Sinful Church Traditions?
2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? Matthew 15:2-3
I find this passage very fascinating. The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders of the day. The tradition of the elders that the disciples were ‘breaking’ were not from the scriptures, but from the religious leaders over the years that had been passed down through the generations. This is similar to our church situations today. We each are comfortable with a church service-style, a church worship-style, and various church practices that we have participated in through the years. In and of themselves, these ‘traditions’ of ours are not wrong. In fact, most of them grew through necessity of the times we were in.
However, times change. When times change, usually circumstances and needs change. People change along with these changes, and the methodology of our services, worship, and church practices often cease to be effective tools for evangelism. Sometimes, they even become ineffective tools for church discipleship. So we need to change with them.
Did Jesus agree with the religious leaders that were upset over His disciples’ practices being different than the traditions? NO!! Instead, he pointed out that the religious leaders had many practices that were downright SINFUL – since they dishonored and revoked the very Word of God!
In the same way, we must be very careful not to be so content with our traditions that we become ineffective and – even worse – sinful in our habits and practices! Beloved, we must not hold to traditions – we must hold to Jesus! Let JESUS guide and direct our services, our worship time, and our various church practices. Then, we will ALWAYS be effective in our evangelism and discipleship programs!
