October 31, 2011 (Job 22; Mark 7-8)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.” Mark 7:9 NASB
Observation: The Pharisees and scribes were experts at tradition but neglected the commandments of God. They were so careful to keep their hands washed, yet their hearts were filthy with sin. They put their tradition above and before God’s commands, and they used their tradition as an excuse to justify their actions.
Application: When our tradition become more important than God’s commands we have went astray. God’s ways must be put first and His standards we must uphold. Our tradition should be built around God’s standards and His commands so that they bring honor and glory to Him. Never should our tradition stop us from doing God’s commands. God is first, our tradition is somewhere further down the list of things that are important. If we are experts at anything, it should be experts in obedience to God’s commands.
Prayer: Father praise and honor to Your name! You are God and no other is greater than You. Lord I struggle with being an expert in obedience to Your commands. Please forgive me. Help me submit completely to You and Your commands. Lord may I never allow or use tradition as an excuse to disobey Your commands. Create in me a clean heart and a right spirit that honors You by keeping Your commandments. In Jesus name, Amen!