A very basic, yet profound, principal for a follower of the Messiah to understand is the fact that God does things in and through our lives for His own glory and name’s sake.

The Lord is the One leading us; the Lord is the One working within us and through us; the Lord is the One who restores our souls and He alone leads us in circles of righteousness. The Lord is the One doing all this… for His name’s sake.

We live in a day and age where everything around us is totally self-focused … “It’s all about me” … “It is about how I feel” … “What can I get out of it?”, etc. While self-reflection and self-consideration are important aspects of any person’s life, they are not to be the primary motivators for followers of Messiah.   As followers of Yeshua, we are new creations in Him, and we are called to live differently:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:2

Sadly, today, many well-meaning believers are being misled into a reality that is completely self focused and instead of being transformed by the renewing of their minds, i.e. choosing God over the world, they are conforming to the things of this world.  Even some doctrines within the Body of Messiah are false promises of things that are totally motivated by what’s good for us, rather than what ultimately glorifies Him.  Even our salvation has become all about us: “Say yes to Yeshua and your life will be perfect”, some may promise.

Friends, our salvation is not intended for us to feel good. Our Salvation is simply because of God’s love for us; He chose us before the creation of the world to be His children, in order to manifest His Glory.  Our actions – our obedience – should not be motivated by what we can gain as a result, but simply come out of understanding what was done for us when Yeshua gave His life in our place, and a desire to honor Him.  A very basic but so forgotten principle of our faith is that it is NOT ABOUT US!  Once we truly grasp that, we will start to see Him working in great and mighty ways.

In closing, I would like to encourage us to take a good, honest look at our lives; are we living lives that are God-centered or me-centered? If you see areas of your life that need more of Him – and less of you – let me encourage you to ask Him for the ability to change it.  The Word of God clearly instructs us not to live according to the ways of the world, but instead by the ways of the Lord:

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:13-16

Shabbat Shalom,

Moran