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Traditions and Commandments - Mark 7
Traditions and Commandments - Mark 7
Tradition is from a Greek word that simply means 'handed down'. Traditions then can be the true understanding of God's will handed down from apostles to believers (1Cor. 11:2). Traditions can also have originated with men, as it is recorded here in Mark 7. The traditions of men can be benign and cause no spiritual problems, or they can be deadly to the spirit. When they are placed on the same level as God's word, they are deadly, even more so when they are placed ABOVE the authority of God's word.
Here Jesus charges the Pharisees with leaving off the commandments of God in order to keep their own traditions. Doing this caused their worship of God to be 'vain', that is, to no avail or worthless. I believe that this same concept is valid today. Traditions that are based solely upon man's authority will cause our worship to be vain IF we set aside God's word in order to keep them.
Most traditions began because people discovered what worked. This then was passed down to others who passed it down to others… Over the course of time, the situation the brought about such an act may change and thus make the 'tradition' of no real consequence. At other times, the tradition still works and needs not be changed. As Paul told Timothy: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it" (2 Tim. 3:14).
Often the keeping of traditions causes 'generational problems'. Older people have 'done it this way' for so long that it is comfortable. Often, they continue such because it still 'works'. At other times, they continue such traditions even when they serve no real purpose. Younger people, because of their age, have NOT 'kept such traditions', or at least not for very long. They often look to change things and thus target such traditions for change. In such a struggle the older people are seen as 'dead' and the younger people are viewed as 'rebels'. Neither view may be accurate.
We need to examine ourselves. We need to question and understand WHY we have a tradition. We need to examine and see if such is still accomplishing the purpose for which is was started. We don't need to make a tradition of constantly changing things just to have change, but neither should we be wedded to a tradition just because we have 'always done it this way'. Brethren, this will take some maturity in our part. In dealing with these things let us always seek to glorify God.
However, some traditions ARE the commandments of God. They have been passed down to us from the apostles and prophets. In SUCH we must stand firm. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). He commended the church at Corinth saying: "Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you" (1 Corinthians 11:2).
Hugh DeLong
