Daily Manna 12 March 2022
KEY VERSE: Colossians 2:20 -“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.”
TEXT: Colossians 2:18-23
18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19. And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
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.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Traditions are long held practices that have been passed from one generation to another. Generally, successive generations simply hold on to these practices without trying to question their veracity and appropriateness. Most cultural traditions and customs are based on beliefs and superstitions that cannot be established by any empirical or scientific proof. It takes real enlightenment and sheer will to break away from certain long-held beliefs and customs.
Writing to the believers in Colosse, Paul spoke of the unreasonableness of continuing to hold on to certain traditions even after they had professed to have died with Christ. Some of these traditions were forms of worship and professed spiritual knowledge outside the revelations in the Bible. Some still held on to some restrictive customs and religious abstinence, which surrounded days of worships, what to touch, eat, etc. All these curtailed the liberty of the believer in Christ. The apostle, therefore, wrote that having been born again, Christians are not to continue to allow themselves to be enslaved by these unscriptural customs and beliefs.
Today, we still find some Christians holding on to traditional practices and festivals believed to have been handed down by so-called ‘church fathers’ but which do not have Bible backing. They observe certain days as being holy, forbid certain kinds of food as unclean, follow certain religious festivals (like the lent period of forty days fasting), pray to certain saints and angels and follow prescribed prayer patterns. All these are perishable traditions of men and do not have any spiritual bearing or benefits.
Christians must not allow themselves to be enslaved by these traditions, customs and false worship. Having been set free by Christ, we must pursue those things that will benefit our spiritual lives and help us to please the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Follow Christ; not human traditions.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Jeremiah 22-24
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Don’t Be a Slave to Traditions – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 12 March 2022
