Click here to read the scripture for today's devotion:  John 7:14-24

It is interesting, after Jesus left Galilee, He came in secretly and showed Himself publicly at the temple.  The temple is the physical dwelling place of God to the Jewish people.  There God was revealed also in the flesh of Jesus, though they did not know it at the time.  The religious leaders questioned where He got His teaching. The world has a different viewpoint of authoritative teaching. They wanted to know His credentials. Truth is truth regardless of how many degrees someone has. 

I watched the movie, ‘Expelled’ where we see how the traditions of man in Darwinism and evolution refuses to look at the evidence for Intelligent Design. The political and academic culture wants to suppress the truth of God for man centered worldviews. This is evidenced increasingly in the traditions of church teachings as well.

All truth is never anything to be feared, although it can increase conflict when the opinion of man differs from the truth of God.   

The religious leaders were hostile concerning the fact that Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. According to the teachings of religious law, Jesus had violated the Jews understanding of the Sabbath by healing a paralyzed man. If Jesus could do such a thing on the Sabbath day, then He was obviously dangerous. Jesus makes the point that just as the rite of circumcision was done in order not to violate the law of Moses, so also His act of grace was done in order not to violate the law of God.  He had fulfilled the kindly intent and purpose of God on that Sabbath.

The world was also concerned about appearances. Jesus was concerned about reality. He was not concerned with how well He came across to men, or how well He would be liked.  He wanted them to honor God with all their hearts. He wants that of you and me also. He calls us to be His witnesses. There comes a time when we must no longer keep silent. We must tell and teach the truths of Jesus and His word, regardless of how it is received. The idea that," I don't speak up to tell others about my faith. I just let my life do the talking," forces us to ask, "Whose life is good enough for such an assignment?"

Samuel Shoemaker once said, "I cannot by being good, tell men of Jesus' atoning death and resurrection, nor of my faith in His divinity. The emphasis is too much on me, and too little on Him. Our lives must be made as consistent as we can make them with our faith; but our faith, if we are Christians, is vastly greater than our lives. That is why the word of witness is so important."

When we confront a hostile world, we must consider the matter of teaching truth. Traditions of man will often conflict with the truth of God. 

Application:   Are there traditions that seem in conflict with what the Spirit and Word of truth are presenting to you these days?

Prayer:  Lord, I know I can never be good enough, but I also know that as I yield to You, Your Holy Spirit works in me to both will and to do for Your good pleasure.   Phil 2:13

Dale