Post by mommadee48 on May 18, 2023 14:50:18 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
When Jesus walked on the earth, did he conform to the image, standards, and traditions of men, or was he confident enough to follow what the Spirit was telling him to do, regardless of what others would think of him?
Did he preach only what was on his mind or with the purpose of communicating the Father's heart?
You see, when we choose to live a life simply by following the dictates of the flesh, or even the cultural ways of the world and the traditions of me, then it will ultimately cost us in the end. We cannot serve two masters. People point the finger at God and say that He's withholding his best from them, but the truth is that if we fail to put Him in charge of our lives and choices.
One day, Jesus addressed the Pharisees and "certain religious scholars that came from Jerusalem," regarding their concern that the disciples weren't following the traditions of the elders. He replied, "These people honor me with their words while their hearts run far away from me". (MARK 7:6).
Do you suppose this still happens today?
Consider how many songs are sung on Sunday mornings in churches across this country.
Have you ever wondered just how many churchgoers are genuinely worshipping God from the heart and how many are simply going through the motions?
Some stand in church next to their fellow Cristian brothers and sisters; however, their thoughts are elsewhere. They're thinking about things like golf, the football game airing this afternoon, where they might want to eat after the service, etc. If this does not happen during the worship service, there's always plenty of opportunity to during the sermon.
How many can relate to this occurrence?
Could you be one of those people who are half heartedly listening to Your God's Word?
If all we do is follow the religious traditions of men and go through the motions, it's equivalent to being in church and turning on autopilot. Our hearts and minds never have to be involved, It's like muscle memory. You're able to go through the gestures, actions, and singing without ever thinking WHY you're there to begin with. Here lies one reason why prayers are not answered and why many churchgoers are lukewarm.
Do you know what the Bible/Word says about being "lukewarm"? (REVELATION 3:16).
Faith is of the heart, not of the head!
Just because we say something or pray for something does not mean that it will work. Faith must be mixed. Many Christians simply go through the motions and spend much of their lives on autopilot in the hopes that changes will happen because they prayed or have "spoken to the mountain." What people fail to realize is that faith in God and his word of promise must be in two places in order for it to produce results: in your mouth and in your heart. The Holy Spirit said it this way through the apostle Paul:
"The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." (ROMANS10:8) [KJV].
As we turn our attention back to the religious leaders of Jesus' day, we notice that their interest was focused on themselves---their rules, their traditions, and their rituals passed down from generation to generation---regardless of whether they contradicted God's word or not. Some people faithfully attend church every week and go through the motions without having the foggiest idea what it's all about. I've heard of a college professor who was teaching a bible class and openly admitted that he didn't what the difference was between the Old and the New Testament! Upon hearing this, I wondered just how many ministers have a genuine and clear understanding of the power and purpose of the blood of Jesus. I would venture to say, from the sounds of it, not too many.
I've met with young people who've expressed their lack of understanding of why they believe in what they say they believe. In many instances, this is because the parents observe the religious beliefs/formalities without ever giving their kids any basis or context for their actions. YOU may have encountered someone who told you they were Catholic.
When you ask them, "HOW did you become Catholic."
They replied, "Well, my parents are Catholic, so I guess that makes me Catholic." This deception doesn't only pertain to the Catholic faith. There are those who claim to be Christian who are just as confused. Just because mom and dad are saved doesn't automatically exempt their kids from having to call upon Jesus personally. Jehovah God doesn't have no grandchildren. He only has sons and daughters.
Infact, Jesus went so far as to say that the religious person holds their traditions on the same level as the Bible. Imagine someone who lived hundreds of years ago coming up with and idea. But it didn't end there. Once he presented his idea to the elders or leaders of the church, they decided it would be good to include it in their religion services. Eventually, this idea was passed down from generation to generation and most likely altered along the way.
Here we are today, in the 21st century, with people still following these "traditions" handed down with no idea where they came from or why they do what they do. Hence, even if the traditions contradict the Bible, they regard them as given by God Jehovah. Take a look at some churches right now where the Bible is completely absent. Nobody carries a Bible with them to church. The simply accept whatever their fearless leader tells them.
How would the people ever know any different if it contradicts the word of God unless they themselves search the Scriptures for the truth?
This is challenging for some since they haven't read their Bible in weeks and have forgotten where they even left it.
"For they continue to insist that their man-made traditions are EQUAL to the instructions of God." (MARK7: 7) [TPT].
Here lies the same mistake that Lucifer committed in the beginning. He esteemed himself, hence his choices and his ideas, as being equal to or above God's. Let's never forget that the house is not greater than the one who built it.
"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"
(MARK 7:8)[NIV].
Consider how many churches today no longer invite the Holy Spirit into the services. The pastor and congregation go through the motions of meeting together for a religious service, but at the end of the day, no change takes place within their hearts.
How could there be any change if you removed the Holy Spirit and the Word of God?
At this point, the service is nothing more than either a religious social gathering or live entertainment. Everybody leaves with the same issues they had when they arrived. Bibe if the enemies' schemes have been averted. The sick are just as sick when they leave as when they first arrived. Folks depart with unanswered questions in their minds, and others remain troubled within their hearts. I refer to this type of service as: WASTE OF TIME.
Now don't misunderstand me. Keeping certain traditions can be beneficial as long as they don't conflict with the Bible, while others can be detrimental.
Listen to what Paul said to the THESSALONIAN believers; "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (THESSALONIANS 2:15(KIV).
In Corinthians 15:1-3, Paul reminds the leaders of the gospel that he had received and preached to them. As a minister of the gospel, we are to communicate the word of God that we have received to the listeners. As someone once put it, "We are to be faithful, wise stewards, not creative." In other words, preach the word and then pass it along to others. We should preserve the word of God, not alter it over time or replace it with ideas.
The one thing we never want to be guilty of is putting man's opinions, experiences, or ideas above or equal to God's word. If a church wanders away from God's instructions that are laid out for us in the Bible and decides to create its own rules, patterns, traditions, doctrines, or beliefs, then run away and don't look back! Every tradition should be measured by God's word, which is our standard. If there is no harmony with the scriptures, then get rid of them. I appreciate what Paul said in 1THESSALONIANS.
"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." 1THESSALONIANS 2:13 (NIV).
In conclusion, it really comes down to how we view God's word, doesn't it?
Is it the final authority in our lives?
Do we esteem God's word higher than traditions that have been passed down?
Not just church traditions, but also worldly traditions that have been passed down that many churches embrace despite the fact that they contradict the Bible. Simply put, we shouldn't have two sets of standards. Either we're hot or we're cold; we're all out committed to Christ or only a Christian on Sundays. We're either "going through the motions" like many do in church or we're the "real deal" and live for Jesus 24/7. Search your heart today friend, and determine for yourself if your walk with God is as genuine as you allege it to be.
When Jesus walked on the earth, did he conform to the image, standards, and traditions of men, or was he confident enough to follow what the Spirit was telling him to do, regardless of what others would think of him?
Did he preach only what was on his mind or with the purpose of communicating the Father's heart?
You see, when we choose to live a life simply by following the dictates of the flesh, or even the cultural ways of the world and the traditions of me, then it will ultimately cost us in the end. We cannot serve two masters. People point the finger at God and say that He's withholding his best from them, but the truth is that if we fail to put Him in charge of our lives and choices.
One day, Jesus addressed the Pharisees and "certain religious scholars that came from Jerusalem," regarding their concern that the disciples weren't following the traditions of the elders. He replied, "These people honor me with their words while their hearts run far away from me". (MARK 7:6).
Do you suppose this still happens today?
Consider how many songs are sung on Sunday mornings in churches across this country.
Have you ever wondered just how many churchgoers are genuinely worshipping God from the heart and how many are simply going through the motions?
Some stand in church next to their fellow Cristian brothers and sisters; however, their thoughts are elsewhere. They're thinking about things like golf, the football game airing this afternoon, where they might want to eat after the service, etc. If this does not happen during the worship service, there's always plenty of opportunity to during the sermon.
How many can relate to this occurrence?
Could you be one of those people who are half heartedly listening to Your God's Word?
If all we do is follow the religious traditions of men and go through the motions, it's equivalent to being in church and turning on autopilot. Our hearts and minds never have to be involved, It's like muscle memory. You're able to go through the gestures, actions, and singing without ever thinking WHY you're there to begin with. Here lies one reason why prayers are not answered and why many churchgoers are lukewarm.
Do you know what the Bible/Word says about being "lukewarm"? (REVELATION 3:16).
Faith is of the heart, not of the head!
Just because we say something or pray for something does not mean that it will work. Faith must be mixed. Many Christians simply go through the motions and spend much of their lives on autopilot in the hopes that changes will happen because they prayed or have "spoken to the mountain." What people fail to realize is that faith in God and his word of promise must be in two places in order for it to produce results: in your mouth and in your heart. The Holy Spirit said it this way through the apostle Paul:
"The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." (ROMANS10:8) [KJV].
As we turn our attention back to the religious leaders of Jesus' day, we notice that their interest was focused on themselves---their rules, their traditions, and their rituals passed down from generation to generation---regardless of whether they contradicted God's word or not. Some people faithfully attend church every week and go through the motions without having the foggiest idea what it's all about. I've heard of a college professor who was teaching a bible class and openly admitted that he didn't what the difference was between the Old and the New Testament! Upon hearing this, I wondered just how many ministers have a genuine and clear understanding of the power and purpose of the blood of Jesus. I would venture to say, from the sounds of it, not too many.
I've met with young people who've expressed their lack of understanding of why they believe in what they say they believe. In many instances, this is because the parents observe the religious beliefs/formalities without ever giving their kids any basis or context for their actions. YOU may have encountered someone who told you they were Catholic.
When you ask them, "HOW did you become Catholic."
They replied, "Well, my parents are Catholic, so I guess that makes me Catholic." This deception doesn't only pertain to the Catholic faith. There are those who claim to be Christian who are just as confused. Just because mom and dad are saved doesn't automatically exempt their kids from having to call upon Jesus personally. Jehovah God doesn't have no grandchildren. He only has sons and daughters.
Infact, Jesus went so far as to say that the religious person holds their traditions on the same level as the Bible. Imagine someone who lived hundreds of years ago coming up with and idea. But it didn't end there. Once he presented his idea to the elders or leaders of the church, they decided it would be good to include it in their religion services. Eventually, this idea was passed down from generation to generation and most likely altered along the way.
Here we are today, in the 21st century, with people still following these "traditions" handed down with no idea where they came from or why they do what they do. Hence, even if the traditions contradict the Bible, they regard them as given by God Jehovah. Take a look at some churches right now where the Bible is completely absent. Nobody carries a Bible with them to church. The simply accept whatever their fearless leader tells them.
How would the people ever know any different if it contradicts the word of God unless they themselves search the Scriptures for the truth?
This is challenging for some since they haven't read their Bible in weeks and have forgotten where they even left it.
"For they continue to insist that their man-made traditions are EQUAL to the instructions of God." (MARK7: 7) [TPT].
Here lies the same mistake that Lucifer committed in the beginning. He esteemed himself, hence his choices and his ideas, as being equal to or above God's. Let's never forget that the house is not greater than the one who built it.
"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"
(MARK 7:8)[NIV].
Consider how many churches today no longer invite the Holy Spirit into the services. The pastor and congregation go through the motions of meeting together for a religious service, but at the end of the day, no change takes place within their hearts.
How could there be any change if you removed the Holy Spirit and the Word of God?
At this point, the service is nothing more than either a religious social gathering or live entertainment. Everybody leaves with the same issues they had when they arrived. Bibe if the enemies' schemes have been averted. The sick are just as sick when they leave as when they first arrived. Folks depart with unanswered questions in their minds, and others remain troubled within their hearts. I refer to this type of service as: WASTE OF TIME.
Now don't misunderstand me. Keeping certain traditions can be beneficial as long as they don't conflict with the Bible, while others can be detrimental.
Listen to what Paul said to the THESSALONIAN believers; "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (THESSALONIANS 2:15(KIV).
In Corinthians 15:1-3, Paul reminds the leaders of the gospel that he had received and preached to them. As a minister of the gospel, we are to communicate the word of God that we have received to the listeners. As someone once put it, "We are to be faithful, wise stewards, not creative." In other words, preach the word and then pass it along to others. We should preserve the word of God, not alter it over time or replace it with ideas.
The one thing we never want to be guilty of is putting man's opinions, experiences, or ideas above or equal to God's word. If a church wanders away from God's instructions that are laid out for us in the Bible and decides to create its own rules, patterns, traditions, doctrines, or beliefs, then run away and don't look back! Every tradition should be measured by God's word, which is our standard. If there is no harmony with the scriptures, then get rid of them. I appreciate what Paul said in 1THESSALONIANS.
"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." 1THESSALONIANS 2:13 (NIV).
In conclusion, it really comes down to how we view God's word, doesn't it?
Is it the final authority in our lives?
Do we esteem God's word higher than traditions that have been passed down?
Not just church traditions, but also worldly traditions that have been passed down that many churches embrace despite the fact that they contradict the Bible. Simply put, we shouldn't have two sets of standards. Either we're hot or we're cold; we're all out committed to Christ or only a Christian on Sundays. We're either "going through the motions" like many do in church or we're the "real deal" and live for Jesus 24/7. Search your heart today friend, and determine for yourself if your walk with God is as genuine as you allege it to be.