The End of Religion

What is religion? Let us look at the etymology, from Wikepedia:

Religion is derived from the Latin religiō, the ultimate origins of which are obscure. One possibility is derivation from a reduplicated *le-ligare, an interpretation traced to Cicero connecting lego “read”, i.e. re (again) +lego in the sense of “choose”, “go over again” or “consider carefully”. Modern scholars such as Tom Harpur and Joseph Campbell favor the derivation from ligare “bind, connect”, probably from a prefixed re-ligare, i.e.re (again) + ligare or “to reconnect,” which was made prominent by St. Augustine, following the interpretation of Lactantius. However, the French scholar Daniel Dubuisson notes that relying on this etymology “tends to minimize or cancel out the role of history”; he notes that Augustine gave a lengthy definition of religio that sets it quite apart from the modern word “religion”.

Christianity is not a religion, based on the definition above, which defines religion as the “reconnection between God and humans”. Why reconnect? Because the connection was broken by sin (disobeying God). Christianity is the end of religion, since this reconnection has already been implemented, by the finished work of Jesus the Christ on the cross. It is written:

Joh 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.

It is finished.

The Project (Salvation) has been completed, the Requirements (Law) have been met, and the Customer (God) is delighted. We are now enjoying the Benefits (Eternal Life). It is all God’s work, and all we are doing is responding to what has already been done for us. If you have not believed in God’s Project, which is the Good News of Jesus the Christ, then you are clueless. Wake up, if you can, as time is running out.  Beg for mercy from God, if you can, as only He can help you.

Some of us are very religious, and the idea of the end of religion may fill you with horror and disgust. The religious establishment was not supportive of God’s Project either. The religious thought that killing Jesus the Christ would save religion, but the result was unforeseen: the death of Jesus the Christ reconciled God and humans, making religion obsolete.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Do you want to be reconciled to God? Here is the Good News of Jesus Christ:

God bless,

George

The Silent Voice of God

The world is going down the tube. Sin has become politically correct. People flock to religions which offer imaginary false gods, who will tolerate their sin, and deaden their conscience. No-one is immune, even me. There was a time when I would welcome all of this as a good thing, but I now have a problem. My spirit was brought to life by the living and true God, and the world now gives me a feeling of nausea, overlaid by a feeling of concern about inevitable doom of those not spiritually alive. Last rounds, ladies and gentlemen. it’s closing time.

All this time God screams at the world that it is fallen, and offers salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The world is  not listening. Now many “acts of God” are needed to wake people up. How many floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, famines, and wars must happen to make people see? Or maybe these things are just warnings to be recognized only by the elect of God?

What should I do? I share the Gospel but no-one believes it. Some say they believe it but it is obvious that they do not. Is it possible to be born again and have no desire to read the Bible, worship God, fellowship with the brothers and sisters in Christ?

There are two options to take. Stop caring about the result and just minister to the lost in obedience but without really knowing what will happen. The other is better but harder to find. I need to know what God is doing, and join in His work. I need to join Him in His work, and not improve on mine. I need to listen to the silent voice of God.

I am going on a retreat sometime in December, in Tagaytay, a tranquil place near Metro-Manila, Philippines, next to Taal volcano. I need to discern God’s will. That means being disconnected from the internet, TV, radio, books, entertainment, and even Study Bibles. Just God, the Bible, and me, for 5 days, alone. I really do not know what will happen. I am scared that nothing will happen. I am also scared that something might happen. Since this scary feeling can only come from Satan I am resolved to proceed with this plan. I leave it all to God. I really do not know what to do. I really am unable to commit the stupid mistake of recommending a solution to God. Please pray for me that I hear the silent voice of God, and obey what He says.

I took a walk in the woods with my son and his friend. I talk about my plans for a retreat and other random stuff. Here it is. Enjoy! Be strong in the Lord, who is coming soon! After all, it is written…

Was that the silent voice of God just then? I wish I knew for sure…

God bless,

George

Jesus the Christ is the Truth

John 14:5-7 “Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.”

John 18:37-38 “Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all.”

What is truth? When Jesus the Christ said that He is the Truth, what could that mean? We often think of the Truth as something determined through reason and logic. However we are warned by God in His Word that these tools are deceptive:

Col 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

In the light of this, it should not be surprising that most secular knowledge does not agree with the Word of God. The reason for this is not that the Bible is not scientific, but that secular knowledge is based on a lie, which is, that truth can be obtained through human effort. Truth can only be found through Jesus Christ.

Who defines reality? God, or people? The Creator, or the creature? Christianity is not a religion, it is reality.