The Pilgrim Path---Mark 7: 5 – 8 

And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

“…THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME”

Doing religious things is far easier than actual spiritual devotion. Following outward tradition requires no inward change of heart. You may appear holy---but be the same person you have always been (only about yourself). Jesus is getting at the heart---in his lesson to the religionists of his day---and our day. Do I have a concern that my will---is subservient to the will of Jesus---in all things? Will I Forgive---as God, for Christ’s sake---has forgiven me? Will I seek to represent Christ to the difficult and trying? Will I give sacrificially for Kingdom advancement? Will it be alright---if my name is not known---if Jesus’ Name “is” known? Will I behave as though love covers a multitude of sins? Will I relish brokenness, humility, and repentance---as keys to joy and Holy Spirit power? Will I leave “tradition” for the path of The Living Christ?

From Brownlow North: You are shut up to one of two things, you will either make a god and a religion for yourself, and stand or fall eternally by it, or you must take the religion of Jesus Christ as revealed to you in His Word. You cannot receive a little of God’s teaching and a little of your own, you cannot believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and the wisdom of your own heart at the same time. Choose then, now and forever, by which you will stand or fall. God helping me, I will stand or fall by the Lord Jesus Christ. I will put my trust in His truth, and in His teaching as I find it in the written Word of God; and doing that, so sure as the Lord Jesus Christ is the truth, I must be forgiven and saved.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason