I am only a Christian today, because God means FOREVER when He says forever. Christians raised me, but I held a few things against God and Christians that made me not want to be a Christian. I was skeptical, because I believed Christians were supposed to be perfect. I thought a lot of Christians were faking it or were just not worthy to be perfect. They were not as Christ-like as my grandfather, a retired Pastor. He would go to a large bolder on his farm to spend time alone with God in prayer. I thought they did not go someplace to be alone with God, because they were unworthy or not real Christians. I grew to see myself as unworthy too. I also fell short of being Christ-like.
We All Are Human Beings
I thought God had abandoned the Jewish people to start another religion called Christianity. I thought if God could abandon the Jews, then He might do the same thing to the Christian people. Most of the Christians I knew were not perfect. I was not perfect even though I wanted to be perfect and follow all of the rules. As a young child, I noticed most people didn’t say what they meant and also didn’t appear to mean what they said. I tried as a teenager to be perfect for a whole week and found it impossible to be good enough to please myself, my Christian Family, or God.
Messianic Jews
I went to the 1987 Messianic Convention in Atlanta after a coworker Elizabeth, told me there was a Convention in Atlanta where there were Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah and worshiped Him. I was shocked, she was excited. I decided to go that night to see for myself. I didn’t believe it was possible. What changed my mind was seeing for myself I was wrong about Jews being abandoned by God. I began to understand by listening to them explain how believers are joint heirs with Jesus (English name) and Yeshua (Hebrew name) due to salvation through the Messiah of God.
Seeing and Believing
I also saw with my own eyes the beauty of people happily worshiping God as if they were celebrating being with God. I was in awe. Their happiness inspired me to pray honestly from my seat about how wrong I was and what I thought and believed. I ask Jesus if He would save even me. Jesus said yes and I became one of God’s beloved children. I was spying on them, so I didn’t go up front during the alter call, but fortunately, Jesus was still willing to save me where I was.
Scriptures: The Living Word of God
God made a covenant with the Jews and set them apart for His purpose in the Old Testament’s first Five Books (Torah). God keeps His promises. God says what He means and means what He said! In Acts 10 of the New Testament, I see that God has made people like me from different nations and cultures a branch of His Kingdom through our faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Yeshua). In Acts 15, I can see for myself that those of us who are not of Jewish heritage can worship the Lord beside the Jews as brothers and sisters in faith. I am so glad that God requires the Jewish Believers called Messianic Jews to maintain their Covenant, Laws, and culture as Jews of the Nation Israel. Their being this distinct and set apart example reminds me that God means FOREVER when He says forever. I am also grateful that I am allowed to follow my own culture as an American Believer (Christian) and follower of the Lord.
Prayer for The Lord’s Purpose
Lord God Almighty, sanctify us in Your Righteousness in the holy name of Christ Jesus (Messiah Yeshua). Lord lead us in Your truth for Your glory and pleasure. Thank You for making the Jewish people an example of Your faithfulness and patience towards all mankind. Lord give us a humble and teachable Spirit. Please help us pray proper prayers for Your purpose and glory. Lord Jesus thank You for what You have done for me, are doing, and shall do. Holy Father, thank You for loving me as an individual and making us all joint-heirs with Christ. Thank You for helping me rest at peace understanding that when You say forever You mean FOREVER. In Your Holy Name, I pray Jesus. Be glorified forever. Amen.