For centuries, it has been a complete misconception of what it means to be a believer in the body of Christ. It seems to be that we have perceived the bible in our own perspective, to the extent that we have changed the Word of God into our own “word.”
We have been like people in democracy, debating the governments of what to allow and disallow. We have taken doctrines from the bible and put our own interpretations, and transferred it to other newly born believers.
We have even used scriptures to justify lawlessness. For some reason we have used scriptures concerning love to justify abuses, or justify homosexuality within churches.
Or we have used scriptures concerning money and because of our ignorance and misinterpretations, we perceive money as a corruption.
We have been like blind leaders leading the blind, like Jesus explains in one of His teachings.Regardless we were supposed to bear truth and righteousness to the world, we have been in as much ignorance as they, if not more!
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Why Is The Church Losing Its Power?
Has it ever come to your mind, as you were reading the new testament, why did the 1st century believers have such an awesome power in the work of Christ. How could they raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, speak in tongues and we seem to be powerless?
For them it was nothing to be astonished about, it was just a norm — a part of their culture. Without question, the early church believers were more effective than the church today.
Why have we been so ineffective comparing to the 1st century believers? Well, the reason is we have turned God and His Word into a religion. We have interpreted the bible so poorly, that we have little understanding of who God is and His intentions.
We have lost faith in the power of the Kingdom, for we preach the opposite of the Kingdom. To give you an example: The church has taught us that speaking in tongues is not what we should practice anymore, it has expired.
What they have done is to keep people away from the Kingdom message as much as possible, in order for them to keep the church’s traditions they have established.
The church has compromised biblical truth for their man made traditions and doctrines.One day the pharisees and scribes asked Jesus why His disciples were not following the church’s traditions. Jesus responded:
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
But they worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
“For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
He further stated:
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.; But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,”’” that is to say, given to God, “then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother,
Many churches take a scripture, changes its meaning and transfers it to us.Like in the verses above where Jesus accused the Pharisees of changing the definition of the law which says to “honor you mother and father” — to justify withstanding from helping our parents.
We sometimes hear people in a religion say: “it’s not necessary to fast,” even though the bible is very clear that it is mandatory. Or, “it is fine to implore the saints,” and so on.
This is the reason why the church is so weak in our modern world, for the Word of God has little or no effect in our lives— for we are overly indoctrinated by the ignorance of the churches.
We even have misapprehended the definition of “church,” and it’s responsibility. We often think that church is the Sunday meetings, joining together in worship and Bible teachings. And our responsibility is to get as many people to heaven.
This is yet another reason why the church is not affective as it were in the 1st century in the days of Paul and the other apostles.
Let’s look at the definition of “church”, and rediscover its responsibilities.Since the new testament was written in greek, the writers used the term ekklēsía to define the “church,” and its duty.
The greek word ekklēsía or latin ecclesia can be defined as: gathering of called out citizens, for the purpose of deliberating on important issues within a nation. Shaping it into a secure, orderly, and a fair nation and society.
Our responsibility then as an ekklēsía is to impact God’s heavenly government on earth. By representing the King, the country, the culture and its lifestyle to the nations.
We were never supposed to be focused on going to heaven, but to make an effective change within the nations of the world. We were supposed to impact heavens righteousness on earth and solve problems where needed with the help of the King.
With that in mind, these are the duties of the ekklēsía on the earth:
- Represent the Kingdom of God in whatever area we are located and planted as heavens ambassadors: That means its lifestyle, culture, constitution, the King etc.
We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: 2 Corinthians 5:20 WEB
- Make the nations our students of the Kingdom, wherever territory God appoints us to:
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- Be problem solvers in the world. Allow the world to benefit from our God giving wisdom. Be truth carriers:
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Interfere with the world systems to drive out corruptness and instability, and impact righteousness, stability and love through the Kingdom of God:
He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick.Luke 9:2 WEB
This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.Matthew 24:14 WEB
- To train other citizens of the Kingdom in leadership, to go to territories the King appoints them to and make an affective change. In other words, train them to be affective in the world and participant in making a change:
the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these.John 14:12 WEB
and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.John 15:16 WEB
- Introduce and restore the world back to God’s original idea for humankind and earth:
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. John 15:16 WEB
This list is very rare in churches in today’s world, but they are so crucial. The church is not affective because it stays behind close bars, waiting for Jesus to take them to heaven.
While the world is increasing in corruptness, christians are locking themselves in church buildings minding their own business. Of course, I’m not referring to all churches. Luckily kingdom people are increasing to transform the world to more heaven like.
Still there are too many churches that need a little push. The church is lacking participation in world affairs, regardless they have answers to worlds problems, they simply don’t engage.
Religious leaders have been successful in hindering followers from discovering their potential and gifts, and sending them to the world to make effective change.
For many churches were built in a way to be in control.That’s why many church attendance, regardless they have been attending for 10 years or over, they never grow.
We are quite familiar of churches who always have the same teachings over and over, every Sunday, that doesn’t allow us to grow in the faith of Christ.
In most cases religious leaders do it for the purpose of hindering church attendance to step into leadership. For they want to be followed and are afraid of losing their power and title.
Beware Of Religion
If anybody would ask me if I were religious, I would say no. Wait a minute, what about Christianity? My answer would still be no. Am I then an unbeliever, a false teacher or some kind of anti-Christ? Absolutely not.
I can already feel some of you despise me for this statement, let me explain myself.Can I go a little further to say that Jesus Christ wasn’t a religious man either. In fact religion was in opposition to what He came to accomplish here on earth.
Many people say that He is the author and founder of Christianity, that is not true. Again, let me explain myself.First of all, what is the motivator of religion? The number one motivator of all religions is heaven. Wether in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism or Christianity — all share the same motivation and focus.
Although they might have different views of what heaven is. However this desire to leave the instability, corruptness and unrighteousness in the earth and enter an everlasting joy and fulfilment in heaven, they all share.
What is so wrong with that, you might ask. If that is our focus, then that means we have no concerns of the welfare of the earth. That also means we are self – centered, in more concern of living in paradise rather than making a change and creating a paradise environment around us in the earth.
Religion is human attempt to reconnect themselves back to God or deity. It is a search for a divine, often through rituals and traditions.Religion is man- made, it doesn’t come from God. Religion thinks that works is what guarantees them entrance to the afterlife.
In Christian religion (and other religions as well), they jot down every good activity they accomplish as a check list, making them qualified to enter heaven.
Religion is more concerned about their man- made rituals and traditions rather than God Himself, to the extend that they make it more important than Him. Religion has become a god for religious people.
Christianity is just another religion. The only thing that distinguishes them from other religions is the belief in Jesus Christ.Not even that, for even the muslim believe in Jesus Christ, but only as an important prophet and not the Son of God.
Religious people are so proud of their religion, they will fight anyone who disagrees with them. Many religious people have been such an ego – centered individuals in society, being even ready to kill, rape, steal and lie in the name of their religion.
Believe it or not, Jesus Christ despised religion and little did He ever accompany with them.
Here are some of His thoughts on religion:
For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men. Matthew 23:4-7 WEB
This we see even in Christian churches, where the church leaders implant all kinds of burdens on believer’s shoulders. Many have left the church because of constant demands and expectations from them, that instead of growing strong in the faith and live in fulfilment. They are grieved with all kinds of fear towards life:
- The fear of hell
- The fear success
- The fear of relationships
- The fear of education
- The fear of mistakes
- The fear of criticism
- The fear of fun
- And so on…
There is no wonder why so many individuals are despising the churches today, even I, a believer agree with many of their opinions they have on some of the churches out there.
What is even worse is the behaviours and attitudes of the churches, making unbelievers question Christ. For we are supposed to represent Him, but we have become complete the opposite of Him.
For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men. Matthew 23:4-7 WEB
Religion have been in such a love affair with their rituals and traditions, they will fight the Kingdom message and bury it to the ground so nobody will be able to leave their traditions and customs.
Religion is a prison cell, like a locked up bird— not being able to fly high in life.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.Matthew 23:25-28 WEB
Imagine a person you meet, who at a first glance was absolutely stunning. Beautiful physique and structure of body, glowing hair, clean and fashionable clothing, irresistible eyes and impressive title and talent.
Getting to know this person, you suddenly realize the lack of character, ugly attitude and absence of discernment. Especially when the real face of the person reveals after you have married and have a family together— he/she becomes like cancer to your bones. That’s religion!
For we gaze at the beautiful buildings, the paintings, the statues, the priests clothing, the worship, the smiles and greetings, the incense and traditions.
Until It reveals its real face: the wolfs dressed in sheep’s clothings, misguided lectures, corrupted in politics, the fake smiles and fake living. Appearing righteous in public, but in secret, are like ravenous wolfs.
5 Contrast Between Religion & The Kingdom Of God
1. Kingdom Focuses On Positive Impact VS Religion Focuses Primarily On Heaven
Whatever you focus on is what you will get. ~ Tony Robbins
Everybody has a focus, and every focus determines where you’re headed in life. The Kingdom of God has always been earth oriented, with the goal of colonizing earth with heaven.
Kingdom citizens are on a mission of making great impact in the world, instead of waiting to go to heaven, they rather bring heaven to earth.
Whereas religion’s mission is to prepare everybody for the flight to heaven. Earth for religious people is kind of like trials you have to go through in order to be qualified to enter heaven after you die.
Therefore you have to endure poverty, endure corrupted systems, endure sickness and endure disappointments — rather than to change it.
Yes, it is true that earth bears a lots of trials for us to face. But not for the reason to chicken out, hoping Jesus would come today to rescue us.Trials are made for citizens to thrive on earth and become stronger, wiser and prepared for the following assignments.
Religion plays the victim. Instead solving problems where needed they are well capable of, they would rather complain as its other people’s responsibility and not theirs.
2. Kingdom Is God’s Original Idea VS Religion Is Man-Made
As I said earlier, Jesus is not the founder of Christianity, because Christianity is a religion. Jesus never came to establish a religion whatsoever.
He came with a government as it is written in Isaiah 9:6.
For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God’s original idea from the beginning of time was to colonize earth with His Kingdom. In other words, He wanted earth to look like, live like and experience like heaven.
The intention was to have an agency on earth who would bring that desire to pass, by impacting it with His culture, lifestyle, will, intent, laws, morals and so forth.
He started with Adam and Eve as the first ambassadors to make that a reality. But unfortunately they declared independence from the Kingdom colony on earth, and established their own laws, culture, rules and so forth.
That resulted in what we have been experiencing for thousands of years — all the corruptness and unrighteousness.For that reason, Jesus came to reestablish the colony of heaven and make earth look like the headquarters.
Although religion is something that people established as an experiment to reconnect themselves back to what we lost from the fall.
What did we lose? We lost the ability to take control of our circumstances, the knowledge of who we are, our moral standards and authority on earth — ultimately we lost dominion.
God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”Genesis 1:26 WEB
3. Kingdom Stands Firm On A Well Built Foundation VS Religion Is Taken By The Hurricane Of Life
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”Matthew 7:24-27 WEB
We perceive the courageousness of Kingdom citizens throughout history recorded in the bible. Then we look at most of the churches today and they seem to always stumble in times of trouble, why is that?
One way to explain it, like Jesus puts it in the statement above:
We haven’t done a great job of being like the wise man to put God’s instructions and principles into practice.
The wise man is called wise, not because he knows things. We normally think that knowing is what makes us wise. But knowing and not doing actually makes us dumb.
If you are a doctor or any person in general, and you know the danger of cigarettes how that can affect your overall health. But you still decide to smoke it anyways, and offer to others as well— not only makes you dumb, but also a hypocrite.
You see, religion talks a lot but does little. They are well educated and many have a degree in theology, but still fail to live according to God’s Word.
Kingdom citizens stand firm and steady on a established foundation of faith, and cannot be moved regardless of the trials they face in life.
For they put their faith in the Father Himself and not only His works, on objects, promises or miracles. Regardless they’ll lose everything, their faith does not waver.
However religion always stumbles when something doesn’t go their way. If their prayers wasn’t answered in due season they expected, they wonder if they are still saved.
They stumble because they fail to place their faith directly in God Himself, but rather they place it in the miracles He performs or the promises and favours.
Not to say that Kingdom citizens have never stumbled, for boldness in the midst of the storm is a matter of skill and not something we obtain freely.
For we learn by the training sessions of the Holy Spirit, although we trip down and rise up again repeatedly — to laugh in the midst of hardship and be confident in the midst of uncertainty.
That matter of skill is lacking in churches. For we normally think that courageousness just comes to you freely because you’re a believer. And when you failed to be brave in certain situation, you stumble thinking you’re not worthy enough.
4. In The Kingdom Everybody Is A Leader VS In Religion Only Those With Title Are Leaders
God’s intentions when He founded the earth and created the mankind, was for everybody to be leaders in their area of gifting.He specifically designed every one of us with this capacity. For He specifically said to Himself in the creation process: “Let them have dominion over the earth.”
That doesn’t only mean to rule over, but also to have authority and leadership over all earth’s creation and resources.In other words, everything created in the earth is under our feet to govern, lead, master and rule:
For you have made him a little lower than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.You make him ruler over the works of your hands
You have put all things under his feet:
All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.Psalm 8:5-8 WEB
Why would God give us such power? The answer lies in the statement before He granted us dominion.For He said, “let Us make man in Our own image and likeness.” That means to be in His nature.
Because He wanted an agency to represent Him on earth, what better ways to do so than to have us like Him.Further more He wanted His agency to rule the earth on His behalf, being in in His own nature.
Therefore just like He is a King, He made us kings in the earth. That is why He is called King of kings. And because He is a ruler, a leader with authority and dominion, so are we being in His image and likeness.
Kingdom citizens live by this verse. And are convince that the fact that we were born, we were born to lead and born with a unique gift.
But leadership by its definition according to their constitution, is not manipulation, but transforming others.Is not about being served, but to serve. It’s not about being the greatest, but to humble ourselves and even make others do greater works than us.
It’s not only to influence, but to inspire through their gifts, vision, attitude and character.Leadership mentality is lacking in religion, for they think like the rest of this world: if you are an individual with a high position, title or power that qualifies you as a leader.
That is why in most cases (when it comes to religion) that only the pastors, priests, pope, bishops can only exercise their leadership capacity, but the others are only followers.
But in the Kingdom, everybody can exercise their leadership despite of the background, limitations, race, gender or anything in that nature.
5. Kingdom Never Compromises Truth VS Religion Loves To Have Opinions
Kingdom citizens always live by the truth, even though the world will hate them for it. Regardless everyone around them will critically disagree with them, they will never compromise.
Whereas religious people oftentimes are afraid of criticism, and they love the praises and honors. Therefore in order to avoid being criticized, they would share the world’s opinions concerning life, although they are not true.
But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men.Matthew 23:5-7 WEB
The problem with religion is that they think they can vote what to obey and believe in God’s constitution.For instance as many pastors have done, to support the idea that same sex marriages is normal or somewhat the will of God.
Although the bible is clear that the act is an abomination in the eyes of the Creator.Kingdom citizens understand that if you’re in the Kingdom, then you are under its laws. You cannot choose what to follow, you either follow or you don’t.
What To Read Next:
If you want to learn more about the Kingdom of God and how important that is for us Christians, then I recommend you take a look at this book from Myles Munroe:
Rediscovering the Kingdom Expanded Edition by Myles Munroe is a thought-provoking book that challenges traditional religious concepts and shifts the focus towards the ultimate issue – the Kingdom of God. The book explores the power of the Kingdom of God and its relevance in the 21st century, offering guidance for navigating the treacherous storms of life when governments collapse and philosophies fail. With a 4.9-star rating and over 999 reviews on Amazon, this book delves into the keys that make the Kingdom function in our lives, why religion cannot solve our problems, and why power is the pursuit of all mankind. Munroe’s work is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the original message and purpose of Jesus and the present and future reality of the Kingdom among us.
