This is a repost that bears repeating, as the truth of Gods word never changes nor does it’s message.

When being a follower of Christ and called to be an example of His teaching, did Jesus follow the customs and traditions of men? Are traditions harmless? In His own words He says to the scribes and pharisees of His day that they were rejecting the commandment of God so they could keep their tradition! (Mark 7:6-9). 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

 Jesus said He was sent to this world to bear witness to the truth! Therefore if we follow the truth do we also follow traditions of men and customs that make void the word of God? We see the greatest danger of what a custom or tradition can do as seen in the trial of Jesus who had it not been for a custom of the people at that time our Lord would not have been crucified as a robber named Barabbas was set free! So are customs harmless then? (John 18:36-40). 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

 In Jeremiah it was the customs of the people who cut a tree down and decked it with silver and gold that the Lord said it was a vain thing to do and is a practice of the heathen we as the house of Israel are instructed not to learn or follow(Jeremiah 10:1-7,14-16). Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of hosts is his name.

 If we as followers of Christ do as the world does are we really showing others the difference that there has been a call on our life?(Colossians 2:20-23). 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

 The whole born again experience is powerful as we are saved and redeemed from the rudiments and bondages of the world, how is it some return and observe certain days as they are more special for all days are special in the eyes of God(Galatians 4:4-11). 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

 Though Christmas is presented as such a joyous time, For those who have lost loved ones throughout the year or suffered a loss of any kind would God of wanted His children to sing with a heavy heart?(Proverbs 25:20). 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Jesus said His people are not of the world as He is not of the world. We have not been called out of the world only to return to it’s ways and customs (John 17:14-20) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.

If you continue to do as the world does, then what difference for Christ are you making?