Religion drives horrible lies deep into us.

For example, the Bible is not hard or boring (Why would God do that?). Religion teaches it is complex and beyond a layperson’s ability to grasp. That way people will submit to the interpretations that keep institutional religion in control.

Bible

Bible (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

The Bible is just a Friend talking to you. If something doesn’t make sense ask for clarification, or just skip it and come back to it some other time. Even my wife doesn’t make sense to me sometimes and that’s what I need to do (graciously, of course!).

The early century people were amazed that unschooled disciples knew so much. They just knew the Person. “After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus
(Acts 4:13 God’s Word).

Jesus even explicitly says that the spiritual life is clearly grasped by the less academic, as it says,  “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from wise and intelligent people and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you’ ” (Matthew 11:25-26 God’s Word©).

love_one_another_Religion creates a God they control, a God who agrees with all their rules and doctrines. We know this is a false religion because Jesus taught people to live love, not any old or new law. Oops, Jesus did give a new law, namely, “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other” (John 13:34-35 God’s Word©).

If you feel distinctive because of doctrine, interpretation, ritual or organizational structure you have missed the boat.

Love – compassionate, respectful, generous, behaviour that pursues justice (fair, balanced and God-centred processes practiced openly) in an attitude of humility and overt submission to God and God’s Words, not denominational doctrine or congregational constitutions.

If the Bible must say what you demand it says it will be boring and hard. But if you revel in Paraclete opening the ways of God to you, well, the Bible will be no harder to follow than any other romance story or love letter.

So, here is a religious secret revealed. The Bible can be grasped even by children.

“Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.”