Colossians 2:20-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰ If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ²¹ “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ²² (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? ²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Has anyone approached you by asking “What is your faith?” They are in essence trying to determine your religious affiliations. They will be looking for words like Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Baptist and of late an ever increasing list of non-denominations. Non-denom is an interesting category as it tries to declassify itself from a long list of perceived violations. It is one way to avoid being attacked by the asking party.

Rather than giving an affiliation, what if we were to reframe the question? “Not what but where is my faith!” Is faith a religion? If we reframe the question the ensuing dialogue changes focus off past grievances, perceived in error or not, and places faith as the foundation for the answer.

When asked, “Then where is your faith?” Answer “I put my faith in Christ.” Then the focus changes from religion to relationship. This is the error of communication common among many today. We do not have a relationship with religion.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

⁵ And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

⁶ And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Within our cities you will find a large number of “churches” listed in the yellow-pages or within google search results. These listings are the local operations. If within those names you find an affiliation with a national or global group, those are administrations. There have been in the past severe and painful disassociations with administrations. The Lutheran Reformation was not the last one.

Hebrews 10:20 King James Version (KJV) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Mark 15:38 King James Version (KJV) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

The veil by design was the point of separation between unsanctified man and God. It was the one thing keeping man from entering into the Holy of Holies, the heart of God. When Christ died on the cross that barrier of separation was removed.

Ephesians 2:14 King James Version (KJV) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

This made it possible for the living God to live in our heart of hearts. He made a way where there was no way.

Psalm 32:8 English Standard Version (ESV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

In order for us to see the progress God is making in our conformance to the image of Christ we must use our spiritual eyes to see things as God sees them. This is why it is important for us to develop those spiritual ears and eyes as early as possible in our walk of faith. We will only see the progress of the flesh without them.

Proverbs 21:24 English Standard Version (ESV) “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Hints of this arrogant pride are often found in the singular present tense “I”. It takes ownership of the power of change that dwells in the flesh but has done nothing for the inner man, that inner being that God looks to change.

Proverbs 20:27 English Standard Version (ESV) The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.