Truth & Tradition

If you read the NT you will discover that one of the major themes is the continual emphasis on the sufficiency of Christ for salvation. Christ and Christ alone. From the beginning the church was tempted to add additions to following Christ. Various rules, rituals, standards. Each time Paul would vigorously refute this Jesus + gospel as no Gospel at all.
They debated it at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, Paul records confronting Peter about his hypocrisy in Galatians 2 and in every letter Paul writes he emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ and Christ alone for salvations. We are saved by GRACE. Anything else added to the Gospel becomes a Jesus + gospel and is no Gospel at all.

Jesus said we would know the Truth and the Truth would set us free. Of course the Truth was not a moral code, system of rituals or religion...the Truth was a person...Jesus. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is Truth and it is for that reason that He calls us into a personal relationship with Him.

It is not the actions of people that Christ desires it is the heart. Jesus knows that love for Him will motivate all necessary actions. When the church reverses this order and begins dictating actions in hopes of winning the heart it is no longer preaching the Gospel. At this point the church begins using control and manipulation over people - blending the truth of the Gospel with man made traditions and rituals necessary for acceptance. Thus each church develops all of the unspoken, and often spoken, rules for Christianity. Fear is the typical method of control - frightening people into acceptable behavior, consistent attendance, service and giving. It is not overt fear but the subtle message that God's love is conditional. It isn't just Jesus it is Jesus +. Yet John writes that perfect love would cast out all fear and those that fear have not been made perfect.

In this way, the church can often become an enemy of the true Gospel. At this point its critics are justified although their motives are often personally driven.

Let's not place all the blame on the church. I am not convinced that in many cases the motive is intentional but the result is still equally damaging. Jesus said you would know the Truth and the truth would set you free. Jesus is the truth and His Word is Truth. In order to know Truth beleivers must know the Word of God or else all they have is tradition. Most believers I know do not know the Truth (have not read, studied the Bible) and therefore must live their Christian faith by tradition. They are a victim of their own ignorance. Trapped in a Gospel defined by the experiences they have been exposed to unable to distinguish Truth from traditions. Unfortunately, many ministers do not adequately know the Truth. As a result their ministries are simply a continuation of the traiditions they were mentored under. Understand, not all traditions are bad. In fact many traditions are beneficial - creating comfortable paths to open up to and connect with God. On the other hand, anytime a tradition becomes linked with the Gospel it is at that point determential. Likewise if my traditions are a requirement for others to experience Christ they have become a false teaching. A Jesus + gospel is no Gospel at all.

Let me leave this thought with some personal reflection:
How well do you know the Truth? Can you seperate tradition from Truth? How much of your life in Christ is dictated by tradition? What are the dangers of confusing tradition with Truth.

Obviously the primary danger is in accepting a gospel that is really no Gospel at all. What greater trajedy could there be than hearing Christ say "depart from me I never knew you" after partipating in endless religious traditions. This concerns me greatly.

What are some other dangers:
1. God shrinks to be contained only within our traditions
-this is why mission trips are a spiritual shocker to many. Experiencing God outside their
small box
2. We limit God and define Him only by our traditions
-like looking at only one side of a block - parital picture but not wholly correct
3. We limit the Gospel, we distort the Truth, if we require our traditions for people
to experience Christ.
-#1 hindrance to passing down our faith to the next generation is tradition not Truth.
Jesus said if He was lifted up He would draw all men unto Himself. Traditions cloud the
way.

This blog turned out lengther than intended. I would love feedback and comments.

Blessings,
Darren