7 Trouble Spots in the Body of Messiah
At the Feast of Tabernacles 2017, a message was given on trouble spots within the body of Messiah—no particular manmade Assembly, but the entire BODY. It was an excellent presentation and, although the following are excerpts and not verbatim, we pray it is edifying for any who read and think about it. Perhaps it can bring about change and, with Yahweh’s spirit in all, we have no doubt it can—if only eyes and ears are open. All scriptures are from the New King James Version.
The Torah is the “law” or, better, Yahweh’s “instruction manual” to the human race.
#1: Pride and Arrogance
1 Corinthian 8:1-3, Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves Yahweh, this one is known by Him.
How do you love one another? “On these two commandments,…,” (Matthew 22:40).
A humble frame of mind keeps pride away, (Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 29:3; Psalms 25:9).
Do not speak evil of one another, (Romans 12:14-18).
If you associate with the prideful, you stand a very strong possibility of becoming prideful. What matters is what is TRUE, not what is right, (Colossians 3:23). Things that seem "right" with the world very often are not "true" to His words.
Pride stunts our spiritual growth. Seek TRUTH that YOU might change, not to change others, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).
#2 Home Life
The effects of the world and the things of the world on home life is terrible (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). There is a big difference between leadership (parenting) and control. As parents, we are to “teach a child…,” (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 4:9; Psalm 34:11).
#3 Worldliness
1John 2:15-17, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of Yahweh abides forever.
It is extremely clear that if you are a friend of the world, you are an enemy of Yahweh. It is equated with adultery (2 Peter 2:14; James 2:1-26). As Yahshua so clearly stated in Luke 12:34, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Each and every one of Yahweh’s people has a purpose, a ministry—some to teach, some to minister, some to heal, etc. Each one has gifts bestowed upon them to help them with their given task. We need to find our gifts (through prayer) and exercise those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:6-11; Ephesians 4:11-12). We cannot hide our gifts, we must use them to edify our Heavenly Father.
#4 Lack of Zeal
Deuteronomy 6:5, You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
This says, and is repeated in scripture several times, “with ALL…,” not part, not sometimes, but ALL. We need to be FULL TIME believers, living it, speaking it, to anyone who will listen. What did Yahweh have against the Ephesian assembly? They lost their “first love,” (Revelation 2:4). We all have experienced the emotional high that comes with a “new love” either of person, property or mindset. We’re so excited we want to share it with everyone. We need to be like that always when it regards His words, His instructions.
5. Sectarianism and Denominationalism
All denominations (even, and perhaps especially, the Sacred Name Assemblies) believe they are right—almost 100% right even! This attitude comes out in elitism and the thinking that no one will “make it” unless they follow that sect’s doctrines—those “outside” just have no chance. No man can judge another’s salvation except as scripture dictates—to explain further, if scripture says no murderers will make it to the eternal kingdom and you are speaking to a NON-REPENTENT murderer, you could safely say he will not make it. That being said, it is still territory perhaps better to avoid. Scripture (as opposed to any denominational doctrine) says clearly that only a remnant will be saved (Isaiah 10:21-22; Jeremiah 23:3; Romans 9:27; Romans 11:5), and all should strive to be part of that “remnant,” but we can only strive on an individual basis, not for someone else (Philippians 2:12). Most certainly, no one should ever hold their efforts to be righteous over someone else’s head or it is now prideful! We must, whether a denomination or an individual, have a humble and contrite heart (Isaiah 57:15); always testing the spirits (1 John 4:1) and being open to learning despite a potential realization that we have been (and perhaps taught others) in error for many years!
#6 Tradition over Commandments
If our Father asked or told us to do or not to do something, we should abide by THAT instruction just out of love for our Father. There is little difference between the relationship which should exist between children and earthly fathers and Yahweh’s children and Him as their Father. As parents, we want our children to obey because we know it is for their good to do so. Although not all traditions are bad, they become undesirable when they are followed instead of a commandment (Matthew 15:3-6).
#7 Prayer
We, all of Yahweh’s children, need to pray more. If we are not actively praying we are just “playing religion.” We need an active prayer life. There are so many examples in the scriptures of praying and how Yahweh answers sincere prayer. Hear my cry, Elohim, attend unto my prayer, (Psalm 61:1). “Anything you ask in my Name…,” (John 14:13-14). There is power in prayer. This faith and trust in Yahweh and His words is NOT a religion, it is (or should be) a way of life—not just one day a week or during the Feast times, but every day of the entire year. That is one thing that makes His people different—it’s NOT a “religion.” When folks ask you: “What religion are you?,” they want an answer like “Catholic,” “Lutheran,” “Jewish,” etc., and do not understand when you say “folks like me just read the Bible and do what it says. We don’t follow the man-made doctrinal decisions of a religion.” All the honor to Yahweh, those discussions can promote a witnessing effort, though, if they sincerely want to know (sadly, most do not).
Conclusion
We should all attempt to avoid these pitfalls and perhaps it will draw us closer to Almighty Yahweh and, one day, we truly will all be ONE people under Messiah’s headship!