Why are Gentile Christians trying live under Jewish traditions??

It is truly amazing even after two thousand years or so after Paul had already addressed the Galatians of being bewitched into observing the rituals of the llaw, we in the 21st century are facing the same problems. Paul had said that false brethren had secretly slipped in to spy on our liberty and freedom which we have in Jesus Christ and to put us back into bondage.


Galatians 2:4 (AMP) [My precaution was] because of false brethren who had been secretly smuggled in [to the Christian brotherhood]; they had slipped in to spy on our liberty and the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might again bring us into bondage [under the Law of Moses].

There are many so called Gentile Christians today who are attempting to be Jewish. They are dressing like Jews. They are trying to talk like them. They are trying to eat like them. They are trying to dress like them and they are trying to keep Saturdays as the Sabbath like them.

I love the Jewish people and it is not a problem to understand and learn of their culture but some have gone a step further and they have begun to incorporate their traditions and their way of life into personal lives of Gentile Christians. In fact, we do need to learn some Jewish culture to understand bible but what is really sad is that many such Christian are putting themselves back into the food law by watching what they eat or not eat. It is a good thing to watch what we eat for health purposes but some are watching what they eat based on the Levitical food law of chapter 11.

What did Jesus have to say in regards to this subject? With the Lord's death and resurrection, we are NO LONGER UNDER THE RITUAL LAWS. But we are still under the 10 Commandments and the moral laws.

Mark 7:15 (AMP) There is not [even] one thing outside a man which by going into him can pollute and defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him and make him unhallowed and unclean.

Mark 7:19-20 (AMP) Since it does not reach and enter his heart but [only his] digestive tract, and so passes on [into the place designed to receive waste]? Thus He was making and declaring all foods [ceremonially] clean [that is, [a]abolishing the ceremonial distinctions of the Levitical Law]. 20And He said, What comes out of a man is what makes a man unclean and renders [him] unhallowed.

If you are a Gentile, why are you attempting to be a Jew? What did Paul say? Paul said there is no more Jew or Greek but ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

Galatians 3:28 (AMP) There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male [a]and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Do you also know what Paul said to those who were trying to make Gentiles observe and live like the Jews?

Galatians 2:14 But as soon as I saw that they were not straightforward and were not living up to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) before everybody present, If you, though born a Jew, can live [as you have been living] like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how do you dare now to urge and practically force the Gentiles to [comply with the ritual of Judaism and] live like Jews?

If we are going to go back and observe the food law and other traditions, what is next? Are we going to require all Christian males to be circumcised again? Do not be deceived brethren. Many out there are attempting to put you back in bondage to the RITUAL LAW and put you back under a curse.

Galatians 3:2-3 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?] 3Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?

Galatians 3:10 And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them.

I am all for keeping and walking in God's 10 commandments and the moral laws. We are to keep the 4th commandment HOLY which is now Sundays or the Eighth Day (Please see my note on "Eighth Day"). The 4th commandment or keeping the Sabbath Holy is not a ritual law but one of the TEN Commandments.

Keep your eyes on the Lord and if you are to observe anything, please keep His Ten commandments, the moral laws and His commands. We are no longer under the RITUAL Ceremonial Laws. If we are to mimic anything, LET US MIMIC AND REFLECT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND DIE TO OURSELVES AND BEAR FRUIT OF REPENTANCE.

Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
March 6, 2012