As I was working this morning I overheard a conversation concerning "spirituality." The verbose conversant was extolling the virtues of a group of Jewish people who are under the tutelage of the Dalai Lama for an expanded understanding of their spirituality and acceptance of other religions. The less verbal participants were all nodding and clucking in agreement that all religions were a way to connect to ones higher self.
As I was not part of the conversation, I made no response but I wanted to. They are right you know. All religions serve the same purpose. Every religion claims to be an avenue of achievement to a higher plane of existence or consciousness. Each religion has a different definition of the ideal state of being. Each religion gives us a method, a preset pathway to better ourselves. Unfortunately all religions are limited to the body/soul natural-man part of our being. Religion is always about what we do to transcend the poor uninitiated state of our neighbors. Religion always leads us to the position of the Pharisee who thought himself better than "that poor sinner."
Jesus came to give life far beyond the realm of religion. The spiritual life that we are born into has nothing to do with what we can or will do but points conclusively to the accomplishment of Jesus Christ. All we do in Christ glorifies Him not us. Within Jesus Christ is everything God is. We have Christ in us. So within us is Christ who has all that God is. Our life in Christ far exceeds any religious ritual or experience. It is all about Him. As we choose to diminish and exalt Him religion is exposed as a beguiling trap that pulls our focus away from Christ.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:26-27
Neil
