Stott makes a strong statement by saying that Christians "are called to a radical nonconformity to tradition and convention in order to honor the supremacy of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ". Yet, I can' t help but to think that traditions were originally set up for a good purpose. Certain ceremonies, holidays and events are practiced and commemorated to benefit the present and future generation with the great principles handed down from the past. Wedding ceremonies, the season of lent, and even the holy communion are just a few examples. I think that tradition do have a part in Christian life but Stott is right in saying that they are not to replace or even overshadow honoring the "supremacy of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ".
When I think about the pharisees and their traditions, it makes me think back to Adam and Eve and how they tried to cover up themselves with fig leaves. Both parties being afraid of exposure tried to cover themselves with false securities. The pharisees may have had greater insights as to the holiness of God than Christians do in this present age. However, they failed to please God because they did not have faith in what God revealed through the holy scripture. They failed to see and understand the truth of God behind the laws and traditions which God had ordained and saw only the tradition themselves and depended on their own abilities to adhere to them. Instead of using those tradition to remember certain qualities of God and use them to draw nearer to Him, the pharisees used tradition to cover up their short comings. I do believe that they knew and understood God as holy and perfect and knew they had to conform to his holiness but their fatal mistake was to believe that holiness and righteousness can be attained by their own efforts instead of depending on God's sufficient grace.
Another oversight of the pharisees was the security they placed on their ability to keep the laws and traditions. And upon this false security they also built up pride and self righteousness. The pharisees are not the only ones guilty of this-so am I. The tradition or practice of attending Sunday worship service is one example I'll use for myself perhaps you may be able to think of others. Not that I'm perfect in coming to church on time every Sunday, but just even the practice of coming gives me a certain level of security. My heart may be in the wrong place and I may have missed the point of coming to church to worship God, their is a sense of security, familiarity, a sense of satisfaction of having done what I should have done on a Sunday morning-outwardly at least. Like I said, this is just one area of my life where a certain religious practice gives off a sense of security and satisfaction all the while I fail to meet God where I truly ought to- on my knees both literally and spiritually. It makes me re-examine where my heart is what-ever I do. My first reaction to this realization was anxiety and insecurity at my lack of faith and faithfulness in acknowledging what is right and actually doing it. But I am encouraged to remember God's grace and love. And I have to remember that as I spend more quality time in prayer and reading Scripture, that it won't be so much of my own efforts that will make me more like Christ but it will be the work of the Holy Spirit.

Is it my day??

Hi everyone, I'm not too sure if today is supposed to be my day or Kwijung's day. If it is my day, I haven't read my reflection yet. I have a touch of food poisoning and I had to prepare for work and small group.

Nevertheless, I would still like to contribute. Yesterday, I was listening to a late night radio talk show and the guest was an author of a book called "God's Problem." His atone seemed to be objective and well balanced about God's inconsistencies and how Christianity was basically delusional. With the host's help, they both tore down some basic Christian concepts with a false mask of academic neutrality.

All I was thinking was this..."Man I am so lucky that God has shared some of the mysteries of his word with someone pathetic like me."

I think the two main problems that people often experience when it comes to their relationship with God is

1) People limit God to their own experiences and what they can or cannot see.
2) People are pretty much self-centered and full of themselves.

I know I suffer from all this. I go through daily struggles and misery because I refuse to let myself off of the mantle and give God center stage.

I've been reading sermons by Charles Spurgeon that Dulla lent me and he asks a very simple question all the time through his graceful words. "Who do you think you are???"

Pretty much, I sometimes act like a god unto myself. But God in his faithfulness still draws me nearer to him despite my arrogance. And he often does it through this church.. (so I am grateful to you all.)

I get reminded that God's name must be and will be praised and glorified despite our own problems. Like Pastor James reminds us, "hold on to the cross!"

I have food poisoning, severe diarrhea, nausea, my students are annoying me a little bit, my boss is kinda nuts, my mom calls me every two minutes. I worry about the future too much, I'm anxious, weak, hypocritical, idle, lazy, and just now I spilled half of my gatorade all over my nice pants.

I'm unworthy in every way and a selfish pig to boot. But I cling on desperately to Jesus and the cross because I know that even despite myself, He makes me a little bit better every day.

seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeya.

Debate Over Fraternization

So sorry for the tardy post. I had a day off yesterday and did such a great job checking out mentally that I totally forgot my post!

Its very easy to read this account and shake my finger again at those Pharisees till I stop and admit the thin line between me and those I so easily condemn. At the same time, I have to acknowledge an even thinner line between me and those I pretend to defend. With that realization, I read the "woe to you"s soberly reminded of who those words were intended to warn. Its amazing the power of judgementalism and how quickly it constipates me spiritually. As crude as it sounds, I pray for spiritual ex-lax so that God's love would course freely through my life.