First we'll talk about Religion!
Every religion has some sort of set rules! I don’t smoke, I don’t drink & I don’t chew and I don’t run with those who do! If I believe the right thing, behave the right way – I pray every day in this direction and say it a certain way, I will make it! Religion is full of do's and don’t do's. We need to Worship the right way, and make sure to join the right denomination! The Pharisees had a problem with this, you can read up on it in Matt. 23:25, 26, Luke 11:39. They were more concerned with outward appearance, then they were with matters of the heart and soul. All about external, not the internal!
Many people feel they have to wear the right clothes and look a certain way, but what’s inside your cup?
RELIGION LEADS TO:
PRIDE – Luke 18 – the Pharisee prayed for himself and thanked God that he was not like the tax collector! We all know someone like this, super holy, you don't need to point them out!
DESPAIR - I’m not good enough, I’m not to say bad words but they keep popping up! I can’t even go to church 2 weeks in a roll and don’t even get me started on tithes! Some people like to pray all the time, it’s just too much for me, I start, Lord give us this day our daily bread, Mmmm I like bread! Where was I?
Check out what Paul says here.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Phil. 3:4-6
He was #1 in bible school, only listened to Christian music, Baptized by Billy Graham in the Jordan River… with the pope watching. LOL Paul had it all right here! Know somebody like that?
He goes on to explain...
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ… Phil 3:7-8
rubbish: Skuvbalon (scoo’-ba-la) rubbish, garbage, human or animal waste. KJV reads Dung.
In the English language this word can’t be said in church, it’s not poop, it’s a dirty word. Let’s just say you can find bumper stickers that read Skuvbalon happens! Now I’m about to remove that fuzzy feeling you like!
According to Paul religion is a pile.
Some people have it neater and more organized than everyone else, I guess you could say you got your Skuvbalon together!
Some people have it bigger than everyone else. You can handle a lot of Skuvbalon!
Some are so proud they put a flag in it! Call it a denomination, our Skuvbalon is the best!
Some folks create their own religion, A little Budahism, New Age, some Raccoon, now you got your own Skuvbalon!
You can add Sprinkles, Baptize it, Glaze it, Bronze it. It’s still a pile!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Phil. 3:8b-9
Many have a head knowledge of this, but not a heart understanding! We can’t wrap our minds around it! Righteousness that comes from God!
You can’t believe this casually… Let's look at it side by side.
Religion Relationship
What I do What Jesus has done
About me About Jesus
If I obey God will love me Because God loves me I can obey
Which will you chose? Religion or Jesus?
In Christ there is freedom from religion!
Further reading - http://bible.org/article/brief-word-study-font-facegreekskuvbalonfont
In Christ there is freedom from religion!
Further reading - http://bible.org/article/brief-word-study-font-facegreekskuvbalonfont
No comments:
Post a Comment