I heard an old and wise Pastor say one time, “The Bible is so deep that the most experienced diver will never get to the bottom of it, and yet, it is so shallow that a child will not drown in it”. How true that statement is. However, we have many religious folks today that are so steeped in the traditions of their particular denomination that they will not even consider or listen to the possibilities that there may be more to learn than they have ever been taught.

As individual Christians, we need to study the Word of God and be open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit and not just take anything and everything organized religion throws at us. God wants to speak to us but He can only do it if we are listening.

However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak from Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. (John 16:13)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)

Five hundred years ago, a humble German friar monk (Martin Luther) challenged the his church, sparked the Reformation, plunged Europe into centuries of religious strife, and was probably the single biggest influence on Christians leaving England and coming to America. He started a religious revolution centered around his fight against the use of indulgences and his belief that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. We accept that doctrine with no argument today, but it was not always that way. One man, with a revelation from scripture, started all this. However, Martin Luther came under great attack from his church because of his beliefs and was branded a heretic and severely threatened. It was definitely dangerous to his health, but it was well worth it.

The following are just a few scriptures that we all need to think about relative to this subject:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

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. (Mark 7:8)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19)

The traditions of man can make the Word of God of no effect! Organized religion is not bad in and of itself but we should all recognize that we are living in Acts 29 and Revelation 23 of the Bible. The Word of God is alive and well and it has all the answers and power we need if we hunger and thirst after God. We need ears to hear and eyes to see and we cannot do that with blinders on our eyes and plugs in our ears which are all manufactured by the traditions of man. We need to take the time to seek Him first!!!