Very oft times when we hear in the church the word “tradition,” it is almost always used in a negative sense. This is unfortunate because many traditions are very positive and are worthy of our adherence. In II Thessalonians 2:15, The Apostle Paul admonishes the church to: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Paul tells the people of God to hold tenaciously to his teachings, both orally and in written form. One of the traditions Paul elaborates upon is found in II Thessalonians 3:6, the tradition of hard-work. (I find this to be a tradition that the entire body of Christ can embrace.) While in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul was “hard-work” personified. Paul, by his own admission, was not lazy, would not accept hand-outs, and chose not to be a burden to anyone. Interestingly, the tradition of hard-work is applicable in Kingdom work as it is in secular work. Hard-work, a tradition found in our neighborhood. Respect for elders, another tradition in our neighborhood. Leviticus 19:32: Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the Lord. (New Living Translation) (This is a scripture this Pastor has lived by, even though I didn’t know there was that scripture.)
Traditionally, the church has always been very important in our community. Reverential fear of the Lord and respect for His people and His day has been the norm. To quote Paul, “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Be blessed and let the church be the church.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
