Religion Kills You Spiritually

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 

but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy  4:3-4

The call from Jesus is to relinquish worldly power for spiritual power which is given for the purpose of serving a suffering, lost, and dying world.

This type of power is not referring to  man-made religious denominations or religious organizations. Nor is it referring to authority delegated through a vote by the majority. It is not authority given by a title, position or office. It is not power based on education or ability.

This type of power is referring to the biblical conception of spiritual power. The biblical meaning of the word "power" is spiritual might, ability, force, and strength. It is a supernatural dominion which results in mighty works, wonders and miracles.

The deception of works alone without an intimate relationship  with our Heavenly Father is slow death spiritually.  Just as there is a deceiving sleep and warmth which comes upon a man who is dying from cold by freezing to death, so it is in the spiritual world. There is a stupor and an unconcerned attitude when people are dying spiritually.  

Religion is the attempt of man to know or placate God and is often done to ease our conscious or make us feel good without consideration to the very God we serve. It is ritualistic and regulations, works and words without power.  Religion brings spiritual death.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.   Matthew 15:8

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:30

King David understood that our knowledge of God should be hidden in our heart and that our actions are driven by what is in our heart.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.   Psalms 119:10-11

When we don't include God in our actions, it is no more than dead weight.

 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9

The power of God is the visible demonstration of His desire to reveal Himself to man. 

Spiritual power is God's Kingdom in action.  

It brings spiritual life.

Many have experienced religion. They have joined various denominations and even cults. These organizations have lulled them into an unconcerned spiritual attitude. They have not experienced the power of the Gospel which can change their lives. They are defeated and discouraged, sick and wounded. They are dying spiritually. Oh that we would have the same heart and longing as that of the Psalmist David who wrote. . .

O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.   Psalms 63:1-2

These people have yet to experience life after religion; understand the fullness and richness of living in the Kingdom of God.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.   Matthew 13:44

We seek or realize various powers in the world today but no power on this earth can compare to the power of God.  Consider some of the many types of power in the world today:

  

      Ø   Political power is held by those in control of organizations, tribes, villages, cities, states, 

             provinces and entire nations.

      Ø   Intellectual power results in new inventions, literary and musical creations, and the     

             establishing of educational institutions.

      Ø   Physical power is possessed by strong men, many of whom become professional athletes.

      Ø   Financial power is held by the bankers and businessmen who head corporations and 

             great financial empires.

      Ø   Military power held by great armies is used to defend and gain new territories.

      Ø   The power of energy serves men in many ways ranging from a simple fire for warmth to 

             electricity serving an entire city.

      Ø   Religious power results in great denominations and religious cultures.

Indeed all of these are great powers at work in our world today however never forget what God tells us:

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  Psalms 62:11

The call from Jesus is not to worldly power. It is to spiritual power. It is a power that asks not "How can I be master?," but rather "How can I serve?"

Jesus explained the difference between the power structure of the world and that of the Kingdom of God. He said:

 . . . Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.   Matthew 20:25-28

Authority is also related to this type of power.  In the bible, it is closely related to and has similar meaning to the word "power." Authority refers to legal and rightful power to act on behalf of another. Taking authority is the action of demonstrating power. It is possessing the right to exercise delegated power within defined boundaries.

The biblical source of spiritual power is the true and living God who is revealed in the Holy Bible. God is composed of God the Father, God the Son; Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the source of power:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.  Romans 13:1

God delegated power to His Son, Jesus Christ:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Matthew 28:18

Jesus has delegated authority in His name and spiritual power to believers. This power is experienced through the Holy Spirit:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   Acts 1:8

When Jesus began His public ministry, it was a ministry of miracles. His ministry did not
succeed because of its great organization. He started with twelve disciples and ended with eleven. It did not succeed because of popularity. In the end, nearly everyone abandoned Him including His own followers. His ministry touched the multitudes because of the demonstration of power:

And they were astonished at His doctrine, for His word was with power.  Luke 4:32

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! For with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits and they come out.  Luke 4:36

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with Him.  Acts 10:38

The early church was birthed in a demonstration of power. It was said of them. . .

 . . . These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.  (Acts 17:6)

The early church [body of Christ] affected entire cities and nations, but they did not do it by just preaching alone. People listened and lives were changed because they witnessed the demonstration of God's power:

 . . . the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.  Acts 8:6-8

When Peter came to Lydda, he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedfast for eight years. . .

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.   Acts 9:34-35

In Joppa, Peter raised a woman named Dorcas from the dead. When this miracle took place:

. . . it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.     Acts 9:42

Each miraculous demonstration of God's power focused attention on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Each power encounter resulted in multiplication of His body (the church).

Political influence is not what we need to reach the world with the Gospel. The early church did not have enough political influence to keep Peter from going to prison, but they had enough spiritual power to pray him out.

More preaching, though it is needed, is not what will reach the world. The early church prayed for days, preached a few minutes, and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 1-2). Today we pray ten minutes, preach a ten day revival, and see little if any souls converted.

More money for ministry does not assure reaching the world with the Gospel message. While it is true that finances are important to the work of the ministry, it is not the most necessary essential.  When Peter and John passed by the temple gate at Jerusalem, a lame beggar asked for a few coins. Peter and John did not even have this small amount of funds. But they gave what they had:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

What they had was power and authority in the name of Jesus. They had no advertising budget to reach the city of Jerusalem. They had no printed tracts or Bibles, no television networks, no internet. But they had power. Through the demonstration of God's power, the entire city was affected by the Gospel message (Acts 3-4).

The early Church realized that the Gospel of the Kingdom was not only of word but of power:

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.  I Corinthians 4:20

The early church did not fight over the word of God, they preached its precepts:

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  Hebrews 12:14

Don't let religion; ritualistic rites - meaningless without substance - substitute a real relationship with God which comes with spiritual power and authority.

(Biblical Studies)





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