JFJ Forums

Hi, I am Marni. I was born and raised Jewish - and at the age of 26 turned my life over to Christ. I am 32 now, and I consider myself to be a Christian - not a Messianic Jew. The reason for this is because of what is stated in scripture:

Quote:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -1 Cor 5:17 NIV

Now even though I believe in this, I still struggle with being of Jewish decent and upbringing. I look back on my life as a child and teenager in the Jewish religion and traditions, and actually finding something I overlooked many times back then - I actually was ashamed of being Jewish; in fact, I hated it. And to this day, I am finding out I am in fact still feeling this way - but in the sense I hate the fact I come from this background and bloodline.

With me sharing this is not to try and be fixed by anyone here - but to see if this is a normal feeling/experience (especially for those who have accepted Christ into their lives)? If so, how did you (those who have experienced this) respond to it and work to cope and deal with the emotions of this internal hatred?

    When I first got saved, I never really thought about the Jewish culture. It wasn't until recently that I've really gained a respect and admiration for the culture. Jesus was after all, a Jew. The Jewish Messiah. This feeling may come from something that happened in your life. I first got into psychology when I was diagnosed with OCD. Things from our childhood have a profound effect on our minds. But to answer your question simply, no, that is not a normal feeling. From what I've read, most people gain a love for the Jewish people after being saved.

    I recommend digging in and asking yourself why you feel this hatred. Jesus was a Jew! I don't want to dig too deep into this, I don't want to make you uncomfortable.

Marni, Shalom.

I am not (that I know of) of Jewish background, but wish I had a greater understanding of Jewish ways, and mindset.  To prevent mods from jumping all over me about counseling anyone, I would like to tell your PC something, so do not read my words as they are only for your PC, and Messiah, to read and heed.

What ever you do , do not allow Marni to continue to rue her heritage.  Since she seems to down about her background, maybe you could do a little sneaky peaky, from time to time, print garbage, until she types something with a unique Jewish flair.  Then bounce, and laugh, so she figures out that her being of Jewish ancestry actually gives her a head start, over most Goy's, since she knows a lot about how our Messiah, would think, when she is reading His scripture.  What-ever you do, thought, do not let her know how fantastic it is to think the same type Jewish way her Messiah thought, until, that is, after she starts to enjoy the familiarity, and then shout at her:  S U R P R I S E !!  and of course, then duck.  It may take her a few of these to be completely brought back to sanity. (She isn't peeking, is she??)  Good.

Oh, yes, you might gently let it slip, somewhere in your garbling her typing, that most original Israeli type folks will be part of the governing class, of the whole world, during the millennial rein of Messiah, on Earth.  She might get picked as Secretary of State.  Sure would be nice having an honest, and giving person in the job for a change,  Huh?  Yes, I know, this is part of what God is maneuvering,,,,but then,,,,that isn't what I want to talk to you about...We need to address Marni, but secretly.  We don't want her to know that you are going to gently wake her up to be proud of her Jewishness.  Boy, won't she be surprised, once she starts liking herself again.  heh heh heh.  shhhhhh, not so loud......

Ok, Ok,  let's get back to Marni,,,,,don't show her anything we are setting up,  OK? .....   OK!

Say, Marni,,  uh, I don't really know what I could say that would impress you that there are a number of people studying long hard hours, trying to understand God's chosen people.  We even find it difficult, sometimes to 'Bless' them, as stiff necked as they can be, but shucks, they don't know that that stiffed neckedness is one of the prime reasons God chose your people.  You are too belligerent to change one jot, or tittle in His word. Wow! That is a tough act to follow, but the Goy has to learn, somehow.  Too bad you don't use your knowledge to share with the Goy, so everyone will have a head start over each other, through a little good old competition toward being able to bless our God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Praised and Blessed Him.   Yeeee-Haaaa!!!

Well, I'm sorry I don't have more to say, that could pick you up, but then you didn't ask for help, only words of understanding.  Sorry.
Good grief, I may have to post this in two sections.

In Messiah, His Blessings.  Arley

Faith being Jewish is an advantage in Christendom; the advantage is one of understanding G-d's Laws (ways) that bring liberty.

I look at it this way...

A Jew who confesses Yeshua as our Mashiach is testifying of G-d's faithfulness to an unfaithful people. Why would you want to rob G-d of this testimony by concealing your Jewishness? Also for some reason I am humbled when I think about how difficult it would have been to beleive in Yeshua as the Son of G-d when He was here in the flesh. It is much easier to believe in Him after the resurrection. Also the Gentiles have had the Gospel (better message) for 2000 years now and on a whole they have rejected the message (Christ) which places them in no better position than the Jews. In fact I would say the Jews did a better job at yielding to G-d; for Salvation came from the Jews.

Rom 3:9 NIV What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? [Or worse] Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Hello, Marni.  Being a new creature in Christ is in the spiritual dimension.  It doesn't change your physical ancestry or background until Resurrection Day.  In Christ, none of us is Jew nor Gentile, black or white, male or female, but in our physical bodies we are those things.  Those who are from Jewish descent and raised in a Jewish culture cannot change that fact, including by being born again of the spirit.  I will not at this time try to change your feelings about being Jewish, but it is important for you to clarify this misconception.  I would also like to encourage you to deal with this directly with God and not be swayed by what seems to be normal or not normal.