Religion versus Kingdom


“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-45 (NIV)
The power of religion lies in its ability to serve as a substitute for the Kingdom and thus hinder mankind from pursuing answer to his dilemma. My study of the nature of religion and how it impacts the process of man’s search for the Kingdom uncovered several significant truths:
·         Religion preoccupies man until he finds the Kingdom.
·         Religion is what man does until he finds the Kingdom.
·         Religion prepares man to leave earth; the Kingdom empowers man to dominate earth.
·         Religion focuses on Heaven; the Kingdom focuses on earth.
·         Religion is reaching up to God; the Kingdom is God coming down to man
·         Religion wants to escape earth; the Kingdom impacts, influences and changes earth.
·         Religion seeks to take earth to Heaven; the Kingdom seeks to bring Heaven to earth.
Perhaps this is the reason why Jesus addressed the religious leaders of His day so strongly when He said:
Ø  Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to… Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrite! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are (Matthew 23:13,15).

Ø  Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of  your tradition?” (Matthew 15:1-3).

Ø   Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition (Matthew 15:6b).

Ø  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

Ø  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” Matthew 21:31b)

It seems clear from these words that religion is one of the greatest obstacles to the Kingdom. Perhaps this may be cause for us all to take another look at the power of religion over our lives, culture, and society.

In His Service,

Bisi Bolarin



Contact:

The Kingdom Life Ministries
Tel: +234 809 809 0197
Whatapps: +234 809 809 0197
E-mail: kingdomlifeminstries46@gmail.com

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