Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 192
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a
blog? So that many can receive these thoughts
in an easy manner.
This
week America celebrates another Independence Day. And yet it seems the “freedom” we once
enjoyed has been diminished. In fact,
many “freedoms” have actually disappeared.
Michael points out that this is what happens when we are focused on “religion
or man’s kingdoms” as our freedom. For
too many, “religion” has become a bondage instead of a freedom…read on as
Michael explains…
DAY 106
Freedom From Religion Is Freedom
From the Kingdoms of Man!
And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “My
son, your sins are forgiven.” But there were some of the scribes sitting there
and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is
blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, aware
in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to
them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is
easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Arise,
and take up your pallet and walk’?” --Mark 2:5-9
Men are kingdom builders, and kingdoms need subjects.
We are raised to be subjects when told such things as, “You do not have to
respect the President but you must respect the office of the President.” This
may be translated to mean, “Whatever you do, you are not to come out from under
our kingdom! What would a kingdom be without subjects?” Kingdom builders must offer something, for if they
cannot, the subjects might go elsewhere. Now, kingdom builders never give anything of substance.
All things of substance are hoarded for themselves. They merely give something
with the appearance of substance in order to keep the subjects interested and
loyal.
Religion is a kingdom with leaders who must keep devotees
in subjection. Out of necessity they must give something that cannot be attained
elsewhere. Remember, it will only be the appearance of getting something; the
followers never really get anything except more bondage. Every man everywhere knows he has
sinned and fallen short. Deep within is a fear of the consequences. The Scribes and Pharisees were
offering forgiveness, restoration, and freedom. The catch was that adherents
had to jump through all of their hoops, and no matter how many were jumped
through, they were always able to produce one more. The vast majority of
people, wanting what was promised, continued to be in subjection. The kingdom went on until Jesus
appeared on the scene, and in one little sentence He destroyed it all. He
brought “whosoever will” out from under subjection. The sentence referred to is
this: “My son,
your sins are forgiven!” Jesus did not say, “will be,” or “keep trying,”
or “check with me next week,” “complete your memory work,” or “take a little
more time in prayer.” No, “Your sins are forgiven!” No hoops, no bondage, and no need for dependence
on the kingdom of man! No more religion! Religion was destroyed at its basic
foundation. Man is to
be in bondage to no religion. Jesus has forgiven him and has given what others
promised in exchange for devotion and servitude. Man is free! We belong to no kingdom but His.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
In real freedom there are NO “what if’s.” Nothing can take away real freedom. Nothing.
I was told when I was young…work hard, buy a house and some land…they
bring you much happiness and freedom.
Then a “what if” reared its ugly head: “what if” I don’t pay my property
taxes??? No matter how much I PAID for
the land and house, I really don’t OWN them…they really aren’t mine…the
government will come take them IF I don’t pay my property taxes. Yikes!
The kingdom of man has got me!
And then I found out one day, “religion” offers NO REAL freedom. There is always a “what if” somewhere. Some say “one simple” sin can take away one’s
freedom. Some say that it is a “certain”
sin that takes away one’s freedom. Some
say a “given number” of sins can take away one’s freedom. But, in the end, the WHAT IF is when one sins
according to some “hoop” they needed to jump through, and their freedom is
taken away.
NOT WITH JESUS! Well, amen! Yet, how is it that we have the words of
Christ eliminating “religion” and “man’s kingdoms” and the teaching of both is
still prevalent today? Michael’s text
today is a prime example of “religion” and the “kingdoms of man” being one and
the same.
Jesus Himself told us: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My
word, then are ye my disciples
indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…If the Son
therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 36…bold words, my
emphasis)
I love truth. I love Jesus.
I can enjoy saying: “Jesus is all I have, Jesus is all I need, and Jesus
is all I WANT!” HE is real freedom.
Thank you, Michael, for
making this point so clear!
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital
“C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 936-559-5696
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