I agree.I think the problem is when we pursue "the knowledge of good and evil", which all men apart from relationship with God must do, for the sake of living a good life, but unfortunately it all leads to death.
The way that we were created to operate was demonstrated by the 2nd Adam who only acted as He saw His Father acting, and only spoke as He heard Him speak.
We are given the Spirit (which is why Christ left us) so that as we remain in Him we 2 can follow His commands as He gives them to us.
In this way we do not have to have any knowledge of what we should and shouldn't do in every little circumstance, only that we hear His voice and we obey. Yes we test the Spirits and yes we are fruit bearers and fruit inspectors but we are not religious moralists.
Define "religion".
I started this thread because religion grieves me with all its division. I dislike religion very much, but i like the pure religion that the apostle james referred to in his epistle.Good question, and something that did need clearing up.
I see the good points most are trying to make, but the term "religion" is used in a few different ways, some, it's a good thing, and other contexts...it's not. So just saying all that needs to be cleared up if it hasn't been already so there is less confusion/needless disagreement.
Amen! James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. This man's religion is vain, empty, devoid of power, lacking in content, nonproductive, dead and of no eternal value.We have defined pure and undefiled religion. feed widows and orphans and keep our self unspotted by the world. That is simplicity. IMO
Amen.Amen! James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. This man's religion is vain, empty, devoid of power, lacking in content, nonproductive, dead and of no eternal value.
James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "pure and undefiled religion" but there is certainly something wrong with impure and defiled religion. It is possible to be "religious" but not right with God. Just look at the Pharisees. Religion apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ is in vain.
I started this thread because religion grieves me with all its division. I dislike religion very much, but i like the pure religion that the apostle james referred to in his epistle.
I think James is teaching that our religion can be useless.Yes, exactly my point. Actually I didn't even know the term religion was in the bible, interesting. So apparently it means one thing, Christianity. and it morphed into describing any given spiritual group, like Buddhism or whatever other thousands of "Religions".
That should never have happened if that is the case. Really confuses things...oh well.
I think James is teaching that our religion can be useless.
Yeah, I already went through the "atheist disillusionment" and kept Jesus even though none of the religious elements were really of any value at that time. I've recovered significantly since then, but if I based my christianity on "things" like the inerrant nature of scripture instead of Jesus, I'd be an atheist right now. Faith goes so much deeper.If it were not for the Lord, and his teaching about love, i would give up on Christianity. It causes me so much distress. Its as if i am clinging to hope, love, and faith, but without everything else. I consider this liberty. Liberty is joyful but religion is not. Any thoughts?
Faith can be a battle at times.Yeah, I already went through the "atheist disillusionment" and kept Jesus even though none of the religious elements were really of any value at that time. I've recovered significantly since then, but if I based my christianity on "things" like the inerrant nature of scripture instead of Jesus, I'd be an atheist right now. Faith goes so much deeper.
Trust issues the world over.Faith can be a battle at times.
Though, by reasoning with God, one cannot help but become clean.we can not come to GOD by our own reasoning ...
Sure is.Faith sure is a ride, isnt it?
Yes i suppose so. Thank you.Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith. Religions are man-made. A person can be of any one of a number of religions as a CHRISTIAN.
Religions have their problems. But the problem of not joining into a religion, a particular denomination, is you might go without fellowship as well. So the trick is to find a church where you agree with their views on FAITH and absorb the FELLOWSHIP too! Good wishes.
For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith. Religions are man-made. A person can be of any one of a number of religions as a CHRISTIAN.
Religions have their problems. But the problem of not joining into a religion, a particular denomination, is you might go without fellowship as well. So the trick is to find a church where you agree with their views on FAITH and absorb the FELLOWSHIP too! Good wishes.
Thats true. I believe online fellowship is useful.Religion or denominations are not inherently evil or wicked. Man does that. They began by those of like beliefs meeting together to study and fellowship. Say you have a large body of believers, truly Christ followers... yet on a few points not pertaining to salvation perhaps, they disagree. The ones who are like-beliefs join and meet together. OR there could be a distance/travel issue... so those living closer together agree to meet together without the others....
If you are not part of a group, you are missing the fellowship God has for you. At some point that group will create a name, if in theory only.
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