1. The Inability to Understand God’s Paradox.
2. The Confusion of Temporal with Eternal Principles.
3. Incorrect Motives of the Heart - 1 Cor 13:1-3
4. The Religious Spirit - Luke 9:51-56
The reason Jesus rebuked the disciples is because, in one moment, they threw out the teaching of Jesus to love your enemies and those who despitefully use you (cf. 6:27ff). Instead they wanted to kill an entire population of people in the name of Jesus. While they thought they were righteous, Jesus’ rebuke showed them that their true motive was evil before God. Jesus said to them, “You do not know that kind of spirit you are of.” They had a religious spirit.
What is a religious spirit? A religious spirit is when we take the Word of God and use it to destroy others. It was the spirit of religion (viewing yourself better than others) that found reasons to put Jesus to death though there was no evil in His actions. Too often we have been deceived into thinking we are defenders of the faith when really we have succumbed to a religious spirit. From the Great Inquisition to an over aggressive argument in Sunday school, the religious spirit both disrupts and divides.
“When Satan spoke through Peter, Jesus sternly rebuked him as well. But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men'" (Matt 16:23). Peter had no idea that the thoughts that came into his mind were not his own. Jesus pointed out the true author of his words and would have nothing to do with them.
The religious spirit is a divider of the body of Christ. Its purpose is to cause us to be caught up in doctrines and disputes rather than yielding to the Holy Spirit of love (1 Tim 6:3-5 & James 1:12-13).
We are not approved by our knowledge of God or our doctrines, although solid doctrine helps to define and regulate the nature and quality of love; we are approved by what manner of spirit we are. Does the spirit of love rule your heart, or are you ruled by disputes and self-righteousness?
It is time for the whole body of Christ to come together to present a unified spirit of love to the world. The religious spirit is hated by the world. Even they can see it is full of hatred, murder, and condemnation.
None of us have arrived yet. We all agree Jesus is Lord and it was God who sent Him to give us life eternal. Maturity in Christ is not gauged by mere knowledge of God alone, but by the Spirit of God, who in us has control over us (2 Cor. 10:5).
End of Series
No comments:
Post a Comment