Raw and unfiltered relationship

Do NOT try to draw near to God the Father James 4:8 through a door, a lens, or a way of RELIGION. 

Do NOT try to draw near through GOOD DEEDS.

Do NOT try to draw near through RELIGIOUS activities.

Do NOT try to draw near through SPIRITUAL activities.

Aren't these the methods people use?

"I like my religion," some say, "It's true and helpful."

Others believe, "All of my good works will be weighed against my mistakes and sins. I'll be okay."

A few like to boast, "You know where I am 3 times a week? I haven't missed a service in years!"

Some like to think that their spirituality is better than anything and say, 

"I'm NOT religious. I'M spiritual!"

In this message, a "raw and unfiltered relationship" would be...

Uncorrupted.

Undefiled.

Unjaded.

Uncontaminated.

Unadulterated.

Undiluted.

Unstained.

Untainted.

Untouched by human devices -- without intimidation, manipulation, or domination. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2 

BUT WATCH OUT FOR DECEIVERS

Jesus answered, 

"See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." Matthew 24:4-5

John wrote,

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time. 1 John 4:1-3

A common way to deceive is to use the Bible's words.

BUT to the deceivers, they have different meanings from traditional, scholarly-accepted interpretations by Christians through the centuries.

Examples are too numerous to include here.

Let it be enough to accept that Paul had to warn and teach people in all wisdom. Colossians 1:28

And that Peter further cautioned about the devil who walks around to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Some of this devouring is through the deception of false teachers who sneak in among real believers. 2 Peter 2:1; Jude verse 12

Some even deny the Lord Jesus Christ Who bought them. 2 Peter 2:1; Jude verse 4

Paul wrote,

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. Colossians 2:8-9

False humility, worship of angels, restrictions of "don't touch, taste, or handle," self-prescribed worship, or harsh treatment of the physical body, may have an appearance of wisdom. Colossians 2:18, 21-23

Any of these and more can be part of the teachings of people that have turned from the truth Ephesians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 1:14-16 and the Head of the body, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 2:19

BELIEVE 

What to have faith in? 

Who to have faith in?

Check what the Bible says about BELIEVING.

Jesus said to a father who had requested healing for his daughter, but then she died, Luke 8:41-42, 49

"Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." Luke 8:50

And she was. Luke 8:51-56 

Jesus said, "That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." John 8:24

"The time is fulfilled," He said, "and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!" Mark 1:15

A jailor asked two believers,

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31

For a believer, shouldn't believing be like breathing?

"I'm breathing. I'm believing. The faith that's by Him is moving mountains." Mk.11:22-24; John 1:1; Acts 3:16; Romans 10:17

Then Jesus said to the centurion [Roman military officer], "Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you."

And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:13

Two blind men cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them. Matthew 9:27

After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him.

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" He asked.

"Yes, Lord," they answered.

Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you."

And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one finds out about this!" Matthew 9:28-30

Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

And Jesus told the woman,

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:50

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

And in keeping with what is written: "I believed, therefore I have spoken," we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13

THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT

A danger is to get on a path that appears to be right. Proverbs 14:12; 16:25

It has many traits that make it popular for those who want a relationship with the Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Luke 10:21

If it didn't, why would so many get on its road?

But is this way the RIGHT WAY?

One of Jesus' disciples asked, 

"Lord," said Thomas, "we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?" John 14:5

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

Haven't some in history claimed such things?

Simon tricked people through magic and bragged that he was great. His audience said that he was the great power of God. Acts 8:9-11

His magic failed the test when compared to one of Jesus' followers who removed demons and healed the sick in Jesus' name. Acts 8:5-8, 12-13

A religious leader said,

"Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered." Acts 5:36-37

If the bold claim by Jesus that He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that only through Him we could get to God the Father were true, John 14:6 wouldn't He have proof? John 20:30-31; Acts 1:3

Jesus said,

"If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him." John 14:7

Another of His disciples requested,

"Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." John 14:8

Jesus replied, "Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? 

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.

How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves." John 14:9-11

At another time, Jesus said to a paralyzed man,

"Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5

But some of the scribes [experts in the Law of Moses] were sitting there and thinking in their hearts,

"Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Mark 2:6-7

Was Jesus the Word of God Who had emptied Himself to be clothed with humanity? John 1:1-2, 14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:2-3; Revelation 19:11-16

At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves.

"Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" He asked.

"Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'?

But so that you may know that the Son of Man Daniel 7:13-14; John 5:25-27 has authority on earth to forgive sins..."

He said to the paralytic,

"I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home."

And immediately the man got up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of them all.

As a result, they were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:6-12

DRAW NEAR IN REALITY

What does the Bible state is the REAL WAY to draw near to God the Father?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people!

If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,

then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel:

It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified but Whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:8-12

HOW TO GET A RAW AND UNFILTERED RELATIONSHIP?

Have you ever sinned?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Do you want to have God the Father's righteousness?

And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction. Romans 3:22

Will you believe that salvation is a gift?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Will you call upon Jesus to begin a raw and unfiltered relationship?

For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13

He wants you.

Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. John 6:37

Your thoughts?

R. Jason