2. The True Gospel
"The Saving LIFE of Christ"
Religion peddles forgiveness - often competing to offer a cheaper gospel with a bigger benefit.
"You're saved now! So you can murder, commit adultery, lie - just like King David - and it makes no difference at all. All your sins are forgiven: past, present and future. "
And how did they get this? They believed Jesus rose from the dead and said the "sinner's prayer". One little ritual and, VOILA!, you're good for eternity.
Nice.
But false.
Totally false.
"A Forgiven Corpse Is Still Just A Corpse"
The only thing "forgiveness" impacts is your LEGAL STATUS before God.
Before we are saved we are dead in our sins. If you only experience forgiveness, you're just a forgiven corpse. How good is that??! A forgiven corpse is, after all, still just a corpse.
The True Gospel doesn't say you are saved by the death of Jesus. You are saved by His Life. Romans 5:8-10 teaches that we are reconciled to God by the death of his Son. But then it says that, now that we are reconciled to God, we are SAVED BY HIS LIFE!
The True Gospel always involved an entry into a real RELATIONSHIP with Jesus - in the Spirit. Through Jesus, through "The Mystery Of Christ", we are truly "saved by His Life".
"Grace: Nothing Short Of God's Gift of Himself To Us"
The traditional definition of "grace" is "God's Unmeritted Favor". This definition focuses on His forgiveness. But grace is much more than just forgiveness - or even friendship with God. Reconciliation - friendship with God - is marvelous. But we are called to live in "mystical" or "spiritual" union with God - and that is our heart's desire. Jesus called this "abiding in the vine" - abiding, or living, in Him. And He has pledged to live with us. Can you see how this is much more than just "forgiveness"?
"What Sort Of Marriage Is This?"
I know many foreigners who live in seperate countries or regions of the country because their job is their first priority. They can open their document box and show me their Certificate Of Marriage, but what kind of marriage is this? Yet many Christians are not confortable with the idea of a "mystical" or "spiritual" relationship with the Lord. The idea of "abiding in Him" - or of Him living in us - is an intellectual and theological concept for them - not a living reality. Religion bribes you with forgiveness, and then marries you to the "church" or "sect" to which you belong. And whenever you talk about prayer as experiencing the joys of "mystical" union with Jesus, they think you're creepy. I wonder if their marriage stinks, too.
"It Is The Gift Of God"
Take the most famous verse regarding grace:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. "
Now, which are you more likely to "boast" about, the fact that you're not going to hell as you deserve to, or your good works"? Obviously, when it comes to boasting, it is our good works of which we would boast. This shows that our new life is the life of Jesus in us - not our own inherant goodness. That is why we do not boast. And this is what grace is all about.
So, if you want to remember this easily, think of the verse this way:
When you read "gift of God" think of God as the gift. I know that the verse means that salvation and our new lives are God's gift to us. But, truly, God is giving Himself to us. If not, what would it all be worth anyway? Not much. We delight in the God who is our life. It's not just obeying God that makes us happy. It is union with God - as tongues of fire touch our mind, heart and body and he enters us. In this we have a surge of divine love, joy and power to live a whole new way. It is "the gift OF GOD".
"Call His Name JESUS"
God told Joseph to name the chose child "Jesus" because he would "save us from our sins". Sad to say, I never understood this as a rellgious kid. Only recently did the obvious hit me. Jesus (Yeshua), comes from the hebrew verb YASHA. This word means "to save". But more specifically it means "to set free".
So here's a crystal clear picture:
The Israelites were saves in Egypt - a picture of our old life of slavery and bondage to sin and guilt. When God saved his people he LIBERATED them. He set them free from bondage. And Jesus sets US free from bondage to the things which used to destroy us, destructive regrets, and the condemnation under which we used to live.
"How Free?"
Let me tell you how totally free you are, In Jesus. My mother had a dream. And in this dream there was the complete absense of evil. Most of us cannot even imagine this feeling. We're always conscious of evil - out there. And no matter how delighted we might be in many ways, that sense of evil lurking out there still sort of spoils our party. You probaby can't even remember your eariest childhood when, perhaps, you might have had a small taste of that innocence. But even though God equips us, in Christ, to battle evil as valiant spiritual warriors, in Christ evil is competely banished. We can take refuge in Him and experience compete and absolute freedom from evil. This far surpasses forgiveness alone. This is what we have when we are "saved by His Life" - not merely forgiven.
"Religion Is THIN SOUP, At Best"
By now the fantastic power of the true and living Gospel is shining bright in our hearts - in very sharp contrast with the THIN SOUP religion has to offer. Religion tends to peddle "forgiveness". The true Gospel totally transforms your world as you are reconciled to God - yes - through the death of His Son. But now that we are God's "friend", you have so much more as we live a totally new way as we are "saved by His Life".
Grace is not an intellectual or theological concept. Grace is God giving Himself to us. The word for "grace" is "charis". The word for "gifts" is "charismata". When God gives Himself to us we experience a spiritual transformation, are "born again" into a totally new life, and receive "gifts" as part of Jesus flowing through us in mystical spiritual union.
His very Name means "freedom" - and the freedom is absolute as we experience spiritual union with Him. Our relationship with Him is a FACT, not a FEELING. But we are set free from sin, IN PRACTICE, through the exercise of faith, and "waiting on God", so that we can let this freedom become a spiritual reality in our lives.
Religion and theology don't help us stop sinning. They give no PRACTICAL help. We are taught and mentored, by spiritual teachers, the Word Of God, and the leading of the Spirit, how to make spiritual union with Jesus a living, functioning, practical reality in our lives.
The True Gospel spreads a feast before us. Religion is THIN SOUP - at best.
"What Will We Explore Next?"
We could go on and on about the differences between the True Gospel and the twisted, perverted version of the gospel religion tries to sell us. But it's better to take each rich topic and explore it, dive into it, and truly enjoy as much as we can possibly grasp. There's truly no end. You can explore this New Life until the day you die and the horizons just expand as you go deeper in. It just gets BIGGER. God just becomes more and more awesome to us.
Jesus had a problem with the Pharisees because they bound heavy burdens on people's backs but did not lift a finger to help. We'd mentioned that the True Gospel shows how we gain very PRACTICAL help as we are delivered from our old sinful and religious ways to live a whole New Way in a very real RELATIONSHIP with Jesus our Lord. Let's explore what that looks like!
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Religion Versus Relationship - Chapter 1
1. Religion Versus Relationship
"He Came To His Own And They Didn't Receive Him"
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with each of us as individuals. He also longs for His People as a bridegroom yearns for His Bride. As horrible as it is that rebellions children in this earth might refuse to receive the gospel - an even more horrible fact is that "He came to us own, but his own did not receive Him". Religious people resisted John The Baptist and Jesus far more vigorously than the "worst sinners" of that time. They claimed to long for their Messiah. But they crucified Him. Religion still rejects Jesus.
"God Surprises God Fearing People By Showing Up In Their Lives!"
At the same time, there's nothing much more beautiful than seeing God fearing people - people who have tried to live for God within religion - melting into the loving hands of a True and Living God. They have been faithful to the light that they had. Yet they find themselves amazed that God is very real. The God of the bible may have seemed far removed from their daily lives - but then he shows up in person. We see this in the old testament at times when "the Word of the Lord was rare". Eli had the tabernacle. He was serving God in religion. But it had been a very long time since anyone had heard directly from the Living God in person. Then, one day, God shows up and talks directly to the young boy Samuel. God delights in revealing himself to God fearing people. He delights in surprising His People by showing up and confronting them in their daily lives.
"Everyone Has A Religion"
Sociologists recognize that every society and sub-culture has a religion. They have assumptions they accept on faith - since none of our most basic assumptions can be proven. And they have rules that they enforce on others. Rather than teaching love from the bible they might hammer each other on facebook, criticize, complain or gossip. Just because their religious rules are sick doesn't mean they aren't religious or not rules. What makes these people so dangerous is that they are sure they are "just correct" - not "religious". Their arrogance and self righteousness often far surpasses that of church goers. We see the evil of secular religious strongholds in school "peer groups", in politics, in music and entertainment, and in our sick, disfunctional society.
"Religious People Are Often Insecure And Insensitive"
We have to admit, however, that church goers can sometimes be really unbearable creeps. We may say we realize we are "sinners saved by grace". But the fact that we feel forgiven - and sure of our standing before God - can make us feel good about being poor listeners, big mouths, or just overly opinionated. Atheists are often right that insecure people tend to become religious and religious people tend to be insecure. Our rudeness and arrogance doesn't come from our zeal or strength - as we imagine - but from our weakness and insecurity.
"The Only Escape From Religion Is To Become A Spiritual Child Of God"
So there's no way to escape religion other than by relationship. Men are caught in a web of rules, false assumptions, intolerance, and the wars and fighting that we see in politics and religion. It is, in fact, all religious and spiritual. The demonic principalities and powers which govern this world and all that men do rule over politics, religion and society.
Jesus came as the Son Of God - and gave us the right and power to become Children of God. This is the only escape from religion.
"Human Religion Is An Enemy Of The Way Of The Spirit"
We must not imagine anything is neutral. Human religion, with it's man made doctrines and traditions, wars against The Way Of The Spirit. The demonic forces of this world govern godless society. They also govern human religion. God fearing people of all denominations can be set free. They won't lose a thing. All things belong to us. Each group of Christians has something special to contribute. But human wisdom is "earthy, unspiritual, of the devil". The zeal for some sect or group, exulting themselves above other Christians, is a "party spirit" - one of the "works of the flesh" Paul identifies. Sarah and Hagar will never get along - nor will their children. Spirit and flesh won't mix. Religion wars against the Spirit and visa versa..
"We Must Identify The Differences Between What is Religious And What Is Spiritual"
We're all subject to the devious tendency to backslide into religion. As soon as we stop using faith we fall back into the realm of flesh and human religion. So it is essential that we clearly identify the difference between religion and following Jesus in His wonderful spiritual ways. That's what we will do - starting with the basic gospel message. Religion does not preach God's true gospel - but a twisted counterfeit. Do you know the difference? We'll explore this in the first chapter.
"He Came To His Own And They Didn't Receive Him"
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with each of us as individuals. He also longs for His People as a bridegroom yearns for His Bride. As horrible as it is that rebellions children in this earth might refuse to receive the gospel - an even more horrible fact is that "He came to us own, but his own did not receive Him". Religious people resisted John The Baptist and Jesus far more vigorously than the "worst sinners" of that time. They claimed to long for their Messiah. But they crucified Him. Religion still rejects Jesus.
"God Surprises God Fearing People By Showing Up In Their Lives!"
At the same time, there's nothing much more beautiful than seeing God fearing people - people who have tried to live for God within religion - melting into the loving hands of a True and Living God. They have been faithful to the light that they had. Yet they find themselves amazed that God is very real. The God of the bible may have seemed far removed from their daily lives - but then he shows up in person. We see this in the old testament at times when "the Word of the Lord was rare". Eli had the tabernacle. He was serving God in religion. But it had been a very long time since anyone had heard directly from the Living God in person. Then, one day, God shows up and talks directly to the young boy Samuel. God delights in revealing himself to God fearing people. He delights in surprising His People by showing up and confronting them in their daily lives.
"Everyone Has A Religion"
Sociologists recognize that every society and sub-culture has a religion. They have assumptions they accept on faith - since none of our most basic assumptions can be proven. And they have rules that they enforce on others. Rather than teaching love from the bible they might hammer each other on facebook, criticize, complain or gossip. Just because their religious rules are sick doesn't mean they aren't religious or not rules. What makes these people so dangerous is that they are sure they are "just correct" - not "religious". Their arrogance and self righteousness often far surpasses that of church goers. We see the evil of secular religious strongholds in school "peer groups", in politics, in music and entertainment, and in our sick, disfunctional society.
"Religious People Are Often Insecure And Insensitive"
We have to admit, however, that church goers can sometimes be really unbearable creeps. We may say we realize we are "sinners saved by grace". But the fact that we feel forgiven - and sure of our standing before God - can make us feel good about being poor listeners, big mouths, or just overly opinionated. Atheists are often right that insecure people tend to become religious and religious people tend to be insecure. Our rudeness and arrogance doesn't come from our zeal or strength - as we imagine - but from our weakness and insecurity.
"The Only Escape From Religion Is To Become A Spiritual Child Of God"
So there's no way to escape religion other than by relationship. Men are caught in a web of rules, false assumptions, intolerance, and the wars and fighting that we see in politics and religion. It is, in fact, all religious and spiritual. The demonic principalities and powers which govern this world and all that men do rule over politics, religion and society.
Jesus came as the Son Of God - and gave us the right and power to become Children of God. This is the only escape from religion.
"Human Religion Is An Enemy Of The Way Of The Spirit"
We must not imagine anything is neutral. Human religion, with it's man made doctrines and traditions, wars against The Way Of The Spirit. The demonic forces of this world govern godless society. They also govern human religion. God fearing people of all denominations can be set free. They won't lose a thing. All things belong to us. Each group of Christians has something special to contribute. But human wisdom is "earthy, unspiritual, of the devil". The zeal for some sect or group, exulting themselves above other Christians, is a "party spirit" - one of the "works of the flesh" Paul identifies. Sarah and Hagar will never get along - nor will their children. Spirit and flesh won't mix. Religion wars against the Spirit and visa versa..
"We Must Identify The Differences Between What is Religious And What Is Spiritual"
We're all subject to the devious tendency to backslide into religion. As soon as we stop using faith we fall back into the realm of flesh and human religion. So it is essential that we clearly identify the difference between religion and following Jesus in His wonderful spiritual ways. That's what we will do - starting with the basic gospel message. Religion does not preach God's true gospel - but a twisted counterfeit. Do you know the difference? We'll explore this in the first chapter.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Self Control (Part2)
I'm praying that what you read, here, will bless you so deeply that you will pursue the Lord with a passion that can scarcely be called "prayer". I'm nuts about my Lord. I stay up to be with Him in peace - and rise early for more of the same.
Why? Because I'm such a strong Christian - disciplined and faithful?
Don't make me laugh!
Jesus has pursued ME, dear friend! I got tired of running from Him and SURRENDERED! I didn't climb some mountain. I wasn't wiser than most. I go to others when I need wisdom. I literally FELL into His Blessings!
If anyone lets on that they are a great man or woman of God - or exceptionally wise - or any other such high and holy claim - you need to bust out laughing.
The key to blessing is to admit the exact opposite. And when you open this door you will fall into His Arms Of Love. You will "fall" alright. You will fall in Love like you've never fallen in Love before!
So if it's that easy, why aren't we all living in a peaceful, wonderful state that would draw unbelievers to us in droves?
As easy as it is, it does require us to cough up our pride. Our religion also stops us. That's just two of the great enemies of God. The Holy Spirit is gentle and kind, like a dove. But you can drive that dove away if you work hard enough at it. Being busy. Keeping that wall up. Feeling guilty. Being fretful.
But most of all: Simply not being willing to believe that it can be THIS GOOD!
Believe it! It can!
Those of you who read yesterday's post may recall that our stubborn unwillingness to surrender will keep us trapped in Romans 7 - where we "Don't do the things we want to do and do the things we don't want to do.".
I've got good news for you! He's pursuing you!!
Give in.
Then you will be set free as "The Law Of The Spirit Of Life in Christ Jesus" sets you free from the "law of sin and death".
If you're flying above the clouds, you don't need to worry about the storms of this world. Even should you be tortured for Christ, God can take you into the heavenlies in the Spirit. We will, in fact, discuss how apathy, being full, comfort, and dullness are far more formidable enemies than pain and suffering. If you can laugh at death itself, in Christ - nothing can touch you.
If the worst brings out the best - and it does - then nothing can separate us from the Love Of God in Christ Jesus!
Tomorrow we'll discuss how God gives LIFE to your MORTAL BODY through the Mystery Of Christ - when you use Faith (Give in. Surrender. Look to Him alone.)
Until then, don't try so hard. Just stop running. Fall into God's ocean of Love! Cast aside all your fears and dare to BELIEVE! I'm telling you, IT'S TRUE. Do you think I'm making this stuff up? And you've already experienced it yourself! But you need to "surrender to God", as you did before - with tears of joy.
And when you do, self control is "automatic" as he takes control of your heart and mind with a love that is beyond the ability of words to describe.
Why? Because I'm such a strong Christian - disciplined and faithful?
Don't make me laugh!
Jesus has pursued ME, dear friend! I got tired of running from Him and SURRENDERED! I didn't climb some mountain. I wasn't wiser than most. I go to others when I need wisdom. I literally FELL into His Blessings!
If anyone lets on that they are a great man or woman of God - or exceptionally wise - or any other such high and holy claim - you need to bust out laughing.
The key to blessing is to admit the exact opposite. And when you open this door you will fall into His Arms Of Love. You will "fall" alright. You will fall in Love like you've never fallen in Love before!
So if it's that easy, why aren't we all living in a peaceful, wonderful state that would draw unbelievers to us in droves?
As easy as it is, it does require us to cough up our pride. Our religion also stops us. That's just two of the great enemies of God. The Holy Spirit is gentle and kind, like a dove. But you can drive that dove away if you work hard enough at it. Being busy. Keeping that wall up. Feeling guilty. Being fretful.
But most of all: Simply not being willing to believe that it can be THIS GOOD!
Believe it! It can!
Those of you who read yesterday's post may recall that our stubborn unwillingness to surrender will keep us trapped in Romans 7 - where we "Don't do the things we want to do and do the things we don't want to do.".
I've got good news for you! He's pursuing you!!
Give in.
Then you will be set free as "The Law Of The Spirit Of Life in Christ Jesus" sets you free from the "law of sin and death".
If you're flying above the clouds, you don't need to worry about the storms of this world. Even should you be tortured for Christ, God can take you into the heavenlies in the Spirit. We will, in fact, discuss how apathy, being full, comfort, and dullness are far more formidable enemies than pain and suffering. If you can laugh at death itself, in Christ - nothing can touch you.
If the worst brings out the best - and it does - then nothing can separate us from the Love Of God in Christ Jesus!
Tomorrow we'll discuss how God gives LIFE to your MORTAL BODY through the Mystery Of Christ - when you use Faith (Give in. Surrender. Look to Him alone.)
Until then, don't try so hard. Just stop running. Fall into God's ocean of Love! Cast aside all your fears and dare to BELIEVE! I'm telling you, IT'S TRUE. Do you think I'm making this stuff up? And you've already experienced it yourself! But you need to "surrender to God", as you did before - with tears of joy.
And when you do, self control is "automatic" as he takes control of your heart and mind with a love that is beyond the ability of words to describe.
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