RITUAL OR REALITY

People are not interested in religion but in reality. The world
does not need a definition of religion so much as it needs a
demonstration. There is a desperate need for the church to
move beyond a ritualistic religion and to show the power of
the reality of the Kingdom of God. I know that God has
described His Kingdom in many ways . . . but never powerless,
boring, or depressing! Listen to what the scriptures say about
the greatest institution on earth.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved
(shaken), let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear:
Each local church (a local Kingdom of God) should be described in
the above scriptures. Not just a dead and dry meeting of religion,
but of the reality of God’s presence, because people need a
relationship with God. In the last few years we have seen just a
little demonstration of God’s power being active in God’s church.
God wants his people to reflect the reality of their religion. True
religion is not superficial but springs from the heart of man.
External religion will never compensate for the real thing. Our
dependence must be founded on God and not our deeds.
To depend on anything but God will result in getting us spiritually
out of focus. We tend to focus on our self when our focus gets off God.
We tend to magnify our own righteousness rather than magnify God.
To get our eyes off God causes us to emphasize our work for Him
rather than His work for us. The Israelites in the O.T. had hoped
they could place God under obligation through their fastings and
prayers. Their motives were wrong; their pious activity was purely
selfish. They complained, "God, we have sacrificed and abstained,
and You haven't even noticed." Their attitude was "God owes me!"
However, God is not blessing us because he owes us . . . He is
blessing us because he loves and cares for his people. God receives
the glory and honor for what is accomplished. So, let us continue to
"have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear."

Blessings!
Pastor John J. Dodd