Kingdom Vs. Religion

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Several years ago before I became a teenager, I was talking to a man after a Wednesday evening service. He was telling me about his former professional football and boxing career. I was amazed. He knew so much about football and boxing that I was convinced that he had actually participated in the two sports himself.

Overwhelmed with the excitement of meeting a now retired athlete, I rushed to share the news with my sister. Fortunately, she slapped me back into reality very quickly. I remember it like it was yesterday. She said, "If he played sports, he would probably be rich and famous, and you would already have known of him from TV."

I was heartbroken. I couldn't believe this adult man would lie to a kid for no reason. This situation seemed small, but with me being so young, it helped shaped a philosophy that I still live by: Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. From that moment until now, I have never listened to just anyone talk unless the proof from their own life validated their statements.

It seems as though the Chinese government shares a similar philosophy, requiring influencers on social media to have degrees in subjects before they are allowed to speak on them. Even the Bible itself warns us to be cautious before we put faith into just anyone but rather to test the spirit by the Spirit, to look for fruit (evidence) in a person's life before heeding their advice.

4 Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. 1 John 4:1 AMPC

Even though we have all been guilty of offering unsolicited advice, I'm pretty sure everyone can agree that they would rather have the opinion of experts on the particular field if a serious problem were to arise.

This issue has plagued humanity since the days of Jesus: The never-ending competition between those who are talking the talk vs people who are walking the walk -- in other words, Kingdom vs religion. What we see in the Bible through the ministry of Jesus Himself as well as Paul's, is that many people preached and taught the Word, but few lived by it.

3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy loads, hard to bear, and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help bear them. Matthew 23:3-4 AMPC

Growing up religious myself, I've noticed that it's easy to talk about faith while presenting very minimal evidence of that faith being manifested in our actual lives on a daily basis.

The reality is that almost everyone has their faith in something, whether that be their career, their charisma or even their own version of God. Paul voices his frustrations with many preachers portraying to be living the way that Jesus intended but actually being enemies of Jesus while proclaiming His name.

17 Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). Phillipians 3 :17-18 AMPC

In religion, preachers are promoted by other men based on their ability to talk. However, in the Kingdom, a preacher is promoted by God based on the commitment being shown in their own personal walk. We see the commitment and demonstration of Jesus on full display with His death on the Cross. We also see a similar pattern in the trials that Paul faced while preaching the same Gospel.

24 Five times I received from [the hands of] the Jews forty [lashes all] but one; 25 Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been aboard a ship wrecked at sea; a [whole] night and a day I have spent [adrift] on the deep; 26 Many times on journeys, [exposed to] perils from rivers, perils from bandits, perils from [my own] nation, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the desert places, perils in the sea, perils from those posing as believers [but destitute of Christian knowledge and piety]; 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 AMPC

The bad thing about religion and being religious is that no one actually thinks that they are. Yet, we have the same schedules, the same pre-made plans that follow human traditions and have sprinkled in weekly religious obligations.

13 Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. 14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].15 You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. James 4:13-15 AMPC

We have become so detached from a Spirit-filled life that many people think that the Holy Ghost is something you can catch on Sundays, not realizing that the job of the Holy Spirit is actually to catch us and guide us away from our own will into the will of God.

16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). 17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. 18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Galatians 5:16-18 AMPC

We must be certain that the person we are following has been and currently is being controlled and led by the Spirit of God so that we will also be instructed on the things of the Spirit and led into a deeper intimacy with God through the fellowship of His Holy Spirit. Singing and dancing will help in the persuasion of men, but a life fully submitted and surrendered to God will keep you in His will.

28 So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught Me. 29 And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him. 30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him]. John 8:28-30 AMPC

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Question of Day: Are you living by faith or by the reasoning of the flesh?