This Easter I dare you to NOT be Religious

                                                   

                                                                         (google image)

For it is by grace we have been saved, not for our own sake but the Glory of God and his Great love for us (his creation.) We are loved so deeply and unconditionally. But do not be deceived. It was not God who separated us from himself, it was and is our sin. We have sinned and continue to sin. It is NOT our goodness (like our mothers taught us to be good little children) or the sacraments (that the church hierarchy claims) that will bridge the gap to him. NO. He stands longingly loving us. He is a HOLY and just GOD, he is YAHWEH. Light cannot live with darkness. So He sent his son (Yeshua) to live as man. The Light came into the darkness. It broke through the darkness. He came and lived Holy, in the way man once did- unblemished, unstained in the garden Paradise- without sin. And Yeshua (Jesus) chose to live a life that was not comfortable. In fact it was hard. He walked miles to fulfill his Father's wishes, sacrificing his own human desires. His death (by choice) was the result of his sacrificial life. His death was torture, brutal and unjust, yet God continued to be just. (For God cannot change) His love alone for mankind became sheer passion, The Passion. His resurrection proved the victory over the enemy’s hold on us.
Yahweh continues to stand waiting for us to have TRUE fellowship with him. But the church (the church community in whole) has begun to preach a different type of Gospel and while it is Yeshua alone who is the gift of God for salvation and unites us with Yahweh, the church tickles the ears of the deaf. They teach death saying good works trumps the Fellowship with God. Yet the truth is that God desires relationship NOT religion-legalistic acts or works. He desires intimacy not mere words. He does not desire a building or temple full of sleepers, full of the walking dead. He is Life and offers his life to us. He is the Word, yet few will receive his truth or his Word. Grace calls to the darkness of our hearts. Religion screams, “Work hard, be good, do right. You are okay, you are good to go.” Many choose salvation but refuse the Lord himself. But you cannot have one without the other. So many are deceived. They claim fire insurance but do not know the Savior. Grace accepts us unconditionally and offers the gift of reconciliation through TRUE faith which results in repentance and the sacrificial service to God and others. We want to live HOLY because he is HOLY. We do so knowing we are already loved. Religion teaches the opposite. It is not our works that saves us, so do not be deceived!! Do not believe that because you said a prayer, or joined a certain church that you are right with God while you continue live like those in the darkness. (For light cannot live with darkness.) For in that way of thinking is a great Apostasy, a falling away from the truth of the Good News of Christ. But it is the recognition of his GREAT LOVE for us that draws us to him and brings us to our knees in adoration and service to him. It is his Light that penetrates our hearts and spirit that gives life to us. It is what Jesus calls being Born of the Spirit. Without him, we remain dead. Going through the motions is not salvation. Seek Him and Him alone. We must ask the Lord to examine our hearts and to lead us to the Light and deliver us from the dark deception that is running rampant. We must ask for guidance and direction by His HOLY SPIRIT. We are called to service for him. Our allegiance is to him, not a church denomination. We are to be his hands and feet on earth until he comes again. Yes we are saved by GRACE, the choice is up to us whether we shall live or continue in death. Do not be DECEIVED, we were not saved for our glory, honor and comfort. He is LOVE and offers us a bridge to him; a bridge in the shape of the cross. It was not free for Yeshua but it is free for us, by way of Faith. It is in that freedom that in turn we give thanks by serving Him. HE is ALONE IS WORTHY.