Religion, our world is full of it. When I say religion, I mean manmade religion, doctrines conceived in the hearts of men and not in God. There is man's religion and there's Bible truth religion. Jesus came into the religious world during his time on earth. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were mainstream religions.
Notice that you don't find these religions in the Old Testament. Why? They were conceived during the years of silence, between Malachi and John the Baptist. During which God never spoke to man, proving, man doesn't need God to produce a religion! It was the religious folks, who claimed to be of God, that crucified the Lord and persecuted the early church. It's as Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:5, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Manmade religion doesn't have the power to deliver a person from the chains of evil addictions and habits. Across America on Sunday morning many stand in pulpits and declare, You can't live without a little sin in your life each day." Religion denies the power of truth and grace to set the soul free and enable a soul to live a life above sin!
Manmade religion can help slightly. This is why so many are deceived by it. Jeremiah spoke of the false prophets and priests in Israel saying, " For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 8:11).
Sound familiar? Many empty promises of peace and lots of passing the offering plate? Mix a little truth (the form of godliness) in with mans ideas and ta da! You have a brand new false religion! God help and deliver us from evil.
B.H.
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