Introduction
We are often motivated by tradition rather than the Word of God. It is reflected in speech, customs, family life, work life, and almost everything else we do including church life and Christian beliefs. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Let’s find out together.
“If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of wrong traditions about God, he will do so; but if we keep true to God, God will take us through an ordeal which will bring us out into a better knowledge of Himself.” (Oswald Chambers April 26 The Supreme Climb)
Tradition Defined
Per Webster’s Dictionary
Traditions are beliefs, principles, or ways of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time…
I might add that there are Secular and Religious traditions.
Examples Would Be:
1. The American tradition of having Fireworks on the fourth of July.
2. A fact that Switzerland has a long tradition of neutrality.
3. There’s a tradition at the office that when it’s somebody’s birthday, the “birthday boy or girl” brings in a cake for all to share.
4. Saying “Amen” or “In Jesus’ name” at the end of every prayer. Many pray to Jesus “In Jesus’s name”. If you’re a Christian whose other names would you pray in Buddha, Allah, certainly not. But if you are not a Christian, many may be praying for results in another god’s name.
5. Starting Christian service with church announcements, taking up a collection, a few fast songs (to get us in the mood), a few slow songs (to get us into a worshipful mood), preaching, or teaching. Some start their service with standing and reading of the Word because the Word stands above all else.
6. Here’s one – The limitation of having one’s mind made up; unwilling to consider new information. Yes, this can be a tradition. “We’ve always done it this way”.
7. How about Thanksgiving and the way we celebrate Christmas and Easter?
I’m sure you can think of many more.
Traditions Can Change
1. Traditional facts, such as some of those above, do not have to remain. Switzerland can pick a side. They haven’t because much of the world’s money resides in their banks. It’s a question of money which is the solution to many obstacles today. After all “The Preacher” did say….
“Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:19) ESV
NOTE: This is an earth-bound statement of wisdom versus foolishness as is declared many times in the book of Ecclesiastes by the statement “Under the Sun” rather than under God.
2. A tradition for one part of the world is not true in another. This should be obvious. (Celebrating the 4th of July and Thanksgiving for example)
3. New traditions can replace old traditions. To some, the New Testament has replaced the Old Testament. BTW not true.
4. The Word of God tells us to change some of our traditions. See below.
The Bible Regarding Tradition May Bring Confusion.
Pro – “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) ESV
Con – “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) ESV
Pro – “And all that you’ve learned from me, confirmed by the integrity of my life, pass on to faithful leaders who are competent to teach the congregations the same revelation Tradition.” (2 Timothy 2:2) TPT
Con – “He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: (Matthew 15:3-20) ESV
Pro – “Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.” Paul speaking of his life. (1 Corinthians 11:2) ESV
Con – “And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:14) ESV
The Answer
“You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. (Not tradition) You shall not turn aside to the right hand or the left. You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.” (Deuteronomy 2:32-33) ESV
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” (Tradition) (Romans 10:1-3) ESV
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) ESV
Why Do We Have Tradition
It Brings Certainty
Tradition brings certainty into our lives. Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life. Uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. Many want control. In the Christian life, we relinquish control to He who is in control of all things. It is natural for us to think that uncertainty is a bad thing.
We’ve Always Did It That Way
How many times have we said and heard that? Or, we hear, “If it’s not broken don’t fix it”? This counteracts an engineer who relies on replacing parts before they break. If we allow something to break before fixing we may be in a lot of trouble by wasting product and time.
Tradition Keeps Our Balance
As announced by Tevya from Fiddler on the Roof.
“And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word… Tradition.
Because of our traditions, We’ve kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything… how to eat, how to sleep, and even, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl… This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I’ll tell you – I don’t know. But it’s a tradition… Because of our traditions, Everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”
We may laugh at Tevya but many mainline denominations along with many cultures, including ours, do the same thing.
Tradition Becomes A Denomination
Many denominations and other beliefs of behavior still think we can work our way to heaven through penance, personal suffering, and good works. The Catholic Church had and still has many such traditions. After confession, a Priest will say we must say or do… to be redeemed of our sins. This is called penance which is a path to being remorseful. Where would we be today without Martin Luther who showed us that Salvation was a gift that we can’t earn?
We Feel Better
We feel better if we have something to do. Being something or someone is often more difficult because everybody can see what we do easier than they can see who or what we are.
Knowledge
Knowledge of tradition is more acceptable within the World than knowledge of God’s Word because many choose not to believe in God.
Conclusion
There is only one tradition we must keep and that is being faithful to His Word. Nothing else matters. Oswald Chambers writes about this when he talks about Vicarious Intercession:
“Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God’s interests in others for our natural sympathy with them. (Apply this to Tradition) Am I stubborn or substituted? Petted or perfect in my relationship to God? Sulky or spiritual? Determined to have my way or determined to be identified with Him?”
Enough said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)
