In the last 2 weeks we have opened the door to have you evaluate your own personnel Comfort Zone, In dealing with this subject through Saul and Peter now has become the time when we deal and open up to show how we removed ourselves from ours.
After reading the Zohar notes I received this week there is a story in them which reminded us of Jesus and his teachings. For most of you we need to explain what the Zohar is and how it came about. The word Zohar in Hebrew means Splendor. The Zohar is an Ancient Jewish Text written in the ancient language of Aramaic written during the Second century, the author is not as important as its text although this text was written after the Death of Jesus the teachings that are contained in its 22 volumes have been taught since before Moses came down with the Torah from Mt Sani.
Anyway the story goes like this; two men for a better illustration we will call them Charlie and Fred and they are walking in the desert. In the middle of nowhere, a third man will call George shows up and asks for food, Charlie gives all of his food to George, Fred then asks Charlie if he is crazy, you are going to die. Charlie then answers Fred Am I supported by your food? The Lord Adonai is the one who gives me food.
Now Charlie felt that if George showed up in the middle of nowhere and asked him for food then God had sent him to Charlie for a reason. If we believe that everything in our lives has a reason and we take what Jesus told us to do in the literal sense then caring for the needs of others is following him.
Charlie then realizes that here is his opportunity to show his faithfulness to Jesus the Messiah, control his physical reality, to overcome his physical fears, as well as overcoming the natural laws of nature.
Fred in this story represents the Laws of Nature and Fear in our lives, it wasn’t enough for Fred to tell Charlie that he made a mistake in giving away his food, Fred add salt to the wound when Charlie began to get hungry and says “I told you so!”.
The Story then continues with Charlie falling asleep and a deadly snake coming toward him to kill him, but at the last moment, another snake came along and killed the first one then Charlie awoke. It is explained that had Charlie not given George his food the snake would have killed him. By giving George all of his food he was able to change his destiny. There is a universal law that states “The cure always comes before the disease”.
God will not send us a free lunch, free gift, or free miracles; instead God sends us the opportunity to create a miracle for ourselves, to control the physical reality.
If we look at Matthew 19:16-21 Jesus is speaking to a wealthy young man and instructs him to sell all that he possessed and give it to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven. Then Come and follow me. It is important to make note here that Jesus did not instruct this young man to sell his possessions and give the money to support Jesus’ Ministry; he made the point for him to give everything to the POOR!
But the one that came to mind first was the story in Matthew Chapter 4 when the spirit leads Jesus into the Desert to confront Satan. Jesus’ words that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.” Here again we see Jesus speaking of following the words of the Torah, and not the Oral Law or Rabbinic Interpretation of the Torah.
If any of us truly do believe that Jesus came all knowing then it only makes sense that he knew of all that is taught through the Ancient Mystical Jewish teachings, and how to use these teaching to achieve any and all the universe has to offer us.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 2
Last week we made a reference to Saul’s Comfort Zone and would like to take this opportunity to expand on that subject. Many people may think we are out to bash Saul. What our goal in all of this is to not so much bash him, but to bridge the huge gap created by his teaching, and his refusal to understand that through out Jesus’ entire Ministry and teachings he rebuked the Oral Law and traditions set forth in them.
These two scripture references from 2 Peter Chapter 3 where brought to my attention to add credibility to Saul Claims that he was speaking for God.
15 And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
What we see in these scripture verses is exactly what we have been trying to say. Peter here in these verses is trying to explain that many have chosen to use the words of Saul’s writings and other Scriptures to justify there own programs or Ideals. Today we find so many Christians who are ignorant in the scriptures of the Torah and the Prophets, manly because Saul’s teaches in his writings that through Jesus’ Death on the Cross these sections of scripture no longer apply and are irrelevant to us as Christians.
The example to use in this case is a Sermon done by Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas Texas. Pastor Graham’s sermon of September 23, 2007 was entirely about repentance the day after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement the most Holy Day of the Jewish year. The point of this example is that Pastor Graham we believe was well aware that it was the day after Yom Kippur, yet with staying in his Comfort Zone chooses not to tell the congregation or those outside watching through other media sources that he was specifically speaking of Yom Kippur.
Last week we looked at Peter’s transformation from his Comfort Zone, but Saul’s was a totally different story, it took Jesus himself to come and awaken Saul by means of a super natural experience. Through his experience Saul learns that Jesus was truly the Messiah whose coming was fore told by the Prophets. Jesus then sends Saul out on a Mission to bring the Word of God to the gentiles he maintains his Comfort Zone of Oral Law and Torah, himself, while teaching those who were not circumcised that they only fell under certain laws which can only be found in Oral Law Traditions. Saul sets out to convince the disciples that he was correct and through his actions created a big rift between Peter’s church created before Saul’s transformation and that of the one Saul was creating in the gentile community. Part of this we concede to Saul’s upbringing in the Oral Law, but the rest of it we blame on his choice to stay in that Comfort Zone of Torah and Oral Law Traditions. In that he was chosen by Jesus to bring the word to the gentiles and not to be the head of his Church. The head of his Church was to be placed in Peter’s hands one who Jesus taught himself to understand and rebuke the teachings of Oral Law and traditions. Not to forsake the Torah, but to continue to preach strictly from it and adhere to its directions for our lives.
A perfect example of Saul’s Comfort Zone and his inability to separate the Written Torah from the Oral Torah Traditions, is in Galatians Chapter 2 were Saul rebukes Peter for eating with the Gentiles, and requiring them to live like Jews. We think that Saul had no clue of the vision Peter received we looked at in Acts Chapter 11 which took Peter out of his Comfort Zone when it came to eating those of unclean things as described in Torah. See there is no such Law in Torah to separate Meat from Dairy, those rules are only found in the Oral Law Traditions no where else. Even though Saul had a vision of his own he was unable to accept Peter’s, if in fact he had knowledge of it.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
These two scripture references from 2 Peter Chapter 3 where brought to my attention to add credibility to Saul Claims that he was speaking for God.
15 And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
What we see in these scripture verses is exactly what we have been trying to say. Peter here in these verses is trying to explain that many have chosen to use the words of Saul’s writings and other Scriptures to justify there own programs or Ideals. Today we find so many Christians who are ignorant in the scriptures of the Torah and the Prophets, manly because Saul’s teaches in his writings that through Jesus’ Death on the Cross these sections of scripture no longer apply and are irrelevant to us as Christians.
The example to use in this case is a Sermon done by Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas Texas. Pastor Graham’s sermon of September 23, 2007 was entirely about repentance the day after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement the most Holy Day of the Jewish year. The point of this example is that Pastor Graham we believe was well aware that it was the day after Yom Kippur, yet with staying in his Comfort Zone chooses not to tell the congregation or those outside watching through other media sources that he was specifically speaking of Yom Kippur.
Last week we looked at Peter’s transformation from his Comfort Zone, but Saul’s was a totally different story, it took Jesus himself to come and awaken Saul by means of a super natural experience. Through his experience Saul learns that Jesus was truly the Messiah whose coming was fore told by the Prophets. Jesus then sends Saul out on a Mission to bring the Word of God to the gentiles he maintains his Comfort Zone of Oral Law and Torah, himself, while teaching those who were not circumcised that they only fell under certain laws which can only be found in Oral Law Traditions. Saul sets out to convince the disciples that he was correct and through his actions created a big rift between Peter’s church created before Saul’s transformation and that of the one Saul was creating in the gentile community. Part of this we concede to Saul’s upbringing in the Oral Law, but the rest of it we blame on his choice to stay in that Comfort Zone of Torah and Oral Law Traditions. In that he was chosen by Jesus to bring the word to the gentiles and not to be the head of his Church. The head of his Church was to be placed in Peter’s hands one who Jesus taught himself to understand and rebuke the teachings of Oral Law and traditions. Not to forsake the Torah, but to continue to preach strictly from it and adhere to its directions for our lives.
A perfect example of Saul’s Comfort Zone and his inability to separate the Written Torah from the Oral Torah Traditions, is in Galatians Chapter 2 were Saul rebukes Peter for eating with the Gentiles, and requiring them to live like Jews. We think that Saul had no clue of the vision Peter received we looked at in Acts Chapter 11 which took Peter out of his Comfort Zone when it came to eating those of unclean things as described in Torah. See there is no such Law in Torah to separate Meat from Dairy, those rules are only found in the Oral Law Traditions no where else. Even though Saul had a vision of his own he was unable to accept Peter’s, if in fact he had knowledge of it.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 1
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Comfort Zone as the level at which one functions at ease and familiarity. Over the last several months we have been writing about Saul and how he created this kind of Comfort Zone for Christians. To him gentiles were not Jews so they didn’t fall under the same rules Jews had to follow. So to us he creates a Comfort Zone so to speak. As we have discussed many times before this Comfort Zone can create many problems between Christians and Jew.
Look at all the documentaries of the Life of Jesus we see on TV or in the Movies. You never see a picture of Jesus’ clothing with the Fringes (Tzitzit) on the corners of his Garments. This we see as a Comfort Zone, why do producers or directors fail to place these very important Fringes on his clothing? This Comfort Zone image of Jesus and the disciples gives Christians this warm and false sense of image. In portraying him with such and image it lens credibility to Saul’s teachings that Gentiles don’t have to do such things. Ponder on this for a few minutes, if you were to see Jesus pictured with his Tzitzit, would you not be wondering first of all what they were and second why he had them on. Once getting the answers to those questions, the biggest one that would come to your mind might be. So why am I not wearing them?
In this Ministry Rick and I have really step out of the Comfort Zone of both Christian and Jew to teach the truth, through the words of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and Jesus. As we see it, our Articles may have stepped on many peoples understand and learning’s, but we have embarked on a mission to remove you from your Comfort Zone. Many Christians have tried to rebuke us for they use the words of Saul, saying Saul says we no longer have to do these things. Saul’s Comfort Zone kept him in the mind set that the Torah and the Oral Law (Talmud) were one in the same. He rebuked Peter for his understanding that the 613 Mitzvoth in Torah were to be followed by all.
At this time we would like to use Peter as an example of stepping out of your Comfort Zone take a look at the book of Acts Chapter 11 4-15 Peter refused as he states in verse 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. Three times Peter argues with the Lord in this meditative trance. Think about how hard is would have been for Peter, to eat of any animal that the Torah directed to be unclean.
I recently spent the night in the Hospital due to chest pain and one of the respiratory therapists who came into the room to check on me was wearing a Star of David. We had the chance to talk for a few minutes and I shared about our Ministry with her. She had expressed to me that it never stop amazing her how many Christians fail to understand and see that Jesus was a Jew. She commentated to me that it really bothers her that Christians try to make Jesus out to be a Christian. When the definition of Christian is to be Christ like, so how does one be Christ like if one has no idea about how Jesus Christ lived? Jesus Christ lived everyday of his life as a Jew. The very hem of the garment that the women with the blood issue reached out to touch was his Fringes (Tzitzit). Maybe you need to evaluate that Comfort Zone you live in and seek the bases for those beliefs.
As for use we choose to follow the words of Joshua found in Chapter 24:15.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Look at all the documentaries of the Life of Jesus we see on TV or in the Movies. You never see a picture of Jesus’ clothing with the Fringes (Tzitzit) on the corners of his Garments. This we see as a Comfort Zone, why do producers or directors fail to place these very important Fringes on his clothing? This Comfort Zone image of Jesus and the disciples gives Christians this warm and false sense of image. In portraying him with such and image it lens credibility to Saul’s teachings that Gentiles don’t have to do such things. Ponder on this for a few minutes, if you were to see Jesus pictured with his Tzitzit, would you not be wondering first of all what they were and second why he had them on. Once getting the answers to those questions, the biggest one that would come to your mind might be. So why am I not wearing them?
In this Ministry Rick and I have really step out of the Comfort Zone of both Christian and Jew to teach the truth, through the words of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and Jesus. As we see it, our Articles may have stepped on many peoples understand and learning’s, but we have embarked on a mission to remove you from your Comfort Zone. Many Christians have tried to rebuke us for they use the words of Saul, saying Saul says we no longer have to do these things. Saul’s Comfort Zone kept him in the mind set that the Torah and the Oral Law (Talmud) were one in the same. He rebuked Peter for his understanding that the 613 Mitzvoth in Torah were to be followed by all.
At this time we would like to use Peter as an example of stepping out of your Comfort Zone take a look at the book of Acts Chapter 11 4-15 Peter refused as he states in verse 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. Three times Peter argues with the Lord in this meditative trance. Think about how hard is would have been for Peter, to eat of any animal that the Torah directed to be unclean.
I recently spent the night in the Hospital due to chest pain and one of the respiratory therapists who came into the room to check on me was wearing a Star of David. We had the chance to talk for a few minutes and I shared about our Ministry with her. She had expressed to me that it never stop amazing her how many Christians fail to understand and see that Jesus was a Jew. She commentated to me that it really bothers her that Christians try to make Jesus out to be a Christian. When the definition of Christian is to be Christ like, so how does one be Christ like if one has no idea about how Jesus Christ lived? Jesus Christ lived everyday of his life as a Jew. The very hem of the garment that the women with the blood issue reached out to touch was his Fringes (Tzitzit). Maybe you need to evaluate that Comfort Zone you live in and seek the bases for those beliefs.
As for use we choose to follow the words of Joshua found in Chapter 24:15.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Righteousness of A Man
These verses from Matthew Chapter 5 (Young’s Literal Translation) keep turning up every time we start to write.
17 Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down, but to fulfill;
18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.
19 Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.
20 For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.
We often wonder if people really understand the words Jesus is speaking here. A definition of fulfill is “to meet the requirements of”, Ok we like to use this in looking at Jesus words to the crowd, So what were the requirements Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the Physical Sacrifice Requirements in Leviticus 9:1-4. Thought the teachings of Saul and the theology of Hyper-Dispensationalist these verses have been taken completely out of context. We always need to keep in our minds that when Jesus was preaching and teaching through out his Ministry Saul of Tarsus was nowhere to be found. He neither followed Jesus nor was a disciple of Jesus. So how did he even know what Jesus was talking about, We were recently asked by a teacher of Theology to consider that Saul as he put it was speaking for God. The response we sent to that request was quite simple. Adonai (The Lord God Most High) came in the cloud to instruct the people of Israel what he had told Moses to tell them. Jesus in these verses explains to the crowds that this is not why he has come. And further more rebukes any and all who will teach such Theology. Verse 19 the Commandments Jesus was speaking of here is the 623 Mitzvoth in Torah.
So in looking at verse 20 were Jesus said your righteousness must be that greater than the Scribes or Pharisees to enter into the kingdom what do you think that meant? What did the Scribes and Pharisees do that made them righteous men in the eyes of Jesus? To be righteousness in the eyes of Adonai (The Lord God the Most High) is to follow his will and his Mitzvoth (Commandments). They would wear Fringes Tzitzit on the corners of their garment, put Tefflin on during their prayers (Bind them for a sign upon thy hands and they shall be forefontletes before thine eyes. The problem comes in when you look at the beginning of Chapter 6, when you look at what Jesus is telling them of the acts of tzedakah (righteousness). He is speaking of the ones who come out right and make a big deal of the things they do in the name of Adonai or today in Jesus’ name. He is saying if you do these acts of Tzedakah then do them without letting others be aware of them and you will receive your reward in heaven, if you go to great lengths for a pat on the back from your fellow church members, this is also inclusive of your local Church, if they go out to minister, then they need to keep it private and not extort praise from there local community. Even for our Churches to advertise and invite others to come out and join in these efforts can be construed as an attempt to gain praise for there efforts of tzedakah.
So maybe the righteousness of a person is determined if he/she is following the directions of God in everything he/she does, if one prayers daily and when a choice is set before you seek what the Lords choice is for you. Seek him in all you do, yes we can sometimes make the wrong choice, but the important thing is seek, seek and seek his directions.
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
17 Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down, but to fulfill;
18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.
19 Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.
20 For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.
We often wonder if people really understand the words Jesus is speaking here. A definition of fulfill is “to meet the requirements of”, Ok we like to use this in looking at Jesus words to the crowd, So what were the requirements Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the Physical Sacrifice Requirements in Leviticus 9:1-4. Thought the teachings of Saul and the theology of Hyper-Dispensationalist these verses have been taken completely out of context. We always need to keep in our minds that when Jesus was preaching and teaching through out his Ministry Saul of Tarsus was nowhere to be found. He neither followed Jesus nor was a disciple of Jesus. So how did he even know what Jesus was talking about, We were recently asked by a teacher of Theology to consider that Saul as he put it was speaking for God. The response we sent to that request was quite simple. Adonai (The Lord God Most High) came in the cloud to instruct the people of Israel what he had told Moses to tell them. Jesus in these verses explains to the crowds that this is not why he has come. And further more rebukes any and all who will teach such Theology. Verse 19 the Commandments Jesus was speaking of here is the 623 Mitzvoth in Torah.
So in looking at verse 20 were Jesus said your righteousness must be that greater than the Scribes or Pharisees to enter into the kingdom what do you think that meant? What did the Scribes and Pharisees do that made them righteous men in the eyes of Jesus? To be righteousness in the eyes of Adonai (The Lord God the Most High) is to follow his will and his Mitzvoth (Commandments). They would wear Fringes Tzitzit on the corners of their garment, put Tefflin on during their prayers (Bind them for a sign upon thy hands and they shall be forefontletes before thine eyes. The problem comes in when you look at the beginning of Chapter 6, when you look at what Jesus is telling them of the acts of tzedakah (righteousness). He is speaking of the ones who come out right and make a big deal of the things they do in the name of Adonai or today in Jesus’ name. He is saying if you do these acts of Tzedakah then do them without letting others be aware of them and you will receive your reward in heaven, if you go to great lengths for a pat on the back from your fellow church members, this is also inclusive of your local Church, if they go out to minister, then they need to keep it private and not extort praise from there local community. Even for our Churches to advertise and invite others to come out and join in these efforts can be construed as an attempt to gain praise for there efforts of tzedakah.
So maybe the righteousness of a person is determined if he/she is following the directions of God in everything he/she does, if one prayers daily and when a choice is set before you seek what the Lords choice is for you. Seek him in all you do, yes we can sometimes make the wrong choice, but the important thing is seek, seek and seek his directions.
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ritualistic and Legalistic
The first article we published was “Jesus wore a Tallis, why don’t we”, the second was “Jesus wore Tefflin (phylacteries)”. In both of the articles we explained where the requirements from scripture came from. The first the Tallis is found in Numbers 15: 38-40, the second the Tefflin is found in Deuteronomy 6:8.
We have been questioned by many Christians of late that our view points are based in Legalistic ideas. This is a fact and well founded in Jesus own words. In this article we would like to bring Jesus own words to bear witness to the reasons why we believe this is such an important issue for us to focus on.
Why the statement of Ritualistic then, we feel that it is an important part of our understanding. As we see it each religion has it’s own ritualistic practices they follow, Christians use the acts of Baptism, and taking the Sacraments of Communion, they place lit candles on there altars during there services, they follow a Liturgy of there doctrinal organizations. Not so much in our society today but some Christian Pastors will put on robes and stoles which claim there roots from the Tallis, the candles on the altar are arrived because the Jewish people Light Candles to welcome the Sabbath on Friday evening and also are representative of the Eternal Light that burns above the Ark in Jewish synagogues today. These Ritualistic acts of Wearing a Tallis and putting on Tefflin are not only one of the 613 Mitzvoth in the Torah, and a way to start your day, by being observant of God’s commandments, the ritualistic reasons are to keep Adonai foremost on your heart during your day.
Christians theologians try to paint the Jewish people for being Legalist in there practices and ritual behavior in stead of understanding them or teaching there origins, and there meaning. What comes to mind here is the first part of Matthew Chapter 7:1-12
1“Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
So in looking at these words how many of you are making these kind of Judgments on your fellow man, Are you not trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye before removing the plank from your own? In not trying to understand the roots of your own religion and the ritual practices of Jesus himself how then are you seeking? For one to truly seek the answers to the Kingdom of Jesus one must be seeking an understanding based on the Faith and practices of Jesus himself.
So looking at the answers and the word of Jesus thus the reason for the title Ritualistic and Legalistic and these come from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-24. For if a man builds his faith on the bedrock of Gods word and ritualistic practices then he will know you if not he will turn you away.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
We have been questioned by many Christians of late that our view points are based in Legalistic ideas. This is a fact and well founded in Jesus own words. In this article we would like to bring Jesus own words to bear witness to the reasons why we believe this is such an important issue for us to focus on.
Why the statement of Ritualistic then, we feel that it is an important part of our understanding. As we see it each religion has it’s own ritualistic practices they follow, Christians use the acts of Baptism, and taking the Sacraments of Communion, they place lit candles on there altars during there services, they follow a Liturgy of there doctrinal organizations. Not so much in our society today but some Christian Pastors will put on robes and stoles which claim there roots from the Tallis, the candles on the altar are arrived because the Jewish people Light Candles to welcome the Sabbath on Friday evening and also are representative of the Eternal Light that burns above the Ark in Jewish synagogues today. These Ritualistic acts of Wearing a Tallis and putting on Tefflin are not only one of the 613 Mitzvoth in the Torah, and a way to start your day, by being observant of God’s commandments, the ritualistic reasons are to keep Adonai foremost on your heart during your day.
Christians theologians try to paint the Jewish people for being Legalist in there practices and ritual behavior in stead of understanding them or teaching there origins, and there meaning. What comes to mind here is the first part of Matthew Chapter 7:1-12
1“Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
So in looking at these words how many of you are making these kind of Judgments on your fellow man, Are you not trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye before removing the plank from your own? In not trying to understand the roots of your own religion and the ritual practices of Jesus himself how then are you seeking? For one to truly seek the answers to the Kingdom of Jesus one must be seeking an understanding based on the Faith and practices of Jesus himself.
So looking at the answers and the word of Jesus thus the reason for the title Ritualistic and Legalistic and these come from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-24. For if a man builds his faith on the bedrock of Gods word and ritualistic practices then he will know you if not he will turn you away.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
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