Give Up Religion And Start Trusting the God Within!
I spent a great many years with all of my attention on the written word of God. I taught from it and preached from it and believed it was my greatest resource in knowing who God is. I did learn a great deal and it has helped me in many ways to understand God better, but I have come to trust in something far, far greater then the written word. The problem with the written word is what it does to people. It almost always forces them into some type of religion. That’s exactly what was wrong with the old covenant. It was based on tables of stone (the written word) and turned man into such an ugly creature that it crucified the only man who ever lived up to the written word’s demands. Is that really what God intended? Maybe God was trying to show us how futile it really is for us to think we could ever DO anything that would change His love for us either to the good or the bad.
So, what did God intend for us concerning how we could live this life victoriously? I believe that question is clearly answered in the following verses:
Heb 8:10-13 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Now I want those reading this to ask themselves the following questions:
- Who is responsible for making the new covenant with mankind?
- Who is responsible to make sure our minds and hearts are renewed with divine guidance?
- Who is responsible to make God our God and to make us his people?
- Who is responsible to teach anyone about God?
- Who is responsible to make sure everyone from the least to the greatest knows God?
- Who is responsible to make sure we are forgiven and that our sins are never remembered?
- Who is responsible to make sure the old covenant is obsolete?
The bottom line is that the old covenant was all about mankind being responsible in all these areas but the new covenant is all about GOD BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING!
Religion of all kinds is about man trying to get right with God, but God takes complete responsibility in the healing of mankind. It is time we truly starting trusting our creator. We all have this God within and we need to give ourselves permission to start listening to him, but that will never happen as long as you are in bondage to religion.
I still use the written word but I spend a great deal more of my time now listening to the still small voice that I believe everyone has within but often has it drowned out by the roar of religion.
1 Cor 2:1212 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
The spirit of the world that Paul is talking about is the spirit of religion. He speaks in previous verses leading up to this about the world being made up of those who crucified Jesus and we know that was the world of the highly religious Pharisees and Sadducees. Why are we continuing to allow the very religious to guide us in our spiritual walk when we all have the very HAND OF GOD reaching out to us?
Yes, I say GIVE UP RELIGION AND START TRUSTING GOD. If you can attend church and do that then more power to you, but I personally think you are fooling yourself. Churches are all about TEACHING (brain washing) and yet the new covenant says that you will not need for ANY MAN TO TEACH YOU.
And the best thing about God is that he never charges a thing and never begs for money. EVERYTHING IS FREE. Know any churches like that?
You have a way with words Cliff, truely inspiring.
When are you going to write a book?
WOW!
I wanted to add more but WOW! Is the best I could come up with!
I will add this…. Yes He took the responsibility away from mankind for reconciliation back to Himself. But He then gave us COMPLETE responsibility over this life we lead here on planet earth. Mankind can no longer blame God for good or bad things that happens to him in this life. What happens, happens! EVERYTHING that pertains to life & godliness was given in Christ. And now as you said Cliff it dwells inside of man. Our only hope for this world and its inhabitants is that the God within will display without. When that happens as it does IMHO here on Bold Grace then truly others begin to see the light that lights EVERY MAN that comes into the earth.
Peace
Geo
” the new covenant is all about GOD BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING!”
I think you’ve got it. I really believe this is the way it’s always been. Once again we see how man has put his own “stamp” on what he thought God was saying. Great post!
A couple of sincere questions:
I’m a little confounded; here’s why.
The Hebrews verses cited above state that God would do all those things for the house of Israel. Isn’t it a little bit of a leap to say that those verses apply to all of mankind?
On the flip-side of that same coin, Paul says that since the cross, there is now neither Jew nor Gentile, so how & why is God going to do these things for “the house of Israel”, if the house of Israel no longer exists, according to what Paul wrote?
Jason
Jason, Are you saying that the NEW COVENANT is not for the entire human race?
And Yes, I am saying that the house of Israel he is talking about does consist of all mankind because Jesus broke down the wall of hostility making the two into one.
Wow Cliff
That is awsome you have such a way of bringing life to grace. I can so feel and see the love of God.
You know I’have been abused by religion and I’ve been abused by grace now I know the diffrence and for the first time I think I understand talk about discernment lol your so right. Not sure if that is thre right wording but truth is not a truth until it is experienced. God is in control there are those who will use this grace of God for their own desires. As Paul stated. But God is in control I may not know the whole reason as to why but I know that He will show me it’s purpose.
It’s taken some time to understand somethign you told me a few months ago but I am understanding it now. It’s His faith not ours He will do what He knows is best and will show us when He is ready. He is in control.
Thers a big diffence in the way you share. Yes truth is truth no matter who’s mouth it comes out of but wow I will say no more and for those of you that think you can use grace no you can’t what goes around comes around. Your own choices and consequences will be your own downfall.
Thanks Cliff for the truth and heart of love you have.
Love you and Nancy so much
Cliff,
To answer your questions, No I am NOT saying that the NEW COVENANT is not for the entire human race. I do believe that God has redeemed everyone because of the cross. What I WAS pointing out was that the verse cited from Hebrews, taken at face value, doesn’t say that the new covenant is for all mankind. It says that it would be a covenant between God & the house of Israel. After all, the letter was written to “The Hebrews”.
Why didn’t the writer of the letter to the Hebrews say “all mankind” or something to that effect, instead of writing “the house of Israel”? Is it simply a matter of who the letter was written to, that “the house of Israel” was used, instead of a more inclusive term?
Jason
Hi Cliff! Though I agree with much of what you have to say re: “religion,” I still feel that I am strengthened by meeting together with other Christians for worship. I am particularly uplifted by my Wed. night class, which is a group of godly women who study and pray together. At times, I come into th e room extremely tired from my day at work, but always leave encouraged and spiritually refreshed!
As for “issues” that I no longer agree with, I feel free to “take what I like and leave the rest” (learned that in Al-Anon). I do have an issue with the way contribution is used - too much spent on paying salaries and on the building in which we meet. I, therefore, earmark my contribution to be used in the benevolence program, which I believe is more in line with what Jesus calls us as a church to do.
Just wanted to touch base with you again. I’m still reading and enjoying hearing your point of view!
I know what you mean, Connie. I used to feel the need to get spiritually “refueled” at frequent intervals. Back when I thought it was up to me to take the necessary steps to have relationship with God, it was exhausting. That’s when I believed the gospel of the church of man… the gospel that required me to push myself onto God for fear of what might happen if I didn’t. Back then, it was my job to prove my faith to God so that He would find me acceptable. It was a lot of work, and it filled me with fear and doubt (that I was doing it well enough, correctly enough, and completely enough). It was killing me inside. And I walked away from it, and from the church that held me in bondage to it.
Upon turning my back on organized religion, I started to explore the gospel of Christ deeper than I ever had. And I did it on my own, from a fresh, untainted perspective, free from outside influences and distractions. What I found was mind-blowing! I found a gospel of the peace and grace God that drew me into Him! There was no more need to push myself to try to please an angry tyrant of a God. There was only a gentle, but relentless, pulling of myself into an amazing, all-loving, all-accepting, all-forgiving God! No more do I run low on spiritual energy. No more do I become physically drained and stressed over my relationship with God.
What I learned was that my relationship with God is not about me at all, but all about Him, and how His revealed love pulls me constantly into Him, effortlessly… and completely! It is an amazing place to be in… for the first time in my life, I sense truly that I am a participant in the Kingdom of God! And not through my own efforts, but through the loving heart of the Creator of all, the Source of my spirit!
Bruce,
Perhaps you misunderstood me. I do not feel that I have to “prove my faith” to God, and I am not filled with fear and doubt. I do not stress over my relationship with God, but rather am filled with the peace that comes from knowing that it’s not up to me, that He is taking care of me. I simply find it encouraging and uplifting to stand with other Christians and offer a period of worship together. I also find it meaningful to commune with God when I am alone. It’s not an either-or, but both.
Churches are like families. Some are extremely dysfunctional and toxic, and it’s best to put distance between yourself and them. Others are healthy and spiritually refreshing, and you can find strength and encouragement there. God can actually work through people in churches, and often has in my life.
Peace, Connie
Connie,
I’m curious how you can find it refreshing and encouraging to gather and worship with a people who, very likely, believe that if people don’t believe in Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour, that they are going to burn in hell forever. That’s what’s always been taught in every single church I was ever involved with.
Are you saying the people you gather with do not hold to that doctrine? I promise I’m not trying to argue with you. I am just curious.
Any thoughts?
Jason
Jason,
Thanks for the question. I imagine that, on the subject of hell, there are a wide spectrum of opinions among the people that I worship with, as well as on other subjects that are considered “doctrinal.” We are committed to worshiping together without building walls that are based on man’s opinion. I might add that we often have assemblies with other churches in our area of various denominational beliefs. We have found that it is possible to come together without wrangling over divisive issues.
I wish you the best of luck, Connie.
Connie,
If you folks can do that, then I’m happy for you all. Best wishes to you as you all continue your gatherings.
One more thing: Does anyone else (that you know of) in your group believe the gospel of grace and peace?
Jason
Hey Connie,
I so appreciate everyone who comes to this site with such beautiful attitudes of loving and accepting each other in spite of differences of opinion. If the churches could really do this then I for one would support them, but unfortunately it would be a rare thing to see a church that would truly accept many of us at boldgrace. I know they say they will but every time I ask if I could come and preach this gospel of God’s uncondtional love I have been turned down.
At the same time I truly wish the very best for all who feel the need to be apart of that type of fellowship.
Love to ALL,
Cliff
Bruce, Thanks!
Jason, I think that most, if not all, of the people I meet with would say they believe the gospel of grace and peace. Of course, that may have a different meaning for some of them than it does for you or for me!
Cliff, Thanks! Me, too!
What a great post Cliff. BTW, how do you know which one of you is the one who posted the blog? Are any of you Christian Universalists? The person to introduce me to full & complete grace is Martin Zender in his book How to Quit Church without quitting God. It’s quite an interesting read. Of course he’s one unique individual.
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Bruce & Jim- I miss your individual blogs, but I’m sure you’re contributing here so I’ll be sure to be back.
Heather
Good to see you here!
Could you please describe what you think a “christian universalist” believes and is? That way we can better answer your question
Peace
Geo
Heather, It states at the bottem of the post who the author is. As far as being a Universalist I soundly reject any label. I am simply Cliff and I am unfinished business as far as my spiritual awakening. I really try hard to keep an open mind realizing that what we are usually most blinded to is our own tendencies to think we have arrived. You are really welcome here and regardless of where you are in your walk your comments are greatly appreciated. Our connection is there because of His creation not ours. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Hi Geo & Cliff,
Thanks for replying to my comment I posted. I’m actually not sure what Unitarian Universalists believe, per say. I guess the main thing I think they believe is that everyone will be saved not an elect few.