The Marks of the Religious (minded) Man: Powerless

 

making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13 NKJ 

Don’t let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. Colossians 2:8 TLB

They act as if they worshipped God, yet they do not let God's power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:5 WE

 Religious tradition makes God's Word ineffectual. Religion weakens and renders the Church impotent in a fallen world. We have defined religion as a man-centered philosophy rooted in rigid rules, rituals, and rites. 

 We are examining the marks of the religious man-or rather, the religious-minded man. Our focus is the mindset of religion, not people, for no one is our enemy. We do not wrestle with flesh and blood. 

  In John 9, we see a perfect portrait of powerless religion. This is the story of the blind man made whole. They brought him before the Pharisees. The Pharisees were enraged because this work of Jesus violated their rules and the way they had always done things.

 Notice they were angry because Jesus broke their rules. They were cold and callous to the plight of the man; he was born blind, and that impacted all aspects of his life. That was of no concern to them, only that the rules be observed and never broken, no matter the reason.

 The reality is their cold religion was powerless to render help, healing, and wholeness. This leads us to identify one of the marks of a religious-minded man. Religion is powerless. The 6th mark of the religious-minded is "powerless."

 Religion is powerless. Religion has a form of godliness but has no power. Religion serves a god that is comfortable for the intellectually led and emotionally inclined-a deity shaped from human logic and limited compassion.

The Jesus of powerless religion's only ability is to forgive one of their past sins and allow the sinner to become born again. Apart from that, Jesus can't help you. While being forgiven of past sins and getting born again are vitally important, it is not truly good news if that's all He can do.

 What about your future sins? Are these left up to you to work for or beg for forgiveness? What about your life in the here and now? Are you on your own in this life? 

 Powerless religion seems to insinuate and proclaim this as fact, and if you ask for more in this life, then religion labels you a heretic and someone who seeks not God but happiness this side of Heaven. They call into question the sincerity of Faith and commitment to God for anyone who believes there is more for us in this life than just suffering and squeezing by in life, as if expecting goodness from God is somehow greed, covetousness, or discontentment! 

 One of the marks of the religious-minded man is powerlessness. Jesus can't help you is really what they believe and express in matters apart from initial belief in Christ. Powerless religion is a religious expression without any revelation. Jesus is a mere historical figure who used to work miracles, heal the sick and infirm, set captives free, and transform lives. Today, that is not what Jesus does, and if you have a need apart from accepting Jesus as Savior, well, sorry, Jesus doesn't do that anymore. He can't help you with that!

 That’s not just bad theology — this is the heart of powerless religion 

It’s a Christianity that preaches a historical Jesus, not a living Christ.
It knows about some of His words but not His presence.
It can quote the stories as historical events, but it has forgotten the Spirit that makes them real.

Powerless religion looks into the eyes of the broken, a sick mother, a grieving father — and says, “Sorry, that was for Bible times.”
But the Gospel of Grace says the same Jesus who opened blind eyes still mends broken hearts — the same Spirit who raised Him from the dead still gives life today.

 Powerless religion sees God's Word for the most part as a history book. A collection of events that detailed what God used to do. An account of a Savior who only intervened in people's lives to coldly prove He was, in fact, God in the flesh, not because of compassion and mercy, compelling Him to show up in people's situations and change them to bring about healing, wholeness, and restoration. 

 Powerless religion serves a savior that can't save completely, only partially. Powerless religion preaches a partial Jesus.

He can forgive, but He can’t restore.
He can pardon, but He can’t empower.
He can cleanse the record, but not redeem the life.

This brand of religion presents a Christ who died for sins — but not for sickness.
A cross that covers the past — but not the present or future.
A redemption that opens heaven for receiving the new birth alone — but leaves hell’s grip on earth untouched.

It’s a gospel that says:

• “He can save your soul, but your body’s on its own.”

• “He can forgive your sin, but not break your addiction.”

• “He can bless you spiritually, but not touch your finances.”

• “He can comfort your pain, but not cure it.”

Powerless religion presents a powerless Savior — one good enough to pity you, but not strong enough to help you. But the real Jesus not only came to forgive sin — He also came to undo its effects on earth and in the lives who trust in Him! 

 Powerless religion has entombed Jesus in a museum. Where His works are mere exhibits, serving as a reminder of what He once did, but no longer does today. They are memorials of a God who once changed circumstances and outcomes for the blessing and betterment of His people, but of course, that was not for the actual blessing, but merely to show He was a sovereign God who was capable of powerful acts and nothing more. 

 Has powerless religion ensnared you and your thinking? Has Christianity merely become an intellectual encounter, rather than a truly life-changing event? Break free from the shackles of powerless Christianity and know you serve a risen Savior who conquered death, hell, and the grave and rendered the enemy powerless and ineffective against His Church, the Body of Christ. 

 Do you have any experiences with powerless Religion you wish to share? Comment below and let your testimony inspire others.

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The Marks of the Religious (minded) Man: What is Religion?

 

making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13 NKJ 

Don’t let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. Colossians 2:8 TLB

They act as if they worshipped God, yet they do not let God's power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:5 WE

 If you have followed this site for any length of time, you have seen how much religious traditions are challenged. Often, the articles written have the purpose of allaying these man-made traditions. With this in mind, it seemed good to do an actual study on what religion and tradition really are. What the traits or marks of religious mindedness actually are.

  What we must also be mindful of is who are enemy actually is. Our enemy is not with flesh and blood. No man is our enemy. That is, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but with the enemy, the spirit of error. Now, men may count themselves as our enemy, but that doesn't mean we have to count them as our enemies.

 Jesus said they will know us by our love for one another. That love is referring to how we, as the Body of Christ, love each other. We need not fight each other, but love each other and come together under the banner of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our one goal is to tell a crying, dying world that there is hope, and it is found in receiving Jesus as Savior and receiving the gift of eternal life. 

 Let's begin understanding what the traits or marks of religious-mindedness are by looking at the words of Jesus and Paul the Apostle. Jesus said religious tradition makes the Word of God of no effect. Other translations render this as making void God's Word or nullifying it. 

 Grasp what Jesus is actually declaring. The religious tradition of men makes the Word of God void, nullified, and of no effect. He is saying religious tradition makes the Word of God powerless in the life of one entangled in the religious traditions of men. 

 Paul also gives us notice about the dangers of religious tradition. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, breathed a warning about philosophies and practices rooted in the religious traditions of men. They spoil or defraud us from a genuine Faith and a sincere relationship with the Father.

 Lighting candles, holding religious artifacts, or religious items, like beads, shawls, or head coverings, don't make us more spiritual. They don't make us more approved. Observing certain days over others, practicing rituals, clanging bells, or chimes, or shaving your head bald, does not make you better accepted by God our Father. 

 The Holy Spirit also said through Paul that religion has a form of Godliness but completely denies its power. Religious traditions deny the power of God to save the worst of us. Religion denies the power of God to transform hearts and lives, and instead relies on rigid rules, restrictions, and regulations to bring about behavior modification. 

Religion denies the power of God to change situations and circumstances. Religion says God used to intervene in the lives of His people during "Bible days". He doesn't do that now, though. He, in fact, creates circumstances to mold us and better us through painful suffering. 

 Religion is man's attempt to reach God. Religion is man-centered; it's a system based on following rules that they make for you to appear pious. Religion is a man-made philosophy that keeps God in boxes designed by men. Religion forms and fashions and serves a god that they can understand emotionally and intellectually. 

 In this series, we will examine the marks of the religious man. In John 9, we see the perfect illustration of all these marks of the religious-minded. We want to detect religion and show the way out.

 The Gospel is the Good News. The Gospel is the power of God. It is life and wholeness to all those who believe. The Gospel brings new life, power from on High, and a life of victory on this side of Heaven. Religion is powerless, rooted in men's strength and fleeting and fading. The Gospel frees where religion binds, stay with us as we examine these marks of religious mindedness. 

 What are your experiences with religious tradition? Do you think it is good to challenge the traditions of men? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Faith in focus

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Our words matter. What we speak impacts our lives, those around us, and those we interact with throughout our lives. Harsh words can create trauma, turmoil, and troubling thoughts in the hearer. Doubtful, faithless, and unbelieving words can stifle creativity, vision, and suppress trust in the Lord's promises.

 Speaking in agreement with God, on the other hand, brings peace, hope, and feeds Faith. It creates an atmosphere of expectancy for God to do what only He can do. Kind, loving, and soft words stir up joy, peace, happiness, calmness, and hope. 

 Words are containers. They contain life or death, blessing or cursing. Words are seeds we plant in the soil of our heart, and the harvest will be life and abundance or death, cursing and misery. It is up to us to plant the seeds for the harvest we want. 

In this series, we've been exploring why declaring God's Word works. We have seen that confession, or agreeing with God, causes Faith to come. As we hear ourselves speak, Faith comes. Declaring the Word renews our mind to His truth, dismantling the lies of the enemy. It reprograms our hearts with the image of victory, not defeat. The more we speak His Word, the more it shifts our perspective from doubt and defeat to Faith and triumph.

The next reason why declaring the Word works is that speaking the Word continually keeps His Word, His promises before us. It shifts focus to what He said, not on what we see.  It keeps our eyes focused on Faith, rather than doubt, unbelief, and discouragement. 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

We live by what we believe, not by what we can see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NCV

We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 ERV

 Our words shape our reality. Our words, then, should align with what Heaven has declared over our lives. Let that reality be in line with what His perfect Work of Redemption provided, purchased, and procured for us. Our words shouldn't align or agree with a fallen, fractured creation and a defeated devil's lies.  

 Speaking His Words keep what He said about us and our circumstances before us. When your mind is flooded with thoughts of shame and condemnation, keep declaring the Word of Righteousness. The more you speak in agreement with who you are in Him, the more those thoughts fade in light of your identity in Him.

 If lack, insufficient funds, poverty is all you see, consider His Word, keep speaking it, the more you do, the more His promise to meet your needs will continually be before you. The more you see His promises, the more you trust Him to take care of you. The more you declare, the more the work of Redemption becomes real to you. On the cross, He became poor so you would be blessed. The more you speak, the more wisdom, favor, opportunities, and blessings come. 

 There is a woman in the Word of God who did just exactly this. The woman with the issue of blood is the perfect illustration of the power of words and receiving the healing miracle of God. In the Gospel of Mark 5, this powerful account is recorded.

 The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus. What did she hear? She didn't hear that God gave her this illness to strengthen and perfect her character. She didn't hear that God doesn't heal anymore; that went out with the prophets. She didn't hear that desiring healing is wrong, don't you know, trying to live your best life now is covetous?

 No, she heard about a Good Shepherd. She heard about a Savior who forgave sins and healed all who came to Him. She knew that going out in public was an executable offense. She had an unclean condition. Yet she trusted in this Jesus who was full of Grace.

 She also kept declaring what she wanted. She kept speaking the Word of God, she knew Jehovah is the Lord who heals. She kept that promise before her; she continually said If I touch his clothes, I will be healed! She pressed in touch His clothes with confident expectation and Faith and took her healing. 

 She kept speaking, she kept declaring, which caused Faith to come. The more she spoke, the more her mind was renewed to this truth of healing. The more she spoke, the more she planted the word in her heart, reprogramming the image in her heart. She had been getting worse for twelve years. She painted a new image within, she kept speaking, and she saw herself healed and whole. 

 The more she spoke, the more she kept the promise before her. Her miracle began with her words. She declared the truth until it became more real to her than her condition. And the same principle holds true for us today.

When we declare God’s Word, we are not simply speaking into the air—we are planting Heaven’s reality into the soil of our lives. Every declaration keeps our focus on God’s promises rather than our problems. Hope is strengthened, Faith comes, and the unseen manifests into the seen. Just as the woman with the issue of blood received her miracle, we too can walk in healing, provision, peace, and victory—when we keep God’s Word in our mouths.

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Why declaring God's Word works: A Faith pespective

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words spoken out contain either life or death, or blessing or cursing. The words we speak can determine the course of life. We can either agree with God or disagree with God and accept the report of fear, failure, and frustration. 

We are continuing to examine why declaring God's Word works. We have seen that when we speak forth the Word, we are hearing God's word declared. As we hear the Word, Faith comes. The more we speak God's Word, our minds are renewed to God's thoughts. The more renewed the mind, the more we agree with God. 

 When we confess God's Word, we are not just making noise. We are adding our agreement with what God has already said about our life and situation. One more thing it does is build an inner image of victory and wholeness.

 This leads us to the next reason why declaring God's Word works: it reprograms our hearts. That is, it gives us a new perspective. It brings about a Faith perspective. 

 When we confess the Word of God, we are depositing the Word in our hearts. We may liken this to farming principles. When we declare His truth, we are planting the seed of the Word in the soil of our hearts. 

 Jesus tells us this is how the kingdom operates in Mark. We are planting seeds with the words we speak. We are planting the seeds of blessing and success in our hearts. The more we speak, our hearts will bring forth a harvest of hope, boldness, and Faith.

 The words we speak can also sow seeds into the lives of those around us. What are we saying to others then? Are we sowing seeds of guilt, shame, and condemnation? Are we declaring favor or failure over others? 

 Parents sowing seeds of disappointment, doubt, and disapproval will see a harvest of depression, despondency, and defeat in the hearts of their children. Sow good seeds to children, to coworkers, to loved ones. Words are seeds; they can plant life and blessing, or plant death and discouragement. 

 In Christ, we are new creations. We have the mind of Christ. We have a new heart. This is our identity, yet the same Apostle of Grace who told us this also told us that we need to renew our minds. Was Paul confused or speaking religious double-talk?

 Paul was not confused; he was essentially telling us to add our agreement with what He has already made us inwardly. With this understanding, living in a fallen, fractured creation can cause negative images to reside inwardly. This is where the power of confessing the Word comes in. 

 When we declare the Word, we are sowing the right seeds in our hearts. The more we speak His Word, the more we are programming our hearts with Heaven's reality. Confession paints an inner image of victory, health, and abundance until what we see inside becomes greater than what we see outside.

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

 When we declare the Word of God, we are agreeing with Heaven's reality. We are depositing His seeds of greatness, abundance, healing, and wholeness in our hearts. We are creating new images inwardly. 

 The more we declare what God says, we are uprooting the negative seeds we have planted in our hearts. When we speak His Word, we are removing the old images of defeat, despair, and doom and reprogramming our hearts with victory and hope. We are adding our agreement with God.

 When dealing with infirmity, sickness, and disease, for instance, sometimes an image of death and despair is planted in the heart. The image may play over and over, of not recovering and growing worse. This inward image must be removed and replaced by declaring what God says and not what the symptoms and situation say.

 The more the Word is declared concerning healing and wholeness, the more the Word is planted in the heart. The more the Word is declared, the more the image of health, recovery, and wholeness is programmed in the heart. The more the Word is sown in the heart, the greater the harvest of faith, hope, and expectation of victory. Declaring the Word doesn’t deny the problem—it replaces the problem’s image with God’s promise. The result is a reprogrammed heart that sees the outcome through God’s eyes instead of fear’s eyes.

 Declaring the Word works because it gives us a fresh perspective—it creates a Faith perspective. The symptoms and situation may scream, but our confession of God’s Word speaks louder. As we hold fast to His promises, we begin to see ourselves whole, blessed, and fulfilled in Him. 

A Faith perspective doesn’t only apply to healing—it shapes every area of life. When lack tries to paint a picture of never having enough, the Word declares, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When fear tries to dominate, the Word declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When discouragement whispers defeat, the Word declares, “Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.”

A Faith perspective is seeing life through God’s promises instead of life’s problems. It’s refusing to let circumstances set the vision of your heart and instead allowing the Word of God to program your inner image of victory. As this perspective takes root, hope rises, peace rules, and Faith produces.

So keep declaring His Word. Keep painting His promises on the canvas of your heart. Before long, you’ll find that what you once only declared, you now experience—because God’s Word always works and never returns void.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Renewing the Mind

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words matter. What we speak carries either life and blessing or cursing and calamity. Words can change our circumstances for the better or prolong them for the worse. 

 What we are saying can minister grace to the hearer, or they can bring hurt or cause strife. What we say can locate whether we are in Faith or in fear, in panic or at peace, wallowing in self-pity or rejoicing in victory. This is why we must be mindful of our words.

 Knowing how vital words are, exploring why declaring or confessing God's Word works. We have seen that when we declare the Word over our lives, Faith comes. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. That means someone has to speak the Word for it to be heard. The greatest way to hear the Word is to hear yourself say it.

 The second reason why declaring God's Word works is that it renews the mind. When we declare what God says, we cause our mind to shift from fear to Faith, from despair to joy, from sadness to gladness. Our thinking begins to align more with God's thoughts on the situation.

 What are God's thoughts? His thoughts are what His Word reveals about our current situation or circumstances. We can realign our thinking with His when we declare what He already said in His Word.

 We begin to think His thoughts when we read His Word, study His Word, and declare His Word and promises. What are His thoughts? They are revealed in what He declared in the Word, what He promised, and what He provided in the Finished Work of Redemption.

 God's thoughts on sin and wrongdoing? He tells what's right and wrong behavior. God's thoughts on sin also reveal that He forgives sins and brings newness of life to those who call upon Him. 

 God's thoughts on condemnation and guilt? Jesus' shed blood is the shame remover. He is satisfied with the perfect Redemptive work of His Son. God's thoughts are of forgiveness and redemption and acceptance, not condemnation.

 God's thoughts on catastrophe and calamity? His Word declares He is a Good God and only does good. He isn't the architect of tragedy, trials, or tribulation. His thoughts of peace, of comfort, and being our stronghold in times of trouble and heartache. He doesn't send the earthquake, but he heals the heartbreak!

 God's thoughts on sickness, disease, poverty, and lack? His Word declares He is the healer and the provider for His people. Jesus bore our sickness and carried our diseases. He is not for sickness and disease; He is for wholeness. 

 He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. He became a curse to redeem us from the curse. He bore the curse of poverty. He took our poverty and gave us His riches on the Cross. God's not saying everyone is going to be a millionaire, but He is saying He is our provider and wants our best, our blessing, and an abundant life. 

 When we declare His Word, His promises and provisions in the Redemptive work, we are renewing our minds to His Thoughts.

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Romans 12:2 VOICE

We are transformed by the renewing of the mind. This means replacing the default setting of defeat, depression, and despair with victory, peace, and joy we already have in Christ. We can conform to the world or allow the Word to reprogram our thinking to life and wholeness. 

We can have a world-renewed mind or a Word-renewed mind. We can have a world-conformed mind, or we can have a Word-conformed mind.

 When we speak out God's Word, we are adding our agreement with what He says. The more we speak in agreement with what He says, our thinking will begin to shift. We will move away from the devil's and world's system, stinking thinking, to glorious transformation in our thoughts. 

 When we declare God’s Word, we are not just speaking into the air. We are reprogramming our minds with His truth. So let's not let the enemy have the last word in our minds. Let's agree with what God says about us. Speak only what God says about our situation. Speak what God says about our future.

Every time we declare His Word, our minds are being renewed, our faith is being built, and our lives are being transformed. That’s why declaring God’s Word works—because it changes the way we think until we see as He sees and believe as He believes.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Faith comes

 

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words are powerful. Good words spoken bring life, health, and hope. Wrong words spoken can create fear, anxiety, and foster hopelessness. Words bring life or death; the choice is ours.

 God's Word declares the power of our tongue. Jesus taught us about words. The Apostles taught us about words. Since we know our words contain either life or death, we should choose to speak life.

 Yet some fail to do this consistently. Why? Perhaps they have never learned why confessing, or saying the same thing God says, works. They possibly see no value or purpose in declaring what God says. Maybe they see it as unnecessary work. 

 Listening to some of the words that have come out of fellow believers' mouths over the years, it seems good to expound on and explain the Scriptural reasons why confessing God's Word "works," or why it is effective, or successful, in its intended operation.

To begin, let's define our terms to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication. The word confession in the Biblical context simply means "to say the same thing." In other words, it means agreeing with God. When we declare God's promises over our life and situation, we are agreeing with what God's Word says.

When we confess God's Word, we are adding our agreement to what God has said about us and what we face. We say what God says not what it looks like or feels like. Confessing or declaring God's Word over our life, our circumstances, or our loved ones is our Faith talking. 

 This leads to the number one reason why declaring God's Word works. When we speak out God's Word, it causes Faith to come. Paul confirms this in Romans.

  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17 NLT

 Faith doesn't come by going through challenging times. Tests and trials don't cause Faith to come. Faith only comes by hearing what God says. 

When we declare God’s Word, we hear it with our own ears. The more we speak it, the more we hear it. The more we hear, the more faith comes. Speaking and hearing create a cycle of faith that grows stronger each time. This Faith brings victory to every area of life.

Suppose you are dealing with feelings of guilt and shame or are experiencing a sense of condemnation. You can speak out that God is disappointed with you, or you can speak to these accusing thoughts. The Word declared there is no condemnation in Christ. The Word declared we are forgiven. 

 Confessing God's Word continually concerning your right standing, your forgiveness of all your sins, and freedom from all condemnation, will cause Faith to come. The more you speak out, the more you will believe what God said is true. Then you will declare in Faith that you are forgiven and free in Christ, and the sense of condemnation and feelings of shame will dissipate. 

 This works the same with divine healing. The symptoms may cry loud, but let your confession of His healing power cry louder! Keep declaring His Word about healing and health. The more you speak His Word, the more Faith for healing comes.

 The more we speak God's Word, the more we hear ourselves declaring God's promises. The more we hear, the more Faith comes. The more Faith comes, the more our Faith grows and develops. This isn't earning or achieving. This is adding our agreement to what His Grace provided through the Finished Work, and what He lovingly promised us in His Word.

 In summation, this confession isn’t magic—it’s agreement with the Living Word, Jesus Himself. So don’t let your words agree with fear, shame, or sickness. Let your words agree with God. Continue to declare His promises over every area of your life. Faith will come, arise in your heart, and as you speak, Faith is released, causing victory to manifest in your life.

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Trust Fund

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then is it no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work. Romans 11:6 MEV

God is a Good and Gracious Father. The gifts He freely gives—eternal life, perfect Righteousness, and total forgiveness—are not wages earned, but unearned, undeserved, and unrepayable. This is the heartbeat of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: not what we do for God, but what He has already done for us. And yet, so much of modern Christian teaching has drifted from this truth, placing the spotlight back on us—our efforts, our sacrifices, our performance. But Grace flips the script. Grace reminds us: it's not about what we do, it's about what He did.

 Christianity is rooted in the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus. It is not rooted or built upon the foundation of our sacrifices, pledges, or promises to God. It's about the finality of the Cross and the glorious, triumphant resurrection of Christ. It's never been about our work, performance, or striving to earn God's favor, acceptance, and approval.

 Think of this. Sometimes a parent lays up an inheritance for their children. When they reach a certain age, those funds are made available to them. We call this a trust fund. This is a fund in the natural realm. 

 I want to use a play on words and see what kind of trust fund we have. Do we have a "trust fund" deposited with God's gifts readily available for us to withdraw from? Or do we have a "trust fund" that has deposits of our own works, performance, and perfect behavior?

 In other words, where is your trust? So often we claim we trust in God alone, but the moment we go through a challenge, we shift to the default setting of looking at our behavior or performance to see if we have messed up. We default back to thinking we're being punished by God for messing it up again.

 Certainly, there can be negative circumstances directly attributed to specific choices we have made, but that is not much of a mystery. If you were speeding, it should be clear why you got a speeding ticket. That wasn't divine judgment; that was traffic officers enforcing the speed laws. 

 I am speaking more so of those times when we are praying and standing on the Word and don't see answers manifest. When the circumstances don't seem to be changing, or perhaps they are getting worse. The default religious setting is to critique our performance and behavior and adjust accordingly so we can be good enough to receive from God.

 It may sound elementary or far-fetched, but this is the focus of much modern Christian teaching. Our behavior becomes our savior and source of blessing. This religious default reveals to us where our trust is. 

 Our trust is not in Jesus' faithfulness but in our own. Jesus paid the price. He finished the work. He completed the task. His victorious death, burial, and resurrection are what procured everything we need to live in life and godliness. 

 So many place the majority of their trust in their church attendance, financial giving, devotional time, and abstinence from sin. Jesus and His perfect redemptive work take a backseat to man's effort. Christ's perfect work tends to pale in comparison to our own work. 

 Brothers and sisters, this is not the Gospel. This is not the Christian life we are called to lead. God wants us to behold Jesus in the beauty of His holiness, to look to His perfect redemptive work rather than our own, and to put our trust in Jesus' faithfulness rather than our own. 

 It has never been about our work, good behavior, or performance. It's all about Jesus. Grace is about putting Jesus back in the center of it all. It is remembering Jesus in His splendor and glory for the perfect sacrifice He made. 

This is the Good News—the best news! The work is finished. It is completely done. It is all about a free gift. Focus on Him, and trust in His work and faithfulness alone. 

 

 

A Gifted Response

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then is it no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work. Romans 11:6 MEV

As children, one of the most exciting holidays was Christmas. Why? Because we woke up to gifts under the tree! We were thrilled to find out if we got that shiny new bike or the latest popular toy. People often look back with fond memories of time spent with loved ones—and the joy of receiving those gifts.

But think for a moment: what often shaped how we saw those gifts? Loving parents gave them, yes, but the cultural narrative added something else—Santa Claus.

Remember the message? “You have to be good to get gifts.” He’s got a list, and he’s checking it twice—looking to see if you’ve been naughty or nice. The implication? The gifts were earned. It was all about behavior. Performance.

Sadly, this is the same mindset many Christians have about God’s grace.

We’ve turned the Father into a kind of “heavenly Santa Claus.” Be good, act right, do enough, and maybe you’ll receive from Him. But if you mess up? Expect coal—or silence. This is absolutely contrary to the Gospel Paul preached.

The Church has often drifted into performance-focused teaching, turning the Gospel into a rulebook of how to behave and earn God’s blessings—rather than proclaiming the Good News: that Jesus already did all the work.

The Gospel isn’t about what we do for God. It’s not about our dedication, devotion, or discipline. It’s about God’s Grace, revealed through Christ’s perfect Redemptive Work.

Religious tradition adds crushing burdens—rules, regulations, requirements—to “help” believers behave. But all that does is trade relationship for rules.

That’s not the Father’s heart.

The Christian life wasn’t designed to be difficult, heavy, or burdensome. Yes, life in a fallen world is full of challenges—but the life we have in Christ is a relationship based on the faithfulness of another, not our own. It’s built on Jesus' obedience, not ours.

This is what separates Christianity from every other religion or philosophy. Other systems require their followers to do more, work harder, and earn status. But true Christianity is centered on a Finished Work—on the sinlessness, perfection, and sacrifice of Another.

And that’s the Good News.

The work is done. The Father has accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Salvation has been purchased and secured forever by His blood.

We don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to strive to be accepted. We don’t have to perform to be worthy of eternal life.

All we need to do is simply believe. This is also a gifted response as a result of hearing the Word of Christ and all He has done. 

This is the heart of the Gospel—God’s unearned, undeserved, unrepayable favor. Grace isn’t a reward for the worthy; it’s a gift for the believing. It’s not given because we’ve done everything right, but because Jesus did everything perfectly. You don’t qualify yourself—Jesus qualified you forever.

Grace means you don’t have to jump through spiritual hoops to be loved, blessed, or accepted. In Christ, you already are. No striving. No bargaining. No performance. Just a Good Father lavishing His favor on His children because of Jesus.

And this is just the beginning. In this new series, we’ll dive deep into the outrageous generosity of His Grace—how it saves you, secures you, empowers you, and forever settles your place in God’s heart.

Grace has no fine print. No loopholes. No earning it. Only believing it. More to come… and it only gets better.

Father of Lights: Mercy not wrath!

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

God our Father is a Good Father and in Him is no darkness within Him. He is Good and only does Good. Yet when we see this world around us, filled with famine, disasters, and desolation, we begin doubting His Goodness.

 In these times, we must focus on who God said He was and look to the Son, Jesus who perfectly demonstrated the nature and character of God. Circumstances and situations don't determine who God is. His Word and the work of Jesus do! 

 As we continue studying more about the Father of Lights and examining God's Goodness at all times, let's address this notion of God's wrath and judgment on cities, nations, and continents. God is Good, but is He sending judgment today? Are disasters and destruction the handiwork of God?

 In 2011, the Fukushima disaster occurred in the nation of Japan. It was a terrible tragedy. An earthquake struck the island nation. Subsequently, a tsunami was triggered as a result of this quake. This destruction also caused a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 

 The Christian response to this tragedy? In some circles, they claimed this tragedy was the judgment of God on this Godless nation. For hundreds of years they have rejected Jesus as a nation therefore God sent this devastating disaster to get their attention and to cause them to repent and turn to God. 

 These sentiments are not what brings about a change of mind. Instead, these teachings and proclamations are one of the reasons the Japanese people refuse to accept Jesus or have anything to do With the Father! Is this the message that God endorses and confirms?

 Absolutely not! Look at what He has said already. 

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 MEV

 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10 MEV

 Look at what God declared and revealed to us in the person of Jesus. If God gave up His only Son for us while we were enemies, what would He do after this perfect final sacrifice was offered up and He accepted it fully? 

 If we were enemies and He gave us His Son why do we think under this New Covenant God is sending destructive judgment and wrath on nations? Enemies are adversaries. They are actively opposing and standing against their foe. If God expressed His love for humanity when we were actively resistant and opposing God by giving His Son how much more loving, kind, and merciful is the Father under Grace? 

 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 TLB

 In this 2011 disaster over 19,000 people lost their lives. These are people with families and loved ones. How do we tell these precious people who lost their loved ones that God killed them to get their attention? How do we tell them God killed their babies so they will repent, and then afterward ask, now don't you want to receive Him and serve Him?

 God is a Good Father. How dare we as the Church misrepresent the Father to a lost and fallen people? These who are lost, are sheep scattered with no Shepherd. God's heart is for them to know how much He loves them and how precious they are to Him.

 In a fallen and fractured creation, tectonic plates shift, causing increased damage and devastating destruction. This has nothing to do with God's wrath and judgment. I saw God's hand in the rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts, not in the destruction.

God loves the Japanese people. God wants them saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, healed, made whole, and at rest in Him. We must not misrepresent the Father to a lost and dying world. God is Good and only does Good! 

 God is not the author of disasters. He is not sending destruction to any nation. He is sending the power of the Spirit to the nations. He is revealing His Love and Goodness to the world. He is not sending destruction in wrathful judgment today. 

 Jesus took all the punishment for the sins of all humanity. He bore in His body the wrath and judgment of God. God is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. If He is sending wrath and judgment with tsunamis, tornados, and typhoons that could only mean He is not satisfied with the work of His Son on the Cross, and that is not the truth. Let’s represent the Father rightly. Jesus revealed a God who saves, not destroys. When tragedy strikes, let our message be mercy, not wrath. God isn’t sending disasters—He sent Jesus. And Jesus is enough.

 Let’s be a generation that represents the Father accurately. Let’s proclaim what Jesus came to reveal: a God who rescues, not ruins—who saves, not strikes—who loves, not lashes out. When disaster strikes, the Church should not echo wrath but embody rescue. Let the message we carry be clear—God is not mad at the world; He gave His Son for it. And that Son, Jesus, fully satisfied the justice of God. All that remains is mercy, grace, and the invitation to come home to a Father who is always Good.

Image by Karen .t from Pixabay