Salvation or Religion; Truth or Tradition

[cfcoelho]

SALVATION or RELIGION? Truth or Tradition?
     

 Religion confuses and complicates the simplicity of the only way to come to God

      Jesus Christ publicly rebuked the most respected religious people of His
      day, the Pharisees and Teachers of God's Law. He called them foolish,
      hypocrites, blind guides, blind fools, snakes, vipers, and sons of Hell.
     
      Religious people hated Him, but sinners loved Him (they still do.) The
      reason is simple.

      Jesus Christ has NOTHING to do with 'religion'. He did not come to bring
      religion. He never had a religion. He didn't start a religion. And He
      certainly never proclaimed religion.

      Religion, ALL 'religion' is a sham, false, man-made, and devil inspired to
      keep people at arm's length from God.

      Jesus came to bring SALVATION. He came to bring us to God.

      Jesus' High Priestly prayer for all believers was that;

      They be one AS WE are one. I in them, and you in me.
      Jn. 17: 22-23

      This is the most profound prayer in the Holy Bible. And is fulfilled the
      instant a sinner receives Christ into their heart. They become one with
      God. No amount of religion will EVER give you that.

     
      Religion is the opposite, it's complicated, tortuous. Religion says in
      effect;

      "This is how to please God, and satisfy Him, Go to this building, perform
      this rite, do this penance, offer this sacrifice, fulfil this code, recite
      these words, agree with this creed, burn this stuff (candles, incense,
      flesh, money etc.) pay this price, and God will accept you, up to a point.
      You'll be OK for a little while, but you've got to come back and do more,
      because this stuff wears off."

      God hates it!

      I hate, I despise your religious feasts, I cannot stand your assemblies.
      Amos 5:21

      Jesus exposed the deceit of all religion as a way to God. He stood up and
      boldly declared:

      I AM THE WAY and the Truth and the life. No-one comes to the father (God)
      EXCEPT THROUGH ME.
      Jn. 14:6

      Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
      Jn. 14:9

      When a person believes in me, they do not believe in me only, but in the
      one who sent me. When they look at me, THEY SEE the one who sent me.
      Jn. 12:44-45

      He was trying to tell the Jews, they were looking at Almighty God in the
      Flesh, and that to come to God you simply have to trust that Christ is
      Lord (YHWH).

      How refreshing after centuries of ridiculous religion, and turgid
      traditions.

      Jesus liberates: Religion binds.

      Salvation: God's way, God's words, God's world.

      Religion: Man's way, Man's words, Man's world.

      Jesus is The Perfect Antidote to religion.

      Religion spiritualizes God: Jesus Humanized God.

      Religion never saves anyone, it keeps you grovelling, and begging before
      God as an unworthy worm in the dust. It makes you work for peace, but
      never brings it. Religion is Satan's treadmill.

      When you trust in religion you remain lost in your sins. When you sincerely
      trust in the Lord Jesus Christ you'll be SAVED. You will have what Jesus came
      to bring, what He
      proclaimed, what He offers you today. A real living relationship with
      Almighty God based on simple faith.

      The New Testament makes it clear that salvation is complete redemption
      from sin, sickness, Satan, and the powers of evil. The Holy Spirit wrote
      through Paul that God has;

      Qualified you (believers in Christ) to share in the inheritance of the
      saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the power
      (dominion) of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he
      loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
      Col. 1:13-14

      Forgiveness and healing are inseparable in the New Testament.

      The New Testament does not distinguish between a spiritual and a bodily
      salvation.

      That is why every saved person, can claim total bodily health, through
      Christ's death on the Cross.

      JESUS means 'The LORD Saves'.

      Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the promised Messiah, the bringer of
      SALVATION, the Physician, Saviour of spirit, soul and body.

      Religion can never give you that.

      Real peace with God comes only ONE way:

      Being justified, BY FAITH we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
      Christ.
      Ro. 5:1 KJV

      Religion cannot save, doesn't justify, and never brings peace.

      Only Jesus saves.

      Are you trusting in Jesus' victory or pedalling Satan's treadmill? Reject
      religion; Trust in Christ now, and be SAVED!
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           
MY DEAR MELODY MAKERS IN CHRIST JESUS,

I CAME ACROSS THIS VERY REVEALING ARTICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

BE BLESSED ,GOD LOVES YOU.

COLIN FELIX COELHO

[Rev. Eric]

Hello Colin,

My response to this article would be to clarify what is meant by "religion".  Obviously, my definition of "religion" differs from that of the author.  To me, "religion" refers to my relationship with God.  

The author states, "When you sincerely trust in the Lord Jesus Christ you'll be SAVED. You will have what Jesus came to bring, what He proclaimed, what He offers you today. A real living relationship with Almighty God based on simple faith."  Well, to me that statement is "religion."  It also falls within the Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definition of "religion":  "The service and worship of God or of the supernatural; devotion to a religious faith; a cause, principal, or belief held with faith and ardor."

However, this same dictionary also defines "religion" as being "an organized system of faith and worship" and I thinnk this is what the author is criticizing.  He seems to be denouncing organized religion and the practices thereof.

I find it strange how some people condemn organized religion.  In every society around the world, organization (in the general sense o fthe term) is prized.  In our jobs we are often rated according to our organizational skills.  When things in our life get hectic and chaotic, we say to ourselves, "I need to get organized!"  All over our country there are seminars that help people learn how to organize their lives.  Basically, organization is prized in every part of daily living.  Nevertheless, there are some who claim that religion is the sole exception to the rule.

I would like to point out that:

* Jesus founded a Church.  (Mt 16:18)
* This Church is "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1Tim 3:15)
* This Church contains Christ (Eph 1:22-23) as well as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, presbyters, bishops and deacons (Eph 4:11, 1Tim 3:1-2, 4:14, Phil 1:1).
* This Church teaches by spoken word and written word, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and by example. (2Thess 2:15, 1Cor 11:2, 2Tim 3:16, Phil 3:17).

To me, all this demonstartes an organized religion.

The arthor of the article states: "Jesus liberates; Religion binds"  And he also states:  "...trust in the Lord Jesus Christ you'll be SAVED. You will have what Jesus came to bring, what He proclaimed, what He offers you today."

But what all did Jesus proclaim?  That if we believe in Him then we will have eternal life (Jn 3:16).  But He also says, "If you love Me you will keep My commandments" (Jn 14:15) which include the 10 Commandments (because Jesus is God and He claimed not to do away with the old law) and the commandment to love one another (Jn 13:34).  Furthermore, in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Mt 25:32-46), Jesus admonsihes us to feed the hungry, cloth the naked and visit the sick and imprisoned.

So it seems that even though Jesus liberates us, He does some "binding" of His own.  He sets down rules and regulations, so is it any wonder that religion does the same?  Especially if it is a religion trying to implement the teachings of Christ for every generation?

Look at some of the things the author condemns religion of:

Religion says in effect:
"This is how to please God, and satisfy Him, Go to this building, perform
this rite, do this penance, offer this sacrifice, fulfil this code, recite
these words, agree with this creed, burn this stuff (candles, incense,
flesh, money etc.) pay this price..."

Now let's look at these things one at a time:

"This is how to please God, and satisfy Him, Go to this building..."  
Jesus went to buildings: the synagogues and the temple.
After Jesus ascended into heaven the apostles returned to the temple "continually" to worship Jesus and bless God.  (Lk 24:51-53)  
The apostles founded churches in Asia, Europe and Africa.


"...perform this rite..."
Jesus told us to perform rites.  The Eucharist and baptism readily come to mind.  When Jesus participated in the wedding at Cana, He participated in a rite.  When Jesus celebrated the Passover, He participated in a rite.

"...do this penance..."
Jesus preached repentance as did John the Baptist before Him.  Penance allows you to do this in both word and deed.

"...offer this sacrifice..."
As far as Catholics are concerned, we offer the sacrifice of the Mass, and we do so because Jesus told us to.  When presenting the Child Jesus in the temple, Joseph and Mary offered a sacrifice (Lk 2:22-24).  Jesus celebrated the Passover, during which the sacrifice of a lamb was a necessity.

"...fulfil this code..."
Historically God has given us codes to follow, such as the Ten Commandments.  The Sermon on the Mount has been called my some the "blueprint for Christian living" and therefore it, too, can qualify as a code.

"...recite these words..."
Historically God gives us words to recite.  Jesus gave us the "Our Father."

"...agree with this creed..."
The ancient Church gave us creeds to clarify the Christian Faith and to guard against heresy and erroneous beliefs about Christ (such as the belief that Jesus is not God).  Exactly how does agreeing with the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed hamper my relationship with Jesus (as the author implies)?  Furthermore, generally speaking, a "creed" is a set of beliefs and interpretations of scripture that are presented as the correct way of thinking.  In the article that is under discussion the author presents his own creed, in a manner of speaking.  So apparently, the creed he proclaims is to do away with creeds.  I find this very strange.

"...burn this stuff (candles, incense, flesh, money, etc.)..."
Ok, exactly who are these religious people burning money?  
In terms of candles and incense, Catholics do not believe that such things are necessities of the faith, but they can enhance prayerfulness.  Using incense in worship reminds us of such Bible passages as Psalm 141:2.  Furthermore, if God does not like incense used in worship then why did he give John a vision of incense being used as part of worship in heaven?  (Rev 8:3-4)

In terms of burning flesh, see my comments above concerning sacrifice (because the sacrifices Jesus, Mary and Joseph made involved burning parts of animals).

"...pay this price..."
I assume the author is referring to making payments, tithes or donations to a church.  I have already explained that Jesus founded a Church and this Church has buildings and people.  Buildings and wages cost money.  King David founded a tithe for the construction of the temple.  In the Book of Acts (4:36 - 5:11) Joseph the Levite sold a field and gave the money to the apostles.  Ananias and Sapphira sold property and only gave a portion of it to the apostles, although they lied and said they were giving the Church the full amount.  Peter discerned this and chastized them, after which they fell dead.

My point in all this is that these things that the author accuses of being "religious" and hampering one's relationship with God are well testified in the Bible.  I will admit that there are Christians who get too wrapped up in some of the externals of religion, but these external expressions of faith things still have a place in the Christianity.  To other people they greatly enhance prayer, worship and devotion.

But the author looks upon all these things and says, "God hates it!".  Based on what I have displayed above, I do not see how this can truly be God's attitude.  The author backs up his position by quoting Amos: "I hate, I despise your religious feasts, I cannot stand your assemblies.  Amos 5:21"   Amos was referring to specific religious abuses being done in specific circumstances.  He was not condemning religious feasts and assemblies as a whole, he was rather condemning the attitude of people participating in religious ceremonies while engaging in acts of injustice in their daily lives.  If God was condemning all religious feasts and assemblies then Jesus violated this by engaging in religious feasts (Last Supper, Wedding of Cana) and assemblies (Sermon on the Mount, preaching in synagogues and temple etc.).

Now let me close with the arthur's statements about religion being Satan's treadmill.

"Religion is Satan's treadmill...Are you trusting in Jesus' victory or pedalling Satan's treadmill? Reject religion"

Let me state once again that I am not entirely sure what the author means when he says "religion."  He never clarifies this with a definition.  My entire response is based on my assumption that he means "organized religion."  If organized religion is Satan's treadmill then people like St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa of Calcutta were among the people who "pedaled" on that treadmill.  Does the author suggest that his personal take on how to practice the Christian Faith brings him closer to Christ than St. Francis or Mother Teresa (now Blessed Teresa)?

BUT, if the author is saying that some people, like the Pharisees, try to subsitute religious practice for having a deep, personal relationship with Christ then, yes, I agree that such a thing is a problem.

God bless,
-Rev. Eric

[Rev. Eric]

P.S.,  You know, I just realized that I responded to post that was placed well over a month ago.  Oh well, just call me Johnny-Come-Lately  

-Rev. Eric

[tklein1014]

LOL  I read your response & better late than never.  I thought it was really good.  I think that since this forum is relatively new, it's been a little slow going at first, but things seem to be picking up a little more lately.

Tina

[Seeker]

Johnny-Come-Lately or not Rev. Eric, Tina is right.  It was a great post.  I had some of the same thoughts you had.  I'm glad you replied.  You said it better than I ever could have.  

I would just add one thing.  What some may see as "binding" by the commandments of Jesus is really meant to lead us to true freedom.  That is, if you define freedom as the ability to choose the true good.  Some may define freedom as being able to do whatever they want to, but then they are enslaved by their own passions.

[Rev. Eric]

Thank you Tina and Seeker for your kind words.  

Seeker, I believe your thoughts on the distinctions of freedom are right on target.  Fr. John Corapi commonly makes the same distinctions using the terms "freedom" and "license".  True freedom refers to how we are empowered by God with a freewill in order to chose what is good.  "License" (as defined as an irresponsible use of freedom) is the belief that one can do whatever one wants.  And, as you put it so well, this can lead one to become enslaved by one's passions.

God bless,
-Rev. Eric

[DavidFilmer]

Colin was honest in admitting that he was not the author of the content he posted (unlike some others who post other people's words and fail to credit them). However, the content is copyright, so to make sure the site stays legal, it should be properly attributed.

The article that Colin posted is Copyright 2001, RLP Publications. The complete text can be found at

http://www16.brinkster.com/christs/religions.htm

[cfcoelho]

Thank you David

God bless

Colin