Articles
Twice Bought; Twice “Saved?”
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
March 2012
Our physical and spiritual lives begin in darkness. At birth, we come into physical light. At faith or spiritual birth, we come into His lighat. That darkness begins to be expelled as the Light grows stronger within us.
We understand that our Creator designed and formed us for His purpose which gives us status as belonging to Him. When sin entered into the world, He made a way of return through the shed blood and finished work of Messiah on our behalf, thus declaring His “ownership” of us yet again.
Twice bought: a quick way to say it.
Born once-- die twice. Born twice-- die once.
Another short and sweet summary.
Most of us who currently understand that our Messiah Yeshua Is both the Living and the Written Word of YHWH, originally came to know Him through one avenue or another of traditional Christian faith and doctrine. Research consistently shows that most people of faith came to that faith during childhood though there are also those who had some kind of life experience that brought them to faith during their adult years. For most raised within a household of faith, it was normative to include at least some expression of that faith throughout their lives, despite episodic rebellions. For those who come to faith when already an adult without that history, there is a significant transition period of change.
Then, whichever background, at some point for those of us who pursue Torah, our study of the Word became more intense and in some way we understood that there are traditions that have been added to “traditional” Christianity which are not found in that Word. We made a second transition out of those additional traditions and toward a more Hebraic walk. This second transition is often as dramatic as the first, coupled as it is with the resistance we encounter from our churched family and friends.
We have long said that we do not view a lifestyle of walking out Torah as a salvation issue so much as one of obedience. This must be an outgrowth of our experience, knowing that we could indeed come to know the true Messiah even through organizations that taught part of the Word. We may also view it as a form of deliverance, being freed from a partial understanding and empowered to walk in a manner worthy of Him out of our love for Him and His whole Word.
Today, I am wondering how many people have come to faith in our Messiah Yeshua and directly into a Torah pursuant walk? Probably safe to say that those who are of Jewish heritage are more likely to do so…the advantage of a Jew, as Sha’ul addressed. As we must be near the end of the time of the Gentiles, I wonder-- what of them? How many are coming directly to Messiah Yeshua and a Torah pursuant walk?
And of those who do come directly to a Torah pursuant walk as they honor Yeshua as our Messiah, how many then experience a “pull” toward the traditional Christian expression of faith in our Messiah?
We know there are what we call Godly people in traditional Christianity as well as in Judaism. We know that all must be grafted in by faith, whether natural or wild branches.
Do we believe that there are two equal but different walks that are righteous?
The righteous “Jewish” walk. The righteous “Christian” walk.
And further yet, do we believe there are two equal but different walks for those who honor both the Written and the Living Word?
The traditional Christian walk. The Torah pursuant walk.
The Word says there is one way.
The walk of righteousness.
We have all been in transition as the Light grows stronger within us and we draw closer to Messiah and His ways. The confusions of the physical life will fade as we are delivered out of darkness.
As I understand the Word our Abba has one Law, one Shepherd, and ultimately will bring all who look to Him together as one flock. He is faithful and has promised that He will complete what He has begun.
I’ve said for years that all of us have a bias of one kind or another as we grow in our faith. My choice for some time now has been to foster a Hebrew bias rather than my first German Lutheran one as I see this is closer to the context of the Word. I do not mean Judaism but a Hebrew worldview.
As time grows short, how well are we doing walking our walk in Messiah and making a way for others to do the same? Should we be content that someone has “come to faith” and “accepted Jesus” as is the vernacular in many Christian groups? Must they be “twice bought” and “twice saved” to have made one transition step into the faith in the more normative Christian blend that is clearly more readily acceptable, and then brought through that experience enough to see what is missing and to desire more? (As uncomfortable as it is in America today to express Christian faith, it is surely easier to see favor on those who pursue the long established traditions than it is to see favor on a movement that is itself fragmented.) Are we reaching out to teach our faith in every way possible? Though we are grateful that He will finish what He has begun, are we being faithful to our part?
The heavens and the earth began in darkness. Physical light was established. The Spiritual Light came to shatter the darkness. Many loved the darkness more than the Light. The remnant looks to the Light.
Soon great darkness will again come on the earth, prelude to Messiah’s reign.
Are we working to shine His Light on the path while there is yet time?
Twice_Bought_Twice_Saved___March_2012.pdf