The ways of this world have totally got things backwards in view of success.
When we are of the world, success is measured in how high we climb the ladder of success to become the best in our field.
Sadly, the majority of Christendom have incorporated those same pursuits in the church which is so directly opposed to the walk of faith in Christ according to his holy Word.
The Apostle Paul who was a highly educated man, was considered a Pharisee of Pharisees. In religious mindset and circles, he had plenty to boast about.
On his way to persecute the church he had an encounter with Christ that forever changed his life and way of thinking . He even called his former success dung for the supremacy of knowing Christ in the surpassing greatness of his power!
“Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead,” Philippians 3:5-11 KJV
In Christ, success is measured by how yielded and surrendered we are to death to our former way of life. Living and reflecting the glory of HIS will and purpose is the intent regardless of the platform we are part of.
Each death experience, each trial, tribulation and stretching releases and squeezes out more drops of this precious commodity of humility. We will never mature beyond the point of humility.
Jesus used the example of a little child when he told the disciples who the greatest in the kingdom would be. Maturity is seemingly reversed; becoming like a little child is the highest rank in God’s Kingdom for what is as humble as a little child?
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 18:1-4.
“The higher we go in God, less is more, and more is God.”
It is all about dying to ambitions and walking the road less traveled. As we walk and search the way less traveled, we will silently learn lessons by life, day by day. How can one learn in silence?
You must acquire an ongoing degree of study to be quiet. We become silent and put to death our dying gasps in defense of who or what we were, so we may be transformed in newness of life.
We are to continually yield ourselves to death in knowing that new life begins when we let the old end.
The beauty of God’s perfect matchless grace is that we can always begin again in Jesus, it is never too late.
In this life, we are to continually put to death the deeds of the flesh so we may truly live.
As we advance into greater depths of Spirit, we become a well spring of life reflecting the glory of the Lord in ripple effects as it radiates from our being.
Learning to lay it all down is a lifelong exchange, leaving the limitations and shaking off the old skin so it becomes new. We leave the world of existence, to abundance and fulfillment in life.
When we become silent, we begin to hear things we had no idea were there; the doves cooing early in the morning, the wind blowing against the leaves, the cool breeze against our skin even the sound of our very own breath when we breathe all coming together like a symphony; It is in this silence that we truly find the still small voice.
The more advanced we are, the greater level of humility we must carry. It is not ambitions and works that give us status in the Kingdom, it’s about his purpose.
He wants us. He wants fellowship with us. His greatest joy is finding us walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
Do we think that through elevations we obtain some sort of untouchable status?
Jesus went to those who were considered untouchable, social outcasts and his main confrontations came from religious spirits to whom he gave his strongest rebukes.
What about the parable of the good Samaritan and those who passed by the wounded man; even walking on the other side? These religious, who thought they were successful in their religiosity had no compassion and lacked such humility.
To be religious and humble is an oxymoron. Religion tolerates no weakness in others; no wounding or infirm soul. Only in their hypocrisy they continue to go into such hardness that requires others to go also.
Religion and pride dictates and the social caste system of things, making such a narrow view of those who are not perfected enough in their own little world.
Very few can maintain such expectations, only a very hardened few. So many that try, fall out of view, not able to be good enough to the very religion they thought they were part of, or even born into.
So many falling through the cracks, thinking they are not good enough to satisfy such antics.
The religious and prideful don’t care about people or their purpose, they only want people to care and take care of them, it is all about their ambition and tradition!
Climbing the ladder of religion has no end and there is never enough, or good enough.
Through the dizziness of their own pride filled glory, they surround themselves with yes men. It’s all about their advancement of self promotion and ambition; Not in humble submission to Christ.
Religion and ambition is all about who has the high seat and those who single out those who are those most made in their image.
We are made in Christ’s image, not in the image of religion with its pinnacle of power and position.
Their goal is how many people can be won to their nightmare; to be proselytes molding more to their image, leading more to hell. These religious have absolutely no compassion for those who are weak and the infirm.
Christianity is not a religion.
Christianity is a relationship with Christ.
Religion is a return to bondage and it seeks to gain your support and trust, promising you a grand future with a front row seat with the selective few elite.
The dazed and bewildered among them are like lost sheep seeking a shepherd but instead, finding dictators of charisma and sideshows of mockery, using the precious name of Jesus and twisting his grace to manipulate and control the minds of the weak and feeble and spiritually sick.
These spiritual dictators are mixing a poison of soul, to keep one spiritually sick and tied to chains of their own gain and crown.
Christ has made us free from religion and tradition, but beloved there are many among us that are attempting to mix religion and Christianity together and it won’t mix.
It only presses the legalist further up their slimy ladder promising great grandeur, and condemns those who won’t get with the program.
These that have the Christian beliefs with this religious mixture seeks to corrupt the pure simplicity in Christ; that HIS sacrifice was once and for all.
Pray beloved, for this spirit is alive among the flock, taking many out of God’s good graces, leading them to dark places and prisons of their own making.
Pray beloved, for those who are held captive. Those who have been dazzled, dizzy and trampled on.
For those whom God loves, he is the good shepherd and has laid down his life for the flock.
The LORD is going after those who are bewildered and bewitched, sending in those who will set HIS captives free!
God is coming after you!
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
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New Beginning Christian Ministries International 