Feature Article
"Freedom from Religion"

Recently my father-in-law was describing to me a t-shirt he saw a woman wearing. In short, it said, "Freedom from religion." He was slightly taken back when I immediately said, "I want a shirt like that!"

I have become so fed up with religion. I'm tired of it, and understandably so. You see, God never founded ANY religion. Not one. (Okay, now is when I have to start explaining because I know there are many of you who are about to stop reading what you consider heresy.) I ask you to simply give me a few moments, and allow me to quickly walk you through the Bible, and discuss God's intentions for man, and man's response to God.

The first knowledge of God and man, is found in the book of Genesis, or beginnings. We see in chapter one how God created the world, and in chapter two a more detailed description of the creation of man. In chapter three we see the first good example of the relationship that Adam had with God. God came walking through the garden in the cool of the day, looking for Adam. God liked to spend time with Adam, and would walk with him throughout the garden during the cool of the day. So we see the first relationship between God and man was not of a religious nature. It doesn't say that God came to the church building, and Adam came to Him. It says that God came walking, to spend time with his creation.

Another good example is in Genesis chapter five verse twenty-four, which simply says, "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Once again, we see that God spent time with His creation. It pleased God so much that someone would spend time walking with Him, like Adam once did that He eventually "took him." Enoch never saw death for he had created such a strong relationship that God simply said, I can't bear to be in heaven without him, and brought Enoch to heaven to be with Him.

Later in Genesis, we find Abraham, whom God describes throughout the Bible as His friend. However, if we study the life of Abraham, at no point do we see Abraham creating a permanent place of worship for God. He created altars in several locations, but Abraham continued to travel throughout Canaan with God as his companion.

In Exodus, the second book of the Bible, we discover the beginning of religion replacing the relationship God intended. You see, the Israelites had been in captivity in Egypt for 400 years. In that time, they were exposed to the Egyptian gods and religions. The Egyptian religions had temples and shrines to their gods, and men would come and worship the stone images there.

When God finally led the Israelites out of bondage, He led them to Mount Sinai where he could at last bring them back into relationship with Him. In Exodus chapter 19 we see God excited. He tells Moses, to have the Israelites cleanse themselves and prepare so that after three days, He can "come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people." He is seeking opportunity to be amongst His people once again, and restore the relationship with them. However, the people become scared, and choose religion instead. In short they tell Moses, "You have the relationship with Him, He scares us. Just tell us what He says, Okay?"

But God didn't give up. He devised a way to bring the people into relationship with Him. He showed Moses the design for a Tabernacle (A really big Tent). A place where God's presence could dwell amongst His people, yet keeping enough covering that the people would not be afraid. He also implemented sacrifices that would allow the people access to His presence. Interestingly, the one sacrifice that cost the most was the fellowship offering. A sacrifice which wasn't required for any sin or wrong doing, but was a way for those who wanted to spend time with God, and be able to have access to His presence.

This Tabernacle would move with the people, and would lead them. Once again, we see God walking with His people. God is always trying to go somewhere. He is always trying to accomplish something. He at no point desired to be limited to one place.

In Second Samuel, we discover good intentions taking a wrong turn. King David looks out from his beautiful palace, and sees God dwelling in a tent. David's relationship with God makes him long to build a nice temple for God as an act of worship, and appreciation for all that God has done for him. However, we see in chapter seven, God's response:

"For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. "Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, `Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'

The abbreviated version: "Did I ask you to build me a temple? If I wanted one, I would have said so."

However, because God could see David's heart, and saw that it was from pure intentions, and a longing to do something wonderful for God, He allowed David to design it and his son Solomon to build it. For the first time ever, God allowed Himself to be placed within a box. Four solid walls created by man. From that point on, God eagerly awaited the time when He could come out.

Several hundred years later, God sets up the pieces for relationship to once again take over. He sent an angel to a young virgin girl, and her fiancé. The angel makes them aware that this girl is going to give birth to the Son of God, and that His name is going to be "Immanuel," which means, "God with us."

Jesus steps into His adult ministry thirty years later, and once again, we see God walking with man. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus walking with his disciples, teaching them and talking with them. At no time did Jesus ever seek to have a temple created for Him, or look to make people pilgrimage to meet Him. He traveled across the sea to save one Demoniac. He traveled to a rulers home to save the ruler's daughter. He traveled throughout Israel to reach as many people as He could.

Jesus taught His disciples about the Hypocrisy of religion. He warned them of the traditions of men, and tried to teach them the strength of relationship. However, the disciples had a hard time breaking the yoke of religion that had bound them all of their lives.

We see this most clearly in the experience on the mount of transfiguration. Jesus takes his three closest disciples to a mountain for prayer, and while they are there, Jesus is transfigured before their very eyes into His glorious body. There standing in all of His radiance, He is ministered to by Moses and Elijah. Immediately, before Peter could even think, he leaps up and cries out, "Master, this is awesome, we should build shrines for you, Moses, and Elijah!" You can almost imagine Jesus' disappointment in Peter, as God quickly ends that idea by concealing them in a cloud, and removing Moses and Elijah.

Finally, God was able to break free from religious bondage when His one and only Son cried out, "It is Finished," and gave up His Spirit. The Bible states that at that exact moment, God tore the temple curtain from top to bottom. This is significant because man could tear it from bottom up, but only God could tear it from the top down.

In the book of Acts, you see God pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Men, and women, receiving God's Spirit, and discovering the power of a relationship with their creator. However, even then, we see men coming behind the Apostles, trying to teach a false gospel. A gospel that states that you must earn your salvation, you must earn this relationship, and that you must perform acts to gain this new freedom.

Unfortunately, these falsehoods have permeated the Church for hundreds of years. God has only been interested in gaining relationship with His creation. A personal relationship, not some ritual. Human beings are more interested in rituals, and religion because religion is easier.

Ask any Husband or wife, and they will tell you that a relationship is hard work. It requires getting to know each other. Learning each other's likes and dislikes. Learning how each other think. A relationship requires work to maintain it. You see if I never talk to my wife, then I really don't have a relationship with her. I might know all of her likes and dislikes, but I really don't have a relationship. There is a reason we are called the "Bride of Christ." He is our Bridegroom, and He longs to have a relationship with us.

However, many Christians, and other religions have tried to shortcut this process. They have turned what is meant to be a beautiful fun fellowship into a ritual. Follow step 'A,' 'B,' and 'C,' and you will receive 'D.' They read God's Word as a manual, instead of a diary. They skip over the verses that state, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' Instead they focus on the "Thou shalt, and shalt nots."

Prayer is turned into a ritual similar to the Pharisees in Jesus' day. The Pharisees would pray for three hours a day, however they couldn't recognize the Son of God as he stood talking to them. Religion says that when you pray, simply lay out your list of wants and needs, however religion misses out on the beauty of the conversation.

A relationship with God is an ever growing experience. You never stop learning about Him. He speaks to you, and whispers secrets in your ear at all times of the day or night. He quietly whispers to you, calling you back to your intimate place where you talk to one another. You can even feel Him pulling at your heart when He misses you. Other times, you can feel His presence as your longing for Him draws Him.

He always knows your likes and dislikes, and will do things for you 'just because.' He really is the friend who stands closer than a brother, and He is the one who will always be there to comfort you in a time of need.

Maybe you have never known this freedom from religion. To be honest, I didn't know it was possible myself for quite a while. I had walked in the blindness of religion and doctrine, theology and denominations. I had said the long prayers, only to walk away thinking, "I hope He heard me."

But now I know. I can say like Paul, "I know Him whom I have believed." I don't just believe in God, I know Him, and that strengthens my belief in Him.

If you would like to find freedom from religion, or maybe you would like to simply know this friend of mine. He is waiting for you. There is nothing difficult in speaking to Him. He is waiting right there for you. Take some time, and talk to Him, just like you would if your friend was sitting beside you. He is.

Maybe, you have done some things that you feel guilty about, things that might have hurt Him. It's okay. He understands, and like a good friend, he always forgives. Simply take the time to ask Him. Ask Him to forgive you for the things you've done wrong. Ask Him to forgive you for all the times you've made other things a priority. It's okay. He's waiting to restore a new relationship with you.

Take the time today, and you too could be looking for the shirt, "I'm free from Religion."

In His service, 
Ken Swett 
www.Standing4Him.org

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