So, what I’m trying to convey is that I believe Y’shua (better known as Jesus) is a true emissary/prophet for the God of Israel, Yehowah, and that following his teachings, as best that I can discern what he actually taught, is the way to follow the God of Israel.

However, I no longer believe I’m a “Christian,” since Christianity:

1. does not follow Y’shua’s way of following the God of Israel.
2. insists that Jesus is God; a belief that is not consistent with the Bible. (The idea comes from ancient theological exegesis.)
3. holds that Jesus died for our sins as a human sacrifice; however, the story of Y’shua portrays that he lived as an example of, and teacher about, how to be save from sin, (disobedience to Yehowah) and died as an eventual result.
4. celebrates Christmas and Easter (largely pagan holidays) and ignores Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles, Tents or Booths), which God invented and prescribed.
5. most importantly, Christianity insists that believers need not obey God in all things. It teaches that “the law” such as dietary restrictions are no longer in effect, while upholding the laws concerning sexuality.

Further, I now understand that the Bible, although it is a good reference book and despite its obvious flaws (not so obvious unless you study the whole book), is not “the words of God,” since it rarely quotes God and there is no evidence that God commissioned or ratified it. Neither is the Bible “inerrant,” since it contains irrefutably contradictory statements and ideologies. What makes it a good reference book is that it is the premier source of information regarding the God of Israel that exists. There are truths in there, so I refuse to “throw the baby out with the bath waters.”

It is somewhat difficult to follow Y’shua in America. The Jewish customs that He followed, and are prescribed by Yehowah for gentiles to follow, are not ingrained in “American” culture.  Something as foundational as keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day can be difficult when the majority of work (including household chores and conducting any form of business) continues between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday. Many instead take Sundays off. Also, there are the holy-days/feasts requiring sabbath (no work) that are not honored in the USA; however, pagan holidays (many with Christian make-overs) are honored religiously.

Still, it is possible to follow Y’shua’s way of devotion to the God of Israel, Yehowah, but not as a “Christian.”