Man's Religion

7/18/2001

Wednesday Evening, July 18, 2001

To whom does this note apply? To anyone, anywhere, in any generation to whom it applies. I’m sad to ask these questions, and to refer to such things—far from happy about it. But, I must be honest about what is stealing God’s Heritage, and continuing to reduce His Chosen to pawns in men’s games of religion. It must not go unopposed, no matter what the cost. There is too much at stake, and it has gone on too long unexposed for what it is and the fruit it bears.

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (Hebrews 3:12-14).

It seems some who claim to be Teachers and Representatives of Jesus of Nazareth are shipwrecking lives. How? By teaching, in essence, that there is no need to obey Hebrews 3:12-14. They would not often be daring enough to say out loud and clearly, “There is no need to obey God’s Commands!,” but this is where their teaching leads God’s Lambs. They say, “No one need obey the ‘daily’ of Hebrews 3:12-14, or build in such a way as to anticipate Life being thus intertwined in the Church.” No matter that God has commanded, described and illustrated His Church this way. Obedience is therefore “not necessary.”

On the contrary, God’s Word declares that disobedience and lack of “daily” involvement will result (100% of the time) in being “hardened and deceived.”

Well, by some men’s teaching and example, “God is wrong.” They then must suggest by this academic disobedience that “leaven in the batch” will not “leaven the whole batch.” Don’t think about it, and don’t do anything about it. It’s not important. Ai’s disaster and God’s Command are not relevant. And, in addition, they conclude by this that Acts 2:42-47 (1Corinthians 12 in Action) was nice, but not the automatic overflow of Jesus’ True Unfettered Life welling up within any and all Believers. It must have been a “cultural expedient” or some other diluted, compromised explanation. Bound by traditions of men and clergy/laity control and power and guilt techniques...they will just sit and listen to a speech (or an “amateur hour”) and then scatter into disconnected existence until the next calendar meeting. And we should all, of course, try to “live the good christian life” on our own until then.

Beware of the gangrene of those who talk “deep Truths,” but oppose His Words that would cost them something personally. If they love Him, they will obey Him. Yet, effectively they teach AGAINST obedience, it is reported. As an example, Jesus said, “This is how all men will know.” Some instead, teach by example and by whispering behind others’ backs, “Do your own thing. Live as you please. Isolation is fine. Daily admonishment is an option—no matter that Jesus Commanded it. Just attend my meeting. Or don’t. Whatever pleases you and your lifestyle. You don’t be involved in my life, and I promise not to be ‘daily’ infused into your life.” Clearly, that is not Jesus’ Representative who would erode a passion for things Jesus Desires and has Commanded, giving flesh justification for disobedience, and so to become “hardened and deceived” according to God’s Word. This popular teaching sounds more like Cain than Jesus. “Am I my brother’s keeper?!”

If some actually teach and live this way, perhaps for their own personal gain and ego and hiding place, may God have mercy upon their souls. This is religion of the mind, rather than Life: “INFORMATION—RATHER THAN SYNERGISTIC EXCHANGED LIFE,” is very dangerous and entirely unBiblical. The days of self-promotion and personal “ministries” (SO unlike the Teaching and Commands of the Master) are over. God is not amused with disobedient religion that wears His Name and uses Him, borrowing His Words for their own gain (Jer. 23:16-40) while disobeying His simple Commands and Ways. Hopefully this is not so where you live. If you ever hear of such a thing, even from “an angel,” “turn away.” “Warn them once, a second time, then have nothing to do with them.” The “fruit” of their ways has had many years to prove itself out—and take a look. There is nothing but words. There is little to nothing to show for such things. The warm fuzzies from the “sermon” wear off rather quickly, and men and women are left in poverty decade after decade, only able to repeat words they heard. Is this where you want to go? Surely not. “The Kingdom of God does not consist of mere words,” says the Lord. Turn away—or be digested into empty traditions and men’s self-exalting platforms for themselves.

This is a mark of Reality: “a KINGDOM of Priests.” Accept nothing less! GOD SAID, “If Revelation comes to the second, let the first one sit down.” This will not be the way of those who use Jesus for their own gain. Life is short. Let NO MAN steal your crown. “Woe to them. In the last days, some will travel the way of Cain (as referred to earlier), rush to gain reward for themselves in the error of Balaam, and then be fallen in the ‘speaking against’ as was Korah.” “They speak evil of what they do not understand.” Perhaps there are none so bold as what is reported, to oppose the Counsel of God, robbing God’s People (Nicolaitanism that Jesus “hates”) for their own gain and position and prestige, having hardened their hearts to God’s Ways in His Church. The gates of hell will continue to prevail all around them if this is the case. Don’t partake of this if you are wise enough and strong enough to walk away from such. If this ever has application in the world around you, now or a decade in the future, walk away from this if they “will not hear you.”

Worldwide, today and forever these truths are essential. Apply them where you live, whenever such a thing arises. They are universal Truths. No one can dispute the Essentiality or Scripturalness of what is contained in this letter. There is nothing even remotely disputable contained here. The Scriptures referred to herein have ALWAYS been in everyone’s Bible, but like the Word of God in Josiah’s day, buried under the rubble of the past. They will be discovered by those who care and dare. Life is too short to be squandered on what has already proven itself Lifeless and Fruitless—“mere words”—no matter how “good” those words may be. Good “sermons” aren’t that hard to find. The bookstores, cassettes, pulpits and lecterns are full of fine words. LIFE that is TRULY LIFE—“joined and knit together by every supporting ligament,” no one living their lives as if “I have no need of you,” “all the Believers together, and having all things in common,” “contending as One Man...” This is worth living for and dying for. Let no man steal your crown.