We Try to Make Religion Too Complicated
God created this universe. He was in control. It was his Kingdom.
Adam lived in that Creation in the Garden of Eden. “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.” Genesis 2:15 NLT
They didn’t have a lot of rules to follow. They did not seem to have a lot of rituals to go through. They built no altars or did sacrifice. Instead they lived in harmony with God’s creation and experienced God daily.
“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:8-10 NLT
From the story, it seems to me that The Creator expected to find Adam and Eve and that he expected them to meet him and spend some time with him. That this was not an unusual or isolated event.
No rituals, no bowing, simply being in God’s world, taking care of His world and experiencing God in His Creation.
Then man sinned, and we became separated from God.
Jesus came to forgive us and restore the relationship.
Where did all this religious stuff come from?
Living in his world, cooperating with him in his garden (translate that into what he is doing today—the same things Jesus demonstrated) and walking with him daily should be what The Kingdom is like.
Jesus indicated that religion was a heavy burden. He came to relieve people from that burden and give them a full and abundant life. In contrast, His way was not heavy.
God relieved Adam and Eve of their burden of nakedness; He covered them.
The problem that made Adam and Eve hide from God, being naked, was not a problem with God condemning them. It was a problem for man. They were ashamed.
I wonder how much of our religion came from us—not from God. It is where we hide now, in theology, in ritual, in rules and laws, in church activity. All to keep from the reality of living exposed to God and being open to others.
In the Old Testament, the prophets told us, after naming off a long list of very religious stuff that people offered God. The prophet indicated that was not what God wanted, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NLT
Very clear. Very, very simple. Be a good person, try to make the world a better place for everyone, and know and experience God.
Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
Don’t complicate it. Don’t add to it. Just believe:
Jesus was God in Human Form.
Because of his death and resurrection, we can
*enter a love relationship with God and, as forgiven people, love God.
*Experience Him in daily life.
*Love others by making the world a better place for everyone.
That was true in the beginning. It is true now!
Maybe it’s time to uncomplicate things (religion) and get back to what God really wants from us. Sharing our lives with him. Sharing our lives with others. Cooperating with him in what he is doing in the world today.
Jesus as a human knew and experienced God. Together they revealed a new way of Truth that resulted in people being returned to wholeness, both physical, mental and emotional, having their physical needs filled, being accepted as they are then challenged, encouraged and empowered to change.
Jesus promised an inner change from him that would allow change to happen.
We say make rules, organize, work hard at religion.
Jesus still says, “follow me”. Simply come, walk with me. We will fix this world together.
THAT IS HIS INVITATION. Don’t complicate it.