The term Christian. [Archive]

Colabomb

8th April 2006, 08:59 AM

I have a question.

I am not here to argue or to tell you are wrong. I am just curious as to why some Messianics do not like the term Christian applied to them.

Again, it is not my intention to start a debate, so I won't be responding unless I am specifically addressed.

Tishri1

8th April 2006, 10:15 AM

I don't mind the term Christian at all. In fact for some time I used the phrase Messianic Christian....The thing was though that the term at times didnt describe the people well enough...For instance if you were to say someone is Catholic you are showing more of the description of that person than if you just said he is a Christian....

Wags

8th April 2006, 12:12 PM

Well one reason is that some cases we have been personally persecuted by people who identify themselves as christians. So its a bit tough to call yourself by the name of those that hate you and seek your destruction.

Of course many will say - "well those people aren't reallychristians" - and that maybe be true, but it doesn't change their behavior.

And as Tishri said - the term "christian" doesn't really describe my beliefs since the vast majority of "christians" reject Torah or only find it interesting for its "moral implications".

Mordechai18

8th April 2006, 02:47 PM

When someone mentions a Christian, do you immediately think of a Torah-observant Jew in tallit?
Prob'ly not - and that's one reason.

Tishri1

8th April 2006, 02:54 PM

When someone mentions a Christian, do you immediately think of a Torah-observant Jew in tallit?
Prob'ly not - and that's one reason.Yeh but from a Christian' standpoint it's the Idea that one has faith in Jesus/Yeshua that matters and since we all do it seems weird(almost sinful;)) to refuse that label...

christinepro

8th April 2006, 04:45 PM

onlinealice

8th April 2006, 05:06 PM

Tishri1

8th April 2006, 05:52 PM

visionary

8th April 2006, 06:06 PM

Christians believe in Christ, Messianic Jews are christians who believe that the best way to describe their flavor is be saying they are messianic..... and then the flavor. If they are facing the unbelievers, they say they are believers, .. let's face it,.... it is the title that will help them receive the kind of attention to their faith they desire is the name of the moment.

Ivy

8th April 2006, 11:26 PM

One thing I find a little jarring is when people refer to the Apostles/Emissaries as Christians, since they were Jewish. Christian to me means "Gentile believer."

Mordechai18

10th April 2006, 12:24 AM

One thing I find a little jarring is when people refer to the Apostles/Emissaries as Christians, since they were Jewish. Christian to me means "Gentile believer."

True.
They were Believers of Jewish origin. They never stopped being Jews.

These days, the terms "Jewish" and "Christian" have become for the most part mutually exclusive.

LittleLambofJesus

10th April 2006, 09:42 AM

I have been a "Christian" since childhood. When I started attending a Synogogue instead of the Baptist church I started just saying I was a Believer and quit using Christian. I guess I changed it because Christian brings to mind Sunday worship, Easter, Christmas, etc and I no longer do those things. I worship on the Sabbath, keep Kosher, Passover, Feasts, etc. I in NO WAY am passing judgement here on any one that does. My Dad is one of the most "Godly" men I know and he does Easter, Sunday, etc. Just for me, I feel led a different way.:hug:Isn't the word "Christ-ian" meant to mean an annointed one of Jesus and His Father?
I am non-denominational so I just prefer the term Christ-ian to identify my belief in the "Christ" sent as the Savior of the world. Just my humble view.

(NKJV) Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

5546. Christianos khris-tee-an-os' from 5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:--Christian.5547. Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.5548. chrio khree'-o probably akin to 5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service:--anoint.Well one reason is that some cases we have been personally persecuted by people who identify themselves as christians. So its a bit tough to call yourself by the name of those that hate you and seek your destruction.Matt 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

onlinealice

10th April 2006, 09:59 AM

Isn't the word "Christ-ian" meant to mean an annointed one of Jesus and His Father?
I am non-denominational so I just prefer the term Christ-ian to identify my belief in the "Christ" sent as the Savior of the world. Just my humble view.

(NKJV) Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

5546. Christianos khris-tee-an-os' from 5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:--Christian.5547. Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.5548. chrio khree'-o probably akin to 5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service:--anoint.Matt 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
If you were, say a Baptist, and the Baptist began sacrificing to the moon god and telling everyone to worship the sun god, would you continue to call yourself a Baptist? (they don't...just and example)
I wouldn't because it was now "confused" with pagen worship. NOT to start and argument, and I refuse to debate what the Spirit leads me to feel, The "Christian" church celebrates easter (fertility goddess), and Sunday, (not the ONLY blessed day given by G-d which is the Sabbath), etc. I REFUSE to "mix" with pagen practices and say well it is OK because we turned it into something good. I look to the Bible, not man, for my answers. Yeshua worshipped on the Sabbath and kept the Feasts....well, if He cmae to earth to show me how to live then, I will follow HIS example...no other. SOO, I choose to call my self a believer instead because the term "Christian" brings up images of things I am seperated from. Once again, everyone should pray and seek G-d's will for their life. My entire family uses the term christian and they are blessed, wonderful people. I have NO problem with the name, just not for ME, anymore! Please, don't think that I think I am better or passing judgement. I am simply trying to live my life how I feel G-d desires for ME.

Espada

10th April 2006, 01:38 PM

If you were, say a Baptist, and the Baptist began sacrificing to the moon god and telling everyone to worship the sun god, would you continue to call yourself a Baptist? (they don't...just and example)
I wouldn't because it was now "confused" with pagen worship. NOT to start and argument, and I refuse to debate what the Spirit leads me to feel, The "Christian" church celebrates easter (fertility goddess), and Sunday, (not the ONLY blessed day given by G-d which is the Sabbath), etc. I REFUSE to "mix" with pagen practices and say well it is OK because we turned it into something good. I look to the Bible, not man, for my answers. Yeshua worshipped on the Sabbath and kept the Feasts....well, if He cmae to earth to show me how to live then, I will follow HIS example...no other. SOO, I choose to call my self a believer instead because the term "Christian" brings up images of things I am seperated from. Once again, everyone should pray and seek G-d's will for their life. My entire family uses the term christian and they are blessed, wonderful people. I have NO problem with the name, just not for ME, anymore! Please, don't think that I think I am better or passing judgement. I am simply trying to live my life how I feel G-d desires for ME.

I have no issue with the "Christian" celebrations at all, I understand that you are looking at Christmas and Easter and seeing them as non-biblical traditions, they are not however anti-biblical. I am aware of the pagan roots, but these have long since been forgotten, if I celebrate Easter, I remember Christ's death and resurection. As Messianics we have bany traditions which are extra-biblical as well

Ivy

10th April 2006, 09:46 PM

Isn't the word "Christ-ian" meant to mean an annointed one of Jesus and His Father?

The term "Christian" meant "little Christ" and was originally a derogatory term, much the same way "Yankee Doodle" was used to describe American colonists in rebellion against Britain. In both cases, the people in question adopted the term to refer to themselves--maybe to show they didn't care if they were derided.

Ivy

10th April 2006, 09:51 PM

True.
They were Believers of Jewish origin. They never stopped being Jews.

These days, the terms "Jewish" and "Christian" have become for the most part mutually exclusive.

Unfortunately, that is the case, though it shouldn't be.

Most Christians would benefit from learning more about Jews and Judaism; this would promote a proper mindset of honor & gratitude to the Jewish people.

Wags

11th April 2006, 12:43 AM

I have no issue with the "Christian" celebrations at all, I understand that you are looking at Christmas and Easter and seeing them as non-biblical traditions, they are not however anti-biblical. I am aware of the pagan roots, but these have long since been forgotten, if I celebrate Easter, I remember Christ's death and resurection. As Messianics we have bany traditions which are extra-biblical as well

Don't really think the pagan roots are long gone - they have just gotten cutesy and commercial. And the church as a whole seems to have gotten very good at explaining the pagan roots away.

When I was driving through town today I notced one of the mega churches was advertising an Easter Egg Hunt. :sigh:

Torah

11th April 2006, 01:23 AM

I wonder if Nazi SS or the Crusaders, or the Spanish Conquistadors, or the Romans, or a group of skin heads burst in here right now, would it matter if you were "Jewish" “Messianic Jew” or "Christian". The term "Christian" was and is still today used by these groups as "Christian".

"The Jews are a nervous people. Nineteen centuries of Christian love have taken a toll."
[Mordechai18 I hope it is ok to use your phrase.]

I’ll use another name other than "Christian" to identify myself. :wave:

[Edit}
I know, I know. True Christian’s would never do that. But Ill tell you what, I have meet people in churches that I knew! Had a relationship with Jesus Christ and would make comments like “the Jew nailed Jesus to the Cross” or “can you imagine how much we could have learn if the Jew had not nailed Jesus to the cross” or “ If it were us “Christian’s” in the desert we would not have made the mistakes the Jews made”. I have heard this from Sunday school teacher, Pastor, and friends. So! To say true “Christian’s” would never do that. You could be sitting next to one this Sunday, that could. There is much more I could say on this subject that is more personal and hurtful. But I won’t.

Elisheva413

11th April 2006, 02:00 AM

Well, to me this is quite an interesting subject and to see the array of feelings is incredible.

Before I tell you my own personal feelings, I wanted to comment on the idea that the pagan roots are but a mere memory. In my opinion, that could not be further from the truth. There is a growing movement in true ancient paganism in this world and it is quite scary. The pagans are out there and they are proud of their religion. Many are family oriented people, homeschool their kids and blend right into society. They are not blood drinking, child burning heathens that the name pagan often conjures up. They are happy about Christians sharing their holy days with them, they see Jesus as another god in their long list of deities. And he perfectly fills the role the same as many others they worship. Their traditions for their holy days are the same as much of what traditional Christians do to celebrate Jesus. So you could walk into a pagan home and think they are celebrating Jesus too, and maybe they are along with a laundry list of other deities. God says that worshipping any other god is adultery to Him, personally, I now refuse to use a form of worship to Love and Honor my Father that has been used and is used currently in pagan practices. I prefer to use what He has ordained in His word, to me, that is showing true honor and love to Him. Ok, off that soapbox, on to the next....:D

As for Christian, for all my life I have been one. And just a few months ago I had an encounter with the Lord and felt I needed to change some things in my heart (again :doh: ) I felt stongly that I could no longer call myself a Christian, for a multitude of reasons. One being that, like others have said, it does not reflect who I am at all, to me it is much like telling a lie. Now, be aware, that a couple of years ago I would have looked at me and said, now she is going way overboard, but realize that this has been a long road and I work hard to follow Him...so this is where He has taken me right now. Also, their has been a multitude of sins commited in Christ's name, or as Christians, of which I think all believers should be praying and repenting for what our believing ancestral line has commited. (Read our hands are stained with blood...it is a life changer) Those are probably my top two, the rest are very personal, spiritual insights of the creation I am becoming in Him. But that also leads me to the change I made when I call out on Yeshua. I no longer am comfortable to call Him Jesus in my personal time with Him. To me, Jesus and Yeshua are like two different beings. The Jesus I came to know as a child and learned about as an adult is very different than the Yeshua that has now captured my heart and removed the scales from my eyes so I may see and obey Him more fully. I want to close this by saying, I hold no judgement or condemnation for anyone wherever they are at, I know He is known by many names and the bottom line is to call on Him, but this is where I am. May His name be heard throughout the Earth!:amen:
Shalom,

visionary

11th April 2006, 07:26 AM

Amen Elisheva413... your comments bring to mind this verse...
Isaiah 62:2
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.many have assumed that it is "christian" and in the beginning it probably was.... but the name has been sullied, misused, and abused to the point that it no longer represents the high standard of charcter that is in Yeshua. Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.By the time that John wrote this "christian" was a well known term, so we can look forward to the time that John sees and stand up to the plate to say to the Lord, "Here I am, send me". May we live up to Yeshua's standards and deserve a new name.

Tishri1

11th April 2006, 06:42 PM

If you were, say a Baptist, and the Baptist began sacrificing to the moon god and telling everyone to worship the sun god, would you continue to call yourself a Baptist? (they don't...just and example)
I wouldn't because it was now "confused" with pagen worship. NOT to start and argument, and I refuse to debate what the Spirit leads me to feel, The "Christian" church celebrates easter (fertility goddess), and Sunday, (not the ONLY blessed day given by G-d which is the Sabbath), etc. I REFUSE to "mix" with pagen practices and say well it is OK because we turned it into something good. I look to the Bible, not man, for my answers. Yeshua worshipped on the Sabbath and kept the Feasts....well, if He cmae to earth to show me how to live then, I will follow HIS example...no other. SOO, I choose to call my self a believer instead because the term "Christian" brings up images of things I am seperated from. Once again, everyone should pray and seek G-d's will for their life. My entire family uses the term christian and they are blessed, wonderful people. I have NO problem with the name, just not for ME, anymore! Please, don't think that I think I am better or passing judgement. I am simply trying to live my life how I feel G-d desires for ME.Christians dont understand it that way...not yet;)...but I do understand and prefer believer for ALL of us.....because it says simply that we believe in Yeshua as Messiah and on top of that we can add names like Messianic, Baptist, Methodist ect what ever fits our descriptions the best:wave::groupray:

jgonz

11th April 2006, 06:42 PM

I wanted to comment on the idea that the pagan roots are but a mere memory. In my opinion, that could not be further from the truth. There is a growing movement in true ancient paganism in this world and it is quite scary. The pagans are out there and they are proud of their religion. Many are family oriented people, homeschool their kids and blend right into society. They are not blood drinking, child burning heathens that the name pagan often conjures up. They are happy about Christians sharing their holy days with them, they see Jesus as another god in their long list of deities. And he perfectly fills the role the same as many others they worship. Their traditions for their holy days are the same as much of what traditional Christians do to celebrate Jesus. So you could walk into a pagan home and think they are celebrating Jesus too, and maybe they are along with a laundry list of other deities. God says that worshipping any other god is adultery to Him, personally, I now refuse to use a form of worship to Love and Honor my Father that has been used and is used currently in pagan practices. I prefer to use what He has ordained in His word, to me, that is showing true honor and love to Him. Ok, off that soapbox, on to the next....:D

I see this to be completely true. I run around in the midwifery, doula, childbirth, and breastfeeding communities, and unfortunately paganism (including Wicca witchcraft) is HUGE within these arenas.

Being a "Christian" for 25 yrs was hard enough, now being Messianic for the last 2.5 yrs has been even stranger in these circles... On the one hand I'm agreeing with them that paganism is laced through Christianity, yet I'm pitted against them (although most don't realize it yet ;)) and "siding" with Judaism. Makes for rather interesting conversations... :P

onlinealice

11th April 2006, 09:57 PM

As for Christian, for all my life I have been one. And just a few months ago I had an encounter with the Lord and felt I needed to change some things in my heart (again :doh: ) I felt stongly that I could no longer call myself a Christian, for a multitude of reasons. One being that, like others have said, it does not reflect who I am at all, to me it is much like telling a lie. Now, be aware, that a couple of years ago I would have looked at me and said, now she is going way overboard, but realize that this has been a long road and I work hard to follow Him...so this is where He has taken me right now. Also, their has been a multitude of sins commited in Christ's name, or as Christians, of which I think all believers should be praying and repenting for what our believing ancestral line has commited. (Read our hands are stained with blood...it is a life changer) Those are probably my top two, the rest are very personal, spiritual insights of the creation I am becoming in Him. But that also leads me to the change I made when I call out on Yeshua. I no longer am comfortable to call Him Jesus in my personal time with Him. To me, Jesus and Yeshua are like two different beings. The Jesus I came to know as a child and learned about as an adult is very different than the Yeshua that has now captured my heart and removed the scales from my eyes so I may see and obey Him more fully. I want to close this by saying, I hold no judgement or condemnation for anyone wherever they are at, I know He is known by many names and the bottom line is to call on Him, but this is where I am. May His name be heard throughout the Earth!:amen:
Shalom,

:thumbsup: Wow, were you reading my diary?;) This is so where I am right now. I feel so blessed by G-d to be on this walk with fellow believers here:groupray: and as far as pagen roots being long forgotten....well, our Father is pretty old and I bet HE remembers.

Ivy

11th April 2006, 11:29 PM

Also, their has been a multitude of sins commited in Christ's name, or as Christians, of which I think all believers should be praying and repenting for what our believing ancestral line has commited. (Read our hands are stained with blood...it is a life changer)

One of the reasons I still go by the appellation Christian is for the purpose of identificational repentance.....not finding fault with those who don't go by it btw :) ......but if I didn't call myself Christian, to me I would be copping out, in a way, on the repentance & amends......it would be like saying "who me? I don't have any responsibility about these misdeeds."

In my mind, since these terrible deeds were done in the name "Christian," I need to do the repentance & amends in the name "Christian." That's just where God has me with it........

Torah was talking about all the stupid remarks some Christians make about Jews, and I get irritated with those remarks myself......one Messianic Jewish author I'm reading said that--rather than multiply tons of apologies about the horrors we have done, how about changing the underlying attitudes that lead to such horrors in the first place? :thumbsup:

Torah

12th April 2006, 07:34 AM

I prefer just “Messianic” or at best “Messianic Judaism” Because from the very beginning it has always been a sect of Judaism. “Messianic” Sums it up. Gentiles from the very beginning had been converted
To being “Messianic” {read Acts 15:3}

(1) What were Gentiles being converted to? Answer: Yeshua our Messiah.

(2) How did Yeshua our Messiah. Live his life? Answer: He lived a lifestyal that was laid out in Torah.
:wave:

Elisheva413

12th April 2006, 10:00 PM

:thumbsup: Wow, were you reading my diary?;) This is so where I am right now. I feel so blessed by G-d to be on this walk with fellow believers here:groupray: and as far as pagen roots being long forgotten....well, our Father is pretty old and I bet HE remembers.

Shalom!
Isn't it incredible how similar these walks can be? One moment you feel like a total oddball, the next you look down and realize the path you are on is quite well worn. And look behind, and even more are just now starting down the same path! It may be narrow, but it is sure getting crowded, Praise Him!!

Tamara224

13th April 2006, 05:27 PM

I hope there is no Christian here that thinks we want to be separate from them by using the term Messianic:pray:

Thank you! The label for the sake of specifying denominational differences is a good explanation.

I wanted to write a few of my thoughts and feelings about this thread. I am not doing it to be argumentative, so I hope no one sees what I have written that way. I just wanted to add my perspective...

I am Christian. That means I am not a gentile even though I have no Hebrew blood/heritage by birth. I have seen that in some instances there still seems to be a distinction in the minds of people between a 'Jewish Christian' (or Messianic) and a 'Gentile Christian'...I believe this is wrong.

No matter our background, we all had to accept Christ to be members of the church body...we can't inherit it. There is no distinction once we are in Christ Jesus. We are circumcised in our hearts...the gentiles are grafted into the vine...adopted. Therefore, I am no longer a gentile. Honestly and humbly, I feel offended when referred to that way.

I understand the feelings of some who say that they would rather not identify themselves with the label 'Christian' because of the terrible things done in that name. However, I do not feel that I should be held accountable for the actions of others merely because they claimed to be Christian. I feel like that puts a wall between us...as if it is being implied that I had something to do with the terrible things said by those who call themselves Christian. Is someone who is a follower of Christ, yet does not label themselves a Christian, any less responsible for the action of 'bad' Christians than I am? I do not believe that any of us is responsible for the actions of others. I have been called names by 'Christians' as well...but imho, I don't think I need to consider re-labelling myself because of it.

In my mind, 'Christian' means a follower of Christ...it is the one label which all denominations share...it emphasizes the one thing we all have in common - Christ. The Apostles and desciples were referred to as such and were not ashamed of that label.
1 Peter 4:16: "but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."

Again, I am not saying this to point a finger at anyone, or argue...I just had these thoughts and feelings in response to this thread and wanted to express...I hope I have done so in a non-offensive manner. Thank you,

In Christ,
Tamara

Elisheva413

14th April 2006, 03:47 PM

Thank you! The label for the sake of specifying denominational differences is a good explanation.

I wanted to write a few of my thoughts and feelings about this thread. I am not doing it to be argumentative, so I hope no one sees what I have written that way. I just wanted to add my perspective...

I am Christian. That means I am not a gentile even though I have no Hebrew blood/heritage by birth. I have seen that in some instances there still seems to be a distinction in the minds of people between a 'Jewish Christian' (or Messianic) and a 'Gentile Christian'...I believe this is wrong.

No matter our background, we all had to accept Christ to be members of the church body...we can't inherit it. There is no distinction once we are in Christ Jesus. We are circumcised in our hearts...the gentiles are grafted into the vine...adopted. Therefore, I am no longer a gentile. Honestly and humbly, I feel offended when referred to that way.
I love how you put this, I feel the same way! It has taken me a long time to figure that one out!

I understand the feelings of some who say that they would rather not identify themselves with the label 'Christian' because of the terrible things done in that name. However, I do not feel that I should be held accountable for the actions of others merely because they claimed to be Christian. I feel like that puts a wall between us...as if it is being implied that I had something to do with the terrible things said by those who call themselves Christian. Is someone who is a follower of Christ, yet does not label themselves a Christian, any less responsible for the action of 'bad' Christians than I am? I do not believe that any of us is responsible for the actions of others. I have been called names by 'Christians' as well...but imho, I don't think I need to consider re-labelling myself because of it.

In my mind, 'Christian' means a follower of Christ...it is the one label which all denominations share...it emphasizes the one thing we all have in common - Christ. The Apostles and desciples were referred to as such and were not ashamed of that label.
1 Peter 4:16: "but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."

Again, I am not saying this to point a finger at anyone, or argue...I just had these thoughts and feelings in response to this thread and wanted to express...I hope I have done so in a non-offensive manner. Thank you,

In Christ,
Tamara

I agree and believe we are not accountable of the actions of a single person that we would have no way of affecting (through prayer or counsel, I am talking total stranger here). But the name Christian has been used to effect mass murder and torture upon the Jewish people for centuries. Galatians 6 states that we are to "bear one another's burdens". In my opinion, I believe that to say; that I personally had nothing to do with that so how could I be held accountable; is a cop out. I think standing up and acknowledging our siblings pain and suffering will open the door to healing, to ask them to forgive us who followed in the footsteps of those who were lead astray in the name of the Messiah causing this pain will show that we see the past, that we embrace what has happened and we are not just turning our backs on this horrible history. People need acknowledgement, love and repentance to help them heal. Even if it does not come from the actual person perpetrating the crime. Anyone connected can help begin the healing process and prayerfully this act will truly shine the light of Messiah and overwhelm them with His love, a love that is truly self sacrificing, like His own for us. He did not commit any the sins that He suffered for, but He did it to set us free. I think to truly walk in His footsteps requires that we take on things that we ourselves may not be guilty of so others can experience healing and freedom through Him, through us. I do hope this came across with the same love I truly felt from your own post. We all have different ways of viewing things and how to walk out this walk. I am gateful we have a Messiah to keep us united!:groupray:

Oh, and one last little thought on the term Chrisitian, when one hears the term their thoughts on what a Christian is is pretty universal overall, with slight variables. It rarely conjures up thoughts of the lifestyle I lead.
Shalom~

Tamara224

17th April 2006, 10:35 AM

I agree and believe we are not accountable of the actions of a single person that we would have no way of affecting (through prayer or counsel, I am talking total stranger here). But the name Christian has been used to effect mass murder and torture upon the Jewish people for centuries. Galatians 6 states that we are to "bear one another's burdens". In my opinion, I believe that to say; that I personally had nothing to do with that so how could I be held accountable; is a cop out. I think standing up and acknowledging our siblings pain and suffering will open the door to healing, to ask them to forgive us who followed in the footsteps of those who were lead astray in the name of the Messiah causing this pain will show that we see the past, that we embrace what has happened and we are not just turning our backs on this horrible history. People need acknowledgement, love and repentance to help them heal. Even if it does not come from the actual person perpetrating the crime. Anyone connected can help begin the healing process and prayerfully this act will truly shine the light of Messiah and overwhelm them with His love, a love that is truly self sacrificing, like His own for us. He did not commit any the sins that He suffered for, but He did it to set us free. I think to truly walk in His footsteps requires that we take on things that we ourselves may not be guilty of so others can experience healing and freedom through Him, through us. I do hope this came across with the same love I truly felt from your own post. We all have different ways of viewing things and how to walk out this walk. I am gateful we have a Messiah to keep us united!:groupray:

Well said...I think you are correct. You've given me a new perspective on this and I'm grateful. When you pointed out that Christ took on our sins of which He was not guilty...that really hit home for me. I just wanted to say thanks! God bless you.

Tishri1

17th April 2006, 10:43 AM

Shalom!
Isn't it incredible how similar these walks can be? One moment you feel like a total oddball, the next you look down and realize the path you are on is quite well worn. And look behind, and even more are just now starting down the same path! It may be narrow, but it is sure getting crowded, Praise Him!!:amen:You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Elisheva413 again.