You Keep the Traditions #1654

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2, NKJV)

Traditions hold a place of value in our lives. They distinguish families, enclaves, nations, and religions. The Bible discusses traditions we are to hold fast as the teachings and practices handed down to us by the apostles (2 Thess. 2:15). It is praiseworthy when Christians keep the apostolic traditions because they came from God by revelation and were transmitted by inspiration (Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Christians who refuse to live according to the truth the apostles taught are “walking disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:6). Note how Paul commended the Corinthians because they kept the apostolic traditions “just as I delivered them to you.” They were not at liberty to change what the apostles taught and practiced to suit themselves. Indeed, they apostles taught the same truth “everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17). Commit yourself to keeping the apostles’ traditions. They are the traditions that have eternal value.

Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly #391

6  But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you… (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7)

Christians are commanded by nothing less than the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ to withdraw from “every brother” who “walks disorderly” . We learn several important truths here. First, God commands faithful Christians to discipline disobedient Christians by withdrawing their social contact from the unrepentant Christian (“do not keep company with him”, 2 Thess. 3:14). Those who refuse to obey this command become disorderly themselves. Second, a Christian who refuses to repent of sin is lost (“disorderly”) and must become “ashamed” of his sin in order to repent (2 Thess. 3:14). The stated purpose for withdrawing from the disorderly Christian is “to admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:15). Third, a command from the apostles carries the weight of heaven’s authority. If one refuses to obey the apostles he is refusing the commandment of the Lord. Four, when we follow the apostles we walk orderly and have God’s approval. Let us walk orderly by following the apostles’ teaching.