New To Torah:

A Practical Guide to Pursuing Messiah,

the Living Word

By

Barbara L. Klika, MSW

Why I Wrote This Book

I wrote this book because my prayerful desire for a more intimate relationship with my God led me to a lifestyle and path that I had never imagined. As I studied and began to know my Hebrew Messiah Yeshua more fully, along with my husband and our home fellowship group, changes began to be evident in my life. Friends and family who were not studying in this way were confused, surprised and even angry. While the “vertical” relationship with Messiah Yeshua grew in richness and depth, the “horizontal” relationships with some people became more strained. This book is the result of my having walked this path and is broadened with the input of many others who have done the same. It is my hope that it will ease the “horizontal” strains while helping to point the way to the ancient paths.

Copyright © 2012 by Barbara L. Klika

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Photo Credit: www.bigstockphoto.com

Cover Design and Editing: Rachel Klika, B.A.

www.christian-transitions.com

www.set-apart-ministries.org

Scripture References in the text are drawn from these sources:

CJB ‐ Complete Jewish Bible

David H. Stern, published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., Clarksville, MD, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern.

NASB - New American Standard Bible

“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963,1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995

by the Lockman Foundation, Used by permission.”

NKJV ‐ New King James Version

“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Two software Bible programs have been utilized:

Blue Letter Bible: http://www.blueletterbible.com

E-Sword: Version 7.9.8 Copyright © 2000-2008, Rick Meyers All Rights Reserved Worldwide, 5902 Parham Road, Franklin, TN 37064 USA, www.e-sword.net

Please note that it is the author’s preference and style to capitalize pronouns that refer to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; His Son, our Messiah Y’shua; the Holy Spirit; and Believers in Him as a message of respect. Correspondingly, the name of the adversary, satan, and related names are not capitalized as a choice not to honor him, even to the point of irregular grammatical use.

To my Messiah and King,

Y’shua haMaschiach

Who gives me inspiration and songs in the night

and

to my brothers and sisters

who bear the disapproval of other people

in their strong desire

for the Truth of the Fullness of all He is.

For I long to see you,

so that I might share with you some spiritual gift that can make you stronger - or, to put it another way,

so that by my being with you, we might, through the faith we share,

encourage one another.

Romans 1:11-12 CJB

Contents

Introduction

Coping with Anger

Coping with Shock

Coping with Regret

Keeping Shabbat

Refuting Fears of Legalism

Family and Friend’s Reactions

Immediate vs. Gradual Change to Moedim Observance

Be Ye “Set Apart” for I AM Set Apart

Divided Families and Set Apart People

Reassessing Our Faith Expressions

What Do I Call Myself If Not Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc.?

Closing Notes

Further Reading and Credits

Introduction

Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way [is], And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16a

In recent years many people have heard the call of the shofar in their spirit, drawing them back to the ancient paths spoken of by the prophets. They don’t want to lose Messiah in the process but do understand the need to change the rhythms of life in obedience to match the rhythms laid out in the Word.

If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love;

even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love

John 15:10 NKJV

As a leader within my previous church community and a trained Bible Study teacher, as well as a former clinical Social Worker/therapist and now Personal Life Coach and Set Apart Ministries Undershepherd, I have walked through the first years of coming into Torah observance and supported others who are coming as well. I have observed that there are many common areas of concern and that, all too often, a person or a family who becomes convicted to pursue a Torah lifestyle is too far away from others of like mind to develop a regular community. Since the concerns are so often similar, I offer a series of observations and suggestions for coping in the following areas:

•   Refuting Legalistic Concerns and Finding Grace

•   Personal Feelings of Anger, Shock and Regret

•   Extra-Biblical Holidays left behind; now what?

•   Managing Reactions of Family and Friends

•   Reassessing My Faith Expressions

•   Keeping Sabbath

•   Employment/School Scheduling Concerns

•   Finding a Faith Community

•   Levitical Food Guidelines

•   What will I “be”? …if I’m not Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, etc.

Several years ago I compiled results of a survey about these challenges and began to address the concerns in order of the most major concerns people have had. It has been available as an email series though I have had requests to make it into a book. Now in book form, newly revised and updated, you will find a description of the common struggles and practical suggestions for gracefully making the transition.

It is not intended for those who haven’t yet come to a conviction about the need for change and thus is not intended to be persuasive. I do not think that one’s conviction to honor our Elohim in this way should be made after weighing the anticipated difficulties, but rather that having already come to the understanding and call to return to the ancient paths, these words will help the reader navigate.

My Picture of the Transition Process

As one begins this walk toward Torah obedience, my picture is that of finding one’s way from one road to another. As Christian believers in general, and in particular as those who take our faith seriously, we have understood the institutional church teachings on how to follow our Messiah and have tried to honor them to the best of our knowledge, whatever faith tradition we may come from. We thought we were on the correct road of our life choices—prayer life, Bible study, holiday observance, participation in communion, church membership and regular attendance, charity, and so forth—that would take us to heaven to be with Messiah one day.

When the Hebraic understanding comes into focus, it dawns on us that He has said He never changes: that He is the Alef and Tav (Alpha and Omega in the Greek we are more familiar hearing), the One who was with God in the beginning, Who was God, Who was the Word proceeding from God, Who came in the flesh to tabernacle among us, as the Living Word or the Living Torah Himself! We realize that He, Y’shua (Whom we have called by the English transliteration “Jesus”), is the same as the Law-Giving YHWH God of the “Old Testament.”

The “Law” He has promised to write on our hearts is the very same Law (or more accurately translated, Law = Righteous Teachings of YHWH) that He has now written on our hearts via His Renewed Covenant with us and through the Presence of the Holy Spirit, which we now know as the Ruach haKodesh in Hebrew, the breath of the Living God.

We have had no control over what our forefathers practiced and taught. No one alive today is responsible for the additions of pagan practices to the faith of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because we believe that Y’shua, the Son of the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, really is one with His Father, we understand that He also would never have incorporated any pagan practice into our worship of YHWH. To do so would have been to change what was already established. Had He done so, He would not be our Messiah because He would not have met the criteria established by the Prophets and the Written Word/Torah (i.e. Deuteronomy 13).

It is commonly taught that the church fathers were able to “Christianize” the practices of the pagan religions in order to now practice them for the glory of our YHWH God. This belief was part of my understanding long before I began to understand the implications of it. It does sound noble to desire to include all people and draw them in through familiar practices, doesn’t it? Yet, our God, Who is Holy/Set Apart, has said that we are not to do what pagans do and call it worship of Him. Could grace be a part of the equation here? Yes, our God has promised in Leviticus 26:44 that although we may have fallen into practices He considers an abomination, He will not to destroy us and that He would bring restoration in His time.

Returning to the road analogy, it is as though that road we were on has become much less pleasant, and we feel lost! When we are traveling cross country from highway to highway and find ourselves physically lost, we have several choices:

•   Do we try somehow to go back in time to some earlier point/crossroad in our life, and begin again to walk in Torah?

•   Do we just keep on the same road indefinitely until we study enough to learn what to do differently?

•   Perhaps we may think that because we are really sincere in our current faith practices that the road will somehow still lead us to His Presence?

•   Do we just stop dead in our tracks in horror at where we have been?

•   Or do we see that there is indeed, a “highway of holiness,” of set apartness that has been laid out for us in Scripture. Do we lift our eyes and begin to see that there are others around in this day and time who are also making a course correction?

It is much like choosing to get off the path we had been on, to go cross country through what seems like uncharted territory, in our desire to find the obedient path. Though our foundational faith in Messiah Y’shua’s life, death, resurrection and return are not shaken, we have experienced a profound change. To us, it seems a confirmation of Isaiah’s words that a veil lies over the nations, because we have seen it lifted off!

A Message from the Author:

In my coaching practice I am honored to walk with others who have also heard the call back to Torah as well as with those in other kinds of life transitions. Though there are many references to Scripture and how I now understand them in a Hebraic context, the primary focus of this book is not so much to teach these points as it is to address the process and circumstances that come up as people begin this faith transition. As difficult as we find seeing things differently to be, it is often even more difficult for our family and friends to see it happening to us when they do not understand it.

Sometimes their fear is so strong you can almost touch it. This fear may have different grounds in each case and may come out in different attitudes on their part but none of them are easy to deal with. This is especially true if the fear coincides with areas that we are ourselves still searching out.

In some situations, no matter how much gentleness, kindness and grace are demonstrated when we speak of what we are learning, our listeners will still perceive it as a condemnation. If this has already happened to you, don’t despair! People have often accused people who are pursuing Torah as seeing themselves as “more spiritual” or “superior” in some way. My thought is that this may be the conviction of the Spirit at work in them though they resist. It seldom does any good to say something like that to them, so strive to just take it in stride without reaction. Encouragement is to be found in this book for such circumstances.

Changes in our lifestyle will impact everything we do, especially relationships. This seems to be a very difficult area for people to agree to disagree. We may be pleasantly surprised, however, by a positive response from an unexpected source even among the more difficult conversations. Surely, we need the Presence of the Ruach working in us and through us!

If, after reading this, you would like to talk in person, I am available. My office phone is (920) 336-7005. This phone is monitored and I will return calls as soon as possible. Please leave a message with a few good times to return your call, or email me at the address below. If you would like to arrange for regular personal consultations, please talk with me or complete the registration forms found on the Christian Transitions site to begin the process. I look forward to hearing from you.

It is a blessing to be a part of the highway of return as we all prepare to meet our Messiah face to face.

Many blessings in our Messiah to you!

Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Personal Life Coach www.christian-transitions.com

Barbara@christian-transitions.com

Undershepherd www.set-apart-ministries.org

Coping with Anger

In our First Year Torah Observance Survey, the initial results show that people experienced difficulty dealing with their own feelings of anger, shock and regret as a primary concern. Each one of these areas is in itself a subject. Under each of them is often some form of fear whether it is fear of harm to oneself or to others we love. I will address them one by one in the coming chapters, starting with anger because it was at the top of the list. The word some people have used is frustration but let it be said here that frustration is a form of anger.

Most of us who have come into the understanding that being grafted into the Olive Tree of Yisrael means we are free to join in the moedim (appointed times or feast days) and follow His calendar have come from some kind of church background. Similar comments are heard again and again: “How can it be that I have been in church my whole life and never understood this!” “Why haven’t our leaders been teaching the whole Truth?” “If this is really true, that we need to observe Torah, why hasn’t YHWH corrected us for so long?”

No one enjoys finding out that they have been wrong and need to make major changes in their life. So, a common thing to do is to look for someone to blame. Venting anger toward someone or something, like “the Church” or its leaders, is a normal part of the process of coming to terms with what we have missed. Unfortunately, when people are not well-equipped to handle anger in a constructive, God-honoring way, it can erupt into lashon hara (evil tongue or gossip) and cause harm to many relationships.

As Jeremiah has written, our forefathers did inherit lies! No one alive has caused these false teachings.

O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction,

The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say,

“Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable [things].”

Jeremiah 16:19 NKJV

And YHWH, in His wisdom, has allowed us to find ourselves in this situation. See Leviticus 26:1-46, especially 44):

Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies,

I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them,

to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them;

for I [am] the LORD their God.

A mature person’s expression of anger will not be targeted at anyone in sight, but rather will consist of descriptions of one’s own situation and emotions. It will not include name-calling, ridiculing or blaming of others. It will not include trying to draw other people into the conflict or inciting their anger toward others.

Directing this emotion, such as anger, fear, and the resulting confusion into prayer is the most constructive response.

After or in conjunction with that, a listening ear from one who has navigated the waters already is good to find. Those who have already come through this transition can be a wonderful help to those newly coming in by listening as the anger and fear is expressed thoroughly until the person can move beyond it. They can also help by letting someone know if they are becoming inappropriate in their expression or length of time coming to terms with it all.

Because we are interested in building up the Body of Messiah, we need to both encourage the appropriate expression of anger and help one another know when it is time to let go.

Leaders who find that someone is continuing to express their outrage loudly, month after month, may need to personally speak with the person about their method of dealing with emotions, not just the topic at hand. You may find our PowerPoint teaching entitled Clues for Shepherds to be of help in making these assessments. Just scroll down the What Shepherds Need to Know page and it will be on the bottom right side.

On the other hand, we cannot assume that every leader in a Messianic Fellowship is free from issues of anger either. Many of us have endured devastating personal struggles with friends, colleagues, pastors and leaders as the Ruach (Holy Spirit) was teaching us. People with whom we once enjoyed mutual respect can become annoyed, fearful for us, patronizing and even hostile. It is imperative to resolve this anger and frustration so that it doesn’t cause harm in the present. Often, when the anger is released, and forgiveness offered, we will find that a great deal of hurt remains. This, too, must be worked through and released if our Father’s plans are to proceed unhindered.

If you are having trouble coming to terms with your own anger, please pray about it first and check out the Scriptures that deal with His Sovereignty and His plan for us all. Talk with a trusted friend and a mature believer who has shown ability to be calm in the face of emotions. If more than six months go by and you are still not at peace, there may be some other unresolved personal issues holding you back. This may be the time to check out coaching, professional evaluation, or anger management training. Unresolved anger so easily turns to resentment and bitterness, things which provide far too easy a target for our adversary, ha satan, to enter in and cause division. Let’s be aware and responsible for our frustration, and come alongside others, exhorting them to grow up in every way into Messiah, even in this. May these challenges cause us to press into Him as we become like Him.

But You, O Lord, [are] a God full of compassion, and gracious,

Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 86:15 NKJV

Coping with Shock

Know Scripture Well

Knowledge of Scripture and what it actually says is a key factor in more effective coping. When someone is sincere in their desire to please God, it comes as an amazing shock to realize that His Word has been so misunderstood and even misrepresented for so many years. There have been so many translations, at least in our English Bibles, yet we have been assured that the Word of God is inerrant and God-inspired. In most cases, it is easy to see why specific words were chosen to represent the original language by the many different translators. Their worldview influenced the word choice as they tried to make the passage more clear. The influence of a Hellenized or Western worldview of a translator can also be seen more clearly when a Hebraic worldview translation is laid open alongside it. I have heard that others have done what I did originally by comparing several different English versions before embarking on a deeper study into the original languages. Even so, it often requires many months of exploration to more easily spot the Hellenized or Western bias influence and to re-evaluate how we think and view things.

In truth, everyone has a bias. My preference as we come into Hebraic understanding of our faith is that we err in favor of a Hebrew understanding, the culture and language YHWH chose for our Messiah Y’shua to bring the message to first. Comprehending this process and being aware of the normal difficulties that go along with translation of language and culture may help with coming to terms with one’s shock at seeing the difference worldview makes in the eyes of the Believer. It is not necessarily some purposefully-planted deception and may often be simply the translator’s lack of familiarity with Torah or the Hebrew language and culture that has led to misunderstanding.

It may also be helpful to read the Prophets (such as Isaiah 66:23 and Zephaniah 14:16-21) that speak of the future when all believers will be keeping Shabbat and the moedim. If these Biblical holidays were kept before and during Y’shua’s time, and will be again on His return, and our God says that He does not change, why should we be doing anything else in between?

A Prayerful Approach

We need to recognize and acknowledge our shock but refuse to remain “stuck” in it. No matter what we have done, we can bring it to our Father through our Messiah! So, as David did when confronted with his sin by Samuel, the only sensible and proper thing to do is to honestly confess in prayer that one has been involved in practices that are not pleasing to YHWH and declare one’s intent to learn more clearly how to walk in His ways and delight in His will. Obviously, we can’t undo our heritage and practice up until this point. Most often, we can say that we have worshiped our Almighty God in the best way that we understood and in all sincerity. With Paul, let us press on, not looking back or dwelling on our past mistakes.

Having done so, be assured that most people need to talk this through quite often before the emotion becomes more manageable, even when we know it has been forgiven before God. There is a difference between an actual guilt burden before God, and a psychological sense of guilt, which is only our own difficulty in forgiving ourselves. We were not taught these things from our youth so it will be a process of learning line upon line and precept upon precept.

What to do with our Shock

Having realized that we have misunderstood, and in good faith have worshiped God in ways He would call an abomination, we confess to Him in detail just what we think and feel about it all. He will not be shocked or upset by your deepest emotions. He already knows that He has allowed us to continue in these practices for His reasons. He knows when the time has come for the veil to be lifted from our eyes. He knows that we will face opposition as the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit) opens our understanding. He knows that we have been lost, and like the Father of the Prodigal, must be rejoicing as we turn our hearts toward Him, in humility and acceptance of our grafting-in to His Family.

A Balanced Response

As He has been patient with us, and has not utterly destroyed us, even in our exile (Lev. 26:44) so must we remember and be patient with those who do not yet see. It is far too easy to begin to demand in others who are just coming into a Torah lifestyle the same level of understanding that has required years of our own unlearning and relearning. This can often lead to an unhealthy controlling attitude in some fellowships that expect everyone to be at the same level of comprehension at once. So let us be patient and remember the initial shock and allow for the adjustment time others will need, just as we did.

Just as importantly, we cannot move forward in learning to walk in Torah if we are consistently looking back over our shoulder, lamenting what was or what “should have been.” Let us exhort one another lovingly to look to what will be as we come more and more fully into our Hebrew heritage.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.

1 Peter 2:1-3 NKJV

Coping with Regret

“I’ve been a church member my whole life and I never knew these things! I feel so sorry for my lack of knowledge and how I have spoken things I now understand to be untrue!” “I regret that I was not serious enough about understanding the Word that I just took my leader’s and Pastor’s word for it.” “Now what do I do about my past, filled with activities and celebrations I now see are not in the Word at all?” “Can YHWH forgive even these things?”

In a word, yes! He can forgive what we have done in ignorance, or unintentional sin. The more difficult question is, “can He forgive when I knew better and still continued in my error?”

Jeremiah 16:19 refers to the lies we have inherited from our forefathers and the promise given that, although YHWH has disciplined His people, yet He has also promised to restore! The more we study His Word, especially the Haftarah (the reading cycle through the Prophets), the more we see this theme repeated over and over again. It has been His plan for us to be in this exile! He has scattered His people (ami dodi), to be not-His-people (lo ami) due to their failure to heed His Words of instruction. It is written in several places that a veil is upon the nation of Israel, and also on the nations, until the fullness of the Gentiles come in.

And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations.

Isaiah 25:7 NKJV

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the [veil] is taken away in Christ. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2 Corinthians 3:14-15 NKJV

When we can hold tightly to this knowledge, that nothing is beyond Him, that He has known and has planned for this blindness to be upon us for the time He specified, we can begin to let go of our own frustration and regret that we did not know. It wasn’t time before!

Obviously, we can’t suddenly undo our past or our enjoyment and cherishing of holidays that have held great meaning for us as we celebrated Him in the ways we grew up doing. And, just as obviously, our Father already knows what we have done and our hearts, even when we were in the midst of pagan things. I have found Leviticus 26:44 to be of great encouragement and hope in the message it gives immediately following the promised blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience.

And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God.

He is the giver of faith, “so that none can boast” and so is He also the One Who is able to open the eyes of our hearts and our spirits when He determines it is time!

As Sha’ul (Paul) said, let us press on, forgetting what lies behind. It is possible to repent of something we didn’t intend to do wrong, but sincerely didn’t understand. He will receive our humble request and He will establish us in His righteousness, for His Name’s sake!

Don’t miss this—For His Name’s sake, He will do this! We need not worry. He is more than able to accomplish in us what He intends as we learn to yield to Him alone.

Keeping Shabbat

As always, a change involves both blessings and stressings. Both Jewish and Messianic teachers have referred to “Keeping Sabbath” as our wedding ring of promise as we wait for Messiah, our Bridegroom, to return for us. This heritage came down to us in a distorted fashion. Those with a traditional Christian background have often expressed their impression that it seemed a punishment to be restricted in activity. From our Elohim’s perspective, it is a sign between us, a “walking out” picture of our rest in Him to accomplish His purposes and stop striving in our efforts each Sabbath day, to rest from our labors and enjoy fellowship, study and worship.

Yes, we can do these things on any day of the week, but only this day was set apart by Him for this purpose! Our Mighty One, Elohim, has set this appointment to be with us especially on this day! Which one of us would want to “stand Him up?” Despite some differences among those who pursue a Torah lifestyle, in my opinion, there has never been confusion about which day is really the seventh day. Although calendars have changed month designations, the days of the week have never changed, except perhaps in some isolated instances. I view our “confirmation” from YHWH as to the correct day shown during the Exodus, confirmed by the presence of manna which day was preparation day and which day was for rest. There are additional recommendations for study on this topic in the Further Reading page.

All these things had never been as important before. Keeping Sunday for many of us meant going to church in the morning for an hour or two and then being free to do whatever we wanted the rest of that day, including work or shopping. The Blue Laws used to prohibit businesses from being open on Sunday, if you are old enough to recall that. That practice has dwindled until only car dealerships are required to remain closed now. As I have come into Shabbat, I am thankful about this because Sunday is when I work and shop now.

Recognizing the need to keep the Sabbath day set apart/holy does require some shifting of tasks and priorities. If you were accustomed to shopping, cleaning or other household work on that day, it will seem strange at first not to use the day that way. It will also seem strange for some to be working while their neighbors go off to church. Your banking tasks need to be accomplished around this set apart time as well. You will probably find that you can make one or two adjustments at a time. When you have settled in those new adjustments you can then make others. Choosing not to buy or sell on this day means we must be a little more prepared, thinking ahead to what we might need for the day so as to avoid last minute crises. This becomes habit fairly soon. This, too, we regard as practice for our Messiah’s return, for we want to be like the five wise virgins who were fully prepared with enough oil, and not like the five foolish ones who had to go look for a merchant at the time of His coming!

As always, our heart motivation in making these changes needs to be our love and desire to be obedient to our Redeemer. Just as in days of old, there are those who become legalistic or hard in this observance. If you become anxious and overwhelmed as you make changes, slow down! Settle in with one change more fully, and then move on to the next. Be confident as you listen for the voice of the Ruach (Holy Spirit), praying always that you may hear His voice, and not be confused by any substitutes. Y’shua promised that He would send us His Comforter Who would guide us into all Truth. He will if we let Him do so!

There may also be those who will try to convince you that if you keep Sabbath, you are going back under the Law and losing your place in Messiah! Remain firm and clear in your resolve to please your audience of One! We need to remember Who it is we will answer to in the end, and it won’t be our neighbors or our relatives; it will be our Father! Perhaps it would be useful to print out the Scriptures on keeping Sabbath along with a paragraph of the reasons you are convicted that it is correct to keep it really set apart and different from the other days of the week. You may want to read over this from time to time, or when you anticipate contact with someone who doesn’t yet understand. There are many excellent resources on this subject, too many to mention here. If you’d like some recommendations please contact me.

Here is another opportunity to develop our maturity as we learn to keep our poise and confidence in what we understand, not being reactive or hostile if someone challenges us, not collapsing into confusion or doubt if someone tries to persuade us otherwise. Oh Y’shua! Please be with all these, Your children, as a shield of strength as they turn from their old ways on this set apart day and begin to walk in Yours.

Keeping Shabbat: Another way we grow up into Messiah Who is our Head and our Bridegroom!

I am delighted to share an article written by a friend of Set Apart Ministries about his experience coming into a Torah-pursuant lifestyle.

From Submarine Sandwiches to Subscribers

Many a believer who comes to the understanding and conviction of Sabbath observance will inevitably be faced with the challenge of being asked to work on the Sabbath. I truly believe that the decision lies between you and our Almighty. We should not make our choice because of what someone tells us we must do. It must be an act of love and obedience to our Father and not out of an obligation to any person because of what they may think of us. Please, don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying to do whatever you please; we must carefully bring our concerns before our Father and then be obedient to what He tells us. We must test that what we are told aligns with scripture. For often times we will opt for what make us feel comfortable in our own minds and believe that Abba would understand our “unique” situation.

Before I begin with my story, I must first tell you that we all come from many different backgrounds and belief systems. We all react differently to the same situations. We must help and edify our brothers and sisters who are being molded through this journey and not judge them harshly with condemnation. We are all on a journey; none of us have “got it all right.” We must realize that we have areas in our lives that are also being refined and I highly doubt that any of us would embrace harsh judgment as we strive to grow in our living out of our faith.

Would it not be better to have someone to walk with us in a loving, caring spirit as we try to have a better understanding and pursue obedience? Obviously, everyone has a story and sometimes using your own story is the best way that we can share a concept or conviction. I would also like to add that pursuing a life of Torah obedience is not an easy one. I wish I could tell you differently, but I believe in honesty. When we are called to live holy (set apart) lives, it will cause us to question and change many of our belief systems and “traditions.” As we read through the many accounts of the lives used in scripture, we can see that the roads the “called-out ones” were asked to travel were not smoothly black-topped highways, but instead “the roads less traveled” were filled with many obstacles, potholes and curves. But, nonetheless, when we are called, we must be obedient to that call. There is joy in knowing that we are striving to please our Father in ways that He prescribes for us.

When we choose His ways, we are fulfilling the reason for our creation (Eph 2:10; Ecc. 12:13). This is the very reason why I chose to pursue His path in which I am about to share with you in the following story.

At the time that I began to be convicted of observing the 7th day Sabbath, I was in a partnership in a restaurant. The restaurant had long been well-established and the community it was in was accustomed to the hours of operation. Now, had the business been my own and in a community in which the only ties that I had to it were the business, the transition would have been a much easier one. But, as you can probably guess, that wasn’t the case.

My business partner was my older brother who had absolutely no interest in the Sabbath or pretty much any “religion” for that matter. Also, the restaurant was located in my home town of about 3,000 people, in which many knew me from the local church, school or just plain knew me (if you are from a small town, you know what I am talking about). I knew that there were going to be some difficult hurdles to face and I wasn’t expecting God to just make them go away. I knew this was going to be a test of my obedience, but I also knew that as long as I was being obedient, it didn’t really matter what the outcome would be. The way I looked at it was, “Well, Father, if you want me to succeed, I will succeed. If not, I know you have other plans for me.” After much questioning, bewilderment and frustration from the customers (due to the required ever-changing hours and closings due to the commanded feasts) a steady decrease in revenue became the norm over the next two years.

Not only could I not work on the Sabbath, but I could not be open for business or allow my employees to work on this day either. For the commandment states:

“But the seventh day is to be a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it, you shall not do any work; neither you, nor your son or your daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.” (Ex 20:10)

Now, all I needed was the strength and courage to do what had to be done: close Friday nights and all day Saturday. You probably already know this, but those are the prime hours of the restaurant business. How was I going to tell my partner who had a 50% investment in the business that we needed to close down during the best business hours of the week because of my newfound convictions? Not to mention, what would the pastor and head elder of my church, who were part of our Saturday morning Men’s Group that I hosted every month at the restaurant, think? I wrestled with this for several weeks until one Friday night I attended an Erev Shabbat (Sabbath Eve) fellowship.

In this gathering was an individual who was very “black and white” and had absolutely no tolerance for someone new to grow in their understanding. When someone in the fellowship mentioned working on the Sabbath, this individual became very agitated. He stated that you must quit your job, even before looking for a new one, if the current employer would not compromise. This caused me to tremble inside because I felt I was being condemned.

The next morning I awoke crying in a fetal position because of the fear and guilt of having to open the rest of the Sabbath, knowing what was just said the night before and that I would be breaking the command. I decided not to open the rest of that day. I called all of my employees and I called my partner, my brother. After a very long talk with him, it was reluctantly agreed upon to close on the Sabbath.

During the months and years to follow, I underwent a myriad of emotions and challenges. On one hand, I felt guilty for no longer going to church on Sunday. But on the other hand, I was finding it difficult to learn how to “rest” for an entire day on the seventh day Sabbath. A dear friend of mine shared with me some very valuable and wise council. He said, “You feel guilty for not going to church on Sunday, which is not one of God’s laws. But you did not feel guilty for not observing the Sabbath, which is God’s command. Guilt is not a feeling, but a state of being.”

This really clarified my personal understanding of what was actually taking place. Needless to say, the feelings of abandonment of friends and family during this time were painful. Within the next year, I began to experience “a new normal.” I also had to cut myself off from certain lifestyle choices and friends during this transition period. The cutting-off of friends was very difficult for me because some of these guys were like brothers to me. It took a while, but I realized that they were not necessarily pursuing my friendship either. I really valued and looked forward to Shabbat, not only to get away from the secular work week, but also to develop relationships with my new brothers and sisters.

Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, people were asking me questions as to why I closed on Saturday and on other various days of the week (Feast days). I eagerly answered their questions, but sadly found that they were either just curious or angry because they drove 20 minutes on a Saturday to eat at the restaurant, only to find it closed.

My relationship with my brother (business partner) became very strained because of the changes in the business hours and also the changes in my lifestyle. Though this whole time, I was constantly being reassured by Abba that I was walking down the right path, regardless of the challenges I was facing.

Again, I cannot say it enough, but the strength I gained from fellow believers prayers and friendship really helped carry me through. I know for a fact that God uses His servants to uplift and strengthen each other. Through it all, I have learned that remaining obedient to His commands to the best of our ability truly can bring about peace in your heart and abundant blessings. I can also tell you that if you have to experience a similar situation such as this, you will probably be stretched, strained, crumpled and then un-crumpled. Like I said before, I believe in honesty.

The purpose of this letter is not to scare you, but to prepare you for things you may experience emotionally, spiritually and financially. I want to encourage you not to be afraid to do what is right and to actively seek out a relationship with your Heavenly Father and like-minded believers. A life of Torah pursuance is never stagnant and it brings with it a deeper understanding of who our Father is and what He expects of us.

The restaurant has now been closed for almost a year and a half. During this time, I was given the opportunity to work as a “fulfillment center” for a ministry in Northern Wisconsin. This has been a huge blessing; not only do I get to work from home and raise our son, but I am helping spread the word of the God that brought me and my family to this place today.

Shalom, Brian Matuszak.

Refuting Fears of Legalism

In our First Year Torah Observance Survey, the initial results show that people experienced a high degree of difficulty dealing with fears of falling into legalism; either their own fears or the fears of those closest to them. By definition, the subject of grace enters in as well.

For oneself that fear will dissipate over time as one becomes more comfortable with the lifestyle changes. At first, to step out of line with what most of those around us are doing is daunting, to say the least. The plaguing fear asks the question, “Is it really necessary for me to make these changes or have I been somehow tricked?” For me, it required both an awareness of what the Torah actually teaches and Y’shua’s declaration that He did not come to abolish it, but also the blunt realization that many of the traditions I had grown up with and loved actually were based in pagan practices rather than what YHWH described. Taken together, reviewed many times, these two lines of understanding came together and allowed me to break free of traditions that do not line up with YHWH’s Righteous Teachings. One or the other did not seem to be enough to develop the momentum and understanding that finally led to the realization of the need to abandon my (unknowing) anti-nomian stance.

Understanding that there was a name for our traditional Christian stance—anti-nomianism— (which means “against the Law” or “without Law”) helped to differentiate and diffuse the power of such a terrible-sounding label. How does being accused of being “legalistic” compare to being accused of being “anti-nomian?”

Labels rarely settle differences but may be useful to describe them. Legalism involves an unrealistic, and at times, unreasoning application of law, which is not the same thing as being obedient to what the law actually states. How many parents do you know that would consider their children’s obedience to their directions for them to be legalistic? Quite the contrary, their obedience to their parents is expected and a sign of respect and love.

Consistent Daily Prayer and Relationship with Y’shua

There is simply no substitute for the personal relationship with our Messiah that will strengthen our faith and our ability to act in faith. A basic preparation for responding to concerns is a willingness to present ourselves before Him in humility and ask that His mind, will and emotions be formed inside so that it is His viewpoint that guides our reactions to such challenges. In very practical ways, it is true that we must decrease while He increases.

Having gained enough confidence in one’s own decision to make a lifestyle change to becoming Torah-pursuant, those changes begin to show and other people begin to take notice. Sometimes we have the luxury of being able to spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically prepare for such a challenge but all too often, these challenges arise just when we least expect them, and feel least able to respond well. A key to responding well is to listen well before entering into any discussion.

A Response rather than a Reaction is the goal.

I define a “response” as action that comes from being fully aware of both our emotions and what we believe and know to be true. It allows us to consider our response in light of many variables including what the other person might be experiencing. A “reaction” comes from an emotional state and usually does not allow for consideration of another’s best interests, often contesting for our own interests in a strident way.

When we respond we can assess how the speaker is presenting themselves, verbally, emotionally and perhaps physically as well.

Genuine humble concern for you?

Fearful themselves and on your behalf?

Argumentative, contentious?

Prideful certainty of their exclusive “correct” position?

With a willing heart and eyes and ears open?

It seems inevitable that someone will raise the question of whether or not you are being legalistic, going back under the Law, or losing your freedom in Messiah. As difficult as this may be to respond to when the conviction is present but the apologetic skills haven’t caught up yet, it is a blessing to have people be concerned enough to actually ask and challenge you. After all, what kind of “feet” would their faith have if they didn’t speak to you when they fear you could be sliding off the path they know? In their understanding, you appear to be making a terrible mistake and they may appear very agitated and even hostile as they challenge you.

One common tactic is to use fear and threats of the losses you will sustain if you keep on this path. It is usually hoped that if enough fear can be generated in you, fueled by their own fear, you will come back into the flock. There are also those who present themselves as argumentative, wanting to argue on an intellectual level about the correct interpretations of Scripture. While there may be fear operating there as well, often there is a kind of personal pride at having the answers and the desire to firmly convince another of their error. Getting caught up in this kind of ongoing discussion can be very frustrating and fruitless since this person is often more fixed on getting their point across than they are on considering what may be said.

Hear them out.

Respectfully listening to their concerns can often go a long way toward decreasing strong emotion, whatever kind it is. They may then be more open to your response.

Provide no factual information as long as they are in an aggressive state.

If someone is still “bristling” or “spoiling for a fight”—in my terms, reacting rather than responding—it is seldom productive to respond with information. It is perfectly acceptable to say something like, “I can appreciate your concern because I once felt the same way.” You are not being unfaithful to YHWH if you do not respond at a time when the likelihood of being heard is nonexistent, but rather, showing wisdom and restraint.

Hebraic Understanding can rarely be understood in one sitting.

but test everything; hold fast what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:1

119 Ministries has done a short DVD presentation entitled: ‘The Unanswerable Questions’ which could be a useful personal preparation and resource or perhaps something to share with others.

It is a compilation of very important questions that should prompt further study but I have experienced the reaction of some who described it as causing “doubts” about one’s faith that they found unacceptable. I heard fear in this assessment along with the idea that one shouldn’t question matters of faith or one’s denomination’s teachings. For someone who is already struggling with doubts in their faith, this might not be the best resource, so be prayerfully discerning about this or any other materials you recommend. No matter how much we hope that our loved ones will be able to receive what we have learned, they just may not yet be in the right place to do so. There we will probably find ourselves struggling with grief and need to be careful not to pressure them, but take that grief to Messiah in prayer!

A conversation on the differences between legalism and obedience, anti-nomianism and Torah observance is not the sort of thing that can be done well “on the fly.”

A fearful person will not be helped by a fearful or fear inducing response.

Perhaps it is best to assure such a person that the basic truths of our faith have not changed as we have incorporated our Hebraic understanding in to the expression of our faith in Messiah. We still honor Messiah Y’shua(Jesus of Nazareth), His virgin birth, His sinless life, death and resurrection after three days. This is also not the time to present a great deal of facts that a person in a fear state cannot comprehend anyway.

Another suggestion would be to prepare a simple handout page of the Scriptures you find most helpful and keep it handy for such an occasion. Yes, this requires preparation, but are we not to be ready “in season and out” to give a reason for our Hope? It also shows us as people who are willing to study the Word to show themselves approved.

Having made some preparations for these inevitable conversations will go a long way toward enabling one to stop short of fruitless conversations and set the stage for thoughtful response.

People new to Hebraic understanding may be concerned about what a “Messianic understanding” about the presence (or absence) of YHWH’s grace for them in the process might be. This issue is often a stopping point in the process of consideration of a Hebraic worldview either because the individuals themselves miss it or because people close to them raise a loud cry.

As I am reviewing and preparing this material for book form, I am reminded that the focus here is to help people cope during the transition process more than to teach. It does seem to me that each person does need to study and know personally how pervasive grace is in all of the Scriptures in order for them to be able to stand in the face of opposition. Personal knowledge of the subject then is the best “defense” but when one is dealing with others who have not yet had this profound change in perception, please remember that they may not be able to take in what you have to show them. No matter how convincing the Scriptural evidence is to us, they just may not be able or ready to take it in. The demonstration of our grace toward them no matter their response is part of our non-verbal witness.

The Dilemma

It seems that “grace” has become a buzzword of late for many Christians. Unfortunately, the current understandings of what this means range all the way from the idea that “anything goes because Jesus loves me” to a more sedate understanding that grace is our gift through our Messiah because we can never measure up.

Many have come from a church background in which it was taught that there was no grace in the “Old Testament.” It may seem as though this Hebrew understanding is all about learning so many commands of how to do this and how not to do that, about setting aside all we have held dear and learning a new rhythm and calendar of feast days which include observance of non-work days, and fear that we can’t absorb it all at once. It may seem like a fearsome burden to be more aware of sin and guilt, whether intentional or unintentional, as we begin to examine details of our lives we may never have looked at closely before. Are we to lose our freedom and joy in the midst of becoming Torah-obedient? Are we stepping out from our freedom in Messiah, losing the grace He gives us only to fall into some kind of fruitless search for perfect obedience to law? How can we be certain we don’t come under some kind of controlling, legalistic rigid expectations that exclude “grace?” How do we chart our path through the “wilderness” of new concepts and behaviors? How soon do we have to be doing things “right?” And who really has the definitive word on what Torah observance looks like in this age and in this non-Torah observant society anyway? What does YHWH expect of me and how quickly does He really think I should be making changes before I am considered “in sin?” What happened to that free feeling I had before when I thought that all that I did was freely covered by His shed blood, and that “Old Testament” things had been done away with? I have been told that grace exists only in the New Testament, that the God of the Old Testament is all about wrath and punishment, so aren’t I in trouble if I lose my sense of freedom and grace? I need to know!

As one begins this walk toward Torah obedience, my picture has been that of finding one’s way from one road to another. The “Law” He has promised to write on our hearts is the very same Law (or more accurately translated, Law = Righteous Teachings of YHWH) that He has now written on our hearts via His Renewed Covenant with us and through the Presence of the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh).

Early in the process, I recall it being a comfort that the familiar name of Jesus was used. I could rest assured that we really were talking about the same God I already knew. Later on, as I came to understand the problems with that name, it changed my focus and practice, as it has for so many. Our Set Apart Ministries community has given a great deal of thought to this issue. The results of these thoughts and discussion can be found in a three-part series, beginning with “How Shall We Call Him?” We think it speaks to the subject of grace in the process.

We can now see that He still means what He said all the way from Genesis through to Revelation: that His definitions of righteousness, sin, holiness (more accurately understood as “set apartness”), and what constitutes food have not changed. This is such a profound realization that it is really a paradigm shift. When it comes, it re-sets our expectations and allows us to hear familiar words with new understanding. It can be frightening, unless we remember grace!

Many people then worry about condemnation for all that we have done before we could comprehend the difference between Torah-righteousness and what our ideas of righteousness may have been. This can leave them far more vulnerable when others bring up the issue unless it has been put to rest personally. Here is one place that grace must enter in, lest we fall into an unwholesome burden of guilt or shame.

Recall Romans 8:1:

Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation for they who are in Messiah Y’shua. CJB

We have had no control over what our forefathers practiced and taught. No one alive today is responsible for the additions of pagan practices to the faith of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because we believe that Y’shua, the Son of the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob really is one with His Father, we understand that He also would never have incorporated any pagan practice into our worship of YHWH. To do so would have been to change what was already established. Had He done so, He would not be our Messiah because He would not have met the criteria established by the Prophets and the Written Word (Torah). Here is one example.

“If a prophet or someone who gets messages while dreaming arises among you and he gives you a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder comes about as he predicted when he said, ‘Let’s follow other gods, which you have not known; and let us serve them,’ you are not to listen to what that prophet or dreamer says. For ADONAI your God is testing you, in order to find out whether you really do love ADONAI your God with all your heart and being.

You are to follow ADONAI your God, fear him, obey his mitzvot, listen to what he says, serve him and cling to him;

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 CJB

It is commonly taught that the church fathers were able to “Christianize” the practices of the pagan religions in order to now practice them for the glory of our YHWH God.

This belief was part of my understanding long before I began to understand the implications of it. It does sound noble to desire to include all people and draw them in through familiar practices, doesn’t it? Yet, our God, Who is Holy/Set Apart, has said that we are not to do what pagans do and call it worship of Him. Could grace be a part of the equation here? Yes, our God has promised in Leviticus 26:44 that although we may have fallen into practices He considers an abomination, He promised not to destroy us and that He would bring restoration in His time. Hopefully we now see that there is a “highway of holiness” of set-apartness that has been laid out for us in Scripture. We lift our eyes and begin to see that there are others around in this day and time who are also making a course correction.

Grace Defined

In a secular context, people may think of grace as physical ability and ease of movement. People may also think in terms of social grace, such as charm and beauty. In a Biblical sense, however, we often think of grace as “unmerited favor.” In our English Bibles, the word grace appears to have just this one meaning. In truth, there are at least two Hebrew words that are translated into English as grace.

Chesed: unmerited favor Strongs #2616/17

Chen: grace, beauty, charm, Strongs #2580/81

The common understanding has been that grace is only evident in the Brit Chadasha/New Testament. Yet grace is evident throughout the Tanakh/Old Testament and, in fact, the word is used more often than it is in the Brit Chadasha! Grace is a part of our YHWH’s very character! There is a worksheet on our site about Exodus 34:6-7 to study the implications of this, which helps us to see many connections. When looking at the Hebrew on the form provided, this information indicates twelve aspects of mercy, loving kindness and covenant love that He has for His people, including forbearance for rebellion, intentional sin and inadvertent sin, and only one aspect of judgment. It gave me new understanding of the expression “mercy triumphs over justice.” When I was shown these things, I could only sit in awe, and wish that such information had been made known to me long ago! It is such a clear foundation for the grace and mercy that Y’shua walked out during His time in the flesh with us, and the judgment in which He will stand when He returns the second time.

Historical (Mis) Interpretations of Grace

Marcion, one of the Church Fathers in the early days following the Resurrection, developed the idea, among others, that the Old Testament God, YHWH, is one of judgment and wrath, while the New Testament God, Jesus/Y’shua, is filled with grace. Though Marcion was removed from his church position because of beliefs such as this, still this concept managed to weave its way into general thinking and practice then, and remains to this day. In the days of such persecution that people felt compelled to distance themselves from Judaism because Jews were seen as the ones who had killed Messiah, it makes sense that this concept could take hold, though it directly contradicts Y’shua’s own statements. He and the Father are One, thus He is the Law Giver as well. It was somehow easier to overlook the fact that the entire Book was written describing Messiah so that we could recognize Him, as He confirmed on the road to Emmaus when He spoke of how all the Law and the Prophets spoke of Himself.

Is Grace the Opposite of Legalism?

This concern isn’t so hard to answer. In order for the concept of grace to exist at all, it stands to reason that there must be a standard in order for a person to be given grace when they do not reach that standard. If there is no expectation for behavior, then every behavior would be equally right or wrong, and there would be no sin and no need for grace. The issue is whether one is keeping a standard of behavior or not keeping it.

Legalism is an interpretation that leads to a response. It is interpreting such a standard in a rigid, unbending way, often resulting in performance-based responses and standards. Strict and harsh punishment is one response to the failure to adhere to a standard. Grace is another response.

My quick description of this:

Grace is for when we fall short of His standard, NOT for when we aim short.

How grateful we all are that our Messiah was willing to drink the cup of affliction that is rightfully ours, granting us the grace that is so much a part of His character!

People often use the words of Paul to justify any concern about keeping Torah, yet on closer study, it becomes apparent that this was not his intended message. At that time, Paul was concerned about the practice of teaching people that they couldn’t come to faith in Messiah unless they went through the arduous process of conversion as defined by Judaism. It was insistence on this conversion process for people to become Messianic Believers in that day that Paul defined as “legalistic.” He restated “Old Testament” teaching that he who is a true Jew is one inwardly. True belief is and always was a matter of circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).

Today, people tend to fear that any effort to obey commands is a form of rigidity, an absence of grace, a loss of liberty or freedom, so any effort to observe YHWH’s Torah/Righteous Teachings—usually defined as “Law”—seems to them to be going counter to their understanding of grace and freedom with Messiah. Yet in truth, those of us who are parents can perhaps better understand that our children have no less true freedom when they obey our teachings that are meant to keep them safe from harm. It is when they move outside the parameters we lay out for them that they can come into harm’s way. Do we not experience our children’s cheerful obedience to our direction as indicative of their love and respect for us? So it is with our Father, YHWH. Any way that we can convey this truth to others without becoming defensive or agitated will go a long way toward better understanding. Sadly, though we now have eyes to see this, many can still read the words but not see the picture.

Here is how we know we love God’s children: when we love God we also do what He commands. For loving God means obeying His commands.

1 John 5:2- 3 CJB

Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah—indeed, sin is violation of Torah.

1 John 3:4 CJB

Interpreting God’s Righteous Teachings/Torah in such a way as to lead people toward the desired behavior would seem to me to be a form of grace. This is far different than simply imposing a set of requirements on people with no concern for the impact on them.

This is what Y’shua was holding the Jews accountable for doing! They were adding unnecessary burdens to His Righteous Teachings/Torah which added to the people’s stress rather than benefiting them.

It was not the Law/Righteous Teaching itself that He opposed! It was the added burdens that Y’shua spoke out against. He also affirmed repeatedly that “If you love me, you will obey my commands.”

Which commands are Y’shua’s commands?

Well, it is observed by many Torah teachers that there are (only) 613 commandments in the Old Testament and (over) 1050 in the New Testament. Every one of the 1050 has its root in the 613; and even more specifically in the 10. (Exodus 20: 1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-22) And when we understand that Y’shua said that all the Law could be summarized in two and that Y’shua was there at Mount Sinai when the Law tablets were given to Moses, we get a clearer picture of which commands we are to obey out of love for him. This question is further examined in many places, among them the PowerPoint “A Question of Doctrine” on the home page of our site.

As Paul said to Timothy:

All Scripture is God breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training of right living thus anyone who belongs to God may be fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CJB

What existed of Scripture when this letter was written? Why, what we call the Old Testament of course! From Genesis to Malachi: the Law, the Prophets and the Writings! Be prepared to hear that this statement, as clear as it is to us, will not always be received for what it actually says and do not react defensively.

Is Grace Really Missing in the Old Testament?

This concern seems to be aired whenever someone is concerned about another person falling into legalism, by which they generally mean taking the Old Testament too seriously or literally. Being ready to address these concerns with factual information is a wonderful way to respond. If someone comes at you with hostility, you can remain calm and direct them to the Word rather than taking it personally. The conversation may need to take place another time when they are calm! If someone approaches you with concern for your misunderstanding, you will be equipped to show them exactly why you believe what you believe. Knowing that one is equipped makes it much easier to behave in a gracious manner to any attitude. Again, this is a part of our calling to be mature in every way in our Messiah. By paying attention to our own maturity, not only in Scriptural knowledge but also emotionally, we are able to maintain the quietness and confidence that Isaiah spoke of as our strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

•   Adam and Eve received grace when they were given coverings for themselves after the fall. Their physical death did not occur on that day of their sin, yes, but within 1,000 years. We are told a day is as a thousand years to our God (2 Peter 3:8).

•   Cain was not killed on the spot for his sin of murder, but allowed to live, even when YHWH certainly knew of the rebellion that his generations would bring, which ultimately led to the Flood.

•   Moses argued with Elohim over whether or not he could speak well enough to accomplish what was asked—and rather than being harmed for his fear, he was given Aaron to help.

•   Elijah fought a great battle of faith over the prophets of Ba’al and won, yet within hours, he was running in fear. Did he meet with scorn and judgment? No, YHWH provided rest and nourishment for him.

•   Judges is nothing but a cycle over and over of YHWH Elohim’s grace toward his backslidden people. Ever read how the angel addressed Gideon at first? “Hail mighty warrior!” To one who was hiding in a shed while sifting grain for fear of marauders? Sounds like grace to me to address one in the manner he would grow into, rather than the state he was in at the time!

•   David was a murderer and an adulterer, yet he was given grace and called “a man after God’s own heart.”

•   Hannah found grace in the opening of her womb and the birth of Samuel, likewise had Sarah and Rachel found such grace.

•   Ruth, a Moabite woman, found so much grace as she honored her mother-in-law and her God, that she became one of Y’shua’s ancestors!

Once you get started I am certain you will have no problem finding evidence of our YHWH’s grace through the Scriptures, Genesis to Revelation.

Can the Concept of Grace be Misunderstood as an Excuse for Not Learning YHWH’s Commands?

I owe Dietrich Bonheoffer for the term “cheap grace,” which he used to refer to people who basically did whatever they chose and then claimed forgiveness. This misunderstanding of grace can be stated as free license for whatever behavior seems good to an individual. As Paul asked, should we continue in sin because grace abounds? May it never be! (Romans 6:1-2)

Oh yes, grace can surely be incorrectly taught and misapplied. In the desire to be free from the error of rigid interpretation of the letter of the Law, people can all too easily run right over the line into the camp of the anti-nomian (anti- meaning “against,” and nomia- meaning “Law,” from the Greek) stance.

Funny, this term “anti-nomian” doesn’t seem to bother people very much today though there is great concern about “legalism.”

Yet, Y’shua confirmed that not one jot or tittle of the Righteous Teachings (that He had spoken on Sinai with the Father) would pass away before heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 5:17-18).

Of whom are people more afraid? Peers that might call them legalistic if they obey the Righteous Teachings/Torah of YHWH or of YHWH Himself if they speak against His Righteous Teachings?

Of whom are we instructed to be more afraid: Those who can kill the body but not the soul, or He who judges the heart and Whose Word is a sword piercing to the bone and marrow? We know the answer to that one!

Family and Friend’s Reactions

As we begin to address the issue of relating to friends and family about our excitement in embracing our Hebraic Heritage, one issue that comes up often is why one would want to do so. Despite friendly little bumper stickers and plaques that say things like “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter,” our Hebrew heritage has largely been out of sight. As a child, one learns and believes what those adults responsible for one’s care believe and do. We are admonished in Scripture to train up a child in the way he should go, so that when he is old he will not depart from it. Yet there are many stages in growth and in maturity. It was a sobering thought to me that I spent more attention, time, and energy on developing my professional knowledge base than I had ever spent in developing knowledge of my faith. Somehow the impression was that once I completed my childhood training, which in my background was called Confirmation Class, I was somehow “finished” and had no further need to focus on my faith.

What happens when we go back and look with adult eyes at what we learned earlier? If one is content that a subject is fully understood, there may well be a satisfaction at something accomplished. If something threatens this comfort level, one will likely not be very happy about it and may even become hostile. What does this mean in our faith? If, like me, you learned the basic Bible stories without a strong sense of their connectedness to a central theme, or covenant, you will be amazed to see the Hand of our Elohim throughout the Scriptures.

This shift in our view of the Scriptures is nothing short of profound, allowing us to look with new eyes at familiar words. As we allow this new awareness to settle in and sift through what we have understood it becomes much more comfortable. You will see the cohesiveness of all Scripture as you did not earlier. If you are like me, there will come a time when you will lament that you don’t understand how you could have missed it before, because it is all so obvious now!

Isaiah told us that there was a veil over the nations and so it appears. When that veil is lifted from our eyes, and we seek the fullness of our God in the context He chose, we have had what is called a “paradigm shift.” Though things seem so obvious to us now, it is imperative to remember that this has not necessarily yet happened for our friends and family. No matter how hard we try to show them what we now see, they may not yet see the same. May this be a humbling reminder again that it is by the Spirit and His Work that allows us to draw ever closer to Him … and He knows the correct time and place for every one of His people.

If something comes up that causes confusion with what was learned earlier, an emotionally- and intellectually-mature person will feel a drive to resolve the discrepancy. Even if the new information causes an upheaval, the search for Truth will outweigh other factors. In Truth, fear/awe of God is the beginning of wisdom. If, on the other hand, a person who has not yet reached an emotionally mature state comes upon information that could affect their belief system, they may well panic and “shut down” to the new information. Though A.W. Tozer has been credited with this related observation, it was apparently not original to him.

Most people, sometime in their lives, stumble across truth. Most jump up, brush themselves off, and hurry on about their business as if nothing had happened. Sir Winston Churchill

As one moves into a serious study of the Word from an adult perspective, frequently many surprises appear. For those who have already determined for themselves that they need to know the God of Israel more fully on His terms, we will examine what happens when one tries to convey that same conviction to others. Perhaps the acceptance of the Hebrew nature of our Mighty One came through direct study of the Word, perhaps through the Spirit in hearing the call of the shofar or in heartfelt prayer to know Him more intimately and to know Truth. But how does one begin to reason with another?

Emotional Maturity is not an indication of Intelligence or Knowledge!

We need to remember this as we are approached by others with their concerns or when we have prayerfully understood that there is something we need to tell them about. “Be Ye Set Apart” is a PowerPoint presentation available on our Set Apart Ministries website that addresses what we understand to be involved as we are growing in maturity toward becoming more like our Messiah. There is much more to it than simply growing older or gathering information!

Here is an example of what happened in one situation like this. I would like to quote at length from the Preface to The Family Guide to Biblical Holidays:

During Bible study, our family discovered something that we had heard very little about from church. We found out God had set apart special days to worship and honor Him. By learning about the practices of these special days, we could learn about and worship God. We spent some time studying the holidays from Scripture and decided it’d be fun to teach to our children. So our family started celebrating the Biblical Feast days. What a joy! These celebrations are wonderful! Not only was the celebration itself fun and informative, but even the preparation was full of lessons and prompted us into deeper Bible study. The children enjoyed these great “interactive” celebrations more than any man-made holidays (more than even gift-giving days). I was very excited about all we had learned and anxious to tell my Christian friends.

My enthusiasm was soon crushed. I was eagerly sharing with a friend how we celebrated a feast day and how much we had learned. I expected my friend to catch the enthusiasm. Instead I was met with a fierce frown and raised eyebrows. I was told the feast days have been done away with, are no longer necessary, and such nonsense was legalistic. “But, but,...we didn’t do anything wrong. ..it’s just...it can’t be wrong...we were just studying the Bible,” I stammered. My friend explained, “You cannot keep the holidays. It is legalistic.”

Celebrating the feasts was only a surface learning experience? Down deep, was I trying to earn my way to heaven? Whoa, I know salvation only comes through God’s Son. This conversation led to many questions. What is legalism? Is the Old Testament relevant today? How can obey Deuteronomy 6— teaching our children God’s ways—be legalistic? How can righteousness be wrong? Time for another Bible study.

....so what is the difference between trying to please God and legalism? A measuring stick that only measures the end result will identify anything pleasing to God as legalism. As with most things Jesus taught about, the difference between doing something to please God, and legalism, is found in the heart.

•   Legalism is focused on a system.

•   Desiring to please God is focused on a relationship.

•   Legalism is focused on what is required.

•   Desiring to please God is focused on love from within.

•   Legalism asks, “How can I meet the requirements?”

•   Desiring to please God asks, “What is the Lord telling me about His desires through His instructions?”

•   Legalism is horrid, for if it were possible to earn a relationship with God, in and of ourselves, Christ’s death was pointless.

•   Desiring to please God is obeying His command—to love Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Loving God can never be legalistic!

(End quote)

Many thanks to Robin Sampson for her permission to quote from this useful resource! This portion is from the Preface.

A description of our joy at what we have learned may be more effective than arguing against how we have expressed our faith in the past. At the base of anything we say or do must be the love of our Father for us, expressed in our concern for the relationship with the person. Our God is a relational being and expresses Himself in several aspects, primarily as Father and Son. It is in relationship that we come to know Him more fully, even in those relationships that may be under stress.

Relationship is the antidote to legalism!

By quietly sharing what you have learned, your friends and relatives may catch your joy and excitement. As we first enter into these discussions with those closest to us, we need to be careful that our own frustrations, hurt, or anger about what we had missed out on is not being misdirected toward them!.

Frank Houtz of Dry Bones Restoration Company offers an excellent seminar entitled “Biblical Research Techniques,” which addresses some of the reasons for such responses and would be a good investment for any new fellowship group. Our community benefited greatly from it and many years later still quotes some things we learned.

You will also find guidance and suggestions for those who are beginning a new Messianic Home Fellowship at our Plant and Grow Messianic Fellowships mini site.

Immediate vs. Gradual Change to Moedim Observance

Once we understand that we want to observe YHWH’s appointed times, we face perhaps the largest challenge in our obedience to our Messiah. Do we “fear” God or man more? This is not a new problem! Check out John 12:37-43:

Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. ... Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

When we honestly shema—hear and obey—we know that there is no room for hesitation once we understand what is asked of us by our Elohim. Whether Jew or Gentile, the dilemma is the same. When we understand Who our YHWH is, could there truly be any other rational response than to say, as the Israelites said, “Yes, we will do all that You have said.” When we stand in His Light, it is a joy and an honor to obey Him! Yet, like them, all too often we find that the walking-out of that heartfelt response in a fallen, broken world is harder than we ever imagined it would be. While the conviction of the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) has dawned in our own hearts, and the veil to our understanding is removed, it has not yet necessarily also dawned for relatives and friends.

And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.

Isaiah 25:7 NASB 14

But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2 Cor. 3:14-16

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

Romans 11:25 (cross reference to Gen. 48:17-19)

Those who have not come to understand Torah pursuance as we see it expect us to honor traditions with them and view any change as suspect, especially in light of the fact that so many church leaders stand in opposition to keeping the moedim, the appointed times. As I’ve noted before, some even believe that it is legalistic to observe the Biblical feasts! Our desire to honor Elohim does not mean we want to hurt the people we care about, yet they often see it that way.

From whom do you “need permission” to honor YHWH’s appointed times?

Answer this question and you will know whom you fear.

So, what to do when the Spirit within draws you to His moedim but the flesh holds tightly to your past? Won’t they be angry with me if I do something different? Will it mean the end of our relationship, and estrangement from these, my flesh and blood, my friends? Won’t my children miss out on all the wonderful family holiday memories we’ve had? What will people say at work, at school, at church? Perhaps if I just move softly, step by step, so as not to alarm them too much, they will take it better and not be too hard on me. I could withdraw slowly, by degrees, and perhaps they will get used to the idea and overlook our differences. Perhaps I can find ways to honor YHWH while still meeting their expectations. Though thoughtlessness or lack of consideration for others is not to be encouraged, trying to please both YHWH and man is a risky thing! Conviction to honor the Moedim comes in a two-step process: inward conviction, then outward observance and behavioral change. I do not think that people should make any change on the say so of others, but from the conviction of their own hearts through prayerful study. The time table of change is likely to be individual as well.

The change can also take several forms: an immediate cutting away of the pagan practices known before OR gradually implementing the new while fading out the old.

The familiarity and depth of Torah observance can only come as He teaches us and we walk it out. Whichever path is chosen, the heart attitude needs to be focused on the joy of obedience to our Messiah rather than the dread of people’s responses or what we are leaving behind. When we can move gracefully toward Him, getting to know Him better in the feasts that are a shadow of what is to come, we are a living highway of restoration to the ancient paths spoken about by Jeremiah. Rather than getting involved in verbal contentiousness, we may speak volumes by what we do.

Either way, immediate or gradual, change will generally bring some level of conflict. Even families that have not honored church holidays will find that those who desire to walk in Torah are somehow different. Perhaps you have heard that “you aren’t as much fun as you used to be.” For those whose families have kept the traditional holidays of Christmas and Easter, there are a variety of responses. Some keep the holidays because they deeply believe this is the way to honor our Savior. Some keep them because our family has always kept them; they are more “Cultural Christians,” as George Barna, a researcher with the Barna Group, has called it. It will be your own maturity as well as the maturity of your family and friends that determines how well or poorly this transition occurs.

Deeply-felt sentiments can be as difficult to face as deeply-felt faith.

In some ways, the deep sentiment may even be harder. A person of faith may at least be able to support your desire to be faithful to God, even if they don’t agree! A person who is more motivated by emotion may also be more motivated by fear bonds, the kind of attachment in relationships that is based on avoidance and fear of rejection rather than on promoting the growth and wellbeing of each individual. It is helpful to understand what type of motivation your family and friends have. You can often tell a lot by the type of statements they make. Do they mention worries about what people think or what God would desire? Do they affirm their love and care for you, even though they disagree, or do they brandish verbal intimidation to bring you back into the fold before something dire happens? Listen for fear as opposed to faith statements as you discern.

It is entirely possible to have as many fear bonds in our faith as we do have love bonds with our God. You may find this article helpful to explore the matter: “How can I tell if My Faith is ‘Fear Based’ or ‘Love Based?’ is an article by Barbara L. Klika, found on her professional site, Christian Transitions: http://www.christian-transitions.com and is also found at http://www.set-apart-ministries.org/articles.html” When you know more about your own kind of bonds it may help you to address them well when you approach others.

Cognitive—that is, verbal or academic—ideas which are understood by the left hemisphere of the brain need the integration of the right hemisphere’s ability to size up non-verbal factors in order to be most fully understood. It is not necessary to understand all the neurobiology of the actual function in order to appreciate it. How we say things or show by how we live often has far greater teaching potential than what we say.

In an earlier section, I spoke of the issue of reactivity when dealing with difficulties. We may need to assess our own maturity to know our weak areas and vulnerabilities in order to find restoration. When we understand that people who did not have an opportunity to develop secure attachment bonds with their parents will generally have deficits in how well they can respond to conflictual issues in later life, we can learn to be less reactive ourselves. We need to remember that more information is cycling between two people, directly from right brain to right brain via the left eyes, than is contained in the content. When we remain calm and confident in what we are presenting, we speak much more than the words we choose. We offer a person who may be having trouble remaining calm the opportunity for their physical brain to learn this new way to regulate emotions, even in the face of difficult information! In His wisdom, our Creator designed us so that any deficits from childhood can be overcome in the context of relationships that are affirming and real.

We also need to know how to be patient with ourselves as we learn this vast heritage of ours which our Jewish brothers and sisters were taught in the very form of their lives, just as we had learned the other lifestyles, calendars and holidays as part of the fabric of our lives.

As Sha’ul (Paul) said, he who is a true Jew is one inwardly—spiritually, not necessarily physically. Yet those who faithfully preserved the Torah have an advantage in knowing the Righteous Teachings of our Elohim. Torah observance for the grafted-in ones will come, line upon line, precept upon precept (Romans 3 & 11),

My thought? His grace is for when we fall short of His standard for us, not when we aim short.

We cannot earn salvation by our obedience to His commandments; rather, we demonstrate our love for Him through our obedience. The moedim were provided as a Torah picture for us to live and walk in to better understand our Savior and to be better prepared to recognize Him on His return. Will you be ready when our King arrives? May it be so!

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between en many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

Micah 4:1-5

Be Ye “Set Apart” for I AM Set Apart

Did you know that when Peter wrote “For it is written, ‘Be ye holy, because I am holy’ “ (1 Peter 1:16) he was quoting Moshe/Moses? “For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).

This command is woven in and through much of YHWH’s directions to His people. Yet it is often confusing to us just what “being holy” looks like. In this passage from Leviticus, it is placed in the midst of the dietary laws, thus setting us apart by what we eat. So many have believed that these things were done away with that we haven’t often looked back to see the original context. If this is still an area of indecision for you, you may want to check out the book Holy Cow! God Cares about What We Eat? It was written by Hope Egan.

She works backward from what is known about 3rd century practices to determine that Y’shua would have also observed the same practices. Though we disagree that it is acceptable to assume that later observances always determine what was done earlier, there is much of interest well presented in her work. There are also several articles on our website about realistically managing the dietary guidelines of Scripture.

One aspect of holiness involves dietary guidelines and Paul’s letter to the Corinthians also confirmed that the Bride of Messiah must be holy as He is!

Therefore ADONAI says, “‘Go out from their midst; separate yourselves; don’t even touch what is unclean. Then I myself will receive you. In fact, I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters.’ says ADONAI-Tzva’ot.” Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.

II Cor. 6:17 - 7:1 CJB

Without holiness/set apartness, we will not see Him! Unfortunately, it has become commonplace to think that we can never be holy—what some people have called “worm theology”—so the call to obedience and to mature in the faith seems to get lost in the fog. If we do not believe that He is able to work in us to accomplish His purposes in setting us apart and preparing us for Himself, do we think that He is being cruel to set up a standard we could never reach? May it never be! It has become apparent to many through the years that we have lost out on much of our understanding of our faith.

Evangelical Christianity is now tragically below the New Testament standard. Worldliness is an accepted part of our way of life. Our religious mood is social instead of spiritual. We have lost the art of worship. We are not producing saints. Our models are successful businessmen, celebrated athletes and theatrical personalities. We carry on our religious activities after the methods of the modern advertiser. Our homes have been turned into theaters. Our literature is shallow and our hymnody borders on sacrilege. And scarcely anyone appears to care.

Of God and Men by A. W. Tozer

Although Dr. Tozer was not a part of the Messianic movement, like some others of an earlier day, it seems to me that He walked in knowledge of our Elohim, as much as has been allowed us during our exile (Lev. 26:44- 45). In his book, The Divine Conquest, he wrote that “the true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy” (100). Likewise, in Born after Midnight, he wrote” those first believers turned to Christ with the full understanding that they were espousing an unpopular cause that could cost them everything. They knew they would henceforth be members of a hated minority group with life and liberty always in jeopardy” (18). Being a part of a Christian church has often been seen as something different in years past. I recall a neighbor years ago who was surprised that my mother took care of laundry for the church nursery. Astounded, the neighbor said, “I thought the pastor did all that.” People have not always understood what goes on among us “churched” people. I also thought that I had become more “set apart” than I even intended when I began to learn about spiritual authority, especially as it pertains to helping people come out from occult lifestyles. It was not readily understood or accepted by my Lutheran church family! Coming to knowledge of His moedim/appointed times was still another part of behaving differently.

Yet, as the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer is said to have observed, we can look to see what society is doing and within about 7 years the church will be doing the same. In other words, we have been assimilated far more than most of us realized until we came to a study of our Hebrew Roots and various pagan practices. At that point, we came face to face with a choice: would we follow tradition or would we honor YHWH’s righteous teachings through our Messiah Y’shua? In other words, would we choose to honor Him and become more “set apart” from common use or other practices? If like me, you already thought you knew something about what it is to be set apart, you have probably learned even more now!

It is also important to remember that there are many Believers in Messiah, who may not yet have “heard the call,” for whatever reason. We can still be faithful to what we understand and gracious toward them, praying always for the guidance of the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit as to when and if we should point out things we have learned. Our part is to be faithful to what we have been shown and to then allow Him to do His work in others at the right time for them. This often requires the development of our own patience and maturity as others may not observe the same restraint toward us!

Reactions to our accepting the call to become more fully “set apart” may range from emotional to academic to theological as people attempt to call us back into the fold of traditional Christian practice. People often do not understand the promptings of the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit as the reason for our changes! We do not intend to imply that we are somehow superior to others, yet they may often speak of feeling condemned by our words or actions. Know that no matter how tactfully something is said, others may still overreact. It may be a reactivity issue or it could just be a matter of conviction beginning. Again, we need to be strong in our Messiah, practicing our own spiritual disciplines so that He is free to work in us. If we stand on anything less than this personal relationship with YHWH through His Messiah Y’shua, what is our strength? He alone is our Rock, and the strong tower we can run to! Many Godly people of ages past, among them A.W. Tozer and Oswald Chambers, would soundly confirm this too! So if we are to stand strong as we learn precept upon precept, line upon line, what it means to be “set apart” or holy to YHWH, we will need to be well-steeped in His Righteous Teachings! To guard His commands means to keep them in front of our eyes as we plan our days, to bear His standard of behavior in ourselves, no matter what others may say or expect. It is a far cry from the common inference that God is there to serve us, when we come back to an understanding of His omnipotence and sovereignty. We are to be fully yielded to Him. In so doing, He lifts us up.

It isn’t only living family members who can present a hurdle as we make this transition but also those who have gone before us. One thought that often holds people back from embracing a Hebraic context of faith is concern over the spiritual condition of family members who do not yet see this or who have died in faith as they understood it. It seems like a betrayal or an admission that they now must understand that their relatives were not saved and be together with them in eternity. Here, we must trust the nature and character of our Elohim! He knows when He has put out the call to return to the ancient paths. He knows the heart of each one of us. It may still be a matter of being called “greatest” or “least” in the Kingdom, but it is not necessarily a matter of being out of the Kingdom, unless there is outright rebellion involved.

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19 NKJV

During the process of applying to host an exchange student with our family, we learned that the student would be expected to take part in our religious practice one hour a week. It was a vivid reminder that as we become more “set apart to YHWH,” it is difficult not only for the world, but often also for the church to understand that our faith is no longer (if it ever was!) a matter of attending a church service one hour a week. It is the fabric of our lives! It is the very way in which we walk. It is not unusual for there to be a time period of a sort of isolation: old friends and family don’t quite know what to do with us and we have yet to develop the heart connections with like-minded people. Don’t be surprised, however, that when you find them, the relationships can develop quickly and deeply ... because they, too, have a heart for Messiah and a hunger for His Torah/Righteous Teachings.

As we turn back to His calendar and begin to count time in His ways, we step back from the world’s calendars. We begin to view Shabbat as the high point of our week! We look forward to the Shabbaton—additional Sabbath days often associated with the moedim—and we see no burden in them! Our Elohim was gracious enough to recognize our need for rest and relaxation right within the context of His teachings about Himself as we observe His time table of life. Our family discovered fairly early on that the rhythm of keeping the moedim is really different from observing the secular and church calendars. We found it daunting and exhausting trying to observe both, which we did for a time during our own transition. We understand that as grafted-in family members, we are privileged to walk out these living pictures of what happened the first time our Messiah dwelt among us, as well as of what will happen when He returns.

We discovered that, having His plan laid out for us, we really have no further need to add any kind of holidays associated with pagan practices. Because the pagan nature of what we have been doing has been so obscure, many people will look upon us as being the unusual ones, so don’t be surprised here either! Keep your eyes focused on what (and Who!) you are walking toward, not on what you are leaving behind. Don’t be surprised if the first year of transition gives you that “fish out of water” feeling. New traditions bring new joys! Despite the isolation so many of us find when there is only a small local group, be assured that the Ruach haKodesh is indeed raising up people all over the world! Elijah didn’t personally know any of those YHWH had reserved for Himself, and they numbered in the thousands! Through the centuries, there have always been a people, a remnant of those who understood these things. Sometimes we can only find them by the records that indicate there were “heretics” who were hunted and killed (i.e., because they kept “too many” of the old Jewish ways along with their faith in Messiah.) When I read of the Waldensians and the Albigensienes, I am reminded that our faith is indeed a radical one that requires commitment. Our Messiah really did mean it when He said that we are to seek Him first, above all else! This, of course, is not well received by those who either deny Him altogether or those who have their focus set on the more recent “fashionable” interpretations of God as the benevolent one who is too loving to ever hold any one accountable for their sin. With all the marketing and merchandising, our gaze has been directed to being “purpose driven,” rather than Spirit-led, but this is not consistent with His Word and the experience of His people through the ages. He directs us to lean into Him and not into our own understanding and to acknowledge Him in all of our ways. A.W. Tozer again had similar observations.

Many of us Christians have become extremely skillful in arranging our lives so as to admit the truth of Christianity without being embarrassed by its implications. We arrange things so that we can get on well enough without divine aid, while at the same time ostensibly seeking it. We boast in the Lord but watch carefully that we never get caught depending on Him.

The Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer.

We are still living in a wicked and adulterous generation and I must confess that the Christians I meet who really amount to something for the Saviour are very much out of key and out of tune with their generations.

I Call it Heresy by A W. Tozer.

If he observed these things nearly 40 years ago can you imagine his reaction if he saw the behavior of many of today’s Believers?

As you move onward in your spiritual growth and desire to be obedient to our Elohim’s Righteous Teachings, be prepared to be thought “odd” or “out of step” with other Believers. At some point we may be called to suffer physical persecution in His Name, as earlier generations have. In the end, what matters is our obedience to our Redeemer who alone judges the heart. He knows who we are and He knows where and when it will be for our good—and our family and friends’ good—to have the veil lifted.

Baruch haba b’shem YHWH! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of YHWH: Y’shua/Jesus of Nazareth, our Salvation!

Divided Families and Set Apart People

The call to come back to the ancient paths is being heard throughout the world today. As Lenny and Varda Harris’s song “Call to Ephraim” so eloquently says, we are “heeding the call that You have been whispering in our ears” after He has watched over us during all these years. Blessed is the family in which both parents are together and come into understanding of the call to obey our Living Torah Messiah and His Righteous Teachings, the Written Torah. When their children are small as this happens, the transition may be accomplished quite smoothly. Many joyful family times can be established in the release of old patterns of celebration to welcome in the “new.” In this situation, the stress seems to come from extended family members and friends. Husband and wife may experience a new closeness as they stand together in Messiah, withstanding the outside pressure placed on them. Being in a community of like-minded Torah observant couples and families is then a haven for them!

While this is an ideal situation, many are not blessed in this way yet. Many married people find that they are hearing YHWH’s call but their spouse does not yet hear or is openly resistant, causing tension between the couple. In this case, pressure can come from both within the household and from without, making the community of like-minded Believers even more important. Some things to consider about a community:

•   Is your community sensitive to the need for encouragement and inclusion of absentee spouses?

This can be especially difficult if the absent spouse is in any way hostile or critical. This can happen quite easily as lifestyle changes are made to honor His Shabbat and moedim. It can be a challenge for members and leadership to find ways to connect with the absent spouse to warmly include them but it is so helpful for the spouse already present! Perhaps people with common interests can find ways to connect with the spouse throughout the week. As they develop friendships, they may be less critical of their spouse’s involvement. It goes without saying that any such efforts are always undergirded with prayer for the Ruach’s leading! It is also often wonderful for the children when other adults in the community take an interest in them, their daily lives, and spiritual growth. This, too, will reinforce Torah commands to love one another. Honoring His Righteous Teachings can really only be done in community, just as our maturity really only develops as we continue in life-giving relationships.

•   Is your community sensitive to the needs of these estranged family situations?

•   Does your community plan events that accommodate the needs of those with limited incomes?

Some single parent families have trouble with basic living needs such as groceries and transportation costs. They may want to obtain teaching materials but be unable to afford their purchase. A common desire to celebrate the Feasts of the Lord can become quite complicated as what might seem ordinary extra expenses for some families is experienced as “impossible” for others.

Because there are so few opportunities for Torah fellowship in our area, we sometimes have people driving in from an hour or more. This is quite a common issue around the world. As is true for many in our local community, this can represent a hardship, especially in the days of escalating gasoline prices.

How much help does a Torah fellowship accord one another when the needs are long term? We don’t have any specific answers to offer here, just the questions for consideration. Has your community absorbed people with limitations and difficulties such as these? Or as is too often the case in our previous congregations and here again in some Messianic fellowships, are such people allowed to slip through the cracks if they can’t afford a middle-class or higher lifestyle? How do we decide if some people are more or less “worthy” of ongoing assistance? Can we still apply a Biblical model in our current culture? What would it look like? This may be the kind of situation in which we find our spiritually-adopted family members.

•   When it comes to the transition into a Torah-observant lifestyle for we of Ephraim, are we not all on equally unequal footing?

Though we have the ideals pictured for us in what our lives and relationships “should” look like, have we not all come through much trouble? I have heard family members of such divided families say that they have found some people treat them with disrespect for not being in a more “normal” family. Lest we forget, recent polls have now found the family with both parents and their children living together is no longer the majority. It seems to me that we are all coming out of the desert and all have less-than-desirable baggage. Yet we can be encouraged that our efforts to walk in set-apartness will yield to the next generation who will have had much more of their own lifetimes steeped in Torah teachings. Thank You, Y’shua! There is hope!

All of us are being called to “come out of Babylon!” and all of us have the residue of our past choices clinging to our current life. May we be found to stand together in ways that will fulfill our callings, that others may say, “see how they love one another.” Whether brokenness is from divorce or a difference of expression of faith, may we be found faithful to uphold the arms of those who desire more of our Messiah, without isolating them in a second-class status. May our support and obedience show itself in practical ways as well as in faith.

•   Although the issues are just the same as a couple would face, single adults often don’t have that internal support of talking at home with an adult who “gets it.”

They may be all too keenly aware of the consequences of past sins as they now see what a Torah-observant family and community were designed to be! Some have told us that they feel a distinct emptiness as they now try to keep Shabbat by themselves, knowing their children are grown and already on to their own lives, beyond their immediate influence. Oh, how we yearn for our families to come along!

The transition process, as we have noted before, will probably be bumpy! No one of us will “get it all right” the first time. There are a multitude of decisions to make and obstacles to be hurdled, especially that first year when every tradition and family expectation not kept seems highlighted as a betrayal. Be watchful for the reactivity and sentimentality we have discussed before and stand calmly! Remember, we do not have to persuade anyone! The Ruach/Holy Spirit has that function.

Christmas or Chanukah? What kind of wrapping paper should I use? Do I display people’s Christmas cards to me even if I no longer observe Christmas? Do I send Chanukah cards? Will my children be too confused if they celebrate the traditional holidays with their other parent and learn to walk in Torah with me? What do I say when people say, “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Holidays!”? Take time to talk with one another about how your family handles these challenges and encourage one another, taking care not to fall into sarcasm or a critical spirit of those who do not yet know.Remember our Audience of One: Y’shua our Messiah! Look to Him when the confusions of life get overwhelming. This may seem like a trite conclusion to so much confusion yet the Truth is that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is not one bit surprised by our struggles with those around us and with our past traditions as we try to shed the things that we now know are not pleasing to Him. He has said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Believe it! When the confusion weighs you down, tell Him in prayer, alone or with a friend, exactly what your struggle is. Confess fear, unbelief, self-sufficiency and rebellion wherever you find it in yourself. He already knows anyway! Messiah has seen firsthand how the shepherds have not always fed His flock as they should and He said He has compassion on His sheep. As you are coming along toward Him, and taking steps out of old lifestyles, be encouraged that He is the One Who has promised that He will bring the sheep of the other folds and He will make them one in Him. He has said it and He will do it!

If you find yourself too alone in the process, you may want to consider participating in some of our teleconferences, intended for those who have yet to find appropriate Messianic fellowship in their area. You may also appreciate the encouragement of having a personal mentor or coach in the process.

Reassessing Our Faith Expressions

As we come into an understanding of our Hebraic Heritage it becomes evident along the line that some of the things we had previously understood now need to be re-examined and considered in the new light. It seems to be this very need that can shake some people so deeply that they turn back. May it not be so! Instead, as I have learned through the study of the brain’s ways of functioning, it seems that something startling can also be the only catalyst that will open the way for integrating new knowledge into how we understand, freeing us from pre-conceived notions. It may also be that our understandings flow from our childhood experience and have never been re-examined through adult eyes until something thoroughly rattles us.

Early on in my process, I appreciated Lew White’s analogy in the introduction of his book Fossilized Customs though we do not currently recommend the book. His observations:

TRUTH AND LIES: Let’s imagine you are 1000 feet in the air, standing on the high steel framework of a new skyscraper under construction. You are supported by each of the steel girders below you, and the massive concrete foundation resting on the bedrock of the Earth. Your primary interest at this point is your safety. The girders below must each be riveted well to one another, because if even ONE is just jammed in with no rivets, the whole structure could fall at any moment!

Any girder with no rivets is like a lie, because you put your trust in it as if it were the truth. The only way to know if each girder is “true” is to closely examine each one. To appear to be a part of the structure is not enough in itself, because you place your trust in every girder below you believing that they are “true.”

Everything we have been taught over the years goes into the establishment of our faith and confidence in Messiah’s work on our behalf. Like the rivets and girders Mr. White described, we have built our lives and faith expressions. How we practice and express that faith follows in the line of our fathers. Now, we see where some of these things, the practice and expression, have been called into question. It is not the “substance” and Person of our faith in question at all, but merely the expression of our belief. Rather than hang back, we urge people to confess their fear to Him and then to go on with the process. He will not fail you. His Word and Promises are true. Some of our expressions and patterns of our faith may fall, but not the Person of our faith relationship.

For me, it was at least a two-part process. Years before, I had already faced the question of being known and identified as a “Christian” therapist, choosing to value His calling more than the professional “neutral” stance. Therefore, professionally, and as a teacher of the Word in my church, I felt a deep obligation to be teaching correctly. I did not want to have my own spiritual future endangered nor did I want to endanger anyone else. As I continued learning more about Scripture, I also researched the history of the church, starting with my Lutheran background and moving back to the early church Fathers. I examined the writings of Augustine and his earlier Manichean sun god worship belief, observing many similarities. My research also included an assessment of what pagan and sun worship expressions of faith looked like. I considered the often heart-felt conviction that the Roman Catholic Church is “the mother of all churches.” This was coupled with the newly-understood fullness of the entire Word being applicable for all believers today.

The realization that few of my traditional expressions of faith were actually included in the Word was stunning for me. I couldn’t help but consider at what point and under what circumstances there was a change. I didn’t particularly like the answers I found. I struggled for some time with the realization, weighing back and forth what it would mean to accept that what I had understood was honoring to my God, was apparently false. I took a personal retreat to study and pray, asking Him specifically, “if what I have understood is wrong, why did You allow the errors to continue for so long?” (For what it might be worth to the reader, my understanding of His response was this: “I have allowed the errors for a season…but now it is time to make the Bride ready without spot or wrinkle.”) I am far better able to articulate the truth of this now than I was so long ago but that story is for another time. My two areas of conviction:

•   The realization that much of my expression of my faith was not in the Scriptures.

•   The realization that much of my expression of my faith bore much similarity to the pagan expressions of faith.

It is the preponderance of information in each of these areas that brought my intellectual understanding up to speed with what the Ruach/Spirit was already telling my heart. Now aware of these things, I didn’t see how I could be intellectually honest and spiritually clean without putting my understanding into practice. I was very grateful when my ex-Roman Catholic seminarian husband came to a similar conclusion.

I have seen that each person’s process has a similar path, yet their areas of primary conviction can be quite different. I do not expect that my process will be exactly like others but hope that sharing this experience will help others to identify what may be happening as they grow.

As all of us continue to be good Bereans, we will see ongoing struggles for ourselves as we look for the ancient path. Because we do not have the life experience of growing up following Torah, our group has chosen to identify ourselves as “Torah-pursuant” rather than Torah-observant. We know we have much to learn. We also have understood that our unity is to be found in Y’shua more so than in becoming like our brother Judah. We intend no disrespect; however we do not want to fall into the errors of Rabbinic Judaism any more than we have wanted to remain in the errors of traditional Christianity. This topic has been addressed in several articles on our website as well, among them “How Shall We Call Him?”

Here is a brief list of some of the challenges we have considered thus far:

•   The potential for fear in the process, and the need for people to simply confess their fear in prayer, asking for strength and peace, then pressing on in study.

•   The resultant anger and regret for what we have not known before, and the need to learn how to manage these emotions in a positive and edifying way.

•   The change in lifestyle routines as one adopts the moedim, learning the practical applications of each.

•   The ways of dealing with the fears or antagonism of family and friends.

•   The willingness to read and study the Word itself with solid reference materials that do not “cover” the Hebraic context.

•   The recognition of the historical movements that confused our understandings of who we are in relation to Israel.

Here are areas we have yet to consider:

•   The need to determine the authority and validity of teachers.

•   The need to view Scripture as the hallmark of Truth and the related caution that any organization or teacher who would deny either the deity or humanity of Y’shua are not true teachers.

•   The need for sensitivity in one’s spirit to the leading of the Ruach/Holy Spirit in finding these teachers.

The first area of difficulty is to know enough to know whether one who teaches “outside” a known denomination is reputable. If one is reassessing what they have known, it can be difficult to know when to draw the line at something that “feels” different. Many friends and family members will be horrified that you would consider studying with a teacher who is not approved by your familial heritage. Many traditional Christian leaders and even some individuals online have worked very hard to demonstrate that Hebraic understanding is dangerous.

The aspect of finding like-minded and well-grounded teachers within the Messianic movement can be as challenging as it ever was in “traditional Christianity.” Though so many people have been brought to search out the matter through the simple conviction of the Holy Spirit, not all of them have the study skills to ascertain what is sound-teaching. American Christians have been lamentably lax in deep study of the Word for several generations now, despite the plethora of material so easily available. I have written more in detail on the matter in several other articles. The easy availability of the internet for teaching represents both a blessing and potential danger as far as I can see. While there are some teachers many consider excellent and reputable, it is also quite easy for a charismatic person of questionable motive and heart to draw flocks of people after them. The distance aspects of having teachers who are not within the context of community represent dangers to both students and the teachers themselves in my view. Throughout our Set Apart Ministries and Plant and Grow Messianic Fellowships websites I have tried to help delineate some of the things to watch for in the selection of teachers.

I also see a sort of “growing pain” within Messianic circles as the question of how one obtains acceptable credentials remains open. Does one who studied in a Christian seminary have acceptable credentials? Does one who studied in a Jewish yeshiva have acceptable credentials? Regardless of which background, the Messianic teacher coming from either will have stepped beyond the boundaries of their credentials as they accept both Messiah Y’shua and His Written Torah as authoritative today. My questions of leaders and study of the matter led to an attempt to summarize my concerns: “Calling, Anointing, and Ordination: Under Whose Authority Do You Lead? And How Do You Recognize One with YHWH’s Authority?”

There are other articles on our website that may be helpful in this reassessment process. Among them is an article about what it looks like to be Torah pursuant and several PowerPoint presentations on our doctrine, being set apart, and being perfect.

We are at such a pivotal point in history! If you are following events in Israel and praying for the peace of Jerusalem, you know that many prophetic things are happening every day. We know that this return to Torah was prophesied and that we are living it out! For us at Set Apart Ministries, we understand that we have been given the task of being a part of the process of building up the highway of return to a Torah observant lifestyle for those who have yet to hear the message (Zechariah 8:23; Isaiah 62:10).

In such a time as this, when there is an expectation of the signs and wonders that will accompany His return, there is also a danger. In the past 10-12 years, there has been a tendency in the Messianic movement to downplay the active Presence of the Holy Spirit, most likely in reaction to what has been called “charismatic excess” or I’ve even heard “charismania.” I have read comments by a number of Messianic fellowship leaders about their focus on study and reluctance to include much worship time. Some seem to consider it foolish or unseemly to worship in high praise, song, and dance. We understand that it can be used in inappropriate ways, more for showmanship than sanctification for instance, but do not believe that it should be left behind! (For our local community, we have attempted to safeguard against inappropriate use while encouraging personal and corporate expression of worship in many forms, including dance, song, and use of flags/banners. If you are interested, you might read our Goals statement for further description. We consider the centrality of worship to be the reason we continue as a community. All praise to Messiah Y’shua!) We do not expect that all Messianic communities will be called in the same way we have been, but hope to encourage all believers, individually or corporately, not to forego drawing near to Him in worship and praise!

Recently, there seems to be a growing understanding among many national Messianic ministry leaders that we need His active and manifest Presence so He is again being sought in this way. Too many times, people get caught up in the excitement and emotionalism of some kind of manifestation of the Spirit’s Presence, and begin to seek the experience more than Messiah Himself. In no way would we want to deny that He can do such signs and wonders, only that there can be a very realistic-looking fraud as well. Unfortunately, the Messianic movement is no freer from this potential than others. In fact, because of the understanding that we are coming back to a deeper understanding of our heritage and all that goes with it as part of Messiah’s return, there may be even more potential for deception (Matthew 24:23-24).

Sometimes it is difficult to tell if a group of believers and their leader are sincere but misguided or intentionally deceptive. Since we are warned that such deception would be part of the end times, it is important for us to know how to be wary. My first Torah teacher was a very charismatic man of Jewish heritage who had also been trained in traditional Christianity. Although he taught many things well and I, as well as others, am indebted to him for that, he also began to teach such things as that a Torah-observant person need not be wary of becoming involved with anything connected with evil. He believed that the very act of walking in Torah by itself automatically protected him from harm. I later found that this particular teaching appears to have come from the Babylonian Talmud, not a source of teaching that I would consider equivalent to Torah authority.

In general, it is safe to say that (and perhaps more clearly understood by Messianic believers than those in traditional Christianity blended with paganism) anything said or done needs to be appropriate and in line with Biblical standards from Genesis to Revelation. In a local church I heard it said that there was no need to be cautious about any supernatural experiences because the devil is already bound and chained. Thus, this congregation felt great freedom that anything unusual was automatically of God. Needless to say, I wouldn’t agree. Because we know that there is to be restoration and healing, many people have been taken in by teachers who claim miraculous healings, and many become disillusioned to the point of despair in no longer knowing who is trustworthy when such a one has been proven to be fraudulent. Sometimes people have been told they need to “release themselves to the Spirit” without inhibition, which has led to such phenomenon as people rolling on the floor, feeling “glued to the floor by the Spirit,” barking like dogs, oinking like pigs, or hysteria. Phenomena such as gold dust falling on worshipers or their teeth being turned to gold while in prayer have been attributed to our YHWH. Because these are the end times, people have been encouraged to let go what was past and accept these new things that God promised He would do among us.

While it is not impossible for YHWH to do such things, it is still important to test the spirits, to determine if they are of Him or a sly counterfeit. Sha’ul/Paul warned us that the evil one can disguise himself as an angel of light so we should not be surprised if his workers do likewise.

Unfortunately, such experiences can easily be counterfeited through the use of mass hypnotism, carefully-arranged lighting or extensive use of peer pressure (i.e., if you don’t experience this phenomenon, then you are less “spiritual” than others.) Repetitive worship choruses with a heavy beat can be used to bring people to a fever pitch emotionally, a form of an altered state of consciousness. Some worship leaders have been known to program such music with this design in mind and it is not the same thing as worshipping with an expectation of the Presence of our Messiah being in our midst. If you are interested in this particular subject, please see the Recommended Reading page on our website.

In the meantime as you go about reassessing your faith experience, please continue to pray about the emotions that erupt in the process rather than let any fear or anxiety go unchecked. Be cautious but respectful toward any practices such as those described above, seeking prayerfully and Scripturally to determine whether or not they are of YHWH. I would recommend that no one allow anyone to lay hands on them or their family members until they know the heart and character of the person, as well as having had an opportunity to become acquainted with the fruit of their work. It is not enough to see the phenomenon itself and judge from that alone.

Just as we sometimes have difficulty determining that there is love and grace coming from Him even in the midst of trials, so must we be aware that what sounds pleasing to our ears and enthralling to our senses may not be from Him. We are told that when our Messiah comes, there will be no doubt that it is He!

What Do I Call Myself If Not Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc.?

Yes, a final most serious concern our survey responders indicated from their troubles during the first years of Torah observance was the issue of identity! It seems that this is a puzzle, maybe not so much for ourselves as we see that we are just becoming more attuned to the family as we are grafted in (Romans 11) but for those who just don’t know what to do with us when we don’t fit the usual mold of Christians. I once listed Messianic on a form at the physician’s office, only to see it the next visit listed in their records as “other.” The common way to identify someone by their faith heritage becomes a little more challenging when trying to explain it to someone who hasn’t ever really thought there was an issue! For so long, it has seemed that “Christian” and “Jewish” were polar opposites that it boggles minds to think that there is, in reality, a intersection! If you haven’t yet read David Stern’s work Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel, it would likely be worth your time. It is short but amazingly insightful in many ways.

As I am updating and revising this material in 2012, I am reminded of 119 Ministries who has determined to represent themselves as those who believe and teach that the Whole Word of God is true for today. Though they come from a Baptist background, they no longer identify themselves thus as they have come to see the entire Word as “one piece.” Their site carries Psalm 119 continuously running, with the observation that if the Torah is abolished, then Psalm 119 is the biggest joke in the Bible. They encourage everyone to uphold our responsibility to test everything and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We heartily concur! Their suggestion would be to call ourselves Believers of the Whole Word.

Abraham seems particularly pertinent to this discussion as he was not a Hebrew until he honored YHWH’s direction, obediently left his homeland and family, and “crossed over” to enter into his promised future. In a nomadic culture, movement from place to place held great meaning and significance. The word “Hebrew” literally means “crossing over” from one place to another. We, too, have left our family traditions behind and “crossed over” to become a Hebrew. Offering this explanation that we are ones who have “crossed over” has great significance to one who understands Abraham’s actions and even the picture of the Israelites crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land. In my experience bringing this point up seems to work well for one who may already be hearing the call to return to the ancient paths of our faith. It does not seem to be as easily accepted or understood by one who believes that they already have “crossed over” by being a Christian in our accepted traditional way.

“Followers of The Way” has been suggested since this term was used in the First Century. However, it carries “baggage” today in that there has been a group of people using this title that does not represent a Hebraic understanding.

Considering ourselves to be Israelites, grafted in to the Body however YHWH chooses to do so through all twelve tribes, is probably a good way to describe ourselves. This one presents some challenges from adherents to Judaism as they are fearful that “Replacement Theology” is at work, and the gentiles are once again lining up to rob them of their status as His Chosen People. This is due to the prominent belief among Jews that all promises pertaining to Israel are now equated with being applicable to Jews only. This description is not likely to make sense quickly to others. And there is the proverbial rub. When people are accustomed to being able to condense anything of importance into a brief headline or sound byte, they often have little patience when the content is more complex. Again, we must draw on our own patience and maturity to know when it will be wise to offer a more lengthy explanation and when to just leave it as simple as possible.

Some years ago I recall a humorous conversation about this subject, concluding that we are in fact, heretics. The actual definition of the word means that our understanding is different from the majority, but not in a bad sense, as it is often understood today. There is a difference between “damnable” and “non-damnable” heresy as the term was originally used. So we understand ourselves to be “non-damnable heretics.” The more we thought about it, the more we wanted to expand on it. We have been changed by our understanding so we thought that perhaps it is like having been “pickled” but of course, we’d have to say then, that our changes are in accordance with His Word, not away from it, so that we are “kosher pickled” which would make us “kosher pickled non-damnable heretics.” I’ve explained this a few times over the years. Sometimes it was understood and appreciated. Once it was met with silence and lack of understanding and once someone said, “Oh, there is a real meaning to it. I thought it was just a joke!” So, consider your audience if you want to try this one!

There are many options but each of them seems to carry some kind of message to someone. I am so pleased that Dean and Susan Wheelock of Hebrew Roots have been thinking on these same lines and have completed an extensive article on this very point of concern. I will provide the opening paragraphs here, and it will be found in its entirety on our website. Thank you, Dean and Susan for your work and for your willingness to let me share it!

What’s In a Name?

Searching for Identity

Frequently we are asked “What church do you belong to?” Our usual answer: “We do not belong to any church or denomination.”

Then people usually ask: “What do you call yourselves?” Most of the time we answer: “We are Messianic Believers.” This answer is sometimes misunderstood. Even when the words are understood, it is often not satisfying to those who ask, because they do not really know what it means.

People love understandable labels because, once they have labeled you, they can put you in to a box (in their mind) where they hold their own special beliefs about your religion. Whether or not those beliefs are correct is usually not an issue for them, as long as they have that “box” in which to place you. Such an attitude can lead to religious prejudice, because the “box” in which they have placed you may contain misunderstandings about your true beliefs. The history books are full of persecutions, and even wars, which have been fought in the name of religion, many of them because people believed something about their “enemy” which was not true. (Today is no exception.)

Several years ago we received e-mails from a man who always closed them with the phrase, “Labels are for soup cans.” We fully concur with his sentiment, however, to give an answer such as that simply would not satisfy the average person who is accustomed to putting religious labels on people in an attempt to understand what they believe.

Sometimes people will ask: “ Are you Jewish?”

After being asked if we are Jewish, usually the next question is: “Are you Christian?”

The full article and an audio of a discussion of this topic are on the Set Apart Ministries website. All in all, it just doesn’t seem to be so simple to answer! Consider the options, prayerfully and listen in your spirit for whatever it is that our Abba wants you to know and say as you speak to others about your faith in Him! He is our best teacher when we have become accustomed to listening for Him and developed our ability to test what we experience with His Word.

Closing Notes

I hope that you have found some encouragement and practical tips for the transition process of becoming Torah Pursuant. You may want to also consider our Study Guide for those new to a Hebraic worldview. It is indeed a journey and though it becomes more familiar as you go along, there always seems to be another challenge of one kind or another. How grateful we are for the ongoing Presence and strength of the Ruach haKodesh!

Our Messiah Y’shua is not surprised by anything we experience so we can always be confident that He will be present to meet us wherever we have been scattered. He doesn’t change and His Word doesn’t change through it all.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

We must always remember that it is ours to be His witnesses, but not His “persuaders.” It is not our part to try to convince someone of the Truth of what we now understand, but rather to walk it out, present it when we can, and then rely on the Ruach to do the work of teaching and conviction in others.

He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.

Samuel Butler

Suggestions for any further additions are always welcome. If you would like to participate in teleconferences with others who are on the cross country path, please be in touch!

Anyone who would like ongoing personal consultation and support while making this transition is most welcome to consider personal life coaching with me. Information will be found at http://www.christian-transitions.com or please email me! Anyone in the process of establishing a Messianic home fellowship who would like some consultation and assistance as it is beginning to take shape or when difficulties arise may also find my consulting service to be helpful. Again, please email me for details.

Despite all the technological innovations, we still consider word of mouth the most effective method to reach His people. We appreciate your recommendations of this material to others who might benefit. Any written comments as to how this material has helped you would be gratefully received and included as part of our promotional information.

Watching and praying in Messiah,

Barbara L. Klika, MSW

Barbara@Christian-Transitions.com

Sales from my professional services and materials help us to keep our materials at Set Apart Ministries available online and free for all. If this material has been of encouragement to you, please tell others how to find it!

Further Reading and Credits

From “Keeping Shabbat”

Set Apart Ministry’s community report on the matter is found at “Investigating the Lunar Sabbath Theories” at our website which is http://www.set-apart-ministries.org/articles.html You will find an additional study which outlines Scriptural points on the matter at http://www.eliyah.org

“To Whom Do You Cling?” examines the question of how we manage our emotions.

You can go to www.BiblicalHolidays.com to see a simple description of Sabbath observance and the history of the change away from keeping it.

From “Refuting Fears of Legalism”

You will find some introductory PowerPoints on our Set Apart Ministries site about our doctrine, and what we understand about being “holy” (set apart).

119 Ministries has a variety of materials that help present the idea, especially “The Unanswerable Questions.” This presentation challenges assumptions and calls us back to the importance of testing everything according to the full message of the Whole Word.

The results of these thoughts and discussion on The Name can be found in a three-part series, beginning with “How Shall We Call Him?” on our website. We think it speaks to the subject of grace in the process.

This question of the source of teaching is further examined in many places, among them the PowerPoint “A Question of Doctrine” on the home page of our site.

From “Family and Friends Reactions”

“Be Ye Set Apart” is a PowerPoint presentation available on our home page that addresses what we understand to be involved as we are growing in maturity toward becoming more like our Messiah.

Many thanks to Robin Sampson for her permission to quote from this useful resource! These words are from the Preface. This book is available at their website www.Biblicalholidays.com or in a book by the same title through Amazon.com. It has been a wonderful encouragement to many we know. Their Biblical Holidays website is a rich source of information and apologetics, especially for those newer to the Hebraic Heritage.

Frank Houtz of Dry Bones Restoration Company offers an excellent seminar entitled “Biblical Research Techniques,” which addresses some of the reasons for such responses and would be a good investment for any new fellowship group. Our community benefited greatly from it and many years later still quotes some things we learned.

You will also find guidance and suggestions for those who are beginning a new Messianic Home Fellowship at our Plant and Grow Messianic Fellowships mini site, www.plantandgrowmessianicfellowships.org

In His wisdom, our Creator designed us so that any deficits from childhood can be overcome in the context of relationships that are affirming and real. (One readable resource: The Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.)

From “Immediate Vs. Gradual Change to Moedim Observance”

119 Ministries has a brief but insightful teaching on this matter, entitled The Least, The Greatest and The Defiant.

From “Be Ye Set Apart for I AM Set Apart”

If dietary laws are still an area of indecision for you, you may want to check out the book Holy Cow! God Cares about What We Eat? Though I disagree with some of her points, there is much of interest well presented in her work. There are also several articles on our website about realistically managing the dietary guidelines of Scripture.

Holy Cow! Does God Cares About What We Eat; by Hope Egan; First Fruits of Zion, 2005.

Of God and Men, copyright 1960 by A. W. Tozer. Used by Permission from Christian Publications.

The Divine Conquest, copyright 1950, by A. W. Tozer. Page 100. Used By Permission from Christian Publications.

Born after Midnight, copyright 1959, by A. W. Tozer. Page 18. Used By Permission from Christian Publications.

The Root of the Righteous, copyright 1955, by A. W. Tozer. Used By Permission from Christian Publications.

I Call It Heresy, copyright 1974, by A. W. Tozer. Used by Permission from Christian Publications.

From “Divided Families and Set Apart People”

Our video “None So Blind” addresses the question of either looking to men or to the Word for our understanding. It was prepared for those who are not yet quite certain that the entire Word is for us today. Perhaps it would help in your preparation process for speaking to those from whom you expect resistance!

From “What Do I Call Myself If Not Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist etc.?”

Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel: A Message for Christians Condensed from Messianic Judaism by David H. Stern, PhD, 2009.

What’s In a Name? Searching for Identity by Dean Wheelock, Hebrew Roots Ministry, found at our site,

www.set-apart-ministries.org/files/Articles/WhatsInANameSearchingforIdentity.pdf

You might find the result of this historical study which is on our website helpful: “Where IS the Faith Given Once For All to the Saints?” also listed as “Jude 3” timeline and accompanying notes.

119 Ministries has also done a beautiful job of presenting many of the same conclusions I’d reached in a free video presentation entitled “The Lost Sheep” found on their website; www.Testeverything.net or www.119ministries.com