Are We Disobedient to God by Not Coming Under the Authority of Leadership of the Church?
True story: The radio preacher stated a question to his audience that seemed quite condemning: "Are you being disobedient to God by not coming under the authority of leadership, He has put in place at your local church?" It made me sick!
This is the attitude today of men who claim to know God and His will. With words of condemnation, they try and bring people into their walls to bind them with bible verses and tell them they are saving their souls. Nothing could be further from the truth. No wonder Jesus spoke against religious leaders of his day and called them a, "brood of vipers!" They are nothing more than snakes, lying in wait for their prey to sink their fangs into with their poison of death. In case you do not know it, religion brings death to the mind and soul of mankind. It claims to bring understanding, yet fills its' followers with darkness disguised as truth.
If we look at Jesus' example, we will see that we are to follow God the way Jesus followed God:
John 10:1-5 "...he who is not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but is going up from another side, that one is a thief and a robber. And he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep. To this one the doorkeeper doth open, and the sheep hear his voice, and his own sheep he doth call by name, and doth lead them forth. And when his own sheep he may put forth, before them he goeth on, and the sheep followeth him because they have known his voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers."
John 10:9 "I am the door. Through me if anyone may come, he shall be saved, and he shall come in and go out, and find pasture."
Jesus explains that this parable teaches a spiritual truth. All have been thieves and robbers in the way they have tried to enter into the kingdom of God, because they try and reach God outwardly through religion. Even better, religious leaders who lead astray others in the name of God are really the thieves and robbers of those who are seeking spiritual truth. Yet, Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within us. Therefore, Jesus boldly states that he is the door or entry way into the kingdom. Looking at Jesus' life as our model, he is demonstrating the way to follow him, is to seek God within your very being. That is where the green pasture and true sheep are; and when you find it, you enter in and find comfort and spiritual food. Anyone leading people stray by another way is called a thief and robber. Why? Because they unknowingly rob others of finding the truth within themselves, which is God.
John 13:36 Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, where do you go?" Jesus answered him, "Where I go you are not able to follow me now. But afterwards, you shall follow me."
Jesus was stating that he could be followed by following the Holy Spirit within. And the same is true for all of us. Jesus said, "they knew the way and that he was the way, the truth and the life. No one could come to the Father but by the way he had showed them - within." The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and "leads us." The Holy Spirit or Spirit of Truth is our true leader; not men in pulpits, books or creeds. God has given us all a great gift of truth:
Galatians 4:6-7 "...and because you are sons (and daughters), God did send forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying, 'Abba Father.' So you are no more a servant, but a son (or daughter) and also an heir of God through Christ."
Romans 8:14 "For as many are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons (or daughters) of God."
But men in pulpits and men on radio airwaves will tell us otherwise. They will tell us we are lacking, for we need a church home and leaders to guide us. And we need bibles and we need pastors and elders. Why do they insist in leading others? The answer is "control." They want their followers to believe such as they believe, and to be united in that common belief. They use that common belief to further their religious system and call it "blessed of God."
I John 2:20;27 "and you have an anointing (Holy Spirit) from the Holy One and know all things. And the anointing you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true, and is not a lie, and as He taught you, abide in Him."
Now, one must ask, "Why can we not trust the "Holy Spirit" or "God" to teach and lead His people? Are we afraid that God will mess things up? Are we afraid that He is not fit for leading? Can those who are looking within be misled by God? Is not God able to save and restore all? One must surmise that those who wish to lead others are afraid their religious system will be threatened if people no longer gather within their walls for a word from God. They tell us to trust them as leaders from God, yet they themselves cannot trust God to lead His people! Hypocrites! Whose authority should one trust, church leaders' authority or God's?
"The Kingdom Of God is Within You," caused religious leaders to nail Jesus to a cross to silence the truth of God. Today, the very religious ideas that Jesus spoke against are being used in his name to gain converts of man-made religion. Many church pastors and elders push the idea that people have to come under the authority of a local church leadership, or face being disobedient to God. Woe to you brood of vipers wherever you are.