Notes for "Religion is Poison"

Introduction:

Read Gary Smalley’s Forward to Grace Land…

The thrust of Grace Land will contrast the difference between two views of the Christian Life. The view that is concerned with how and what questions and the very different view that is only concerned with the Who question. When I discover that the Who is not I, then the how and what questions fade into insignificance because they’re not my responsibility.

Discovering that my true identity is in Jesus Christ will free me to see the Christian life from a completely new perspective and I will enter into Grace Land by following the Grace Walk while living by the Grace Rules.

Be prepared to have some of your present beliefs challenged, but rest assured that the Bible alone will be our map and Jesus our only destination.

2Kings 4:38-40 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a shortage of food in the land. While the groups of prophets were sitting in front of him, he said to his servant, "Put the large pot on the fire, and boil some stew for these men." One of them went out into the field to gather plants. Finding a wild vine, he picked fruit from the vine and filled his robe with it. Then he came and cut up the fruit into the pot. But they didn’t know what kind of fruit it was. They poured out the stew for the others to eat. When they began to eat it, they shouted, "Man of God, there’s death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

What are some of the poisonous beliefs you’ve had in your life which have interfered with your ability to live a victorious Christian life?

bulletBehavior equals identity;
bulletThe Christian life is a combination of faith and works;
bulletVictorious living is the experience of those who overcome;
bulletJesus wants to be #1 in my life;
bulletMy sins are not forgiven until I ask;
bulletMy natural abilities are an asset in God’s Kingdom;
bulletGod is concerned about my performance…I must "do my part."

Religion stresses a form of behavior without the presence of divine life. What are some common ways modern churches tend to be more religious than spiritual?

The emphasis is on appearance and conformity, rather than on intimacy with God. Rules are emphasized rather than relationships. Sin is emphasized rather than forgiveness. Obedience becomes more important than grace. A person’s relationship with God is judged by their relationship to the church…the institution or the individual becomes the focus.

This chapter compared Israel’s wilderness experience with empty religion in two ways:

1) Both are characterized by a struggle to experience victory; and 2) Both are characterized by repeated rededication to trying harder.

Instead of trusting God to lead them, they kept trying to reach the Promised Land by their own efforts…it was called Promised Land, because God had promised to give it to them! Each attempt resulted in failure, followed by discouragement, followed by a rededication to try harder the next time. Does that sound like the normal Christian’s life?

The wilderness compares with empty religion in at least two other ways:

bulletLike Israel, we have been delivered from Egypt (the slavery of sin and death) and God wants us to enter immediately into Canaan (Grace Land/The Christ Life), but often we get stuck in the wilderness (empty religion) where we settle for barrenness instead of the bounty God has provided;
bulletThe longer we stay in the wilderness, the harder it is to leave! The "known wilderness" is more attractive than the "unknown land of plenty!"

 

List three ways that Christians often try to find fulfillment through religious activities instead of from Jesus Christ:

bulletStaying busy with activities at church;
bulletAttending seminars and services that try to motivate witnessing;
bulletGetting more biblical or spiritual knowledge through education;
bulletTrying to expand the Kingdom of God by their own ideas and efforts;
bulletAccumulating more material possessions;
bulletTrying to develop virtues and character traits that are more Christ-like;
bulletBy "correcting" others who don’t understand God the way they do.

Discuss the ways that the land of Canaan is a spiritual picture of the Christian life.

bulletGod not only provided the milk (the provision for their needs), but also the honey (the sweet abundance He wanted to lavish on them);
bulletGod fought the battles for them and gave them the victory over their enemies;
bulletHe replaced the exhaustion of the wilderness (their efforts) with the relaxation of the Promised Land (His gifts).

 

I encourage those of you who are still having an adulterous affair with religion, to break it off and return to your first love…Jesus alone will give you the peace, happiness and confidence that makes this life, which will last for eternity, all He planned for it to be…The Promised Land…Grace Land!!

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