To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Some traditions are odd. Something borrowed. Something blue. One is left to ponder the origin of that one. Some traditions are wrong. Jesus himself upbraided the Pharisees for their traditions that added to and at times contradicted the Bible, adding unnecessary burdens to their followers. These traditions Paul spoke of to the church in Thessalonica are different. This is one of the earliest books of the Bible and already, the tradition of Christian beliefs is being established. Notice the word “our”. Paul referred to the gospel and traditions of the apostles. This is helpful. Apostles were those who were set apart by Jesus. Paul and Barnabas are two that were not part of the twelve that were apostles. Paul and the other apostles preached, taught, and wrote letters about the gospel.
It is a comfort to know that not all traditions are bad. That is because we know that traditions comfort us because we know they are time tested and proven. A good rule of thumb is one Jesus used with the Pharisees. If a tradition is not biblical, throw it out. Let us hold to the traditions of the apostles, the church fathers, and the church through the ages so we can worship God from a position of comfort.
Dear Lord, thank you for the traditions laid down by Jesus Christ like the Lord’s Prayer and the Lord’s Supper. Help us to observe these things as traditions but also as commands to worship you in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church