Traditions!
Posted by Chris on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
Ok this may be a little harsh, but the reality is we all hold on to something’s that really, probably are not worth it. Whether it be in the church, work or life. I guess from my experience and what I have been involved in it seems church and even my own personal life I hold onto these beliefs or traditions that I think will make me a better person, or improve my situation wih God. I’ve beginning to realize that there is a fine line to being culturally relevant as well as being culturally sensitive to those around us. I think both are important and both should be weighed heavily. Discernment and saying “no” are also important in this. In the church I think some cases people hold onto traditions that honestly really have no bearing on living out ones faith in Christ. We hold people to more or less personal traditions and beliefs rather than what the bible says. This has been something I have been wrestling with lately and I think it’s a common issue in a lot of churches. Because I’m not a pastor or in leadership I often wonder how one goes about creating an environment where people are moved and pushed in there faith rather than institutionalizing it based off doctrines and beliefs (especially if they’re personal). I honestly believe that this environment is created by the very ones who are in charge. These people set the tone for how things work and operate. They cast and share vision and encourage people to move from where they’re at in there spiritual life. Granted you may argue it’s on the individual person to do this, your right. But I believe the church is there to encourage believers and aid believers in this process. 1 Peter 5:1-3 says:
“Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the suffering of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercise oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but providing to be examples to the flock.”
When a group of people are committed to accomplish something that the spirit of God has put in they’re hearts, I believe we break free from these traditions and silly (sometimes incredibly stupid) doctrines that I honestly believe enslave us. Leadership starts from the top down. Christ’s body is a fluid movement and should be shaping and changing culture. We should not be influenced by the culture around, nor should we look at culture as something that we step back from and not interact with either. What about personally? I don’t know about you, but I honestly hold on to the mentality that God is playing cop along side the road waiting to catch me in the act, and punish me. And then I have to turn around and do something to find favor in God. This isn’t necessarily a tradition, but I think we go through these motions as if they were. I’m not saying we don’t recognize and confess sin in our life. Not at all. But It’s coming to a understanding of what Christ did on the cross for us. He freed us from the death grip of sin.
Romans 6:6 says:
“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”
Romans 8: 14 says:
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
This too is something I have been wrestling with lately. I don’t fully understand this mystery nor do I think I ever will. I think it’s a good thing to wrestle with and chew on. I think it’s important to really see what the scripture says. I often rather put my opinion into this. I’d rather hold on to traditions or a though process that really isn’t God honoring at all. What about you?
Filed in makes ya think, random thoughts, spiritual application |
Chris good post however I would be cautious in equating doctrine with tradition. Both doctrine and tradition can be good or bad. Wrong doctrine can obviously be horrible and lead people on a wrong path that could cause their should to end up in hell. Of course tradition can be bad if we are unwilling to do things different because we have “never done it that way”. But they are not one in the same and maybe that is not how you meant it when you stated “I believe we break free from these traditions and silly (sometimes incredibly stupid) doctrines that I honestly believe enslave us.” Some doctrine is stupid but doctrine is vital 2 Timothy 3:16. I know some believe we can do without doctrine but without it then what do we believe in as far as truth. Christ taught doctrine all through scriptures. One example being the woman at the well. But great post.
My intention was not to say that doctrine, core beliefs of the faith, were stupid. What I was relating doctrines to is the fact that these traditions, which are often one’s beliefs on how to do something turn into a personal or a group doctrine, and tact on to what God has called us to do and be. I think a lot of cases there given as a standard to people and that sometimes its really not biblical at all. I should have responded earlier when I am a bit more awake. I hope that makes sense.
I would agree with that. Unfortunately man people take tradition and make it doctrine. Which is definitely not the case. And what you said makes sense to me and I understand what you are saying. Many times our traditions are not Biblical in the least in fact it is usually a preference that we pawn off as doctrine.