“Let us search and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord; Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in heaven: We have transgressed and rebelled and you have not forgiven.”
Lamentations 3: 40-42
“And the Lord said to Aaron: You shall, however, have no territorial share among them or own any portion in their midst; I am your portion and your share among the Israelites.”
Numbers 18: 20
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6: 1-2
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Matthew 23: 24
Lost in Translation
Though I titled this Lost in Translation, many of our current practices are in direct contrast to what the scriptures that we use say. Some of the discrepancies in religious practice come from the fact that religious documents have come to us over time from various places. Those who claim authority of many of those documents were not a part of the communities responsible for their origins and much was lost.
Fortunately, the source of all truth hasn’t gone anywhere, and we can recover from our errors. First, we need to change our practices and make them more practical. Imitation has allowed us to practice faith without the truth it (faith) requires for fidelity. An early translator of the Bible into English, John Wycliffe, describes it this way: “The entirety of the evil which is so thoroughly infecting Christendom arises from forsaking the sense of Scripture which is keeping with that form which Christ Instituted.”
The important thing to remember that Christians have not seemed to realize is that Christ mentioned sheep from other folds in John 10:16 that he would bring together at the appointed time. Christians have persecuted others without knowing their value to Christ or the Father. Christ also told us to judge not, that we be not judged, and we’ve largely ignored this mandate through pride and self-righteousness. This makes no mention of our complete disregard for the Father’s warning against iconography.
Consider the scriptures I’ve already shared on this page. There are so many other things that need to be addressed that have the power to change our minds for the better. Will we have the courage to amend our ways, open our hearts, and seek the Father in spirit and in truth?
Re -FOCUS
“But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called Masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Matthew 23: 8-11
Reprobate Mind?
The word reprobate, as used in Romans Chapter 1, comes from the Greek work adokimos, which means unapproved or rejected. Christian doctrine has narrowed the meaning of this word to speak against homosexual behavior, but it was about all idolatry. Consider this scripture:
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.”
Romans 1: 22-23
Not out, but THROUGH!
Much of Christian doctrine centers around heaven, but Christ empowered us with knowledge of the Father that allows us to live here too! Consider his prayer:
“I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.”
John 17: 15-17
Growing up in the church, I witnessed true faith in action. I was raised by my grandfather who was a Christian Pastor. Unfortunately, I also observed the ways that the structure of church prevented honesty and transparency between people. In many ways, church was a place of shame and faith was pushed to the background. Let’s renew our collective effort to live our faith in truth.
Founder – Ruwach Emeth LLC