Weekly Articles
Tradition Has Become Religion
Tradition generally means long established custom or belief, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation. In the gospel of Matthew 15:1-6 we see the scribes and Pharisees, who were the great men of the Jewish Church of that time more concerned with tradition than obedience to God’s Word.
In their day the “traditions of the elders”, which were extra-biblical writings, became an official part of the Jewish religion. These Jews felt that they were right with God because they kept their own rules. Because they were so careful and precise about keeping the ceremonial law, they missed the weightier things of the law (Matthew 23:23). This is what the church has become today. People are concerned with appearing pious and zealous for the Lord, and have omitted being doers of his Word. Our religion of Christianity should involve a personal and intimate relationship with the One on which this religion is based, not holding to some tradition or custom. Tradition is void of a need for intimacy with God, but more concerned with what it looks like to be a Christian. You observe all the rules and regulations of the church, but refuse to walk in love. You pay tithes but refuse to serve in the ministry unless you hold a title. You say amen at the appropriate time, but neglect to find the time to spend in the Word to see if those things in which you agree are correct according to God’s Word. Too many old sayings and clichés void of the truth to God’s Word have been passed down through the generations. This holding of tradition has become religion to many, and these things and sayings are in essence additions to God’s Word. People today have come to hold on to these traditions and not give attention to the truth of God’s Word. This is because many don’t seek to know the Lord intimately, but rather desire to hold on to their traditions which have been handed down and have become comfortable for them.
By following these traditions the Pharisees appear to be holy men of God. They, in their self-righteousness, had committed themselves to those traditions, and made them equal to, or above the commands of God. There are those today who hold their title and position in the church only to appear to be glorifying God, but are spiritually dead. Jesus in Matthew 23 gave those Pharisees a clear picture of their fate. This is also the picture of the day as well, for you have many teaching doctrines contrary to the Word of God and fashioned after traditions of old. Isaiah 29:13 says that “this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips does honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” The best example of this is the teaching that baptism is necessary for salvation. This is against biblical truth, but is the tradition of men and is taught as if it is indeed the command of God. We must be careful to follow only the truth of God’s Word and not be led by the traditions that have been established of old and passed down. First Timothy 3:16 teaches that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Doctrine is to teach us about the plan of salvation, reproof is to reprimand us for our sins so that we will seek a remedy, correction is soluble in Jesus Christ, and our righteousness comes when Christ attributes His righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21/1 Corinthians 1:30), not by our following tradition.
Followers of tradition place more importance on the external appearance of being religious, rather than seeking the internal cleansing that God desires to do in us so that we are transformed into the image of Christ. This work that God desires to do within us can only be accomplished through our time of persistently looking into his perfect law of liberty (the Word), and allowing it to change us from the inside out. On the other hand those who follow tradition are always careless of God’s commands and never move past the “this is how it has always been done”, to experience the wholeness that God provides to those of us who seek to come into His ever-healing presence. Tradition will not allow you to this place of receiving the wholeness God provides through his Word, because tradition is void; totally lacking the intimacy with God that will bring you healing, soundness, and wholeness.
As verse 6 states, to hold to tradition will cause you to make the commands of God of no effect. In Hosea 6:6 Amplified, God says “for I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.” Therefore let us move past these traditions of old, and seek a closer and more intimate walk with God, which will cause us to walk in His love, sound and whole.