Have you ever witnessed a building slowly crumble to the ground? Not a demolition, but a slow decay over time? There is an old limestone house out in the Open Range that has been deteriorating over the past few decades. When I first saw the house, I thought someone might still be living in it. But I have watched it for over 20 years now and each passing year it seems to lose another part of a wall or a section of bricks. Much of the roof is no longer there. I see it every time we run in that area. I told my son that if I am still coaching and bringing the team out there in ten years, the entire structure would probably be gone.
I bring up this illustration because much of what I once believed about the faith feels the same.
Let me reword that.
Many of the “doctrines of men” that I once held close to my heart have crumbled to the ground beneath the weight of the Scriptures. One by one, they have deteriorated. And by the grace of Yah, I hope that the entire structure of man-made tradition soon collapses.
“And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men.” – Mark 7:7
Much of what we learn in the mainstream church are the commands of men. That might not be easy to hear, but unfortunately, it is true. We have over 30,000 different denominations in the Christian religion alone and all of them teach a version of their own doctrines. We view and label ourselves as Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, and a whole host of other denominations even though Paul speaks against the concept.
“What I mean is this, that each one of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Kepha,’ or ‘I am of Messiah.” Has the Messiah been divided? Was Paul impaled for you? Or were you immersed in the name of Paul?” – 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
In the Book of Acts, Luke refers to the faith as ‘The Way’ at least six times.
- Paul asking for letters against those of ‘The Way.’ Acts 9:2
- Some speaking evil against those of ‘The Way.’ Acts 19:9
- A great commotion against ‘The Way.’ Acts 19:23
- Paul claiming to have persecuted those of ‘The Way.’ Acts 22:4
- Paul confessing that he worships according to ‘The Way.’ Acts 24:14
- Felix learning from Paul about ‘The Way.’ Acts 24:22
There was no denominational teaching in the early assemblies. It was only the Way, which is how Yahusha the Messiah walked. They emulated Him in all behavior. Or at least that was their goal.
Denominational doctrine is hard to throw out. It definitely was for me. We get attached to our denominations, our churches, our pastors, and fail to question anything. We hold up “church history” instead of Biblical accuracy. Likewise, the Pharisees were not following the law (Torah/instructions) of the Most High. Rather, they held fast to the tradition of the elders, thus nullifying the law of Elohim.
“Why do you also transgress the command of Elohim because of your tradition?” – Matthew 15:3
Today our church leaders have become the modern-day Pharisees. Denominations, churches, and pastors often seem more concerned about spreading denominational doctrine than teaching against sin. Most don’t know what sin is because they have “done away with” the law. They don’t understand the connection between the two.
“Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4
Breaking Yahuah’s law (which is His Torah, or set of instructions) is the definition of sin. Plain and simple. But churches formulate doctrines to dance around that fact. The early assemblies followed the Way. It was simple. It was supposed to be a carbon copy of how the Messiah walked. He came to express His Father’s teaching to it’s fullest. And He did it perfectly. Will we? No. But we are told to walk like He walked.
“The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.” – 1 John 2:6
- Did the Messiah keep the Sabbath? – Then do the same.
- Did the Messiah observe His father’s feast days? – Then do the same.
- Did the Messiah eat only what Yahuah designated as food? – Then do the same.
- Did the Messiah execute right ruling and judgement? – Then do the same.
- Did the Messiah show mercy and grace? – Then do the same.
- Did the Messiah guard His Father’s commandments? – Then do the same.
It’s odd that we call ourselves “Christians” and then don’t do what Christ did.
“Become imitators of me, as I also am of Messiah.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Paul understood this concept. He understood that to be like the Messiah, it meant emulating His behavior. And that behavior included obedience to the Torah of Yahuah.
“If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love, even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love.” – John 15:10
Yahusha Messiah showed us exactly how to walk; and it was by guarding the Father’s commands. He didn’t come bringing a new religion. He didn’t come so that you could now walk in sin (transgression of the law). He came to show you how to properly guard the commands and do the instructions of the Most High.
The Pharisees were not following the law the way the Father had commanded. They had built up a house of tradition and this displeased Him. And by their crumbling house was deliverance offered to the nations (Romans 11:11). And the nations can now guard the commands (Torah/instructions) the way they were meant to be guarded. This obedience grafts one into the Olive Tree that is called Israel (See last week’s blog)!
Today’s Christianity is also a crumbling house. And it is not because of the people. There are wonderful, devout believers who are striving to know Elohim. But true relationship with the Father comes from keeping His commandments!
“And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commandments.” – 1 John 2:3
FAITH IN MOTION 