INTRODUCTION

Sometimes a deep chasm exists between the doctrines, traditions, and commandments of men and those that are God-ordained. Perhaps no passage better identifies this contrast than Mark chapter 7. The religious leaders of Christ’s day held “the tradition of the elders” (Mark 7:3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
See All..., 5), “the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8For 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.
See All...), and their own “tradition” (Mark 7:9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
See All..., 13). In doing so, they rejected “the commandment of God” (Mark 7:9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
See All...). This clearly displays the critical importance of identifying whose traditions one willingly receives and accepts. If traditions are truly of the Lord, they are to be accepted and implemented into the believer’s life (2 Thessalonians 2:15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
See All...). Yet, those man-made, unscriptural traditions are to be rejected altogether.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): There are no works involved in salvation. We are saved by believing (Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  See All...). Any other plan is based upon the tradition of men (1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
  See All...; Colossians 2:20-22 [20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
  See All...). Consider Paul’s testimony (Galatians 1:13-16 [13] For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: [14] And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. [15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, [16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
  See All...).
• (For everyone): How can one determine whose traditions he accepts or rejects? Where can one find traditions that be of God? What should he do once he finds those traditions?
• Upon whose traditions do you stand? Have you fallen prey to the exaltation of the traditions of men? What can you do in order to turn and follow only the traditions of the Lord?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God for wisdom.
• Ask the Lord to show you whose traditions you hold dear.

HYMN

THE BIBLE STANDS

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