In Psalm 15 today we read this response that Jesus gave when the scribes and Pharisees questioned Him about His disciples. Verse 3:
3 He replied to them, And why also do you transgress and violate the commandment of God for the sake of the rules handed down to you by your forefathers (the elders)?
This caused me to stop and think about whether what I believe comes directly from the Word of God, or has it been influenced by the ideas and traditions of man that are influenced by family, culture and other things? I hope that you, too, will take the time to find this out about your beliefs! Refuse to operate according to the traditions of man UNLESS they line up withe the Word of God and HIS plan for you! I do NOT what Jesus to say to me what He said to them in verses 6-9:
6 So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]. 7 You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said: 8 These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. 9 Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.
Look at 2 Timothy 3:5 from the KJV and AMP:
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV
5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]. AMP
It is ONLY the actual Word of God that will brings faith. THAT is why we are encouraged, by an Old Covenant believer, to meditate on the Word! Joshua 1:8:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
Don't be like the lady of the house who always cut off the ends of the roast before she put it in the oven because HER mother did it, who did it because HER mother did it, who did it because HER mother did it, only to find out that the original mother HAD to do it because her pan was too small! Know WHAT you believe, and WHY you believe it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Heaven and Earth":
Shalom in Him!
