Devotion to Traditions or Devotion to Christ?

Most people who say they are Christians today have more devotion to their denomination and their traditions than they do to Christ.

I am grieved at how people will violently defend unbiblical practices just because it has been what they have always done, or because they do not want to seem radical to their family members.

Those who seek the Lord with all their heart will be separated from those who love their superficiality. They will be isolated from the pew warmers and pretenders, not because they sought to be, but because they were rejected by those who love their traditions.

Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Matthew 15:3
"He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"

Are you so sold out to Christ that every challenge is seen as an opportunity to learn more about Christ?

If anyone finds themselves shrinking from speaking of God merely because of the company they are keeping, then that alone is reason for repentance.

When Christians get together for a meal and Christ is never mentioned and the things of God cause embarrassment, we might want to think twice about attending these gatherings in the future.

It is harder to be with superficial Christians than with non-believers. We expect the non-believers to act like that, but it is shocking and frustrating when rage and indifference come out of the mouths of believers when scripture is brought to bear on a discussion.

Every authentic believer should be excited to speak about Christ. I don't mean moral things or practices, I mean about Christ Himself. I find so many superficial believers who love to speak about abortion, homosexuality or politics, but when the name of Christ emerges the room becomes silent from the weight of embarrassment.

Cultural Christianity is the majority of what we experience today as we move through Christian circles, embarrassment over the mention of the Holy Spirit or words from the Bible often bring division and contempt upon the one who dares to speak openly about these things.

My advice, just keep going when led by the Holy Spirit. The responses don't say a thing about you, but they do reveal the hearts of others who express those responses.

Romans 1:16-17 "16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”…"

The Misunderstandings Have Caused Confusion

The model below was developed by the Bill Gothard Seminars, it has led a lot of people astray in terms of the dynamics of the family.

This picture is not accurate exactly. Yes the husband is the leader and protector, but the wife is not under she is beside.

She helps her husband make decisions as a DCPI would help the police chief. She must be there to advice him all the time. The woman was not taken out of Adams feet, she was taken from his side. In fact the words "husband and wife" should be in the center umbrella and the small umbrella should be children.

Philippians 3:13-15

 "…13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well."

Matthew 7:21-23 "21

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"

Notice in the explanation of the self righteous who think they are going to heaven, that their focus on what they did for the Lord, not what He did for them.

Self focus, obligatory actions to gain something for self is detestable to God.