September 25^th

IS TRADITION SABOTAGING YOUR TESTIMONY? (Continued)

Scripture Reading: John 9

9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see?
9:20 His parents answered them and said, we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

     Another fact of tradition is that it ties you to your past. Our past was done away with on the Cross and when Jesus was raised, we were raised with him according to Colossians 3:1. Our old man is dead, and we are new creatures in Christ. Calling the man’s parents was a direct attempt to tie the man in the bondage of his past. Summoning the natural man will not help in an effort to explain spiritual things. Our parents and no one else will help unless they have been born again and are walking in the Spirit.

9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

     Here is a point we need to carefully heed. Tradition is subtle. By telling the man to give God the praise, they sounded very spiritual. After all, who would not respect someone who seems to be turning another to God? The problem with tradition is that it recognizes God without acknowledging His Son. Jesus declared, " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Tradition hates Jesus because He is our Deliverer.

Continued