Freedom From Religion

Holier Than Thou?

It is amazing that there are people who can actually feel such an emotion.

Is the Brightness Still in Me?
by Brotha DC

There was a time in my life when I fell into the category of a holier than thou mentality.  I walked around with a Bible in my hand, sneering at the sinners as they went about their lives ignoring what I perceived to be righteousness.  Then, one day... I decided to accost a young man sitting in the park with a can of beer in his hand.  To my surprise, he (between sips) completely deconstructed my phony religious constructs and had me feeling like a complete idiot.  He simply spoke on the commandments pertaining to the love of God, not to judge a person’s quality of life by setting one’s focus on relatively trival things such as a can of alcoholic beverage.

Over the years, I came to realize that while I may not be one to routinely imbibe in a libation of hops and barley... that doesn’t make me a better person than anyone else.  The late great Dr. David Durham said it this way:

If all you do regarding your salvation is to give up drinking alcohol... all that means is that you will go to hell sober.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at yourself in the mirror and realize just how flawed and imperfect you are?  I have.  And when I contemplate the limnitations and weaknesses of my humanity, I wonder how could God even stand the sight of me?

Then... I remember...

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

John 3:16-18 [MSG]

⁴ But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

Ephesians 2:4-5 [AMP]

It is not hinged on how good I can be... or how perfectly I can live my life. It is set by the matchless love that God has for us.  Now that is not an excuse to live a selfish, wreckless, sinful life.  It is, however, freedom in knowing that despite my imperfections, God’s love is perfect.

Religious people don’t seem to have those existential dilemmas.  They look at the (often self-imposed) rules and regulations that they manage to meet and declare themselves perfect.  Even more perfect than others.

^41-42 "It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Work the Words into Your Life

^43-45 "You don't get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

Luke 6:41-45 [MSG]

Some of the worst problems I have faced in life stemmed from religious people.  For example, I worked with one woman who had religious paraphernalia all over her desk at the office.  She would sit there and sing hymns to herself... and then get up, go into the senior boss’ office... and tell the most heinous lies about me.  Lies that eventually cost me that job.

I could go on and on about such people... perhaps until my fingers ached from typing it all out.  The point is, there are people who truly typefy the title of Christian (a person who is a true follower of Jesus the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) -- following His example and living in accordance with His lifestyle.  In other words, someone whose life is the definition of “What Would Jesus Do?”

It is impossible to feel holier than thou when staring in the mirror of God’s word.  Yet, in that mirror is where I will stay planted until I can confirm, as my pal Charlie Peacock wondered, is the brightness still in me?

Examine Yourself
by Judy Ann

Father, in the name of Jesus, I humble myself and submit to Your Word that speaks...exposes, sifts, analyzes, and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. I test my own actions, so that I might have appropriate self-esteem, without comparing myself to anyone else. The security of Your guidance will allow me to carry my own load with energy and confidence. Amen.

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 [AMP]

⁴ But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

⁵ For every person will have to bear (be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [little] load [of oppressive faults].

Galatians 6:4-5 [AMP]

My desire Lord is for people to see You in me..may I reflect your love and grace and mercy..may I be more like You Lord everyday with a heart of compassion ..You are the reason I live and breathe..

Fruit of the Spirit
by Judy Ann

Father, your Spirit lives in me, and I am swift to hear. I have learned it’s more important to listen than to be heard. I purpose to be slow to speak, and choose the words I speak with grace. I am slow to become angry. May my recreated human spirit, under the control of the Holy Spirit bear fruit -- joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

¹⁹ Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

²⁰ For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

James 1:19-20 [AMP]

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

Galatians 5:22-23 [AMP]

Growing Up
by Judy Ann

Father, I affirm the Lordship of Jesus over my relationships. When I was a child, I talked, thought and reasoned like a child. I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. The blood of Christ, Who offered Himself without spot to You, Father, purges my conscience from dead works of selfishness, agitating passions and moral conflicts. Holy Spirit, help me grow up in every way, speaking truly, dealing truly and living truly. Jesus is Lord over my spirit, soul and body. Amen

When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

1 Corinthians 13:11 [MSG]

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

I Thessalonians 5:23-24 [AMP]

Renewing Our Thoughts
by Judy Ann

It is written, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” I no longer desire to conform to the pattern of this world, but may I be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then my thoughts and my ways will be changed to Your thoughts and Your ways, in the name of Jesus. Amen

⁸ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:8-11 [AMP]

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Romans 12:2 [AMP]

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.." Philippians 2:14-15

The Religious and the Righteous

After considering several different articles on religion the following statements seem appropriate.

1. Religion is a cause or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
   
   
2. Formal religion is a ritualistic practice or worship expressing a belief in a deity and/or other objects of human affection and devotion.
   
   
3. Organized religion involves a code of ethics and a philosophy accompanied by creeds and doctrines. It can be ceremonial, symbolic or both in external expressions of beliefs.

Most religions are based upon superstitions, myths, fables, and false teachings derived from traditions, dreams, visions or imaginations and have no meaningful lasting benefit. One who pursues a cause or activity with zeal or conscientiousness is said to be religious. Considering the above the conclusion could be made that it is possible to be religious about most any or every thing.


“And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious (the translation could be suppositious) in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you (Acts 17:22-23 NAS).”

There are many different religions in the world today just the same as it was the day Paul went into Athens. There are those who call themselves Christian and those who call themselves by some other name. Within the Christian group there are many different denominations or religions.

Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it (Matt. 7:13-14 NAS).”

The broad gate certainly includes many of the different religions of the world and, of course, worldliness. The narrow gate is the gate of righteousness entered only by the ones that have been made righteous by grace through faith in Christ. Many of the religious worship a God they do not know because they have never had a personal experience with Him; they have only had an emotional, ritualistic religious experience. They believe what they think they know about God but know not God. They are perishing because they follow after false teachings, myths, fairy tales, superstitions, dreams and other religious concoctions. They are in need of the knowledge of the truth; but most of the religious reject the truth because they are enjoying what they are doing and to accept the truth would require a change in their life styles and fleshly pleasures.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children (Hosea 4:6 NAS).”

It was to God’s people who had drifted away from righteousness by faith and had become bound by ritualistic religion that Jesus spoke the following words.

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi’ (Matt. 23:1-7 NAS).”

When Moses lead God’s people out of Egypt into the wilderness God gave them laws of worship of Him that would replace the heathen religions they had learned while in Egypt. Every law of worship, the tabernacle and all the instructions God gave them was a message in type of the promised Messiah who was to come. They were to understand the message by revelation from God and carry out each sacrament in obedient expectation and hope in the coming Messiah. In doing so their acts of faith was reckoned unto them as righteousness. Deceitful men soon crept in and began to add to and take from what God had commanded the people to do and they completely forgot the message of promise and drifted into meaningless ritualistic religious worship.

In the following scripture Jesus is proclaiming that He is the promised Messiah and that He is the fulfillment of the law and the sacraments.

”All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light (Matt. 11:27-30 NAS).”

When He addresses “all who are weary and heavy-laden” He is speaking to those who have been lead into all types of meaningless ritualistic worship.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth warning and telling them to avoid deceitful men.

“But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds (2 Cor. 11:12-15 NAS).” “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (Jude1:17-21 NAS).”

After the first apostles went to be with the Lord deceitful men crept into the early Christian Church and turned the church toward the study and adoption of codes of ethics, philosophy, creeds and doctrines; God’s peoples focus shifted away from the simplicity of the gospel and something within them died. They incorporated heathen religion, worldliness, fables, myths and fairy tales into the church worship distorting the truth and polluting the name of the one and only true God. These men were as the Scribes of the ritualistic religion of the Jews. Debates and division soon consumed the presbytery just as it did the people that became known as the Pharisees, Sadducees and other sects of that time; and now the present so called “church” is no longer one body; they have become many different bodies or denominations known by many different names. Each group has their own code of ethics, philosophy, creeds and doctrines and their own ritualistic ceremonial symbolic worship but know not and do not the will of God. Therefore we conclude that ritualistic religion is likened unto a spiders web, it entangles the prey while the adversary sucks the very life out of the victim; leaving nothing but a carcass of dead works.

The apostle James contrast the religion that is unreal and deceptive to that of the “pure and undefiled;” the only religion accepted by the Holy and Divine true God.

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:26-27 NAS).”

When Jesus was talking with the Samaritan woman at the well during their discourse He explained to her pure worship. He never mentioned idols, rituals and other traditional forms of worship.

The woman said to Him, “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:20-24 NAS).”

“Pure and undefiled” religion is very simple; the believer has a love for God and a love of his fellowman; he has been made righteous by God’s grace through faith and is being sanctified through obedience to the word of God; love motivates him to the work of service that God has prepared for him to do. There are no required traditional religious rituals to embrace, no chants, no sounding gongs or clanging symbols; only the expressions of joy and the worship and praise of God the Father through His Son Jesus from a pure heart of Godly love.

The church has need of repentance from the dead works of tradition and ritualistic religion and return to the simplicity of the good news concerning the Kingdom of God. Jesus died in our stead because of sin. He was resurrected because of our justification and reigns because of righteousness. Only by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus are we justified and cleansed from sin, thus are we made the righteousness of God.

There is only one kind of faith that God’s grace works through---that is divine faith. Divine faith is a gift from God. He speaks, we hear, believe and obey---that is divine faith. Faith works by love. God first loves us, we have a revelation of that love and love Him in return; obedience is an expression of love. This is the gospel of our Lord and Savior; pure and simple.

Religion does not lead to righteousness nor does it express or reflect righteousness. The religious believe what they think they know about God. The righteous know God, or rather are known by God; they hear Him, believe Him, obey Him and are a reflection of Him.

Pastor Jake