Traditions or Truth?

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Mark 7:7 (Matt 15:9)

This is vanity. This is what God calls a useless waste of time. Teaching people that which is not gleaned from the whole counsel of God, but that which is taken from the reasoning and traditions of men. Wrongly dividing the word of truth and putting others in bondage to systems, rituals, creeds and catechisms.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men Mark 7:8

This is where it leads: putting aside the truths of God so that we might follow the traditions of men. The Pharisees were the most learned men of their time. But the Lord Jesus informed them that although they poured over the scriptures, they misunderstood them because they did not see Him (Jn 5:39). The Lord told them that they taught error because they did not know the scriptures even though they poured over the law with a fine-tooth comb.

Paul was a Pharisee ("in regard to the law, a Pharisee" Phil 3:5), but he learned to look beyond the wisdom and teachings of men to seek the pure wisdom of God.


Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost (Spirit) teacheth. 1 Cor. 2:13

Their minds could not understand the scriptures they read because they allowed their traditions to cloud their thoughts. Instead of having their traditions challenged by the whole counsel of God, they placed their traditions as judge over the Word of God!


Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

This is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. It knows no sect. It posits no creed. It seeks no approval from a council or an "infallible" source. It claims no special privilege. It is a simple command from an omniscient God to a fallible people.

STUDY - Christian, this is a most glorious word! Think about it. By giving us this command, Almighty God reveals that he knows that we don't know all! None of us is infallible. We must all "study" diligently as a workman who seeks not to be ashamed. My friend, God wants you "search the scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11) and He knows that understanding is a process. But be careful, let your understanding be based not on human traditions and creeds, but on the whole counsel of God. We must "RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth."

If God understands that we must study, then we must allow our fellow Christians to study. We must be "gentle, meek and apt to teach." We must allow others to grow. But if we know them to be teaching error then we must be able to refute them BY THE WORD OF GOD. (2 Tim 3:15-17)

If we know them to be teaching as doctrine the traditions of men, we must oppose them. Learn to discern between true "studiers" and those who engage is "vain babbling" which brings only strife. 2 Tim 2:16 tells us "shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."


THYSELF - There it is child of God. Your church, your pastor, your wife shall not be responsible for your reward before God. The Lord tells us all that we must study as INDIVIDUALS. We cannot lean on a catechism or an ecclesiastical body. It is the individual who is responsible to be a "workman [singular] that needeth not be ashamed."

APPROVED - There are doctrines and interpretations that the Lord approves and those that He does not approve. We are to study to seek those doctrines and practices that please Him, not our denomination. It is God who approves sound doctrine, not the seminary or the council or the synod or the board of directors. I can name 10 seminaries that teach 10 different things about baptism! It is not approval from the seminary that matters, it is the approval of God that matters.

UNTO GOD - It bears repeating that we seek to be approved "unto God;" approved not by a teacher, a sect, a denomination, a creed, an organization, a school or a ministry. Our responsibility is "unto God" alone.


I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119:99

Make His "testimonies" your meditation. This is where you will find greater understanding. "Rightly divide the word of truth." Do not steal that which is another's. Know to whom God is speaking and when He is speaking to them. Know your hope. Know your calling.

If you follow the traditions of men, your ears will be closed to the leading of God. Find a fellow "workman" and grapple with the word of truth. Surely God has raised up some to be teachers, but just as the Bereans did with the great teacher and apostle Paul, so must we "search the scriptures daily to see if these things are so" that we might be "approved unto God" and follow "sound doctrine."

Paul commanded Timothy to "commit these things [sound doctrine]" not to "clever men with degrees and titles" but to FAITHFUL MEN. Let us seek to be faithful to Him and His word and not to human traditions, no matter how "holy" the traditions are esteemed by men. The Lord Jesus tells us "The things which men esteem are an abomination to God."

STUDY THYSELF!

Visit my music space: http://myspace.com/michaelscottoband/