OUR TRADITIONS

I was sitting in a packed church one evening just looking at the people and the surroundings when the LORD spoke to me, “for all of these people to go to heaven they must believe they have lived their lives in a religious lie. They will have to come to realize their holy men have lied to them all of their lives and they will have to understand their parents also have lied to them.” I bristled in my spirit in astonishment and slid back in my seat. What an obstacle for these mostly older folks to get over to believe they have been lied to all of their lives by people they have counted on for counsel and help and more importantly people they love and people who have told them all of their lives they love them. I cannot imagine this happening in their lives. Sad to say, unless they allow God to open the eyes of their understanding and reject the religious traditions of their youth these folk will probably not spend eternity with the LORD. Thanks be to God He is righteous and looks at our heart. Traditions hold us tight around our heart and often prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves and the world around us. The best example I can give is what we all see during holidays. Every year 86% of all Americans celebrate Christmas (word not found in the Scriptures) based on a lie. Almost everyone knows the story of Santa Claus is a lie, yet we (every year) continue this lie from one generation to the next. Instead of only talking about the birth of Christ we have a counterfeit story running parallel about some fat man in a red suit driving a sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night giving toys to good boys and girls, people of all ages (a lie), but we yearly continue this myth. With each new generation born we indoctrinate them with traditions and genealogies that only lead them astray from the truth of the word of God all for the sake of stimulating our economy at the end of the year. In 2012 America spent $11.2 billion (in spite of dire economic times) in two days for Christmas, while the poor steal or do without, the homeless wander, and needy go hungry. At the heart of most traditions is greed and selfishness. In the Spring America celebrates Easter (word found once in Acts 12:4, but translated passover) with a bunny rabbit who gives out candy to people, (bad people can get candy) which is a lie like Christmas. Instead of talking about the death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ we talk about a bunny rabbit that gives candy to people of all ages. Churches today are in the act with face paintings, Easter egg hunts, and so much more. What does this all have to do with the Gospel? Nothing! Now I am not going to go into all of the pagan rituals and religious traditional practices that surround the historical myth of Easter my intent is to lift up the name of Jesus. But, my friend we have “truly” (taking something from the physical realm and projecting it into the spiritual realm) drifted so far from the true meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the great price He paid for my sin and your sin. What does Christmas have to do with the birth of Christ? Nothing, but we continue this American tradition at the demise of the truth about the Gospel. Now many people, including Christians, would say what is the harm in a Christmas tree, decorating our house with lights, and giving presents? Jesus got presents why shouldn’t we? It was not your birthday. Or at Easter what is a wrong with giving away candy in a basket? During these two holidays we have special church productions or programs to get the two timers (those folk who come to church two times a year), but when the truth is mixed with a lie the lie always wins the day. Would it not be best to just tell them the story of Jesus and leave the Christmas lie out? But no we think we have to have something worldly to hook (as if the Gospel message is not good enough) the people; we have a harvest festival in the fall, during Christmas and Easter some special presentations to get the people who would not come normally, well if you have to have something special to get the two timers there something is lacking in your church. Most pastors today are so afraid of offending members (keeping their rice bowls intact) they keep the truth from their people and cover it with song and pageantry. Peter told the Christians in Asia Minor, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9) Well . . . are we or are we not a peculiar people? Are we or are we not a holy nation? Are we or are we not a royal priesthood? Are we or are we not a chosen generation set apart for the Master’s use? If we practice the traditions of Christmas, Easter, and other religious rituals in any shape or form then we cannot move in the truth of this verse. Traditions in the church are killing the witness and Spirit of the church. Paul ran into this same problem when he visited the Church at Thessalonica. The Church mentioned in Thessalonians like all of the Churches mentioned in the New Testament came face to face and struggled with the religious traditions and rituals of their day. My friend the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is in stark contrast (it is meant to be) with our religious traditions and rituals. The religious traditions and rituals are of the world, worldly in heart and spirit (selfish and fleshly), while the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is of heavens, heavenly in the heart and Spirit of God. John tells us “That which is of the Spirit is Spirit and that which is of the flesh is flesh.” (John 3:6) Today we try mixing the flesh with the Spirit (a Christmas tree at church) while telling ourselves we are sharing the good news, but in reality all we have done was muddy the truth of the word of God. I know this is hard, but the message of the Gospel is hard too. Our message must be either a lie or the truth. Either we believe in God and His word as it was written or we believe the 1,000s of stories, fables, myths, and genealogies the world and most churches believe. We must take a stand for truth and righteousness for the word of God and His traditions. Paul tells the Church at Thessalonica, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15) That means the Church at Thessalonica (like today) was wavering in what they believed. What you believe will take you in the direction you will end up some day and what we believe determines the level of commitment we will have. If you believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny you may not end up with the LORD you may end up with the folks sitting in church, I first mentioned in my article. Not only in Thessalonica, but Paul had this grave concern for the Church corporately in Asia. In 1 Timothy we read, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies (strong’s #1076, birth, linage, traditions, and practices) which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” (1 Timothy 1:4) Paul visited the Church at Ephesus about A.D. 63 following his release from his first Roman imprisonment. Soon thereafter he left Timothy in charge of the church and wrote his letter about one year later. Paul’s immediate purpose in writing this letter was to issue an affectionate appeal to Timothy concerning the welfare of the church and gave Timothy instructions for perfecting the organization and safe guarding the Gospel message. Again in Titus Paul on his way to Crete warned the church to maintain church organization, sound doctrine, and holy living by staying away from traditions, foolish questions, and genealogies, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3:9) When is the Body of Christ going to stand up and say these fables and stories about Santa Claus and the Easter bunny are downright lies and not participate in them? My friend at the heart of religious tradition is always a lie and deception from the truth. This is why religious tradition in the church and traditions of men in society are so bad. Paul instructed the churches he visited and wrote to, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”(2 Thessalonians 2:15) Brethren we are to, “stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.” What traditions is Paul talking about? Well certainly not Christmas, Easter, and religious rituals I am sure. We are to keep the traditions that were delivered to the early church, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) Did you know you have to die to be a saint? Better to die now to our selfish and self-centered ways than to die later at the Great White Throne Judgment. You will not get out of this life alive. We are to take heed, to keep, to live those traditions that were “delivered unto the saints” so, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14) and be able to, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16) Unless we grow up in the LORD in all things we will always be tossed to and fro, deceived by every tradition (like Christmas and Easter), myth, fable, etc. The key to spiritual growth is speaking in love; not always saying nice swellings words of flattery, but able to tell the Brethren; look out you are heading off the cliff, wake up you have a ditch in front of you. If not we will not be able to be “fitly joined together,” we will not be able to supply the Body of Christ with the things God has given us to give others. The traditions we keep have great bearing on our spiritual growth and development; are we focused on the traditions found in the word of God or are we keeping things of this world with one hand while trying to hold on to God with the other? We cannot hold both. We must let go of either this world’s traditions or God it is our choice and around Christmas and Easter it is easy to see who has let go of God. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

When I meditate on this time of the year and what we call the Christmas (word not found in the KJV of the Bible) season I must conclude this is the most divisive time of the year just ahead of Easter. I wonder why these two holidays divide so many people in the world. Now I will tell you from the start Karen and I do not celebrate Christmas how can we the word is not in the KJV Bible, but we do celebrate the birth of our precious LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. As Christianity began to spread many were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs among their converts. We even see this throughout the New Testament Church as Paul constantly battled against pagan and cultural traditions from taking root in the young Church. At first the Church forbade this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Bible historians claim that the Christmas celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also to the Persians (Babylonian Chaldeans) whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. Oddly enough it was during this period the three Wise Men (also Magi) (Matthew 2:1) learned of the Star of Bethlehem by reading the prophecies of Daniel the Great Magi (Daniel 1:1-7). Sadly this religious deception continues today, even though the faces and names has been changed the spirit and intent has not. We Christians seem to be good at making up things to satisfy our flesh for fulfillment. Now as I said Karen and I do celebrate the birth of Christ, there is a huge difference. As we watch the news we cannot believe all of the fighting to keep Christ in Christmas. Where in the Bible did Jesus ask us to remember His birth? Now I can find plenty of Scriptures in the Bible where Jesus has asked us to remember His death, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) Who wants to remember Jesus’ death when we can remember His birth? Yet few Christians really remember His death (Romans 6:3) while they go crazy in remembering His birth. I wonder why? Yes there is a wonderful story about the birth of Jesus in the Bible, but where are we commanded to make His birth an annual holiday like we in American have made: Independence, Veterans, or Valentine Day even Halloween? And when you merge religious with traditions and customs you have an unbeatable national money maker. Is not Jesus’ birth much more? Yes my friend I am afraid we have gotten off track and the merchants of the day (and for 100s of years) have capitalized on our selfish greed (maybe only in America, but I think not) and great presumption. The same way Hollywood has recently discovered the untapped market for Christian movies. I find it really strange how many Christians today would rather go to a movie then to Church to hear about Jesus. I wonder why? It is not about fighting to keep Christ in Christmas or even about a baby in the manger. You know we really like seeing baby Jesus in the manger, but you know my friend Jesus is not a baby any more, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) Today Jesus is not a defenseless baby in the manger He is our victorious King of kings, Lord of lords, and some day soon He is coming back to earth not as a baby, but as a judge (to kick butt) and rule (to set righteousness in order) in the earth. Something else we are puzzled about is why Christians want to beat up on the Atheist in Washington State who put a sign beside a manger display in the Capitol building. I thought we were to witness to them and tell them about Jesus? There is not much of a Christian witness when we shake our fist and gnash our teeth at someone over a wooden display. How can this sign destroy the eternal timeless message of our precious savior Jesus Christ? It cannot and will not. Has the love of God been displaced by Christians wanting their traditional religious symbols? I too can speak for God and sadly I must say yes. Jesus did not come so that we could decorate our trees and yard with gold and silver balls or blinking lights. Jesus did not come so Christians could deck the halls with a blow up Santa Claus and reindeer on their roofs and lawn. What do we do with these verses? “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers that it move not.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4) Maybe we should ignore them or maybe the Holy Spirit made a mistake? I think God is very clear in what He is saying, but we continue in the lie with Christmas trees (a German custom) out from our American tradition (now transported to the world) and because we do not want to offend family members. Just look at the Christmas trees in churches today? What do we do with these verses? The answer will be what we do with Jesus. Never forget the Gospel message of Christ is very offensive and at times even divisive to the non-believers, but truth is truth. Either we will stand for truth or compromise for the lie for the sake of peace on earth. The truth is Jesus did not come so we could have songs to sing at our annual Christmas musicals. It is amazing how old Christmas recordings from people long ago come back to life every Christmas. Jesus did not come so we could run ourselves to death, buying presents for people, while going further into debt. It is no wonder support in America for missionaries and humanitarian programs dwindle to almost to nothing this season of the year. I am afraid the true character and nature of man comes out during Christmas. We even plug in a written list to a jolly fat man in a red suit that drives a sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night to make sure we get want we what for Christmas. Why do we think we should get a present on some one else’s birthday? Our selfishness and self-centered nature really comes shining through. Oh Lord please forgive us for the indulgence of our wrong attitudes, greed, and lust. Jesus did not come to give us a Christmas season to feed our passions. The Bible is very clear why Jesus came. Jesus tells us in His own words, “The thief (not the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 101:10) Jesus came so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” not to get a bunch of Christmas presents to satisfy our flesh. Jesus came so that we might (our choice not His) have the life of God dwelling within our heart and lives. The creative eternal life of God moving in us and out from us to the world. Also in John Jesus tells us, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus came so that we might have life eternal (one part of salvation) which is knowing His Father (and ours), so that we too could “know the only true God” as Jesus did. So we too could know the sublime unity of knowing God as Jesus did. I would think that would be worth far more than anything we can buy each other. Did you know, Jesus (even though the Prince of Peace) did not come into the world to bring peace as many of the major denominations and religions of the world tell us. Religious deception always leads us away from Christ into the traditional religious worship of the customs of man (like Christmas and Easter) and into a good works salvation thinking. Oh no Jesus Himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance (Strong’s #1639 to cut into two parts, cleave asunder, sever) against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus has come to cut our hearts out of the world with His word, the sword. Jesus has “come to set man at variance against” or sever every relationship where we love someone or something more than Him. Jesus came so that we could take up our cross (not Jesus’) and follow Him. Jesus came so we could lose our life so that we could then find our life in Him. We know and are persuaded if we lose our life for His sake we shall find it. We also know many of our friends will disagree (we hope and pray this is not the case) with this article, but that is okay getting the truth of the Gospel message out is more important than our friends getting offended at us. If they get offended at us over this article we know they probably are not our friends anyway. We have learned this truth the hard way. Please do not allow yourself to be deceived (your choice) by any pastor or person that says, “it is not a Heaven or Hell issue or it does not really matter” oh really? This thinking my friend is just spiritually wrong and a very subtle form of deception that has been carried on for 100s maybe 1,000s of years by the religious denominations and merchants both working hand-n-hand to get customers. Sadly at the heart of why we focus on the Christmas story and baby Jesus in the manger is so we do not have to deal with a risen Savior. How much more religious can we (like the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17)) who could not totally sell out be than to bow down and worship the Christmas story and the sweet little baby Jesus in the manger? This satisfies our religious flesh and helps to ease our guilt and feeling of disobedience from rejecting God’s word to us. Who wants to allow God to deal and judge in their hearts exposing areas where we must allow Him to work? It is much easier singing another song about Christmas as we buy presents for our family or even as we buy a present for some poor people who live down the street who we neglect the rest of the year. It is far less painful to go to every church musical and spend all we have than for God to be able to show us who we really are. Who wants to allow God free rein in our heart and lives to conform us into the image (icon) and character of Jesus Christ? Very few people do and the rest continue in this traditional religious lie year after year. I think I will end with a very sobering word; if you need a traditional religious holiday to know God sadly my friend your heart is very far from Him and you will never come to know Him. Let us turn our hearts away from the religious traditions of Christmas and allow God to bring the truth of His character and nature to us. It is our choice whether we desire presents on Christmas morning or the knowledge of God, we cannot have both. Written by David Stahl