EXPECT “AHA” MOMENTS OF REVELATION
If we keep studying and listening to God’s voice, sooner or later, new truths will become evident to us. God will give us wisdom to hear his voice as we read between the lines of the written word. When we hear his voice — it is not an audible voice — our attention will be diverted from literal interpretations of the written word to the the spirit meanings. When such understanding comes, we will know that we have heard God’s voice. It will be one of those great “aha” moments when confusing, mysterious words of the Bible become clear and understandable.
STUDY TIP: These “aha” moments could also be called “rapturous” moments.
When we hear God’s voice this way, life changes. We see God, religion, people and the world differently. In particular, we will see that religion holds people in bondage. And we will be extremely grateful that we have been delivered from religion.
We will also develop great compassion for people who are still enslaved to religion. We will begin to see our responsibility to help people enjoy the same freedom from religion that we now enjoy and will look for ways in which we can become warriors against the enemy.
If we keep on studying, good deeds will flow out of us naturally like living water.
STUDY TIP: See this link for more about good deeds.
It will happen as the Spirit of God directs us — not according to religious traditions or programs that our church or synagogue has on its calendar or in its order of service or various teachings that guide all our religious activity. Sooner or later we will conclude that it is in our best interests to do what God says — even though we do not agree or do not understand why we should do it. If we continue to apply what we learn, eventually we will conclude that obedience is truly life-giving. The truth of 2 Timothy 3:16 will become very clear to us and perhaps to others as well.
If Bible study does not affect our attitudes, our beliefs and behaviors, and does not open our spiritual eyes to understanding of the mysteries and symbolism of the Bible, we are not receiving what God is able to convey through scripture as he leads us away from religion to faith. If we do not change, we are not listening while reading. And if we do not listen, we will not be equipped to apply what we have learned in any way other than legalistically.
The good news is that God has given us many clues to steer us away from literal interpretations that lead to religious legalism. The ultimate test of obedience exists in our response to what we learn about God’s attitude about religion. If we read the Bible only for its literal content, we will remain religious because the foundation for religion for Jews, Muslims and Christians is found in the literal, written word. If we read the Bible symbolically, however, and if we listen for God’s voice and do not just read words on paper, we will begin to understand what Godly legalism is and will dare to abandon our religious habits. We will be on our way to becoming New Covenant disciples. But it will not be easy.
If we dare to leave our religion, or even express doubt about it, we will find that those with whom we shared a religious tradition become our personal enemies, adversaries and oppressors who will try to keep us in bondage to their religious traditions. They will do this because they find security in religion and anything that shakes or threatens their religion, including someone leaving it, challenges beliefs and practices in which they have made great psychological, social and financial investments. Anyone who leaves their religion casts a measure of doubt about it’s validity, strength and future. That makes those who remain in the religion very uncomfortable and may cause them to respond negatively to any threat to their security.
The Religion Detox Network exists to provide comfort for people have left religion through the opportunity to network with others who have also left religion.