The Pharisees, who were loyal to customs they had set in place, were critical of Jesus' disciples who did not observe those traditions (Matt 15:1). They were even open, through tradition, to minimizing God’s written word to explain why something as simple as honoring your parents was disregarded (Matt 15:3-6). Friend, have you seen something done out of habit or tradition that no one was able to explain biblically? It’s important for all of us to recognize that when all is said and done those things that are not from the Father will be uprooted and done away with.

A great question to ask someone is why do you believe what you believe? Many today, unfortunately, have no clear understanding as to why they believe what they believe. The people of Berea were not a group of people who just believed without reason:

Acts 17:10-11
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
NKJV

Peter tells us this for those who inquire of us why we believe what we believe.

1 Peter 3:15-16
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
NLT

Let me encourage you to be ready to connect yourself with the living God through His Word and by His Spirit. As well-meaning as a tradition may be, as sincere as a human being may act, apart from the foundation of God’s word and Spirit we have nothing to live for, nothing to live for that will last. If we live for a tradition that seems Christian, but fail to see it’s the Lord and His word we should follow, chances are we don’t see that we are dirty enough to be ministered to.

Life Lesson: As followers of Christ we need to be faithful in reading, studying, learning and trusting God more each day. Our foundation of truth is the Bible.

Lord,
Please help me remove those things that are in my life that are not from You. Please enable me by Your word and Spirit to live for You according to Your word and not man’s tradition or my own perception. Please cleanse me and forgive me of those things that are not from You, that I might live for You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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