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Showing posts with label Tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tradition. Show all posts
10/17/10
Tradition- The Sabbath Day
“It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.” Priest Brady, in an address reported in The News, Elizabeth, New Jersey, March 18, 1903.
Matthew 15:3~ Jesus (Yahshuah) replied, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?" NLT
“I am going to propose a very plain and serious question to those who follow ‘the Bible and the Bible only’ to give their most earnest attention. It is this: Why don’t you keep holy the Sabbath day?...
“The command of the Almighty God stan ds clearly written in the Bible in these words: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.’ Exodus 20:8-10...
“You will answer me, perhaps, that you do keep the Sabbath; for that you abstain from all worldly business and diligently go to church, and say your prayers, and read your Bible at home every Sunday of your lives...
“But Sunday is not the Sabbath day. Sunday is the first day of the week: the Sabbath day is the seventh day of the week. Almighty God did not give a commandment that men should keep holy one day in seven; but He named His own day, and said distinctly: ‘Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day’; and He assigned a reason for choosing this day rather than any other - a reason which belongs only to the seventh day of the week, and cannot be applied to the rest. He says, ‘For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it’, Exodus 20:11, Genesis 2:1-3. Almighty God ordered that all men should rest from their labor on the seventh day, because He too had rested on that day: He did not rest on Sunday, but on Saturday. On Sunday, which is the first day of the week, He began the work of creation; He did not finish it. It was on Saturday that He ‘ended His work which he had made: and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.’ Genesis 2:2-3...
“Nothing can be more plain and easy to understand than all this; there is nobody who attempts to deny it. It is acknowledged by everybody that the day which Almighty God appointed to be kept holy was Saturday, not Sunday. Why do you then keep holy the Sunday and not Saturday?
“You will tell me that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, but that the Christian Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. Changed! But by whom? Who has the authority to change an express commandment of Almighty God? When God has spoken and said, ‘Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day’, who shall dare to say, ‘Nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on the seventh day: but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its stead?’ This is a most important question, which I know not how you answer...
“You are a Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and the Bible only; and yet, in so important a manner as the observance of one day in seven as the holy day, you go against the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place of that day which the Bible has commanded. The command to keep holy the seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments; you believe that the other nine are still binding. Who gave you authority to tamper with the fourth? If you are consistent with your own principles, if you really follow the Bible, and the Bible only you ought to be able to produce some portion of the New Testament in which this fourth commandment is expressly altered.” Excerpts from “Why Don’t You Keep Holy the Sabbath Day?”, pages 3-15 in The Clifton Tract, vol. 4, published by the Roman Catholic Church 1869.
“The arguments...are firmly grounded on the word of God, and having been closely studied with the Bible in hand, leave no escape for the conscientious Protestant except the abandonment of Sunday worship and the return to Saturday, commanded by their teacher, the Bible, or, unwilling to abandon the tradition of the Catholic Church, which enjoins the keeping of Sunday, and which they have accepted in direct opposition to their teacher, the Bible, consistently accept her (the Catholic Church) in all her teachings. Reason and common sense demand the acceptance of one or the other of these alternatives: either Protestantism and the keeping holy of Saturday, or Catholicism and the keeping holy of Sunday. Compromise is impossible.” James Cardinal Gibbons, in Catholic Mirror, December 23, 1893.
Matthew 15:3~ Jesus (Yahshuah) replied, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?" NLT
“I am going to propose a very plain and serious question to those who follow ‘the Bible and the Bible only’ to give their most earnest attention. It is this: Why don’t you keep holy the Sabbath day?...
“The command of the Almighty God stan ds clearly written in the Bible in these words: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.’ Exodus 20:8-10...
“You will answer me, perhaps, that you do keep the Sabbath; for that you abstain from all worldly business and diligently go to church, and say your prayers, and read your Bible at home every Sunday of your lives...
“But Sunday is not the Sabbath day. Sunday is the first day of the week: the Sabbath day is the seventh day of the week. Almighty God did not give a commandment that men should keep holy one day in seven; but He named His own day, and said distinctly: ‘Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day’; and He assigned a reason for choosing this day rather than any other - a reason which belongs only to the seventh day of the week, and cannot be applied to the rest. He says, ‘For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it’, Exodus 20:11, Genesis 2:1-3. Almighty God ordered that all men should rest from their labor on the seventh day, because He too had rested on that day: He did not rest on Sunday, but on Saturday. On Sunday, which is the first day of the week, He began the work of creation; He did not finish it. It was on Saturday that He ‘ended His work which he had made: and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.’ Genesis 2:2-3...
“Nothing can be more plain and easy to understand than all this; there is nobody who attempts to deny it. It is acknowledged by everybody that the day which Almighty God appointed to be kept holy was Saturday, not Sunday. Why do you then keep holy the Sunday and not Saturday?
“You will tell me that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, but that the Christian Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. Changed! But by whom? Who has the authority to change an express commandment of Almighty God? When God has spoken and said, ‘Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day’, who shall dare to say, ‘Nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on the seventh day: but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its stead?’ This is a most important question, which I know not how you answer...
“You are a Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and the Bible only; and yet, in so important a manner as the observance of one day in seven as the holy day, you go against the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place of that day which the Bible has commanded. The command to keep holy the seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments; you believe that the other nine are still binding. Who gave you authority to tamper with the fourth? If you are consistent with your own principles, if you really follow the Bible, and the Bible only you ought to be able to produce some portion of the New Testament in which this fourth commandment is expressly altered.” Excerpts from “Why Don’t You Keep Holy the Sabbath Day?”, pages 3-15 in The Clifton Tract, vol. 4, published by the Roman Catholic Church 1869.
“The arguments...are firmly grounded on the word of God, and having been closely studied with the Bible in hand, leave no escape for the conscientious Protestant except the abandonment of Sunday worship and the return to Saturday, commanded by their teacher, the Bible, or, unwilling to abandon the tradition of the Catholic Church, which enjoins the keeping of Sunday, and which they have accepted in direct opposition to their teacher, the Bible, consistently accept her (the Catholic Church) in all her teachings. Reason and common sense demand the acceptance of one or the other of these alternatives: either Protestantism and the keeping holy of Saturday, or Catholicism and the keeping holy of Sunday. Compromise is impossible.” James Cardinal Gibbons, in Catholic Mirror, December 23, 1893.
10/15/09
Halloween
This was our second year of not celebrating Halloween and the kids didn't even miss it this year. They went to a "harvest" party that we even had certain issues with, just because it was on Halloween and sort of a substitute for what the kids couldn't celebrate. It felt like we were compromising our beliefs just so the kids could feel "normal" when in all actuality they already do feel normal. So, next year there will not be a substitute celebration for Halloween. It just doesn't feel right and we can not teach the kids to compromise their beliefs on behalf of feeling "normal" in societies standards. We follow God's standards and it is Him we want to please.
We feel comfortable in our practices, but it is still difficult dealing with family and friends that don't understand our call to be a set-apart people of God. It is God's calling for all of His followers, but not all of His followers heed that calling or even know it's there in God's word.
Having come from an occult background, and having dabbled in witchcraft ourselves, we understand fully the practice of Halloween. This was a druidic celebration, having to do with fear of the dead and evil spirits. It is deeply rooted in paganism, and being bible believers, we are commanded to not commit idolatry. We can have no part in kingdom of God if we are drinking from the devils cup. We can not serve two masters. We are children of the God of Israel, who's name is Yahweh. If we accept this position, then we accept the commandments of our creator and provider. I compare this to a family and a house. The father of this family and the head of this house makes the rules for the people that are a part of this family and this house. We are to abide by them. They are there to protect us and to keep us happy, healthy and safe. We are a part of this family and therefore we choose to accept the head of this households rules for his house. If the children decided to rebel against the father, it would cause strife and heartache to the father and among the family. Our children obey the rules because they know they are a part of our family and because they love their father. They want to please him. It is the same way with God and being a part of His family and the House of Israel. We obey His rules because we accept the calling to be a part of His family and we do this because we love Him.
So, having been called children of God, we have certain rules. We love to obey these rules because it brings us closer to God and the things He loves. This is our path, and we are happy to be on it. But, for this reason, we are no longer able to celebrate worldly holidays that have their roots in paganism. If we were to celebrate them, we would be violating the commandments of God and we would be hypocrites that teach one thing but do another. Compromising Christians. Those are the Christians that have turned so many seekers away because of their luke-warm condition and hypocrisy. We are called to be witnesses to the world, and we can not do that when we compromise the very word of God to suit our own desires and will.
With that said, the following is a brief article taken from a great site, which once again we do not hold to all of their teachings, but the we do agree with their stance on biblical feasts and holy days.
We hope that this has been enlightening and informative. We are tired of compromising in our life. Sin has taken its toll on us and we are done paying the price for it. The blessings God has for obeying his commandments are amazing and keep us happy, healthy and safe and by obeying them, we are showing our most amazing creator how much we do indeed love Him.
We hope you enjoy this snippet:
"One of the perpetual failings of ancient Israel was their inability to keep their worship pure. The record throughout history has not been any different. Yahweh’s people have always been tempted to compromise their faith by selling out to the dominant culture and its practices.
For those who are satisfied with less than total truth, the concessions come easier.
Today we witness Easter egg hunts on church lawns, Christmas trees in church vestibules, and Halloween parties in church basements (on the pretext of keeping the children off unsafe streets and away from tainted Halloween candy).
"It’s for the children," goes the rationalization. "We really just do it for them."
What our children practice they also learn from. Why would we want to introduce to them pagan falsehoods? How can we instill in them a desire for righteousness if we allow them to revel in ancient customs of evil on Halloween? How can we promote healthy, decent values while allowing them to don hideous masks of vile creatures or deformed humans — with the underlying themes of murder, mayhem, and death?
Can we live a lie? Can we mix the holy with the profane and expect Yahweh to still bless us? "Learn not the way of the heathen!" He thunders in Jeremiah 10:2. Come out from among them and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing, Paul writes in 2Corinthians 6:17.
Paul also admonished, "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?" (2Cor.6:14)
Halloween has no redeeming value. It is one big trick on an ignorant or indifferent society, and another victory for the forces of darkness.
Almighty Yahweh gives us a final warning in the law about demonism and witchcraft: "For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your Elohim does drive them out from before you. You shall be perfect with Yahweh your Elohim" (Deut. 18:12-13).
Become perfect before Yahweh. Drop the empty, senseless, heathen observances of man and resolve to begin keeping the true holy days He has commanded in His Word. Discover what true blessings and deep fulfillment are when you begin to comply with His will and not the will of society."
Original article by Alan R. Mansager
We feel comfortable in our practices, but it is still difficult dealing with family and friends that don't understand our call to be a set-apart people of God. It is God's calling for all of His followers, but not all of His followers heed that calling or even know it's there in God's word.
Having come from an occult background, and having dabbled in witchcraft ourselves, we understand fully the practice of Halloween. This was a druidic celebration, having to do with fear of the dead and evil spirits. It is deeply rooted in paganism, and being bible believers, we are commanded to not commit idolatry. We can have no part in kingdom of God if we are drinking from the devils cup. We can not serve two masters. We are children of the God of Israel, who's name is Yahweh. If we accept this position, then we accept the commandments of our creator and provider. I compare this to a family and a house. The father of this family and the head of this house makes the rules for the people that are a part of this family and this house. We are to abide by them. They are there to protect us and to keep us happy, healthy and safe. We are a part of this family and therefore we choose to accept the head of this households rules for his house. If the children decided to rebel against the father, it would cause strife and heartache to the father and among the family. Our children obey the rules because they know they are a part of our family and because they love their father. They want to please him. It is the same way with God and being a part of His family and the House of Israel. We obey His rules because we accept the calling to be a part of His family and we do this because we love Him.
So, having been called children of God, we have certain rules. We love to obey these rules because it brings us closer to God and the things He loves. This is our path, and we are happy to be on it. But, for this reason, we are no longer able to celebrate worldly holidays that have their roots in paganism. If we were to celebrate them, we would be violating the commandments of God and we would be hypocrites that teach one thing but do another. Compromising Christians. Those are the Christians that have turned so many seekers away because of their luke-warm condition and hypocrisy. We are called to be witnesses to the world, and we can not do that when we compromise the very word of God to suit our own desires and will.
With that said, the following is a brief article taken from a great site, which once again we do not hold to all of their teachings, but the we do agree with their stance on biblical feasts and holy days.
We hope that this has been enlightening and informative. We are tired of compromising in our life. Sin has taken its toll on us and we are done paying the price for it. The blessings God has for obeying his commandments are amazing and keep us happy, healthy and safe and by obeying them, we are showing our most amazing creator how much we do indeed love Him.
We hope you enjoy this snippet:
"One of the perpetual failings of ancient Israel was their inability to keep their worship pure. The record throughout history has not been any different. Yahweh’s people have always been tempted to compromise their faith by selling out to the dominant culture and its practices.
For those who are satisfied with less than total truth, the concessions come easier.
Today we witness Easter egg hunts on church lawns, Christmas trees in church vestibules, and Halloween parties in church basements (on the pretext of keeping the children off unsafe streets and away from tainted Halloween candy).
"It’s for the children," goes the rationalization. "We really just do it for them."
What our children practice they also learn from. Why would we want to introduce to them pagan falsehoods? How can we instill in them a desire for righteousness if we allow them to revel in ancient customs of evil on Halloween? How can we promote healthy, decent values while allowing them to don hideous masks of vile creatures or deformed humans — with the underlying themes of murder, mayhem, and death?
Can we live a lie? Can we mix the holy with the profane and expect Yahweh to still bless us? "Learn not the way of the heathen!" He thunders in Jeremiah 10:2. Come out from among them and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing, Paul writes in 2Corinthians 6:17.
Paul also admonished, "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?" (2Cor.6:14)
Halloween has no redeeming value. It is one big trick on an ignorant or indifferent society, and another victory for the forces of darkness.
Almighty Yahweh gives us a final warning in the law about demonism and witchcraft: "For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your Elohim does drive them out from before you. You shall be perfect with Yahweh your Elohim" (Deut. 18:12-13).
Become perfect before Yahweh. Drop the empty, senseless, heathen observances of man and resolve to begin keeping the true holy days He has commanded in His Word. Discover what true blessings and deep fulfillment are when you begin to comply with His will and not the will of society."
Original article by Alan R. Mansager
9/9/09
Traditions
The following article is a clear view of why we have questioned certain "holidays" in our life, including Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. We have been studying the Hebrew roots to our faith and also reading a lot of the "Old Testament" Scriptures. There were things we learned that we never were taught in all of our years of being indoctrinated in the "christian" faith. Looking at Christianity as unbelievers, we saw so much hypocrisy and worldliness in the people and the church. Upon coming back to the faith we knew there was something deeper, something missing, something innately wrong with the Christian church of today, and we did not want to be a part of the same church that once made us so turned off as to fall away completely from the faith. While we hold to the essential doctrine that Jesus is God in the flesh, our salvation, the way the truth and the life, repentance and walking in holiness (the narrow way), and that the God of Israel is the one and only true God of the universe, Holy and just in every way, we have found that Christianity in and of itself has left out some major truths, hidden and disguised things to suit it's doctrine, and all in all has some major flaws in the application of what it teaches. Why do the majority of Christians still act as if they were just like the rest of the world when God has called them to be a set-apart people? Why do we celebrate pagan holidays as Christians? What are the roots of the Christian faith? Why don't we celebrate the Holy Days of God? So many questions came up in our quest for the truth. In questioning everything we found out a lot about why we believe and do the things we do as Christians and ultimately why we should not be doing certain things. It is impossible to explain everything we have learned over the past few years in one blog post. We will try to explain what we believe and why in the next several postings. I hope that it is enlightening to all readers and will at least raise questions and that you will be prompted to seek out the truth for yourself. Don't take our word for it, we are not perfect and we make mistakes. The Christian church has made great mistakes in the last 2000 years and we believe that it is time for us to wake up and to ask those hard questions and to seriously examine what it is we believe and why and then find out what God has to say about it. It's all there, in the Bible. His word is truth and if you desire to know the truth, all you need to do is ask. He is willing to give wisdom and truth to anyone who asks for it. Ask and you shall receive.
So, the following article is not our own. It is taken from this site
While we do NOT hold to all that they teach, we glean from them the truth that they do have. No one has the entire truth, but we have found much wisdom in this article about holding to certain traditions. I hope it helps to lay a foundation of understanding as to why we do not hold to worldly traditions. In following postings we will go in to further detail about why we do not celebrate Christmas, Easter or Halloween and why we DO observe the 7 Holy Feasts of God that are found in the old testament of Hebrew scriptures.
Developing A Biblical View of Tradition
Tradition in and of itself is not wrong, as long as it does not violate or compromise the scriptures. Yeshua never spoke against tradition, only when they transgressed the commandments of God because of their traditions.
All people hold to some form of tradition in their lives, whether it is spiritual or cultural. Every society has a unique culture that expresses certain customs, values and traditions. They can provide a sense of identity by providing security and structure in their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like to have constant change in your life? We are all habitual in nature. Man by nature does not like a lot of change. Traditions can become either a blessing that draws us closer to God or a bondage that leads us away from God. Let me share with you five guidelines that will help you to discern whether certain religious traditions are biblical and can be embraced, or worldly and should be avoided.
1. Are the Roots of That Tradition Holy or Unholy?
The Olive tree is a symbol in the Bible of Israel. In Messiah, Gentiles are grafted into the Olive tree. The Jews are called the "natural branches and the non-Jews, the "wild branches".
1. Romans 11:16-18 says, "if the roots are holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you
(gentiles), being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among the, (Jews) and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the Olive tree do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you."
A Messianic leader was once quoted as saying that "much of the 'Church' is like a Christmas tree - all glitz and ornaments, frills and lights - but cut off from it's roots. It should be like the Olive tree - deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the root being Messiah himself." There is much truth to this statement. When we develop traditions to express our faith, are they rooted in the holy root of God's word?
Ultimately, the bottom line is what the scriptures say:
2. 2 Corinthians 6:17 - "We are a holy people, set apart by God. God has called us to come out from among them and be separate. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you."
3. Deut. 12:1-4 - "These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations, which you shall dispossess, serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.
4. Jeremiah 10:1-7 - "Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles (the nations)…for the customs of the peoples are futile (worthless) … "For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe, they decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple." (Sounds like a Christmas tree doesn't it?) Though this is not what is referred to here, the truth and principle is consistent with the word of God. Anything fashioned that is idolatrous in form, is contrary to God's word and violates the second commandment.
"You shall not make for yourself any carved image or any like ness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath…
As a Messianic congregation, our purpose is to ensure that the foundations and roots of our faith are holy.
2. Does the Tradition Point to the Messiah?
He should be the center and focus of our tradition. All the Feasts of Israel that are observed in a Messianic Congregation throughout the year are observed within the context of recognizing that Yeshua is the Messiah and the central figure that we worship. Most of the traditions that are associated with Christmas certainly do not point to the Messiah. In fact they distract and draw one away from Him.
3. Does the Tradition or Custom Glorify and Honor God?
This is our greatest calling and purpose as God's people. To honor and glorify God in our lives. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
In Matthew 23:1-6, Yeshua was not opposed to tradition, only the hypocrisy in men's hearts who observed them as an outward show, to be seen by men. There are many traditions and customs within the Jewish faith that are beautiful that can glorify and honor God.
The Friday night Sabbath meal that Jewish families come together and celebrate each week includes such traditions as (the Sabbath candles, Kiddush cup and Challah, praying a blessing over the family and children). We meet on the Sabbath to read from the Torah to honor and celebrate God's word, wearing prayer shawls the kippot (skullcaps).
In each of these practices, God is the focus and center of our tradition. As a Messianic Congregation, we seek to honor and glorify god through these visible expressions and traditions because we seek to keep the Messiah at the heart and center of our faith. There is a freedom of worship through the Holy Spirit that one can experience without allowing these traditions to lead us into bondage or legalism.
4. Does it Draw us Closer to God?
Do we experience God's presence as we celebrate this tradition, or do we find that it distracts us from drawing into God's presence? In Matthew 15:1-9, we read how Yeshua challenged the scribes and Pharisees view of tradition.
"Why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" vs. 3 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Vs. 8
5. Are these traditions characteristic of the world or of God?
The apostle Paul said in Colossians 2:6-9 "As you have therefore received Messiah Yeshua the Lord, so walk in Him. ROOTED and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. Beware lest anyone deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION of MEN, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Messiah. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form…for you are complete in Him."
So, the following article is not our own. It is taken from this site
While we do NOT hold to all that they teach, we glean from them the truth that they do have. No one has the entire truth, but we have found much wisdom in this article about holding to certain traditions. I hope it helps to lay a foundation of understanding as to why we do not hold to worldly traditions. In following postings we will go in to further detail about why we do not celebrate Christmas, Easter or Halloween and why we DO observe the 7 Holy Feasts of God that are found in the old testament of Hebrew scriptures.
Developing A Biblical View of Tradition
Tradition in and of itself is not wrong, as long as it does not violate or compromise the scriptures. Yeshua never spoke against tradition, only when they transgressed the commandments of God because of their traditions.
All people hold to some form of tradition in their lives, whether it is spiritual or cultural. Every society has a unique culture that expresses certain customs, values and traditions. They can provide a sense of identity by providing security and structure in their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like to have constant change in your life? We are all habitual in nature. Man by nature does not like a lot of change. Traditions can become either a blessing that draws us closer to God or a bondage that leads us away from God. Let me share with you five guidelines that will help you to discern whether certain religious traditions are biblical and can be embraced, or worldly and should be avoided.
1. Are the Roots of That Tradition Holy or Unholy?
The Olive tree is a symbol in the Bible of Israel. In Messiah, Gentiles are grafted into the Olive tree. The Jews are called the "natural branches and the non-Jews, the "wild branches".
1. Romans 11:16-18 says, "if the roots are holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you
(gentiles), being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among the, (Jews) and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the Olive tree do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you."
A Messianic leader was once quoted as saying that "much of the 'Church' is like a Christmas tree - all glitz and ornaments, frills and lights - but cut off from it's roots. It should be like the Olive tree - deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the root being Messiah himself." There is much truth to this statement. When we develop traditions to express our faith, are they rooted in the holy root of God's word?
Ultimately, the bottom line is what the scriptures say:
2. 2 Corinthians 6:17 - "We are a holy people, set apart by God. God has called us to come out from among them and be separate. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you."
3. Deut. 12:1-4 - "These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations, which you shall dispossess, serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.
4. Jeremiah 10:1-7 - "Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles (the nations)…for the customs of the peoples are futile (worthless) … "For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe, they decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple." (Sounds like a Christmas tree doesn't it?) Though this is not what is referred to here, the truth and principle is consistent with the word of God. Anything fashioned that is idolatrous in form, is contrary to God's word and violates the second commandment.
"You shall not make for yourself any carved image or any like ness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath…
As a Messianic congregation, our purpose is to ensure that the foundations and roots of our faith are holy.
2. Does the Tradition Point to the Messiah?
He should be the center and focus of our tradition. All the Feasts of Israel that are observed in a Messianic Congregation throughout the year are observed within the context of recognizing that Yeshua is the Messiah and the central figure that we worship. Most of the traditions that are associated with Christmas certainly do not point to the Messiah. In fact they distract and draw one away from Him.
3. Does the Tradition or Custom Glorify and Honor God?
This is our greatest calling and purpose as God's people. To honor and glorify God in our lives. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
In Matthew 23:1-6, Yeshua was not opposed to tradition, only the hypocrisy in men's hearts who observed them as an outward show, to be seen by men. There are many traditions and customs within the Jewish faith that are beautiful that can glorify and honor God.
The Friday night Sabbath meal that Jewish families come together and celebrate each week includes such traditions as (the Sabbath candles, Kiddush cup and Challah, praying a blessing over the family and children). We meet on the Sabbath to read from the Torah to honor and celebrate God's word, wearing prayer shawls the kippot (skullcaps).
In each of these practices, God is the focus and center of our tradition. As a Messianic Congregation, we seek to honor and glorify god through these visible expressions and traditions because we seek to keep the Messiah at the heart and center of our faith. There is a freedom of worship through the Holy Spirit that one can experience without allowing these traditions to lead us into bondage or legalism.
4. Does it Draw us Closer to God?
Do we experience God's presence as we celebrate this tradition, or do we find that it distracts us from drawing into God's presence? In Matthew 15:1-9, we read how Yeshua challenged the scribes and Pharisees view of tradition.
"Why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" vs. 3 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Vs. 8
5. Are these traditions characteristic of the world or of God?
The apostle Paul said in Colossians 2:6-9 "As you have therefore received Messiah Yeshua the Lord, so walk in Him. ROOTED and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. Beware lest anyone deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION of MEN, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Messiah. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form…for you are complete in Him."
12/1/08
Peace. Peace is what I seek
I am frustrated lately. It seems every year at this time, there is a limitless amount of frustration that just keeps accumulating and fogging up my mind, my spirit, my life. This year, I thought would be different, for huge reasons, the main being that I know who I am, and why I am here. God called me into his family. I am here. This is the place that I was meant to be all this time. Now it is Christmas, the birthday of my Savior and King. I did think this year would be different. The stress of the holidays would magically disappear. The reason for the season would keep its place in my heart and mind. I would focus on what is truly important. But, for reasons I can only explain as a spiritual attack, I find myself at the same place I have found myself in for years.
Stress. Money. Gifts. Dinners. Baking. Travel. Money. Gifts. Parents. Aunts. Cousins. Money. Gifts.
I sat and cried yesterday. Why do I do this to myself? For years, even before I became a Christian, I tried to protest the materialism that has run amok in this country; not only at Christmas time, but in our everyday lives. We consume 90% of this worlds resources, and we are only 5% of the population. I have spent the last five years trying to wean my children from materialism. At Christmas we cut way back, every year. There are small birthday parties. Thrift store clothing. Homemade presents for family. Made- from-scratch food. I try to do all I can not only to impact how my children view things, but to try and change the way I impact the world.
I do all of this and yet, at this time of year, when my mind should be thinking about the birth of our Savior and the eventual second coming of the Messiah, I am stuck in this place of stress and guilt. Guilt for not having enough money to buy the kids a myriad of gifts, even though I don’t think it is important. Guilt for not buying my parents gifts and having to make them breads and chocolate covered pretzels. Guilt for showing up to the in-laws house with empty hands. I feel guilty for all of this. And stress!
Every year Tim and I say to each other, “this year we are going to tell all of them that this is not what Christmas is about. Please do not buy us anything, because we are not going to buy you anything. We cannot afford it, it causes stress, and it is just not what this season is about.” And every year we end up stressing out, our hearts hardened, our minds elsewhere; focused on money and gifts.
And because of what? Because of a tradition honoring St. Nicholas? He was a devout Christian. He loved Jesus so very much. His faith is what lead him to give his money to the poor in the first place. He never wanted credit for the blessings he gave. He was a literal believer that you do not let your left hand in on what your right hand is doing. He gave without wanting anything in return. He gave out of the love he had in his heart. He gave because he felt lead, through his faith in God, to do so. Nicholas. St. Nicholas. Sinter Claus. Santa Clause. Now we idolize this godly man. We make him into something he never wanted to be. We surround this season with commercialized images of him to sell merchandise. We have become idolaters and we have taken the meaning out of Christmas.
So instead of feeling like I want to give to those I love because I love them, and I am called to give with a gracious heart, I am begrudgingly giving out of a sense of obligation, because that is what this season has become. Obligatory.
I don’t want that anymore. I want small, intimate family dinners. A gift for each of my children, as a symbol of what God so freely gave to us. Love, peace, harmony. Unity between family members. A time to reflect on the past year, to give thanks for all of the blessings that God has so graciously bestowed up my family. Time to give thanks for the most precious gift of all, the gift of salvation, love, and mercy.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I believe, but I want more than a belief. I want a life change. I see idolatry in my life and the life of other Christians as one of the biggest problems facing us right now. We spend more time worshiping other Gods, like money, materialism, pagan traditions, television, sports, and on and on, than we do worshiping and honoring our Lord and Heavenly Father. This time of year, I see it more than ever in my own life; all of this guilt and stress because I am not able to honor a tradition that has gone horribly array? What is wrong with me? I hate the world for having so much influence on my life. I hate the world for what it stands for. I hate that I get reprimanded for telling my six year old that Santa Clause is NOT real, and reprimanded by the same person for telling him that Jesus IS a real person. How dare I stand up for the truth and try to teach my children the truth.
More than ever Lord, I cry out to you. Give me strength to honor you in all I do. Give me the peace that surpasses all understanding that comes only from you. Give me wisdom to know which battles to fight and where to turn the other cheek. Give me guidance and direction, that I may know where to turn at every intersection in my life. And Lord may my heart ever be seeking you. May you be the most important person in my life, and may my life reflect that, Lord. Forgive me for following the world, Lord. Forgive me for turning away from you. You are all I want, all I need, Lord. May my life, my speech, and my behavior reflect that. Open my ears that I may hear you and open my heart that I may know your ways.
Stress. Money. Gifts. Dinners. Baking. Travel. Money. Gifts. Parents. Aunts. Cousins. Money. Gifts.
I sat and cried yesterday. Why do I do this to myself? For years, even before I became a Christian, I tried to protest the materialism that has run amok in this country; not only at Christmas time, but in our everyday lives. We consume 90% of this worlds resources, and we are only 5% of the population. I have spent the last five years trying to wean my children from materialism. At Christmas we cut way back, every year. There are small birthday parties. Thrift store clothing. Homemade presents for family. Made- from-scratch food. I try to do all I can not only to impact how my children view things, but to try and change the way I impact the world.
I do all of this and yet, at this time of year, when my mind should be thinking about the birth of our Savior and the eventual second coming of the Messiah, I am stuck in this place of stress and guilt. Guilt for not having enough money to buy the kids a myriad of gifts, even though I don’t think it is important. Guilt for not buying my parents gifts and having to make them breads and chocolate covered pretzels. Guilt for showing up to the in-laws house with empty hands. I feel guilty for all of this. And stress!
Every year Tim and I say to each other, “this year we are going to tell all of them that this is not what Christmas is about. Please do not buy us anything, because we are not going to buy you anything. We cannot afford it, it causes stress, and it is just not what this season is about.” And every year we end up stressing out, our hearts hardened, our minds elsewhere; focused on money and gifts.
And because of what? Because of a tradition honoring St. Nicholas? He was a devout Christian. He loved Jesus so very much. His faith is what lead him to give his money to the poor in the first place. He never wanted credit for the blessings he gave. He was a literal believer that you do not let your left hand in on what your right hand is doing. He gave without wanting anything in return. He gave out of the love he had in his heart. He gave because he felt lead, through his faith in God, to do so. Nicholas. St. Nicholas. Sinter Claus. Santa Clause. Now we idolize this godly man. We make him into something he never wanted to be. We surround this season with commercialized images of him to sell merchandise. We have become idolaters and we have taken the meaning out of Christmas.
So instead of feeling like I want to give to those I love because I love them, and I am called to give with a gracious heart, I am begrudgingly giving out of a sense of obligation, because that is what this season has become. Obligatory.
I don’t want that anymore. I want small, intimate family dinners. A gift for each of my children, as a symbol of what God so freely gave to us. Love, peace, harmony. Unity between family members. A time to reflect on the past year, to give thanks for all of the blessings that God has so graciously bestowed up my family. Time to give thanks for the most precious gift of all, the gift of salvation, love, and mercy.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I believe, but I want more than a belief. I want a life change. I see idolatry in my life and the life of other Christians as one of the biggest problems facing us right now. We spend more time worshiping other Gods, like money, materialism, pagan traditions, television, sports, and on and on, than we do worshiping and honoring our Lord and Heavenly Father. This time of year, I see it more than ever in my own life; all of this guilt and stress because I am not able to honor a tradition that has gone horribly array? What is wrong with me? I hate the world for having so much influence on my life. I hate the world for what it stands for. I hate that I get reprimanded for telling my six year old that Santa Clause is NOT real, and reprimanded by the same person for telling him that Jesus IS a real person. How dare I stand up for the truth and try to teach my children the truth.
More than ever Lord, I cry out to you. Give me strength to honor you in all I do. Give me the peace that surpasses all understanding that comes only from you. Give me wisdom to know which battles to fight and where to turn the other cheek. Give me guidance and direction, that I may know where to turn at every intersection in my life. And Lord may my heart ever be seeking you. May you be the most important person in my life, and may my life reflect that, Lord. Forgive me for following the world, Lord. Forgive me for turning away from you. You are all I want, all I need, Lord. May my life, my speech, and my behavior reflect that. Open my ears that I may hear you and open my heart that I may know your ways.
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