by Jimmy Jividen

To one person, religious traditions stimulate warm secure feelings. They are cherished, time-honored customs and a part of his religious heritage. He can sing with reverence: "Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!"

To another person traditions bind religious beliefs and practices no longer relevant in our time. They are despised and should be discarded.

How should we regard traditions? Can we separate the good from the bad? The Scriptures speak of both kinds.

The religious traditions of men are bad. They do not come from God and must not be bound upon men. Jesus said that such traditions "invalidate the word of God" (Matthew 15:6).

Anything bound as religious law, or anything practiced as religious ritual that does not come from the authority of Christ in the Scriptures should be regarded as a tradition of men. Christ does not sanction it, and His church must not bind it as law. These traditions of convenience or opinion would include whether or not to have church buildings, whether to use song books or to sing from hymns projected to a screen, whether to stand during prayer or to sit or kneel, and other such practices that can change with the times and circumstances.

On the other hand, religious traditions coming from apostolic authority are good. They come from God and are binding on men. These traditions are revealed in Scripture and exemplified by the apostles (2 Thessalonians 3:6,7). Paul encouraged Christians to... "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us" (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

It is by these apostolic traditions that we know how to obey, worship, and serve God. We in the 21st century who desire to follow Jesus should examine our traditions to see if they are from God or man.

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 13:31--58

To Understand, That Is the Goal

After speaking several parables and explaining some, Jesus wants to know something from His apostles,

51 Jesus said to them, Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes, Lord (Mat. 13:51).

To know is good, but to understand is better. To know brings the power to refute error and rebuke others, but to understand brings the power to refute your own error and to rebuke yourself. Few things are more repulsive than a Christian who refutes and rebukes only, leaving him with a contrary spirit. Few things are more delightful than a Christian who is open to his own faults, and refutes and rebukes himself before he attempts to do so with others.

What kind of Christian are you? Do you only tear down others without also seeking zealously to build them up? Do you lack the zeal to tear down your own faults? On the other hand, do you tear down what is ugly in your spirit first, and then work compassionately to help your brother?

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 49 and 50

Digging His Own Grave

After Jacob dies, Joseph approaches Pharaoh seeking permission to bury the old patriarch. Joseph says to Pharaoh,

5 My father made me swear, saying, 'Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me' (Gen. 50:5b).

Jacob dug his own grave! We use a similar expression to say that someone is digging his own grave, and that is because the person is doing something bad. With Jacob, this is not the case. He makes proper preparations for his burial, which included actually digging his grave.

Can you imagine digging your own grave? It would certainly drive home the point that you are not going to live forever. If we do not dig our own graves, do we avoid death? Death is a reality no matter what we do to try to avoid it. This may not be a pleasant thought for the day, but ask yourself whether you are prepared to die. If not, find out why not. Do what you can to make the time of your death easier for your family, and be prepared to meet your God.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 13:1--30

Plant the Word Deep Within Yourself

In the parable of the sower, Jesus says that some seed falls on stony ground. The plant grows fast, but when the sun hits it, the plant withers. Here is the interpretation,

20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles (Mat. 13:20, 21).

Notice that Jesus says tribulation or persecution will arise because of the word. Be prepared for it right now, my friends. It is going to happen. You have received the word. Therefore, you are going to be attacked. It will come from likely and unlikely sources. Be prepared for it. The best preparation is to take the word of God deep within your soul. Do this by meditating on it daily.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 46--48

Humility to Receive a Blessing

Jacob is a great man, but so is the Pharaoh who invited Jacob to live in Egypt. Here is why I say that. Genesis 47:7 shows Pharaoh doing something that is unimaginable for the king of a people who despise shepherds,

7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh (Gen. 47:7).

Jacob is a shepherd, but Pharaoh despises shepherds, yet, he receives a blessing from Jacob. In Egypt, Pharaoh was great therefore, he did the giving, but here this Pharaoh receives. I hope Pharaoh continued in humility. If so, we can look forward to meeting this man.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100