Tags
Church, dividing of the church, division, Faith, Jesus Christ, salvation, separation, sin, truth
This post comes in response to a comment I received on one of my posts.
Someone recently commented that religion as defined in the so called “Divine Institutes”, IV, xxvii: “We are tied to God and bound to Him by the bond of ‘piety’.”
It is quite difficult to actually define piety, because each dictionary will define it differently in some respect. It would seem that there are many variations of the word piety as there are religions. However, if I take (as one definition suggest) piety to mean reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations, then I would have to say that we are in great error.
We are not simply to reference God, or to fulfill some religious obligation, but to be in direct relationship with God.
Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Which means that anything and everything can potentially be a religion, but you can’t have a relationship with everything.
Jesus did not die on the cross simply to have us be devoted to God, but that we would have a direct connection and relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. And to be seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).
In this way we don’t need a special prayer, object, angel, religion or person to intercede for us, we can go directly to the Father Himself. Eliminating the need for many of the things we hold on to as religious relics.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ( Hebrews 4:16)
Here we have made salvation, a simple concept difficult by injecting our own thoughts, beliefs, and purposes. We have allowed our intellect world views and world knowledge to cloud the true, pure, and holy purpose of God: to be one with his children.
These things have made us divide ourselves into different religions, sects and beliefs. The very person who died to bring us together, we have used to divide and control each other in His name and others.
The Lord Jesus died to makes us one with the Father, and He only requires that we be in relationship with Him. Relationship requires commitment, dedications, devotion, worship in spirit and truth.
There is nothing anyone of us can do through devotion alone, we also need the Spirit of God from Jesus Christ Himself.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9)
Jesus died to relieve the world of works and religious acts, understanding that acts alone does not make one void of selfishness, pride, or arrogance. However, the complete annihilation of sin dies. However, because of our world views, and intellectual knowledge we doubt the ability of Jesus to remove all sin from our lives, making His death and resurrection null and void.
This from those who say they believe, this from those who say they have been called by His name, and redeemed from sin.
The true “Church” which are the Blood washed, Blood bought, Holy Spirit (Ghost) filled people of God have doubted the God who saved them, and have continued to doubt His ability to transform their lives, and make them perfect (without sin).
The “Church” is divided and only God can bring us together in One mind, One spirit, and One body: Jesus.
Do not allow the True Church of Jesus Christ to be divided by religions, thoughts, intellect, or sin.
Only you, through Jesus, in the name of Jesus can make His “Church” whole again.
