| OVERCOMING TRADITIONS THAT ARE IN DISHARMONY WITH SCRIPTURE (Consider also #16 General and Specific Authority) |
Some traditions are good. An example is 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Therefore
brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by
word, or our epistle. (Good kind) "Traditions" means "handed-down."
brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by
word, or our epistle. (Good kind) "Traditions" means "handed-down."
Congregations have an "invitation song" after the sermon. This is a good tradition. It
gives seekers a convenient focused opportunity to repent and obey.
gives seekers a convenient focused opportunity to repent and obey.
However many are the warnings, that not all things "handed down" are right. Mark 7:9 >
And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep
your own tradition. Matthew 15:7-9 > Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias (Isaiah)
prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep
your own tradition. Matthew 15:7-9 > Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias (Isaiah)
prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
In what Jesus said, that word "vain" (Greek μάτην, matēn, pronounced mat'-
ane) means empty, without purpose, worthless. It means their teaching and their
worship were not accepted by God. It did not matter that they fastidiously tended to their
daily rituals (Matthew 15:1-6; Mark 7:1-5). Jesus told them that by their tradition (bad
kind), they were making the commandment of God "of none effect." They were causing
people to be part of the "broad" problem instead of the"narrow" solution (Matthew 7:
13-14).
ane) means empty, without purpose, worthless. It means their teaching and their
worship were not accepted by God. It did not matter that they fastidiously tended to their
daily rituals (Matthew 15:1-6; Mark 7:1-5). Jesus told them that by their tradition (bad
kind), they were making the commandment of God "of none effect." They were causing
people to be part of the "broad" problem instead of the"narrow" solution (Matthew 7:
13-14).
People of the world see no problem with the place of worship becoming an
entertainment center. But there is a big problem (read John 2:13-17). It is such switching
of purpose, without scripture authority, that opens the floodgates for the so-called
"social gospel" (see Link BT at Links page, then "Social Gospel" link). Then comes
all-out secularization of religion, family life centers, gymnasiums, theatres, soccer
fields, food buffets, and like gang busters "ain't no stopping us now."
entertainment center. But there is a big problem (read John 2:13-17). It is such switching
of purpose, without scripture authority, that opens the floodgates for the so-called
"social gospel" (see Link BT at Links page, then "Social Gospel" link). Then comes
all-out secularization of religion, family life centers, gymnasiums, theatres, soccer
fields, food buffets, and like gang busters "ain't no stopping us now."
The individual and family and community all have their place in life in this world,
including with church members (1 Corinthians 11:24,25). However, there is no divine
authority for church spending the Lord's money to take the place of individuals, the
home, and families. (See 1 Timothy 5:3-16 on how God limits the role of the church,
from a family matter involving members.) Jesus died on the cross to save souls for
heaven, not for bingo night in a restaurant club. Compared to man's groups, the church is
different from everything else. The church began in the mind of God for a special
spiritual purpose (Ephesians 3:4-21). That purpose is "made void" or "of none effect"
by obsession with many belly-pleasing traditions of the world of men.
including with church members (1 Corinthians 11:24,25). However, there is no divine
authority for church spending the Lord's money to take the place of individuals, the
home, and families. (See 1 Timothy 5:3-16 on how God limits the role of the church,
from a family matter involving members.) Jesus died on the cross to save souls for
heaven, not for bingo night in a restaurant club. Compared to man's groups, the church is
different from everything else. The church began in the mind of God for a special
spiritual purpose (Ephesians 3:4-21). That purpose is "made void" or "of none effect"
by obsession with many belly-pleasing traditions of the world of men.
When America was founded and established, tax laws were designed for religion as tax
exempt. Founders knew that when the church is about saving souls, it is not about
entertainment and empire-building, and therefore not a taxable venture. The true church
of Christ is about saving souls one by one from the inside out. Therefore it is not a threat
for scrutiny by any reasonable national government. However, secularized religions who
imitate world entities and build empires, are ever expanding into the radar of
governments and taxations.
exempt. Founders knew that when the church is about saving souls, it is not about
entertainment and empire-building, and therefore not a taxable venture. The true church
of Christ is about saving souls one by one from the inside out. Therefore it is not a threat
for scrutiny by any reasonable national government. However, secularized religions who
imitate world entities and build empires, are ever expanding into the radar of
governments and taxations.
Shall we allow feelings for a tradtion to overrule religious obedience to Christ? The
answer is clear for the enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).
answer is clear for the enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).
| The challenge for many is to grow from a child who is given false religion, into an adult who will not refuse true religion. |
OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #11