​Many people start thinking of others and how to help them during this time of year.  Some people help others due to feeling convicted because of how blessed they are, some help because it makes for a good social media post, while others help because they truly have a heart for those less fortunate.  God’s people are commanded to help those who are in need by giving clothes, food, and other assistance, but Jesus did say there would always be the poor to help (Deuteronomy 15:11; Mark 14:7).  True Christians will have the heart to help those in need because of their love for God and obedience to His Word (1 John 3:16-18).  When people think of helping others during this season, they focus on giving a substance rather than a source of perpetual help.  The best way to help people during any season of the year is to give them the Gospel that calls people to repentance, builds faith, and teaches people to lean on God rather than substances themselves.  Not only is the Word of God the best way to help people, but those who help others should first be qualified according to the Bible (Acts 6:2-3).  When the widows were being neglected, the Apostles set up deacons to start a food program so the men of God could focus on preaching the Word (Acts 6:1-4).  The qualifications for those who helped the people in need had an honest report, being full of the Holy Ghost, being full of wisdom, and being people who could be trusted over the business of this ministry (Acts 6:3).  Seven people were ordained and appointed by leaders, not self-appointed (Acts 6:6).  Since the Apostles were able to focus on the Word of God, the Word grew and helped the people in need (Acts 6:7).  The most notable person of the seven ordained deacons was Stephen.  Even during his helping disperse food, Stephen preached the Word, and people wanted to dispute him (Acts 6:9).  As Stephen’s ministry of helping give people food continued, he gained the attention of the people of the region by his doctrine and not his supply of help.  More and more ministries find themselves helping people by giving things and less by giving the Word of God.  The early church knew the proper formula was giving substance but, more importantly, giving the Word of God to have a lasting impression.  This same formula is the proper way to help people today.  When the Word of God is not the focus, it reflects a purpose of only wanting a social media opportunity, helping others to feel less convicted, or not truly caring enough about others to help them for longer than the event hosted to hand them something.  Again, Christians are commanded to help, but the motive should be to give the Word and substance, not substance alone.  Stephen’s helping others while preaching created the desire in his opposition to the Gospel to make him the first martyr (Acts 7:54-60).  There is more to the Christian faith and work than helping others feel better.  It is about helping them have eternal life through Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:2; Romans 10:1; Matthew 5:14-16).  The best way to help people is to give them the Word of God to benefit them in many areas and not by substance only.  May God’s people give more than substance this season, may they give substance and the Gospel that can benefit people in many ways, including now and for all eternity.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​For many years now, some churches have taken on the mindset of being a social gathering rather than the House of God.  The youth play video games or other relevant activities to pass the time while everyone is there.  The children’s departments play games, watch videos, or do other babysitting activities.  The adults are given 20-minute motivational speeches on a non-convicting topic that pleases everyone, so they all keep returning and giving money.  Coffee and donuts are usually the staple snacks of choice, the pastor dresses in trendy clothes to present himself as everyone’s friend, the praise and worship team looks like they walked off the CMA awards, and nothing truly reflects the Bible’s standards of living as a born-again Christian.  This type of gathering is a social gathering, or a social club focused on consumers rather than disciples.  A social club is a formal association of people with similar interests.  When the people are the focus by pleasing them as consumers to keep returning, God is left outside what is supposed to be His house.  The Bible specifically gives its readers descriptions of what the church is supposed to be.  It is to be a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7; Mark 11:17; Acts 3:1; Matthew 21:13).  The church is to be a place of truth and wisdom (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 3:10; Matthew 16:18; Acts 17:11).  A place of maturing God’s people (Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:1-10).  Church is a place of Christians stirring one another up to live for God and to love each other (Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 1:6; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).  The church is a place of discipleship (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 13:7; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Titus 2:1-6). The church is a place of healing (James 5:14-16; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 13:10-13).  The church is a place of qualified leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 15:22).  The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 1:18; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12).  Church is a place of holiness and order (1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Corinthians 14:40).  Church is designed to help God’s people overcome the spiritual enemies that desire to see Christians fail.  Social club churches do not assist in having a victorious Christian life but help the spiritual enemy’s cause of being religious while having a façade of being in a relationship with God.  True churches do not have to Bible-thump people in every service but should challenge the congregation to live the Word of God daily.  The Word of God should be the most evident topic and source of all activities within a biblical church.  A church can never go wrong, basing everything on the Bible.  It is when churches begin to do things based on culture or being relevant rather than the Bible that creates a social gathering.  In what the Bible calls the last days, churches should be helping prepare Christians to be soldiers of truth, victorious, and live the Word of God.  Neither a church nor a Christian can be biblical without the Bible.  God’s people are to be led by the Spirit of God, not the spirit of culture or relevance (Romans 8:14; John 14:26; John 16:13; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:5).  May God’s people be more interested in being part of a biblical church that pleases Jesus Christ rather than playing church and pleasing God’s spiritual enemy.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org. 

​Over the next few days, there will be a lot of discussion of election, voting, results, and politics like never before.  Although this has been ramping up over the last two years, these last few months have seemed like they have been years-long regarding the amount of political stimulus each day.  At times, including Christians, each demographic has been the center of some polls.  Each American has the right to vote for the nominee they choose who is best for each position up for election.  Each Christian has an obligation to Jesus Christ to vote for the nominee with the policies, although no nominee will ever be perfect, that aligns more with the Bible.  There is power in the Christian vote.  The Christian vote is more powerful each Sunday, each weekday, and each time mid-week service takes place.  What does that mean, it means some Christians are more focused on voting for a political candidate than being faithful to the house of God each service day or being faithful to God as a Christian during the week.  Being a Christian is not a title that a person wears when going to vote for a political office, it is the identifying mark of people who have denied their desires, picked up the calling God has for their life, and are actively following Jesus (Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24).  Christians vote each time they allow small things to keep them from being in the house of God (Luke 14:18-20; Luke 9:59-62; Proverbs 26:13-14).  Christians vote when they get offended at the man of God when the truth is preached (Psalm 119:165; James 1:19; Luke 7:23; Matthew 11:6; Proverbs 29:11).  Christians vote when they leave a church to find an easier, more relevant church that is current with the culture (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16; Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:8).  Christians vote when they choose to sin and mock God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 6:7; Romans 2:6-8).  Christianity is not based on a voting system but on submission to God (James 4:7; Romans 6:22; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Romans 6:16).  The power of the Christian vote is not only in the election booth but is found more in the normal Christian life of which side will win, flesh or spirit.  God has given His people the ability to choose, but as Christians, they must be wise as serpents but innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).  Using wisdom and every resource God has given His people allows Christians to have victory when casting their vote for God’s choice and not the vote of flesh or selfish desires.  God’s people must use their power to vote for whatever and whoever God chooses.  When God calls a person to a local pastor, that person must vote to stay with that pastor and church (Ephesians 4:11; Jeremiah 3:15; Hebrews 13:17; Hebrews 10:25).  When God calls a person to His kingdom, that person must vote to stay with God’s kingdom until salvation is obtained (Matthew 24:13; James 1:12; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 10:36).  May God’s people choose to be wise, submit to God, use their ability to vote for God’s choice and not one’s desires.  It is God’s choice that leads to life, not a person’s flesh.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​Near the end of October each year, some Christians begin to be festive with a celebration of darkness that opposes light.  Halloween represents the absence of light, death, fear, tricks, horror, the demonic realm, and a grim or ghostly atmosphere.  Of those Christians who celebrate such a night, they will excuse the behavior with innocence and tradition.  When Christians celebrate darkness, they befriend their God's enemy (1 John 1:6).  This is one of the reasons the Bible tells Christians to have no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but to expose the darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  Light exposes the darkness and pierces it to reveal the hidden things.  When this happens, some people do not like the light, while others appreciate the light and the exposure to the dangers of the hidden things in the darkness.  Those who do not like the light are upset because their hidden things are being revealed (John 3:19).  Those who appreciate the light follow the light out of darkness to a brighter future (Acts 26:18).  Darkness is never innocent.  Things that represent darkness are never innocent.  The Bible gives a stern command to not allow the deception of the world’s customs and culture to be the leading entity for Christians but for them to have their mind renewed to the things of God (Romans 12:2).  When Christians celebrate darkness, they are going back to their previous mindset of an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 4:4) or they have been deceived into excusing this type of behavior as innocent by other people who practice the same sin (Ephesians 5:6-9).  When darkness has been removed from a person’s life (Colossians 1:13), why would that person ever want to go back to that same darkness?  The answer is usually there is a remaining love for the darkness that has not been addressed within that person’s heart.  Christians should not trade the Light of God for darkness at any time, especially during Halloween.  God’s people should be trading darkness for the Light (1 Thessalonians 5:5).  There is no darkness in God (1 John 1:5), and there should be no darkness in His people or a love for darkness in His people (3 John 11).  There is also a warning for those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).  This is part of the deception of the darkness of Halloween, and such events are to masquerade evil as an innocent event that is still good while deceiving so many who numb their heart and ears to the Spirit of God because no one can participate in the things of the Lord and of demons and be in right-standing with God (1 Corinthians 10:21).  The Bible calls anyone who celebrates darkness while saying they walk with God a liar (1 John 1:6).  As a Christian, do not be deceived by vain words, culture, or any other ploy of the spiritual wickedness seeking to pull God’s people away from Him (1 Peter 5:8).  Understand the tactics of darkness, expose them for their actions, and submit to God (James 4:7).  Trade the darkness of the world and of God’s spiritual enemy for the Light of God (John 1:4-5).  Only He can give true peace that is not found within anything of the world (Luke 1:79).  The Light of God has plans and blessings for those who submit to Him (Jeremiah 29:11).  May Christians choose not to celebrate the darkness any longer but celebrate the Light of God that brings what the darkness cannot to those who serve God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​Depending on who a person asks will determine the type of response a person will receive when asking about a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Strict churches may say a person can never sin, and a person has to have everything perfect in life, which will never be achievable.  Many modern, relevant churches will tell a person that Jesus loves them, He accepts them, and they don’t have to change but they only need to accept Jesus.  Does Jesus love everyone, yes.  Does Jesus want everyone to come to Him, yes.  Does He allow people to stay the same, no.  Each of these church’s ideas is based on religiosity that only hinders a true relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to God the Father except through Him (John 14:6).  This is the importance of salvation and a relationship with Jesus Christ, but it is the consecration or setting oneself apart for God that many have a difference of opinion on.  Jesus said Himself, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).  Repentance is defined as a change of mind or a change of purpose.  Applying this in the theological setting means to turn from sin by changing the mind and purpose of one’s life.  Why do so many modern churches have people believe they do not have to change when Jesus Christ said that every person must change their way of thinking and living to what the Word of God says?  On the other end of the spectrum, a relationship with Jesus is not based on a person’s perfection of living either.  Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but Christians are called to live holy before God (1 Peter 1:16).  A true relationship with Jesus Christ is not based on how well a person can live life without sin or like natural friendships without changing character but are instead based on Christians allowing themselves to led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; John 16:13; 1 John 3:24), denying their fleshly lusts (Luke 9:32; Matthew 16:24; Galatians 2:20), following God’s purpose for their life (Luke 14:27; Matthew 10:38), and following Jesus and His commandments (John 8:12; John 10:27; Luke 9:23).  Jesus does expect His people to change into His image and not look like the world (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).  When anyone looks like the world or becomes friends with the world they have become an enemy of God (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-16; Romans 12:1-2).  A true relationship is not declaring the name of Jesus and looking like the world.  That is having a form of godliness but denying the power of God to work in one’s life (2 Timothy 3:5).  A true relationship with Jesus Christ is repenting of sin, consecrating oneself for the use of God and Him alone, being quick to repent when sin does take place because people are not perfect, being light and salt to the people in the world, and living the Word of God each day to honor God the Father.  Christians should be finding ways to lay aside hindrances and sins to their race to please God with their life (Hebrews 12:1).  Do you have a true relationship with Jesus Christ?  Anyone can have one if they so desire.  For more information about a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit Abundant Grace Church during any service.  For information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​In today’s time, many people fail to understand the local pastor is a gift from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).  A pastor is given to mature the people of God in the things of God.  He is not called to be everyone’s friend or be the relevant trendsetter.  A pastor is ordained to lead people in the things of God.  Pastors are supposed to be shepherds to the sheep of the church.  God gives pastors according to His heart to feed with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15).  What if a person does not have a pastor?  What is that person missing from God due to not being under the pastor God has for them?  Pastors can provide peace and safety to the people God places under them within the local church (Jeremiah 23:4).  Every Christian benefits from having a pastor.  Even pastors should have a pastor to feed them the Word of God, give wisdom, and provide safety from spiritual enemies.  David, one of the most famous shepherds of the Bible, is a great example of what happens when people submit to a captain, like the local pastor.  In 1 Samuel 22, David is in the cave of Adullam (which means testimony) and 400 men go to submit to him as their captain.  Each person was either distressed, in debt, discontented, or a combination of each.  When these men submitted to David they became mighty men of valor with some having their names recorded in the Bible for their acts of overcoming situations within their own lives (2 Samuel 23).  What if these men did not submit to a spiritual leader?  Would they and their families have been saved from the issues they were in?  What if the person they did submit to was not a captain but a relevant trendsetter who did not lead in the things of God?  If God-ordained pastors are a gift from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11), why would anyone not take their gift and mature in the things of God?  Every Christian must answer for themselves.  Not only is it important to have a local pastor but to submit to the one God has ordained for each person’s life.  Think of the process David had to use to challenge these 400 men to push them in training, teach them to understand different subjects, and also help them grow in various areas of life.  This is the true calling of a pastor.  One saying of pastoring could not be more true, “If your pastor does not know your name, you do not have a pastor”.  A question could also be asked, “Does my pastor challenge me with the Word of God to be a better Christian?”  Many Christians will say they go to church or have a pastor but this is a religious answer to keep the false appearance of being a Christian when the truth states otherwise.  Now a challenge to pastors.  Be the man after God’s own heart to lead the people much like David.  Was David perfect?  No, and neither will any pastor because they are still human.  This does not give an excuse to not do the job God has called every pastor to fulfill.  Be the feeder of the Word of God, the protector of God’s sheep, and the captain to challenge the people of God to become mighty men and women of valor for the glory of God.  Every pastor is not called to shepherd the world but to pastor the local church God has ordained him to lead.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​There is a plague that is found within many lukewarm churches and lukewarm Christians.  This plague is the degrading of the person of Jesus Christ into a modern cultural figure.  To listen to many of their messages or sermons in today’s time would imply that Jesus is part of the culture of modern society and that the standard of living as prescribed by the Bible is no longer required.  Or that Jesus allows culture to dictate how a person lives no matter if they are a Christian or not.  One lie is His relevance and acceptance of everyone’s sinful lifestyles are the keys to making Christian life easy.  This could not be further from the truth because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  Jesus lived a life that reflected the culture of Heaven as He witnessed God do things and not according to how mankind dictated things to be in the culture of His time while on earth.  Many make Jesus relevant, trendy, or cultural, but Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6; John 17:17; John 8:31-32).  He is the Word of God (John 1:1-14; Matthew 4:17-25; Revelation 19:13).  Neither the truth of God nor His Word changes (Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25; Matthew 24:35; James 1:17).  God is the same God since the beginning, and Jesus Christ is the same since the beginning.  To change Jesus to fit modern culture is heresy.  Jesus healed the sick (Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Acts 10:38; Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 14:14), cast out demons (Mark 3:11-12; Matthew 12:22,43-45; Mark 5:1-20; Mark 1:23-24),  rebuked religious people (Matthew 23:27,33; Mark 7:6-7; Luke 11:39-40,42; John 8:44), convicted sinners to repent (Luke 5:29-32; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15), and obeyed God (Luke 11:28; John 6:38-40).  The Bible does not state Jesus committed the same acts that sinners committed or condoned their way of living that opposed God.  With so many characteristics of Jesus Christ from the Bible, why do people choose to ignore Who Jesus is and make Him culturally relevant?  The answer is personal gain.  Personal gain can be from desiring money, being popular, or other means of gain in the natural realm.  When someone views their product as not of the highest quality, gimmicks, scams, and trends must be used to sell it.  Jesus was sold in the Bible by Judas, so anyone who does the same thing in today’s time is no different than Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6; Mark 14:10-11).  Anyone who feels the need or desire to sell Jesus Christ does not know Him personally.  Christians do not need to sell Jesus, He should be followed and preached about to bring freedom, liberty, forgiveness, and healing to others (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:2).  Jesus is not a product He is the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14), God in bodily form (Colossians 2:9; John 10:30; Philippians 2:6-7), and the Supreme sacrifice for all mankind (Hebrews 10:10-12; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:26; Ephesians 5:2).  People must know Jesus Christ to receive salvation but they must go through the process as the Bible prescribes or it is not legitimate in the eyes of God.  There cannot be a form of godliness and deny the power, there must be a relationship with Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 3:20; 1 John 5:11-12).  May Christians not make Jesus Christ a modern cultural figure and may they get back to Him being the holy Son of God who offers salvation, life, and life more abundantly.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​While living in the last days, many churches have focused on being current or relevant with the times.  While culture and popularity are prevalent, many are leaving God out of their services or purpose.  Every church and Christian must not compromise the truth of God or God’s Word.  The truth of God’s Word draws a line between right and wrong, clean and unclean, and holy and unholy separating the people who submit to God’s Word and those who rebel against His truth by not living it (2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Isaiah 52:11; James 1:21).  Submitting to God requires studying the Bible AND living the Word of God out through character by doing what it says (James 1:22-25; James 2:17-18,24).  Living out the Word of God will create a separation between those who apply God’s truth to be holy people of God while those who choose to oppose His truth will desire the separation out of conviction.  Many people view Jesus as the Messiah to bring everyone from everywhere together but even He describes Himself as a divider (Matthew 10:34-36).  Jesus goes a step further to say that anyone who loves family more than Him is not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37).  It is not hatred within a family that Jesus wants or encourages but Jesus is reflecting on the separation of those who reject Him in their lives as opposed to those of the same family who have given their lives to serve Him.  This reality should be a motivation to encourage Christians to witness to people within their lives of the salvation that can be found in Jesus Christ.  If Jesus separates through His Word why do so many churches seek to be relevant with culture?  Separation is not an easy situation no matter the origin.  To have the truth of God bring this separation displays the heart of each person.  Serving God is to be conducted with the very best effort also known as heartily (Colossians 3:23).  Once a Christian realizes the blessings that come from being faithful to God they should be immovable from the truth of God no matter the cost (1 Corinthians 15:58).  The truth of God forces people to look at their lifestyle and compare it to how the Bible says to live.  Those who desire God and His presence within their lives will submit and obey.  During this submission and obedience, others who have chosen to not obey or submit to the truth of God may be convicted of their sin and mock God or at the very least attempt to plant the idea of having a lower standard of Christianity within the person that is dedicating their life to God’s Word.  It takes a strong Christian to stand and not compromise the truth of God and the things of God.  A great motivation for not compromising the things of God is remembering that one day Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32-34).  This is an analogy of sheep that reflects the submitted and obedient people of God while goats are a reflection of those who do what they desire and do not submit to the Word of God.  Again, this separation comes as Jesus is only separating the people by the choices that they have made.  Where do you stand regarding the truth of God?  Do you stand in submission and obedience to the Word of God?  Or are you standing in opposition living life how you desire and neglecting the truth of God?  Which side do you choose?  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​At first glance, the word carnality may seem unique but the word is defined as relating to bodily pleasures and appetites, temporal pleasures, or a worldly mindset.  When a person gives their heart and life to God as a Christian they have no reason to go back to the world (the sinful nature).  The sinful nature of mankind is at war with the spirit of every believer of Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:17).  Since Christians belong to Jesus Christ, they should not join themselves to anyone or anything else that reflects sin (1 Corinthians 6:15-17).  When a person is truly a Christian there is more than just a confession of the mouth that makes them in right standing with God.  There is a lifestyle that God expects to be followed to honor Him and give Him glory and praise.  Every person that has given their life to Jesus Christ does not belong to themselves but to God because they have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Being the temple of the Holy Ghost requires a person to be holy and clean reflecting the changes made by the Spirit of God that now presides within that person.  Returning to carnality is in direct opposition to God and His standard of living (James 4:4).  Christians cannot be friends with the sinful nature that is birthed within every person since the fall of mankind through Adam in Genesis.  The spiritual enemies of Christians seek to make merchandise off them (2 Peter 2:3).  This makes a mockery of God due to the humiliation of those who declare to belong to Him but choose to serve the sinful nature.  God delivered Lot from the destruction of a sinful area because he was a just man in God’s eyes (2 Peter 2:7-8).  Lot’s wife had a different outcome because she turned to look back at Sodom and Gomorrha which cost her everything (Genesis 19:26).  She disobeyed in looking back not only with her eyes but with her heart desiring something within the sinful area she was not ready to give up yet.  Christians cannot look back, much less turn back, to the world in a desire to return to the sin, corruption, or temptation it contains.  To truly live a Christian life is to submit and obey God in everything He commands (John 14:15).  To return to carnality is like a dog returning to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22).  There is nothing of the sinful nature to go back to but the falsities of the enemy make even the worst previous experience seem so pleasant through deception.  Every person will give an account for their sins and the life they chose to live (Ezekiel 18:19).  There is hope present when a sinner repents of sin (decides to confess and turn away), does what is right, and obeys the Word of God (Ezekiel 18:21).  Sin is not held against anyone that follows this method of repentance and forgiveness (Ezekiel 18:22).  If a Christian turns away from God and backs toward sin, as a lifestyle, their sin is held against them (Ezekiel 18:24).  Christians must stay focused on God and not return to carnality no matter the cost.  How does a person stay focused on God and not return to sin?  They have their mind renewed by the Word of God every day (Romans 12:2).  Christians must have the mind of Christ and not return to the sinful nature or the world that they were delivered from.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org. 

​Religion has become the focus of so many people and within their minds equals a right standing with God.  Just as other religions do not serve the true and living God, having Christianity as a religion does not constitute a relationship with God.  The Apostle Paul writes that Christians are to test or examine themselves and their faith in God through their relationship with Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5).  He also states that Christians should do what is right whether they appear approved or not (2 Corinthians 13:7).  These verses reflect that one’s appearance before other men is not the heart of what God is looking for but a person that does what is right because they know and love God.  Many religious people will do what looks right to have a reputation of knowing God or being the Christian, everyone expects them to be.  This type of person has a form [the appearance, formula, fashion but not genuine] of godliness, but they deny [contradict, reject, refuse, renounce] the power of God from working within their life (2 Timothy 3:5).  Religious behavior shuts off the kingdom of God not only in the lives of the hypocrites, the religious people, but in turn, shuts others off from the kingdom of God by their actions affecting the people they interact with (Matthew 23:13).  Jesus even describes many people will prophesy in His name, cast out devils in His name, and do miracles in His name but He tells them that He never KNEW them on the day of judgment (Matthew 7:22-23).  The Son of God, Jesus, specifically says that religious acts will not get a person into Heaven but knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord in a true relationship leads to a life in right standing with God.  Religious facades teach other people how to act and speak like a Christian but not teach the heart of God and how to have a relationship with Him (Isaiah 29:13).  The true heart of God is to know His Word, know how to live a holy life, but most importantly to know Him (James 1:21-25).  Religious people seek perfection in appearance while God desires relationship.  God gives those who love and walk with Him grace to cover their imperfections yet expects them to live holy lives that give Him glory and honor (Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 John 1:3-9).  Although God expects obedience to Him and His Word, He wants our hearts to love Him and desire a relationship with Him each day.  The heart of every Christian should be to have a relationship with God.  As a Christian, a person is to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).  Christians are to be lamps that burn light reflecting an active relationship with God.  It is the job of faithful Christians to keep their lamps burning continually by studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15), praying (Ephesians 6:18), being faithful and active within the local church (Hebrews 10:25), and following the commandments of Jesus (John 14:15).  If a Christian has a religious heart that lamp will burn for a while and then will go out due to not being continually refilled by God.  Christians should not be religious but have sincere love for God creating a true love for one another (1 Peter 1:22).  Sincere love does not present hypocrisy or a façade but a genuine relationship.  May Christians not be religious any longer but know, serve, and love God with all that is within them (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, Deuteronomy 6:5).  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.