Feb 17, 2003

Recently while jogging, and quite unexpectedly, the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N in the Christian Church. The Holy Spirit said, "Religion will always create an agenda that serves self (man) and those with a true relationship will always create an agenda that serves Me." As I pondered this, my thoughts seemed to expand as the Holy Spirit opened up the dichotomy between these two opposing forces - religion and relationship.

Those who are trapped by the snare of religion not only lack a true relationship, but will also oppose those who do. This diabolical opposition is stimulated by an innate hatred of anything free. Those who have a true relationship hate the sin a religious spirit can produce without hating the sinner; realizing that but for the grace of God, the blinders of religion could be over their eyes as well. Religious spirits will always blindly persecute Jesus (those in an abiding relationship) with a great sense of justification and purpose. While we seldom see murderous attacks in the modern day American church, we often see rejection and distancing, as well as accusation and anger. Religion promotes the laity clergy divide, the top down hierarchical form of leadership that only acknowledges its appointed leadership, while those in relationship promote the equality of the five-fold ministry and the callings of all of God's people irrespective of position.

Religion will always create an agenda that serves self by acts of JUSTIFICATION (the creation of programs, rules, and personal agendas) and DEFIANCE (hostility against anything or anybody offering the slightest opposition to its programs, rules, or doctrine). It is important to note that this spirit is responsible for the formation of denominations and is the sole source of the competitiveness between churches, pastors, and the brethren today. THE VERY NATURE OF THIS SPIRIT IS TO DIVIDE. Much of the Institutional Church is bound in religion spawned by years of existing traditions; traditions found within the confines of a system birthed by men for men. Division is the opposite of unity and Satan knows that when the Church comes together in U-N-I-T-Y, a corporate anointing (power) WILL BE RELEASED TO THE CHURCH, the likes of which this earth has never seen.

In order to uncover R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N, let us begin to identify it by its nature and identifiable characteristics. Those operating in a religious spirit are given to pride and will hide sin, finding it hard to ever admit guilt, no matter the glaring truth. Those who have found HIM will acknowledge sin and be quick to repent. The religious tend to blame others for failures, while those in relationship are quick to accept the responsibility of their failures. Religion's primary focus is external (what can be seen), while those in relationship have an internal focus (communion with God). The religious like to talk about what they are doing for God, while those in relationship like to talk about what God is doing for them. The religious will focus on acquiring and building structures, while those in relationship will focus on meeting and building people. The religious are stationary (traditional), while those in relationship are migratory (ever changing).

The religious mindset seems always to seek authority over men, while those in relationship seek to be under the authority of God. The religious seek an identity that titles bring, while those in relationship seek to lose even their own identity. Religious men rally around the vision of men, while those in relationship will only rally around the vision of Jesus. Religious men seek direction from their soul (intellect), while those in relationship seek direction from God's Spirit.

The most notable difference in a man in relationship and a man of religion is MOTIVE. Many of those who have entered into a true relationship with the Father have come to the realization that it isn't what they do, but why they do it. They have come to realize that anything that is not done to the glory of God is done for the wrong reasons. The have further come to realize that cowardice to face hard issues creates an eventual frustration that dissipates spiritual energy. They have learned not to kick against the goads, but rather humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and say, "Not my will but your will Lord; show me your will in this." They accept the "hard places" that God often puts them in without complaint, knowing that their steps have been ordered and that all things are being worked for their good. It is on this point that I close with an appropriate quote from Arthur Burt.

"God will permit in His wisdom what He could have prevented in His power. He often will not change the anxiety of our situation until our attitude changes. We must bow to the shrine of His wisdom and say 'AMEN LORD! You have allowed this.' Once we embrace it for our good, we will be set free internally."

Comments: Religion Versus Relationship

David Hallowell

Feb 22, 2003

Dear Clay and group, Thanks for the interesting and challenging list to you and all who are participating. It is a refreshing part of my day to read this. God has us quite busy with the work here in Crimea and in connection with that God has given me something to contribute to your current theme just before we return to the States for a quick round of fellowship, ministry, document gathering and meeting new friends. We hope to get to Hinesville but don't believe it will be in time for catching Arthur Burt. I do want to meet you and him again in Wales in June however. Please keep us informed as to the particulars.

The Holy Spirit blessed us as He has you with revelation about religion. Lets see how it fits with yours. In James 1:26, 27 the Word gives the recipe for pure and undefiled religion (Threskeia, Gr) which is the external and visible part of Divine service. It is notable for both a controlled tongue and service to those unable to repay the favor, widows and orphans. This is God-shaped religion. It is not choosing the richest or big tithe men for the elder board or any other form of self serving.

All showboat Religion, which is the Religion the Lord was speaking with you about, is defiled by self service [and the spirit of the world or this age] just as you were told and wrote. Unfortunately he is loose and causing much trouble in the church.

It is interesting that Holy Spirit personified "Religion" to you, saying, "Religion will always create an agenda that serves self (man)..." In our spiritual high place research, we found religion to be a spirit principality or power demon high in the hierarchy of the gates (leadership) of hell. In fact we believe we have identified it as one of an evil trinity which seeks to replace the real Trinity, or Holy Godhead if you don't like the word Trinity, in our lives and worship. The spirit of religion has the assignment of usurping the place of the Holy Spirit. In fact I agree with Rick Joyner who wrote that the spirit of religion even gives a false anointing...particularly when we are cutting another member of the body apart or beating up on another fellowship of believers (with unbridled tongue). In addition to substituting showy shallow religion for deep and real relationship he substitutes self righteousness for holiness, show off deeds (which is what most of our traditions really are) for true discipleship, i.e., compassionate disciplined obedient loving service. As you so well pointed out in other words he also substitutes prideful elitism and religious snobbery for humble love, edification encouragement and acceptance.

At risk of creating a schism in the emerging new revelation coming into the Body of Christ may I humbly point out that the five fold ministry is really seven fold? Remember how powerful and anointed Deacon Stephen was and Elders (like Arthur Burt) keep us on the beam with their lengthy relationship and experience like Body ministry teachings etc. The Ephesians 4 "fivefold ministries" plus elders and deacons are the seven lampstands or lights on the menorah in Revelation. There are seven 'Spirits of God' there too. They are one and the same Holy Spirit really but manifesting in seven different anointings or lights. We need them all because each has a special leadership duty in warfare to perform. Each has a special anointing to defeat one of the seven territorial evil spirits the enemy has set up to oppose them. Our warfare strategy needs to be built on a sound organization, free as you say but not anarchistic. Thus the newly freed believer is not concerned about rank but what works. He gives up rank without rancor when it is needed to get the job done, submitting to the appropriate leader for the task at hand even if that one is less learned or less knowledgeable. Joyner calls it Delta Force Christianity. It is not about laity or clergy as you said. That whole idea has pagan mystery religion roots and it is well past time to stop going there. It is indeed about relationship and that rich relationship will at last bring what has been eluding the body for so long...real (not inflated) results.

Winners know that ultimately it is God who wrests victory from the jaws of defeat and though some of what He asks of us makes no sense by any human standard, our standards fall far short anyway. In Him we live and move and have our being. He is before all things and by Him all things consist. He is the victory that overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil. It is not all about our little kingdoms. It is about His Kingdom, His will. May it come now. May it truly be done.

Rick George

Feb 22, 2003

Dear Clay,

One of the things I like most about Lighthouse Prophecy is its "think-tank" type of set up in which two sides of a continuum may be discussed in search for the truth. In our discussion of religion vs. relationship I feel the need to throw out a caveat.

I grew up in a very strict Holiness denomination which was very "religious". At around age 30 or so I became weary of the burden and told God "I can't carry this anymore." He responded with "So put it down, if it were the Real Thing you wouldn't have to carry it, it would be carrying you."

I found that I was turned off by anything religious which sounded like someone scraping their fingernails over a chalkboard...and I began to shun "religious" people. However, I soon discovered that I had become religious about being non-religious. I discovered that being religious is simply human-nature. Everyone is religious! And we are called to love everyone.

Relationship then becomes all the more important for the above mentioned reason. A relationship with God means that you are keenly aware of His Sovereignty. You are not disturbed or perturbed by someone else's religion. You react only at the direction of the Father like Jesus did, not out of your own religious bias or emotion. Relationship also involves discernment. You discern the difference between self-serving motives and self-sacrificing obedience which on the outside may appear to be the same. Relationship with God will tell you when to submit to the authority of an unknown Melchizadek and not follow the pattern of an ungodly Eli.

There is no "formula" for determining who or what is religious. It comes from "knowing" (Adam knew Eve) the difference. This will protect us from becoming judgmental and critical and falling into the trap of being too religious about being non-religious!

Rick George

Jarratt, Virginia