Jews and Christians
I have sermonized on the necessity of joining in with other Christians, no matter their Denomination or, be they non Denominational. It is the unity of belief in God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit that sets us apart from other faiths. Other than Christians there is no religion that believes in the Blessed Trinity. Not Mormons, not Muslims and certainly not Hindus.
However, and I stress this with all that I can muster, we Christians, must drop our preconceived notions and ill thought out beliefs as they relate to Jews and Judaism. Just as a person who is of the Jewish faith acknowledges God as, ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,’ so do Christians. Where we acknowledge Elohim, they also pray to God as Elohim. As I told you earlier, Elohim is the plural name of God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit...
The Jewish people have not accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah but that does not condemn them. God alone holds that power and for any man or woman to speak out in denial of that truth is to deny that God, and God alone, is the judge of us all.
Let’s look at some facts.
Jesus was a Jew. He was of the House of David who himself was once a King of Israel. Time and time again in the Bible, God’s Word, Jesus was referred to as a Jew, Rabbi (Jewish teacher), and He went to Synagogue and Temple.
John 4:9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman…
Romans 9:5 Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ Himself was a Jew as far as His human nature is concerned…
Matthew 13:54 He returned to Nazareth, His hometown. When He taught in the Synagogue everyone was astonished…
Mark 1:21 Jesus and His companions went to the town of Capernaum, and every Sabbath day they went into the Synagogue and taught the people.
I vehemently speak out against any man or woman that would label a Jewish person as, “A Christ killer,” or anything of that nature. The truth is that sin, and sin alone, was responsible for the crucifixion of our Lord. Although Romans and Jewish mobs called out for His death, the cause of His death was sin!
We all must realize that many of the tales and untruths taught us about people of the Jewish bloodline are taught out of ignorance and misconceptions as to what they themselves are taught. If you want to learn about their faith and its similarities to yours, why not call the Jewish Temple closest to you and ask that you be allowed to attend a service. Have your Pastor invite a group of Jewish people to attend one of your services.
Romans 10: 12 Jews and Gentiles are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who generously gives His riches to all who ask for them.
“Money lenders, Hook Noses,” and so very many epitaphs are spat out against Jews and if you are a true Christian you will not only refuse to join in with such hogwash, you will speak out in defense of the Jew being disparaged. Quite simply, you must be seen as above that tripe and one who “Loves his neighbor as you love yourself.”
I have debated many that would say, “Non belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior rules out anyone that accepts that doctrine.”
My argument was, and continues to be, “Will you tell me that such men as Mahatma Gandhi, Moses, Darwin, or any other person that spoke out for freedom, honesty, and against tyranny are to be denied eternal life and not be allowed to accept Jesus Christ as Lord?”
Look at the Word as written in our Bible.
Philippians 2:2-6 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God.
I have met and spoken to all too many Pastors, Priests, Elders and lay Christians that say, with a total degree of conviction, “If a man doesn’t accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior he cannot enter heaven.” They utter this with a smug satisfaction as though that is the final word on the matter.
Well, I have news for all of them!
Philippians 2: 10-11 ...so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Now, Jesus had not appeared until well after the deaths of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Joshua, David and a host of others. He did not appear until after the Prophets such as Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezra, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and many others died. Are we to believe that they are not entitled to heaven?
God’s Word is very specific in Philippians 2:10 when the word ‘every’ appears. He did not say, ‘some,’ ‘a few,’ or “Christian,’ but He did say, “every.”
I do not know how it will happen and to be truthful. Neither does any other man. I know one thing, IT WILL HAPPEN! God said it would and I take Him at His Word!
Christian, Jew, Hindu, Shinto, Muslim, or any other faith you can name….all will be one…why not embrace other Christians and Jews too? Then allow God to do what He alone can do! Shed His grace on any He so chooses! After all, it is His will to be done…not any man’s.
(Closing prayer)
Father, Lord in heaven, we praise You and come to You with our love and we worship You. You are our God and there is no other.
Father, help is in our quest to do your will. As You told us, ‘love one another as you love yourself,’ allow us to do Your bidding. It is often difficult for us to totally understand Your plan for our lives and for our fellow men. Enlighten us Lord and guide our paths. Allow us to better understand Your wishes and commands in order that we are more pleasing to You. You are our reason for being and it is You we seek to serve.
Allow us to understand Your Word as it applies to people of faiths we do not totally understand and grant us a more complete understanding of any faith that acknowledges You as the One and only God.
We ask these things and add that we ask for Your protection of our military and elected officials. Direct their ways O Lord as You direct ours.
In Jesus’ name we pray, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,
Amen, amen and amen.
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment