For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:12
What is true spirituality? Revelation. Specifically …revelation of whom Jesus is. Peter had this revelation after the fish caught in his net almost sank his boat after fishing all night and catching nothing. Nathanael had this revelation after Jesus declared He saw him under the fig tree. One can learn all sorts of religious doctrine, rules, intellectual concepts, and principles, and yet have zero real personal revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t come to set up a religion otherwise He would have not shown up secretly where only by divine revelation did those who witnessed Him as a child knew who He really was. Jesus would have arrived in a great fanfare where the entire world would have witnessed His arrival – if He wanted to start a new religion. But Jesus wanted to bring personal revelation and personal relationship with God back into the world. Jesus wants to indwell those who gladly and willingly choose Him.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the biggest threat to organized, institutional religion. Organized religion takes the place of your ‘teacher’ rather than the Teacher (Holy Spirit). “Wait…” you say, thinking about the ‘gifts’ given to the ekklesia in Ephesians 4:11-12. Those ‘gifts’ are supposed to be UNDER the True and ONLY Shepherd Jesus Christ. They should ALWAYS be deferring ALL of His flock / sheep to the Holy Spirit for teaching, rather than usurping and taking the place of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Essentially today most shepherds are hirelings (professional ministers) that have NOT been hired by the true one Shepherd. Push come to shove they wouldn’t continue as a shepherd of the Master’s flock if they lost their salary. Those gifts to the ekklesia are NOT paid positions – they are ‘callings’ to a life lived in service to Him and Him alone, not to denominations, or congregations, or buildings, or a 501c3 government approved organizations. Hirelings don’t bring real ‘revelation’, they teach and preach principles, and formulas, without any power from the Holy Spirit.
Have you had Jesus revealed to you by the Holy Spirit? OR has Jesus met with you personally? Have you had a direct encounter with a member of the Trinity? That is a personal revelation, which forms the foundation of your testimony and faith. Any faith built on intellect alone will falter under the ‘storm’ the enemies of God bring upon that person. Jesus meant to have intimate daily, moment by moment, relationship with those who are His via His indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit who inhabits their being — spirit, soul, and body. We invite Him in. When Jesus said to the Church in Laodicea in John’s Revelation, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus was saying this to those IN THE CHURCH and NOT unbelievers outside of the Church. Does that change how you understand that statement? Jesus WANTS us to invite Him into our very being; into our ‘inner’ most heart / soul. This invitation is to those who already recognize who He is. This statement has to do with the personal interaction / revelation and relationship with the Holy Spirit and Jesus!
Organized religion is … comfortable, easy, and … soft. A life lived with the Holy Spirit, leads one into deserts, and uncomfortable truths, especially about yourself. A life with the Holy Spirit is challenging, and often leads us where we actually don’t want to be, but because we love Him — we do what He wants us to do in those places (divine appointments and assignments). Organized religion is ALWAYS in the same place / building usually in a soft seat, now with a coffee in hand, listening to a ‘nice’ message. A life with the Holy Spirit is one of daily repentance, and cutting Truth, and not so nice visions and words. But… a life with the Holy Spirit is one of real relationship without platitudes, or false words, but one of true love (agape). The true real ekklesia usually meets in different places and times when they gather in meetings as small as two or three in His Name.
Organized religion will be a conflict to the instructions you are personally getting from the Holy Spirit. Which ‘teacher’ are you to be listening to? Did you know there is a spiritual ‘war’ for your .. will? Your will is the ‘prize’ to be won.
This ‘war’ began in the Garden of Eden and has lasted throughout humanity’s long history. We can find the challenge set for that ‘prize’ of our ‘will’ throughout scripture.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
So the next time you feel the need for real relationship and connection with the ekkesia — meet those you know who are diving deep into the relationship with the Holy Spirit and ask them what ‘revelation’ they are receiving from the Spirit of God, and then be willing to share what He has been teaching you as well. Sound uncomfortable? Are you not use to sharing what God is doing intimately inside of you? Are you not use to sharing the revelation the Holy Spirit is showing and giving you? That’s what the true ekklesia does … regularly. That is real fellowship (koinonia). Don’t get your ‘fix’ of Churchianity — and shuffle in and out with all the goats, or listen to the latest ‘podcast’ or ‘video’ trying to ‘satisfy’ your soul. Go to Him DIRECTLY.