You learn a new way of life, do you stick with the old or start anew?

Disclaimer- 2 Peter 2:21-Verily if would have been better for them not have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment that was delivered to them.

Greetings,

There is a lady in our group that uses an analogy quite a bit & when she says it, I think to myself, "YES!! Why don't you practice this in your walk??"

Here is the analogy-You get a new boyfriend/spouse in your life but you ask him, Is it ok if we celebrate your birthday on my former boyfriends/spouse's birthday? I have that date engrained in my mind & I really don't want to change."

I've mentioned this person in a earlier article where she said they would rather follow the rabbinical dates because it's just easier & that is what everyone else is doing. My husband did a presentation on New moons & the 4 rules of postponement at a camp out our study group was having, so they know there is a better way. Hence, the disclaimer at the top.

But is this what we are called to do? We are to be the salt of the earth. Those following God's way aren't meant to follow the crowd. (Ex. 23:2) We are the salt of the earth & are meant to be spread around. (Matt. 5:13) Doing things correctly & not just following the old way is a light to others & have an answer for them when they ask "Why do you do it that way?" (Matt. 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15)

When we become followers of Yeshua, we don't continue to keep pagan holidays- New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patricks' Day, Easter, May Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween & Christmas. There are some who Thanksgiving is Pagan but I ready in several different encyclopedias from the 1800s that the 1st thanksgiving was held during the Feast of Tabernacles. So, I'm not ready to put Thanksgiving in that category yet.

Now, what about the festival dates? If you have traditionally followed the rabbinical calendar (which we did for over 20 years) & then discovered that it was incorrect & changes the dates for various reasons, would you want to change? Wouldn't you want to keep the days on the CORRECT day? Or, just float, oh this group is keeping this day on this date & this group is keeping this day on another date, we're just going to float because it doesn't matter as God knows our hearts. If you Ps. 111:10-Fear is the beginning of wisdom, a good understanding to all those that DO his commandments. In other words, when we respectfully fear God, we keep his commandments (Torah) & not follow the traditions of men (Mark 7:7-13) we are showing God our hearts. We want to obey him & not follow the traditions of men. Lev. 23 gives specific dates for the festivals, doesn't this show we need to keep the fesivals on the correct dates?

Each must work out their own salvation with fear & trembling. (Phil. 2:12) I'm not here to tell you what you need to do, this is something you need to figure out on your own.

Until next time,

Lori