According to this society's definition of religion, everyone is religious in some way or another. Religion is defined as the adherence to a set of beliefs that regulate the moral, social and ritualistic behavior of the individual. By using this definition of religion, it would include the so-called atheist, secularist, communist, socialist, humanist and agnostic; for they all adhere to a belief system of some kind. However, I tend to believe, those who are searching for God are religious, rather than those who believe in God and have a personal relationship, are obedient. I have concluded from reading and studying history, that virtually every major problem in history and in our contemporary world can be traced to some religious foundation. Religion has motivated the massacre of millions of human beings over the years in horrific events, such as the Crusades, the Inquisition and wars related to the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-reformation. Slavery, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, segregation, racial discrimination, especially in this country of the United States.
Even this new millennium with overwhelming acts of religious terrorism. Remember September 11, 2001? I viewed the actual attacks from my mother's apartment in Arverne, Queens. At first, I thought it was a movie taking place. Now how ironic it is that the very things that by nature is supposed to provide the solution to mankind's problems and provide hope and faith for life; has itself created more problems throughout history than it has solved.
If you have noticed, Jesus didn't once mention coming to His new religion. He had one, and only one, message:
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 4:17 From that time, Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand".
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease among the people.
Keep in mind, throughout all I have said, religion is a natural phenomenon that exists in some form in every human culture; and it always has been. Primitive and modern societies alike, manifest religious rituals that define their culture and communal life.
What I have noticed down through the years, religion has become a manipulating tool for those who claim they have been called by God. The driving force behind most of these individuals usually is money or power. Many of these religions are attractive because they promise their adherents power to control circumstances of their daily lives.
I agree with Dr. Myles Munroe when he says that two things humans search for is "Power and Purpose". We all want to be able to control our own lives. And sad as it may be, some want to control other lives as well. Now that being said, all of us look for meaning for our existence and the power to control our lives, as well as our circumstances. We want power to determine our future and be able to predict the unknown. What it comes to in most cases; we want the power over death and life.
What I am finding is this: our pursuit of purpose and power is the primary source and motivation for the development of religion. Take a moment to think about what I just stated. All religions are the same in this sense; they attempt to answer the questions of power and meaning. They all promise the power to control life and circumstances and to explain life and death. Keep in mind, the power that we seek is in what we lost at the beginning of creation.
Constitutional Scripture Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
This is what Jesus our Lord came to restore, the Kingdom. In fact, what religion does is separate and divide. They all are motivated by contention and usually thrive in an isolated culture that excludes other segments of humanity. Have you noticed that all religions seem to glory in a spirit of segregation and separation rather than uniting humanity with a common power and knowledge of purpose? Religion has proven itself to be the great divider of all mankind. Once again, Jesus never came to bring another religion called "Christianity", but to restore what we lost "a kingdom". He made it perfectly plain.
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not worry, saying "What shall I eat?" or "What shall I drink?" or "What shall I wear?" 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Please note: Jesus said that your heavenly Father will supply all your needs. If that be true, then why are there so many believers fighting and debating over stuff and things? Remember what Jesus said:
Constitutional Scripture John 14:15-16 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16) and I will pray the Father and He will give You another Helper, that he may abide with you forever.
Constitutional Scripture John 14:23 ...If anyone loves Me, he will keep My words and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
~~ Minister W.R. Luchie
Even this new millennium with overwhelming acts of religious terrorism. Remember September 11, 2001? I viewed the actual attacks from my mother's apartment in Arverne, Queens. At first, I thought it was a movie taking place. Now how ironic it is that the very things that by nature is supposed to provide the solution to mankind's problems and provide hope and faith for life; has itself created more problems throughout history than it has solved.
If you have noticed, Jesus didn't once mention coming to His new religion. He had one, and only one, message:
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 4:17 From that time, Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand".
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease among the people.
Keep in mind, throughout all I have said, religion is a natural phenomenon that exists in some form in every human culture; and it always has been. Primitive and modern societies alike, manifest religious rituals that define their culture and communal life.
What I have noticed down through the years, religion has become a manipulating tool for those who claim they have been called by God. The driving force behind most of these individuals usually is money or power. Many of these religions are attractive because they promise their adherents power to control circumstances of their daily lives.
I agree with Dr. Myles Munroe when he says that two things humans search for is "Power and Purpose". We all want to be able to control our own lives. And sad as it may be, some want to control other lives as well. Now that being said, all of us look for meaning for our existence and the power to control our lives, as well as our circumstances. We want power to determine our future and be able to predict the unknown. What it comes to in most cases; we want the power over death and life.
What I am finding is this: our pursuit of purpose and power is the primary source and motivation for the development of religion. Take a moment to think about what I just stated. All religions are the same in this sense; they attempt to answer the questions of power and meaning. They all promise the power to control life and circumstances and to explain life and death. Keep in mind, the power that we seek is in what we lost at the beginning of creation.
Constitutional Scripture Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
This is what Jesus our Lord came to restore, the Kingdom. In fact, what religion does is separate and divide. They all are motivated by contention and usually thrive in an isolated culture that excludes other segments of humanity. Have you noticed that all religions seem to glory in a spirit of segregation and separation rather than uniting humanity with a common power and knowledge of purpose? Religion has proven itself to be the great divider of all mankind. Once again, Jesus never came to bring another religion called "Christianity", but to restore what we lost "a kingdom". He made it perfectly plain.
Constitutional Scripture Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not worry, saying "What shall I eat?" or "What shall I drink?" or "What shall I wear?" 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Please note: Jesus said that your heavenly Father will supply all your needs. If that be true, then why are there so many believers fighting and debating over stuff and things? Remember what Jesus said:
Constitutional Scripture John 14:15-16 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16) and I will pray the Father and He will give You another Helper, that he may abide with you forever.
Constitutional Scripture John 14:23 ...If anyone loves Me, he will keep My words and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
~~ Minister W.R. Luchie
RSS Feed
