Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following message, “Maintaining Balance in Your Messianic Walk,” as we should each desire to be best equipped in our service to the Holy One of Israel as Messianic Believers.
During the course of our time in the ministry, our family has had the opportunity to interact with a wide and diverse variety of Messianic groups. We have been able to testify and teach about our approach to the Messianic lifestyle that we began following some twenty-five years ago in 1995. It is always a joy for us fellowship with those whom we have been ministering to over the years, often through our Internet-based teachings. At various live gatherings, we have concluded some of our teaching sessions with a question and answer period that allows us to address some of the specific concerns of each assembly convened. This oral presentation is often an amplification of some aspects of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the Messianic Apologetics website. It has been during these sessions that we have had the opportunity to encourage the audience in their current walk of faith, and perhaps relate our experiences to people about various challenges where we individually or as a family have also struggled.
As you can imagine, the questions that have arisen are across the board—as each assembly of Messianic Believers generally come from a wide range of religious backgrounds and life experiences. While we understand that every question has validity for the person asking, we also recognize that many questions are derived from a genuine concern on the part of the questioner about how to deal with certain teachings they have received and embraced during two phases of their spiritual journey. Generally speaking, clarifications or amplifications are desired for (1) relics from the course of their earlier religious upbringing, or (2) teachings they have received during their time involved with the Messianic community of faith.
Ironically, it is the diverse “Messianic” teachings that usually generate the most concern because people hungering for meaningful growth in their spiritual walk are—for a variety of reasons—often susceptible to errant or superfluous teachings that in many cases do more harm than good. This obviously concerns us as teachers, because it seems that we spend at least half of our time talking on the phone, answering e-mails, or writing articles like this—constantly attempting to direct our readers and listeners back toward a loving, balanced, and scholastic approach to Bible study and exposition. We often spend more time having to react to others’ teachings, than spending time on what we actually want to teach from the Scriptures.
It has been my observation that the majority of Messianics are usually fervent seekers of the Most High who not only have minds open to change, but also allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves. They are not uncomfortable with challenging the “status quo” or the consequences for doing so. For a variety of reasons, hopefully prompted by the Holy Spirit, many are not impressed with the current condition of today’s Christian Church. Many know that there is more “out there.” As seekers of God, Messianic Believers faithfully follow the instructions to ask, seek, and knock—knowing that through persistence and perseverance, the Lord will eventually answer their questions. Yeshua told His Disciples,
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8, NASU).
For the most part during the first decade of our Messianic walk, we found that the majority of non-Jewish people—whom we largely interacted with today—were attracted to the Messianic community by one of several phenomenon. (1) It might have been a trip to Israel that triggered a greater interest in Jewish Roots, which is was what happened Margaret and I. (2) Someone might have attended a Passover seder presentation at a church, usually conducted by a Messianic Jewish speaker that introduced one to new information about what actually took place at the Last Supper of Yeshua. (3) To a lesser extent, the Spirit of God drew people in through various means of “revelation” about seeking out the roots of their faith—often by people being convicted about certain things when they would read Scripture. For the most part, these promptings of the Holy Spirit motivated people with a sincere interest in understanding the foundational building blocks of their faith.
However, in the past several years it has also been our observation that there have been two or three other catalysts, allowed by the Holy One to initiate a spiritual change of direction in the majority of people who more recently have come into a Messianic understanding. The three most identifiable stimulants to get religious people to consider the Messianic perspective are (1) various end-time scenarios, (2) different forms of denigrating the established Church, and (3) the lure of Jewish mysticism.
For whatever reasons, it appears that the Lord has allowed certain people to circulate among the “churched” generation with “end-time” teachings that provoke not only curiosity, but also a great deal of unwarranted fear. Without doubt, the beginning of the Great Tribulation is quite a motivation for people to get their walks with God in order. I even have to admit that it was some of this very teaching that we received within the first year of our Messianic journey, which prompted us to dig into the Scriptures like never before. In some regards, I am very thankful that the Lord used various end-time teachings to stimulate deep study into the Torah, Tanakh, and Apostolic Writings in order to prove or disprove various theories and prognostications.
Thankfully within several months, prophesied events did not materialize. But our passion for studying the Scriptures continued to intensify as we fully pursued a Messianic lifestyle. Shortly thereafter, we understood that we were among those who had been grafted into the olive tree of Israel (Romans 9-11) or had become part of the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2). It became evident that the long prophesied restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21) was currently underway.
Additionally, with the advent of the Internet and the ability to monitor aspects of the growth of the Messianic movement, it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was accelerating the restoration process around the globe. Our family’s absorption into and allegiance to the Messianic movement was just one of a myriad of indications to us that something very unique was occurring right before our eyes. The confirmations and testimonies we would encounter from around the world were way beyond the statistics of “coincidence.” It seemed that the more we sought, asked, and knocked—the more we received in terms of confirmation about what the Father was doing with not us, but with untold thousands worldwide.
However, one thing we understood from our years of Bible study—especially when it related to the end-times and the return of the Messiah to rule and reign from Mount Zion. It is absolutely clear that no man or woman or ministry is ever going to know the hour and the day of the Messiah’s return. Yeshua clearly states in His Olivet Discourse, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36, NASU). With this absolute word from Yeshua, we were not going to be influenced by those who came up with various schemes and calendars deciphering the timing of the End of the Age.
Instead, we found it much more productive to spend our time teaching and making disciples. After all, these are some of the final instructions the Messiah communicated to His followers. Before His Ascension, the Lord admonished, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NASU). As a ministry, we have adopted a long range “marathon runner’s” approach—recognizing that the life of a disciple requires patience, perseverance, and steadfastness. Not only do we encourage others to return to the ancient ways of the Patriarchs (Jeremiah 6:16), but we also exhort them to pass the understandings on to children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). For certain, we are steadily approaching the return of the Messiah Yeshua—but we need to do so in a way that draws people to Him and to His salvation!
The second most prevalent catalyst that has drawn a wide variety of people into the Messianic movement is various forms of castigating the “purported pagan practices” of the established Christian Church. In all candor, with a household of historians, this approach never had much appeal to us. While we certainly understood some of the statements that were being taught to disenfranchise people from the comfort of their traditional church setting, not appreciating the good things that the Church has accomplished through the centuries was something that has upset us since we first started hearing these teachings. Yet despite an obvious lack of knowledge about the historical realities concerning the progress of the faith, it appears that this approach has been allowed by the Holy One to ignite enough indignation in certain people to move them away from the trappings of their traditions. Lamentably, many of the people who come into the Messianic movement through this avenue are still burdened with anger and disappointment, about what they have been told is a so-called conspiracy to keep people worshipping “pagan entities.”
We see it much differently. We are very grateful that the Holy Spirit has given us a slightly different approach to faith, as we have asked for understanding about different topics while the Lord has directed our research. We also are seasoned enough to recognize that not everyone is going to be called into this specific arena of the faith at this particular point in time. God is very creative about how His Spirit intends to reach the people who are going to respond to His wooing them toward a Messianic lifestyle. The fact does remain that not everyone who hears about the blessings of observing Shabbat, the appointed times, or even the physical benefits of a kosher diet—to name just some basics—is going to obey these commands. If we can learn to be a people who demonstrate that Torah obedience and faith in Yeshua go together—demonstrating great spiritual change on our part—than we can hopefully stimulate our Christian brethren to action. But if all we do is unfairly criticize them and harass them, we will not be able to affect any kind of solution for the Lord.
These realities confirm in our hearts that what we are doing, and what others are not, is simply another indication that our long-suffering Creator is still in control and that His timing for the completion of the restoration process is totally in His hands. As stated earlier, this inspires us to simply do what we are called to do as we encourage all who are in the Messianic community to do what they are also called to do.
The third and comparatively minor stimulant (relative to end-time teachings and denigration of the Christian Church) is the growing influence of Jewish mystical teachings, particularly via those who seek out insight via Kaballah. Over the years, especially since search engines on the Internet have become more comprehensive, the ability for seekers to type in a few choice words and then be led astray has increased exponentially. Apparently, God continues to allow the curious to exercise their free will to seek Him out. Increasingly, Messianic communities of faith are being populated by those who have entered in through this unholy door. The intrigue of these ear-tickling teachings in many cases lures people into groups, which in many cases do not even know that they are teaching or following teachings that are laced with mysticism. The concept that these ethereal Jewish teachings are special or anointed is very dangerous (especially when the bulk of Judaism rejects them as heretical). People naively study concepts that emanate from a counterfeit Holy Spirit.
It is extremely dangerous for Messianics to dabble in mystical teachings. By so doing, people often open themselves up to strange teachings, which often sadly lead them to denying the Divinity of Yeshua, and later His Messiahship. For several years we have been actively warning people about the innate problems that come from even listening or reading some of these teachings. We have been begging people to pray for the gift of the discernment, and have advised many to not only test the spirit of what is being taught—but also to carefully examine the fruit of these teachings.
Invariably, we are continually asked to impart some sense of balance into the lives of various Messianic Believers because they have become skewed or unbalanced by what I derisively call “drive by teachings.”
In considering this topic, I did not have to go very far from some of the dire warnings that Yeshua the Messiah issues concerning the need for balance in our spiritual walk. If you will recall, in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Yeshua explains what the essence of the Torah truly is. From the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, to raising the bar of Torah obedience from physical acts to the very thoughts of the mind and heart, Yeshua clearly brings some difficult words to His listeners that are not understood by the natural mind, but instead require spiritual enlightenment to be grasped (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16).
When Yeshua brings His teaching to a close, He takes a few moments to give His followers some fair warning about the critical need for balance in order to make it not only along the narrow way—but ultimately through the narrow gate:
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall. When Yeshua had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:12-29, NASU).
Yeshua clearly states that not only is the gate narrow, but also the way is narrow that takes one to eternal life. On the other hand, the way to eternal perdition is broad. What is He specifically saying? Imagine the narrow way as a fence rail that leads to a small opening in a wall. If you have ever tried to walk along such a fence rail, you should see just how much balance and deliberateness it requires following it to the gate. Maintaining your balance is critical in the race of life. It is imperative keep one’s eyes focused on the goal—who we know to be our Lord and Savior, Yeshua. As the author Hebrews puts it,
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Yeshua, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NASU).
Immediately after encouraging His listeners to follow the narrow way, Yeshua reminds them that they are to be aware of false prophets who come in among them in sheep’s clothing. Let us always remember that according to the warning from Moses given in Deuteronomy 13, the Lord is actually going to allow false prophets and dreamers of dreams to come in among us, in order to test our allegiance either human beings or Himself. As Moses declares,
“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him” (Deuteronomy 13:1-4, NASU).
When we have those in our midst who are teaching various topics that might deal with the End of the Age, unwarranted criticism of Christianity, or Jewish mysticism—we are to be absolutely aware of not only their motives, but also the fruit of their teachings. By-in-large, that fruit is: division, strife, controversy, and in some cases even apostasy from Yeshua. Needless to say, it is clearly rotten fruit!
We are all admonished by Yeshua to be fruit inspectors. In so many words, Yeshua goes on to state that even though different people might use His name to prophecy, deliver people from demons, or perform miracles—in the end, despite their protestations, He will state “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws” (NLT). This is perhaps the worst thing anyone could ever hear from the King of Kings.
Finally, Yeshua reminds one to use wisdom and follow His words that lead to life. His parable about the vagaries of shifting sand versus falling upon the rock speaks for itself. Clearly the people in the audience knew that they were hearing from someone who was speaking with great authority.
I would like to remind everyone that balance in our Messianic walk is critical for not only personally attaining the goal of eternal life, but also being useful in pointing others to the same goal. We need to be about the Father’s business in making disciples no matter where the Holy One has us located. He has given us each a sphere of influence, and He is ultimately going to hold each on of us accountable for how we handled the understandings and information that we received during the course of our personal spiritual journeys.
Let us each seek to not hear the words that Yeshua never knew us, but rather the salutation that we have been good and faithful servants who have done well with the call we each have. When we can be servants faithful to the calling the Lord has placed upon us, then we should be empowered to focus on Yeshua and be able to walk a balanced Messianic walk of faith. We will be able to test the spirits among us, confronting them when necessary, and also be able to set an example to others worth emulating. We will be able to make the progress that God wants us to make! But if we are to make that progress, we must test ourselves daily. Paul reminded the Corinthians,
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith, examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves that Yeshua the Messiah is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NASU).
Life on the narrow way is a balancing act. Keep your focus on the gate named: Yeshua!
