THE HARSHNESS OF RELIGION

Acts 21:21,24-25

But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs.

Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

“As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

The problem with religion is that it is man-made, the biggest lie of religious leaders and extremist is to let man think that religion is God-made.

Now, let us get it right, it is not that instructions were not given or laws was not enacted, No, however the problem is man seeking to take God's place. What the Heavenly Father seeks is your heart, if the motive is not right, the offering or what ever sacrifice is not acceptable. Thus reading through the reactions of the Jews at that time we see a blinded fight for God, lacking in the understanding of the very things of the Heavenly Father. Jesus explained it to them.

Listen to these verses:

Matthew 5:2,21,27,31,33

and he began to teach them.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

“You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

They miss the instruction completely, for the read it without understanding. So Christ said  . . ."You have heard . . .", they heard but they did not really understand, Christ came to bring the understanding of the law that they heard.

Matthew 5:17-20

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

So what was the purpose of the law?

Galatians 3:23-26

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.

And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

When we say truth like this many are uncomfortable why because weak men seek licence to sin. No, listen to Jesus:

Matthew 5:20

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

We have something greater than the law. 

We were slaves under the law, but when Christ paid the price for our adoption, we became children, we are not under the law but have become family. Glory to God.

That is what religion cannot accept, that is the bondage of religion. Searching for God. But salvation make you family. Listen

Revelation 3:20-22

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Ephesians 2:6

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

So we preach, teach and reachout to all to bring them to salvation, not into bondage but out of bondage, for Christ came to set the captives free.

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, 

    that the blind will see, 

that the oppressed will be set free,

I am free, I will not be in bondage again, not even of religion.

Glory to God.

He calls us Blessed.

Love

@the watcher