Being In Christ

The name of Christ gets debated a lot, especially those who posit that we should be using the original Jewish (Hassadic) name. This of course is what we would deem a 'cultural' name, and in this thinking it would be an Hassadic cultural naming convention. Even so there are many who don't even know how we got the name in the first place, whether they be Jewish (a misnomer in and of itself) or otherwise. 

This particular video posted on Truths in the Word goes a long way in settling any misconceptions on how we got Christ's name in the first place. But in watching the video in this post above, by my best friend Jim Wright, it got me thinking about how we approach the Word Of God, and our faith in general.

I feel this whole Messianic movement (especially those NOT Jewish) poses a difficult barrier to Christ, even though He is the focus. Cultural practices do not make you a better Christian. So someone may say Jesus, another Yeshua, and another even using the greek Iesus. Then we have those who feel it is necessary to embrace the Jewish culture in order to embrace Jesus and God the Father.

They are missing the point.

My only question is, how does following a culture (society) of man, draw you closer to an eternal God? In a word it doesn't. The Jewish culture is not the Jewish culture back in the days Christ Jesus walked this earth. If you abide by the principles of faith given by God, and Christ Jesus, you are then accounted adopted to God. You simply become God's child. He said such, so for me that settles the entire argument. You can read this in Romans 8. I use the idioms, the cultural identity, and Western mindset because I am a Westerner.

A Coptic Christian of the Middle East will use their idioms, cultural identity and Middle Eastern mindset, BECAUSE that is where they are and who they are. If they follow Christ and His teachings, they are just as saved as I am. It matters not the outer trappings, or the language a person uses, it only matters that their heart, soul and mind, belong to Jesus.

We also have this from God in Romans 2:10&11: 

"But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." 

This lays to rest the position many take concering our Walk Of Faith, and the need for a Jewish identity in order to follow Christ. It is clear that you gain nothing, spiritually or otherwise, before the throne of God because of a cultural identity. God saves all who come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

So what is really required? Christ Jesus said there are only two things required of Salvation, and that is to love God and love each other, Mark 12:30&31: 

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." 

So Christ did not require a 'cultural' identity before you can be saved and receive adoption. Only a spiritual one, in that we fulfill the principles and tenents of our faith. And if we understand that, then we are truly 'wise as serpents, and harmless as doves!'

Why do I even write this post? Because there are many who judge a person deficient in their Walk Of Faith because they have not surrounded themselves with the trappings of Judiasm. Will a person who does wrap themselves in a cultural identity be saved? IF they follow after Christ and fulfill all that is required, of course! But do note the needful requirement: follow after Christ. This goes beyond any manmade and cultural requirements, and actually makes such a moot point.

So since God does not require you to follow the Jew, Christ Jesus does not require that you follow the Jew, and the Holy Spirit does compel you to follow the Jew, then why are you following the Jew? We should always follow Christ Jesus, in discipleship (Luke 9:23). But as a needful reminder, it was the Jew that crucified Christ, it was the Jewish leadership that Christ called a 'brood of vipers' and finally killed Him. But also a good reminder, it was a Jew that died to save a world, and He (Christ) is the Jew I will follow, even though His being born a Jew does not reflect on His requirements to gain Salvation.

Be blessed, be loved and be and peace. May the light of God's glory and presence fire the brilliance of your souls. You are greatly loved.