The word “religion” is a biblical word that means good and not evil. ((When Jewish Rabbi’s use the word religion, they are usually speaking of a purity of faith in God. I’ll discuss this in further articles on this important subject.))

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27 NASB

However, the modern definition and references to religion has now become a very negative term. It alludes to the self-righteous beliefs and acts of those who believe in a god of any kind. When the word is used in most Christian arenas, it refers to those who tout a knowledge of good and evil. That sounds like the garden of Eden, doesn’t it? The initiator of the evil side of religion was the serpent. He still sways many to his “religion” and removes them from their attachments to the garden of promise and from communications with God the Father. That is what religion does.

A simplified definition that tests our religious thinking is when “it is more important to be right than to love.” From this, we find that same satanic religious mindset in almost every area of life. Is it more important for you to be right or to love? If love is your answer, then let love do the work instead of “right.”

The law of sin and death is a severing of relationship with God the Father. When we live by that law of sin and death, we must always be serving our behavior and judging our relationship with the Father according to how we act. If that were a true religion, we would all be doomed – every one! God forbid!

This is one strong description of the orphan spirit that fights against the Spirit of Adoption in our lives. The orphan spirit lives by the love of the law, but the true child of God the Father lives by the law of love!

There were two trees in that wonderful garden: The Tree of Life & The Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil! Jesus/Yeshua is the Tree of Life! The devil wants us to eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil! Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! ((Psalms 34:8 NASB “O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” which might be explained in a deeper way by Jesus/Yeshua when He said, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” Mark 9:1 NASB))  Let us change what we know about good and evil and trade all of that knowledge in for the love that walks and talks with our heavenly Father in the cool of the day, through the wonders of His garden!

Prayer:

“Abba! Father! I do not wish to be drawn away from Your loving embrace and be continually conscious of the good and the bad in my life. I want to be in Your presence where all that matters is love. It is written that “God is Love.” ((“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 NKJV ))  I receive the substance of Your love from You, and I give You my love in return. The substance of Your love is always enough, and it purifies my love. Even in the worst of situations for me. I am in awe of YOU. I love how You talk with me in so many ways with so many kinds of sounds. You are my strength that goes on without end. I do not have to leave You when I get up from my “alone time” with You. You are as much with me when I walk through my day as You are when I pray. Help me to see Your lovingkindness at work. Let Your lovingkindness work in me, through me and from me to others. In my wrong doing, You comfort my soul, and Your love turns it around and produces a miracle. Is there anything that Your love cannot do? I think not. Let Your grace – Your peace – abide in me now. Amen.” ((“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NKJV))