The 2 strongholds of the religious system

Considering all that has been spoken and written by so many about the �present religious system� I have reached a conclusion - that 'Churchianity', and the very survival of the Cults and so many churches, depends simply and solely on 2 main factors or ingredients - take these away and their power, influence, and even their very existence would be fundamentally threatened and eroded - in point of fact many of them would soon cease to exist.

So, just what are these 2 factors on which many Churches, and all the Cults, absolutely depend ?

The First stronghold is "TITLES"

The Religious world has more than its share of bestowed or assumed Titles : Vicar, Priest, Your Grace, Bishop, Reverend, The Very Reverend, The Right Reverend Canon, Pastor and in Jesus day -- Rabbi, Father, Master ?.. FATHER indeed !!!

These Titles give the prestige, honour, significance, elevation, respect, acclaim, prominence, praise, favour, authority, exaltation, distinction, esteem, recognition, influence, and with them the power, stature and status that mankind�s fallen nature craves so much.

To bask in the glory and honour of their Titles, to be recognised wherever whenever To have those feelings of pride fostered within !

Which is the very reason that Jesus was against them !!!!

Rabbi = Greek for Teacher Master = authoritative teacher Father = leader

"Then Jesus said .... the scribes and Pharisees ... love... greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But don�t you be called Rabbi, for one is your Master even Christ, and all you are brethren (brothers). And call no man your father upon the earth, for one is your Father, which is in Heaven. Neither are you to be called Masters, for one is your Master, even Christ But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant"

Jesus recognised that Titles feed the fallen Adamic, soulish, earthy, natural, carnal nature in all of us, instead of the renewed, redeemed, spiritual, re-born, humble nature of God within us.

They are used to give predominance over ones neighbour, to give wrongly add weight to appeals and ministries. (If a person needs a Title to announce something that they can't convey by their life-style, then they are deceptive as well )

Instead of calling the founder, or their successors PASTOR, ( or whatever other Title is given to the Founder / leader) Imagine if that leader, if that person, was simply called Fred, (or Bryce, or Cyril) - the whole aurora of specialness, of spiritual supremacy, of having a special link to God, of spiritual mystique -- would be gone, and they would have to actually demonstrate the evidence of Gods calling and anointing on their lives. Instead, strip them of that Title, take away its power, and the frail, weak, ordinary, fallible human beings posing as a clergy class would be exposed for all the congregation to see. Many religious leaders of today maintain their role solely by the usage of a Title - and the sad consequence is that people unconsciously reinforce their subjection to a religious system every time that they utter that Title.

So has it always been, and so it still continues down through the ages

The Second stronghold is "The TITHE"

Consider the usual collection call - "you will now be waited on for your Tithes and offerings" and sometimes even the word 'Freewill' is slipped in to placate a thoughtful observer, but in reality its effect is overawed by the power of the word - TITHE ( This word Tithe is an Old Testament covenant word and requirement, now superceded and not to be found in the New Testament of grace � which has been well studied and researched by many other Scholars)

• The vital income of the Clergy and the buildings maintenance would be shredded.
• The whole religious system would soon crumple as the 'life-blood' of cash-flow would diminish..
• A total rethink would have to be made - the clergy would have to largely work and support themselves, instead of the construction, maintenance and upkeep of costly and lavish buildings (often largely a memorial to the founder), and home groups would instead function.
• And the needs of the local poor and destitute would be met � and Christians would have to get to know their neighbours, and personally get involved in their community

And Christians would be known by their faith with deeds following..... alone,
and God would be glorified,
and another book of Acts would be written,
and the world would be turned upside down yet again,
and Jesus would be able to return for his spotless bride

WOW

The human heart is rather like a garden... If left unattended for long, it will produce weeds!

The cost of LIBERTY is... CONSTANT VIGILANCE

Ray Miller
08.07