Commandments,Traditions, and Liberties

First, let's look at the meaning of each word.

Commandment-a command, an order given by authority; Tradition-precepts and customs passed down from past generations; Liberty-freedom from captivity and or a particular right or freedom to say or do something.

Now that we can see a difference in the three words, this will help us to understand just how important God's commandments are to be obeyed. The bible says that it's better to obey God rather than man.(ISam.15:22/Acts4:19/Gal.1:10) Jesus said that GOD seeketh "true worshippers" to worship him in spirit and in truth.(St.John4:23-24) When the believer understands this, then he knows that concerning GOD's will and what He has command us to do is what's significant. It is the commandments and teachings from the Lord Jesus Christ or in the "New Testament" called the Son of God doctrine that must be obeyed in order to be saved. When Christ Jesus came he commanded the church to “love God and to love one another". But then we have man's "good intensions" or Traditions and customs, that can support doctrine or can go against the doctrine causing the followers to practice acts of sin.(Matt.15:1-9;23:1-8/ Col.2:8,16,18,20,22)
In Titus 1:14 says- "Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth". Also in II.Pet.2:2-And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

In this dispensation of Grace and Truth “which the Son of God has brought us, we as Gentiles" must be very careful not to adopt the Law of Moses for righteousness, or its customary practices that went along with it. The church of GOD, must also not adopt the religious practices of the "worshipping of false gods", like of these (Christmas, Easter, New Years, Halloween, etc.)
Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles gave the church the doctrine for eternal life, and what practices we keep and honor. Not what most of the religious people of today practice. Some people are the living proof of just their familys religion, like your mother or grandma, or your dad was a preacher, or known as very religious and you accept all and everything they told you. Your faith is the faith of others. You can't prove what you believe, or why you do by the scriptures. Some are like the "good boy" puppet, just blindly do as you are told, and ask no questions. Like concerning your liberties in Christ, some are not even aware if they are being misused and deceived by false prophets and prophetess.

For an example, did you know that "fasting", "tithing", "confession of sins only to preachers", are not commandments of the New Testament church to obey to be saved? These things were not commanded by Christ. The New Testament doctrine promotes "free will giving" of one's possessions by Christ, and that giving is for and to one another's benefit. This is a personal liberty matter between the individual and GOD. The church's welfare should be run from love offerings. It is not lawful for the church's ministry to enforce or police tithing upon one's liberty. All of your possessions are gifts from GOD, and it is within your power as of what to do with them.(Acts5:1-4/ICor.9:18;IICor.8:11-15;9:5-13). For years, men have taught from the "Old Testament" enforcing a scripture from "Malachi 3:6-10". Teaching people that this is a commandment of the New Testament church way of giving, but if you notice, that in the bible record of the New Testament we do not see Jesus and the Apostles promoting Tithing, but we do see it mentioned in the book of Hebrews7:4-12,of it belonging under the "LAW" and belonging only unto the sons of Levi(the priesthood), and not unto the Gentiles, who we are, for today's church practice. But the false prophets love to rob GOD's people, lie to them, abuse, control, and to mislead them by taking scriptures out of context.*(see article on "truth about tithe & free will giving")
There is another practice ,not a commandment by Christ or the Apostles, that when a saint commit a sin and confesses of that sin to the pastor or elders, the pastor then has the right to enforce a silence treatment to that saint because of the sin being judge by man. The silence treatment is telling and stopping or preventing the saint from participating in any church assembly activity(teaching,preaching,singing,etc.) for a certain period of time, or whatever the pastor felt like rendering his judgment should be, as if Christ also agrees with this handed down judgment. If this is not a written commandment to the Bishops, did Jesus warn us of such injustice and partiality practices? Jesus said in Matt.23:3-All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. So if a pastor commits sin, who silences him, have you ever heard of a pastor setting himself down from pastoring because of his wrong doing, or has it always been said , they sin not, or they are God`s anointed, touch them not, the truth of the matter is all born again saints are God`s anointed. You ever wonder on how and why is my confessed sins known unto others if I only confessed them unto one person, that’ssupposed to be spiritual and a leader example. The apostle Paul said in I.Tim.5:21-I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. For the bible teaches in Gal.6:1- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. This clearly shows that the treatment we give out to others should be how we want the same for ourselves. All and every sin that a saint commits, whether it’s done ignorantly or willfully, it must be acknowledge, confessed, and repented of to God, the only Law giver. You are being deceived to think that once you have sin that God cannot hear you until you have a preacher first pray for you to be forgiven. This teaching is not a part of the Son of God doctrine, for even in Job's day he said in Job 31:33-If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: God wants us to self-willadmit our wrong unto him, otherwise you will not forsake your sins but will keep repeating your sins.

These are just a few examples that are common in today’s churches. It is a shame that people have accepted the lie of the devil. The lie that, “doctrine doesn't matter", it's not important, GOD just wants us to love and fellowship with all beliefs and just all get along. But the truth is, you need the doctrine so you can know the right way to love and fellowship. You have the Liberty to do GOD's will, and to worship him, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ. Where there's no law, there's no transgression. We must live and practice a lifestyle free from sin,(Rom.3:21-31;6:11-23./ IJohn3:4-9)and always keep the faith of the son of GOD. We must be careful not to offend one another by our traditions, and not to abuse our GOD given liberties, and if we are guilty of sinning, we need to acknowledge, confess, repent, and forsake our sins unto God. (Acts15:1-29/IICor.4:2/Gal.2:4/ I. John 1:8-10)

In Deut.12: 30, 31tell us how God feels about the church becoming conformed to the ways of false gods and false doctrines. It is a direct sin. Traditions that transgress the commandments of God are traditions that are not a part of the New Testament Church. Another example of church tradition that’s not by the apostle’s doctrine is the ministry order of the ministers. There is no root difference in these words of "watchman, shepherd, pastor, and bishop". They are all the same and interchangeable. The purpose of there meaning is the same. When a minister begins to teach the church, he becomes an Elder (teacher), and when he begins to be responsible over a flock, he’s then a Bishop (pastor). Bishop does not mean you’re a big shot, or traditionally you have many church assemblies under you, and you so call presides over them like a king or lord, for this is contrary to the apostle’s doctrine, (IIIJohn1: 9). A bishop is a man that pastors over a flock of believers, but is not greater than any other member of the body of Christ, neither is he the bishop over their souls nor the lord over them (I.Pet.5: 3). He is still a minister (servant), that been given the work or bishoprick (office) to serve in the body. To humbly be in Christ stead towards the saints. Many have transgress by exalting themselves and by themselves glorifying their offices to mean more than what the bible say it means. Loving to be feared and worshipped by men and women. Jesus taught against this tradition of man in, Matt.18: 1-10; 20:20-28; 23:1-12/Mark9: 33-37. A pastor or a bishop is not made one by man. A man cannot make another man a bishop, this is done by God giving to his minister the mind and the desire and gift to be a bishop.(I.Tim.3:1-7;Titus1:7-9) He has the mind of Christ to be also a “good shepherd” to lead by love, truth and example ship.(Ezek.13:1-10;14:9-11;33:1-7;34:1-14) When a pastor is not in this fashion of a good shepherd, then he has made and sent himself. He will be fashion after the carnal and proud mold of a pastor that does not minister by love of God. You ever wonder why the assembly buildings is treated by pastors, like its "their kingdom" and they reign in it like kings. This is contrary to the Apostles doctrine.

Jesus gave us "SALVATION”, not religion. Any man can put together some religious practices and commandments unto GOD, but that does not mean that it is accepted by GOD. (ICor.10: 14-23; Rom.10:3) Salvation for man has always been the same since the beginning of the time, and that is to "OBEY GOD!” To simply obey GOD is the evidence of the sincerity of your faith, fear and love towards GOD, and the only way to PLEASE him. (Heb.10:26-39; 11:6). 

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?     This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matt.15:3-9)

MAN`S RELIGION VS. GOD`S HOLINESS

M-There are many different gods – that’s man’s religion!

H-The Lord our God is one Lord (Deut.6:4)                   

M-There are many ways to heaven

H-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.(John 14:6)                                           

M-One way is as good as another

H-Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.(Matt.7:13,14) 

M-As long as you’re honest and sincere, that’s all that’s necessary – good enough

H-Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (II John 1:9)      

M-Just ask Jesus into your heart

H-Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(Acts 2:38)                                            

M-Pray the sinner’s prayer 

H-And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.(Acts 22:16) 

M-Only believe – faith alone is enough

H-In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Eph.1:13 

M-Join the church of your choice – one church  is as good as another   

H-Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.(Matt.7:21)

Min. Timothy  Irby