Jesus Offers Relationship
How much of the weekly Sunday processional is massaging a conscience rather than a lifting up of holy hands in prayer?
Religious habits can deceive the possessor as few things can do. As far as I know, a habit and a mud turtle are the only things in nature that can walk around after they are dead. For instance, many a man has returned thanks at the table faithfully for many years, and yet has never once really prayed from the heart during all that time. The life died out of the habit long ago, but the habit itself persisted in the form of a meaningless mumble. ~ A. W. Tozer
It is my fear that formal and spiritless devotion again grips a Christian church that no longer worships at Bethel but rather to the Baals of comfort, yesterday, and education from the Tree of Knowledge, masked also as wise or popular opinion. ~ Michael Cartwright
Jesus died for relationship but still man offers ritual as religion.
There is no living God in dead activity, anymore than there is true worship in mindless repetition.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
Since the Reformation - Christendom has cast newer, smothering pillows of a doctrine suffocated religion across a living relationship with the risen Lord. Thus the needy are neglected and the soul is strangled afresh.
Duty at church and diligent pursuit of doctrine contributes precious little to the devotion of the soul.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"Faith is sharpened when pride is sinking." ~ Michael Cartwright
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