Here’s a quick review of our coverage of Dr. Andrew Farley’s book, God Without Religion. I’m putting all of this together in preparation for our concluding message to be delivered in… oh, a little more than two hours from now. Go me.
Part 1 / Mennonite Motorboat / Dr. Farley comments on the frugality and the minimalist beliefs of the Amish, and the irony in one incident where he saw a lavish motorboat being pulled by a horse carriage / Shared by JB, October 8, 2023 / Newsletter Title: In With The New
Part 2 / Divine Slot Machine! / Dr. Farley comments on how we like to give God money in hopes that we get what we want, like putting money in a slot machine, pulling the lever, and getting a prize… Or not. / Shared by Mama Nitz, October 15, 2023 / Newsletter Title: New Covenant Giving
Part 3 / The Two Ministries of Christ / Christ shared the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Gospel of Grace – but He also emphasized on the futility of trying to follow the Law. Shared by Ate Winnie, October 22, 2023 / Newsletter Title: The 2 Ministries of Christ
Part 5 – Frank Lloyd Wrong – Gonna have to go back to this one. Shared by Mama Nitz in 2 parts, November 5, 2023 and November 12, 2023 / Newsletter Titles: The Need to Die (5a), and The Big Question (5b)
Part 6 – Government Bailout – Dr. Farley talks about how the Government had inject money from the people to the bank systems, as the ‘bailout’. Remembering this is about forgiveness. Shared by Ate Winnie, November 19, 2023 / Newsletter Title: Complete Forgiveness
Part 7 – Theater of Life – Talking about fellowship – Shared by Brent, November 26, 2023 / Newsletter Title: Unbreakable Fellowship
Part 8 – The Spirit of Gretzky – To be shared by me tomorrow, December 03, 2023 / Newsletter Title: All In All
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:8-10
There is no bargaining with the Law. You give the full tithe and be blessed. Give anything less, and you are cursed.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:21-22, 27-30, 48
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
James 2:10
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:19-20
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:23-26
We have been reminded of the stringency of the Law – First, we ought to know that the Law is a ‘perfect or zero’ Law; You fail one, and you fail all (James 2:10). And we also see that Christ ministered to us two ways – our oft known salvation, but also by reminding us that the Law is so strict that even if we think of sinning, we break it (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-30, 48).
But all this considered, we also see the purpose of the Law – The Law served to shut us up and put us in our place, and brought us to believe, trust and have faith in Christ.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
For where a will (and testament) is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
Hebrews 9:16-17
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:5-11
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:19-20
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…
Colossians 2:20
Christ was born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law (Galatians 4:4-5). It was necessary for Him to die, to establish God’s will (Hebrews 9:16-17); It was ALSO necessary for Him to die, so that we would be united with Him, and die with Him – that we would die to sin (Romans 6:5-11). We died to the Law (Galatians 2:19-20), and to the elemental spirits of the world (Colossians 2:20).
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Leviticus 17:11
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
Through Christ we have been atoned, sanctified, healed and perfected. (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 10:10, 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 10:14)
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
Hebrews 7:12
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
The Levites served as the priests for the people of Israel, but when Christ served as High Priest for both Jew & Gentile, Hebrews 7:12 implies that we changed from the Law of Sin & Death to what we eventually read as the Law of Spirit & Life (Romans 8:2).
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:18-26
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Galatians 4:24-26, 28-31
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:13-14
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
The good news is that Christ rose from the dead! It only confirmed that Christ really died and all that was implied for us upon His death was made true! Christ really died, so we really died! But more importantly, Christ rose from the dead, so we rose and became new creations! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Christ rose from the dead, so our minds, once set on the things of the flesh, are now set on the things of the Spirit! (Romans 8:5-6) We have been raised with Christ, and our minds have been set on things that are above! (Colossians 3:1-3) Sin will have no dominion over us, because we are not under law, but under grace! (Romans 6:13-14)
And because we are under a new High Priest, we are led from the Law of Sin and Death to the Law of Spirit and Life (Romans 8:2). We have been called from darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), which means that we have been moved from doing the works of the flesh to bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:18-26), and we were re-made, from children for slavery, to children of promise (Galatians 4:24-26, 28-31)… We were re-made, from instruments for unrighteousness to instruments for righteousness! (Romans 6:13-14)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:17-18
We give thanks to God, for Jesus Christ! For it is through Him that we died to Sin and Flesh, we were made alive in the Spirit. It is through Him that we were brought from the Law of Sin and Death to the Law of Spirit and Life. It is because Christ died and rose again, that we died and rose again, under a new Law – and as such, NOTHING can separate us from the love of God! (Romans 8:35-39) And because we are always in this perfect love, there is no reason for us to fear losing salvation and favor with God, there is no reason for us to fear being separated from Him, because through Christ’s death, the punishment has already been served! (1 John 4:17-18)
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:12
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Consequently, we are given light on what it means to bear fruit – Just as we have been loved, so we are able to love (John 13:34-35).
Just as we have been given, so we are able to give to one another. We don’t give out of lack, we give out of abundance. We don’t give to be blessed, but BECAUSE we have been blessed (2 Corinthians 8:12). And mind you, it’s not just money – but SO much more we could give, because we have been given SO much: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, contributions, leadings, mercy, to name a few (Romans 12:6-8)… And of course, just as God has given cheerfully, so we are able to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:18-19
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10
Friends, Christ IS our Life (Colossians 3:4). He wanted to give us life (John 10:10), and He gave HIS life so we would have life (John 14:18-19). We have been saved by His Life (Romans 5:10) so much that we call Him our Life.
Imitators (externals, Religion) versus spontaneity (internals, Spirit and Life)
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Paul says he no longer lives, but then he says he does now live, by faith. So which is it? Does he live or doesn’t he? Well, both. The old Paul (Saul of Tarsus) no longer lives, and it’s now Christ living in him. But it’s also the new Paul living in dependency on Christ. It’s a union, a mystery. And it is beautiful! How close is your Jesus?
(The life I live in the flesh I live by faith, living by the Spirit, i.e. The Spirit of Gretzky) We were never intended to live this life in our own resources or by our own methods. The entire reason we are given Jesus himself, rather than a ticket to heaven, is so that he can motivate us and animate us, living his life in and through us—a life we could never live apart from him. And his divine life in us sure makes “the game” a lot more fun.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… 2 Peter 1:3
We have a good God who loves us and likes us. Take it in!
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
We have a God who is alive with us, and in us.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
Take it in, through Christ and the New Covenant, Christ and His finished work!
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:9-10
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence… 2 Peter 1:3
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35
The sales pitch of religion is that we’re lacking; we’re dirty; and we’re distant. Through more commitments and more dedication, we can get clean and get close to God. So we go from church to church, conference to conference, and movement to movement, looking for something more, something deeper. Religion says, “Make every effort.” God says, “Make every effort to rest in me.” Instead of hoping and waiting for more, we’re invited to the intimate union with Jesus we’ve already been given. We’re invited to God, without religion.
We have all of God, through Christ – God BEYOND Religion.Christ is Emmanuel – God With Us.
And it was all part of the plan.
Part 4 – God’s Big Fat Greek Wedding – Dr. Farley mentions how he enjoyed ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and how the protagonist had to be introduced to the Greek customs of his new family. Shared by Brent, October 29, 2023 / All In The Plan / Predestination
…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will… Ephesians 1:4-5
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit… Ephesians 1:11-13
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel… and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things… Ephesians 3:4-6, 9
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:26-29
But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Romans 10:6-7
…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. …For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9, 11
Update – I ended up just going for whatever I placed on my newsletter. The verses were as follows:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Colossians 2:9-10
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35
Still ended with this: We have all of God, through Christ – God BEYOND Religion.Christ is Emmanuel – God With Us.
Sorry. This seemed anticlimactic but I don’t know. I didn’t feel like dragging everyone through all of this. I’ll probably reduce this to a tastier gravy soon.
Until the next post, God bless you.
303608/365000
#Salvation #Forgiveness #Fellowship #ChristsWork #NewCreation #GodWithoutReligion #AndrewFarley #Grace #Bible #PracticalChristianity #God #Truth #Life #Peace #Gospel #Christianity #JesusChrist #ChristianIdentity #LifeInThe Spirit #FeaturesOfSalvation
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
Leave a comment