The problem with religion

Boanerges · 05-05-2008, 03:12 PM

God in His loving kindness has reached out to man. Man in his ignorance will defile all he touches unless that touch is directed, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. The Jews thought they had it together, the followed all the rules and kept the Sabbath. Jesus Himself had to come and inform them that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around. This same principle can readily be applied today as some have ritualized their walk with God. The good news is God has given us eternal life through His Son as a love gift. Many respond by following rules- these have missed the whole reason for redemption and that is to restore fellowship between man and God on a personal level. Jesus Christ is of course our Sabbath rest- in Him we cease from our own works and become the children of God. Yet sadly many still base their standing with God on their own merits and perhaps a few rituals. We have a higher calling than this- selah.

YelowJacket · 05-05-2008, 05:02 PM

The way I see it is, in man's "religion", no matter which one, you have to "do" something. In Gods perfect way there is nothing to do. It has all been done for you. Man just wrecks any form of religion because he is man.

Boanerges · 05-05-2008, 05:23 PM

One must bust surrender and accept God's love and life.

el Pollo · 05-06-2008, 12:40 AM

To me "religion" is mere ritual. As in "what can I do for God so that he will accept me?" rather than "God accepted me for no specific reason other than he loves me, so I will do whatever he asks because I too love him."

Reminds me of a conversation I had with the local J-dubs one Saturday morning. Two well dressed Witnesses knocked on my door, and I had always wanted to talk with these people. But what came out of my mouth wasn't what I expected.

J-Dub: "Hello! I wanted to know if you had every heard of Jehovah God and his Son Jesus?"

Me: "No thanks. I'm currently an active member of a church."

J-Dub: "Oh, so I see you are a religious man."

Me: "Nope. Religion is mere ritial. Faith is a relationship."

J-Dub: "Say that again? What do you mean?"

Me: "A relationship with Christ will gain you access to Heaven. Not ritual. Religion is ritual."

I haven't seen another one since.

05-05-2008, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Boanerges Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St Rose LA Posts: 16,667 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 18	The problem with religion God in His loving kindness has reached out to man. Man in his ignorance will defile all he touches unless that touch is directed, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. The Jews thought they had it together, the followed all the rules and kept the Sabbath. Jesus Himself had to come and inform them that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around. This same principle can readily be applied today as some have ritualized their walk with God. The good news is God has given us eternal life through His Son as a love gift. Many respond by following rules- these have missed the whole reason for redemption and that is to restore fellowship between man and God on a personal level. Jesus Christ is of course our Sabbath rest- in Him we cease from our own works and become the children of God. Yet sadly many still base their standing with God on their own merits and perhaps a few rituals. We have a higher calling than this- selah. __________________ "If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God." Watchman Nee

05-05-2008, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Boanerges Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St Rose LA Posts: 16,667 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 18	One must bust surrender and accept God's love and life. __________________ "If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God." Watchman Nee

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05-05-2008, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
YelowJacket Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Peterborough Posts: 159 Rep Power: 2	The way I see it is, in man's "religion", no matter which one, you have to "do" something. In Gods perfect way there is nothing to do. It has all been done for you. Man just wrecks any form of religion because he is man.

05-06-2008, 12:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
el Pollo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Louisburg, NC Posts: 202 Rep Power: 1	To me "religion" is mere ritual. As in "what can I do for God so that he will accept me?" rather than "God accepted me for no specific reason other than he loves me, so I will do whatever he asks because I too love him." Reminds me of a conversation I had with the local J-dubs one Saturday morning. Two well dressed Witnesses knocked on my door, and I had always wanted to talk with these people. But what came out of my mouth wasn't what I expected. J-Dub: "Hello! I wanted to know if you had every heard of Jehovah God and his Son Jesus?" Me: "No thanks. I'm currently an active member of a church." J-Dub: "Oh, so I see you are a religious man." Me: "Nope. Religion is mere ritial. Faith is a relationship." J-Dub: "Say that again? What do you mean?" Me: "A relationship with Christ will gain you access to Heaven. Not ritual. Religion is ritual." I haven't seen another one since.