BREAKING DOWN THE WALL ON RELIGION: WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO LOVE GOD?

Can you believe in God and still have fun? Well, that depends on your definition of God. If you see him as a tyrant, or as a loving Father. A couple friends of mine of openly profess their faith yet live adventurous lifestyles, filled with exciting and dynamic activities. And have you ever been to a Full Gospel church? Please, their worship sessions alone beat any party you’ve been to. Hillsong’s annual conferences are nothing short of loud, fun, filled with soul, creativity, and life. So, to answer the question, can someone believe in Yahweh and still have fun? Absolutely.

Can religion be dogmatic? Well, yes and no. There are an intrinsic set of beliefs that lay as a foundation, of course. However, it doesn’t mean that your whole life must follow a set of rules and be limited to that. The Old Testament heavily focuses on the fact there are certain things you have to do before you gain God’s approval. The New Testament however, clearly says that it’s not a result of works or rituals that you get the approval of God, but through faith (Ephesians 2:7-8). Now, I understand that many churches have become very religious, sending hellfire and all. But that’s not the true Gospel (which translates to Good News). The Good News is that we have access to God’s mercy, love, and grace simply by believing in him and trusting in him. And when we follow the teaching of Romans 8, living in the spirit, you learn that the day will come when the true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth. All this means that God isn’t looking for people to praise him with their lips while their hearts are judgmental (Matthew 15:8), but he wants a true relationship. The easiest way I can explain a true relationship with the Father is – following the voice within. When people say they follow their intuition, or inner voice. It’s that ability to know right from wrong without needing anyone to tell you.

Is there Freedom in Faith? 2 Corinthians 3:17 says that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. The Bible says God is love, and he who does not love does not know God (1 John 4). What I’m trying to say is that God is unconditional love. So, when someone is judgemental, or condemning, in that moment they are not being Godly. They are not a good or worthy representation of who God is. It’s a different kind of freedom. It’s an inner freedom, beyond anything you have ever experienced. It’s the freedom that comes with feeling completely accepted and loved. It’s biblical to feel whole, complete, connected. The Bible tells us that God wants us to be gifted, beautiful, loved, excellent, and step into our callings and gifting boldly.

Why is there such a gap between the word “God” and the average Joe? It’s sad that nowadays when people experience the supernatural, the first thing they go to is witchcraft, tarot cards, reiki, crystals, psychics, wicca, etc. But no one goes to God? I guess the people in church have at times misrepresented the supernatural creator of all things. They have limited him to a dogmatic set of rules. That’s not God, that’s people misrepresenting God. Revelation speaks of him being the one who is and was and is to come. That’s a supernatural being outside of space and time, how can he be limited to a room at a church service an hour a week?

What does it all mean to me? I used to have an issue with the word God as well, until I realised that what I had an issue with wasn’t God, but the people representing God. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks of the virtues of love. God is a supernatural God with giftings and healings. Today you have people like Charles Finney, Katheryn Kuhlman and Oral Roberts who all demonstrated the power of God and the truth of what his presence can do in a room. Housing thousands per service. People lining up at 4am for a 9am service, running in to worship, be touched by God, be healed from crutches and various diseases (Katheryn Kuhlman services). Where drug dealers and murders would be converted. Now if that ain’t God, then I don’t know what is.

“what I had an issue with wasn’t God, but the people representing God ...”

PHOTOGRAPHY FROM POLINA SIROTINA VIA PEXELS