Read Colossians 2:8-23, Traditions

(Having completed our posts on "fulfilled prophecy in Matthew's Gospel" we will post on a variety of topics the next few days.)

This was part of a sermon preached on Matthew 15:1-20.  It is an illustration of the traditions that we have seen among Christians over the years.  The point is to encourage examination of our own traditions for the sake of the word of God. 

We are to beware men's traditions (2:8).  There are 3 areas of tradition.

·       Legalism, what I do/don't do. As in washing of hands, a certain hairdo among the women, or the kind of family identification sign we have in our yard (in Missouri several years ago we saw this driving around the countryside, different distinguishing signs on the front yards in an Amish area.)

·       Mysticism, what I know that you don't know.  I have seen “church” groups boast about: knowledge of what Jesus did in His childhood, how Moses got his speech impediment (put a burning coal in his mouth as a child), what happens when people die (children become angels, people become stars), what the gov't or Dr Phil or Rush Limbaugh says that helps us live in areas the Bible (supposedly) knows nothing about (politics, emotional or mental health, wife/child abuse, etc.). [Those who think the Bible is irrelevant on issues today fail to understand it's living character, Hb. 4:12.]

·       Asceticism, where I go/don't go.  When we first got married, we would not go to movie theaters, at all. But later, not unless it was a Billy Graham movie.  Okay, theaters aren’t so bad; but only G movies. Or maybe PG if they are cartoons or comedy. But no "R" movies (unless about Jesus and recommended by famous Christians).  I am a teetotaler; I would never, ever go into a bar.  Unless it's an emergency and they have the only phone in the area.  Unless your wife is ill and needs 7Up.  Unless the only other cafe in town is closed and you and your preacher friend need a burger.  For some people it’s a good idea never to go near a bar.  For me, it became something that was a little ridiculous.

Why should we beware in the matter of traditions?  Paul said that none of these traditions contributes to a righteous life.  They deal with externals, not the heart.  In another passage (Gal. 1:11-17) Paul illustrated his approach to tradition. Paul, who excelled in Jewish traditions in the past, desired to live his life not according to man (v11) but through the revealing of Christ (v12).  He did not bring along the best of his former life but was converted; the best of the former life was still defective.  Even as a Christian, and a servant of God, he did not base his theology on the experts of the day, not even going to Jerusalem where James and Peter were serving.  Rather, he went to the desert to get with God (v16-17).  God’s word shaped his daily life!

Traditions can be useful but must be subject to the Word of God.  We should expect that as we are being renewed, our traditions, the rules by which we apply God’s word in our daily lives, will also be renewed.  And in ministry we will be careful not to teach as doctrine those things that are the traditions of men (Matt. 15:9).