Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
And religion is not bad. Only one definition of several is in any way something to avoid. Yes. Avoid that. But not everything that has the label of religion.
And stop saying things like "I am all for the extinction of religion" because in that statement we declare to almost all listeners that we despise God, despise the community of believers, and don't think that anyone should engage in Christian thought.
|
OBW. You know VERY WELL this forum is mainly read by former LCrs and current LCRS who UNDERSTAND the difference between being "religious" and being Spirit FILLED.
Religion teaches people how to live upright lives, how to live a disciplined life which we could ALL use but only through the guidance and teachings of the Holy Spirit! Religion can come from the teachings of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduuism, even Islam. But being RELIGIOUS
does not open the eyes of your understanding to the WORD OF GOD. It can make you think about God, why we are here on earth and decide if we should believe in God.
But Religion does not usher you into having an intimate relationship with the WORD of GOD, with His FATHER, OUR Father Who art in heaven and His Holy Spirit.
So Sorry brother..... I've been around the block of the Religious mindset. First as a 'controlled' Catholic. Then as a 'controlled' LCr. Then around the Charasmatics and WoF people. You cannot tell me what to say or what not to say. You may disagree with my views but I am still at liberty to say what I believe. If you think me saying "I am all for the extinction of religion" is a statement we declare to almost all listeners that we despise God,
that is YOUR problem !!! I know exactly what I am saying and who I am saying it to! And so do YOU ! Yeah... I am totally aware, we were taught the 'evils of religion' in the LC only to become religious ourselves ! But that was not GOD'S doing. That was man's doing.
Today. Even big time Christians who never were in the LC or heard of it have condemned the religious !!
So please. Just because you, me and most of us became 'intelligent' after leaving the LC doesn't mean we are that much smarter.
If we were really SMART, we Christians would be living in spirit by the SPIRIT and the WORD of God.
The most living and Spirit Filled fellowship I've encountered is when the Fellowship is Spontaneous, be it in the street, the store, or at somebody's house. This comes about when we are spending a whole lot of one on One time with Our Father & the LORD JESUS in prayer by HIS SPIRIT & the Word of God.
Just today, as I was working on my front lawn, my neighbor a very devout RELIGIOUS Catholic came over to chit chat. He's one of the nicest men I have ever met and has a BIG, BIG Heart! I am soo blessed to have him as a neighbor!
He told me he was studying diligently preparing a homily (an explanation of an epistle or gospel at a mass) for he is soon going to be an ordained deacon, that is an assistant to a priest. He told me he was nervous. I told him I was very confident he would give a very good homily. I added to my comment that before he gives it to ask the Holy Spirit to anoint his message so when he speaks, it would be GOD speaking through him.
He lit up like a light bulb thanking him for that Word I gave him.
That said, a planned fellowship/prayer get together can most certainly be filled with the Presence of the LORD.
Down with Religion I say and UP with the LIVING WORD WHO is ACTIVE, POWERFUL, LIVING and OPERATING
in us ! To GOD be all the GLORY and Praise forevermore.
Carol