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True...
have done more to doom more people to hell than all the traditions of the pharisees of Jesus time--against which Christ railed so vehemently

traditions= works...
John 14:[5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
[6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
[7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."

I believe sometimes when we try and take a verse or verses to prove a point we miss the obvious.

Religion is a man made institute. In the beginning GOD spoke directly to Adam followed along by Noah soon to be followed by Abraham on to Joseph and others till we come to Moses. Whom GOD also spoke directly to by prayer and worship. Not in a church with traditions. Now go along a little further and the Exodus and the people wanted to speak to GOD themselves and look what happened...
Exodus 20:[18] Now when all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled; and they stood afar off,
[19] and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us, lest we die."
[20] And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to prove you, and that the fear of him may be before your eyes, that you may not sin."
So this is the beginning of organized worship. (I wish GOD would talk to me this directly.) We get laws and offerings for sin. This worked for many many years.

Forward in time the people wanted a king for a ruler and on it goes. Which brings us to JESUS that said,[6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. This verse says nothing about tradition or church. But all who believe this in there heart (which only GOD knows) will go to heaven.

Now as someone develops this relationship with GOD through JESUS they will want very badly to follow the New Testament as best they can. Which is a grand mixture of examples for daily life applications in a million different ways.

I'm increasingly convinced God talks to all of us--at least Believers--directly.

Cultivating a capacity to discern, hear him over our own noise and satan's inpu is a process.

But HE SAID

HIS SHEEP KNEW HIS VOICE. Who am I or who are we to argue!

I agree with your statements about works and tradition etc.!

Great Doc. I hope you've posted it or will.

AMEN!

THX