FRESH START TODAY... Do we have Traditions today?
Colossians 2:20-22, Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. NIV
I was raised Baptist and I remember the church frowned on dancing at the time I was growing up. I believe that this was a way of discouraging personal contact that could encourage actions that lead to sin. There are traditions that have arisen in any church over several years that are not from God. I believe at first well intentioned men placed them there to discourage rebellion against God. The natural man seems to rebel against unrealistic rules and this may be the reason church attendance today is declining. Some traditions cause slavery in the church today and if broken creates shame. The people gossip about the shameful actions and slavery continues in the people that are talking due to lack of forgiveness. We must remember true rebellion against a Holy God that loves us causes some form of slavery and then the activity of the Holy Spirit is not witnessed. I was asked one time from a woman in a Bible Study I was teaching, why there were so many dominations? I just said, because men’s interpretations get in the way of God’s truth. We need a true Spiritual Revival today!
The Old Testament Laws that were given through the servant Moses were meant to hold people accountable. They were there to protect people by a Holy God. The relationship with man and God had been severed in the Garden of Eden, but God continues to pursue a personal relationship with His people. The people of Israel were His chosen people at the time the Laws were introduced, but over the years those Laws became a source of rebellion the people could not follow. They made up their own rules to follow and created their own gods. Humans tend to make up their own rules and this get them into trouble. Today is no different than the time of the Old Testament.
The Holy Spirit draws people to Himself through the Word of God that gives believers the wisdom that we need to experience a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus confronted the religious people of the time and told them that the Laws were given to open the hearts of people to the truth of God’s love. There was no love witnessed or expressed. The Pharisees were interrupting the Laws as a way to control the people and to dominate the power in the community. Please read the Word for yourself and you will see the active communications between the Pharisees and Sadducees of the time and how Jesus spoke to the people to help them understand the heart of God. The hearts of the religious leaders were cold due to man-made traditions, but a few grew in wisdom to the truth of what Jesus was teaching. We are so very fortunate to have the Words that were spoken by Jesus Christ today. The greatest books that were ever written are contained in the Holy Bible. There are 66 books all together.
I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and to open my heart to the power of the Holy Spirit. Any wisdom that I may have is the result of the Holy Spirit’s prompting. The love that is expressed through the GRACE and power of Jesus Christ cannot be expressed in any words spoken or written. When you experience the true love of God you cannot contain the emotion and blessings that it brings to your heart. I ask the Lord daily in prayer to forgive my rebellion against Him and to open my heart to His words of wisdom. He is faithful! We are free from the traditions of men that cause slavery when we understand the truth of God’s Word.
John 4:23-24, Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." NIV
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