Not by might, nor by power

What is eternal? What will die and pass away into nothing? What practices do we have that have zero eternal value? What are we doing to pacify our nagging consciences?

Much of what we experience in the current ‘Christian institution’ are man-made rituals that do not have ANY eternal value. It’s architecture, ritual liturgy, music, adornment robes / suits, lighting, ritualistic ordinances are all done out of the soul, and spiritual death marks that realm, and while there may be intense emotions which make for resolves, “high” thoughts and desires, there is no genuine change in the nature of those concerned, and repeated doses of this must be taken to maintain any measure of soul-self-satisfaction which makes them feel good. 

All religion may rise and fall to great heights and depths — but those are the same because they never rise above the human level, and it never reaches God. Religion can be the greatest enemy of God’s true thought, because it is the enemy’s greatest deception. All of our soul efforts come to naught no matter how sincere, imaginative, and beautiful they are … if it not through His Spirit … it has no eternal value.

The ‘Christian Faith’ embraced as a religion, a philosophy, or as a system of ‘truth’ and a moral or ethical doctrine, may carry the temporary stimulus of ‘great ideal’; but this will not result in the regeneration of life, or the new birth of the spirit. There are many of these type of ‘Christians’ today but their spiritual effectiveness is nil.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Do we think we can deceive God? Do you think God will care about our self-induced rituals and prayers? Do you think God values our attendance in a building weekly? 

What an artificial world we live in! The ‘parade’ of human personalities, the dress and tinsel, the music, the pride and rivalry assert themselves, and their powers of make-believe put on ‘the show’ for the masses. The tragedy in this melodrama is that it is ‘real life’ for so many. Stuck in make-believe this soul-world is the enemy’s imitation, it is all false, whether associated with religion or not.

Don’t fall for any of it. Ask the Holy Spirit to re-educate you to what He actually wants. Where should we begin?

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

    and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6