RELIGION

I think a lot of us imagine that we have an assignment from God that He never gave us. We need to be absolutely clear about what He's called us to do and not do ...

W. Cordero says: 'Despite what a lot of places teach, going to Heaven is not our top priority. Hopefully we'll get there sooner or later, but God didn't create the world to be empty.'

God didn't assign us to prepare others to go to heaven either. He told us to tell others about the Kingdom of Heaven (that has come to Earth) and then, once their hunger for that Kingdom had been stirred, to tell them how they can enter that Kingdom thru faith in Christ. Just getting people into heaven is so the wrong emphasis. Helping them enter the Kingdom of Heaven (while they're still here on Earth) is the right emphasis.

Creating a religion was never part of God's plan. Jesus never established one. Religion is man's creation, not God's. People get upset when you touch their religion. Some are willing to die for their religion. Throughout history, more wars have begun over religion than any other single cause. (That's not going to change as we go forward, by the way.)

Religions ar always fighting because they're not under the Kingdom ... baptism, church polity, which day is the true Lord's Day, the Holy Spirit, gifts, doctrine, theology, interpretation ...

But when Jesus came, He re-established the rule and government of His Father. Then He established His ekklesia - His church - to sustain and expand that government throughout the world. The Kingdom of Heaven (on Earth or above it) has never been about religion and never shall be -- it is about relationship - A King relating to His children and His children 'lifestyling' that out.

And be blessed.