#traditionsofgod

My dear friend’s father said something that has stuck with me for some time. He said, “Tradition would have me to be a slave”.  The essence of his statement captured the necessity for us to not function as automatons and critically examine life from the vantage point of truth. Truth is found in one source- Yeshua. Yeshua said, "I AM the Way -- and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. In my season of combing through and peeling back layers in search of how truth is being lived out, my mind is processing so many things. As everyone around me is celebrating “Easter” I am questioning how much of it is tradition versus truth. I don’t have on a new suit, there are no eggs, bunnies, Easter baskets, or egg hunts to go to. Instead, I stand with Peter and declare, Praise be to God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who, in keeping with his great mercy, has caused us, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the dead, to be born again to a living hope. The most quintessential, tenant of my faith that sets it apart from all others is the death and resurrection of Yeshua HaMashiach. I understand and fully accept this but the terminology of “Easter”, does not fit into the picture for me. The origins of the term and what the celebration has become cloud the greatness of this moment in history. This is not a once a year event. The reality is the gift of resurrection is to be celebrated by a believer daily. Daily I am called to crucify my flesh into rise into the newness of Christ. I am not trying to disparage anybody but I want to challenge us to ask ourselves where are the practices that we are participating in originating from. It's not enough to say my mom and dad did this we are adults and must be accountable for the decisions that we are making. I myself am struggling to work through what is tradition in hopes of finding truth. I know the truth is available because the Holy Spirit will lead me into all truth according to Yeshua. I have been reading Philippians 3 and today found myself relating Paul's presentation to tradition. Traditions exist in homes, church, work, etc., Not all traditions are bad but one must be confident that the tradition is not a form of bondage. For instance, tradition says a child must attend school for x- amount of years, go to high school then go to college, possibly graduate school, then, obtain some form of employment. This is a tradition in of itself. The truth is college is not for everyone. Trade school is a viable option for some. Other points to consider are that some individuals are able to start college as young as thirteen! It doesn't take everyone the same amount of time to move from one academic phase to the next. Most of this is dictated by tradition. Tradition that has brainwashed us to think things need to be a specific way.  In these past few years too many individuals have graduated with high amounts of debt in the name of tradition and had no employment. How did that work out for them? Traditions are often esteemed because human nature loves the ability to brag on accomplishments. You hear individuals boast, “I have three degrees, I graduated from an Ivy League University, I am a partner in my firm, etc.). Paul calls all of this confidence in the flesh. He even lists his own lengthy resume (Philippians 3:4-7) but concedes to say all that he has is regarded as garbage to know Yeshua. These accomplishments and degrees will remain on the earth. They have no eternal value. The same goes for the shiny Sunday suits, and shoes, Easter baskets, choir robes, pews, podiums, offering baskets, worship production schedules, etc., only the truth of God’s word will remain. The material items that we find so necessary were not even a part of Yeshua's ministry. No microphone. No band. Just one man committed to truth. People are hungry for that. "Give us the truth that's what we need." Marketing strategies and dog and pony shows in the pulpit have masked the truth of what church is. It is not a building. It is a covenant community gathering to do life together; a life that is lived as worship. So I am inviting you to recall the words of Yeshua, in Matthew 15:1-20. And ask Him to examine your heart, motives, and traditions. Are they pleasing to Him? Do they distract you or others from the truth?

I leave you with Colossians 2:8,