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Our Daniel in the tradition’s den

By Baba Aladura, Elder (Dr) Israel Akinadewo (Omoeri)
23 September 2018   |   2:01 am
This statement is very instructive, as to inform the faithful to be wary of things, which could make them depart from the path that Jesus Christ Himself laid down. Any act and beliefs that make us to depart from the Messiah’s path will eventually prevent us from connecting to God

Israel Akinadewo

(Mark 7:1-9) (1)Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. (2)And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault. (3)For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. (4)And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of the tables. (5)Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? (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 commandment 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 Christ was not in doubt, as to the hardened mind of man, which was why He made it absolutely clear to His disciples, that He was the way, the truth and the life, and that nobody could get to the Father (God), except through Him (John 14:6).

This statement is very instructive, as to inform the faithful to be wary of things, which could make them depart from the path that Jesus Christ Himself laid down. Any act and beliefs that make us to depart from the Messiah’s path will eventually prevent us from connecting to God, Who created us for His own purpose.

In view of the aforementioned, we create our own rules and regulations and expect people to follow, whereas, we ourselves sometimes do things in a way that make our own rules to supersede the name of Christ that we profess. Doubtless, we profess the name of Christ, for everyone to acknowledge and see, but when we are faced with the challenges of life, our heart rest upon things of the world. In most instances, we do this unconsciously and even at that, the challenges that we constantly face will bring about our HIDDEN UNBELIEF.

Just like when we are not too strong, health-wise, and we rightly make use of medicines, as recommended to us by our physicians, so also are we Christians expected to rely solely on the name of Jesus Christ in all the things relating to our faith. However, certain indefensible attitude and actions have unconsciously been brought into our faith, in a way that we still call upon the name of Jesus Christ. However, when those things, as asserted, are present, we do react within us, that our beliefs is more strengthened, that our prayers will be answered.

Unlike what the earliest Apostles did, after the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, in which only by calling on the name of the Saviour that they were able to perform miracles, so many among strong Christians, have one way or the other centred their faith on things outside the name of Jesus Christ. Some of those things include anointing oil, candle, handkerchief, bathing in the river, and using the same things that traditional believers make us of, among others.

Meanwhile, before we discuss extensively on the aforementioned, let us look at the few miracles performed by the Apostles of old:
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
This is doubtless the very first miracle after the ascension of the Messiah. God the Son had promised of the coming of the Holy Spirit, which exactly was what happened. Meanwhile, before the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles did not make use of anything in inviting the Holy Spirit, but they were just in one accord (Acts 2:1). This means that the purity of heart, unity of mind and the coming together of brethren with pure heart invites the presence of Holy Spirit. It is purely divine and not carnal-influenced. But today, some people do all sort of things that are traditionally-inclined, to bring ‘holy spirit’ into their midst.
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