Q: I am a Christian. I just recently attended a Messianic Jewish synagogue. As a Christian is it ok to practice Jewish customs such as wearing a prayer shawl or tallit (Jewish cap). Would it be a good thing to do to learn the Christian root or do I have to be cautious of it?
A: Be very cautious of Messianic Judaism. A Christian is free to wear a prayer shawl, a Jewish cap and attend services at a synagogue. But, my question to you would be “Why would you want to?” It is one thing to study the Jewish faith and to become familiar with its practices from an academic and informative standpoint. However, it is something totally different to immerse yourself into a religion which is trying to blend the more popular traditions of Judaism and Christianity into one. The Bible clearly states that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).” As Christians we have been called to something totally different than what religion has to offer. The Lord didn’t come to blend two religions into one in order to subject us to trying to observe the practices of both. He came to blend individual Jews and Gentiles into the Body of Christ. As it is written, “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:15).” The attraction of Messianic Judaism, and any religion for that matter, is that it appears to offer us something to do which would be pleasing to God. However, it only reveals that those practicing the religions are unaware of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
Many Christians believe that if you don’t have instruction on how to live you will only end up relying on your own understanding and slipping into a life of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Messianic Judaism is built around practicing Jewish traditions which are built upon the Mosaic Law. There is a large part of the Christian community which believes that Jesus came to help us live under the Law and gives us His grace when we fall short of doing so. Thus, they are vulnerable to what they believe Messianic Judaism is offering them. What they fail to realize is that trying to live a life of obedience and repentance to laws designed to modify their behavior is a sin. The question remains then, “How does a Christian live if not by law?” The Bible has the answer. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).” Christians live by faith. We are led from within by responding to the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He shows us how to walk in love. And when we are walking in love we are not going to be violating any laws because we will not be sinning against one another. And when we fail to live by faith, and sin, we are reminded that our sins are forgiven and do not separate us from God.
There is nothing wrong with learning the Jewish “roots” of Christianity. However, that does not mean that what you are being taught about Hebraic roots and Jewish traditions is correct. What I would suggest that you do is to first study about your identity in Christ. For example, how many Christians are instructed in the area of “holy living” the moment they accept Christ? This is one of the biggest errors that lead people into becoming members in something like a Messianic fellowship. Wearing the prayer shawls, the Jewish caps, participating in Jewish traditions and saying things like Yeshua instead of Jesus can sound holy and make us feel special in the eyes of God. However, would it surprise you to know that you became holy in the eyes of God at the moment of salvation? “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22).” Much of what religion offers is geared around our best efforts to try and receive from God, through self-effort, that which we already possess through faith. When you know who you are in the eyes of God your life will automatically become a reflection of that truth as you engage the world with what you have to offer it not what you expect to receive from it.
Again, you are free to participate in the Messianic fellowship. However, as time goes on you will eventually feel further away from God then when you first started. This is because the emphasis in your Christian life will be all about what you are “doing” for God and not what He has “done” for you in Christ. Religion appeals to our flesh because it affords us the opportunity to try and pursue the blessings of God. However, it neglects the blessings we already have received through faith (Ephesians 1:3). You will end up expecting something from God He did not come to give and miss out on all that He has given you. The end result will be a life of misery and frustration as you realize the more you do for God the less you know about God. The reason people turn to traditions, Jewish or otherwise, is because they don’t know God. Both Jews and Gentile alike need to become new creations in Christ. In fact, the Bible says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).” We are something totally different than Jew or Gentile. Therefore, we don’t need to burden ourselves with the Jewish customs and traditions offered under the banner of Messianic Judaism.
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