Scripture
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Observation
Christian “traditions” were the fixed daily expressions of faith that lined up with inspired scripture. It wasn’t about behavior modification but rather spiritual transformation as expressed in daily life. Paul goes on to write in this same letter that a lack of observed traditions is proof of a persons “fake it till you make it” mindset. “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which they received from us.” (2 Thess. 3:6). The Greek wording paints the picture of a soldier conspicuously out of step in a marching military column. This situation in particular was addressing those who stopped working because they thought Jesus had already come or was just about to come back. They had completely ignored the Christian traditions of hard work and trustworthy witness to unbelievers as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly to ward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Can you imagine how our Christian witness would be restored if we actually followed this tradition of working hard and minding our own business?
Application
I grew up in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian expression and I couldn’t be more thankful. I saw from early age that The Holy Spirit expressed Himself through the Gifts of The Spirit to glorify God through God’s people. I’m so grateful for this heritage. There were a few downsides though, one of which being the downright disdain for “tradition”. This might as well have a been a four letter word for how often I heard “tradition” equated with “legalism” and “dead religion”. I know the point being made was a reaction to the tendency of mainline churches to deny the work of The Holy Spirit resulting in the “quenching of the Spirit” and “despising of prophecies” (1 These. 5:19-20). The funny thing of course is that our free-flowing churches had developed our own traditions as well. The Foursquare hop during the very “Jewish sounding” worship song, the flag waiving, the quiet part of the service after worship where someone would speak in tongues and someone else would interpret (hopefully), the “slain in the Spirit” moment during the altar call at the end. Yep. We had our traditions too and you know what, I’m so thankful for all of it. In fact, it may sound strange to say, but I miss it. I miss the days when everyone I knew would “go to church” on Sunday, because part of our Christian expression was corporate gatherings as commanded by scripture (Hebrews 10:25). These days you’re lucky if you see the same person once a month at a Sunday gathering. The latest surveys reveal half of those who regularly attended have completely disconnected from any Christian tradition during the Pandemic. It’s obvious God is shaking things up and I’m all for it. It’s clear that some of the scriptural traditions became sacred cows over the years and need to be thrown out. I’m not making an argument fueled by nostalgia. I want to see the new thing God is about to do in His church. What if that “new thing” is to rediscover the why behind our Christian traditions where we wake, work, and worship. Simon Sinek wrote in his book, "Start With Why", that we can’t reinvent our "why" but we can rediscover it. He used the example of pulling back the arrow on a bow as far as it would go in order to hit the bullseye on the target. What if that’s what God is doing? He is asking us to pull the arrow all the way back so that the traditions of the 1st Century Church would inform the traditions of the 21st Century Church. To go forward we must go back to God’s original design for His Church which has very little to do with the size, day or location of your Christian gathering and very much to do with the Holy Spirit’s moving through our gathering. What if instead of “tradition” being a four letter curse word it was a springboard to rediscovering the joy of committing to a community of faith?
Prayer
Lord, I love Your Church! This group of completely different and imperfect people You have called to do life together is a constant miracle to me. Every time I look out at the beautiful faces that gather on a Sunday I can’t help but thank You Lord for the privilege of serving them. It seems Paul felt the same way as he encouraged the Church in Thessalonica to stand fast and hold tight to the traditions they were taught while many around them fell away, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord…Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your heart and establish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thess. 2:13,16-17). I honestly can’t wait to see what breaks through after this shake up in Your Church.
Comments