Freedom!

In Mark chapter 7 Jesus was interacting with the Pharisees and scribes who were upset that his disciples didn't wash their hands before eating. In verse 8 Jesus said, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." In verse 13 he said, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye delivered: and many such like things do ye." What are some of the traditions the church has taught through the years? Some might remember different churches stating that Christians shouldn't watch movies, play cards, go mixed bathing(men and women swimming together), dancing, using birth control, or wearing jewelry. In more modern times some have spoken out against premarital dating, watching television, church youth groups, Christmas trees, etc. The Apostle Paul wrote Timothy that in the last days some would depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils even forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meat. Our conduct should be to abstain from all appearance of evil, to be holy as God is holy, to not cause our brother to fall, love God and our neighbor as our self. It would be good for each of us to examine our own lives and see if we are in the faith. (II Corinthians 13:5) Works and traditions won't save us nor set us free, but Jesus will.