Ok…so I’ve come to apoint where I’m so over religious canabilism that it’s driving me absolutely nuts. Religion is any system in which man by his own efforts tries to earn the approval of God. [Religious] legalism is a religious system that teaches that a person can do something to earn or merit salvation or blessing from God. (Doud)

We have become so caught up in laws, and policies that we have truly lost touch of reality. There is ONE law, and it irriatates me to no end when I hear folks say…well you should be going to church on sunday morning because God isn’t pleased with those who don’t go to church on sunday morning. BITE ME…or show me where in THE LAW it says I have to be at church on sunday morning. Better yet, show me in the bible where it says I should be a republican, or conservative, or show me in the bible where it says we should even be mixing religious pursuits, or faith based pursuits with government to begin with! Or here’s one that’s gonna make you cringe…show me in the bible where it says I am supposed to be intolerant of others simply because they do not believe what I believe. Now for those crazy Christians out there (and seemingly since I’ve joined the Christian Bloggers there seems to be a lot more hate mail coming my way) I’m not intolerant of your “ways” I’m simply letting you know that your “ways” of intolerance and hatred against gays, non-christians, and all the other groups that you have decided to harrass and deny the opportunity to better know the loving God we serve, or show them the Jesus that met folks, even sinners, where they sinned is atrocious and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Tell me, if we serve a loving God, which I think we can all agree on, then why is it neccesary for legalism to be so prevelant in our churches? Why do we need boards, deacons, administrators or by-laws? God’s plan is a Grace plan. God the Father does the work, man receives the benefit. God receives the glory for His own works; man receives no glory. The greatest distortion to Grace is religious legalism. Religion and Legalism are Satan’s Ace and King of trump, the primary means by which he “blinds the minds of those who seek Christ” and which are included in Eph. 4:14 as part of “…every wind of doctrine, sleight of men, cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.” By these means, Satan tries to disrupt the plan of God and blind people to Grace principles. (Doud)
I really have a hard time thinking that God is satisfied with the amount of discrimination, hatred, and intolerance that takes place in our “Christian society.” I find it hard to believe that the Jesus who forgave prostitutes, tax collectors, and even the most vile of individuals in His day thinks that it’s ok for us to discriminate against gays, prostitutes, drunks, or goths in our day.

Some scripture (p.s. scripture…it’s pretty much the only LAW I follow) to support my “outrageous” claims:

Ephesians 4:14 - 16 (MSG): “No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.”

Galatians 6:1 - 3 (MSG): “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.”

I Corinthians 13:4 - 10 (CEV): “Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails! Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten. We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn’t perfect will then disappear.”

Luke 11:46 (MSG): “He said, “Yes, and I can be even more explicit. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.”

Matthew 23:23 - 24 (NLV): “It is bad for you, teachers of the Law and proud religious law-keepers, you who pretend to be someone you are not! You give one-tenth part of your spices, and have not done the most important things of the Law, such as thinking what is right and wrong, and having pity and faith. These you should have done and still have done the other things also. You blind leaders, you take a small bug out of your cup but you swallow a camel!”

Romans 3: 21 - 25 (TNIV): ” But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—”

Most morning’s I wake up very thankful to be alive. Then I get in my car, turn on my talk radio stations or listen to a podcast, or a morning show (christian or not) and realize that our world is so messed up I have no choice but to sing a song.

The song: What’s up, by 4 non Blondes (I’ll close with the lyrics) Carpe Diem

Twenty-five years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
And I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this brotherhood of man
For whatever that means
And so I cry sometimes
When I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out
What’s in my head
And I am feeling a little peculiar
And so I wake in the morning
And I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs
What’s going on?
And I say, hey hey hey hey
I said hey, what’s going on?
ooh, ooh ooh
and I try, oh my god do I try
I try all the time, in this institution
And I pray, oh my god do I pray
I pray every single day
For a revolution
And so I cry sometimes
When I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out
What’s in my head
And I am feeling a little peculiar
And so I wake in the morning
And I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs
What’s going on?
And I say, hey hey hey hey
I said hey, what’s going on?
Twenty-five years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website