In general, as humans, we all like to belong. We love to give ourselves titles & create classifications, for ourselves as well as others. I believe the subject I am going to touch on, will make sense to the right ones & not make a difference to others. My part is accomplished in the filleting.
It begins with our first hours upon the earth; born and labelled male or female. Then one is assigned a a surname, a last name. From there, it's most often continued by receiving some form of organized, faith based, title of religion. It doesn't end there, it goes on to incorporate a demographic; Independent, Republican or Democrat. Then there is Single, Married, Divorced, Widowed, etc. It's a vast, ongoing process, it's basis is entirely locked up in the sense of self, the very consciousness that God gave us. It's that same consciousness, awareness of self, that Lucifer abused. He was the most beautiful and perfect Angel! He desired to be above God, using the very faculties of self awareness that God created him with. Satan wanted to be venerated and worshiped. He wanted to be head honcho and it earned him eternal damnation!
Yes, I was raised in a certain faith based religion, that falls under the classification or under the umbrella of Christian. If I am asked what religion I am, I say, "I do not have a religion"! "I have an actual relationship with my Savior, I found the way, the truth & the life, His name is JESUS. In scripture Jesus is called the way, because He is. It says there is no other way to the Father except through Him! ( John 14:6) Religion is a man made concept which has documented, prophesied malformations. If I am asked what my belief is, I simply say; I am a Bible believing, Child of the Most High God! Short, sweet & accurate.
God's word instructs us in some very basic ground floor mentalities that are necessary for true salvation. One is that we take everything we are taught and/or told, back to Him & the Bible for proof, for confirmation. Its called validating. This means you do not have loyalties or blind trust toward any group, organization, person or religion. Take everything with a grain of salt and do enough research to where you feel confident that you have the truth, sufficient to determine a basis for acceptance. (1 John 4:1) There are saved souls in every religion from Catholicism, to Baptist, to Judaism and etc. Let me pose a question; "What then were they called, those saints who walked the earth before Jesus arrived, those who believed upon the promise and prophesy?!" There was no word for it or them, other than redeemed! So, if any label apply, it be that!
God's word also tells us in various ways, that we are to put Him first, above all else. Not to worship idols, or to LOVE anything above him. It seems unnatural at first glance (many feel more love for their child or spouse or even themselves) but if you think about it, it is He that gifts us with everything. He alone provides & maintains every sustaining force in the environment. It is by His power, grace and wisdom that we have everything that we have. Its an entitlement that He fully deserves and demands in exchange! Does His word also not say that we are to in effect loose our life, in order to gain it?! (Mark 8:34 & Matthew 19:29 ) This is not accomplished by cleaving to anything such as Title or entitlement. Whether it be your ancestry, your family, leaders, teachers or friends. Man hath no friend better than Jesus!
If you carefully read these scripture references, you will see, God wants our loyalty and affinity solely focused on HIM and His word. Religion is not something He is interested in, nor should we be!
Luke 11:46 "Yes," said Jesus, "how terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you crush people beneath impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to help ease the burden.”
He Knows My Name- Francesca Battistelli
https://youtu.be/amfiKAzuDcs
Call me anything, except late for heaven! : )
Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me”
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Proverbs 3:13
3 Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart.4 If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.9 Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces.10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning.12 The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.13 Happy is anyone who becomes wise - who comes to have understanding.
Luke 12:1 “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
Isa 57:12-13 "I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection [of idols] save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain."
2 Ki 17:40-41 They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
James 4:5 Surely you don't think the Scripture is wrong when it says: the spirit which He sent to live in us wants us for himself alone?
Col 3:5-6 That is why you must kill everything in you that belongs only to earthly life: fornication, impurity, guilty passion, evil desires and especially greed, which is the same thing as worshipping a false god. All this sort of behavior makes God angry.
Eze 6:8-9 "...How I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices."
1 Cor 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry."
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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Susan SMZ3D ت smz ™ © ®
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