The Kingdom Perspective: Leave Religion Behind

The scriptures are the presentation of the values, the principles and the precedents by which we agree to govern ourselves. This is the classic definition of a Constitution. The scriptures are not religious. From cover to cover we are presented with the reality of two kingdoms, one king, one who wants to be king, and the epic battle that is raging for humanity. When or if we make the scriptures religious, we take away their power to govern and to direct our lives. They become nothing more than a suggestion. Their impact in and for our lives is destroyed. They are in reality alive, living, breathing, powerful dynamics of choice for governance that we engage for the outcomes that we are created to desire and to engage for successful outcomes of meaning and of purpose.

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

12 For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy,[a] and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword.[b] It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone[c] and marrow meet![d] It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts. - Hebrews 4:12 The Passion Translation (TPT)

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12 New International Version (NIV)

Religion is the expression of the rules and the regulations that man has composed in order to judge whether or not we are following/adhering to the things that they ascribe as important, so that we comply and fit into or belong to their group. This is not our God’s correct way of doing and being.  Our God is not religious, and His Word is not religious. Our God and His Word are both relational. Both are alive and impactful in the everyday, all of the time experiences of the living of our lives.