Right-click to download PDF version

What are the characteristics of a person following the example set by Yahshua Messiah? How can you know you are a real believer?

      A look of dismay swept over the waitresses’ faces as the family with several children entered the busy restaurant and waited to be seated.

      Families with children always created problems for them. One of the young women rolled her eyes heavenward, shrugged her shoulders, took out her order pad and escorted the group to the largest table. It was obvious she expected the worst: squabbling, noise, crying and food and silverware scattered on the floor around the table.

      But the waitress was amazed. The family was courteous, quiet, orderly and patient – all of them. The children looked respectfully to their parents and politely let their choices from the menu be known. Neatness and smiles prevailed all around the table as the meal progressed. The impressed restaurant personnel complimented the couple and their children as they paid the cashier, and warmly invited them to return soon.

      That family let their light shine brightly, honoring the Elohim they serve. Some time ago as my wife and I walked down the street in an unfamiliar area of the city, we saw, walking ahead of us through a crowd of shoppers, two strangers. Later, as we checked out, we saw this same man and woman in an adjoining aisle paying for their purchases. We overheard some of their conversation and became convinced that they were believers. We began a friendly conversation with them and discovered that we were right. The four of us were delighted over that brief contact.

      What is it about Yahweh’s people that lets others know we are servants of the living El?

Conversion in action

Conversion is more than acceptance of what you have heard, seen or come to believe intellectually. As a person truly convicted, called of Yahweh and repentant, you realize there is much you must do.

Yahshua said: “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. For it is written in the prophets that all of them will be taught of Elohim. Everyone who hears therefore and learns from the Father comes to me” (John 6:44-45).

The proof that you belong to Yahweh becomes visible through service to others. You have a growing sense of satisfaction in service that requires sacrifice of your strength and personal time. The greater reward by far will be yours at the resurrection and return of Yahshua Messiah.

Yahshua showed how to identify truly converted people, “Then surely from their fruits you shall know them” (Mat 7:20). Let’s hope your fruit is all good. Let’s hope yours is a brilliant light shining out in a darkened world.

At Holy Day gatherings, at Feast sites, at services with Yahweh’s people in other towns away from your home, you discover an aura of brotherhood, a reassuring warmth of friendship.

Years ago, prospective members requesting a ministerial visit were oftentimes called upon unannounced because few gave telephone numbers. When the minister and his wife were met at the door and introduced themselves, they found they had been already recognized. What is it that identifies Yahweh’s people to others immediately, without a word being spoken?

Clerks and receptionists quickly recognize people of Yahweh’s congregation when they come into offices and shopping centers in Pasadena. Yahweh’s people are known by their courtesy, patience, attractive appearance and conversational pleasantries. Others “just know who you are” before you open your mouth. They appreciate what they see and hear. They commend you to others. They wish the whole world could be like you. Why do believers shine this way to others?

Evaluate yourself

Because you are spiritually begotten, you will have the mind of the living Messiah motivating you through, Yahweh’s Holy Spirit. You will have the in-depth spiritual discernment required to understand the things Yahweh is revealing to His Congregation.

Are sermons and Bible studies a wealth of spiritual nourishment to you? Do you absorb the messages hungrily and constantly desire more? Do repeated or lengthy sermons become an extra treat to you? Does time in the congregation pass too quickly?

Do you search for correction and receive it thankfully? Do you never apply corrective sermons to your neighbors, but always to yourself? Do you realize how far from the perfection of Messiah you really are, and are you moved spiritually by sermons and Bible studies?

How eager are you to associate with your brethren? Do you linger as long as possible after services to meet and fellowship with them? The Congregation grows through hospitality exercised by its members. How hospitable are you – to the point of extravagance, encouraging and welcoming visits by brethren and the ministry.

The “book of your heart” should always be open to the needs of others, both in the Congregation and in the community. Really! You have nothing to hide and everything to share. Always be aware of and thankful for Yahweh’s blessings poured out on you and your family. Step out and correct yourself if you are weak in any of these areas.

Ask Yahweh to correct you – in His mercy. Retain an awareness of Yahweh’s loving care for you, and your trust in Him will glow in your personality.

Fighting this world’s god

Of course, there is another consideration you must face when you bear good fruit in this world. Years ago, one of Yahweh’s ministers was called upon to answer a visit request in an institution for the mentally handicapped. As the attendants led him down the corridor and through a recreation room, he was abruptly interrupted by one of the patients. To the amazement of the minister, the patient began shouting repeatedly that he was a servant of the most high El!

As the attendants hurried the minister into safer corridors, they asked him if he knew the patient. The answer was an emphatic “No!” Though the others did not realize it, the minister knew the man was under the control of a demon that knew him, identified him for what he was and intended harassment.

Not everyone is pleased with and supportive of those who radiate the attributes of Yahshua Messiah. Some hate what we so obviously stand for and refuse to accept or praise our best efforts to please Yahweh.

When you on occasion enter a place of worship of a different faith, do you feel uncomfortable?

Each of the other churches in this world seems to have its own motivating spirit that makes the church distinct. And there is a clash between different spiritual characteristics. The Holy Spirit of Yahweh cannot abide any other spiritual influence than that of Yahweh. Unusual tensions exist in individual ecclesiastical groups whenever the Holy Spirit makes itself felt in their presence through you.

When people from other faiths visit the Congregations of Yahweh’s activities or services, we find that they are impressed, but uneasy.

Satan is the god of this world. All its systems and religions are contrary to the way Yahweh’s Holy Spirit works in you. Others can see the Spirit’s good fruits in you. They hate the purpose and plan of Yahweh, and so they hate you! They can neither see nor understand what you do.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18- 19).

Yahweh said that there would be many afflictions for the righteous along the way, and that only through much tribulation will we finally be with Him.

Peter was inspired to write, “Therefore, brothers, rather be diligent to make your calling and election sure; for doing these things, you will not ever fall” (2nd Pet 1:10). Read the preceding verses also, where Peter explains “these things.”

If you find yourself tempted to criticize the Congregation’s leadership, take immediate corrective steps through more study, fasting and prayer. Yahweh is fully capable of managing His Congregation and His servants.

Your light must shine to all the world. How brilliantly is it shining?

Turn your life around

If you radiate the fruits of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit to others around you in your daily activities, well and good. You are on the right track. But suppose you find yourself far off base. What then?

Realize that it is never too late in life, nor have you strayed too far afield. Yahweh is interested in what you do with your life now. “But one thing I do, forgetting the things behind, and stretching forward to those things before, I press toward the goal to receive the prize of victory of the highest calling of Elohim in Messiah Yahshua” (Phi 3:13-14). Yahweh is not interested in what happened yesterday. He is interested in what you do today and tomorrow.

Are you constantly beset by the troubles in your life? Are you fearful, afraid of the unknown and the unexpected? IF you take extreme precautions for your safety, examine your spiritual life. Prayer, Bible study, fasting and meditation have probably become sporadic or nonexistent. Through concerted, energetic effort now they can be reactivated to turn your life around.

David was well aware of his own weaknesses and how alarmingly Yahweh acted in his life to stir him to action. “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept Your Word…It is good for me that I was afflicted, to learn Your Statutes” (Psa 119:67,71). And again, “Great peace is to those who love Your Torah, and there is no stumbling block to them” (Psa 119:165).

David’s light did not always shine out to others commendably. He had to take hold on his life and turn his heart completely around. Neither did the apostle Paul shed a very glorious light before his calling. For the next 20-odd years of his active ministry he struggled with his faults and weaknesses.

Both of these servants of Yahweh overcame and will sit with Messiah on His throne when He returns. They warned of the many pitfalls you and I would have to avoid today. “Many are the evils of the righteous, but YAHWEH delivers him out of them all” (Psa 34:19). The apostle Paul instructed his disciples in the same vein, “After they had strengthened the souls of the disciples and had beseeched from them to remain in the faith, and had said to them that, It is right by much tribulation to enter into the Kingdom of Elohim” (Acts 14:22).

David’s cry to Yahweh must have echoed in the heaven of Yahweh’s throne: “Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me out from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (Yahshua)” (Psa 51:10-12). David became the servant Yahweh called a man after His own heart.

Plunge into giving

Keep current with all the news about the Work. Prove to Yahweh you are a faithful laborer performing His great commission. Become involved. If all you can do is smile and always be cheerful – nothing more – remember that it exemplifies the joy of Yahweh’s message for mankind.

Volunteer to handle the unsavory jobs nobody likes to do. Put your hand more firmly to the plow. Be always willing to do more than you’re asked to do, remembering, “Likewise even you, when you have done all the things that are commanded, you say that we are idle servants because we have done only what we ought to do” (Luke 17:10).

It will amaze you how rewarding and satisfying your life will become as you plunge selflessly into the giving way of life within Yahweh’s Congregation. It’s the get way most of us live that saps us of the light that should shine. We only select as our true friends people who have learned to give of themselves. Are you one of them?

You’ve been given the greatest calling ever offered in the history of the world. Make certain you have enough oil for your lamp, lest the light flicker, fade and die out. It takes effort, dedication, prayer and study, but the rewards for all who put their shoulder to the task are just around the corner.