Matthew 15:4-6
“For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ‘THE ONE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
This is a big deal. They are invalidating God’s Word. They didn’t originate it. Someone before them did. However, they accepted it. The prime mover back then will receive a greater judgment. However, they are propetuating it.
There are churches today which are doing the same thing. The 60’s were harmful to many christian denominations. Many hopped on the bandwagon of culture as higher than God’s Word.
The bible is our true north. When we abandon it, we are driftng and will find ourselves lost. Many people and some churches are lost.
Jesus is harsh with the leaders of the lost. That is because they are educated and should know better. He was strong against the pharisees. Even Nicodemus faced a strong Jesus. In John 3:10 He said to him, ‘Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?”‘
The Word of God, the Bible, is where we draw the line, in terms of making stands. In our present day, many make a stand on politics. I won’t separate a friend on politics. However, I will on God’s Word. Not that I am standing on my point. It’s the salvation of their souls.
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word. It leads the way to know You. It’s alive and gives life to us. The Parable of the Sower gives a great illustration of that. As we read it and hear it His Word is sprinkled in our hearts. It takes root and grows. From it comes the fruit of the Spirit, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control”, Galatians 5.
Most importantly we are reconciled to God as we follow His Word. We learn that we are sinners in need of salvation. We learn that Jesus went to the cross to die in our place. We accept His gift, He forgives us and gives us a new nature. We are adopted as sons and daughters. We read His Word and learn how to walk with God. That is the greatest ever.
When we are in a relationship with God, He gives us peace in our hearts. The guilt is gone and we can now enjoy Him. That is the reason we were created, to walk with Him. Adam and Eve had it great. They would work, but then enjoy God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). So we work, spend time with family and enjoy time with God. It’s a wonderful life. All because of His Word.
Thank You for Your Word, Lord. Help us to be bold and share it.