Carolinsblog

Hey,

I would like to take you into something that became extremely important to me. Maybe you know that as well…

Let us first lay out the bottom issue:

Religions are systems in which rules and guiding principles are vivid, so one must or at least should keep these principles and tightened rules strictly. People keeping it are good, and those not managing holding fast are bad.

Religion is always created by people for people… to build up moral pressure so people are less or more manipulated. In fact, it is not directly humans  having created religion, but the enemy. Because through religion he can hold God’s creatures under his control and power without them realizing it.

Why do we strive after  living perfectly? Because in that way we feel better… perhaps. But in that way, we load ourselves with something we aren’t intended to carry. We carry that load, which comes out of religious thinking because we – in our belief – want to accept God just to a certain degree. Yet it is HE who welcomes us and draws us near, isn’t he?

These sinners with whom Jesus were oftentimes together knew exactly how sinful they were, admitted it, and were aware of their shortcomings towards Jesus. They did not pretend to be good or good enough. They knew that would simply not be true. Jesus could use them because through them the power of God would be made visible since they were incapable of leaving their shameful life behind. Grace… Grace means exactly that in one word: A person who is convinced that he himself cannot accomplish it breaks and will be healed by Jesus. He gets a new life.

Religion furthers self righteousness.

Self righteousness furthers pride and God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble… (James 4,6)

The great danger lies in there when you concentrate in every passage of the bible on what God expects out of you or even might expect and forget Jesus in that process, who loves you.

Religious pressure is built up where one thinks one must do something, so that God is satisfied.

Religious pressure is built up by people who expect the same from themselves but know they fail as well, but cannot get away from it because “it has to be that way”.

Religious pressure raises its ugly head when one does not indulge oneself in anything and when personal or different kind of rules which need to be kept are set up. You somehow fight your way “up”.

Religious pressure is psychic torture, under which too many Christians suffer. Because of it one breaks again and again, you are not good enough… you are too ashamed… you see your own unworthiness. Guilt blocks your future because you cannot get rid of these feelings of guilt.

To break under this pressure is the only thing that can bring you closer to Jesus because he uses your brokenness and weakness in order to set his power on display.

Religious pressure was never used by Jesus. Love was enough.

And that is exactly the reason why I hate these systems of religion, this religious pressure which is oppressing us too often. To complete the title: and love Jesus. Because HE never needed all of this to touch people.

You can get rid of religious pressure if you accept your identity in Christ, enjoy his love, presence, mercy, and grace and then live a life of freedom.

Thanks for reading through it and I hope I could eventually help you.

very dear greetings,

Carolin