RELIGION
and RELIGIOUS QUALITIES
An
important caveat:
There are degrees of spirituality and expressions of heartfelt faith
in traditional churches today. People are faithful to these institutions
that have sustained values that have laid the moral and social foundations
of our nation. There has been a noble and historic inheritance of
Christian Churches in America and other countries. Although there
is a disturbing tendency today for institutional churches to depart
from their roots allowing the tenets of worldly thought and values
to enter in.
God,
can and does find His way into the heart of people within churches
who worship in more formal, liturgical ways. To the extent that the
Word is taught and valued and the true worship of God is encouraged
there is fruitfulness. The principle emphasis of these writings is
that there is more, more, always more to be known and to be experienced.
And these experiences are entirely consistent with apostolic teachings.
The more freedom and liberty is given to the Holy Spirit, the more
spiritual growth will be "experienced" when those believers
gather together.
I
will focus upon the negative attributes of the Religious
paradigm in these writings which impact faith and spiritual growth
in negative ways. There are doctrines and practices that can actually
keep individuals from ever experiencing the Kingdom of God or the
greatest gift of God, salvation.
There are many religions in the world; Throughout history, wars and
strife are the fruit of religion; Christianity was NEVER intended to
become a religion, - - -
NOR
were believers ever intended to become religious. Jesus spoke a parable
about a new fabric and a new wine skin, the new was not to built upon
the old. (although the preceding covenants pointed to the new.) I will
attempt to set forth some of the attributes or activities which intrude
to replace the spiritual life that Jesus Christ offers with worldly
qualities. The hand of man forms religion.
I hope
the topics which follow will shed light upon things which most of us
have seen or done which constitute "religion "or religious practices.
Religion in its traditional forms, takes away from the fullness of the
life of God, the "living way" by giving itself over to externals, superficial
formalities and habitual practices modeled from human headship. Not
only denominational churches but virtually all institutions of "Christian"
worship have become encumbered with some form of religious traditionalism
which begins to depart from the simplicity and authenticity of apostolic
roots.
The often-ignored
negative attributes of the Religious paradigm, described throughout
these writings, are elements which impact faith in negative ways and
in fact can actually keep individuals from ever experiencing the Kingdom
of God or even the gift of God's Salvation.
All of
us whether we are "religious" or not, need to evaluate our beliefs and
especially our sense of really knowing God. If we are to be children
of God we need more than just an assent to an idea or a doctrine. Doctrines
do not change us on the inside. We need to experience God. I believe
that I can say with assurance that God does not favor religious institutions
or traditions which substitute worldliness for spiritual fellowship
or the liberating truth of God's Word for a human understanding.
Religion
is man's idea of what God
wants us to do to please Him
Church
People or The People of God?
If
religion were only pure and good and brought forth good fruits such
as personal joy, and liberty, there would be no need for the Lord to
issue an exhortation to religious people.
When
Jesus (Jeshua of Nazareth) came to minister to the people of Israel
in his generation he came with signs and manifestation of God's favor
and He came with the impeccable credentials of prophetic fulfillment.
Jesus brought a message that was Spiritual because God is Spirit. A
spiritual message is always contradictory to worldly forms of worship
or to tradition for its own sake. The Kingdom of God promotes spiritual
relationships, sharing, and community within the body. The agency of
the Spiritual life is partaking in God's "oneness."
A
true messenger of the Kingdom of God, comes as Jesus came with
a spiritual mission and a spiritual message. Jesus was a good man, a
man sent from God, a man who was more than a man, more than an anointed
prophet, he was the very Son of the Living
God! Yes, he was all of these things, but in the face of this he was
not received, he was not believed, he was called an imposter,
the religious authorities confronted him and resisted his mission, his
ministry and his message. "He came unto his
own and his own did not receive him, but to as many that received him
He gave the power to become the sons of God." (John 1:11,12.)
There
is a spiritual force of resistance above merely contrary human wills.
This spiritual force aims to hinder the making of a righteous and unified
family a reality. God has taken this force of evil resistance into account
and has given us instruction on how to persevere against it.
Jesus
says, "Take my yoke upon your shoulders"
Why? So that we can do what? So we can be further burdened? No. Because
he intends to become a burden bearer
on our behalf. "You will find rest and help, - - for my yoke is easy
and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 29:30)
Religion
has among its attributes the tendency to establish duties or rules of
conduct which are somehow supposed to please God. However, these so
called righteous deeds are not able to establish our righteousness before
God. The hardest thing for a religious person to unlearn is that we
are free from duties to perform, from obligations and from laws of any
kind to establish our goodness and acceptance by God.
Works
and obligations are not a factor in bringing us to God nor in determining
if we receive any of the kindnesses which God has promised us in His
word. We can't earn any gift. Once we go to Him to become forgiven and
to be cleansed, our most fruitful Spiritual efforts would best be applied
to thanksgiving and gratitude for His mercies.
The
works of faith are a reality but they remain less our work than His
work. It is not God's intention for us to do His work with our limited
abilities. Once we become a child of God and establish a life of intimacy
and familiarity with our Spiritual Source and Supply we are transformed
sufficiently to be able to offer the kind of witness to the world which
can be of value to God.
Christians
are always trying to do things for God. It is He who wishes to do things
for us. (a foreign notion to religious thinking.) It is Christ in us
who is to do the work though he chooses to work through us.
Jesus
says, "Take my yoke upon your shoulders"
--so that we can do what, be burdened? No. Because
he intends to become the burden bearer. "You
will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden
is light." Jesus declares. (Matthew 11: 29:30)
Charles
Pinkney
1995 - 2010
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