PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 7:1-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8)
These words touch upon something very important for Jesus followers to remember.
The message of the bible is the Law of Love, to love God and neighbour fully.
All the commands of God point to these core commands, and what God wants from us.
How we apply and live out these commands are our interpretations and traditions.
Human traditions are not bad; we all have them and use them to help us follow God’s Law.
But they are human traditions, not divine Law, and are always situational.
Churches and christians have many traditions and practices that are good and helpful.
But they are NOT God’s Law, and are not to be imposed on others as such.
We must all wrestle in community together with how to apply and live out God’s Law.
The real question is whether our hearts are close to or far from the Lord (Mark 7:6).
Are our traditions and practices motivated by love for God and people?
Is it from the heart, or are we holding on to “merely human rules” (Mark 7:7)?
Again, human traditions are not bad, but they are not the point, and they are not laws.
They are how we give expression to our love… and each each of us does this in our own way.
PRAYER
Lord, whatever I do, help me to do it with all my heart, as serving you and not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” All for show – but inside no substance! Why the show – is it the honour, praise, recognition that I seek? It’s not worth it! O Lord, may I be genuine with you and with others. I want to follow your ways not out of duty but out of love, respect and honour for you! Make my heart pure O Lord that I might follow you! May others see that I am genuine and not some pompous religious eccentric!