Different Strokes
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV
One another – The Greek word allelous is translated “one another.” It comes from the root allos, a word that means “different.” Yeshua wasn’t speaking Greek to these disciples but the translation of his Hebrew into Greek produces an important insight. The uniqueness of those who follow the Messiah is seen in their love for the one who is different.
Two crucial points must be made once we recognize that this love is not ordinary. The first is fairly obvious. Yeshua is placing a binding halacha on his followers. Based on the Tanakh’s view of ahav, Yeshua correctly interprets the Father’s intention that love must include the one who is not like us. The stranger, the foreigner, the one who opposes, the one who we do not readily embrace through phileo, the one who objects—you can add your own particular version of “different” to the list—love of these is the hallmark of Messianic community. Of course, this presupposes that we understand the term “love.” Yeshua is telling his disciples that the Hebrew ahav is to be understood not in terms of single devotion of YHVH but rather in terms of the acts of embracing those who are not like us. In Greek, Yeshua tells us that agape means “love of the enemy,” where you and I define “enemy” as anyone who I would not embrace as a copy of myself. The Messianic community is not to be a community of like-minded phileo sycophants. It is to be a community that expresses benevolence toward those who are different. Without this there is no true Messianic community.
The second point isn’t so obvious. Most of the time we believe that personal emotional and spiritual health is achieved individually. We need individual study of the Word, individual prayer time, individual direction, individual meditation. But Yeshua’s new halacha suggests something else. “We may have assumed that as each of us become healthier individually, our bond also would get stronger. Not necessarily. Individual health, in fact, can be troubling and divisive in a relationship. If one or both partners begin to change and become more independent, it may threaten the status quo of the partnership. . . . Then the partners need to turn their attention to the collective identity known as their relationship. We learn to have healthy relationships by practicing—by being in a relationship and working on it.”[1] In other words, I cannot fulfill Yeshua’s commandment by myself. The only way I can be his follower is to include you—the one who is not like me. The only way I can get well is when we get well.
Far too often Messianic fellowships exhibit precisely the opposite behavior. They remain Greek in their thinking even if they use Hebrew vocabulary. They act as if everyone must agree in order to be welcomed. They behave in ways that prioritize individual devotion and theological truth. They exclude those who are different. One must ask, “Are these signs of the Messiah?” “Do these behaviors keep his commandment?” How can we expect to make any difference in a world dominated by the metaphysics of Greek individualism if we claim to follow the path of the Messiah but act as though there is no room for difference? We condemn ourselves with such scandalous behavior. We are no better than pagans with proper religious vocabulary. We are an insult to the God of diversity in creation, the God who instructs His people over and over to love the outsider and bring him into the midst of the camp. Until this happens, Messianic circles are no different than denominational divisions. Those who truly love the King will not tolerate such blatant hypocrisy.
I wouldl like to share a touching personal example. Those who read my writings will recall the criticism I leveled at the blood moons proponents. I recently was invited to the El Shaddai assembly in Tacoma were Mark Biltz, the author of Blood Moons: Decoding the Imminent Heavenly Signs is the leader. In spite of my criticism of that eschatology, he was extremely gracious and welcoming. I found nothing by genuine love in his presence. Thank you, Mark, for demonstrating what it means to follow Yeshua.
Topical Index: one another, different, allos, halacha, John 13:34
[1] Patrick Carnes, Debra Laaser, Mark Laaser, Open Hearts, p. 7.
As the Messianic/ Hebrew Roots ‘movement’ continues to shatter and fragment into smaller and smaller bits, with most people rejecting anyone who is not a copy of themselves, thank you, Skip for this much needed message! We need to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of shalom!
Yes, thank you.
I follow about 5 “movements” and the differences overshadow the similarities which demand constant studying and discernment. A case in point is the current declaration of 3 new years.
And this also explains why it is a “new” commandment. Israel has already been told by Moses to love each other.
I see this too as it was told in the Old Covenant to love one another and that is why I did not understand the WORD NEW..
Skip writes often about the paradigm and what is essentially, confirmation bias. I think we all are operating out of a paradigm which is where we bring a complete belief system to reality and ask reality to confirm it. I think religion (in response to yesterday’s picture of 1000 words) is a man-made attempt to confirm where we already are. Insecurity can never have enough confirmation, and I think huge crowds may be most appealing to those who are suffering from high levels of insecurity – i.e. lack of connection – but this associational need comes with the caveat that everybody look just like me.
Fracture from identity is a failure to recognize who I am, but because who I am is the individual statement of the uniqueness that says I am not you, the very definition calls for fully individualized Others who define me.
I was doing the exercise last night of squeezing two fingers together and asking if they were touching. My son said “of course”. The correct answer is that they are not. There is a layer of air in between, otherwise there would not be two fingers, but one, melded together. I get to be fully me when I am surrounded by Fully Others who create for me the space of Me, and this is accomplished through respect that produces trust. I need you in order to be who I truly am, but this will only happen when we all have the proper boundaries that define.
There is a class of sin called “trespasses”. What are trespasses? Are they not proper respect for boundaries? For where my nose ends and yours begins? When I make a move to confirm you in your identity, does this not really confirm me in mine? The ones who trespass against me, then, are they not those who suffer most from a fractured identity that does not actualize mine? But to restore the order of relationship out of this chaos, someone is going to have to make a move toward replacing that lost respect. For sure, my bound enemy cannot move, so I must. When I obey the order to pray for my enemy: to include him or her back into my circle of identity through that respect for his, I am single-handedly choosing to restore that essential space in between us that returns us to the respective identities that got scrambled in that trespass.
There is no such thing as identity without the Other, fully actualized and personalized. Sin knocks the Humpty Dumpties off of the wall. Love – not all the king’s men – is what glues the shell back together and returns the yolk. I think forgiveness is the ultimate way to reverse the effects of time and to start over. It returns us to our uniqueness of identity, for love requires the presence of the Other to be itself, too. Like Skip says, I don’t get to be me until you are you.
An incredibly pertinent word……I’ve always been the lonely outcast because I asked the wrong questions or even worse questioned the unquestionable…..went through it yesterday!!!! Isn’t the fruit of the spirit, love being supreme, only evident under duress and in community?
Craig…for some unknown reason to me and hopefully will be mended in my heart… I felt like I was on a BLACK LIST.
That came out of the blue and not sure why and where its source was or is.
Possibly, it is true and possibly I have enlisted my own name on it.
GOD ONLY KNOWS but right now it is a mystery…
HELP…
And Skip, are your teachings on the blood moon eschatology available anywhere?
I wrote a piece called “Lunar Lunacy” for a TW. It’s on the web site somewhere.
We should love our neighbour as our selves that what the father say’s, also other sheeps I have that is not of this FLOCK,we could be entertaining angels among us and don’t know it, so we should love one another as he loves us.
What an eye opener re this verse! When Messiah says ‘follow Me’ He calls us to continually adjusting and readjusting. What challenge, what dynamism!! How vital that on our journey we keep on being exposed to truth – to The Truth, the Spirit of Truth and teachers of Truth!! We are to be ‘lovers of Truth’, not lovers of static theology. Thank you Skip. Thanks too Laurita, and Monica for your added confirmation – new, yet not new. Arnella
Good Gracious God, Skip! I’m in awe of how YHWH continues to exhort His one new man. The kairos timing of today’s word couldn’t be more applicable to what God has me wrestling through right now – specifically, my inadequacy at dealing with conflict within the body.
Our small group is studying Ephesians and Ephesians 4 read like never before this past week. I’m struggling to understand HOW to be of sound doctrine and not isolate myself into fruitful insignificance because I can’t resolve doctrinal conflicts I have with others. It’s not that I don’t have heart-driven love or that I don’t understand the diversity of the body, it’s simply that I am horrible and resolving conflict.
I find myself wanting to help the body become one when Paul says the body IS one. So if it is already one, then what the heck is my problem?
I know God is asking me to get out of my diapers on this issue. I know that He’s recently led me from a very large church (where I had a handful of doctrinal conflicts) to a small 30-person Charismatic fellowship where I have different conflicts. Heck, I barely have a Charismatic bone in my body. But He has led me there and He is the head of His body (kahal), so my bones don’t count for much.
Ephesians tells us we ARE one, to be humble, gentle, patient, accepting of one another in love, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah.” Yet, at the same time, we are to: “Therefore, stripping off falsehood, ‘let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,’ for we belong to one another. ‘Be angry, yet do not sin.’ Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, and do not give the devil an opportunity to work.”
So your example of conflict with Mark Biltz is perfect. Can you give more insight into how you dealt with your internal conflict? How did you practice Ephesians 4 over the last few months? You might have thought, “This guy is off his rocker. I don’t want anything to do with him” (which is where I find myself often with those I have conflict with). It seems when I “renew my mind” in Scripture, I further entrench myself in my convictions. I don’t want carbon copies of myself; we’d be in a lot of trouble. Am I simply neglecting the Head and understanding of the body (kahal)?
Desperately seeking maturity (Eph 4:13)
Thanks.
3 steps to Heaven…
Micah 6:8 It has been told you, O man, what is good, and what YHWH does require of you:
only to do justly,
and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your Elohim.
You only said “baloney”. I laughed!
The “Other” Love
Love Like That
~ Love one another as I have loved you ~
What is the “other” love of God? God is holy. We are not. There is an infinite gap between light and darkness. Light has no “fellowship” or “likemindedness” with darkness. Truth and error cannot “coexist.” Ezekiel prophesied: “I sought for a Man who could stand in the gap..” but he sought in vain.. until. Until the day, a Child was born. Until the day a Son was given. One who, [as prophesied again] was Virgin-born in a barn in Bethlehem. Never before – never since, only One man in history was brought into this life in this manner. A very unique, one of a kind, never to be repeated, birth.
But not only the manner of His birth, but the unique [again, one of kind] life. Sinless. Spotless. Never ever transgressed or offended God or man. He lived an absolutely perfect life. “Which of you convinces or convicts me of sin?” can only be said of One.
And then, there is the manner of His death, His burial, His resurrection. Totally unique.
Never before – never again.. – only one. What manner of love is this? “But God.. (the One who is totally “other”) demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Yes, Benevolence towards another at [great] cost to the Giver. The cost? Calvary. What wondrous love is this? How measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure — the saints and angels song.
Circumstances turned south for John, now languishing in prison. He sent his followers to ask, “Are You the One?” – or should we look for another? Oh, brother John! “Be not faithless, but believing!”
Ironically, we’re all responding about the need for unity (i.e. “love”) from a Christian, or Messianic, perspectives which contain countless dogmas in the name of God that are innately anti-semitic. Too often, it seems that we’re just interpreting Skip’s posts from these paradigms which perpetuates the problem of division.
One of the most loving (and humbling) things I’ve ever done is to join myself to a conservative synagogue with the intent of becoming “grafted in” (Romans 11:16-24) without any expectation of what that means, how that comes to be, or how long it takes.
It is within a Jewish community wherein I’ve discovered that there exists acceptance and unity and great diversity – true love for one another.
So true, Annamarie! You have done the very thing I am longing to do. Can you share some of how you approached the synagogue to begin your association? T
I am wanting to do exactly the same thing Suzanne and am asking this very question for when we return to FL next winter. So far no response from anyone. Do these postings get forwarded to individuals postings anymore like they used to Mark?
Hey George! Good to “see” you! I seem to remember Mark saying that he had to disable that contact function because of excessive SPAM for Skip.
This is being fixed (hopefully).
Hi George,
Forgive me not answering your previous inquiry. The Shabbat group that I am part of is quite small and meets usually on Friday evening. Sometimes I am traveling so I don’t make it. We welcome anyone who wishes to join. Just let me know when you are in the area. We meet in homes in the Clermont area of Florida.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF HOW YOU APPROACHED THE SYNAGOGUE TO BEGIN YOUR ASSOCIATION?
Sure.
Bob Gorelik recommends to his gentile listeners that they attend Conservative Synagogues (rather than Orthodox, Reform, or Reconstructionist), and he insists that one should never try to proselytize at them. So, I simply located the closest conservative synagogue to my home, and made an appointment to speak with the Rabbi as a way to introduce myself and find out if it would be okay with him to attend services and/or Holy Days with his congregation.
Basically, I introduced myself as a gentile who was raised Catholic, and became a practicing charismatic Christian as an adult. Then, I told him that within the past several years I had come to realize historically that many of the teachings and practices of these religions were false, having their origins in the mixing of pagan practices with God’s commands. I came to understand scripturally that God meant for the gentile nations to abandon their false beliefs in order to follow His ways beginning with Abraham. I told him that I was ashamed of all the anti-semitic actions that had been done in God’s name throughout history, and that I was sorry for ever having been involved with a group of people from such a lineage. I told him that I wanted to be identified with Israel, now, and was therefore seeking to be associated with the Jewish people.
He told me that I was, of course, welcomed there. He encouraged me as “a seeker” to attend services whenever I wanted, to participate in all the activities freely, and to learn and grow as any member of the community. He also warned me that it would be inappropriate for me to ever speak about Jesus in the synagogue, or about anything from before the creation of the world, or the end of the world. I understood, and promised him that I would respect that.
Since then, I have participated in the services, Holy Day events, and activities of many synagogues and, wherever I go, I serve as a volunteer in some capacity. As a result, I’ve begun meaningful relationships with several Jewish individuals who have invited me to their homes to celebrate Sabbath. Last week I was asked to say one of the prayers from the pulpit during the Sabbath services… the humility is ongoing.
Being a part of a Jewish community has made me like a child again because I’ve learned from my Jewish brothers and sisters how much I DON”T KNOW about God, and inversely how much they DO KNOW about Him, just because they speak Hebrew and I don’t. I recognize how much I depend upon their community to model righteous living to me who has lived so long in a thinking world… like a child, it’s actually really hard to put into words how much I’ve grown and my life has been enriched through my association with a Jewish community. I just so much appreciate the people and their values and the “set apart” way in which they live that I end up driving home in tears after being with them. I hope somehow to enrich their lives, as well. Someday, I hope to be so well “grafted in” that a Jew will embrace me, a gentile, as a member of his own family. Somehow, I trust that the world will be restored through the united family of Israel. (I want to actually experience Romans 11 in my life, and not just know what it means in Hebrew.)
I’m sure you understand that there is not “one way”, or a “right way”, for a gentile to join a synagogue; but based upon my experience, I’d say that it’s good to: be repentant; be humble; be a servant; be respectful of all corporate/personal boundaries; be yourself — on an ongoing basis.
P.S. It’s okay for Skip to give you my email address if I can help you with something else; I just don’t want to provide it on this post.
Thanks, Annamarie — that is EXACTLY the kind of helpful information I was looking for!
Couldn’t agree more Annamarie. This is how I read today’s TW
Love the example Mark Biltz is in His heart for our Heavenly Father and the Fathers heart toward others. Grateful for your words in this blog that show Mark a man after His Fathers heart! Yes and Amen. So appreciate that and Marks bringing these teachings on blood moon to my awareness!!! Love the Good Shepherding of Our Father!!!
SKIP
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV
What does it mean by a NEW commandment when we have been told and see the love of GOD all through from Gen. to Rev. ?
The Greek kainos (new) is typically a translation of the Hebrew hadash (renewed) as found in Jeremiah 31.
THANK YOU SO MUCH..
Richard – Please understand that this is my view which is not based on any biblical scholarship but rather my insight on own research and reflection into the records of the bible… Ephesians 4 I read best and understand better when I read it with 1 Corinthians 12.
If I understand Skip correctly the emphasis is to love the differences. This makes sense because as our natural body exists and works harmoniously when all parts do their respective roles to support each other it fully functions. This for me is the same with all the called when we supplement and encourage each other we all grow but when we argue and debate the differences and prove our points using specific scriptures we miss the points and issues found in the rest of the scriptures – both old and new testaments.
To come to the fullness of Christ may be to first understand who or what is Christ and not the Messiah as He was but a vessel of the Christ – Paul says Christ is the wisdom and power of God. Moses said the wisdom is the knowledge of the statutes, judgments and commandments of God…
Moses tried to explain these, Jesus summarized them and today we still argue who is best informed on them. The Bible in totality testifies about the Christ. The Old Testament proclaims the coming of the Messiah. For me the New Testament consolidates some guidelines of how to duplicate the works of the Messiah to reveal the Christ.
Seeking justified answers in sustaining our views are the biggest error we make for then we indirectly admit that God stopped working and saving souls 2000 years ago… If true this would imply we are in the years of the Satan’s control…
So let’s accept we have different views and we need to share these without repeating what was already recorded. We are building on the foundation we are not establishing it, that was completed 2000 years ago.
To come to the fullness of Christ has been debated to such an extent in earlier centuries that the Apostolic movement had a ‘revival’ around 1832 which grew into the reformed apostolic movement in Europe, and the united apostolic movement in Australia, Africa and now also in America and such doctrines coming into existence. Claiming that the five ministries (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher) if in the doctrinal leadership establish the fullness of Christ… The claims are based on Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12.
Now we can discuss this apostolic claim or accept what Jesus said “If they claim they are not against us then they are for us, as they deliver now cannot testimony or witness against us. (Own words…)”
For me we share views when asked why we react differently to life crisis’s for that is the examples we find throughout the New Testament, each response founded on some version of the works of Moses, the prophets as well as Jesus. As the authors of the New Testament phrase it “Out of the old they introduce the new…”
These are the verbal Torah which only specific followers sustain. Think of the tonsils, glands, appendix, liver and kidneys in your body. They all generally purify what is added to the body to protect the body yet the body can exist if one or more are absent. Our different views are for the exact same reason to help try and purify the gospel of Christ. Let us never claim someone’s view is the only correct view for then we block our minds for the free will Spirit of God to transform our lives into the entities He desires.
Remember that our life in Christ (Good works God has established Eph 2:1-10) makes the body alive and sets examples to make it possible for others to be saved, even though everyone may disagree with our explanations.
That is how God establishes the fullness of Christ. Not our fullness as Christ…
Greetings Seeker,
You say, “So let’s accept we have different views and we need to share these without repeating what was already recorded. We are building on the foundation we are not establishing it, that was completed 2000 years ago.”
Many people share this view; the basis of which is a Christian philosophy stemming from humanism which believes that “unity” is achieved by accepting everyone else’s beliefs/practices as just as valid as my own. In this way, truth becomes non-existent; everyone’s own beliefs becomes his/her own idol for which we create our own lifestyle.
God give us the choice to either follow Him, or not; however, we are strictly forbidden to follow our own beliefs in the name of God. God said: I am God, alone (“one”); you shall have no other Gods before Me. You shall not participate in the detestable practices of the gentiles. Abraham, is the first example of a gentile who abandoned the false beliefs and the practices of his ancestors in order to follow the one true God. The story of the golden calf is an example of this, and there are many others. The Book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, states how the Jews prophesied and spoke falsely about God (in contradiction to His character, and His commands), and the consequences of doing so. If that is true of the Jews, how much more for us gentiles — right?
So, instead of accepting that we have different views and we need to share them without repeating what has already been recorded, LET”S COMMIT TO LEARNING/OBEYING WHAT SCRIPTURE ACTUALLY SAYS FROM THE HEBREW LANGUAGE IN WHICH IT WAS SPOKEN. That’s what Skip’s teachings are all about, afterall.
Begin with the words, “new” which means renewed in the Hebrew; and “christos” which means anointed. Therefore, as examples, it is a renewed covenant, and a renewed commandment to love one another. I learned this by utilizing the Strong’s Concordance which also states that “christos” is the greek word for Yehoshua (H3089) which means, an Israelite. The Hebrew word for Yehoshua is further derived from the word, Yehovah (H3068), which means “self existent and eternal, and is the Jewish national name for God. “By the name” or “in the name” is a Hebrew idiom which means “according to the character”. I learned all the Hebrew idioms in scripture from the teachings of Bob Gorelik at http://www.eshavbooks.com.
In light of the ACTUAL definitions of these words, Paul is trying to convey in 1 Corinthians the need for gentiles to follow God’s commands as all the “anointed” (i.e. Israelites) do. Certainly there are different gifts and callings among the anointed – one is a scribe for you, one baptises for you (John the Baptist), one preaches for you (Paul), one was crucified for you (Jesus) – but, all are united. “Now, I beseech you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor 1:10) He admonishing the gentile believers of the one true God to abandon the false teachings of the world, and to glory instead in the Lord (i.e. God’s teachings). It is the same (i.e. “new”, renewed) message delivered to Israelites throughout the old testament.
Here is the Spanish translation incase you would like to share. Shalom
Diferentes Pinceladas.
“Un mandamiento nuevo les doy: ‘que se amen los unos a los otros;’ que como Yo los he amado, así también se amen los unos a los otros. Juan 13:34 NBLH
Los unos a los otros La palabra griega alélon es traducida como “los unos a los otros.” Viene de la raíz allos “diferente.” Pero Yeshua no estaba hablando griego con sus discípulos pero la traducción de su hebreo al griego produce una percepción importante. La singularidad de los que siguen al Mesías es vista en su amor por aquel que es diferente.
Dos puntos cruciales deben hacerse una vez que reconocemos que este amor no es común y corriente. El primero es bastante obvio. Yeshua está colocando una halajá vinculante a sus seguidores. Basado en el punto de vista del Tanaj acerca de ahav, Yeshua interpreta correctamente la intención del Padre que el amor debe incluir al que no es como nosotros. El foráneo, el extranjero, el que se opone, al que no aceptamos fácilmente a través de fileo, el que hace objeciones -puedes añadir tu propia versión de “diferente” a la lista- amar a estos es el sello emblemático de la comunidad Mesiánica. Por supuesto, esto presupone que entendemos el término “amor.” Yeshua está diciéndoles a sus discípulos que el hebreo ahav ha de entenderse no en términos de una devoción singular a YHVH, sino más bien en términos de los actos de aceptación de los que no son como nosotros. En griego, Yeshua nos dice que ágape significa “amor al enemigo”, definiendo “enemigo” como cualquier persona que no acepto como una copia de mí mismo. La comunidad Mesiánica no debe ser una comunidad de personas con un mismo punto de vista phileo aduladores. Es ser una comunidad que expresa benevolencia hacia los que son diferentes. Sin esto no hay una verdadera comunidad Mesiánica.
El segundo punto no es tan obvio. La mayoría de las veces creemos que la salud emocional y espiritual personal se logra de forma individual. Necesitamos estudio individual de la Palabra, tiempo de oración individual, dirección individual, meditación individual. Pero la nueva halajá de Yeshua sugiere otra cosa. “Es posible que hayamos asumido que a medida que cada uno de nosotros se vuelve más saludable de forma individual, nuestro vínculo también podría hacerse más fuerte. No necesariamente. La salud individual, de hecho, puede afectar y ser divisoria en una relación. Si uno o ambos socios comienzan a cambiar y se vuelven más independientes, puede amenazar el status quo de la asociación. . . . Entonces, los socios tienen que dirigir su atención a la identidad colectiva conocida como su relación. Aprendemos a tener relaciones saludables mediante la práctica, al estar en una relación y trabajar en ella. “[1] En otras palabras, no puedo cumplir con el mandamiento de Yeshua por mí mismo. La única manera que puedo ser su seguidor es incluirte a ti, aquel que no es como yo. La única forma que yo puedo mejorar es cuando nosotros mejoremos.
Con demasiada frecuencia las fraternidades Mesiánicas muestran precisamente el comportamiento opuesto. Permanecen en su forma de pensar griega, aun utilizando vocabulario hebreo. Actúan como si todos deben estar de acuerdo para ser bienvenidos. Se comportan en maneras que dan prioridad a la devoción individual y la verdad teológica. Excluyen aquellos que son diferentes. Hay que preguntarse, “¿Son estos signos del Mesías?” “¿Estos comportamientos guardan su mandamiento?” ¿Cómo podemos esperar hacer una diferencia en un mundo dominado por la metafísica del individualismo griego, si decimos que seguir el camino del Mesías pero actuamos como que si no hay lugar para diferencias? Nos condenamos a nosotros mismos con este comportamiento escandaloso. No somos más que paganos con el vocabulario religioso correcto. Somos un insulto al Dios de la diversidad en la creación, el Dios que da instrucciones a su pueblo una y otra vez de amar el forastero y acogerlo a nuestro campamento. Hasta que esto suceda, los círculos Mesiánicos no son diferentes de las divisiones denominacionales. Los que verdaderamente aman el Rey no tolerarán tal hipocresía descarada.
Me gustaría compartir un ejemplo personal conmovedor. Los que leen mis escritos recordarán las críticas dirigidas a los partidarios de las Lunas de Sangre. Hace poco me invitaron a la asamblea El Shadai en Tacoma donde Mark Biltz, el autor de las lunas de sangre: La decodificación de las inminentes Señales Celestiales, es el líder. A pesar de mi crítica de esa escatología, él fue extremadamente amable y acogedor. No encontré nada más que amor genuino en su presencia. Gracias, Mark, por demostrar lo que significa seguir a Yeshua.
[1] Patrick Carnes, Debra Laaser, Mark Laaser, Open Hearts, p. 7
Thank you Annamarie, very thought provoking comment.
Yes, we need to seek the truth and understand the truth. Until then we are but students. I liked the comments on humbling and learning a new soft skill or spiritual attribute
I appreciate the Hebrew view and translations. But also must remind that their is God’s will and for every one of us that will be different even though we have the same knowledge. Amos says he was no prophet or prophet child yet he was tasked on one.
Messiah is saviour or redeemer, christos anointed… Two different implications?
In Hebrew thought, we are always students. One of the reasons for this is that there are many parts to scripture (i.e. teachings, poetry, prophecy, etc) which may or may not apply to us at any given point in our lives. There are laws which only apply to women, for example. So, as a man, one wouldn’t necessarily know those until he marries, of course; then, it’s necessary to become a student and learn them for his wife’s sake. There are obviously levels of understanding, as well, which cause us to always be learning. I knew through experience what it meant to mourn, like in Matthew 5:4, long before I understood from Skip what the Beatitudes meant in Hebrew. This understanding will change how I perceive my times of mourning in the future. In these ways, we are always seeking and understanding the truth, as you say.
To be more accurate, God’s Will for us is concrete and consistent throughout scripture; what varies from person to person is the manner in which we are specifically called to serve Him. So, yes, Amos was called by God to prophesy and in doing so, he knew not to violate any of God’s commands which means that he would not speak in opposition to God’s character, or commands.
The word, messiah, in Hebrew means “anointed”; not “redeemer”, or “savior”. The same word for “messiah” in Greek is christos (G5547).
The definition of ‘christos” in Strong’s Concordance is: messiah; an epithet of Jesus; from the root word, chrio (G5548), meaning “to smear with oil”; to consecrate to an office or religious service; from the root word, chraomai (G5530), meaning “to furnish what is needed”; to employ, or to act towards one in a given manner. Strong’s Concordance also states that the greek word, christos, is used over 500 times in the new testament; all of them as an epithet for Jesus. None of the usages for the word “christos” are in reference to men like Paul, or Peter, even though this term could be applied to any of God’s people and, in fact, does.
The same word is used throughout scriptures in the old testament as Meyshiach (H4899) and always refers to God’s people, in general, or is used to describe their calling to a specific service:
Hab 3:13 – God goes forth to save his people, his “anointed”;
2Sam 23:1 – refers to David as “the Messiah of God” (i.e. same description as Jesus in Luke 9:20);
1Chron 14:8 – David anointed for the office of King;
Lev 4:3 – refers to priests as “anointed”;
Psa 105:15 – refers to prophets as God’s anointed
We are all called of God in some way “to furnish what is needed” on the earth. So, in my opinion, the mis-translators of the new testament writings have done a great injustice to God’s Word by referring only to Jesus as “the messiah” since, by definition, all God’s people are “anointed of God”. Jesus was named “salvation” (“Jesus” in Hebrew means, salvation) and he was faithful to do that which he was called in accordance with God’s commands. Paul was called to preach to the gentiles. You have been “anointed by God” as I have, Seeker. We are all equal in this way.
“Difference” in this TW, by Skip, would be most of us here often say, we are on a learning journey, and are at different stages of comprehending and walking out what we are learning. We are also different in areas of functioning, contribution to the maturity of one another in knowledge, wisdom, and humility.
We are not all hands, or feet, or eyes, etc… we are gathered at any one place to learn from one another of His ways, is our priority.
I have been through many congregations, even “Torah practicing”/ Messianic fellowships that do not accept anyone ‘different’ as in certain beliefs from theirs (still rooted in Christian set ways), Biblical though they may be. It is a controlling/oppressive spirit, not of YHWH.
Thank you Ester
Annamarie, I forgot, thank you for the link for the idioms. I will collect some study material there…
I learnt from the book Boundary that when people are uncertain of their identity they fear differences as a result of their uncertainty not their knowledge base.
This is maybe the reason why people are easily blown around by different views and interpretations, we have not yet found our identity as Children of God – Israelite. We have not yet wrestled with the angel till the break of day, we are just accepting others views, failing to acknowledge our own Godly identity.
Here reading the blogs by Skip and different comments from you all I find myself wrestling with the God in me the one guiding my daily actions, asking for answers but all I get is more and more information no answers… Or are these the answers being formed at a cognitive level I understand.
OR
Is this the reason why Solomon said that there is no end to the writing of books and Moses declared that to rule a kingdom we need to write a Torah for the kingdom and one for our self… Or is this the biblical reality that we only see in a mirror till the truth of Christ in me is revealed… Being anointed or prepared to be an instrument for God…
Fundamentally, I think that individuals in our time, and specifically in our country, are easily “blown around by different views and interpretations” because they have not learned, or are unwilling to learn, scripture from a Hebrew perspective. Once one knows what the text says in Hebrew, and how to identify identical word meanings and themes throughout scripture, there is individual clarity of thought and unity among believers. Again, HOW God’s Word is expressed is as varied as there are people since throughout history every believer has been “anointed of God” to furnish some need on the earth (as I explained in another post to you). And yes, it is that personal “anointing” – or identity, as you refer it – with which we must all struggle, like Jacob. In fact, every story in scripture is basically an account of someone’s struggle to fulfill his/her calling in God in accordance with His Will.
Seeker, I happen to be really good at helping people identify their calling in God, by the way. So, if you struggle to know this and would like some help, please ask Skip to give you my email address.
I think we are all seeking here, Seeker. One principle of the Kingdom that I have learned for sure, though, is that I only can get what I seek to give away. I am not a receptacle: I am a conduit for others. If there is one thing I think I have truly learned here at Skip’s site, it is that my identity is forged in the reality of those around me. I get myself from them, and my identity is realized when I seek for others what I need the most. I get when they do. Until then, I am vulnerable in my identity (or the lack thereof) to being handed a false one, you are right. The answers are not “blowing in the wind”: they are available to me when I seek them for those around me. Which means, I guess, that what you say you need becomes my responsibility to help you get. I will start praying for you today! May your joy be full and your calling and election be sure!
Love, Laurita
Laurita Thank you for the insightful reminder… Be a conduit a vessel of blessing for others.
One day I attended a discussion by Skip on Guardian Angel. One principle that stood out and inspired me to continue seeking was the explanation of being created unto the image of God and the different meanings of male and female or image and likeness.
Today I view the difference in the Old and New Testament not as a discussion over the Hebrew versus the Greek language issues or translations or writings, for if they were still important we still have not accepted the reality of Ezekiel 36 and Jeremiah 31; That there will not be someone else teaching us God’s will and commandments but that God will personally inscribe us… For me it is nice to know different interpretations as they all explain how I may be able to understand God – which I doubt I will really be able to do, I sin way too much and procrastinate even more… (YES, we all need each other to help us understand and cope with the things we have not been called to deal with. Skip and this blog is doing a great job at achieving this support.)
This is what I read of in Job from friends defending views and different insights to God telling the truth personally and how Job then started praying for his friends… The Old testament into the New. Being renewed unto the intent of God, being born again etc.
Richard asked about the fullness of Christ – all said on this blog explain it nicely as being inscribed personally by God.
I know I’m way late on this comment but I just had to add my thank you to Skip. I have been thinking about what you said since I first read it. I am part of a small Torah study group that has met for several years to welcome the Sabbath on Friday evenings and study Torah on Saturday. We have in the past always tried to welcome anyone into our fellowship. It has not been easy. In fact it has been very difficult. When you try to communicate with someone you care about and they misunderstand your intent and walk away, it hurts. Many have come with an agenda, it seems, of trying to show us the error of our ways and to change us to their way of thinking. Even though we have tried, however imperfectly, to allow for diversity of opinion and encourage discussion, like I said it still hurts to see someone you genuinely care for just walk away and not want to fellowship with you any more.
We have been praying for the past few weeks about maybe just keeping our small group like it is but moving into one of our homes instead of the more public forum as we have in the past. Skip, I think God has used you to speak to us and remind that nothing worthwhile in the kingdom seems to come easy or without resistance. Or at least your insights spoke to me. I’m one who doesn’t like confrontation and tends to withdraw from opposition. We are meeting tonight for fellowship and to make a decision about what we do in the future. I plan to share what you said and see if God speaks to all of us. I think that is what is so unusual about the kind of love our Messiah Yeshua wanted out of his followers. It has always been about welcoming the outsider and yes, even loving our enemies. Thanks again Skip from one very thankful, humbled, and corrected reader.
Mel… yes, I am still thinking about this post, as well. Sometimes, I wish that we could all “live” in one of Skip’s posts for a while before moving onto the next…. So I, for one, don’t mind hearing from you now about this topic albeit a little “late”.
I used to attend a messianic home group, myself, whose intent it was to develop true fellowship and unity among attendees; ultimately, we disbanded. Then, I joined myself to the online communities of Skip Moen and Bob Gorelik at http://www.eshavbooks.com. I have grown immensely from their teachings; but, cyber-relationships are clearly not the answer to biblical unity, either. At Bob’s suggestion, I began attending a conservative synagogue with the intent of becoming “grafted in” in accordance with Romans 11, as explained above in my post to Suzanne.
They welcome me, a gentile, just as much as the homosexual couples who attend services there. A Reconstructionist Rabbi was invited to speak about “God and Faith from a Jewish Perspective” and, I kid you not, he started the teaching by stating emphatically that “Modern Judaism is mental masterbation, and all of scripture is a myth”. Since then, it’s occurred to me that if the leaders of Israel could share the Temple Mount with both Catholics and Muslims (the icons of division and persecution against Jews throughout history), surely there’s room for a Reconstructionist Jew in the synagogue, some homosexuals, and even me. The concepts of “unity” and “loving one another” are being modeled best in Israel and synagogues throughout the world, I think.
Splitting off from the church to form our own messianic group, and expecting others to become united within it, may have been the height of hypocrisy for me, anyway. We were hurt when others didn’t believe like we did and ended their relationship with us; but, isn’t that exactly what we did in order to form our group in the first place? We split off from the church… and in fact, isn’t the church just a split off from Catholicism which is a split from Judaism? That is the realization that ultimately gave me the desire to become “grafted into” Israel.
So, if this “rings true” for you, I encourage your group to start attending a conservative synagogue in order to find the love and unity that you desire. Maybe celebrate the Sabbath on Friday night as a group and attend morning services at a synagogue. A fellowship lunch always follows services where you may begin to informally meet people. Shortly, your new Jewish acquaintances will begin inviting you to their homes to share in their Saturday evening meals.
In the very least, I encourage you to celebrate the Sedar/Passover at the end of April in a synagogue and all the High Holy Days, thereafter. At least be “one” with Israel then, eh?
Just me Skip.
I was receiving your posts up to the other day when I replied to you about the BLACK LIST not being anything to do with your devotions.
Just wondering if you may be away or there is something that needs attention here .
THANK YOU..