Good morning! How are we faithing? Religious activity can lead to salvation. Traditional methods of worship can lead to salvation. Religious activity and traditional methods of service are not salvation. I asked a fellow if he was saved and knew Jesus as Lord and he replied, "I go to church, I do good deeds and my Papaw is a preacher." So what. He didn't answer the question. He didn't understand this question about the relationship salvation affords with the Messiah Jesus. His answer is like asking someone if they are a good driver and they reply, "I own a car and my brother races. "I've seen religious activity get in the way of salvation. I've seen religious activity remove the focus off Jesus and on to good works that led to the "earned salvation" doctrine. I've seen tradition hog tie people in methodology to the point they think, "if I don't do thus and so, God isn't gonna hear or see me and or I wont make it to heaven." Anything that gets in the way or hides the truth of the gift of salvation has become an idol. There is a long history of religious activity and tradition and they can be traced to certain reasons they were implemented. Most were designed for a reminder to point to Jesus. Unfortunately those things became idolized as necessary for salvation. So where do you stand on the salvation issue? Are you just "doing church"? Are you trying to earn points to enter heaven? Think about that and try to put your activities in perspective because Jesus died for everyone. He rose from the dead and is now at the right hand of God and THAT is where our salvation comes from, not the seat occupied Sunday morning...

Ephesians 1:18-23
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
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1 Peter 5:1-4
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
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Now look at these and see the place for these things discussed and take note as to why we do them;

Hebrews 10:19-25
Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
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 Jesus the Christ is the way. We encourage activity and traditional things to encourage others, not judge or compel.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your mercy and love that saves us. Help us see truth and help us do for your glory, not ours. Lord we beg for your wisdom and enlightenment to see you in your Word. Help us throw off the shackles that bind us to performance salvation and to grace salvation. Only then can the works be holy as you said. Lord forgive us when we goof up. Protect the troops, emergency workers and the kids! In Jesus name, amen!