But – why?
The other day we were talking with a friend about a Bible study she is attending in her neighbourhood.
Now this area being what it is, there is no way to know if the teacher is a Christian or not. But looking through her notes, one interesting thing I noticed is that this teacher is not afraid to answer the question Why?
Does your church answer this question?
We do a lot of things in the Christian community. Some things are specifically commanded by the Lord (baptism, for example). Some things are practical in our culture (we generally sit down to listen to the preaching of the Word on a Sunday morning, as opposed to standing the whole time). Other things are traditions – some just traditions and nothing else, but some are still there for a good purpose (maybe we sing a closing worship song as an initial community response to a message from God’s Word. Or maybe we read a Psalm on a Sunday morning. Or pray before we start a Bible study).
Now traditions are meant to be challenged. Sometimes they should be thrown out like mouldy bread, or at least changed up once in a while so they’re serving us and we’re not serving them. And God forbid that we start to think a human tradition is a divine commandment.
But whether it’s something commanded, practical habit, or a tradition – shouldn’t we once in a while explain why?
Yes, I think it’s critical. New believers need to understand that [this thing] is not something we have to do always everywhere. Youth need to understand that [this thing] has a practical purpose. We all need to be reminded that [this thing] has some meaning behind it.
Otherwise, good habits are lost, and bad ones are never challenged.
And let me tell you, no matter how young the local church is, traditions have a way of taking hold!
As I prepare some sermons and studies for the next few weeks, I’m reminded once again that we need to challenge these things and think about them. Not everything should be thrown out, but everything could use some examination under the microscope of God’s Word.