Holding on to Tradition

I just finshed a free Kindle book called, Out of Mormonsim: A Woman's True Story. While I hate to offend any of my readers (and that is making the big assumption that someone will actually read this), I have to share what God taught me through this book. What favor are we doing anyone by being silent about the truth? No favors at all.

To sum quickly, this book is the true story of a husband and wife who were nominal Christians. They professed that they were Christians, but showed no sign of possessing it. They did not read their Bible, let alone study it. As a result they were led into Mormonism, by some very sweet, genuine (but deceived) people. The author tells how God revealed the truth to them and brought them out of this false teaching.

The point I want to share from reading this book is, what are you holding on to? 
Are you holding on to what someone taught you?
Are you holding on to tradition?
Are you holding on to what you have just seen others clinging to?

If we TRULY want to walk with Christ and be obedient to Him (and that is obviously not everyone's desire), we must lay aside all things of man and ask God to reveal the truth thru His love letter to us--the Bible. Let's forget all the "extras" and examine Him and Him alone. The Bible tells us the Word  (Jesus) became flesh. I want Jesus and only Jesus...none of the extras.

Jesus Himself gave a rebuke for doing this: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." Mark 7:8

Are you listening to another gospel, as the author of this book did? The Gospel ("good news") is that you are a sinner who deserves death. God in His mercy and grace has offered a free gift of salvation by sending His son to live a sinless life and die on the cross for your sins, paying a debt you could never pay. The good news that Christ was not held by death, but rose 3 days later and can give you eternal life is amazing news!! 

But again, I ask--are you listening to another gospel?  If so, read this warning from Scritpure: 


 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:6-9

"Let him be eternally condemned???" Okay, ask yourself one more time--are you listening to another gospel???

After reading this book (which was a great read!), there are some things you can think about as red flags that you may be listening to another gospel:

1. Are your beliefs taken from the Bible ALONE, or are you adding in what a church leader or modern day prophet may be saying?
2. What is your source of authority? The Bible ALONE, or the Bible plus ________ (ie the Book of Mormon, church teachings, Quran, etc.) and traditions?
3. What do you believe saves you (this is an important one!)? Grace thru faith (that's the correct answer!) or Faith + Works
4. Does your church organization teach that it is the "true church" and all outsiders are condemned or that all people who are saved by grace through faith are in the true church?

I pray you will think about these questions.  We all need to examine what we are thinking and why we are believing it. I'm thankful God gave us His unchanging, inspired Word so we can test all things! 1 Thessalonians 5:21

If you are interested, the author of the mentioned book has a ministry called, Concerned Christians. You can check out their website here: http://www.concernedchristians.com/