October 28

Written by Bill Grandi on October 28th, 2019

My title for this devotion is Traditions vs Life.

I recently preached through the letters to the churches in Revelation.  The church at Ephesus left its first love. The church at Laodicea was lukewarm.  Both can happen when traditions take the place of life.  What do I mean?

When traditions become routine and without meaning, life leaves.

When reciting a creed becomes more important than the heartfelt worship which is to take place, it has happened.

When reciting that same creed becomes more important than the Word it is supposed to be based on, it has happened.

When taking communion is just something we do, it has happened.

When singing songs of worship with no heart-no feeling- it has happened.

When attending worship is tied more to habit or routine, it has happened.

Example after example of this happening can be given, but the words of Mark 7 still ring true. “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vein to they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Verses 6-7)  A little later on in that same chapter, Jesus tells the people that it is an inside job.

“Father, may my heart not find itself going the way of traditions over heartfelt worship.  Help me to not allow traditions to become more important than life found in Your Word. Convict me if I am just going through the motions.”

 

5 Comments so far ↓

  1. Amen, Bill! Good message!

  2. That, to me, is the danger in attending a liturgical church – same words/creeds/statements – it can make us lose the freshness and wonder of worship. For others, though, it serves to catapult them into the very presence of God. For those folks, I say, “Hooray!”
    Blessings, Bill!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I agree on the liturgical church Martha but i also know that happens in churches which are not. We are not but I know it can happen. I keep praying it won’t.

  3. floyd says:

    You nailed that. When it’s going through the motions it’s legalism… uhhh… It’s a constant battle…