Are You Common?

  

Shalom Beloved, I want to share some thoughts with you in this Holiday season; we have just finished the Festival of Chanukah/Festival of Lights and we are rapidly approaching Christmas.  As a Messianic, I don’t observe Christmas, but I don’t condemn anyone who does, that is a heart matter... my decision is based on my understanding of the Scriptures and history... we acknowledge Yeshua’s birth at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, there is sure to be traditions that were handed down from generation to generation.  So, are traditions important? To quote Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof  “I don't know. But it's a tradition... and because of our traditions... Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.“  There is an element of truth to that statement.  Traditions are supposed to help us know who we are.  Every family has customs that are passed on to each generation. It tells us something about our country of origin, what our ancestors did, a legacy from our families.  As each child grows and marries, they add to the legacy by creating their own traditions as well. 

As far as what God expects from us...Jewish life revolves around a religious calendar, each festival or Holy day has “traditions, or customs” associated with it.  These customs all have a teaching element, something that reminds us of the Biblical/Spiritual truth that the day conveys.  In passing along these traditions, we keep the understanding of the day alive in a real and practical way.

But something has happened to this generation, and we “the baby boomers” are at fault, we were not paying attention.  The culture and society has radically changed it seems in a blink... and they have stolen the legacy from our children and grandchildren.  To be sure it is our fault; we were the generation of crusaders for civil rights, women’s equality...those who would transform this world for the better... we also were the apathetic who didn’t feel there was a need to do anything, spiritually asleep.  We were raised and surrounded by tradition from our immigrant parents and grandparents and great grandparents.  But somehow, we failed to instill in our offspring the importance of heritage and the world swept it away from them. 

This is true in the secular world as well as within Christianity.  I am not talking about cookie recipes or whether you gather on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, I am talking about a frame of mind.  So many think it is too much trouble to go all out and decorate or set a beautiful table, to get up early and fix a special breakfast or dinner... too much work, just make it easy as possible. 

But it was that beautiful labor of love a mom or grandmother made that made the day special; the table, a place of intimate family fellowship where we don’t always get to see those lovely faces so often.  If we just throw a take-out bag on the table with a bunch of paper plates and plastic forks because it’s easier... it is really no more special than “a chilly Thursday” to quote Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh’s Thanksgiving special.

So many beautiful customs that seemed to connected the believers in Jesus for countless generations... are not so important anymore in this modern and progressive world.  The sense of things once looked upon as special have become profane...a word the Bible uses to mean “common”.

The church has suffered from this casual Christianity movement.  It seems, we needed to provide an informal atmosphere that doesn’t inconvenience anyone in order to be“seeker friendly”.  I was taught, we should give God our best, if our best was a pair of old pants with patches, if they were clean...it was our best.  But now, we give God what is common, and we save our “best” for special occasions.   Clothing and decorating isn’t the point, but it is a symptom of a bigger problem.  The things we regarded once as Holy have become common or profane. 

What does “holy” mean?  If something or someone is holy, they are set apart for God!  We have raised our children to do and say what we would never have dreamed of.  As children, we never spoke to non- relatives or older adults by their first name without adding a term of respect, ie: Miss Julie, Mr. Jones...” Aunt” Bertie... but now there is no honor, or respect... no distinction. 

(Ezek 44:23) They (the Priests) will teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and explain to them the difference between the unclean and the clean.

John Gill states in his commentary, that it is important to know the difference between the impure persons, doctrines, and manners, and those which are agreeable to the word of God; the sense is, that they shall take pains to instruct persons in the knowledge of divine things, and shall do it truly, faithfully, and sincerely.

This is now the job of Pastors and teachers, but I fear that is not happening.  There is no distinction between what is OF the World and being IN the World.  We are here, no doubt, but we are not to love the things of the world, nor are we to worship God in the manner of the World.  But to be seeker friendly, we have invited the world in.  We no longer can distinguish between the Holy and profane.

Warning Against Apostasy

Speaking of Messiah Yeshua our Great High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek...

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing. 5:12  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and have become those who need milk, and not strong meat. 

Heb 5:13  For every one that uses milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongs to them that are mature, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

We emphasize Grace so much in regard to Salvation, as we should; but once a person has come to faith we continue to speak about Grace in a way that removes any moral need as a follower of Christ to do what is good and right in the sight of God.  It is not for blessing or salvation, but it is a love issue.  We failed to instill honor and appreciation for our Savior’s sacrifice,  our love response should be a heart of gratitude the results in obedience. 

Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord keep away from unrighteousness.”

It begins with Clergy.  I was told by a “pastor” that we do not have to do everything the Bible says.  Since there is no demand to obey God, and no penalty if we do not... , why bother? 

 For LOVE's sake we should desire to do what is good and pleasing to our Father.  This would be real love, not earning blessing or favor, just a love response to Jesus.  Let us not be among those the Bible prophesy’s of in the last days whose love grows cold.

John 14:15 If you love Me, Keep my commands 

So, if you keep Christmas, then do it in a way that honors the Savior in your heart, let it be about Him, don't lose your focus with all the distractions. Ask about those traditions of your elder relatives while you still have them, practice honoring those who are greater in age... embrace your family heritage and practice these things in your secular life that you might live it in your spiritual life... be set apart for God’s glory, let the Light of Jesus be seen and your Father in Heaven Glorified in your life and witness.

 The True Light, has come into the World and gives light to all people; may Yeshua shine upon and through you in the days to come, for He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life...salvation is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord, God and King. 

Many blessings, love and shalom... till we meet in the air.