Traditions Are Hard To Break Even If Against Scripture

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were

from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,

“Why do Your disciples transgress

the tradition of the elders? For they do not

wash their hands when they eat bread.” ‘

He answered and said to them,

“Why do you also transgress the

commandment of God because of

your tradition?”…..

“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy

about you, saying:

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

and honor Me with their lips, but their heart

is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Matthew 15:1–3; 7–9

            I approach this subject with great caution and concernment for I am touching upon that which many people hold dear and do not want to examine this subject only to keep what they have come to believe is acceptable to God. Traditions are hard to break even if they are in opposition to Scripture.

The Pharisees and Scribes had added so much to the commandments of God, tradition, tradition, tradition; important according to their theology. In this narrative food was the problem, and the washing of hands. It was not the food, nor the not washing of the hands that was the problem exactly; it was the breaking of tradition. Jesus makes this fact clear: “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matthew 15:10–11). Churches have had splits in their congregation over such as: “We have never done it this way before!” Tradition often trumps common sense, and often that tradition has not Scriptural basis. Oh, it may have some theologian who is held in high esteem who promoted such as has been taught as the only way, and have made it tradition: but it is not Scriptural. Example: Only an ordained pastor can administer the Lord’s Supper. Really! Where is that in the Bible? Why only can an ordained pastor administer this sacrament? Do it different and there is an outcry……..”We have never done it that way before, and beside so and so has taught us that this old way is the only way;” somehow as this is Scriptural and not just some inference added to the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Yet, as much as may be complained over that tradition we have our own tradition(s) that are hard pressed when spoken against; as though they are of the will of God: “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of this world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations––‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle….’” (Colossians 2:21). You might cavil at this point and say: “I don’t have such traditions and I keep the commandments.” Really? The Sabbath is kept holy, or is it a time to make cause for others to serve you, i.e., waitress, cooks, retailers, boating, skiing, etc., and what about idols? Is there not a commandment of God that we are to keep that day holy? What about idols? No! You say! “I don’t have idols!”  Is that really true? You do not hold in some high esteem a celebrity, with great excitement and have all the trivia you can get about that celebrity? What about those churches that have lined on the walls, statures of saints, and even pictures of Jesus Christ? What about the picture hanging on your wall of “Jesus Christ?” What about striving to become wealthy, or famous, and have that desire to be the highest of priority in your life? This all at the cost of your family? Oh, you say: “I take care of my family, I am there when they need me!” Really! When the kids get home from school, you are there, cookies, and milk, and a time to talk, a time to be near your kids. You do have evening meals with the family, or are you running off to some meeting, political, or even religious?

            Oh! I have done it now! Many may want to curse me, they would if they could swallow me alive. Is it not clearly enjoined to us those Ten Commandments given to Moses and apply even to us that there should not be anything, any representation, of anything in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, to not have any likenesses of other gods? You say that you do not serve other gods? Really? You do hold in high esteem some celebrity that has openly admitted that he is a Scientologist, or believes in abortion, or same sex marriage, homosexuality, and you go to their concerts, or movies, etc.? You are given to men, women, and to pictures that are supposed to represent Jesus Christ, wait a minute! Is not Jesus Christ in heaven? Are we not to make any representation of things in heaven? Are we not to subside from such things as to give honor to another that only belongs to God? To adore is to praise, revere, ask, entreat, implore, invoke, offer prayer. But to worship is to direct respect, be submissive, celebrate, venerate, love, esteem highly.

            You may want to defend your tradition and experience that includes pictures, statures, and other forms of adoration by saying that you do not suppose that there is anything divine in the image which you adore. You may say that you adore it only to honor Him. Really? If you were a person who left some cult that had images, idols now venerate images of saints, Jesus Christ, statues, pictures of angels, and Satan, those who have deserted such thing now have exchange the former for the present, they only have changed their names.

            Ponder this, meditate upon this, look up Scripture about this, pray about this. What does it mean to be a Christian? You keep God’s commandments, and at all cost. Did not God come to this earth, die for sin, and given to the elect the benefits of sins destruction? Yes.

If then you were raised with Christ,

            Seek those things which are above,

Where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

            Set your mind on thins above,

Not on things on the earth. For you died,

            And you life is hidden with

Christ in God.

                                    Colossians 3:1–3

Live life fully, Love God

Richard L. Crumb