For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. Mark 7:8 KJV

Bro. Chad Johnson

Jesus is speaking here to the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus charged these religion leaders of two great errors.

First, they layed aside the word of God. This is exactly what has happened in our churches today. No longer is the preaching of the word of God the preeminent focus. We have layed it aside for praise teams, programs, movie nights, children’s church and the like sort.

When a church begins to lay aside the Bible as it’s main focus it will get off course and have its candlestick removed. (Rev 2:5) The reason our homes, churches and nation as a whole is contrary to God’s word is because we have laid God’s word aside.

Secondly, Jesus charged them of holding to the tradition of man. Now there is nothing wrong with traditions as long as they don’t teach contrary to the Bible and that we don’t teach them as divine or equal to the word of God.

These Pharisees had done just this and put more concern on the ceremonial purification of pots and cups than obeying God’s word. They rejected the commandment of God and replaced it with their own teaching. This is the same thing that happens in so-called churches today.

Most church splits do not occur because we of doctrinal disputes. They happen over some tradition of men that they hold so dear that it is worth fighting over. The sad thing is that many unscriptural things and many unscriptural practices can be going on and no one even cares.

God, deliver us from man’s traditions and return us to the commandments of God. Some examples of men’s traditions that have become a divine teaching are Wednesday night church services, taking the Lord’s Supper weekly, giving a long invitation at the end of each service, the time that we have service at our churches, supporting conventions and associations, role of the pastor and so many other vain traditions.

Bro. Chad Johnson

897 Sycamore-Duncan Road

Auburn, KY 42206