28/09/2014 - AIMLESS CONDUCT

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Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 1Peter 1.18

A religious life has no spiritual value. Forces from Hell have no respect for those who are guided by religious rules. On the other hand, those who practice the Word of God are respected. Religious people are like the Pharisees, who created a number of laws and standards with prohibitions that they continued to do. Christians must not do what the world does, and the fact that our ancestors maintained a certain tradition does not mean that it had God’s approval. The things we need to do to please the Almighty God are taught in the Scriptures.

A person who dedicates his life to complying with the rules of certain church or religion—instead of the teachings of the Bible—is sad. Religious rules and dogmas have no value against attacks from the evil one. No doctrine of man can resist the weakest confrontation with the enemy. But those who practice the teachings of the Word of God become conquerors in all senses.

There are two types of people: on one side, there is a religious person, who keeps the commandments of his religion; on the other side, there is a person who lives in accordance with the Word of God. The first one is constantly attacked by the evil one; he asks the Lord for blessings, makes sacrifices, but does not get anything. The other person, however, is joyful because he pays no attention to the doctrine of man; he observes the Word of God, avoids sin and is full of the Holy Spirit. This person pleases the Lord, and his prayers are continuously answered.

In the days of Jesus, there was a religious group—the Pharisees—whose ultimate goal was to comply rigorously with the Jewish law and standards. Jesus condemned them, teaching how to avoid their yeast—their doctrine (Matthew 16.6). In our days, this group has grown significantly, although it is not known by the same name. These are people who appear to be pious but do not enjoy the blessings that God has in store for us.

The Pharisees of our days condemn the things in the world, but they keep doing them, using and abusing these things. Without a doubt, if we do the things that they do, we will not enjoy fellowship with God. His Word is clear when it says that we must not love the things in the world; rather, we must live in a holy manner, doing that which generates fruit (1John 2.15).

It does not matter how much we love our ancestors—if what they taught cannot be accepted as a rule of conduct by those who love the Almighty God, we must abandon such practices. The principles established in the Word of God are the ones we must observe. Otherwise, the things we do will never rely on the works of the power of God. We must examine ourselves and find out if we are living in a way that pleases the Lord or if we are living according to the flesh, which is completely useless.

He who wants to become successful must have the teachings of the Scriptures as a goal. Otherwise, he will never please God. Our conversion is not merely an improvement in the personal and spiritual areas; rather, it is the total re-creation of these areas. Now, having been born again, we must seek and do the things from above.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares