Stick to the Word of God

It is very easy to do things because we have always done it. Here in my house, Lori will cut up cucumbers for us to have, either in a salad or as a side all its own. She seems to take time to peel stripes on them prior to cutting them up. This does nothing for them, yet she does it because that is what she witnessed in her house growing up. It was thought to be of necessity when in fact, it was just a tradition.

This morning I was reminded that we are tasked with sticking to God’s Word and not tradition. Jesus said the following to the Pharisees and scribes as they questioned the actions of the disciples.

“⁵But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”a ⁶he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. ⁷You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

^‘8This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

⁹in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

— Matthew 15:5-9 (ESV)

The Pharisees and scribes had good intentions it seems, as they were following he law, but that is the thing, it was the law as written, not the Law of God. God’s Law stated the following:

“⁴For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’” – Matthew 15:4 (ESV)

God gave His Word to say to “Honor your father and your mother”. Not to speak of your father and mother as you command people to do as you say. It is the Word of God that should be followed and not the law.

I know, there is the thing that if not following the law, one might be held to account and be considered as breaking the law. The consequences of that can be severe, and I for one, would not want to be punished for breaking the law. But, the consequences of not following the Word are much more severe. Remember that this world is temporary and our final home is in heaven and to get there we are held to honoring the Word of God, not the law of man. The punishment for not following the Word of God is documented well in God’s Word, death.

Again, it is easy to fall into tradition and follow the law of man. Yet, that is the way to miss the greatness that comes from the LORD. When we look to tradition, we miss the point of it all as we are simply looking to an end. By sticking to the Word of God, we are opened to the possibilities that He has for each of us.

What traditions are you holding on to? Are you missing the greatness of the LORD for stability in this world? What if you held to the Word of God and allowed Him to guide you?