STOP FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONS & RITUALS OF MAN: WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE - YAHWEH OR MAN?

Colossians 2:8-11: “Beware lest any man spoils you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the GODhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.”

1. YAHWEH is a covenant in Himself and His covenants establish a relationship of commitment between Him and His people: Genesis 9:9; "And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you."

Throughout the Bible, YAHWEH required physical acts, of men, in order to illustrate His covenants.

1. In the Old Testament, Abraham and his male descendants were circumcised in order to illustrate the covenant between YAHWEH and them: Genesis 17:11; "And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you."

YAHWEH used symbolism to illustrate His covenants as well.

YAHWEH promised that He would not destroy the earth by flood again.

1. He placed a rainbow in the sky as a symbol to represent His covenant with Noah, Noah's seed, every living creature, and the earth: Genesis 9:13; "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."

YAHWEH also instituted ordinances, in the New Testament, to illustrate His covenant with us, and the LORD's Supper is one such example. It is an observance performed to symbolize and reinforce our belief in the death, resurrection, and imminent return of our LORD Yeshua Hamshiach (Messiah/Christ) and to remind us of our covenant with Him.

1. The scheduled practice of the LORD's Supper has become a Christian tradition, based on a spiritual principle, but how we practice the LORD Supper's has become a tradition based on our culture: 1Corinthians 11:26; "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the LORD’s death till he comes."

Men are traditionalists. We like to create traditions in order to follow spiritual principles according to our style, preference, and convenience. Often we take principles or acts established by YAHWEH and then construct traditions around the principle or act. Whether or not the LORD's Supper is partaken on every "first Sunday” is based on tradition, moreover, if a congregation uses bread or crackers to symbolize the LORD's flesh or grape juice versus grape-flavored Kool-Aid to symbolize His blood is discretionary, according to tradition. Wearing white clothes or not on the day of the LORD's Supper is another tradition.

1. YAHWEH simply asked us to partake of the LORD's Supper, in sincerity, as often as we can, in remembrance of Him: 1Peter 1:18; "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers."

Some traditions have divine authorization and others do not. Nevertheless, we should always guard against being staunch traditionalists.

YAHWEH desires our obedience.

1. We are instructed to adhere to the Spirit of the law and not the letter of the law:

• Matthew 15:2; "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread."

Some people have incorrectly turned symbolic biblical acts into vain traditions. Others practice traditions in hopes of meriting YAHWEH’s favor or the accolades of others. For example, the Apostle Paul warned the early fellowship against the use of the LORD's Supper to satisfy hunger or thirst.

1. He also forbade careless participation in the LORD's Supper by those that had unforgiveness in their hearts or other unrepentant sins in their lives:

• Matthew 15:3; "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of GOD by your tradition?"

Many people substitute a relationship with YAHWEH for adherence to traditions. But it is YAHWEH's desire and purpose for us to follow Him.

1. We must not get distracted by following traditions: Mark 7:8; "For laying aside the commandment of GOD, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do."

YAHWEH does not always work through our traditions. Many of our traditions can be detrimental to the move of YAHWEH.

In fact, the practice of traditions, as proof of spiritual occurrences, has caused many denominations to even distort the process of becoming a Believer.

1. We must consistently examine our hearts, motives, and traditions: Mark 7:13; "Making the Word of GOD of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."

The traditions of men are not always harmful. In fact, some traditions are good. The way we worship YAHWEH and engage with fellow Believers usually becomes a tradition for our fellowship time. The songs we sing and the order of service can become a part of our church traditions as well. Though we may enjoy our traditions, we must know the difference between religiosity and obedience to YAHWEH.

Also, we must not use traditions to set up barriers between YAHWEH and His people.

YAHWEH is opposed to, or set against, harmful traditions, or blind allegiance to any traditions. The tradition of practicing ill traditions gets in YAHWEH’s way. Traditions become problematic when we begin to replace YAHWEH with our traditions and seek after Godly rites instead of a true relationship with Him. Many ordinances and biblical illustrations can become traditions to us over time and over time people can begin to focus more on the ceremony than what the ceremony really illustrates. Illustrations and symbolism must be kept in context and all ordinances must be performed with biblical understanding.

YAHWEH looks at a man's heart, not his outward appearance or his outward compliance to man's traditions. We must be careful not to quench the Spirit by making our way, the traditions of men, equate to YAHWEH's way.

I WOULD RATHER BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN YESHUA...THEN COMFORTABLE WITH SATAN!!

"IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA...YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!"