The Difference Between God and Religion

Ellen J. Barrier/Author/Spirituality Counselor

                                                     
    The difference between God and religion, is no comparison. God judges the human race according to his laws. He has the authority to carryout punishment in his judgment as to how, and when such punishment should occur.

Being religious, and taking upon one’s self to judge another individual or to punish such an individual for having committed an act that he or she feels is unrighteous, does not qualify judgment. No one is sinless.  Therefore, no human being, will ever qualify to take the position of God to punish another human being for their sins. Regardless, of how they may view the act that was committed.

   God, has not given up his position nor his authority to hand down punishment upon those who reject his laws. One cannot take another individual’s life in the name of “Doing God’s Will”  while professing themselves to uphold God’s laws.

“Thou Shall Not Kill” means exactly what it says.
(God’s Law stated  in Exodus 20:13)

 We are held accountable by God, for the words we speak and for the acts we commit. Words and actions do matter. Negative words and lies used to attack an individual’s character, produce harmful affects. They can destroy an individual’s character, and cause the loss of lives. They can also, cause the innocent to be imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit.

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speak forwardness.”
King Solomon  
(Proverbs 10:32)


* Forwardness-not willing to comply with what is right or reasonable.

  Some religious people, are behaving shamefully. They are scornful, judgmental, and filled with hate. The words we use when communicating with others or when they are used in reference to another individual, describes our character. Our own words and actions speaks volumes of who we are. And clearly identifies a connection to God,  or a disconnection from him.

 In the book of Psalm, King David , identifies the character of  both the connected individual, and the disconnected individual to God. He refers to their characteristics as ‘fruit.’ In the book of Galatians,
Paul also gives a description as "The fruit of the spirit."


The Character Of  the Connected Individual to God:
Galatians 5:22


But the fruit of the Spirit is  love,   joy,   peace,   longsuffering,   gentleness,   goodness,
faith,   meekness,   temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22)

Psalm 1


Blessed is the man (person) that walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not  wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.


The Character Of the Disconnected Individual from God:
Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:
Adultery,  fornication,  uncleanness,  lasciviousness,  idolatry,  witchcraft, hatred,  variance,  emulations.  Wrath,  strife,  seditions,  heresies,  envying,   murders,
drunkenness,  revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told
you in time past, that they which do such things shell not inherit the kingdom of God.

Conclusion:


Does one need to be religious to be successful or to have hope and to live?
The answer is  No.

From my very own personal experience - with testimonies of others, to be connected to God is awesome!
He provides greater opportunities with  hope.


Rewards:
Therefore, we rejoice in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Knowing that tribulations, produces patience, and patience, produces experience, and experience,  produces hope. Success and great achievements are additional accomplishments provided with hope.

Reference:
Romans 5:3,4 &  12:12

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How To Trust God When All Other Resources Have Failed
Authors: George C. Barrier Sr., & Ellen J. Barrier
ISBN:  978-0-9794043-0-6
Copyright© 1994
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