There is an extraordinary amount of definitions and examples of what religion is, it can be tiresome. Eventually you get to the point of exactly, “what is religion?” The few times religion is mentioned in the Scriptures sheds light upon what the whole concept is.

Only five times do we see in the entire Bible the word “religion” appear (KJV). Most of the references comes from the Apostle Paul explaining his past “religion.” We can also see the Apostle James make references to the “religion” God finds blameless is one who cares for the fatherless and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated from the world. Other than these references, there is not another mention of religion. So, when we refer to religion and how we must detox from it what do we mean?

The Apostle Paul using “religion” to describe his past as a practicing Pharisee could be a good place to start. The Pharisees themselves, may be just exactly the greatest example in the Bible of what religion is. “Traditions, rituals, lip-service, praise from men, hypocrisy, misinterpretation of Scripture, outward display of righteousness, godly appearance, external godliness, inward corruption, pride, and so on…”

Religion is in essence the “controlled-behavior” of “godliness.” Religion is the simply “doing” and “practicing” of certain behaviors that appear “righteous” and “good” according to men. The work of religion is manifest by doing things in order to receive things. Receive things whether from “God” or man. Religion of course, has more components to it’s “essence.” But the big picture of religion is that in reality God is absent, yet to man, God is “present.”

The Pharisees were so sure, if one may say, stubbornly sure that what they were doing was right. They believed God was with them, they were pleasing God with their works, rituals, traditions, behaviors, and worship; but upon God manifesting in the flesh of Jesus Christ they had missed the mark. Religion does not rest upon or depend upon the finished work of Christ. And therefore, other things are “added” and “taken” and manipulated from the pure Gospel in order to gratify the unsatisfied flesh. We can see the people preferred and shouted for Barnabas to be released, rather than Christ. This brings revelation that the religious one prefers to choose “lies” and fears the “crowds of people” and rejects the quiet truth. Why God is absent from religion is because religion abandons the truth, and chooses to live in self-deception or in-general, lies…

All that religion has to offer is vain, because despite it’s “appearances” and even convincing speeches, it does not preach the truth of the Gospel and therefore is without God’s power to save. This is why we exhort the importance to detox from religion, because it is harmful to your soul. Religion and it’s practices are toxic, because it is centered upon a “God” that is not in the reality of the truth. To be as bold to say, religion does not know God, and never has known God, nor ever will.

Detoxing involves, first of all, abstaining from a particular “toxin.” Then, you must continue to “stay clean” of the toxins and “maintain” good health by “eating healthy.” This is what our ministry provides is clean, pure truth of Christ that is able to guide you into a life free from religion that God is absent from. God’s grace cannot be earned, and He will give upon His own will. There is rest in the yoke of Jesus that we do not need to work in order to receive, but live by the faith given to us from God. If you struggle understanding the concept of faith, then you need to check out our ministry. Don’t settle being bound to a religion in which God does not approve, or is not even present with…

IN THE WORLD there is common belief, standards, norms, and customs. Behind most of these norms is a mass of people who ignorantly go along with the unobserved life, or people who willingly follow the crowd. We are warned in the Scriptures about the broad-path and not following popular opinion if it is evil (see Ex. 23:1-3).

If you are walking alone with someone you know, let’s say a close friend, and he or she asks you to do them a favor; you will be more inclined to say, “No” to them. But say, you have a group of all your close friends and they all request you do something you don’t wish; you will be more inclined to say, “Yes”. When multiple people are telling you what to do, persuading you, giving you advice, and pressuring you; your ability to say “no” to them will be more difficult. This is especially true for those who are dependent passive-people pleasers.

What makes leaving the Institutional Church difficult is that it seems as such a radical, unpopular, and abnormal belief in the eyes of the masses. With such intellectual, persuasive, and seemingly good intention-ed people promoting such organizations, the majority of people see the IC as a place were people can get their lives together, have ties to the community, build a family, connect with others, and help change lives. The IC is seen as virtuous, as moral, and regarded by society as a place that’s upright.

However, what has to be objected is all things must be judged. When judging with spiritual discernment this is were the IC takes a turn for the worst. If the majority of people were spiritual and judged all things; they would have understanding of the fallacies, errors, deception, doctrines of devils, religious evil-spirits, nonspiritual fleshly worship, vanity, unbelief, and denial of power that every church takes part in. Not to mention that there are people professing to be believers yet, are such as the Apostle Paul prophesied would be like in the end-times, whom we are warned to turn away from (see 2 Tim. 3).

Looking at the only Lord, Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the time He walked this earth in the flesh before being crucified. He never succumbed to popular opinion, norms, crowd mentalities, and the masses. He did not care for what the majority thought. He only desired to obey the will of His Father, even if that meant believing what no one else in the world believed. Jesus was labeled by religious people as demon possessed, others saw Him as literally insane. There was never a time when Jesus was an outsider to the popular opinion and beliefs.

The Lord specifically warned that the way of life is narrow, oppressive and only few would find it. We are not to follow the masses and the easy, wide-broad path that leads to destruction. Walking by faith, means not walking by sight. Religion is unable to present faith, and therefore must rely on the seen for their faith to be authentic. The faith they present is not of God, and is humanly inspired to trust in works, rituals, traditions, and that walking by such is faith. Or, that faith is some willy-nilly blind trust, a sort of attitude like, “Throw yo hands up in the air if you jus don care!!”

True faith comes from God, and “is the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). We have been convicted of the not seen reality of the Institutional Church, and have assurance of what we hope for, namely the revelation of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Despite what the masses see, we will not rely on the seen, but the unseen conviction, and walk by faith.

It takes faith that comes from God to leave the IC, and when He does provide the faith for you to leave, you will always have a go to haven here at Pam Sheppard Ministries. Contact the number 888-818-1117 or email getreadyforthelord@gmail.com if you would like to discuss the IC, or the ministry.

Who are the people of God? Who belongs to God? And are you one of them? This is a simple yet extraordinary question…

Going along with this in mind, have you ever heard of the word ‘saint’? Well, this is what also first came to mind when I think of the people of God. What is a saint? Unfortunately, what Catholics project a saint as is not biblical or correct. The word saint in the New Testament in Greek is (ἅγιος) meaning “holy one”. Essentially a saint is a holy person, and therefore a collection of holy people are saints, and the saints are what God’s people are. What makes a common person different from a holy person?

A saint, is a person who has (not by self-repentance) by the Holy Spirit’s conviction— their sins repented of at the cross and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, and made blameless, righteous, and pure—and have their dead human spirit resurrected to life by His literal bodily resurrection, and are continuously being made wholly holy and blameless by God alone. This is simply who God’s people are now, the ones drawing near to the Father in Heaven through His Son, since only through Christ is true holiness now…

“For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

God is the Person who appears, makes, forms, and chooses His people, it’s been that way since Abraham the father of faith and to us at the end of times. God is always seen appearing to man with mercy, to make him a saint, and bring him into His peoplehood, or family. Since man cannot do the work in order to gain approval from God or be justified; the job is entirely God’s establishment, timing, and power that achieves such an acceptance, and change unto a man. As the Lord said, “I will show mercy on whom I show mercy.”

To conclude, have you asked yourself if you a saint? Do you consider yourself part of God’s people? What do you think, or who do you think God’s people are?

If you have questions about salvation, or question your born again experience; contact Pam Sheppard of Pam Sheppard Ministries who is an expert with deliverance counseling, she can help you make sure you are one of God’s people in truth. Call 888-818-1117, or email getreadyforthelord@gmail.com