Traditions of Men

Mark 7:1-4 (KJV) Says "Then came together unto Him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables."

Jesus responds in Mark 7:6-13 (KJV) which says "He answered and said unto them, well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

In the above scripture, the concern was not with dirty hands, but with how Jesus' disciples were ignoring Jewish tradition and thereby becoming ceremoniously unclean. Jesus tells them that years of tradition had brought some Jewish religious practices into conflict with the far older commands of the Old Testament. Many people were substituting modern religious custom for the divine truth of God's word.

The Pharisees were looking to find fault in Jesus and His disciples anywhere they could find it. Unfortunately, many Christians of today behave the same exact way toward those they are attempting to witness to.  I have had many people tell me that Christians act as though they are better than other people, and that when they visited such and such a Church they had never felt more unwelcome in their lives. If your Church follows a tradition of men in what is acceptable to wear to a worship service, and you offend a visitor who wore something you deemed inappropriate then you are behaving like the Pharisees. Maybe that's all they had to wear, and I am certain God would prefer that they come to worship in the clothes they wore in lieu of not coming at all.  I have listened to people tell me about the experiences they've had when interacting with someone that proclaimed to be a Christian, and I've learned that many of them are left with a strong distaste for Christianity. I encourage them not to generalize, and advise them that behaving as though we are better than others, and making people feel unwelcome is certainly not acceptable Christian behavior.

How do you come across, when witnessing to others? Do you come across as kind, understanding, forgiving, merciful, and loving? Or do you come across as harsh, and judgmental? When you approach someone or they approach you, do you ask them to put their beer down, if they want to talk to you? Do you correct them, if they use a curse word? Or do you meet them right where they are, and share the good news of the gospel and the way to salvation?

If someone visits your Church are they made to feel welcome? Do  you do your part to make them feel that way? Or do people stare at them, and whisper judgmental condemning things about their appearance and the type people they must be, without ever having been so much as introduced to them?

If a visitor comes to your Church, and their dress is a bit to short for your liking, do you focus on that or do you focus on how wonderful it is that they have decided to come and worship the Lord? I encourage you to focus on the latter, and let God convict people about anything he feels they need to change. If a young man comes to Church with long hair, and a few tattoos, do you prejudge him, stare, and talk about how it's a sin to mark your body? Or do you find joy in the fact the young man decided to come to Church? I encourage you to do the latter, as I feel certain God finds joy in the fact that the young man decided to attend a worship service.

Do you sit in Church looking around at what everyone is wearing, and then make comments as though you're the fashion police?  Do you listen to the sermon, and then leave Church talking bad about the preacher? If you arrive early do you sit on the pew, and gossip about other members of the congregation?  Do you and your friends try to determine whose having an affair, whose getting a divorce, whose fault it is that the divorce is occurring, whose children are headed down the wrong path, who can and can't cook, the behavior of the preachers wife,  and any other issue that may be brought to the forefront of the conversation?

If you are guilty of any of these things friends, it needs to stop. If you know people in your congregation that are guilty of these things, encourage them by example to cease behaving in this manner. Christians are running people away from the Lord with their religious, judgmental behavior, and their traditions of men. It is imperative that we witness in love, with kindness, understanding, and mercy toward others, as the word of God instructs us to do. When we are born again, we become new creatures in Christ, and people should be able to tell the difference in a Christian, and a non-believer. Often times, however, that is not the case. The line is not just blurred in some cases, it is invisible.

The next time you have a visitor attend your Church, make them feel welcome, behave in a kind and warm hearted manner toward them. Don't get angry, and start complaining because they are sitting in the spot that you have sat in for thirty years, sit somewhere else. Rejoice in the fact that someone new has opted to join your congregation in worship no matter what they are wearing, how long their hair is, how many tattoos they have, or whatever else Satan may attempt to distract you with. Evaluate yourself for any areas in your life where you may be coming across as holier than thou, and work on those immediately. Remember we are all special in God's eyes, we are all His children, and He loves each one of us equally. He is no respecter of persons, and we shouldn't be either. Show brotherly love, and kindness to everyone, and meet them with encouragement right where they are.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.