CRU Update

What do traditions and rules mean for Christians?

Last Friday, at lunchtime in the CS breakout space, we began CRU with an interview with Isaac Lanham about his experience as a Christian, with his searching and questioning until Jesus’ plans became central to his life. Thank you for sharing, Isaac.

The talk was given by Mr Greenwood with the primary discussion of CRU being how we understand tradition and rules as Christians. Looking specifically at Colossians 2:16-19 and the traditions of the time, there were several things that Mr Greenwood drew our attention to.

We first understand that often these traditions are established to commemorate or reflect other more fundamental cores of belief. These can be good things. However, in a Christian sense, these become shadows with the coming of Jesus, who came to fulfil these laws and regulations, such as in Colossians 2:17. We no longer should judge one another on whether we do or do not continue to celebrate such things. Since we are all totally disqualified from God’s standards by our own deeds, we all totally rely on Jesus’ fulfilment of God’s law to be back in relationship with Him, not on any supplement of our own tradition.

Hence, the second thing Mr Greenwood was careful to address was the reason Christians should not use this freedom as an excuse from following God’s law. We do so from the love and forgiveness that was given to us. It does not make sense that someone who understands they have been forgiven for a lifetime of mistakes would not act out of both appreciation and love.

To conclude, Christians act according to God, not to attempt to simply achieve perfection or keep certain rules or regulations. They act in this way because they understand both the depth of sin and the love and grace given to them.

Continue to live for Christ as a Christian, and continue to search and wrestle if you’re exploring.

Christopher Yun
Year 10