A Readers Digest article titled: "Ever Wonder why?" contained some interesting facts. For instance, have you ever wondered why: “Men 's clothes have buttons on the right while women 's are on the left? It's easier for right-handed people, the majority, to push buttons on the right through holes on the left, and so men's buttons are on the right. When first used, buttons were expensive and worn primarily by the well-to-do. Women in that class were usually dressed by servants. Since a maid would face the woman she was dressing, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right the woman's left where they've remained.”
Is it not remarkable that such a practice would remain in spite of the practical problems with these “backwards” buttons? Today no one I know of has servants to put their clothes on, but still the practice remains.
The same is true in religion. Today churches of men have adopted practices based upon their personal convenience and the decisions of men in the past rather than in the scriptures. Few ask the important question: "Why do we do that?” Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Please do not think that mindless service to God will do any good. Consider a few questions to ask today:
l. Why do men sprinkle babies today and call it baptism? (Romans 6:3-4)
2. Why do churches not take the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week? (Acts 20:7)
3. Why do churches have church creeds and conventions to tell their members what to believe? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 2:18-22)
If we call Jesus Lord then should we not show it by keeping His word over what men desire? (Lk 6:46) You may be surprised at the vicious opposition you may receive when you question the long held traditions of men. Paul warns each of us to choose the cross of Christ over the favor of men. Consider how Paul answered these questions:
1. Who is a real servant of Christ? “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
2. What if I give in to men for the sake of “peace?” “As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:12)
3. If I really know Jesus, will I allow the demands of this world to take priority over the sacrifices Christ expects of me? “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
Let each of us go beyond “wondering why” we do things in service to God and begin today to search the scriptures and know why! Be ready for the surprise of learning that many things that are commonly accepted by the masses that are not found in God’s word. Also be ready to stand against the intimidating pressures of men. God will bless you richly, only if you are willing to follow Him (Luke 14:33).
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posted by Larry Rouse at
5:03 PM
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