Have you ever considered the influence other religions have had on your walk of faith? What defines them as different and what makes them a distraction rather then a help within your spiritual journey?
The struggles that follow every worldly religion on earth are based on a level of devotion to their cause. This often sets into motion a work ethic, as well as a drive to sacrifice time and means for the betterment of the faith. Also don’t forget religious good works are a prerequisite for gaining favor with men, if not an invitation into heaven. And last but not least, religion is always in need of a spiritual deity to add validation.
Of course you maybe catching on early that no two worldly religions are the same and no two faiths support the same principles or goals. How is that possible?
It boils down to understanding the difference between religion and true faith.
Religion is based on man seeking after God, where as true faith is based on God seeking after man (For God so loved the world that He “GAVE”)
If we give thought to the paradox we should automatically recognize that man and his good intentions actually stand in the way of relationship with One God, One faith, One hope and One Father over all. Then again, if Jesus is the proper answer to faith, then too many men and their ideals remain the problem. Yet this conundrum can affect Christianity in a similar fashion.
Too many human opinions within the faith can only mean that man has put his hands on the message and has taken God hostage. This dilemma finds its power due to early Judeo/Christian influence. Let’s begin with a walk through the Old Testament to get our bearings.
The Old Testament showed us a unique example of faith. Beginning with Adam and Eve, a covenant of flesh was established making mankind a sovereign creature over the natural world.
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
For all intents and purposes if the first family had never eaten from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil then mankind’s natural sovereign rule would have continued to be a blessing. However as Adam and Eve experienced defeat they were doing so at the behest of another master. As the saying goes; the Devil basically sold the first family a bridge. From that day forward flesh was now subject to the god of this world and man couldn’t repair the damage that had been done. Simply stated, fleshly man would never again regain dominion over the earth or even over his own flesh; but he certainly hasn’t stopped trying.
You see, taking dominion is still in his blood. However without the glory of God bringing balance and an unshakable standard of truth to his heart and mind man seeks to dominate within his every endeavor. This includes his attempts at returning to a place of favor with the Most High.
The garden event ended an intimate fellowship between God and man. What commenced was a distortion to all things holy and even a greater degree of poor reason within man’s heart. The result was one poor choice led to every man doing what is right in his own eyes. From that day forward humanity would seek to redefine the meaning of life, but also faith.
Early biblical history shows us this deceptive rise in religious thinking. We could site;
Cain who brought an unacceptable sacrifice before the Lord.
Balaam enticing the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord.
Moses’ sister Merriam questioning his authority.
Korah rising up with 250 Israelite men to oppose Moses and Aaron.
We also see how religious motives breed a destructive unity in the faith. A misguided attempt to reach heaven on man’s own terms explains what went wrong at the Tower of Babble. This unity in spirit motivates large people groups to come under the control of a single leader (Nimrod). Likewise such unity allows a demonic power to rule the narrative. From modest beginnings, every step deeper into any religious captivity reinforces ownership as well as a level of corporate spiritual blindness.
For this reason and for mercy sake, God Most High would seek to redeem mankind back from the error of his ways. The road to redemption would offer two paths for gaining renewal, however only one path would succeed in the end.
1. Of first importance “faith” found a convert in Abraham. As God came to test Abraham’s devotion, his willingness to trust the Most High with his own son’s life; became a righteous act acceptable unto God.
2. Secondly “works” gained precedence with the implementation of the Law of Moses. This was significant in that it showed mankind a standard of righteousness that must be adhered to if man were ever to gain acceptance.
Both of these paths to righteousness were ordained of God; yet only Jesus/Yeshua was able to succeed in fulfilling both. It is for this reason that we now define ourselves as “Christian”; or more to the point, we find ourselves in Christ and dependent on His accomplishments in order to be saved. Let me reemphasize our place of standing; for those that receive the free gift of salvation Jesus spiritually hides us away within Himself signifying He is the Head and we are His body. Likewise as a new creation we are also spiritually hidden with Christ in God.
In comparison the differences that we confront within the faith has us responding either as a child of flesh or a child walking by the Spirit. For this reason we ask:
Are you an Old Testament saint or a New Testament saint?
Are you an Old Testament prophet or a New Testament prophet?
Do you keep the law by fleshly means or is it by the Spirit?
Are you faithful to the Father’s Old Testament books, yet bypassing the Son’s New Testament provision?
Does spiritual gifting emanate from your body or is it from the Holy Spirit within?
This last point brings awareness to how within the Old Testament even the Holy Spirit did not enter the saints. This is also true for how the Old Testament prophetic voice once gained its message from God. In both cases it’s due to that original commission where man retained authority over his own body. Remember everything that relates to the Old Testament is about the dominion of man’s natural fleshly rule.
Now Christians of today may delight in trying to control and prosper through natural strength, yet when we speak of such an attempt we are measuring success by “good and evil” principles; a significant hindrance to life by the Spirit.
If you recall, God pointed out that man did not need the “Tree” to be in right standing with Him. Mankind was initially held within the glory of a Holy God. Yet by choice Adam and Eve disobeyed and became subject to condemnation. Hence fallen humanity measures by a faulty good and evil standard; one man’s good is another man’s evil. This is also what it means to be double minded; as long as we delve into a natural way of thinking and acting, we are obligated to measure all things by good and evil reason.
So here’s a question worth asking; as a new creation in Christ are we hidden away in God’s good and evil attributes? Absolutely not! Good and evil does not properly explain the nature and character of our Righteous and Just King. I bring this to light because the battle for truth depends on getting the right God.
If you keep missing Him, ask Jesus to come find you.
Yet when religion caters to mans appetites god rules with human motives. Basically man is looking for a way to give life to his creation. By his conjured up faith he invites a god to be;
• his copilot
• A sensitive, compassionate, loving friend of mans fleshly ways.
• Offering favor for loyalty supporting religious principles.
• Offering unimaginable rewards for man sacrificing his most precious possessions,
• Measuring man as dust when deity is angry or having a bad day.
• Judging man’s good and evil choices but rewarding both.
Pardon the pun, but Christians are full of themselves. They literally have no room within their heart or mind for more of Jesus; the proverbial cup is full. We have been so immersed in worldly and religious affairs that we forgot what the gospel is about. It’s about “out with the old and in with the new”. And just as profound Jesus makes away for us to continue to clean house every time we remain a child serving fallen antics.
Romans 8:12 -15 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Our way to freedom from self induced religious antics is found at the Cross.
When Jesus died on the Cross He was taking humanity in to death with Him. No, we didn’t die physically; but rather we were supernaturally brought into Jesus’ own death so that we can know His life.
We read in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
There are 17 bible references in the New Testament proclaiming our death with Christ. This then tells us that the principle of “dying” carries weight in explaining how change occurs in us. And make no mistake we are not creating new doctrines to live by, but rather only talking about fundamental principles that are found in salvation.
It’s the same Savior, the same Holy Spirit, the same death in Christ, and the same separation from the flesh, the world and the Devil.
And just like salvation we then experience the same newness of life on the other side of our confession. What we discover is, by dying with Christ we naturally throw off our old man’s ways in order to live a new life.
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
All that is required of us is a willingness to let Jesus decide whether we are really living within the life of His Spirit or being distracted by religious rhetoric.
In this regard we have a chance to separate from a religious mindset that has ruled us in body, soul and spirit and has conditioned us to bow to unwarranted good and evil rules. For that matter; we can add letting go of a good and evil mind set that affects what we do in body, soul and spirit, mind, will, emotions, conscious and subconscious, sexuality, morality, authority, identity, Christianity, family, marriage, communication, dreams, imaginations, business, finances, and gender.
What does it mean to walk by the Holy Spirit?
It means we let Him make changes “for us” as well as “in us” and we respond to the gentle leading of our God and King.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Application
God on my behalf;
Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I have been made subject to past religious service (name the organizations) (As well as my own religion) that have improperly laid hold of me in body, soul, spirit, mind, will, emotions, conscious and subconscious, sexuality, morality, authority, identity, Christianity, family, marriage, communication, dreams, imaginations, business, finances, and gender.
Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I have been conditioned to submit to improper authority and forms of service and devotion still subject to good and evil reason.
Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I have been serving counterfeit works in ministry that glorify my flesh and don’t come from the Holy Spirit within.
Judge by the Cross the spiritual realm associated with these issues.
Jesus, You are the resurrection power that now saves me and makes me new.
In the above declaration I point out that freedom may include letting go of our own form of religion. This should inspire us to ask one question;
“What do I place in front of Jesus as Lord?”
This may actually be the deepest well of all. You see, we have allowed a natural world to define who we are. In this environment we have come to rely upon earthly experiences to have a say in our development. They’ve been able to pull us around by the nose and set improper boundaries for how we should live, move and have our being. This includes the “improper” influence of people and organizations alike that may seem benevolent, but are just as stuck as we are in a natural world. Even the Devil has had a say in determining our direction in life and faith since we on occasion play around in his kingdom.
Now we don’t want to dismiss that salvation has made all things new. However the day “after salvation” doesn’t mean we automatically stop thinking and acting upon natural impulses. In this regard if we are listening, or better said, responding to a new standard of righteousness and holiness found within us; we begin to avoid reigniting many of these old fallen patterns.
Yet realistically flesh will at times have its way with us. As long as we have a body, soul and spirit governed by “natural reason” we will naturally feed human appetites. Yet when the world wins these fleshly battles they begin to define us; even redirect our steps away from the counsel of the Holy Spirit within. This brings into view what Paul the Apostle once wrote about:
1 Corinthians 3:11-13 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
We often view this scripture as directed at those in authority who lay foundation from behind a pulpit. Yet each individual redeemed by the blood of the Lamb has been brought into the Body of Christ and serves with true kingdom purpose. It is for this reason we want to be conscious of our own “foundations”; what have we placed in front of our devotion to Jesus/Yeshua?
As it stands the signs of the times suggest that God is letting all men gain the desires of their heart.
• If it’s lust; then lust physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually has its way with us.
• If its wealth; then wealth physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually has its way with us.
But what if its politics? What if it’s a want of worldly leadership? What if it’s the Old Mosaic covenant and ritual? What if its religion or even a mis-applied doctrine that we think can feed our flesh? The Church is also getting their “want” with every new fad that comes our way. Yet if Christianity overtly becomes a pursuit catering to the flesh then we each bypass a life governed by the Spirit. These activities “in the name of god” actually become a physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual stronghold for us.
However what if we simply choose to pursue Jesus/Yeshua alone?
If family, if houses, if job, if reputation, if identity or religion were to be taken from us then what is left? Certainly these things can be taken from us in a heart beat, or due to the last beat of our heart, but what about the Savior?
It’s time to rededicate our lives to Him apart from a want of worldly support. Its time to throw off the things that stand in the way of “Just Jesus”, because of the urgency present in the day. I’ve got news for you; when we stand before the throne, there is no question “IT’S GOING TO BE ONLY ABOUT HIM”.
For those that heed the call and want to throw off the shackles of a compromised way of life and faith; Paul preached repentance, but also preached deliverance at the Cross. Again I reinforce the point that freedom relies solely upon the basic principles found in salvation to see us set free. For those matters that still stand in the way of “Just Jesus”; do consider speaking a simple prayer that invites the Holy Spirit to act on your behalf. And let me add that this will be a journey in its own right of finally gaining “out with the old and in with the new”.
Application
God on my behalf; I repent for loving the world more then loving You;
• Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I have been worshiping my self and my own wants and desires.
• Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I have been worshiping (name it).
• Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I am a slave to its physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual bondage.
• Test by the Cross and by the Holy Spirit where I am “improperly” subject to the will of men and organizations that hold me captive to the same strongholds.
• Judge by the Cross the spiritual realm associated with these issues.
Jesus, You are the resurrection power that now saves me and makes me new.
If you want to learn more about freedom in Christ, then ask for the free PDF books that are available.
Out from the Shadow of Other Gods
Every Christian is desperate for a true relationship and life changing experience with God, but our most prevalent model of success and failure has been religion. The things that have been taught us have had more to do with man’s search for a god, rather than in God showing us His ways. There is a place where religion dies and genuine relationship begins. The first in a series, the author provides a platform for change and a simple yet powerful way out from the trappings of humanities religion. Ministering with honor to the pastor as well as to the prodigal and revealing a surprising bounty of Jesus in every page. Get ready to be encouraged, challenged, and renewed in your walk of faith.
The Shadow of the Spiritual
Got Spirit?
That’s an interesting question, but after two thousand years of Christian history, maybe we should be asking “which spirit?” Though the Christian faith has been provided with a sure foundation in Christ, our propensity to get worldly or even religious has actually pushed us past safe boundaries. There is a quagmire of spiritual alternatives all vying for our attention, yet none of them has anything to do with a true faith in Jesus. “The Shadow of the Spiritual” is meaty, thought provoking, in-depth look into the rising tide of spiritual pollution within the Church. Its lingering effects remain oppressive and damaging to any believer who desires a pure expression of relationship with the Son of God. This self help book is a must read for any Christian wanting to understand how improper spiritual connections get formed, fed and how unhealthy spiritual bondage gets passed around. Yet, by embracing a simple biblical truth, we can separate ourselves from all sorts of added trouble. The second in a series, the author provides a platform for change and a simple yet powerful way out from the trappings of humanities many fallen exploits.
Lord I Want To Change!
Is It time for a change? The Christian life is not always an easy life. Though we are assured that all things have become new, “New life” may end up looking a lot like the old one. This is due to our inability to properly transition away from certain worldly influences. A growing number of our troubles include the weight of family dysfunction, years of social conditioning and any number of personal failures remaining a black mark on our record. All of these issues have a tendency to warp our sense of “self” and we walk through life emotionally crippled; yet Jesus has other plans for us. The Bible provides the Christian a “get out of jail free card”. Jesus offers us a simple and effective way of escape out from the trappings of a difficult past. If you have ever wondered whether there is more to the Christian life, then get ready to be encouraged, challenged, and set free in your walk of faith.
For Free PDF Version for any or all of the books send an E-mail message to
gordon@shadow-free.com
In the “subject” heading abbreviate the title of the book you want.
Out from the Shadow of Other Gods = OFS
The Shadow of the Spiritual = SOS
Lord I Want To Change = LWC
I’ll send it shortly.
Check out some other great articles to help you thrive in Jesus
/v3/contributor/stories/?uid=442798
Great Videos as well
https://www.youtube.com/@gordonbrownlee2775/videos
