There is something I have been thinking about lately.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the truth of God's Word. We should hate sin because God hates sin. We should never compromise on what the Bible clearly teaches. But in our zeal to defend the faith, we must also be careful not to condemn what God has not condemned.
One of the greatest dangers facing the Church is when our traditions become louder than Scripture.
Throughout history—and even today—we have sometimes elevated culture, personal preferences, or denominational practices to the level of biblical doctrine. As a result, people have been judged, rejected, and even denied opportunities to serve, not because they violated God's Word, but because they failed to meet human expectations.
The Pharisees made this same mistake. Jesus rebuked them because they had allowed human traditions to overshadow God's commands. He said, "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:8).
That warning is still relevant today.
Before we label something as sin, we should ask ourselves: "Does Scripture clearly call this sin, or is this simply my tradition, culture, or personal conviction?"
There are many areas where faithful Christians may hold different views. In such matters, we should exercise humility, grace, and wisdom. We must never bind another person's conscience where God has not spoken clearly.
This does not mean we become tolerant of sin. The Bible is very clear about sexual immorality, adultery, lying, greed, idolatry, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, and every other work of the flesh. Those things must be confronted with love and truth.
But where God has been silent, we should be slow to make laws. Our opinions should never become commandments. Our preferences should never become doctrines. Our culture should never replace the authority of Scripture.
The Church should be known for faithfully preaching Christ and His Word—not for creating additional burdens that God never required.
May God give us the humility to test every belief against Scripture. May He help us to love His truth more than our traditions, and may His Word always remain our final authority.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the truth of God's Word. We should hate sin because God hates sin. We should never compromise on what the Bible clearly teaches. But in our zeal to defend the faith, we must also be careful not to condemn what God has not condemned.
One of the greatest dangers facing the Church is when our traditions become louder than Scripture.
Throughout history—and even today—we have sometimes elevated culture, personal preferences, or denominational practices to the level of biblical doctrine. As a result, people have been judged, rejected, and even denied opportunities to serve, not because they violated God's Word, but because they failed to meet human expectations.
The Pharisees made this same mistake. Jesus rebuked them because they had allowed human traditions to overshadow God's commands. He said, "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:8).
That warning is still relevant today.
Before we label something as sin, we should ask ourselves: "Does Scripture clearly call this sin, or is this simply my tradition, culture, or personal conviction?"
There are many areas where faithful Christians may hold different views. In such matters, we should exercise humility, grace, and wisdom. We must never bind another person's conscience where God has not spoken clearly.
This does not mean we become tolerant of sin. The Bible is very clear about sexual immorality, adultery, lying, greed, idolatry, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, and every other work of the flesh. Those things must be confronted with love and truth.
But where God has been silent, we should be slow to make laws. Our opinions should never become commandments. Our preferences should never become doctrines. Our culture should never replace the authority of Scripture.
The Church should be known for faithfully preaching Christ and His Word—not for creating additional burdens that God never required.
May God give us the humility to test every belief against Scripture. May He help us to love His truth more than our traditions, and may His Word always remain our final authority.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
There is something I have been thinking about lately.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the truth of God's Word. We should hate sin because God hates sin. We should never compromise on what the Bible clearly teaches. But in our zeal to defend the faith, we must also be careful not to condemn what God has not condemned.
One of the greatest dangers facing the Church is when our traditions become louder than Scripture.
Throughout history—and even today—we have sometimes elevated culture, personal preferences, or denominational practices to the level of biblical doctrine. As a result, people have been judged, rejected, and even denied opportunities to serve, not because they violated God's Word, but because they failed to meet human expectations.
The Pharisees made this same mistake. Jesus rebuked them because they had allowed human traditions to overshadow God's commands. He said, "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:8).
That warning is still relevant today.
Before we label something as sin, we should ask ourselves: "Does Scripture clearly call this sin, or is this simply my tradition, culture, or personal conviction?"
There are many areas where faithful Christians may hold different views. In such matters, we should exercise humility, grace, and wisdom. We must never bind another person's conscience where God has not spoken clearly.
This does not mean we become tolerant of sin. The Bible is very clear about sexual immorality, adultery, lying, greed, idolatry, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, and every other work of the flesh. Those things must be confronted with love and truth.
But where God has been silent, we should be slow to make laws. Our opinions should never become commandments. Our preferences should never become doctrines. Our culture should never replace the authority of Scripture.
The Church should be known for faithfully preaching Christ and His Word—not for creating additional burdens that God never required.
May God give us the humility to test every belief against Scripture. May He help us to love His truth more than our traditions, and may His Word always remain our final authority.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
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