, head-turning, hand-to-the-face opposition! But, just what can be said (specially in the last several years) about all the public displays of demonic symbology and evil characterizations? If someone dances as a devil and parades demonic characters for either movies or videos in the entertainment industry, that is just having some fun and it is ok’d by the masses. Even derogatory connotations about God, Jesus, and the Scriptures have become a frivolous matter within gatherings and media circles to the level that people just brush it off as insignificant. “It’s just harmless fun,” they say, “it’s not hurting anyone!” Or they exclaim that those opposed to such antics are being “too religious” or “legalistic.” And yet, are we who believe just being too zealous being offended by all this? Are we even offended at all?
Quite honestly, our western civilization, (including the current “church”), has gone beyond the point of committing spiritual suicide, and is very much easing itself comfortably into complete apostasy. It is obvious to see that the people who are promoting these crass and evil depictions as nothing but mere “harmless” fun, are, in fact, also without an ounce of guilt over the aftermath. They simply pass on the responsibility of restricting or limiting the visuals to the parents and adults. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it! But we also know for a fact that most parents and adults don’t restrict or limit what is being watched or listened to by children. After all, harmless fun, like celebrating halloween or enjoying scary movies, has been around for countless decades, and by now “most” folks should be able to distinguish between fantasy and reality, right? Well, if we were to truly take the blinders off and looked around at our society’s current state, it would be quite clear that this complacency and acceptance of evil has had a much deeper negative impact on the morality of people throughout the last few generations…so much more that what people might realize!
Most of the immoral attitudes and events that are happening in western society today would absolutely shock and disturb people from even less than a century ago. If you were to go back even further in time, you would find that most people stood firm as staunch opponents to the very demonic displays we are currently accepting today. To see how far our moral compass has gone astray, and, just how much our hearts have deteriorated and hardened, one only has to understand the apologue describing a frog being slowly boiled alive. The premise is that if you put a frog suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out. But, if the frog is put in tepid water and the water is then slowly brought to a boil, the frog will not perceive the danger and it will be cooked to death. Graphic, I understand, but quite necessary to understand why we, as a society, have strayed so far from where the God of the Bible wants us to be. We have over time, like the frog, gradually accepted the small increases in immorality by decreasing ourselves from following the very Words that God has given to us for our instruction (Torah) to live by: the Holy Bible.
First of all, I know that not every human who has ever walked this planet has believed in, or followed, Yahweh Adonai…the God of the Bible. Nor do I think that everyone will ever fully accept and follow Yahweh. Though we all are descendants from Noah and his family after the flood, since they were the only humans to survive, not all have walked the same path in life. Most strayed from Elohim’s instructions to follow after their own heart, their own desires, and their own ideologies. So there are many that do not, nor will ever be, God-fearing men and women. But, to the many who do claim themselves to be “followers” of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob within the pages of Scriptures, it is clear that most still do their “own thing” in life. Sure, they may claim themselves to be Christian or Jewish or believers in God and the Bible, but do they truly follow completely as God has instructed? In my previous podcast and writing, I walked through the definition and concept of being a disciple…a follower of Yeshua Jesus and a faithful adherent to Yahweh God of the Bible and His Torah. But as I opened in this writing, there seems to be an even more rampant acceptance of many pagan and evil cultural holidays, feasts, and activities…even within the very walls of most “churches” today!
Even with all the understanding and knowledge of what the Bible says and instructs to those who would claim themselves to be believers of God, we can sadly see that those instructions (Torah) are not only being minimized in their veracity, but even ignored or dismissed all together as not necessary anymore. Modern “churches” have not only watered down the authority of the complete Scriptures, but have gone so far as cut major portions out as unimportant or archaic or insignificant since we, as a society, have deemed ourselves “evolved” and that those Biblical rules are no longer applicable for the people of today to follow. A vast majority of folks, including attendees of the various churches, have come to the conclusion that they know what is best for themselves. After all, the times and culture from Biblical days have changed drastically and therefore do not address the current issues we face today. It doesn’t take a highly educated person to grasp that lifestyles and laws from the ancient middle east don’t quite fit neatly into the lifestyles and laws that we have now in our westernized 21st century!
But…did God’s laws (or Torah) change? Because that would mean that God changed. Does God change? Well, the Bible is quite clear that God “is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” so that would be conflicting. I had found a great explanation regarding the laws of the Old Testament and whether or not they remain applicable today. If a police officer showed you grace by not writing you a ticket for speeding, does that mean that the traffic laws are now abolished? Are you now free to speed? No! How ridiculous! The officer’s grace should bring you to willingly obey the traffic laws! His leniency was not a termination of the traffic laws, but rather a mercy to encourage and guide you to obedience. Can you guess what this analogy parallels? If you said Yeshua Jesus and His pleas for us to keep the Torah, or the Commandments of God, then you win! So, then, why does the churches today forgo accepting and teaching the Torah? Because they’ve deemed them archaic and state that Yeshua Jesus did away with them. Again…giving grace didn’t make the laws change or go away. Yeshua said He came to fulfill the laws (show us how to keep them properly as intended by Yahweh God). Matthew 5:17-19 says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them (meaning to do them). For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” And Matthew 19:17 says “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” You see, Yeshua was talking about the Torah, the Old Testament laws, because that was the only Bible they read and followed!
So, since there is such a perceived drastic difference from the world of Jesus’ day to our world today, the modern denominations have taken it upon themselves to adjust and reform the Bible to fit their ideologies and teachings so as to guide the people they serve. Since cultural norms have shifted and have become more accepting and tolerant of people that choose not to follow the commands of God, the implication is that it really doesn’t matter what the Bible may say about certain lifestyle choices. If you “feel” that a certain way of life is good for you, but the Bible conflicts with it, “don’t worry,” they say, “because God loves everyone unconditionally, so it’s ok to be who God made you to be,” after all! They push a narrative that God accepts everyone, no matter what a person may say or do (or so says the pulpits of most churches today.) But, is that really what God says? If anyone actually took time away from the schools, away from the influencers, away from the pulpit-masters, away from the commentaries, away from the opinions, away from their upbringing, and away from the creeds and confessions, to actually read for themselves the very Words within the pages of Scripture, I truly believe that there would be an uprising against the very walls of modern church entities. Because what is being sold as “church” today is in complete contrast to what the Holy Bible of God’s Words say.
Jesus didn’t come to change the rules. He didn’t come to negate the Laws. He didn’t come to start a new religion. He didn’t come to make new rules for living. Everything that Yeshua said and did was to show us all, the Jewish and Gentile believers, how to conform and live the Torah. All his teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount, expounded on the Torah laws, yet was dismissive to the distorted man-made laws that the religious leaders of the day had blended with the Torah. This blending of “new” was much like man did at First Council of Nicaea around 325AD. Yet, people forget that all of the Apostles and disciples of Yeshua still attended the synagogue on the Sabbath (the 7th day, Saturday). They still adhered to all of the feasts and food laws. They taught all of the new converts to emulate and follow Yeshua Jesus, who followed the Torah laws. This was all the norm even after Yeshua rose to heaven. Well, until man injected his own ideology into the process and decided to make adjustments and modifications to the commands of God. Do you see how the heat was slowly increased to the water? The first century followers, Jews and Gentiles, walked according to the Jewish Messiah who followed the Jewish laws (Torah) to worship and follow God’s decrees and laws given to Moses at Sinai. Nothing changed. Until around the 4th century when man decided to add his views and ideologies. And this very slow boil has been increasing ever since!
But, I have harped enough on that. It’s quite simple…it really is! Adonai Elohim is a God of all or nothing. I covered this in my last podcast and writing. All I can stress at this point is that we are commanded to “come out from among them”. This might seem drastic. This might seem fanatical. This may be deemed quite extreme to many around, but I can assure you that if you truly want to be considered a true follower of Yeshua Jesus, you need to seriously consider what He taught. And to understand what He taught, you need to see where He got his source material from…the Torah! Now before you go screaming “culture” and the like, yes, there are certainly laws that are not applicable to all people or that are deemed “done away with.” Foremost is that we do not have the Temple to sacrifice and worship at anymore. The sacrificial process was a command of God that was completed because of Yeshua’s great sacrifice for us. No, we probably don’t exchange donkeys and camels for a wife these days either (though in some cultures…!) Some laws are applicable now days to the heart, such as circumcision or sacrifice. But if you look online at the approximate 613 laws from the Torah, you will find that most are certainly still applicable and can easily be followed, even in today’s cultural times! And having a proper and strict reverence to following the decrees of God would certainly alter the progression of our immoral culture!
We are a society that is sliding fast into the abyss. Hell is real folks! And, yet, people have accepted the boiling water so much that they don’t want to get out anymore. Many now embrace the immorality and impending doom because they are blinded by the delusion of “peace, safety, comfort, love, protection” that they think this world offers. You cannot call Jesus your Lord and Savior and still run your own life your way! Messiah said “Follow Me”. He didn’t say that He would tag along in your world on your journey. But He did say that you were to tag along with Him solely on His journey! On my last writing and podcast I opened with this line: “If we invite someone in, they are in our world. If someone invites us in, we are in their world.” We don’t invite Jesus into our world, because our world is of this world and He told us explicitly that “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Paul (Saul) wrote that we are “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) We are “not to love the world, or the things of this world.” (1John 2:15-17)
Yeshua Jesus said of His followers in John 17:14-19 “I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.” Yes, we are here in this world for a time and season, but we are not to be like this world…in any way! God’s Word is the complete Torah. Not just select verses or fitting ideologies. We are to be disciples, followers of Yeshua, who followed the complete Word of God. If your life isn’t reflecting that, then it’s time to reevaluate. If your “church” is not reflecting that, then it’s time to find one that does. No place of worship and teaching is perfect, but we certainly do not want to allow or accept too many compromises to go unchallenged or corrected, because in time, the water gets to a boiling point where death is imminent. And that death has eternal consequences!
If we invite someone in, they are in our world. If someone invites us in, we are in their world.
Quite a hodgepodge of events lately. There have been a number of life changes in recent months for me, including employment uncertainties, losing a loved one, and having a huge rework of my belief system. All this, and more, has been enough to really challenge me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Usually when major events happen to us, it can cause us to stop and reflect, re-evaluate, and adjust or change our direction in life accordingly. Every human being that has ever walked on this planet has been subjected to some type of dramatic, life-altering, event. No one is immune. In some cases the situation might be sad and painful. In some, it might be a joyous and celebrated moment. But in almost all cases, these things can often change the course of our lives forever. I believe this has happened to me.
When we look at the whole of Scripture, we see story after story of events and situations that have also drastically changed a Biblical character’s life. Like dams that are placed in the paths of rivers to alter the course of its direction, so, too, do these events alter the forward direction people may have been going. We can easily see how Abram was doing his thing in life until God spoke to him and told him to uproot everything and everyone he knows and go to a new place. We see Moses living life with his in-laws for 40 years, comfortable in his routines, until God spoke to him and changed the course of his life forever. We see the entire nation of Israel, living in the only world they knew, Egypt, suddenly being led out of that land in a direction and destination they knew nothing about. Essentially, all these people had their everyday lives turned upside down by God’s calling.
When we get to the New Testament, we can easily see a dozen men (the Apostles) who were busy tending to everyday life in their professions. Peter, Andrew, James, John…all fishermen by trade…called suddenly away from all they knew to follow a man they had never met before. Think of Matthew the tax collector. He was busy at work one day sitting in his office (booth), taking care of Roman taxes, when a strange man walked by and said “Follow Me”. His life has now taken a sudden turn and will be transformed forever. In all cases, whether it be my personal changes or the alterations in the lives of the Biblical men and women, the cause of these changes had their roots in Adonai Elohim, the LORD God above. Whether through events around us or within us, Abba Father’s Spirit is the mighty effect to change our course in life…whether we want it or not!
All things, good or bad, happen for a reason and a season, according to the will of the Father. It says in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” But what about those who don’t love God, or even believe in Him? Are they doomed to suffer only bad things? Obviously, the answer is no. God can, and does, use all things to draw people to Himself. Someone may wake up and realize that their physical blessings are from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then subsequently turn their lives over to Yeshua Messiah. Some might go through a tragedy that forces them to see the God of the Bible face to face and come to realize that they need to turn their lives over to Jesus. Or someone might have a superficial understanding or knowledge of Yahweh God, but have never truly surrendered their lives completely until some major change in their life becomes the catalyst for them to commit their lives to God and change their course forever.
Even if you are already a believer, there are many moments that can affect the direction we may have already been walking by faith. Take, for example, Saul of Tarsus. He was a Godly and devout man of Yahweh, dedicated to living the Judaic faith to the fullest. He properly observed the Torah (the Old Testament instructions on how to live) and was very learned in the Scriptures. Yet, despite his zeal for his religion, God’s plans can affect changes in a moment when least expected! Elohim wanted Saul to see the truth that Yeshua Jesus was in fact the awaited Messiah of Israel and the Gentile nations! Saul (also known as Paul in Greek/Roman circles) wasn’t expecting to “convert” and accept Jesus as Lord, but as mentioned before, God can, and does, alter lives!
The most important thing that many of us need to recognize and realize is that when these life changes occur, we should hold fast and embrace them. It can be very easy to dismiss a dramatic moment by thinking that we are just having an emotional response, or that we just had a confusing moment of weakness, or that it is better to stick with what we know and not venture to far away from our comfort zone. But we can clearly see in the pages of Scripture that God’s life-altering events are meant to take us away from our happy place, to send us down roads we may have never walked before, and, most of all, to go all in! God’s calling is almost always very radical and requires us to “take a leap of faith” into the unknown! Something that I have always struggled with.
I’ve come to understand that this God of the Bible wants nothing less than an all-or-nothing commitment. If you think about the 10 Commandments, most will agree that they are to be adhered to in our daily lives. Love God, love our neighbors, don’t kill, don’t covet, don’t lie, and go to church on the Sabbath. Simple. But most who claim themselves followers, or Christians, or religious, actually live their day-to-day lives keeping only some of the Commandments of God. And, yet, nowhere in the Bible does God give us permission to live life by only observing 7 out of 10 of the laws, or even 9 out of 10. Adonai was quite clear that we are to conduct our lives following all of the Commandments and laws! There has never been a gray area or exclusions under certain circumstances! Nowhere, not even in the New Testament, does God change His rules for life! And sadly, for many of us, guilty as charged!
So, this brings me to how so many people struggle with being a disciple of Yeshua Jesus, myself included. We seem to be ok complying with the soft, gentle, easily accepted rules of life, but cannot seem to go all in and give up our past ways to completely devote ourselves to follow the Messiah every day, in every way! The true radical transformation we are Biblically called too often times gets slowed or halted because we are either afraid to give up what we know (our comfort zones), are afraid of what others might think of us (our pride and ego), or we have settled for the watered-down church life that only focuses on happy-love-joy things that require no sacrifices or repentance of sin in our lives (being complacent and selective).
The disciples in the Bible gave up everything they knew to follow what the Spirit of Yahweh opened their eyes to…Yeshua Jesus as Messiah. Thousands upon thousands turned over the entirety of their lives to the radical change of being a follower of the Way. They faced the ridicule, scorn, contempt, loss, and rejection by family and friends. They completely turned away from anything and everything that God had instructed as bad or wrong. They walked down the new roads, knowing that they would be letting go of their pasts and embracing the gracious gift of God through Messiah Jesus of eternal life in glory. The knew from the start that this path was an all-or-nothing decision. Hebrews chapter 11 displays some of the examples of true faith, of those who gave up all they knew for all that God was giving them. Verses 1-2 says “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended.”
Not just the believers within the pages of the New Testament, but all the countless disciples (followers of Yeshua) showed their true faith by walking in the path that was offered them through the Messiah. Essentially, a disciple is one who emulates his/her master in every way. They walk, talk, and live their lives as close as possible to the one whom they are committed to follow. As more and more disciples were brought in to the fold, they were pointed to Jesus as the one and only way of how they were to live. Yeshua Jesus was the perfect example of Yahweh God: “So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.” (John 5:19-21). As Jesus emulates the Father, so, too, we are called to emulate Jesus!
So, here we are. Perhaps we are walking in our faith weak, complacent, watered-down, selective, and hot/cold daily. Are we true disciples or are we on again/off again Christians who change our spots depending on the environment we are in? Do we live our lives in such a fashion that the unbelieving pagans don’t see us as any different from themselves? Do we puff up our religious displays on the Sabbath, yet live the other days as everyone else? Are we hesitant to speak out for Yeshua Jesus when others blaspheme His name because we fear the retribution or ridicule? I, for one, am guilty as charged in so many circumstances. Not just for being wishy-washy day to day around others, but also for being selective on what is and what isn’t important to follow within the pages of Scripture. You see, so many dismiss the Old Testament because Jesus came. But the problem with that is most are missing the part that Yeshua and all His disciples didn’t have a nice, neat New Testament to use. Their Bible to follow and study was the Tanakh…the Old Testament. They followed the laws, studied the Patriarchs, and memorized the Words. If we are truly followers, we would be doing the same!
Read Hebrews chapter 11. No, actually, study it. Meditate on it. See what true faith is supposed to look like in light of the dramatic changes in one’s life. Changes that affected so many to give up all things, including self, to follow the God of the Bible, now through His Son Yeshua Messiah, Jesus Christ. They gave up everything to be true disciples. Have we? They repented (turned away) of their old ways to live lives according to God’s ways. Have we? What have we given up…if anything? We should not have any excuses if we truly want to be His disciples. Yeshua Jesus tells us that He does NOT accept a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:15-16 He says “I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth!” So, where do you stand now and where do you want to be standing at the coming Judgment Day before the Messiah Himself?
Hello. My name is Richard. That is the name given to me by my parents upon my birth. Though formally Richard, I can go by some of the abbreviated versions such as Rich, Richie, Rick, and so on. If someone calls out “Richard” or “Rich” in a room, I look. That is my name. If someone calls out Derek or Susan or Fred or Veronica or any other name, I will not respond…because my name is Richard. Why is that important? Well, names are our personal identifier. It is the given intimate name we were first presented to the world as, and it is the personal and intimate name that we subsequently present ourselves to others as we navigate this wide world. You have your personal, intimate, identifying name that you use to introduce yourself to others. Your family, friends, coworkers, and the like address you by that name and it is even utilized as a legal identifier by governments as well. So, essentially, the name you and I have is important!
If you introduce yourself to me and give me your name, that is what I will call you. If I call you by any other name, you would either correct me or ignore me all together. Understandably! Even for people that have long left the living, we don’t call them some other name. For instance, if I was talking about George Washington, but kept calling him Keith, you would not know who I was referring to. A similar situation would be if I was having a conversation about the German reformation leader and yet kept calling his name as Emilia. You would not know that I was talking about Martin Luther. Again, the correct name given is important!
I bring all this up because there is a long-standing situation that most folks, and specially theology scholars, know about and yet continue in error simply because it is “what everyone has been doing for centuries, so why change it”. They justify it by saying that “it really doesn’t matter what you call Him, because He knows who you are talking about”. What I am talking about is the correct Hebrew name of the Biblical messiah, known in the western world as Jesus. You see, He was born in a little town we call Bethlehem (Beit Lechem) and, per the angelic messenger’s instructions, was named Yeshua (Y’hoshua) which means “The Lord’s Salvation”. So why do we continue to call him by another name? Is His name, and many other names for that matter, so important that we need to upset the whole of established Christianity? Does this mean that there was an egregious error made during translation into the English language and it means that those who read the westernized Scriptures are not saved and are going to hell? Of course not!
Most folks will argue that these changes are just part of the translation process. You see, we don’t all speak the same language (thanks tower of Babel!), and many of us do not have the skill-set to speak additional languages other than our own. (Though I’ll argue that there are some who struggle with their own native language…but that’s another topic)! Yet it is important that in order to communicate with other people groups, we need to translate (or transliterate) what they are communicating into an understandable adaption to our own language. Another aspect is that other nations may use different symbology for their letters than, say, English. So that creates another dimension to bringing the words from one culture to another. Take for example the English word “cheese”. In Spanish they say “queso”. Since essentially the same alphabet is used, it is just a simple matter of learning the word in English and Spanish. But what about the languages that have very different lettering? This complicates the translation somewhat because there is an added step called “transliteration” that is used.
The dictionary defines transliteration as to “write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or script”. Thus, translating from Hebrew (or Aramaic, which is the language that Jesus and all the Jews spoke in the New Testament times) means that the vocalizing of the words need to be transliterated to the closest English lettering. In original Hebrew, His name is יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (which is actually read from right to left) and is transliterated into English as “Yeshua”. Many of the New Testament texts were either written or translated into Greek, so Yeshua had to be Hellenized and transliterated into Greek as ησοῦς which was transliterated into English as “Iesous” or further into Jesous, and then further still into Jesus. So, you see that the spoken transliterations morphed the names from the original languages into various pronunciations. To really bake your noodles…the transliterated name of Yeshua is actually written as Joshua in the Old Testament. Yes! The same Hebrew name is transliterated into the English as Joshua in Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament! Boom!
This is not a unique practice in the world of translations. Bear in mind that each translator will bring the original into the destined language based on what they feel is the closest and best fit to yield the word understandable. There is some “artistic interpretation” that is utilized that will affect what is deemed a good translation. But clearly the entire process is certainly no easy task, and there is always a critic, or three, that will disagree. Plus, something important to point out is that in the history of the Jewish people, they were under various controlling governments for most of their history. From Babylonian and Assyrian to Greek and Roman, Israel was assimilated into these foreign cultures and had to struggle to maintain their ethnic life and language. So it was no wonder that many in Yeshua’s day spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, as well as Greek and Latin. These language and culture influences can show up within the writings of the Scriptures.
But, how important is this information? Again, I will never say that people who refer to Yeshua as Jesus, as it is written in so many English Bibles, will be cast into the lake of fire. But for the many who claim the desire to go deeper into the Word, to know the Messiah more intimately, and to be a closer to the original languages as possible (i.e.: word-for-word translations versus paraphrased) without learning Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, it is still important to understand the basics of the native languages (word studies) and the culture from which the writers were living in and being influenced from. I have said it many times that you cannot fully or succinctly have a proper perspective of reading the Scriptures without reading them in their proper context!
History lesson: keep in mind that most of today’s westernized Christian churches are direct descendants of the decrees and declarations that were put into place by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. A quick study into that event shows, without any bias or denials, that a primary goal was to integrate Roman culture with the growing New Testament church and to segregate out the teachings and practices of Judaism from the emerging Christianity all together. The council was clear that followers of “Jesus” were not allowed to continue on with Synagogue practices or observing the Jewish holidays and feasts, and were to “convert” fully to the new standards and methods established by this new “church”. Because of this, most of today’s theologies stem from the new direction that believers were supposed to adhere to, and any deviation from that, such as returning to the practices of the first church, which included Judaic observances, were, and still are, often met with harassment and claims of heresy.
We can all agree that debates within any aspect of theology is a constant. No doubt that a multitude of factions exists under the umbrella of Christianity. Just look at the countless denominations and sub-denominations that exist just in the Protestant world alone! Even historically, the earlier Catholic Church had a great divide stemming from the disagreements during the Council of Nicaea, and that friction continued on for centuries. Going back even further, we can see that even in Judaism there were many differing practices. Yeshua Jesus confronted the religious leaders of the day, Pharisees, the Sadducees, and even the scribes, on many occasions because they all had deviated from the commands of God as written in the Torah, the laws in the first 5 books of the Bible. In other words, man has always, and still continues, to inject his ideas, thoughts, and desires into the Words of God and create for himself what he thinks is best!
So, is “just a name” that important? Personally, I have to say yes. For the simple reason that when you deviate from something that might be perceived as a minor matter, it does, in fact, create a large slippery slope. First you make some tiny alterations to appease the masses and make it function better and “easier to digest”. Next you modify a little here here and a little there there to help integrate better the ancient things, so as to be more understandable and relevant to today’s cultural thinking. Onward, certain modernistic ideologies are sprinkled into the textual translations to help with understanding the more “complex writings” that don’t fit nicely into our way of thinking these days. Essentially you end up with a completely new religion that contains just a smattering of the original for posterity’s sake. This has been shown clearly and historically to happen and, in time, people have taken the very truths from Elohim (God) and reformed them into an inaccurate and humanized meaning. Essentially, we have been molding the God of the universe to fit our narratives and our ways…instead of His creation conforming and adhering to His decrees and His ways.
In Exodus 3:13-15 we learn Hashem (meaning “the Name”). “Moses said to Elohim, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” Elohim said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” Elohim also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘YHWH, the Elohim of your fathers—the Elohim of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation”. In many Hebrew Scriptures, Elohim is what westernized Bibles have written as “God”. Adonai is used for “Lord”. El Shaddai means “God Almighty”. But YHWH (יהוה) is His formal name. Though in many circles it is not pronounced out of reverence, still many will attempt to pronounce it by saying the transliteration of “Yahweh”. But, one thing is clear…that the Creator of the Universe is not just God or Lord or LORD per our English translations. The names are important because they reveal to us His attributes and bring us a better, more intimate, understanding of who He is to us. Names in Hebrew have deep meanings and I highly recommend you do your own name study within Scriptures to get a better perspective of why we all should be using the proper names!
Folks, before you shake your head and finger at me, let me say that this isn’t legalism. This isn’t reverting to irrelevant antiquity. This isn’t some religious jargon to sound fancy. This is committing ourselves back to a reverential awe and respect to our Creator, as He presented Himself to the world through His Word! If we think ourselves so arrogant that we can rename Yahweh Elohim to better fit our languages, views and ideas, then we tread dangerously on this walk through life. I wouldn’t call my boss at work by any other name other than his or her very own. Nor would I call a parent or spouse or friend by something other than their proper name as well. Yet, we think it ok to rename Him who spoke the universe into existence, who created humanity by His breath, and who sustains all things by His hand. Our faith can often show its true growth and strength by the depth of our understanding and our willingness to continue the walk being as faithful and obedient to Him as humanly possible! Yeshua said in John 14:14-15 “If you ask Me for anything in My Name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
James 4:8 (Which, by the way, his name was actually Ya’akov or transliterated as Jacob!) says “Draw near to Elohim, and He will draw near to you.” Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu) 29:13 says “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” When we study “to show ourselves approved”, we want to know from where our salvation comes from. We study to know our Father in Heaven. We study to become intimate with Him so that we can then obey Him completely. The old saying “to know Him is to love Him” definitely applies here! And it’s important to know why He is referenced by so many special Hebraic titles, along with His name YHWH, or Yahweh. I’ve touched on a few of them here, but I also want to encourage you to see the Elohim of the Bible in the truest, purest, and proper form and context…as was originally presented to humanity when the Words were written! If He revealed Himself to us through His Word, shouldn’t we know those words…intimately? After all, as it says in Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore Elohim raised Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name above every name; that at the name of Yeshua, every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai, to the glory of Elohim the Father.” It’s clear from the Father above that names are important!
Thus says Yahweh:“Stand by the ways, and see, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ –Jeremiah 6:16
The Holy Bible of the Judeo/Christian faith has a way of getting right to the heart of a person. It says in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. I can testify that Elohim and His Words have shaken me to the very core of my soul in the last several months. Shaken to the point where everything that I thought I knew wasn’t exactly as I had thought. That the very things that I placed trust and faith into are not the clear and fullest truth. That I’ve been on a path, or road if you will, that is not the same road from where it all started…in the very beginning. Let me explain.
From the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, subsequently translated into Latin, English, and a variety of other languages, the very words of the canonized Bible…what is commonly called the Old and New Testaments…have impacted the vast majority of people around the world for multiple centuries. From those very powerful words, written by approximately 40 authors over the span of about 1500 years, comes the voice of Yahweh God to the people that inhabit this planet. All things came from God through Yeshua/Jesus, (the son of God), according to the very words of the Holy Scriptures. It says in Colossians 1:16-17 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. In Genesis 1:1, the first of the 66 collected books that make up the Holy Bible, it says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
If we look through the timeline of the Bible we learn that God created Adam and Eve, the first people, who fell into sin (a breaking of God’s laws) and lost the paradise God had given them (the Garden of Eden). Subsequently through lineage, Noah came about, but so did rampant sin against God, who then flooded the planet (saving only Noah and his family) to start fresh. Essentially God establishes a group of people through Abram (Abraham) and his offspring to be a holy people (holy means “called out”) and to eventually establish His laws to these people through His prophet Moses, after God lead the Hebrew people (Hebrew meaning to “cross over”) out of bondage (Egypt). He gives them a land (the Promised Land) to live in and to worship Him. Unfortunately the 12 tribes of the now-called Israelites have conflicts with one another and are separated (northern 10 tribes and southern 2 tribes) and go through many rise and fall periods because they kept breaking God’s laws. Even after multitudes of warnings from various prophets of God to repent (meaning to turn away from sin), their sinning continued. This went on for centuries. But God had a plan for not only the Jewish people, but for the rest of the world as well.
The last Old Testament period prophet came proclaiming that the “Promised One”, the Messiah, who would take away the sins of the world would be coming. John the Baptist announced that one was coming to take the punishment for all sins and give all people a way to be restored to God. Thus, Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus Christ, came. Jesus followed and fulfilled all the laws and commandments of God perfectly (something no one can do) and gave us the example to follow. Since the punishment for sin is death, the way prescribed to atone for sin was a blood sacrifice. God gave His Son Yeshua/Jesus as that sacrifice (he took the punishment for all the sins, past, present, and future) and made it that whoever believes in him, follows him, makes him lord of their lives, confesses and repents of sins, will be saved from eternal death (hell/hades). While Yeshua was walking on this planet, he had followers that he taught the ways of God too. They became his disciples, who would subsequently continue on the teachings of Christ, even after Yeshua rose from death into eternal life in heaven.
All the new believers were called Christians, followers of Yeshua as their Messiah. This Christianity began as an outgrowth of Judaism and still remained the believer’s basis of their worship and knowledge of God through their understanding of the Tanakh, what we call the Old Testament. The early Church continued the Jewish traditions, as seen in their later writings (the 4 Gospels, epistles, and other texts that subsequently coalesced into what is now called the New Testament). Even non-Jewish people (Gentiles) who believed in YHWH God and saw Jesus as the Messiah were grafted into this worship. (There has always been non-Jewish people who worshiped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the centuries with the Israelites as noted in the Old Testament. Examples would be the word “sojourner” in the Torah and many other references to Gentiles). Thus, the early “church” of believers in Yeshua gathered regularly together to worship Yahweh on the Sabbath and teach about Yeshua and his Way to others.
For reference, I am not an Messianic Jew, nor do I hold to Hebrew Roots or Torah Observant religious beliefs. I will say though that I believe that the vast majority of modern church denominations and movements have drifted extremely far from the true roots of Christianity’s origins and beliefs. Sadly, in many circles, it has come to the point where they have even gone to the extreme of completely dismissing the Old Testament, or at the very least, have minimized the true intent of God’s plan for all people in how they should live and worship. The God of the Torah didn’t change the rules along the way. Nor did He delete the standing orders of how He is to be worshiped. Yeshua/Jesus never said that the old ways were done away with and we can now worship the creator God in a “new” fashion. So, when did it all get purged and whitewashed and become a homogenized new religion? At what point did the followers of Christ put away the teachings of the Torah and the worship at the synagogues on the Sabbath day (which technically falls on Saturday)? When did all this stop, and better yet, why? There is a lot of history that has been either ignored or erased that shows man has injected his own agendas and ideologies into the Christian religion. Being a follower of Yeshua Hamashiach, (or as it has been Anglicized as Jesus the Messiah), doesn’t change anything from the Old Testament, other than the temple sacrifices have been done away with because of Yeshua’s ultimate sacrifice. I say all this based on what I have read within the Scriptures and have studied from history. You can look it up yourselves!
We do know from history that the early church “evolved” to a point where the progressing early leaders wanted to separate themselves from the Jewish religion all-together. When Emperor Constantine was Romanizing the Christian religion, he created a council (Nicaea) in 325 to declare what the Christian religion was to “believe in”. Essentially by the 4th century, Judaism was purged from Christianity and the two were deemed “separate” entities…neither to be practiced together. But prior to this declared split by the self-appointed “leaders”, the believers of Yeshua were practicing the Jewish Torah and customs set out in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible…or “Old Testament”, as we call it in westernized society). It was also during the ecumenical council that they felt the need to separate the Jewish Passover and Easter (the crucifixion of Christ). Easter was severed within the “new” orthodoxy from its calendrical and thematic connections with the Passover. Also changed was the day of worship gatherings. No longer would it be on the Sabbath (Saturday) but instead on Sunday…just to segregate the two! In fact, it was through these “evolutions” that many of today’s westernized holidays related to Christianity were invented. It came to the point where you could not believe in Jesus and go to synagogue on Sabbath per the leaders of the “new” Christian religion. In fact, there was a lot of anti-Jewish (anti-Semetic) discourse and writings/sermons that came out of this time, such as Bishop John Chrysostom’s (c.349-407) sermon titled “Against the Jews”. Essentially, this chasm grew and grew between the Christian faith and the Jewish faith (the very Jewish faith from which it all originated from). With all the new declarations of what Christian orthodoxy should look like, it expanded and essentially became a whole new separate religion.
Why am I sharing this Reader’s Digest Condensed version of church history with you? All this to point out something that so many people who proclaim themselves to be believers in Jesus Christ (who may or may not be active participants in the many modern Christian church(s) out there today) seem to be completely unaware that all the current denominations and doctrines and such that are part of the so-called Protestant (and Catholic) churches today were removed from the original church and purpose. Man decided they didn’t like what God had instituted, that it was too archaic. So, thinking that he knows a better way of doing things more than God, he changed what God had decreed. And it’s this kind of thinking that will cause God to give them over to their own passions and demise. Romans 1:21-25 says: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”
These verses (and so many other warnings from God to man within the covers of the Holy Bible) are not just about lifestyles and the flesh…but they warn of how man’s self-righteousness and arrogance to depart from how we are to follow and honor and worship God will be man’s complete downfall and dismissal from God! God commands us in Deuteronomy 6:5-6 that “You shall love YHWH God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” And the part that many have ignored, or dismissed all together, is that God’s commands have not changed from Genesis to Revelation. The only thing that changed in history is what man has decreed for himself. If the Bible is God’s Word and is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then why did man deviate from it? If God declares that the grass may wither, the flower eventually fades, but the Word of the Lord will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8), then why have the assemblies and councils of men dismissed (large) portions of Scripture? Psalm 33:11 says that “the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations”. Sounds like there isn’t a new “version” that God would be switching to because He sent Yeshua as a propitiation for our sins against His Holiness and His decrees! In fact, there really isn’t a “new testament” from the “old testament”, but rather a pre-messiah and post-messiah section of the whole of Holy Scripture! We accept the 10 Commandments, why do we dismiss all the rest of His commands?
As I have battled within myself regarding the issues of faltering faith these last several months, I thought that God, perhaps, had given me over because of my weaknesses and confusion. I couldn’t resolve the many red flags that kept cropping up as I tried to rectify and remedy myself to all the theology and doctrines I had studied over the many years. I knew something was wrong, and it didn’t help that the enemy took advantage of that to get me believing that I walked away from God, or that I was never saved, or that I was, per some theological stances, “predestined” to hell. Yet, now I am seeing that perhaps it wasn’t just me that was confused, (though disclaimer: I am still sorting out quite a bit here!) but that the current state of the accepted Christian religions in the world today are actually wrong. That history shows man taking liberties to change God’s decrees and laws and commands just to fit his own ideologies and narratives. Essentially, the vast majority of today’s Christian churches are following deviated orthodoxy that was created by men who were bent on removing the very Jewishness of God’s people and God’s Messiah, who was himself Jewish!
With that, I am taking new course in life regarding Bible reading and believing. Since these are Jewish Scriptures written by Jewish believers that follow a Jewish worship decreed by YHWH God, the very God who gave us all a Jewish Messiah who had Jewish followers and disciples who all kept the Jewish customs and traditions and worship, and historically had grafted in the Gentiles who wanted to worship and study and believe in this very same YHWH God and follow the Jewish ways, et.al., I plan on re-reading the Bible in its entirety, but without the man-made doctrines or theologies that I had been indoctrinated into believing up till now. I will be reading the Holy Scriptures with a first century Jewish/Gentile perspective as all this was intended from the very beginning. I believe that the Books will be more alive and enlightening to this soul that I could have ever imagined!
One of the worst things that combats our walk with God is the continual questioning and wondering. Though certain ideologies are claimed to be clearly implanted within the words of Scripture, we tend to read past them and doubt our faith and salvation regardless. Our frail nature creates within us a whirlwind of uncertainty that, though answerable from the Book itself, we tend to relish and dwell on failings and shortcomings to the point of souring our very hope of salvation from eternal damnation. From the simplest to the most complex methodologies of the saving process derived from interpretations of the Holy Bible the Christian salvation and subsequent life afterward have often created a downfall to many due to the confusion associated with differing opinions. One has only to read through social media debates on any topic of Christianity to see that the different views can create such a contention between the claimed believers…even to the point of hostility. Unfortunately, many people see this and can often be turned off becoming followers by these contradictions and views. Others have either walked away from the faith all together or have settled into a non-orthodoxy religion that mixes Biblical teachings, accepted social constructs, and humanistic ideologies just to ease the tensions within their own soul.
I confess myself often a casualty of this war. From my non-religious and generic upbringings to deeply held reformed theological views to questioning the validity of all the claimed orthodoxies from every side, I have run a course of confusion and challenge that has hobbled my beliefs to the point where I’ve thrown my hands up in despair more often than I care to admit. And even though I have presented to you my gleaned understandings of Scriptural studies through various media these last few years, I find that everything is still in question, including my own “salvation”. For some this will come as a shock, yet for others this may be seen only as a season of challenge. And yet within still remains…no faith.
Before the mob begins lighting their torches and gathering in the square for a public hanging due to heresy or blasphemy, let me speak in my defense.
It is obvious to see that there are many “versions” of Christianity in the world today and each “version” claims they have the “gospel truth” at its own core. Within the walls of each religion lies their pre-ordained definitions of what is and what isn’t orthodoxy. Some churches have embraced a strict Biblical-only walk of faith and function while others have opened their doors accepting any and all definitions of Christian. Some would look at me as sinner destined to the gates of hell while others would claim my destination as heaven. Of course, the only true basis for what should be the definitive answer of how Christianity should truly be is based solely on the original source book…the Holy Bible.
But, now we are back to the questions brought on by the many perceived interpretations. You may read a particular set of passages to mean one thing and others may see them through a different lens, and thus, the contentious battles that rage, the casualties that increase, and the vitriolic attacks upon one another. With these matters flaring between groups, it is no wonder that many walk away or struggle with doubts and uncertainties as to what is the “right way” to believe and how they should walk through this life under the religious banner of “Christian”. When people see such infighting within the proclaimed “church”, it creates either a hesitant heart or a coldness that turns them away all together.
One of the main questions that has foundered my walk has been “am I truly saved”. Some will claim that once you say a prayer accepting Jesus as your savior, you are saved. Some add that baptism must accompany the prayer. Some say that all are saved no matter their lot in life. Then there is the repentance portion of the salvation process. Some will suggest if you repent (turn away) of sin and are baptized, that you will then walk in newness of life and have eternal salvation. Others will counter that repentance is a daily process that must be adhered to and that adding works is “un-Biblical”. Still others hold to “once saved, always saved”, no matter what you do after your admission into salvation. From terms such as “easy believism” to “works salvation” to “Lordship salvation”, the many views all state their case from the Bible and hold to the claims that “our way is right”. But is there only one right way?
Based on whatever style or path of salvation you may interpret as the correct one, there is the facet that some who come to saving grace and repent of their ways will display a “change” or newness of life. Examples would be the addict who finds Jesus and becomes clean from substances, or the violent person who finds compassion and is transformed, or the depraved whose life is converted into one of charity and love. These, and many more, are evidences that this newness of life has taken affect and turned the wayward lost to a new and directed path following Christ’s Biblical example. Yet most will agree, without evidence of change, without a turning away from the “old nature”, there remains the questions as to whether or not the conversion was genuine. Making bold declarations through words are just that…words.
Many people will make proclamations out of an emotional rush. Often times people can get caught up in the moment of exhilaration from their surroundings that they flow with the masses and align themselves with the crowd. Perhaps an emotional tent-meeting causes an unsaved person to be swept up in the moment and they make declarations of asking Jesus into their life. But then over the course of the next few days, life for them is back to normal. Or, perhaps, in an instance of heartfelt duress one should make promises to God that if He helps them that they will commit their lives. Yet afterward their life goes back to normal. You see, there are numerous situations where verbalizing something doesn’t necessarily cause someone to newness of life and salvation.
But, this is not to say that those moments can’t have the Biblical “happy ending”. There are many who make that commitment to Christ and walk boldly and succinctly from that moment onward. And though their life is still filled with ups and downs, many are clearly changed into a new creation and they live their lives afterward as a Biblical Christian. Though each life is different, many have a new heart that is desiring to serve the Lord, worship the Creator, and live their lives to the glory of God above through Jesus Christ. They passionately study the Bible and engage in a bible-believing church regularly. They are bold in their walk and don’t hide this new way from those around them. They are truly Christians. In these cases, the change is evident.
So, we can see that each person can have a variety of outcomes and walks. Many people have vast amounts of knowledge about the Bible and theology, yet without a heartfelt change in their day to day life. Many people have a true faith, yet though not desiring to deeply study the Bible, they live life with just their trust in God. Many are overwhelmed by the whole faith movement and shy away. And then there are others who just coldly reject the notion of an invisible supreme being.
There are also the people who have “chased” after God, seeking the salvation experience for themselves, and yet have felt nothing inside, no change. Oftentimes I can identify with them. They may approach the Bible with reverence, awe, and accept the Word as from God, yet might not feel or see any change within their life. Religious groups differ on the impact of the salvation process on a person and will either say that the truest religious experience is one of passion and emotion, or will claim it is only by strict adherence and obedience to the Scriptures that shows the fruit of the claim. No matter the view, approach, or process…we had best be certain that we get it right the first time through this short life of ours because there are no second chances.
One thing certain is that salvation defined should come from what God’s Word actually says. Since the criteria from which all of humanity will be judged is within the pages of Scripture, it would behove any who is pursuing the life-after in eternity to know what the Author of life and the Judge of creation has to say. One aspect it does clearly define comes from the very words of Jesus, Himself, who says “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23) Clearly, there is a definitive pass-fail based on these verses. It is imperative we know the right ways.
You can believe without truly believing. You can trust without truly trusting. And you can claim yourself to be something even though you may not be that something. Many go through the motions, carry on the facade, and display their life to some as they deem convenient. Yet in front of others they may come across as someone else. These “actors”, portrayers of characters, live a variety of lives depending upon who they interact with. This lifestyle is clearly represented by a vast majority of people who might attend church services on the Sabbath, yet live their life outside the church walls as “someone else”. These folks might be the type who claim themselves “holy” or “religious” under particular circumstances and yet not cast a single shadow in the doorway of a church. Essentially, these people are part-time Christians.
But, based on what is written within the covers of Scripture, living the Christian life part-time (or even 3/4 time) does not meet the high demands of God. We cannot expect to glory in God for eternity when we did not give Him our full attention on earth. Nor can we expect God’s decrees to be “suggestions” that we can pick and choose based on our feelings at the time. I’m not expert in anything, but can say with certainty that no matter what avenue of salvation you see is right, this God of the Bible is an “all-or-nothing” God. You cannot expect to just include God part of the time in your life when it’s convenient to you and also expect His full mercy and grace. Going through the motions or verbalizing yourself a Christian does not cut it based on what the Bible says. Sure, you can twist or re-interpret various verses in an attempt to fit your personal narratives, but in the end who are you fooling? Those around you might fall for it, but I’m sure the God that created all things knows the truth. Are you fooling Him?
Yet based on these things, if we really looked around at all those claiming themselves saved and yet who might be living that part-time life, we could surmise that there are truly a lot less people that have a ticket bound for heaven than would appear on the surface. If part-time or verbal declarations don’t meet the criteria of God, then what does that truly mean for many of us? Well, there are only two paths out of this life; heaven or hell. No middle ground. No participation trophies. No sneaking in by the “skin of our teeth” by last minute saves. Again…this is an all-or-nothing God of the Bible. If most of us were truly honest with ourselves, we would discover that we might not be in that “elected”, destined-for-heaven, group. Instead, what we might find is that we don’t quite measure up or meet the criteria. In fact, we might discover that though “many are called, few are chosen”. And that is not just a generalized verse, but that it is a reality many of us need to think over very hard.
Personal evaluation, and even re-evaluation, is a very important thing that might carry eternal consequences for us. We cannot afford to be so arrogant as to what we “think” our lot will be, or should be, in the future. Many may think themselves bound for heaven and yet after an honest and deep introspection of our life we may discover that salvation truly hasn’t come like we think. Though we are challenged by doubts and questions on a regular basis, these might be the important prompts for us to take a hard look at the real you and compare where you think you stand before God versus where God says you stand. The task can seem very daunting and overwhelming to most, but like anything that is truly important, we cannot afford to waver or even dismiss this matter and just rest on our self-designed laurels. Everyone has a view, an opinion regarding religion, but we cannot afford to just follow blindly. Many are led astray because they did not take the all-important time like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.”
The time is short. What I thought was, might not be. What I thought I knew, I really didn’t. I am not alone in this. We cannot have an ending if we didn’t have a beginning.
Harbor Lights Ministries 