Is Tradition Sabotaging Your Testimony? [continued]

As such, we were all born in the natural without spiritual sight. Yes, notwithstanding the greatness many believe they have, the truth is that apart from Christ Jesus there is spiritual blindness. As Jesus pointed out, neither the man nor his parents sinned. Let us accept it now that all who are born into this world are in this same condition until this same Jesus, Who is exalted to the right hand of power, becomes Lord of our lives. When that happens, we will understand the “works of God” that were truly manifested in the man as well as each of us believers in Christ.

Notice how the new birth is connected with spiritual sight. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus secretly acknowledging the wondrous things He had done and that God must be with Him. Coming in contact with Jesus meant earth coming into contact with heaven. To understand what was transpiring meant the necessity of spiritual sight. Therefore, Jesus replied to Nicodemus with the spiritual fact that in order for a man to see or experience the kingdom of God, he had to be born again. The new birth comes by acknowledging our sin apart from Christ; confessing with our mouths the Lord Jesus; and believing in our hearts that God hath raised Him from the dead.

Spiritual sight comes with the new birth. A new creature exists when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Old things are passed away, including spiritual blindness. Behold, or look, all things are become new. The unveiling of our spiritual sight is a gradual process. Faith in Jesus and belief in Him are the means for us to see Him as He is through the power of His Holy Spirit.

9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

It is interesting that the word “I” in verse 4 above is rendered “we” in many other translations. Therefore, we must work the works of God. When the disciples asked Jesus in Chapter 6 of John what they should do to work the works of God, Jesus said, “ This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

All the miracles Jesus did revealed glorious aspects of Himself. The Light of the world makes His abode in us when we love Him and believe in Him. That is how our light shines before men. Not of ourselves, but Jesus shines through us. What powerful lessons we learn about our Lord Jesus Christ from His presence in a situation and the things He did! God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

When we are not conscious of His presence, we tend to believe life’s trials will cause us to perish. The phrase “we perish” has the same numerical value of 666 as does the word tradition. How can we perish with eternal life power dwelling in us? Lack of knowledge of the Son and who we are in Him is the only way it can happen.

9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Romans 9: 21 begins, “Hath not the potter power over the clay…” The Creator became flesh and dwelt among us. The first man was made of the dust of the ground. Without God substance, he could no longer see or experience the spiritual realm he was meant to abide in. The blind man’s condition could only be changed by the supernatural power of God. After the Creator’s touch, a new creation resulted. The man would be changed forever. Jesus took the clay and anointed the eyes of the blind man. This word anointed indicates an active motion downward with pressure. In other words heaven came down in power to heal the man’s condition.

9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Jerusalem is the holy city. Its projection of all that is heavenly had been desecrated by tradition. Such was the corruption of tradition until Jesus sent the man outside the city to wash. Believers everywhere need to hear God in this hour. He is speaking by His Son. Siloam is said to be outside Jerusalem where the old wall bent eastward. Eastward speaks to eternity rather than a direction in spirit. We need not expect our change to come in tradition. It will never happen in an environment that is at enmity with God.
The results were those that can always be expected when we believe in Jesus and obey His commands. The man went his way, washed, and came seeing. He was not just satisfied with a touch from Jesus. Although the Master’s touch included the anointing, the man still obeyed the words of the Lord. If only spiritual Israel would listen today to what the Spirit is saying to us. He washed and came seeing.

9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

9:9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

The change in the man was mighty. What a difference is seen in each of us when we have come in touch with Jesus, believed on Him, and obeyed him! Imagine a change so powerful our neighbors cannot recognize us. No longer bound in blindness, his identity was uncertain to the natural man because the power of God had affected his nature. His identity was so changed until he had to make himself known unto them.

9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

Here is where the testimony begins. Watch carefully how the power of the spiritual transaction between Jesus and the man is in tact at this point. Jesus Christ is the man sent by God to restore us. Nobody else can restore us to God’s presence and favor but Jesus. We must know Who Jesus is and what it is He has done for us and as us through His redemptive work of the Cross. We must be able to tell it in every detail. That is the reckoning required of us.

9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

9:14 And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

The man was taken to the Pharisees or those who represent tradition. When faced with tradition and its intimidation, the testimony became abbreviated. When tradition asked the man how he received his sight the glory was not given to Jesus, but rather
“He put clay upon mine eyes.” “He” could have been anyone. The fact is only Jesus can bring the supernatural into our lives. He alone deserves the glory. The emphasis is now more on what the man did instead of what Jesus did. “I washed and do see” is not the testimony! As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Sabotage is the work of an enemy. While tradition takes great place in the church, it is no friend of the believer. In fact, it is an archenemy to spiritual growth and spiritual understanding. Sabotage is meant to do damage to the degree our spiritual productivity or spiritual function is obstructed. Anything that makes us renounce Jesus is spiritual sabotage.

9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, how can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Jesus prayed that we would be one with Himself and the Father. The schism or division seen above is the direct result of man standing between God and His people. Every good and perfect gift is from above. Tradition stands to lose everything when believers walk in the Spirit with the eyes of their understanding opened. After all, who will tradition enslave if all understand their liberty in Jesus?

9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

The intimidating power of tradition now seeks to ensnare the man. Still whittling away at his testimony, they ask the man a direct question knowing he would be put out from them if he declared Jesus to be the Messiah. The man said, “He is a prophet.” The testimony of Jesus works and all we have to do is stick with it. While not declaring Jesus’ Name, God still uses the man’s answer to make a powerful point. The Pharisees were very familiar with what Moses said. By declaring Jesus to be a prophet, there was ground for the Pharisees to take note of Jesus despite the weakening of the man’s testimony. In Deuteronomy Chapter 18 it declares, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” Again it states, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Moses wrote these words!

9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see?

9:20 His parents answered them and said, we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Another fact of tradition is that it ties you to your past. Our past was done away with on the Cross and when Jesus was raised, we were raised with him according to Colossians 3:1. Our old man is dead, and we are new creatures in Christ. Calling the man’s parents was a direct attempt to tie the man in the bondage of his past. Summoning the natural man will not help in an effort to explain spiritual things. Our parents and no one else will help unless they have been born again and are walking in the Spirit.

9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

Here is a point we need to carefully heed. Tradition is subtle. By telling the man to give God the praise, they sounded very spiritual. After all, who would not respect someone who seems to be turning another to God? The problem with tradition is that it recognizes God without acknowledging His Son. Jesus declared, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Tradition hates Jesus because He is our Deliverer.

9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes?

Brothers and sisters, proclaim your true testimony in its entirety until your understanding of Who Jesus Christ becomes full. This man went from delightfully proclaiming Jesus and all He had done to bowing in the face of tradition and unsure of whether Jesus was a sinner or not. What a weak testimony if all we can say is what happened but cannot declare Who did it and how! Has your testimony been watered down because “church folks” did not receive it or understand it? Notice the continuing pressure for the man to explain his miracle on their terms.

9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be his disciples?

9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.

9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

No matter how much tradition intimidates, keep proclaiming your testimony. Every time they ask, proclaim it again and again. Do not get weary in well doing. The man asked whether they would also be Jesus’ disciples. Keep sharing the testimony until it is heard and see what happens. Make tradition give up, not us as believers.
The Jews said they followed Moses. That is another way of saying they followed the law. Again, the law was given so man would know what sin was. No one between the first Adam and Christ had kept the whole law. Jesus Christ was the only man since the Fall to keep the whole law, and He fulfilled it. Tradition wants you believe you can keep the law apart from Christ. The result is what we see so often in a form of godliness that denies the power thereof. Only as Christ lives in and through us are we able to keep the Law. Paul understood it well when he said he no longer lived but Christ lived through him. Remember, the law was not done away with but fulfilled in Christ. God still requires holiness. His love conquers all.

9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

The power of the miraculous touch of Jesus revealed His simplicity in the face of the complicated circle of tradition. A truly marvelous thing had happened in the opening of the man’s eyes. Although it was something never seen before, the keepers of tradition failed to acknowledge the Son of God. What a powerful time to seek God! Signs and wonders abound as promised but the Source is unknown. The man took a stand for Jesus. Alleluia!

9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Here is where many of us met opposition in church. We took a stand for Jesus that caused tradition to become threatened and uncomfortable. As a result we were talked about and scorned and in many cases, ostracized and ridiculed. We found ourselves cast out of certain circles because we no longer fit after we received the healing touch of spiritual enlightenment from Jesus Himself through His Holy Spirit.

9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

There are children of God everywhere in places of pain because their testimony got them thrown out of traditional meeting places. The best thing that could have happened to us was to be put forth from the tradition of men. Take comfort because Jesus has heard that they cast you out and is on His way to you! The truth is that He lives in us but teaches us through His ways. Nothing has overtaken us that He is not aware of. Be patient in
that place until He reveals Himself. We will see just how much our spiritual eyes have been opened when He shows up. Alleluia!
True revelation of Jesus as the Son of God only comes about to the sincere heart through the power of the Spirit. Flesh and blood will never reveal Him to us. This is why we cannot afford to be bound up in the tradition of men. Tradition veils Him. No one can believe for us. It is every heart for itself. This revelation cannot be taught, borrowed or bought.

9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

Do not be afraid to ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He is just waiting for you to ask. This is why the gift of the Holy Spirit is given. The Comforter will take of His and show it unto us. Jesus promised it. This was a way of God for the man to not only look for signs but to look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Are we looking unto Jesus or merely looking for His signs? Believe the Word of God even if you do not understand it. In the volume of the Book it is written of our Lord. The Holy Spirit knows all about Him and will reveal Him to us at Father’s good will and pleasure.

9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Simple, is it not? When Jesus reveals Himself, believe on Him. As one of His sheep you will know His Voice.
Next, the man worshipped Him. Worship is a lifestyle versus something we do at the beginning of some church services. Worship means He is Lord of all in our lives, and we reverently acknowledge Him in all our ways. Worship means we adore Him and give Him thanks in all things whether we like them or not. Worship means we wait when we are desperate to take off in a hurry. Worship means He is first in our lives. Worship means He deserves and gets our best. Worship means spending time with Him. Worship means dying to self so He has a temple to express Himself in. Worship unto an Almighty God means countless other things, which His Holy Spirit will reveal to us.

9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Let us all pray that God would reveal any embrace of tradition in our lives. Those who believe they see it all apart from the power of His might are encouraged to submit unto Jesus. Notice that after Jesus’ initial touch; the man got the chance to see how pitiful the religious situation was in which he lived. The system was revealed for the big lie it was. Sadly, many are in tradition today and really believe they are serving God. Many serve Jesus with their lips but their hearts are light years away from Him. The time is at hand for all to know Jesus. The days of the winking at such ignorance are over. He is no longer an unknown God. He is our life!

Jesus is revealed through the preaching of the Cross, which is the power of God unto salvation. We do not need to go toe-to-toe with tradition by telling people what to do and what not to do. Preaching issues will not change people, but the power of the Gospel will. Jesus came that we might have life abundantly. Abundant life is not one’s selfish, temporal, carnal, and lustful, greedy wishes being granted. It is a life of resurrection power in the face of death. Those who want to remain in tradition forfeit their inheritance, which is in the Person and work of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Is tradition sabotaging your testimony?