Are You Bound By Tradition And Religion?

I found this on a friends page and it was too good not to share with my subscribers. It came from Fire House Church's Pastor Jerry. Thanks Bro. for this breath of fresh air! Kudos to you!! Well here it is.........................

Are You Bound By Tradition and Religion?

Mark 7:13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."
Jesus was always being confronted by religious people. Not people that had a relationship with God, but those were trying to work their way to God and bound by the traditions of man.
They would accuse him and attack him for healing on the Sabbath for example. They placed obeying the Sabbath (law) over the healing of a person. (grace)
Jesus was attacked more by the religious people then anyone else. I have found that to be true in my life and Christian walk today. People will fight to the end for their religion and for their traditions.
Jesus said their traditions made the word of God no effect. That means the word of God will have no effect in your life. The promises of God will not work for you if you are bound by traditions of man. If you are bound by your religion and traditions you will NOT see the power of God working in your life and you will not be receiving from the promises of God.
People bound by tradition do not walk in love. I have seen this in action!
Therefore their faith does not work. Gal 5:6-For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
I have seen people claiming to be Christians, attacking and falsely accusing other believers of the most ridiculous things. If you are like that, do you know whose team you are on? Do you know who YOU are acting like? The bible refers to SATAN as the accuser of the breathren. I have seen so called Christians time and time again accusing others and they are acting more like the devil, then the God they claim to serve. If that is you, you need to stop it! Get the beam out of your own eye and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!
Those bound by tradition will fight for "their rights" when none of this is to be about them. It is to be about building up the Kingdom of God. It is about serving one another and submitting to one another. It is about preferring your brother. It is about reaching the lost and making disciples. Instead people would rather fight one another over a bunch of pettiness.
Those bound by tradition will exalt a church building (made by human hands) above people, of whom are the real church. Many a church has split over division and strife concerning a building. How pathetic. God is not involved in division and strife and will never be.
Jesus himself said a house divided will not stand. The sad thing is those that have torn down and divided before, seem to have no problem coming together again where tradition is involved to try and destroy again!
Many a board of deacons in a church have split the church and drove out a pastor that was sent by God over their traditions! Many a church member because they have been there for 20 years and think they own the place, have driven the power of God right out the building because of their traditions and religious mindset!
Enough is enough! It is time we get the traditions of men out, and the presence and power of God back in! The traditions of man, religious mindset, division and strife are a stench in the nostrils of God!
I love the advice given when people were attacking the work of the apostles in:
Acts 5:35-40 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God."
If the work we, or anyone else is doing is of God, no man can stop it by their tradition or any other means. Those attacking need to watch out. They are fighting against GOD not man.
The good news is if you are bound you can be free! If you are full of hate, anger, unforgiveness, there is mercy for you. The power of God will work in your life and set you free from everything! IF you will lay aside your traditions and allow God to be God and to do what God wants to do in your life and all the others you are worried about.
If this message upsets some of you, GOOD! I pray it makes you mad enough to remove the blinders from your eyes and to get FREE! Don't get mad at me for speaking the truth. Get on your face before God and REPENT and ask for His forgiveness and mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit will set you free! God has not called any of us to tear down the work of God, but to build it up! His mercy lasts so long, then HE will bring judgement!
It is time we in the body of Christ work together to build the Kingdom and quit allowing the traditions of men, division and strife to hinder all that God desires us to do.
John 8:30-32-31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:36- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.