Written September 24th, 2011
Matthew 15:3 “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God, for the sake of your tradition?'”
Being in Africa, you learn a lot about cultures, traditions, what people call “normal” here is and can be quite different from what I am used to knowing. What maybe acceptable in one culture is not acceptable in another. So, when I read this it really hit me. Like, what is acceptable or the “norm” in Africa that might actually be against what God has asked of us? For that matter, what is acceptable in America that might actually be against what God has asked of us? Or, on the flip side, what is NOT acceptable in America that God has actually asked of us? Are we willing to stand up against “THE NORM”?
So, think about it….
Have you ever lied? I have.
Have you ever stolen or took something that didn’t belong to you? I have. I have a habit, and my mom can confirm this, of stealing pens. They aren’t mine, that is stealing.
Have you ever cheated? I have. I have cheated in school before, copied someone’s homework.
Have you ever argued with your parents, talked bad about them to your friends or behind their backs? I have. And that’s definitely not honoring your parents like it says in Exodus 20:12.
Have you ever spent more time focused on anything other than God? Maybe like your job, making money, hanging out with friends, shopping, downloading music or videos, going to the movies or doing playing video games. I mean think about. How much time do you actually spend with God compared to all the other things you do in your life. Do you even give him 30 minutes?
Do you break the laws and commands spoken in the Bible just to fit in to those around you? To become more successful, richer?
In the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 God said: we should not have other gods or worship idols (an idol is anything we give more focus and attention to than God); in Exodus 20:8-11 it states that we are to honor the Sabbath day and kept it holy. We are to work for 6 days and rest on the 7th. Look around you, how many shops are open on Sunday? How many people work on Sunday? How many people work 7 days a week? How many of us go out shopping or to visit those shops or markets even after church is over? I have been guilty of this too. But honestly, think…
Are you breaking the commands of God for what has become the normal things to do or to say?
In Romans 5:12-13 it says we are born into a world of sin. That doesn’t give us the right to sin. Sin is anything that goes against what God has asked us to do.
In Romans 3:23 it states “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
In Romans 6: 23 it states “for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
To know what sin is, you must be in God’s word! You must be reading his commands, spending time with him, seeking him. For what may be acceptable to your culture or traditions, may be against God and what may not be acceptable for your culture or tradition may be for God. The only way to know the truth and to know what God commands us to do is to be in his word DAILY! This is why the Bible says to meditate on the Word day and night. Not just when you feel like it or when you NEED God or when things are going good.
So, my challenge to you (and myself for that matter) is this: Are you breaking God’s commands for the sake of what has become acceptable to do or say?
