Religion keeps record of wrongdoing
Not only does religion try to get us to overlook God's love for us, it will also try to get us to hold things against others out of spite and unforgiveness, while God's Word tells us that love keeps no record of wrong:
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8
Now don't get me wrong, we are to judge the righteous judgment, which is common sense. If a person has not repented of their wrong, but continues in it, we may not be able to trust them with responsibilities that we could trust somebody else with. If you have been abused or raped, then you may not able to trust that person until they have earned their trust again (which may never happen). While it's important to forgive those who wrong us, it may be foolish to begin trusting them right away. For example, it normally isn't a good idea to leave your children alone with a child molester. Now if I know that person has truly repented, and sought deliverance, then it might be a different story. Trust can be earned, but we must be wise.
What I am talking about here is when a person continues to brew things in their mind that others have done against them. They will continue to be bitter and hold resentment in their heart while they overlook the love that God has had for them, and fails to have that same love in their heart towards those who have wronged them.
Religion expects and demands of others and self
Religion is a performer; it expects others to hold up to a religious standard, and it also expects you to uphold to high standards as well (self-righteousness). Perfectionism and religion are good friends. Perfectionism says that everything has to be perfect, or else that person is bothered over even the pettiest of things that aren't up to their standard. Perfectionism criticizes the little things that aren't right, instead of being thankful for the things that are right. Now don't get me wrong, we are to do our best for the Lord and feel good about it, but not to the point that we are never satisfied with our work. For example, if you do your best at putting together a sermon, then turn around and criticize yourself afterwards for not doing good enough, that is perfectionism.
Religion feels like it's earned something
Religion expects to receive something because it feels like it has earned it (good deeds / works of the law), while a person who as a genuine relationship with God can have an expectation to receive from God because He has promised it and is faithful (God's promise). Religion in this case feels as if it deserves something, while relationship is merely believing that what God said is true. Jesus gave us a prime example of this in the Bible:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8
Now don't get me wrong, we are to judge the righteous judgment, which is common sense. If a person has not repented of their wrong, but continues in it, we may not be able to trust them with responsibilities that we could trust somebody else with. If you have been abused or raped, then you may not able to trust that person until they have earned their trust again (which may never happen). While it's important to forgive those who wrong us, it may be foolish to begin trusting them right away. For example, it normally isn't a good idea to leave your children alone with a child molester. Now if I know that person has truly repented, and sought deliverance, then it might be a different story. Trust can be earned, but we must be wise.
What I am talking about here is when a person continues to brew things in their mind that others have done against them. They will continue to be bitter and hold resentment in their heart while they overlook the love that God has had for them, and fails to have that same love in their heart towards those who have wronged them.
Religion expects and demands of others and self
Religion is a performer; it expects others to hold up to a religious standard, and it also expects you to uphold to high standards as well (self-righteousness). Perfectionism and religion are good friends. Perfectionism says that everything has to be perfect, or else that person is bothered over even the pettiest of things that aren't up to their standard. Perfectionism criticizes the little things that aren't right, instead of being thankful for the things that are right. Now don't get me wrong, we are to do our best for the Lord and feel good about it, but not to the point that we are never satisfied with our work. For example, if you do your best at putting together a sermon, then turn around and criticize yourself afterwards for not doing good enough, that is perfectionism.
Religion feels like it's earned something
Religion expects to receive something because it feels like it has earned it (good deeds / works of the law), while a person who as a genuine relationship with God can have an expectation to receive from God because He has promised it and is faithful (God's promise). Religion in this case feels as if it deserves something, while relationship is merely believing that what God said is true. Jesus gave us a prime example of this in the Bible:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14
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