Tradition

Tradition is a powerful thing. It is what binds us to our past and gives us a sense of belonging. Tradition has the potential to create strong family units; the absence of it creates a sense of disconnect from identity. A missionary who has traveled quite a bit once told me that the lack of traditions in a "melting pot" society has been shown to have negative influences on the youth including disrespect for the elderly, no sense of identity, etc. On the other hand, a strong sense of tradition can create a healthy sense of respect for self and others.
Matthew 10: 35-36 - For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

All people groups have traditions that can be used for good and bad. Some of them are beautiful and others are steeped in centuries of ignorance and superstition. Who doesn't love blowing out the candles on a birthday cake or opening a gift on Christmas Eve? Tradition. For centuries a young widow in India would commit suicide by lighting herself on fire on top of her husband's funeral pyre. Tradition. See the difference?

All of us tend to get defensive when our traditions are crossed. It may seem that we are being personally assaulted. Yet many times the word of God does just that. It goes against our traditions. This is the meaning of the verse where Jesus said he had come to set family members against one another. It wasn't that he had no respect for traditions or family ties. It was just that he knew his teachings were going to cause many to have to make a choice. Are my traditions more important than the teachings of the one I now call Lord?

There are times when all of us must choose as well. Will I be offended when I realize that some Biblical truth challenges what my grandmother or aunt believed? What if my father and mother walked in all the light they knew but now I am being shown more? Can I accept that maybe they weren't right about everything?

Let's look at the medical field. It wasn't that long ago that Penicillin was discovered. Before Penicillin people died from what today would be considered a minor ailment. After Penicillin was a different story. My point is this. Who would refuse to take Penicillin because grandmother and grandfather didn't have access to it. Hardly anyone.

Yet many people have rejected truths from God's word because it went against family tradition. I am glad I am not the judge. I have no power to grant anyone access to heaven or condemn anyone to hell. As a minister of the gospel I must preach what the word of God says, even when it goes against family tradition. I can't answer for my forefathers but I can answer for myself. I'd rather have the Penicillin than die from Pneumonia; I'd rather accept truth than take a chance with my soul.

Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones

Murder With the Tongue

Revelation 12:10 - The accuser of our brethren is cast down.

Did you know that God can speak to us in dreams? There are many Biblical examples of God sending warnings, encouragement, rebuke, and direction to his people through dreams. Of course, not all dreams come from God, but he does speak this way. In light of that, I would like to share a dream with you.

In this dream I say a person who was trying to establish his reputation as a preacher. Two other people were telling things about the person's past. They were convinced that God could not/would not use this person because of past sins. As I watched, a man suddenly appeared, looked at the two accusers and said "You are doing the same thing. You are murdering this man with your tongue."

When I awoke the scripture came to mind about the accuser of our brethren. This is a name the Bible gives to Lucifer. I suddenly realized that when we are constantly accusing people of things, such as past sins that may be repented of, we are aligning ourselves with Lucifer. It is his job to still, kill, and destroy. It is the Christian's job to build up and give hope.

Are you struggling today to forgive yourself or someone else of past mistakes? Do you constantly remember things someone else has done to you? Maybe you feel guilt yourself over things done in the past. Allow me to tell you today, these accusing thoughts do not come from God. If you have asked God to forgive you, He has. The Bible says he has removed our sins as far from us as the "east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12). I don't know how one can measure where the East stops and the West begins, but I know that the sins I have repented of are a long way from me.

God is a merciful God who is quick to forgive. The only way he doesn't forgive is if we will not forgive others. God hates that attitude because it says that I am worthy enough to be forgiven but someone else isn't. When I constantly bring up someone else's past mistakes I am unwittingly aligning myself with Satan. Thank God for his mercy toward me. I have been forgiven of much and I must remember to show that same mercy to others.

Lord, help me today not to murder anyone with my tongue. If I am tempted to slander, let me remember the things I've been forgiven of. Help to show the same grace to others that I would want shown to me. Amen!

Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones

I am not Superman

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

All of us like to hear messages about faith. It is one of the most popular things to write about. We try to encourage each other with words like "just have faith." The reason it is such a universal topic is because all of us have our struggles. All of us have those things we deal with in private (and some not so private) that try our endurance levels. Even the most stalwart of us have those times of uncertainty when we wonder how things are going to work out. It is times like these when we need faith the most and yet struggle with it the most.

Faith is often misunderstood. It is not just a mental exercise in believe. I can believe I'm Superman all day but if I jump off a building I'm going to fall and break my neck. Why? Because I'm not Superman and I can't fly. What gives faith its power is the one in whom we have faith. When we understand that the God we serve has never lost a battle, never made a mistake, and never run out of answers it is easy to trust him.

It is not about how strong or weak my faith is. The gospels tell a story about a man who needed healing for his son. Jesus told him that he would receive if he could believe. His answer still speaks to us today. "Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief." He received his miracle. It is ok to admit that our faith is wavering. I believe God likes our honesty; He knows anyway. In the end it is not up to my great faith. It is up to Him anyway and he knows exactly how to handle my situation. Who wouldn't want to serve a God like that.

Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief!

Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones