Mark 7:7, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Jesus said that those who keep their own manmade
traditions instead of obeying the Word of God are worshipping God in vain.
This is a disturbing Scripture, because MOST religious people in the world
today adhere to manmade traditions no where taught in the Bible. Could it be
that most people in the world today are worshipping God in vain? Yes, that
is exactly so!
The Bible warns about following the traditions of men instead of the Bible.
Jesus said in Mark 7:9, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye
may keep YOUR OWN TRADITION." Mark 7:13, "Making the word of God of none
effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like
things do ye." It is tragic that so many churchgoers have churchianity
without Christianity. They have religion without truth.
I challenge you to
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39), to see if the
things that your priest or minister are teaching you is backed-up by the
Scriptures. If it's not taught in the Bible, then it is a manmade tradition.
The Catholic Church is infamous for teaching manmade traditions instead of
the Word of God. The following 3-doctrines are all unbiblical:
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The Immaculate Conception of Mary (i.e., Mary was born without a sin-nature)
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The Perpetual Virginity of Mary
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The Assumption of Mary (i.e., Mary was bodily taken to Heaven)
The Bible teaches that Mary was born a sinner (Romans 3:23), and she did not remain a virgin (Matthew 13:55-56), and Mary died a physical death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). Even more dangerous are the Catholic manmade tradition of the Sacraments, which they require for salvation. The Bible disagrees. Romans 4:5 teaches that salvation is without works of self-righteousness. We are saved solely by Christ's righteousness, and not by keeping Sacraments.
In addition, Catholics teach that good works are necessary for salvation. The problem is that no amount of good works can erase the sins we have committed. This is why Jesus came into the world, i.e., to pay our sin debt. I love Catholic people; but I detest the Catholic religion that blinds so many people to the truth. The Bible tells us that salvation is solely of the Lord.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman in John 4:24 that they who worship God MUST worship Him in truth. God cannot be worshipped in manmade doctrines. You'd think if there was one place in the world where you'd hear the truth, it would be in a church. Nope! If you want the truth, then you need to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES! (John 5:39).
The word "vain" means "empty" and "futile." It means that you're wasting your time and simply playing religion. God is not impressed at all with the worship of those who believe a false Gospel. True worship must be based in truth. The Word of God is truth (John 17:17). Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is truth (1st John 5:6). God is truth (Deuteronomy 32:4).
I plead with you my friend, don't worship God in vain.
