I love a good tradition!
Holidays are a bonanza at my house. Foods to eat, decorations, and even one favorite tradition that centers around carving the turkey. It’s all tradition-palooza!
Churches can get caught up in a tradition, too. And breaking away from these can cause hurt feelings and pain. Maintaining tradition just for the sake of it is folly. We need to keep our focus on what is important.
Tradition from fathers
This Thought Twist is from 1 Peter 1:18-19 which begins, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers…” Or from the CEV, “You were rescued from the useless way of life you learned from your ancestors. But you know you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don’t last forever.”
We have to remember that Peter is talking to former Jews who followed very strict religious rituals. He’s reminding them that their salvation doesn’t come from that “Useless way of life.” Rituals don’t save.
Truth Over Ritual
Verse 19 reveals the truth: “BUT with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” The true source of our salvation lies in the blood of Christ. His free and perfect sacrifice paid for my sin and yours. Everything in Scripture points back to that.
His perfection went toward His sacrifice. And as we are imperfect, we would never be able to perfectly follow enough rituals to provide salvation. God knew that it would require more from that moment in the Garden of Eden. Even then, blood was spilled to provide animal hides for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. Just as sin requires the shedding of blood to cover our sins.
We are so fortunate that Jesus made that sacrifice for us! And our daily focus should be on Him and not about throwing a fit over praise songs vs hymns or some other random tradition.
Thanks for stopping by today. Drop me a line here or on social media and tell me about your favorite Christmas tradition.
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