The Kingdom Of God and The Kingdom of Religion
Here in Livingston Montana, we have two baseball fields; one is on the banks of the Yellowstone River, which originates in Yellowstone National Park. Oddly enough, our second baseball field is near our cemetery. Both are ball parks. One represents the Kingdom of God -- where the spiritual realm operates, and is spiritually discerned by those who have been born again (in order to enter and see the Kingdom: John Chapter3). It is at the banks of the Living Water -- a place of continual and personal fellowshipping and dining with the Master; a very real communion with the living God, not only through His Word, but through the Living Word. The second baseball park is next to our cemetery, representing the Kingdom of Religion, all the man-made rites and traditions of men and dead works (aka doctrines of demons and vain traditions) that offer us a 'feel-good' experience and a false sense of security and acceptance with God. This is also known as the Great Whore of Babylon in Scripture, and she holds a cup dripping with the blood of the Saints, because Christians will lose their eternal lives if they entertain and fellowship with her, for her ways lead to spiritual death. She is rising out of the sea of humanity and moves and appears so subtly, and yet she is deadly. Anytime we accept and operate in things contrary to the Word of God, we flirt with spiritual death. She is a seducing spirit that gently lulls us to sleep, and eventually spiritual death. Scripture would not paint the picture of her holding the cup overflowing with the blood of the saints, if this were not possible. The Lord is calling us to 'choose this day whom we will serve' and if we are in the wrong baseball park, it's time to get out. By the way, these two baseball fields in Livingston are at opposite ends of town. When we fellowship in a church where their teachings run contrary to Scripture, it's time to pack our bags. After all, if I am attending to hear the Word of God and desire to see it as the foundation of that ministry and it isn't, I'm in trouble if I stay. If I go to MacDonalds and all they have on the menu is Chinese cuisine, something's wrong. I believe the hour has come where the Lord is calling us out of all that is not of Him. "My sheep hear My voice and they know Me and they follow Me..."
The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Religion * lindie gibson * echoes of the heart * livingston, montana *
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