So, I was reading (Jeremiah 35) today, and it really got me thinking about how things are today. You know, God was telling the people of Israel to look at the Recabites—folks who followed their ancestors’ commands to a T. They didn’t drink wine, they lived in tents, and didn’t stray from what was passed down. They obeyed, no questions asked. But here’s the kicker: God was like, “You see how they listen to their ancestors, but you, Israel, won’t even listen to Me?” Ouch. They were following traditions, but they weren’t following God.

Now, traveling back in time to those days we see that’s it’s no different than the future and what we have today! I mean Today we’ve got churches everywhere, all with their fancy buildings, their set ways, and their rules. They’re so proud of how they stick to their doctrines and follow the man made rules and traditions that has been passed down to them, how they keep things “in order,” and follow every church regulation down to the last letter. But when God tries to speak to them, they don’t listen. They turn away, stuck in their own man-made rules. It’s the same thing all over again.

I couldn’t help but think about how Jesus dealt with this when He was here. He looked at the Pharisees—these were the folks who knew the Law inside and out. They had it down pat. From the outside, they looked squeaky clean. But Jesus wasn’t fooled at all. He said, “You’re like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside, but inside you’re full of dead bones.” He called them out because they were so focused on following the rules, but their hearts were rotten. They couldn’t even see what was right in front of them—the truth.

Today’s “churches” are just like that. They’ve got their traditions, their programs, their rules, and they follow them perfectly. But when someone shows up and tries to share the truth—when someone who’s born again and can actually see the kingdom of God tells them what’s real—they push it aside. They’d rather hold onto their church standards than listen to the truth. It’s like they’re saying, “We’ve got it all figured out,” while ignoring the very voice of God calling them to a personal walk with Him.

Let me be clear: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It’s not about rules. It’s not about the building. It’s not about man-made regulations. It’s about having a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He made it simple. The Gospel is simple. But folks are complicating it with all their traditions and rules and crap. They’re so caught up in their systems, they’ve missed the whole point of Jesus coming.

When someone comes along and confronts them with the truth—when someone says, “Hey, it’s not about all this, it’s about Jesus,” they’re quick to shut them down. Why? Because the truth makes them uncomfortable. It forces them to rethink everything they’ve built their lives on. It’s easier to stick to the traditions than to let go and follow Jesus with their whole heart.

But here’s the bottom line: Jesus doesn’t care how perfectly you follow the church rules if you’re not listening to Him. He wants your heart. He wants obedience, not to the church’s systems, but to His voice. God is still looking for people like the Recabites—(not folks who blindly follow traditions) but people who will listen to Him and follow His lead, no matter how uncomfortable it makes them.

Remember, God is the same yesterday today and forever, so it doesn't matter if we go back to the past or back to the future. God never changes! So, ask yourself, are you willing to let go of your traditions and listen to what God’s really saying? Are you willing to follow the truth, even if it means stepping away from what’s familiar? Because at the end of the day, the truth isn’t complicated—it’s Jesus. And when you follow Him, that’s when you’re truly free.

Until next time and from now on may the Good Lord bless you!

~ Joe Lester ~