“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:18-21.

Religion cares more about obedience to rules and regulations than people.  Grace of the individual is regulated and love monitored.  As soon as love is not shown to the religious, their grace is removed.  Miserable indeed is the one who calls themselves a Christian and yet contains not love for their Brother or Sister.  Religion has turned the grace of God into a rule as not to offend.  Religion will allow a Brother or Sister to fall into a ditch, the love of God will not.

“But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:13-14. 

The religious cannot see their bondage.  Their eyes remain on themselves, therefore the light of the Gospel of Jesus is not shown.  “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:20.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified lays waste religious rules and regulations.  The torment of fear is cast out by the love of God.  Rules and regulations of religion brings fear of failure therefore faith is never manifest.  Our faith is in the rules and regulations of our religion and not in Jesus to have victory over our bondage.  Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith when our faith is placed in Him to deliver us and not our religious rules.

Make no mistake, religion cares more about their rules and regulations than they do you.  The condemnation that is felt is indeed condemnation and the fear of failure is real.  These are rules of the religious, not the grace of God.  Lying to ourselves about our condition will not change our condition.  Only Jesus Christ can deliver us.  These religious rules and regulations are the harlot that seduced many from God’s grace into bondage.  We must repent of our adultery.  We must repent of turning to another to deliver us from our bondage.  We must repent of obeying the religious rules and regulations for victory and turn back to the only One Who can break the chains, Jesus Christ.  We must repent of our good works done in the flesh.  The good works which profited the kingdom of Heaven nothing but the religious organization much.  The good works that were used as bait to the bound to further the kingdom of darkness.  The good works that lured the lost into the same religious bondage.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:21-25.

The love of God will pull you out of the fire.  It will keep you out of the ditch.  Turn to Jesus, His Arm is not shortened.

-Donna Clark Warren