Religion vs Relationship
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look afterorphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” —James 1:27 NIV
Often times the Lord would ask His servants “what do you see?” In the Old Testament, he ask Jeremiah, Amos and Zechariah “what do you see.’ They each replied by telling the Lord what they saw. Jeremiah saw the branch of an almond tree, a boiling pot, and good and bad figs Amos saw a plumbline and a basket full of fruit. Zechariah saw a lamp stand of gold with its bowl full of oil, and a flying scroll. (Jer. 1:11,13; Amos 7:8, 8:2; Zech. 5:2;) In the Book of Revelation, John was asked to “write what you see” (Rev.. 1:19). John saw “The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstand” (v. 7) which Christ explains as the condition of the seven churches. What John saw gives us a picture of what was and what is to come.
Each of the men or prophets were made to ‘see’ the message describing pictures that spoke of God’s intentions and plans and in turn communicated through His chosen vessels.
Revelatory encounters with God are not uncommon. They come as we develop a relationship with God and those gifts are activated according to God’s purposes.
The prophetic spirit can be expressed in various ways. Although I tend to speak (Nabiy’) and write the message given to me, I am also developing more in the seerer (Ro’eh or chosen) realm of the prophetic
In April, as I was pondering the state of the church I sensed the Spirit say, “You must break off the religious spirit.” Around that same time snother prophetic minister heard this in a dream “I am about to deal with and break the spirit of religion.” (Lana Vawser Ministries). The Lord is going to deal with the religious spirit in this new era.”
Today, the church has moved from relationship to religion. Sadly, while our churches grow, lives are not being transformed and God’s eternal purposes are not being fulfilled as God intended.
We are accomplishing religious activities and missing out on an abiding relationship with Christ. God desires a relationship with His children. God’s original call was to Himself – not a place, a position, or an assignment. The church cannot bear fruit for God’s Kingdom unless we are abiding in the truth Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” —John 15:4 NASB
Following Jesus is about relationship and not religion. The early disciples of Jesus declared themselves to be “followers of the Way” (Acts 16:17; 18:25-26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22; 2 Peter 2:2, 21), rather than identifying themselves as members of a new religion or sect.
There are many different sects of religion today. People tend to follow the church sect or denomination, the pastor or ministry leaders putting their trust in man and not God. Scripture makes it clear that we are not to follow man. The Lord clearly says in Psalm 146:3, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”
Jesus and the early disciples didn’t ask people to convert to a religion or ideology, it is all about a relationship with Jesus. The mandate of the gospel is to provide people with an opportunity to be followers (disciples) of Jesus.
Whoever you are – whether your parents were Christians, whether you were raised inside or outside the church, regardless of how successful you are or how miserably you failed – if you have strayed away from God, you need repentance from sin.
Sin diminishes your joy, hinders your fellowship with God, dilutes the power of your prayers and witness.
Repent of the sin and ask for cleansing and refilling of the Holy Spirit
Search your own heart and see if there is offensive to God —Psalm 139:23-24
2 Peter 2:20-21; Luke 6:46
Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Corinth, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you —unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Apostle Peter encourages the church to “make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom(C) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10-11)
Prayer Against the Spirit of Religion
Father, thank You for enlightening me about the spirit of religion. I take my authority back from the devil. I take my authority and I command the spirit of religion and witchcraft to loose me now. I bind you and strip you of your power. I invite the host of heaven, the warrior angels to torment you and punish you for your assault against my life and my family. You will go to the place the Lord Jesus sends you and never return – in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:7
In His Service,
Dr. A
Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 