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POSTED
22 NOVEMBER, 2005
What Are We Really Doing?
by
J.K. McKee
editor@tnnonline.net
Since the beginning of this year (2005), the Messianic community
has been in a very “interesting” position. This has been a
transitional year for many of us, and for many Messianic
ministries. But what people have been transitioning to is
a big question mark. Things have happened doctrinally in the
Messianic movement that have caused some serious problems, and
have divided many people. When issues like these arise, we are
all forced to reevaluate what we believe, and wonder if we are
doing something wrong. We are all forced to wonder
what we
are really doing.
Throughout the James Bible study that I have been teaching with
our online audience, I have been emphasizing that spiritual
maturity is a continual theme of James’ epistle. In most Bibles’
the term is rendered as either “perfect” or “perfection,” but
the theme is maturation and being all that you can be. James
himself writes, “But one who looks intently at the perfect law,
the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a
forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed
in what he does” (1:25). This kind of maturity can only be
produced by the Holy Spirit, and it is to enable us to do things
that ordinary people cannot do. It is to permeate all aspects of
our being so we as Believers can perform our Father’s tasks in
the world.
One of the reasons that each one of us is called to a Torah
observant lifestyle is that we are to each be sanctified by the
Lord. When we received Yeshua into our lives and were forgiven
of our sins, our new life in Him began. The process of
sanctification requires that our old nature be continually put
to death in favor of our new nature. While we may not be
completely “perfect” this side of eternity, we nevertheless
should and must be pursuing such things. This kind of
“perfection” is impelled by the Holy Spirit, is not a forced
work of the flesh, and results in the fruit of the Spirit. Not
only does it cause us to obey the Lord, as He writes His
commandments on our hearts, but also goes beyond what the
written Torah says. A maturing Believer not only obeys God, but
also desires to have a relationship with God.
This is the challenge for many people who enter into the
Messianic movement. Many fail to enter into a Torah obedient
walk of faith because they are sincerely pursuing God and want
to know Him to the best of their ability.
They enter in for reasons other than growing
spiritually in their personal walk of faith. They enter in so
they can “be better” than others.
It is hard for many to realize, but our motivations for doing
something can result in either positive or negative fruit in
what we do. If one is to truly succeed in a job, you must have
your co-workers’ interests in mind every bit as much as your
own. If a person is in the military, one succeeds and advances
by being a team player and looking out for one’s fellow soldiers
or sailors. Spiritually, while we must be concerned for
ourselves, we also have to keep in mind that the example we
demonstrate in the world is a testimony to others.
In the past year some very controversial teachings have
circulated around the Messianic movement. Early in the year some
teachings regarding the so-called Hebrew Matthew were released.
Later on, teachings relating to what the correct “Biblical
calendar” is hit the air. Now, we are facing some additional
viewpoints that challenge the inspiration of additional books of
the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament). While I would
sincerely like to see some of these things stopped, my sentiment
is probably just wishful thinking. But what I do know is that
they have caused spiritual havoc among the brothers and sisters.
And I know that these teachings have not been released in a
genuine spirit of people wanting to grow and mature in their
faith. They have instead been released in spirits of pride,
vanity, false knowledge, and often hatred toward our Christian
brethren.
The way that I have largely combated some of these teachings is
getting our focus on Yeshua and in emulating His example. I have
asked people in my audio teachings, “Do you truly know why you
are doing what you are doing?” I can easily say now that if you
are not persuing a Torah obedient lifestyle because you love
Yeshua, because you want to live like Him in all respects, and
because you want to be a positive spiritual example to others in
the world—then if you are not careful you are going to end up
like some of those who promote the heresies that we are going to
have to address. Unless you have a sound and secure foundation
in your walk of faith, tempered by the Holy Spirit and the
proper motivations for doing what you are doing—then be prepared
for a rough ride.
Throughout our James Bible study I myself have learned how I
need to be conscious of my Messianic testimony in the world. I
know that I need to watch my attitude, but also that I need to
be discerning and forthright at times. I also have seen how
candid James is to his largely Jewish audience. They have
forgotten the basic, fundamental principles that govern the
spiritual world. And if they have forgotten those principles,
how on Earth can they expect to be used by God when it comes to
“the big things”? If we cannot police our own thoughts,
behavior, attitude, and speech, how can God use us to the
fullest extent? I have seen James’ words hijacked many times by
Messianics to say that the only works that he is concerned about
is whether or not we keep the Sabbath or the appointed times.
While James’ message is not opposed to these things—he speaks
more about our ethics and morality than anything else. And I
can tell you, if you do not have a sound morality, any outward
works are meaningless.
I would like to expel more and more time digging into some of
the depths of God’s Word. But we are in a season right now where
we must focus on who we are as God’s people and that we have a
secure foundation in our faith. I have probably spent more time
in the past year doing things that I have not wanted to do in
ministry, versus things that I have wanted to do. This is
certainly not to say that things always get to be “my way,” but
I do believe that some in the Messianic community have been so
damaged by certain teachings that if they do not see an
alternative point of view they may fall for even worse things
that the enemy may throw at us. At times, I exhibit the same
frustration that the author of Hebrews writes about to his
audience:
“[Y]ou have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you
ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the
first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food”
(Hebrews 4:11b-12, RSV).
This is a reflection of a Bible teacher whose instruction on
“the elementary truths of God's word” (NIV) was not being
heeded. I do wonder sometimes if the convictions that I have
as a Bible teacher are being heard. Are we checking
ourselves to see that we are in the faith? Are we asking God to
convict us every day? Is our outward Torah observance guarded by
a sound inward morality? Have we asked ourselves the honest
question of why we are Messianic?
Beginning in January 2006, I plan on taking us through the
workbook Torah In the Balance. Of all of our workbooks,
this text will be the most challenging for some of you. We will
not only address why we should be Messianic—but how we are to be
loving, fair-minded Messianics, who have been given a great
responsibility that we have largely squandered in the past year.
J.K. McKee
(B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury
Theological Seminary) is the editor of TNN
Online (www.tnnonline.net) and is a Messianic
apologist.
He is a 2009 recipient of the Zondervan Biblical
Languages Award for Greek.
He
is author of
numerous books, dealing with a wide range of
topics that are important for today’s
Messianic Believers. He has also written many articles on
theological issues,
and is presently focusing his attention on Messianic commentaries
of various books of the Bible. |
