blessing Israel - a priority?
03-09-2006, 09:11 PM
Ben, I think I hear what you're saying, and I don't necessarily disagree. We've been involved in all sorts of programs and ministries to "benefit" or "bless" what some might call "greater" Israel. We've been involved in programs where collections were taken to help get the Russian Jews out of harms way, to help get Jews that were "stuck" in Albania, in Italy, or in a couple of other places, on their way to Israel and freedom. We've helped with fund raisers for groups whose entire existence revolves around providing help "in the land" to emmigrant Jews, to those who survived the Holocaust, and in other ways.
Part of reminding the body of Christ about our Jewish roots is also bringing comfort to Israel, in a sense, don't you think? How many folks are there who have at least one branch on their family tree that has a distinctive Jewish flavor? Lots! For them to hear the relationship of the Jewishness of Messiah to the Christian faith that they have been practicing for many years is often a revelation to them, a validation to a part of their heritage, both certainly comforts, IMO.
What Helena and I are both saying is that we need to find ways to DO rather than just to FEEL. James admonished us pretty strongly about letting our works reflect our hearts. The slap about how we treat those we recognize as needy and only say, "Be warmed...be fed" instead of actually DOING something about it when it's within our power. Translated, couldn't we say that James was telling us to put our money where our mouths are, where our hearts and minds are??
If we can find a means of blessing Israel, wherever it is to be found, isn't that a good thing? If we can be part of bringing back the sons and daughters of Israel to their land and actively supporting their right to that land, isn't that a good thing? I hope so!
Part of reminding the body of Christ about our Jewish roots is also bringing comfort to Israel, in a sense, don't you think? How many folks are there who have at least one branch on their family tree that has a distinctive Jewish flavor? Lots! For them to hear the relationship of the Jewishness of Messiah to the Christian faith that they have been practicing for many years is often a revelation to them, a validation to a part of their heritage, both certainly comforts, IMO.
What Helena and I are both saying is that we need to find ways to DO rather than just to FEEL. James admonished us pretty strongly about letting our works reflect our hearts. The slap about how we treat those we recognize as needy and only say, "Be warmed...be fed" instead of actually DOING something about it when it's within our power. Translated, couldn't we say that James was telling us to put our money where our mouths are, where our hearts and minds are??
If we can find a means of blessing Israel, wherever it is to be found, isn't that a good thing? If we can be part of bringing back the sons and daughters of Israel to their land and actively supporting their right to that land, isn't that a good thing? I hope so!
Blessings!
Dean
DeanZF
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