"When religion becomes nothing more than a bunch of rules it makes God want to puke."~janitor

There seems to be a lot of confusion amongst the religions of the world.  As best I understand it, God is not a god of confusion.  There are other gods of confusion, but there is only one true God with a capital "G" and He is not confused nor does He create confusion.  These comments on confusion are not directed at a specific religion.  They are pointed at any religion you choose.  The confusion exists in all.

It seems to me the confusion starts in the heart of man and plays out amongst the heart of God's people.  Within the heart of natural man is a built-in desire for self worth, power and influence.  It is difficult to naturally remove one's focus on self and place the focus on Jesus.  The process requires direct intervention by Jesus and a willingness for man to submit to the authority of God. This process of submission is required of God regardless of the "position or rank" one holds in the local church. 

Considering submission is required of all, it would seem given that men of the cloth would naturally be submissive to the Father.  Sadly, it doesn't happen like that.  Some do.  Some don't.  Some have submitted at one time, only to allow pride and desire for power, prestige, self worth or whatever to begin controlling of their life once again.  The submission to Christ's authority in one's life is a daily task.

A sure sign of a submission problem amongst God's people is when a person elevates themselves above another and speaks for God.  Some things said that might be a warning sign for you will go like this.... 

• "I need you to do this for God." 
• "In Jesus name, I believe this is what you need to do."
• "God forgives you and so do I."
• "God will never do this or that."
• "God told me you should do this or that."
• "If you don't do this you are being disobedient to God."
• "God says to care for the poor.  You need to go to Timbuktoo."
• "You need to grow in the spirit.  Let me show you how to perform miracles."
• "Here eat this bread and drink this cup.  It will wash away your sins."
• "You need to give at least 10% of your income to be a church member in good standing"
• "If you give, you are guaranteed 100 times more in return."

The list goes on.  When religion becomes nothing more than a bunch of rules it makes God want to puke.  The creation of rules is a natural process of man taking control from God in an attempt to gain power, money and control over God's people.

Anytime, anyone tells you what God will or will not do or allow to happen, you should have warning bells go off in your head.  The person may be right, but the person is setting themselves up for failure when they attempt to speak for God.  I don't think anyone has the ability to dictate the terms of God's activity.  We are much too limited in wisdom, knowledge and understanding to be successful at predicting the actions of God.  There is but one truth.  It is the Word of God.  

If you find yourself in a religion with elevated people controlling your life, you need to run away from it and them as far as you can go.  Run straight to Jesus.  He has His arms open wide.  In Jesus, you will find a place of love and forgiveness.  You will enjoy the life God intended.

Oh and did I mention, we are all Priests? It seems to me, a priest answers to Jesus....  When Jesus served the people he did not elevate himself.  He positioned Himself at the people's level.  The Word says it this way...

"It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor. He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed. All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all."~Dr. Luke

Even as the Son of God, Jesus did not elevate Himself over the people. He came down to a level place. 

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream