SHINY4UJESUS
Member
- Sep 26, 2016
- 214
- 44
Matthew 15:1-14 (NIV)
15 "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’[a] and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’[c]”
Mark 7:8-13(NIV)
8 "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[a] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[c] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
FIRST OFF: Folks, this is not an attack on any denomination; and neither is it an accusation pointed at any one individual or church body. This is an illustration to be used IN CONTEXT in order to illustrate a principle we do well to consider. I would clarify that while I do not agree with the walls of separation denominational-ism creates, rather than promoting Body-wide unity; I am not posting this to demean or belittle those given to a denominational preference. Truly we are a Body of many members, and one member cannot say to the other, "I have no need of you." What is more critical here is what has been allowed to transpire in light of this.
SECOND: The primary area of concern here is the tendency of believers to adamantly and aggressively present a denominationally biased and preferred legalism or tradition as the Word or Will of God. Just because a thing is your preferred interpretation and tradition does not automatically quantify it as the Word and will of God. In order for that to be the case, it must be first clearly stated, then clearly confirmed in the Word; as well as reflected by Christ Himself. Jesus spent significant time personally combating the tendency of spiritual leaders to present man-made traditions over the actual Word of God. He actively confronted the legalisms and ritualistic focuses of these leaders; weighing their own processes and policies as heavier than both God's Word and reflecting grace, love, peace and mercy. If you are one who prefers one denomination's tradition or process over another; that's fine-just don't present it as though it is God's Word when it is man's tradition. Folks have a right to believe as they wish, to disagree as they like; we have no right to take our preferred traditions, formats, and methods; then using God's name to force others to agree or "deny God." If we do these things we are accepting the mold of the Pharisees Christ rebuked.
2 Timothy 2:16-17(NIV)
16 "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,"
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)
"23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
THIRD: Folks it is one thing to stand ground for what one believes; it is another thing entirely to promote and contribute to a spirit of disunity, strife, discord and contention. All too often we see folks from different denominations arguing til both are blue in the face; and about what? About man-made traditions, methods, processes, and perspectives. These things are of little benefit; rarely is one swayed to the other perspective..and quite often it becomes a bitter, angry, two-way tongue lashing with no edification...only mutual hatred and dissension. State your case, let the other state theirs and move forward; otherwise we promote a spirit of contention and disunity.
Romans 14:17-19(NIV)
"17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
FINALLY: Folks we do well here to revisit Romans 14&15 and the entire second half of 1 Corinthians. Believers will always have difference in opinions and practices; and we are repeatedly told to defer in order to avoid causing offense and placing obstacles in others' paths. If we are not actively combating the demonic tools of contention, disunity, and discord; then we are actively promoting them. In these matters it is not the process, but the intention and direction of the heart that is critical. Let us move forward into a season of grace, peace and unity in spite of differences; so we may be sure to edify rather than perpetuate a divided and fragmented Body of Christ. Thank you and God Bless!
15 "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’[a] and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’[c]”
Mark 7:8-13(NIV)
8 "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[a] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[c] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
FIRST OFF: Folks, this is not an attack on any denomination; and neither is it an accusation pointed at any one individual or church body. This is an illustration to be used IN CONTEXT in order to illustrate a principle we do well to consider. I would clarify that while I do not agree with the walls of separation denominational-ism creates, rather than promoting Body-wide unity; I am not posting this to demean or belittle those given to a denominational preference. Truly we are a Body of many members, and one member cannot say to the other, "I have no need of you." What is more critical here is what has been allowed to transpire in light of this.
SECOND: The primary area of concern here is the tendency of believers to adamantly and aggressively present a denominationally biased and preferred legalism or tradition as the Word or Will of God. Just because a thing is your preferred interpretation and tradition does not automatically quantify it as the Word and will of God. In order for that to be the case, it must be first clearly stated, then clearly confirmed in the Word; as well as reflected by Christ Himself. Jesus spent significant time personally combating the tendency of spiritual leaders to present man-made traditions over the actual Word of God. He actively confronted the legalisms and ritualistic focuses of these leaders; weighing their own processes and policies as heavier than both God's Word and reflecting grace, love, peace and mercy. If you are one who prefers one denomination's tradition or process over another; that's fine-just don't present it as though it is God's Word when it is man's tradition. Folks have a right to believe as they wish, to disagree as they like; we have no right to take our preferred traditions, formats, and methods; then using God's name to force others to agree or "deny God." If we do these things we are accepting the mold of the Pharisees Christ rebuked.
2 Timothy 2:16-17(NIV)
16 "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,"
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)
"23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
THIRD: Folks it is one thing to stand ground for what one believes; it is another thing entirely to promote and contribute to a spirit of disunity, strife, discord and contention. All too often we see folks from different denominations arguing til both are blue in the face; and about what? About man-made traditions, methods, processes, and perspectives. These things are of little benefit; rarely is one swayed to the other perspective..and quite often it becomes a bitter, angry, two-way tongue lashing with no edification...only mutual hatred and dissension. State your case, let the other state theirs and move forward; otherwise we promote a spirit of contention and disunity.
Romans 14:17-19(NIV)
"17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
FINALLY: Folks we do well here to revisit Romans 14&15 and the entire second half of 1 Corinthians. Believers will always have difference in opinions and practices; and we are repeatedly told to defer in order to avoid causing offense and placing obstacles in others' paths. If we are not actively combating the demonic tools of contention, disunity, and discord; then we are actively promoting them. In these matters it is not the process, but the intention and direction of the heart that is critical. Let us move forward into a season of grace, peace and unity in spite of differences; so we may be sure to edify rather than perpetuate a divided and fragmented Body of Christ. Thank you and God Bless!
