Religious Tradition

A Light View of Religious Tradition
God's Outsiders: The Called-Out Ones
(A Biblical Look at God's Ecclesia), Part 23

Religious tradition can be a very dangerous thing. It can nullify the effect of the Word of God. It blinds us from seeing the actual truth of His Word. Believers have too long taken a light view of religious tradition.

Noah Webster defines tradition as "that which is handed down from age to age; the act of delivering into the hands of another."[1] Likewise, James Strong defines it as "transmission. "[2] Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, warns the believer against these traditions of men.

"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words … Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:4,

Man's religious traditions are dangerous opponents to the truth.

"Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things you do" (Mark 7:13).

Paul, himself, had been caught up in tradition.

"… being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14).

Could not this statement made by Paul have been made by many of us? Have we not been exceedingly zealous of the traditions of "our fathers?"

Have you ever questioned the traditions that we so willingly have followed? Why do we do the religious things that we do? Have we ever traced their origins?[3] Should we not, then, follow our apostle, abandoning such man-made bondage?

Try this: the next time that you do something "spiritual," something "for the Lord," ask yourself why you do it. From where is its origin?

Now, be forewarned, this pathway will not be an easy one. The religious crowd will surely object to a lifestyle free from religious tradition. Most of the opposition will likely come from your closest friends and family members who are blinded by these very traditions of men, traditions from which you seek and have found freedom.

Be encouraged! Jesus Himself faced the same opposition and challenge from the traditionalists of His day.

"Then came to Jesus Scribes and Pharisees … saying, `Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders?' … But He answered and said unto them, `Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? … Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition … In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:1, 2, 3, 9).

Be careful taking religions traditions lightly.

If we choose to abandon our own religious traditions, I'd say we'd be in good company with Paul, and with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student's Notebook

Part 2
CHURCH, INC." RELIGION
God's Outsiders: The Called-Out Ones
(A Biblical Look at God's Ecclesia), Part 27

Now, let's get down to brass tacks. The Body of Christ, as a whole, is deeply submerged in the snare of the Babylonian religious system! Oh, that God would open our eyes to see such a sad state of affairs!

This is not a situation that has just developed. This spoilage of the church began in Paul's day.[1] He warned of it often. It was later brought to great and evil heights by Constantine. Sorrowfully, there was little or no real change produced as a result of the "Reformation. " In fact, the Body of Christ may be more religious, more entangled in the Babylonian religious system now than at any point in its history. The worst part is that many members of Christ are, by and large, ignorant of this captive corruption.

501c3 Religion

The government and our precious misled brethren who have come before us have led us down the primrose path that has ended in this bondage. We have our own Americanized version of the Babylonian system. We have "Inc." religion, of the "501c3" variety.

501c3 is the federal bureaucratic code given to churches and other religious non-profit organizations that meet governmental approval. Many dear brothers who are held by the religious system would deny that they are a part of it; but here is an honest and objective test: Are you a part of a religious "Inc.?" Are you a part of a "501c3?" Are you using the exact same system that EVERY OTHER religious group in the United States uses? Are you actually a part of the SAME SYSTEM against which you profess to stand? Are you members WITH THEM in this Gentile religious system?

Listen to our apostle, Paul:

"Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, `I will dwell in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord, `and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

Are you a part of a "Church, Inc." – a governmentally formed and controlled religious entity? Are you a part of a 501c3 organization, officially approved, recognized and sanctioned by the federal government?

If so, then you are fellow religious members with every "unclean thing" (II Corinthians 6:17), and I encourage you, as we are entreated by Paul, to "come out from among them," that we "touch not the unclean thing," and that we "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit …" (II Corinthians 7:1).

According to the context, all of this "unclean" stuff is the Gentile religious system.

Do you think that "your church" or "your ministry" is not a part of this system, that you are not a member together with them? If you don't think that you are, then call the bank where your "church" or "ministry" does business. They will tell you what you are! They can also tell you under what Federal "class" you are categorized. They could also tell you who else is in that "class" with you.

Or ask the Federal Government – the IRS in particular. They know what you are. They know what group and class you belong to. You may try to deny what you are, but you are in with all the rest of the religions – Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, Satanist, CHRISTIAN; as far as this nation is concerned, you're all the same!

It is all really simple. The world knows what we are, even if we try to pretend that we are really different. We are self-deceived. I say we, because I have been where you are. I was a part of something that has a religious legal identity, one that I pretended didn't really exist, and one that, on occasion, I will even speak against – but I was a part of it just the same! I encourage you to be honest with yourself and with the world around you. Come clean.

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (II Corinthians 4:1-2).

Stop trying to pawn off your "church" as the "church of God." Stop joining forces with the religious systems of this world! I encourage you to leave the system. Come outside to Gods camp.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.