Scripture: Romans 14 v 5 - 9: " One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living."
Today's blog was inspired by arguments or debates on Twitter today concerning Resurrection Sunday v Easter, Holiness v coloured eggs.
For those who are strong Christians who want to live strict and holy lives unto the Lord, they might prefer dropping Easter, a pagan festival to an Eastern goddess. Some never knew about this idol. Now they can choose and be at peace with their decision.
Those who really don't care that much, Paul says celebrate, don't celebrate whatever pleases you. The same goes for Christmas. By now most people have realised that shepherds would not be tending their flocks on a mid winter's night where the snow would be deep and crisp and even.
We are not told in scripture when the birth of Jesus took place, but even the cruel Romans would not have the whole of Israel wandering for days to pay their taxes in midwinter. Exposure to the cold might kill a lot of them contrary to the plan.
However, enjoy whatever Christmas brings to you. The Lord does not forbid it. Nor does Paul. Do you know what Jeremiah says?
Jeremiah 10 v 1 - 4: " Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
It was verses like these that made me do some research into the "traditions of men" that Jesus spoke about. Adding "In vain do you worship God with your traditions". Now I do not want to worship God in vain so I began to eliminate various cherished traditions like cards, presents, decorations and trees and have never missed them.
But I am not a judge over anyone else who enjoys these traditions. I don't make the rules for anyone to live by. I just want to inform you of where some of these things originate so you can decide for yourselves what is acceptable or not.
In the Roman Catholic Church Mary is always superior to Jesus. She is the Mother and He is the child. Mary has influence over Him even who should be saved. So Christmas cards and carols always show Him as a babe in a manger, never as the Saviour of mankind and a glorious King.
In their churches and cathedrals Jesus is always shown as crucified and dead. Hanging on a cross. Back in the thirteenth century the Inquisition started in Spain with one question......Is the wafer and wine a symbol of Jesus' body and blood or is it His actual body and blood?
Those Christians who said they are symbols died the most horrible deaths after being severely tortured. Millions were martyred.
Revelation 17 v 5 - 6: "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."
The Roman Catholic Church is the revived religion of Babylon. It's traditions and doctrines need to be carefully checked with the Bible. This "Mother of Harlots" is the imposter they call Mary, Mother of God. She is known as Our Lady and worshipped around the world more than Jesus.
Jeremiah 44 v 17 - 19: "But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?"
This queen of heaven is the goddess Astoreth, also known as Semiramis (wife of Baal who was Nimrod her son). In the Roman Catholic Church, Mary is called the Queen of Heaven. In the Babylonian religion Semiramis, or Astoreth, or Diana in Ephesus, Ching Moo in China, Isis in Egypt, is mostly depicted as Mother and child in art. Diana is known as the Huntress. Nimrod was known as the Hunter of men's souls. Not good.
God loves Catholics, just not their religion. This is His call to them.
2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
These words apply to any cult or group that does not honour Jesus Christ above all. Whatever religion teaches things contrary to the Bible is a trap for the souls of men.
Our Father loves us dearly and wants only the best for us. He has made the perfect way for each one of His children to find their way Home to Heaven. The way is through Jesus. There is no other name by which we can be saved.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, We are still rejoicing in the glow of the Resurrection, but some are stuck in traditions of other gods. We want to shine for truth and let that light draw many into Your Kingdom. Open the eyes of those whom the enemy has blinded against the gospel. Let many be saved O Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.