If you have not read The God Conscience Part 2 click here
Many of us when we became new believers felt intimidated and inadequate considering whether we could stay on the balance beam that is the christian pathway without tumbling down.
If you ever wanted to find people who were serious about following the laws of God to the tee (to the very letter of the law) look at the Pharisees and Sadducees! They had a religious zeal that made them study the rules of God and caused them to be quite knowledgeable about the what to do and what not to do of their religion.
Jesus while on earth is witnessed on several occasions contending with these groups of religious leaders (Matthew 15 & 16).
Jesus did not argue with them because they were not zealous enough but because their focus on the rules and the rituals of their religion stifled the real focus of the faith which was relationship, transformation and 'rightness' with God. We hear God say often that people like this "will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT) In other words, they do all the right things in their outward show (rituals, feeding the hungry etc) but are not allowing themselves to be changed by God on the inside.
Now let's not get it twisted!
Photo By Devoted Conversations
It doesn't help that organized religion with its varied denominations due to different interpretations of certain practices is generally fighting against each other, seizing every opportunity to discredit another group who does not share in its ideas.
Admittedly, the Church can cause the path to God and godly living to become very confusing but be not discouraged, it is for this very reason that God the Holy Spirit came; to bring us revelation and to still the storms likely to rage violently in our minds and emotions on our christian journey.
The Holy Spirit has come that He might teach us and empower us in
order that He might transform us according to God's plan for our lives
as believers and children of God. Our duty then is solely to weigh
each church ritual, principle, guideline, rule which exist against what
God has said and continues to say.
Our attitude should be that, "If God says and sanctions it not only will I believe it but I will begin to apply it to my life with God's help!"
See The God Conscience Part 4 here
Like. Share. Comment. Subscribe.
EJ
Onward & Live IN Purpose
Many of us when we became new believers felt intimidated and inadequate considering whether we could stay on the balance beam that is the christian pathway without tumbling down.
If you ever wanted to find people who were serious about following the laws of God to the tee (to the very letter of the law) look at the Pharisees and Sadducees! They had a religious zeal that made them study the rules of God and caused them to be quite knowledgeable about the what to do and what not to do of their religion.
Jesus while on earth is witnessed on several occasions contending with these groups of religious leaders (Matthew 15 & 16).
Jesus did not argue with them because they were not zealous enough but because their focus on the rules and the rituals of their religion stifled the real focus of the faith which was relationship, transformation and 'rightness' with God. We hear God say often that people like this "will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT) In other words, they do all the right things in their outward show (rituals, feeding the hungry etc) but are not allowing themselves to be changed by God on the inside.
Now let's not get it twisted!
Following God's commands are important but to think we could master them in our own strength would be delusional! We must remember that we are not saved by just the rules that we follow (God's laws show us how to live moral lives and tell us what is sinful) if anything the law condemns us so it is faith in God the Son (Jesus Christ) who makes atonement for our sins that closes that gap between God and man bringing us together in relationship.
Photo By Devoted Conversations
It doesn't help that organized religion with its varied denominations due to different interpretations of certain practices is generally fighting against each other, seizing every opportunity to discredit another group who does not share in its ideas. Admittedly, the Church can cause the path to God and godly living to become very confusing but be not discouraged, it is for this very reason that God the Holy Spirit came; to bring us revelation and to still the storms likely to rage violently in our minds and emotions on our christian journey.
Our attitude should be that, "If God says and sanctions it not only will I believe it but I will begin to apply it to my life with God's help!"
See The God Conscience Part 4 here
Like. Share. Comment. Subscribe.
EJ
Onward & Live IN Purpose
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