Traditions

Mark 7:8 "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

Jesus says this to the Pharisees and in prior verses calls them hypocrites, and quotes Isaiah who said that there will be people who will merely pay 'lip-service' to God, but their hearts are far from Him. Isaiah prophesied that their worship would be in vain and their teachings would be just rules taught by men. It is not always easy to separate religion from faith. God's plan is not often fulfilled by what the practices of the church become. Here are some tough questions to ask yourself. Is what you believe just rules of what to do and not do? Is you worship just going through the motions? Is your faith just talk and no action? Is Church just what we always do because that is just what we've always done?

Tradition has its place and value. Being untraditional or contemporary for the sake of that is not a solution to the meaninglessness that creeps into church. Christianity does though have to be careful not to become “churchianity.” What Jesus was talking about He illustrated many times. Often speaking in parables He focused over and over again on the human tendency to drift away from the personal relationship with God through Christ and to just do religion for the sake of being religious. Again in the words of Isaiah the prophet that Jesus quotes...." their hearts are far from me". Wow, that is probably the key measure for us to consider. Where is your heart?

When our hearts are seeking Him and when our hearts are connected to the meaning and purpose of what we believe, then true religion is taking place. Religion is not bad; it just has to really mean something true and real. Again, traditions are not bad in and of themselves; they just can't replace the personal relationship with God through Christ. I think at the heart of this heart question is the answer to what Jesus was expressing concern about. Search your heart. Ask God if you are really maturing in Him and if you are in His will. Ask Him if there is anything He wants you to do or not do. Study His teaching. Ask Him what your action items are. Lately I am feeling myself drawn to the Words of Jesus. The whole Bible is obviously valuable, but there is something about what He said.

I think His counsel to us today would be to seriously consider our hearts. He would encourage us to let go and let God more. He would tell us to focus on His commands such as 'having no other gods before Him' or to 'love one another' or to 'serve Him with your whole heart'. What would happen if we stepped into all God Has created us to be? Let me conclude with four little truths about Him and one final encouragement. This is Jesus as I know Him personally.

He is good
His name is faithful and true
He can be trusted
He will be with you

Take courage,
Pastor Fred

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