Just My Thoughts {4}

Religion vs Faith

First the disclaimer. I repeat, the following contains Religion, faith, God, Jesus. What Jesus says about organized religion, {Not Positive} and the facts and location of where to find them, according to the Bible. If this type of thing offends you, then LEAVE now. I’ll see you tomorrow for the IWA. If you are truly interested in learning the way I see these things, and what the Bible actually says, then please continue. However, keep in mind, when you become offended, one, be offended at God, he said it. Two, I warned you. Three, you can stop reading the following at any time. You continue because you CHOSE to. I am not trying to convert you. I am not denouncing your right to believe as you will. I’m answering questions and speaking on how I see these things,


Hey folks,


Someone asked me, after having read the "Just My Thoughts {3}" ,

"Hey Pete, How do you reconcile those parts in the bible that you have stated with the following?: Exodus 23:4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good."

I promised a response to this, then a realization came into being that I was being unfair to those at the site where this question was posed. But I know the person asking the question comes here also so I will answer here and espouse my original post and attempt to further explain how I feel.

The simple fact is, Religion is not salvation. Just simply following ANY religion is not enough to guarantee entry into Heaven. There is a very distinct difference in following manmade traditions and having faith in God.

First to answer Marvin’s questions. Simply put, they can all be answered by one answer.

Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord."

It goes on to say that by doing so, you are actually cursing them. You release your anger and hatred to God, HE can and will do FAR more than you possibly could to them. But you would have to be alive. Jesus and the prophets were NOT talking about allowing your enemy to kill you.

Check out Matthew 15-1-15, Mark 7:1-13 Jesus spoke out against religion. In John 6:41-59 Jesus told of the TRUE way to God. In John 8:31-59, He spoke of the fact we are NOT all God’s children, but those who accept Him alone. No matter how religious you are. Romans 8 gives a micro-version of life and salvation. Walking in faith, and choosing not to. The difference in the two. Galatians1:11-17 Paul talks about the difference in faith vs. religion. As I said before,

He is talking about those who blindly follow manmade traditions and religion, without accepting him truly and learning what God, not man made traditions say about this or that. He is talking a personal relationship with HIM and faith in HIM. HE is the key.

If you use the key, you will then and ONLY then, open up the flood gates of Heaven that will grant you unconditional love and indescribable peace. Without using the key, you can not expect anything. Only if you use the key, accepting what Jesus did for you personally, can you say He knows you. We are all God’s creation, but to be a child of God, you must be adopted. You must go thought the process.

Yes Jesus loves you, heals the sick, works miracles, and died for YOU. There is no greater love than that. But the catalyst to receiving the benefits of belonging to that family is the adoption. He made it REALLY simple for you. A simple yes or no. I cannot do it for you. Jesus cannot do it for you, God himself, the devil, the little blue man on the moon, cannot do it for you, only YOU can.

You have to fully understand the difference in what God says about certain things, and what man says. You must take some time, more than an hour every other week or so if you have time on Sunday, to find out for yourself what God says. Read HIS Word. All the answers are there.
Peter