02-12-2007, 06:12 PM
1 Corinthians 7:20 says, "Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when G-d called him." I have known Jesus for years, but I still can't get a handle on what this means. I'm hoping some here have some insight.
I don't actually know my physical heritage. My parents are secretive about it, except to say that I am not Jewish. ?? I was raised in a non-religious home. As long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the Jewish people and to Israel. I came to faith in Jesus at age 12, knowing almost no Bible at all, and had a hunger to understand the Jewish roots of the entire Bible from then on. I am now middle aged, married to a Gentile Christian, and involved in a Christian church which meets and worships on Sundays. In my home, I light Shabbat candles (Friday night, of course), and celebrate Biblical and traditional Jewish holidays. In my heart, I feel I am Jewish, not by blood, but by calling, like Ruth. I have opportunity to share Jesus with Jews, and feel like my calling has provided an opening and provoking to jealousy.
So here is the question: what does it mean to remain in uncircumcision if one comes to Jesus as a Gentile from an unbelieving home? Not bless my children on Shabbat? Not teach them through the Passover and through Purim and Hanukkah? Eat unclean animals? Ignore these things that are so dear to my heart? I want to follow Jesus, but I am confused about my place in the Body. I see *the Jewish stuff* as a way to deeper understanding and more personal relationship with Ha Shem through Jesus. My husband doesn't understand fully or participate in all of the *Jewish* things, but he respects my freedom in Jesus.
Maybe it's because Messianic Judaism is getting more press these days-- maybe it's a mid-life crises-- but this didn't seem such an issue in the past. I just did what I did, and called myself a Christian. Now when people ask me if I'm Jewish, I don't know what to say, without going through this whole long explanation, like I did here. I feel that whether I say Jew or Gentile, it isn't really true.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I don't actually know my physical heritage. My parents are secretive about it, except to say that I am not Jewish. ?? I was raised in a non-religious home. As long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the Jewish people and to Israel. I came to faith in Jesus at age 12, knowing almost no Bible at all, and had a hunger to understand the Jewish roots of the entire Bible from then on. I am now middle aged, married to a Gentile Christian, and involved in a Christian church which meets and worships on Sundays. In my home, I light Shabbat candles (Friday night, of course), and celebrate Biblical and traditional Jewish holidays. In my heart, I feel I am Jewish, not by blood, but by calling, like Ruth. I have opportunity to share Jesus with Jews, and feel like my calling has provided an opening and provoking to jealousy.
So here is the question: what does it mean to remain in uncircumcision if one comes to Jesus as a Gentile from an unbelieving home? Not bless my children on Shabbat? Not teach them through the Passover and through Purim and Hanukkah? Eat unclean animals? Ignore these things that are so dear to my heart? I want to follow Jesus, but I am confused about my place in the Body. I see *the Jewish stuff* as a way to deeper understanding and more personal relationship with Ha Shem through Jesus. My husband doesn't understand fully or participate in all of the *Jewish* things, but he respects my freedom in Jesus.
Maybe it's because Messianic Judaism is getting more press these days-- maybe it's a mid-life crises-- but this didn't seem such an issue in the past. I just did what I did, and called myself a Christian. Now when people ask me if I'm Jewish, I don't know what to say, without going through this whole long explanation, like I did here. I feel that whether I say Jew or Gentile, it isn't really true.
Does anyone have any ideas?
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