Return to Tradition, or Return to Godliness?

There are many times periods that contain a great influence of godliness, and others that had more godlessness. Yet, all generations and time periods have something in common: sin. So, with a popular notion of this day, to return to tradition, may such be examined to the Word of God, as everything is to be tested to Him.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21 New King James Version)

'Why return to tradition?'

Tradition is visible and often tangible, and it coincides with the fleshly nature to have something tangible for our confirmation. Consider Thomas, and how he needed to see Jesus for his belief; are we not like him in a way, desiring to have visible or tangible confirmation, at some point?

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28 - 29 English Standard Version)

Nonetheless, believing and having our confirmation in the Lord, who we have not yet seen, is more blessed. Now, tangible things are not bad, as tradition should be used for the Lord; but a desire to return to tradition only, and not use it for God, or place it above Him, can become an idol, identify, or merely a preference, or the like. Yet, our confirmation, structure, identity, and so on, should come from the Lord, and not things.

For if one returns to God, he is returning to freedom; moreover, freedom to implement the convictions or a biblical traditions he may desire, all for God’s honor, coming from genuine faith.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 English Standard Version)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 English Standard Version)

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 15:4 English Standard Version)

Now, if one returns to tradition, he quickly returns to a form of order, and receives structure and possibly friendships, and such quickness is preferable for the flesh. Likewise, it may be preferable for one who lacks order and authority in their own life. Yet, contrary to tradition, God is to be sought, waited for, and have His door continually knocked on, for His answers and the like, being more than what we could ever think or ask.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4 English Standard Version)

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD! (Psalm 62:5 English Standard Version)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 English Standard Version)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20 English Standard Version)

Such a return to God comes with a guarantee of sharpening, trials, and learning, which may be unsettling for some. Nonetheless, the return to God renders greater reward and character, if one remains steadfast.

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12 – 14 English Standard Version)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 English Standard Version)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 English Standard Version

A mere return tradition does not guarantee the sharpening from God to develop one’s beliefs in Him; no, a return to man's tradition, being a fallen creation, is a return to a lifestyle, with its benefits, and flaws.

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8 – 10 New King James Version)

18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. (Colossians 2:18 – 19 New King James Version)

Biblical Reasoning for Returning to God

We are not to return to mere things, but only godliness. Why, consider David, when he returned to take Michal, his first wife, back, after her father, Saul, married her off to another man, to separate her and David. Michal's father was an enemy of David, as he was jealous of him, but such did not stop David, as he later returned to Israel to establish his throne, under God’s promise, for Him. David did not return to the land to continue to implement the godless traditions and royal customs. As he returned to Israel, he took to the remaining Godly parts of the land, like his marriage to his first wife, and left the godless parts (2 Samuel 3) For if David merely returned to tradition, then he would not have prospered in his promise from the Lord (2 Samuel 8).

Now then, a retuning to the Lord and a remembering of Him, is a biblical sentiment that is expressed throughout the Bible. If a returning to the Lord involves implementing the biblical and Godly parts of tradition, a style, rule, structure, or way, then such is good.

“Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness.” “Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. (Jeremiah 3:22 English Standard Version)

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! (Lamentations 3:40 English Standard Version)

Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. (Hosea 6:1 New King James Version)

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. (Hosea 14:1 English Standard Version)

I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. (Psalm 77:11 New King James Version)

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, (Psalm 105:5 New King James Version)

Likewise, we can praise Jesus for creating many options for us to be uniquely drawn to Him, all for His glory, as He continually shows His infinite understanding of His countless children.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8 – 9 English Standard Version)

How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! (Psalm 92:5 English Standard Version)

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13 English Standard Version)

And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5 English Standard Version)

And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:29 English Standard Version)

For this reason, we do not want to be like the Pharisees, putting their tradition in higher regard than Jesus, rather, we should praise Him for His mercy.

2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? (Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ - 3‬ ‭New King James Version)

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ - 9‬ New King James Version)

Takeaway

As there are dark times in all periods, the 40s, 50s, 60s, and others, may we find inspiration by looking at only God, and therefore His Godly ways showing through, in those times. Also, may we learn from the mistakes in the periods mentioned of, and in the periods that were not mentioned in this writing; as the sins in the prosperous times are not different from the sins in the godless times, as the wages of all sin is death.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 English Standard Version)

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:15 English Standard Version)

Therefore, may we be mindful of them, and not turn a blind eye to sins that may provide something that is pleasing to the eye, as God searches the heart.

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10 English Standard Version)

Withal, may encouragement be given for when a dark time in tradition is found, so such may not cause one to stumble in faith, but highlight how all people, at all the time, will always need God to purify their hearts. As well, may we also look back to God in those times, seeing saints who remained faithful, like Noah, for us to glean from, by God’s will.

Take care!

With love,

Claire Belle