In A State Of Flux
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. II Peter 3:18
Overall, I don’t follow many teachers within Christianity or the Messianic movement. I’m weaning myself off the treadmill of the latest and greatest that hits the air waves. The “market” is too overloaded with potential people to follow.
There are a few (two, maybe) in the Messianic landscape that I still do enjoy listening to and am blessed by. The reason I avail myself of their teachings is because I think their teachings are in line with the Bible — as I see it, anyway.
But …
Here’s what I have observed over 45 years of salvation. No matter the group or teacher — they all think they are right, correct. In essence, without saying it or admitting it, there’s an assumed conclusion that there isn’t much need for ongoing reflection and reevaluation of said correctness. This is true of Christians and Messianics alike.
I listen to a Messianic podcast by two guys that are in different locations while doing and recording it. I have, at times, been greatly blessed and challenged. In many ways, I find it refreshing and uplifting.
Doctrinally, we appear to be on the same page. Of course, in some minor ways, we each flesh out parts of our Messianic beliefs and walk differently. That’s to be expected. But as far as core doctrine is concerned, they appear to be on solid footing.
But as I listen, it becomes apparent that they (without ever saying it) see themselves as dispensers of most of the answers. And the funny thing is that if I were to say that to them, they’d disagree — as would any of us.
Inherently, whatever the people group, the tendency is to feel a sense of ultimate exclusiveness. We wouldn’t say it that way though. But, that’s the truth. We all feel that our group is the correct one. And everyone in the group agrees with that assessment. That’s just the normal group mentality.
I was saved as an independent, fundamental, premillennial, pretribulational rapture Baptist — using the Scofield study Bible. It just didn’t get any better than that. We had it down. We were right, correct … no need to further question anything. Just ask us and we’d tell you.
But …
Based on where I am now in my “new” Hebraic walk, things have in some ways changed from those days. Of course most, if not almost all, of my doctrine has stayed the same. However, some particulars have changed concerning how I live out the Bible. These are not Heaven and Hell issues though. It’s just a matter of a different Biblical outlook. I wear a different set of glasses now.
Now here’s where it gets sticky.
Am I now right, correct? Have I arrived, now that I’m in the Messianic, Hebraic Roots (or whatever we’re supposed to call it) Movement? Is there any more need to still ask questions? Can I finally rest assured in my “new and improved” view point? — As I like to say … I trow not!
I’m the type that likes a regimental consistency to life. I like everything wrapped up nice and neat the same way each time. My family would pretty much agree that I’m like Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rain Man. The poor guy about loses his mind whenever his orderly world appears to be in jeopardy …
It’s “Four minutes to Wapner” when he and his brother stop at the random house along side the road so he can watch People’s Court. — “Oh boy … one minute to Wapner!”
Or when Raymond is worried because his brother packed briefs instead of boxers. — “I get my boxer shorts in K-Mart, Cincinnati. Four hundred Oak Street. That’s Oak and Burnett, in Cincinnati.”
However, oddly enough, I haven’t been that way in my desire to understand and live out the Bible. Obviously, I always feel I’m correct at whatever stage I find myself. But, in the back of my mind, I never allow myself to “arrive.”
If anything, it seems pretty apparent that the believer’s walk and knowledge base is constantly In A State Of Flux. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be admonished to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” would we?
None of us has it down. None of us has the corner on the exact truth of God’s Word. None us will ever reach the point where we don’t need to reexamine where we are in our journey.
So …
Let us in the Messianic, Hebraic Roots, Messianic Jewish, Judeo-Christian (who are we anyway?) be careful we don’t simply become a rebranded version of what we were before we got to where we are now. We’re still growing.
You and I are, and will continue to be, in a healthy state of flux. That’s a good thing. It’s not such a good thing, though, when we allow ourselves the disillusioned comfort of thinking we’re finally right … This Time.
Next time you’re thinking you’ve finally arrived, remember —
You’re really In A State Of Flux.