Back when I became a Christian in December of 2002, the Holy Spirit spoke into my spirit, saying, “the sacraments will not save you.” I did not know what this really meant, so I studied it in my Bible first, then on the internet. In 2nd Timothy 2:15, it states, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” First, that is a command; second, it is always the Bible you should go to first and foremost. John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The Bible is Jesus, for He is the living, breathing Word of God. In John 14:6, it says, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” So, the way to truth is to read God’s Word, “Jesus.” In John 4:24, it says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” God is The Holy Spirit, and The Bible is Truth, “Jesus.” Religion is man-made. Tenets of faith, bylaws, articles of faith, rules of order, or a constitution are all manmade, period.
Jesus says to pray to Him, not Mother Mary or saint of whatever! No Hail Marys or Our Fathers. They make Mary and these saints into demigods; that is a minor deity or a little g. God is the only Large G and the only True God; therefore, you should pray and worship Him only. I am not saying do not join a church. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:25, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” And in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Together, the church and Christians are much stronger; we are the Body Of Christ Jesus, our Lord & Savior. Each having a different duty or gift.
The church is not made up of all ministers, all deacons, all bishops, all prophets, or all apostles! But the church is made up of each mantle, and we all have a different anointing from God. The Word, “Jesus,” says in 1st John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” We are surely close to the end of this world, and Jesus is coming soon! As God says in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Make sure you use your Bible to test the words of everyone that ministers to your heart. And yes, test me. I am not God, and I am human, prone to mistakes and sin like everyone that ever walked this earth except Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior.
Shalom (peace), my friend, and Amen!
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