Faith Over Religion: Don’t Let Religious Traditions Hold You Back

Welcome to another episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions. Today, we're looking at how religious traditions and denominational differences can sometimes hold us back from doing the work of God.

Jesus demonstrated that God's will is for us to be free, healed, and walking in love—yet many times, human traditions create unnecessary barriers. If we focus too much on rules and religious structures, we risk missing out on the true purpose of our faith: to know Christ, grow in Him, and share His love with others.

Let’s take a look at how Jesus handled this issue and what we can learn from Him.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath: Breaking Religious Barriers (Faith over Religion)

One of the clearest examples of Jesus challenging religious traditions is found in Luke 13:10-17 (KJV):

“And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (faith over religion)

Jesus healed a woman who had been suffering for eighteen years, yet instead of rejoicing, the religious leaders were upset. They saw healing as "work" and prioritized their traditions over the needs of the people.

Jesus' response makes it clear: God’s heart is for healing, restoration, and freedom—not man-made restrictions (faith over religion). If we hold onto religious rules at the expense of love and compassion, we miss the very essence of what God desires.

This brings us to an important question: Are we letting religious traditions hold us back from doing the will of God?

The Work of God Is Greater Than Denominations

The Bible tells us that Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8). His mission was to heal the sick, save the lost, and set people free. But in today’s world, many Christians are more focused on differences between denominations than on the common faith that unites us.

We see this in how people divide themselves into different groups:

• Some believers won’t fellowship with others because they come from a different church background.

• Others refuse to work together for God’s kingdom because of minor doctrinal differences.

• Some people argue over traditions rather than focusing on the core message of the gospel.

Yet, when we look at the early church, we see that even Peter and Paul had disagreements (Galatians 2:11-14). They didn’t fully agree on everything, but that did not stop them from spreading the gospel and serving God.

If God could use both Peter and Paul—despite their differences—why should we let religious divisions stop us from doing God’s work today?

What Truly Makes Us Brothers and Sisters in Christ?

At the core of our faith, what truly matters is this:

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

• He died for our sins and rose again on the third day.

• When we accept Him as Lord and Savior, we are saved.

Anyone who holds these beliefs and accepts the Bible as the Word of God is our brother or sister in Christ. It does not matter whether they belong to a different church or denomination—what matters is that they belong to Christ.

We should never allow man-made traditions to separate us from fellow believers. Instead of looking at what divides us, we should focus on what unites us: our faith in Jesus.

Ministering Without Discrimination

One of the things I have decided in my life and ministry is this: I will share the Word of God with anyone, without discrimination.

Jesus ministered to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. He didn’t let social or religious barriers stop Him from reaching people. His message was for everyone, and our message should be the same.

Unfortunately, there are people today who will not talk to anyone who isn’t from their own denomination (religion over faith). But we must remember what Jesus commanded:

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15 (KJV)

The Great Commission does not say, “Preach only to people from your church.” It tells us to share the gospel with everyone. If we truly want to follow Jesus, we must be willing to love, serve, and minister to all people, not just those who believe exactly as we do.

The Power of Collaboration in the Body of Christ

The early church grew because believers worked together in unity (Acts 2:42-47). They did not let minor differences divide them. Instead, they focused on prayer, teaching, fellowship, and sharing the gospel.

Jesus Himself told us that love is the mark of true discipleship:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:35 (KJV)

We need to ask ourselves:

• Are we known for our love, or for our divisions?

• Are we building bridges with other believers, or creating barriers?

• Are we focused on advancing God’s kingdom, or just protecting our own traditions?

Instead of debating differences, let’s focus on preaching the gospel, helping those in need, and demonstrating God’s love in action.

Keep Moving Forward in Faith

Don’t let religious traditions stop you from fulfilling your God-given purpose. Jesus focused on love, healing, and salvation, and we should do the same.

We don’t need validation from a religious group to do what God has called us to do. If God has given you a mission, go forward boldly.

Let’s choose to see fellow believers as brothers and sisters in Christ, not competitors in faith. Let’s work together, love one another, and focus on what truly matters: bringing people to Jesus.

What are your thoughts on religious barriers and denominational differences? Have you experienced challenges in working with other believers? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!