Where Religion and Spirituality Collide

[saint701]

Hello All,


Blessings!

Simply put, a religion becomes a reality when a group of people develop a common belief system consisting of various rituals and practices. Religion is commonly divided into two groups, those that are experiential, and those that are ritualistic. The religions of the world are intended to promote moral order in the particular society where they have been generated. Religions, however, do not have life giving properties, but the practice of such may prolong life through moral order. Set boundaries tend to keep religious individuals from the consequences of living outside the common order in the society where they live. Christianity is a prime example.

For many, Christianity as practiced is a religion, is both experiential and ritualistic to various degrees according to the denomination. Most can say that they feel uplifted after attending a worship service and at peace for a time after having taken communion. Christian prayer tends to lower blood pressure and alleviate some of the stresses of daily life.

Christian rituals tend to bring a sense of belonging and cohesiveness to one's life and the blessing of unity to a family if practiced at home. No wonder Christianity is valuable to many of the world as are other religions. Notwithstanding, they all miss the mark. They come from a human vision of purported divine realities. Such visions are distorted, imagined, controlling, deceptive, vain, and to some degree, demonic. They fail to provide substantial proof that the transcendent benevolent beings to whom they have been called exist, or demonstrate that the higher powers they serve are, experientially, and in reality, not demonic.

It would surprise many to learn that the word religion is found in only 3 places in the Bible and mentioned only 4 times; while in contrast to religion Holy Spirit/Spirit/spirit is mentioned 633 times. Christianity was never intended to be a religion, but a life giving divine force of power creating God's new life in us through His Spirit given today the same as He was given on the day of Pentecost.

Acts.26

[5] Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Gal.1

[13] For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews'religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. [14] And profited in the Jews'religion above many of my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Jas.1

[26] If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man'sreligion is vain.

[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Please notice that James defines pure religion as something which for most is quite unattainable, as most cannot keep themselves unspotted from the world, and not one single person can keep himself undefiled before God and the Father, as all have sinned and fallen short of His glory except Jesus the Christ, His Son. If we all were of a pure religion it would seem that there would have to be no world. Is such the case? Of course not.

Then how comes salvation through religion? It does not and cannot. Then there must be another way. Fortunately there is. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. His perfection came from God His Father, who was his way, his truth, and his life. And that way, truth, and life dwelled within him in the person and work of His Father's Spirit. We too are offered this new and living way through Christ Jesus, who is our way, our truth, and our life. It is through His Holy Spirit indwelling us, teaching, leading, and guiding us to Him that we have life everlasting. Eternal life comes to us from the Holy Spirit and the personal and intimate experiential knowledge of Him living His life out within us.

Life is found in the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us. Can religion indwell us and give us eternal life? We think not.


Blessings!
L,ICJ,Den
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