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
