Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where we read these words:
"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."Religious traditions are not inherently bad (or heretical). Paul passed some traditions along through his preaching and teaching; and others through his inspired epistles. All Christian denominations—from the “highest” church, to the “lowest” church—employ tradition(s). Even the most self-consciously dis-organized and “informal” congregations essentially do the very same things week after week (only changing the props, or whatever).
Tradition is only a problem if and when it conflicts with divine (scriptural) rev-elation. When this happens, tradition must be let go of, in favor of God's re-vealed will. Otherwise, however, we members of God's faithful church need not get too worked-up over the issue of tradition.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”
—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
