Religion Says Be What You’re Not – Jesus Says Be What You Are. Religious Contradictions
If I asked a monkey to be a turtle he’d scratch his head and wonder just how can he be something he isn’t. In a similar way, we see this in religion as it applies to who we are in Christ.
1: Religion Says: You need to receive Jesus into your heart & Love God with all your heart.
2: Then Turns Around And Says: Our hearts are wicked. You can’t trust it.
3: But The Truth Is: #1 & #2 don’t fit. We have new spirits and new hearts-Ezk 36:26. We have become obedient from the heart-Rom 6:17 (not the flesh) and Jesus lives in our hearts-Eph 3:17. How do you receive Jesus in your heart (#1) and then still call it (evil #2)? You can’t and shouldn’t.
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1: Religion Says: Don’t sin. Be holy and live upright godly lives.
2: Then Turns Around And Says: You’re a dirty sinner and you need to try and be holy and are not worthy.
3: But The Truth Is: #1 is asking us to “do” and “be” something that #2 (religion) says we are not. The fact is the new has come, the old has gone-2 Cor 5:17. Your identity is in Christ and you have been made Holy-1 Cor 6:11. God can ask us not to sin because we have been made new, it’s who we are at the very core, and our desires have changed, even though we all still struggle with old thoughts and need to renew our “minds”(Rom 12:2) and believe who we are now so we can live it out.
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In other words, religion says “act and be something that you’re NOT”. The bible says “act and be what you ARE”. Holy. Sanctified. Justified. Righteous. Saint. Child of God.
You don’t have to fake it. Just live out who you have been made to be. That’s the reason to avoid sin. Not to “be” but rather because you “are”.
Author: Mike Cynar
Mike Cynar was raised in a church setting where he frequently noticed that many attendees would eventually drift away. The church labeled these individuals as ‘back sliders’ or ‘fake Christians’ just looking for ‘fire insurance’. However, Mike realized the issue was rarely with these individuals but instead with the church’s message itself. The teachings heavily emphasized behavior improvement and one’s flaws, with only a fleeting mention of one’s identity in Christ. It felt as though every sermon was tailored to the church of Corinth, who as we know or committing sins that even unbelievers don’t partake in. This trend was noticeable not just in one denomination, but across Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, and many other churches. Upon understanding the true essence of the gospel – that our righteousness comes from Jesus’ actions, not our own – Mike was inspired to liberate believers from lifeless sermons and reconnect them with the genuine teachings of Jesus. He believes that one can nurture a vibrant and growing bond with Jesus, unhindered by rigid religious practices. And thus, “Jesus Without Religion” was born.
It turns out that it is grace that leads to repentance. And if our heart is to get others to walk in the Spirit and live a godly life, then the best approach is not a beat down sermon, but rather to remind other that it is only when we understand our true identity in Christ that we will live it out. Yes, it’s true, if you’re convinced that God thinks you’re a dirty sinner, you will ultimately continue a lifestyle that mirrors that view, but if you truly believe that even on your worst day, you are called holy, sanctified, justified, and will be presented blameless in the end, well, it turns out this is the secret to living out on the outside what has been worked in to the inside.
