I write this with tears in my eyes and an aching heart. Many know that the term "Bible Belt" refers to the South, and is part of the Southern culture. While this may be for some - especially Southerners-- something to take pride in; but gosh... my heart breaks. With sadness, I am crying to the LORD because we are just like anywhere else-- or in the areas that may be considered less religious. Why does my heart break so desperately for the "Bible Belt" South? Well, my heart breaks because... that's all it is!!! RELIGION!! PEOPLE ARE PRACTICING RELIGION AND DO NOT KNOW JESUS!!!!!!!!! Many fool themselves into thinking that they have been a Christian their whole lives, yet are not TRULY SAVED. Religion-- meaning attending church, being in a particular denomination has become their identity. Going to church every Sunday is a ritual because it's being practiced without JESUS. If you look closely, they do not LIVE in the Spirit, which is evidence that we are born again (new creatures). SALVATION for many is "saying a prayer as a kid," and as long as "I" go to church then I am fine. Oh, Father, how they are like the Pharisees who never knew the real JESUS, yet He lived amongst them- and even exchanged words with HIM. Jesus saw that these people were not saved; they were blinded by their religious practice, as He quotes: "You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You’re nothing but show-offs. You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You won’t go in yourselves, and you keep others from going in" (Matthews 14:13-14). People, religion cannot SAVE you! Church is not a means to salvation (And I am not saying this to condemn anyone, but to invite anyone to experience this incredible life with Jesus). There are so many nonbelievers in the church who are thinking they are believer because they attend.You see, Church is a response to a believer's life and not a a substitute relationship with Jesus.It's like buying a new car--the most amazing and cool car on the planet, but just parking it in your garage and NEVER driving it. You've only heard about how incredible this car is, but you cannot say yourself that you've experienced it's magnificence. What a waste to have something so amazing and not drive (experience) it. That's the very thing going. I heard this sermon by Francis Chan, where he was talking about a guy from India that he knew and how this man just started sobbing. The Indian man was crying because he met a pastor in America, and after talking to him, he knew that this man was not truly saved. Ugh..such a heartbreak. Sadly, I meet people like this everyday; and I just breakdown pleading that they would come to really have a Relationship with Jesus. You see, believing in something and not living it is not believing at all. Moreover, I know this a cliche', but it's so true that "being a Christian is about a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, not RELIGION," but it is statement that is being missed. A personal relationship with JESUS is an intimacy that one experience every day through the HOLY SPIRIT. It is letting GOD be SAVIOR and LORD over your life. It is experiencing HIS sweet presence and being TRANSFORMED into His image. It is LIVING out His power and love, so that people will come to know HIM! It is LOVING more than anything and letting our actions follow. It is DOING His will and FULFILLING the PURPOSE He has for you!! Church cannot take the place of these things in your life, and it is not just experienced on a Sunday-- it's every day!! Oh, how I pray that God will tug your heart so your eyes will be opened to the true knowledge of Jesus. And as a response, you will be TRANSFORMED and EXPERIENCE this life that is so amazing and beautiful with JESUS. I end with some questions that must be personally answered:
1) Do you have a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS or are you practicing RELIGION?
2) Is JESUS LORD and SAVIOR of your life?
3) Has your life been TRANSFORMED or is religious practices- going to Church- the identification for calling yourself a "Christian?"
Do not be despaired, but there is HOPE. I do believe that JESUS speaks to us because He wants to change and invite us into His presence. That is why He paid for our sins on the Cross. He longs to have a Relationship with you and experience all that He is. So, my brother or sister "repent" and "be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now go and truly live for Jesus by His Spirit enabling you! STOP PRACTICING RELIGION AND KNOW JESUS!
