BE SPIRITUAL, NOT RELIGIOUS

22nd JULY 2022

^“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it“ – 1 Peter 3:9-11

This topic has become crucial at this time to teach God’s people about true followership and how to believe rightly. Therefore, we shall continue to talk about this point so as to keep us firm on the part of salvation.

We go to heaven only when we are right with God, and not when we pretend to be right with Him. There is a great difference between being godly or spiritual and being religious. You may wonder what the difference is! To be religious is to practice sectarian ideologies and principles to the detriment of humanity and the reality of life in general. Religiosity is full of pretenses while spirituality is imitating Jesus Christ, the way of eternal salvation.

Arise today, and seek the face of God about life and truth.  Unfortunately, there are so many false teachings and contradictions about life and God; therefore, be careful to believe rightly. Only the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ will set you free.

Jesus preached spirituality, not religion. The Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5, 6 and 7) is one of the most detailed teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the New Testament. In this vital Sermon, Jesus Christ laid out the central facets of the way of life He taught His followers. One of the Sermon on the Mount’s main theme is Christ’s expectation that His followers be characterized by peace—not violence or war. The contradictions from extreme sectarian practices are the reasons the world is in trouble today.

Blind followership or leadership worship trails our worship centres, as many have abandoned the very essence of life and gone astray into idolatry and gruesome wickedness in the name of religion. God is not religious; He is God, who can be reached only through absolute truth, love, mercy, and justice. God is not found in deceit, envy, disunity, segregation, vengeance, gruesome killing, hatred, and threats of the holocaust on humanity.

What exactly are your beliefs? Any religious sect or religious body practising segregation and favouring members of the group to others’ detriment is bad indeed. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ teaches truth, fairness, love, and justice. Therefore, do not associate with any group that preaches otherwise; the scripture says that ye shall know them by their fruits.

The world has seen enough troubles. Therefore, help to tend the light of truth, and spread the power of love and justice across the world. Only by doing these will you gain spiritual ascent and be properly fit for the kingdom of God.  

Starting from today, weigh every teaching against the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do what He says, and then watch how the world changes; watch how the darkness of ignorance and terror disappear, leaving the light of Christ, which is absolute love and peace.    

PRAYER

In the name of Jesus Christ, Lord God, I repent of my weaknesses, and I ask that you show me the way today. I want to be like
you and to live as your child. Please save me from hypocrisy and every other destroyer of light. Henceforth, I shall live for thee alone; your grace and power shall protect and guide me on the journey to eternal life. AMEN

FURTHER READING:  Romans 12:17 – 21