Today, points are shared responding to whether “religion is a choice.” Correctly understood, believers in Jesus have identity as Christians, as Jews, as the offspring of Abraham, and as the offspring of GOD. The choice to live as a Christian is a permanent commitment and decision to apply a standard for life provided by GOD, instead of ones own appetite, emotions, intellect and sensations. Material, physical and social factors are to become increasingly less important than things that are spiritual in nature and substance. In its beginnings, Christianity was counted as no more than another sect within Judaism like those of Pharisees and Sadducees. All the apostles of Christ, including Saul of Tarsus, first were born and educated as Jews. Following the persecutions to destroy Christianity as a dangerous cult, the church would scatter and develop out of public view (we say, underground). Historically, many Christian believers have promoted a total separation from the Jewish people. Advancing it as their righteousness, they have accused the Jews of murdering Christ, and so on. It remains that the operations of GOD are essential to life in the earth. What we are and possess, today, is in fulfillment of promises made to those who went before us. Included are Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and all those who make commitment to the Savior’s truth. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “morgan” (Level 1 with 153 points, a member since August 12, 2014) made numerous subliminal attacks by the following post:
My ancestors were jewish, so now my friends say I'm jewish? Isnt religion a choice?
Basically according to my family tree my family was jewish, but does that even make me jewish? Its a religion and if I don't choose to believe in it, then why am I called a jew?
I actually go to a Christian church...
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2: 17-29, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Correctly Knowing Israel? (03/01/2015); A Common Heritage? (07/13/2014); Asleep Through the Holocaust? (07/14/2014); Church Mandatory? (05/06/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Why Jesus Must Be A Jew (03/18/2013); The Benefit of Grace (03/19/2013); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Christians Who Ignore GOD’s Laws (10/25/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); Love in Christ (10/23/2012)
“morgan”, just like your name was not initially your choice, ones inheritance and many life experiences are not a matter of choice. For Christian believers, there must be a focus upon the choices that have been made by divinity, not merely those of the human race, or ourselves as individuals. Consider again the following:
(1.) Many Christian believers also become caught up in the various conflicts and issues for modern living that include ethnicity, nationality, origins, and racism. Believers are to maintain their focus upon the Gospel, and the work of preparing those in the earth who will be received by Christ at his coming.
(2.) What and who you are in your relationship with Deity is not established apart from human history and the many earlier covenants put into place for the benefit and keeping of life upon the earth. Thus, it is correct to study the sacred knowledge within the holy writings, and to fellowship with others who have made a similar commitment to grow in accordance with divine law, endowments from GOD, eternal promises, and revealed purposes.
(3.) Correctly acknowledging and valuing the Jewish people is not a simple task. While chosen of GOD for blessing, they also have been chosen for demonstrations of divine disfavor and wrath against sin. Also, ancient Israel was created by GOD to serve as a tool in judgment against, first, Egypt, and later seven tribes of the Promised Land who had violated sacred covenant. With that in view, many fail to grasp that modern Israel continues as a divine tool for peace, and is more than a mere creation of mankind in response to WWII.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) 2nd Timothy 2: 3-4, KJV: 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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