About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
Okay folks… sit down and buckle up – this is about to get real. We have made the ekklesia which is supposed to be a ‘called assembly’ full of His ambassadors carrying His authority into a ‘religious’ gathering with brick and mortar, with neutered unanointed systemic practices, and a false view of what His actual Bride is. The ekklesia is NOT a building or an ‘institution’. It is NOT a religion. Jesus did NOT come to start another empty – spiritually powerless religion. Jesus came to bring us access to His Father in heaven, to pay our debt of sin, to open the gates of heaven to those who want to receive Him, and have us exercise His authority here and now. So, what actually did Jesus give us? Did Jesus leave us any writings that He Himself wrote by His hand? Jesus was EXCITED to leave so that the Holy Spirit could be poured out on His ambassadors / disciples / apostles / followers.
But what is the usual fall back by humans? Like the Pharisees of old… someone wants control – so they set up a new system that doesn’t require listening to the Holy Spirit, just steps and more practices and formulas and rituals to be performed. That’s what the modern institutional American Church has become. How many times do you need to listen to a third-grade lesson? How many services must you attend before you can share the gospel and lead someone to Jesus? How many membership classes must you take before someone can actually discern the Holy Spirit? The ekklesia is NOT an institution. What is it actually?
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20
Can it be a large number too? Yes. And every number in-between. Is it marked by the formulas or doctrines or denominational names or theologies or seminaries or ordained individuals?
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35
How do you really love someone you don’t really know? How can you know the Holy Spirit if you can’t even hear Him within you? How can you grow in real spiritual maturity listening to the teachings of other men or women? Who is supposed to be your real spiritual Teacher?
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
So, shuffling in and out of a building …sitting in big crowd listening to an entertainment music session of three songs and listening to the third-grade sermon once again, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade – DOES NOT make you spiritually mature!
Who do you discuss the ‘meatier’ spiritual issues with? Who do you ask the real dangerous questions? Who do you associate with that is diving deep into spiritual matters day after day? Who is challenging you personally asking you what the Holy Spirit is asking you to do? Who are you discussing the difficult and mysterious parts of scripture with? Are you discipling anyone? Are you putting yourself out there in transparency and honesty? Who really knows you and you know them deeply and personally as well?
Spiritual growth is NOT passive. Spiritual maturity only is attained through scars and trials. Courage is required to gain traction in forward progress in spiritual movement. Obedience isn’t an option if you want to follow Him. Endurance and steadfastness is gained through constant struggle and pain.
Are you just a religious person? Or are you an actual ambassador for Jesus? Listening moment by moment for the ‘still small voice’ of the Holy Spirit within you and obeying Him quickly. Can you discern Him?
Link up with other members of His Body who are really wanting to grow spiritually and talk. Not just surface conversation – but REAL honest discussions with hard questions.
Who is the Holy Spirit asking you now to get into contact with? Make it so.