Publisher

Religion is personal. It is personal in the sense that true religious belief resides in the inner being of an individual; it is a personal spiritual relationship with the creator G-d of the Universe! "Religion” as most people understand it sociologically, has certain externally obvious disciplines, but religion of this kind is most often barely skin deep at best. I don’t want to talk about this kind of religion. As Jewish people we are well aware of how easy it is to act out traditional religious practice without actually having a genuinely personal relationship with G-d. I want to talk about true religious faith, a faith that cuts to the very core of a person’s soul, a belief that impacts one’s life, both inside and out. Why? Because this is religion that matters, that changes lives, and that makes a difference in our world. This is fundamentally at its core a faith system that is real, taking seriously both the reality of G-d as well as G-d’s expectations for us as his creation. Mankind was created with the need to know this G-d and to be in relationship with him. The question for us to consider: What do we need to know and do in order to have a true, personal relationship with G-d?

Before we get to the above question, I would like to be very clear on one important point. I believe in absolute truth. I do not believe it is an intellectual stretch to accept that if G-d created the orderly world in which we live, that he would not also then provide an orderly way for us both to know him as well as clear instructions in how he would want us to live in his world.

The source for this absolute truth is the Scripture, both the Hebrew Scriptures, which as Jews we refer to as the Tanakh, and the New Testament text. Together they relay the full knowledge of who G-d is and what he expects of us. The difficulty in reading the Scripture is that it confronts us with the fact that our relationship with G-d has been broken by sin! Another difficulty in reading the Scripture is that G-d is very particular regarding how people are able to come into relationship with him. They must come his way, and there is only one true path to G-d; this means all other paths are false!

Having only one true path to G-d might sound like seriously bad news, but in reality this is the best of news because once we set aside our prejudice regarding faith as "religion” we can begin to honestly explore what it means to have a relationship with G-d. So what is the Good News from G-d for us? There are I believe three basic points that one must accept in order to begin a relationship with G-d. Consider these points:

First, Acknowledge! In order to take advantage of this Good News you must be willing to humbly recognize who G-d is as your Holy, Sovereign L-RD, and admit who you are, as a sinful, disobedient person. How do you do this? You practice repentance by admitting your spiritual inadequacy before the all righteous King of the Universe and renounce what the Scripture calls your sin. Isaiah 64:5 states, "We have all become like an unclean thing, and all of our virtues like a filthy rag” (JPS Tanakh). Decide now to turn from your sin so that you can be spiritually redeemed!

Second, Believe! It is absolutely necessary to believe in what G-d has provided in order to bring about spiritual redemption and a restored relationship with G-d; this means belief in the atoning sacrificial death of the Messiah Yeshua. As Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was wounded because of our sins, crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisements that made us whole, and by his bruises we were healed.” (JPS Tanakh). Who is the prophet talking about? He is talking about our Messiah Yeshua! Yeshua came to die for our sin, his shed blood serving to make atonement for us, in order that our relationship with G-d could be restored. But just as in Temple days, one must choose to believe in the sacrifice in order to receive any benefit from the sacrifice! Decide now to believe in Yeshua’s sacrifice for you!

Third Commit! When we come to a point of decision in our lives, we need to be willing to commit ourselves to that decision. The final point to accept in order to begin your relationship with G-d is just this: choosing to commit yourself and your life to live out what G-d has revealed and to allow G-d’s revelation full reign to bring change into your life. This in reality can be the hardest part of your consideration of the Good News. Many people come to an understanding of who G-d is and what Messiah Yeshua has done on their behalf, but they are not willing to choose to submit their life to him, and so neither receive atonement for their sins nor come into a full relationship with G-d. G-d challenged our people in this regard in the Torah in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life – if you and your offspring would live by loving the L-RD you G-d, heeding His commands, and holding fast to Him” (JPS Tanakh). Are you going to choose life G-d’s way, which means a life of eternal value and purpose, or will you choose to live your life for yourself, which means a life of eternal death and judgment. Decide now to commit your life to what G-d has revealed to you regarding his salvation and his instructions!

I believe there are seven basic spiritual habits, spiritual disciplines, which we must practice if we honestly want to mature in our personal relationship with G-d. These habits must be actively developed and incorporated into our lives. We can't just superficially drape ourselves in them; they must become part of the core of who we are as followers of the Messiah Yeshua.

When we come to the point of making a faith commitment for G-d, we do not do it lightly. Even now you may be struggling inside with what you have been reading. Rest assured, thought and consideration are essential parts of the process of coming to understand what G-d himself is revealing to you. There are three steps necessary for making our initial commitment to faith in Messiah Yeshua: Intellectual Commitment, Emotional Commitment and Volitional (Will) Commitment. These three elements are also essential keys if we hope to live useful faithful lives as followers of Messiah

The first step toward a faith commitment starts with our Intellect: acceptance of the reality of G-d and belief in Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah are not "blind leaps of faith”. They are built upon biblical and historical facts, documented by centuries of scholarship and research. Following G-d and believing in Messiah requires us to use our intellect to study what G-d has revealed about himself and his truth! Not only is this required in order to become a follower of Messiah, but it is essential if one hopes to grow stronger over time as a follower of Messiah.

The second step toward a faith commitment involves our Emotions: an emotion is a feeling or reaction to a specific act, event or experience. The failure to distinguish between emotions has caused many people to be confused in their relationship with G-d. Emotions are a normal part of our life. Different personalities have different emotional responses. One person may have high emotional energy, while another may be calm and reserved. Because emotions vary greatly, they should not be depended upon. Seeking an emotional experience has caused many to lack the assurance of a vital relationship with G-d. The following verses from the Scripture point us to what really matters: faith!

"But the righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4-NASB)

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6-NASB)

Seeking an emotional experience, therefore, contradicts the very thing that pleases G-d. Faith is another word for trust, and our trust must be placed in the person of G-d, his gift of atonement on our behalf and in His inspired Word, rather than in our feelings or any righteous acts.

The third step toward a faith commitment involves our Will: In addition to the intellectual and the emotional, beginning our relationship with G-d and growing in our relationship with G-d involves the will. Yeshua emphasized the importance of man’s will in relation to the assurance of salvation. He said, "If any man is willing to do His (G-d’s) will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of G-d, or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17-NASB). According to these words of Messiah Yeshua, unless you are willing to obey the truth, you will never know the truth.

The G-d of Israel has always been the initiator in his relationships with people. He found Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and he covered them after they disobeyed him. He found Abraham in Ur in Mesopotamia and blessed him with both a land and a nation despite his faith hiccups. He found Moses in the desert and sent him to lead Israel out of slavery even though he was initially a reluctant leader. G-d is looking to have a relationship with anyone who will humbly respond to his calling. G-d’s words through Jeremiah the Prophet say it best, "You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly. I will be at hand for you – declares the L-RD – and I will restore your fortunes.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14 JPS Tanakh.) Consider the A, B, C’s of Messianic Jewish Faith and make your faith commitment today:

A is Acknowledge your sin to G-d. Be honest with G-d about the things in your life that do not please him; he knows about it all anyway. Repent of your sin!

B is Believe that G-d will forgive based on His Actions. G-d has provided the way for spiritual renewal through Messiah Yeshua, as he took upon himself our sin when he died for us! Believe in Yeshua’s atonement for you!

C is Commit your life to G-d and live for him! The proof of your sincere repentance in faith is seen in your changed life – actions always speak louder than words!

Are you ready to make your decision for a relationship with G-d? Are you willing to believe in Messiah Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice on your behalf? Prayerfully commit to making these decisions now, submit your way to G-d and choose life, a blessed life in this World as well as for the World to Come!