I know there is something out there, but is it the God that religion teaches? That is the cry from someone that knows there is a Higher Existence than mankind, but has not found that Existence in the religions of mankind. Would it surprise you to know that Ezekiel, a prophet of God, wrote about the same issue? It is recorded in the Bible. “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?’” (Ezekiel 34:2). “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those that were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:4-5). The existence higher than mankind is not found in the religions of mankind. “For thus says the Lord God; ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out'” (Ezekiel 34:11).

And God, the Higher Existence, was faithful to the words of His prophet. Paul wrote this in a letter to the Colossians, “For it pleased the Father (God, the Higher Existence) that in Him (the Son, God among mankind) all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). Why would someone think that religion does not have the answer? “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves'” (Luke 19:46). Jesus said those words to people that bought and sold in the temple. The Son of God did not find the Higher Existence in the religions of the world. When Paul was in Athens, he found an alter built to the UNKNOWN GOD. Paul proclaimed to the men of Athens that the only true God was their “UNKNOWN GOD” (see Acts 17:22:-28). It is nothing new that the Higher Existence is not found in the religions of the world.

“For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthly vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7). It is not religion or the repetitive acts of mankind that gives knowledge of the glory of God, but God Himself. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are not a religion of mankind, we are ambassadors of the Higher Existence.

Notwithstanding that mankind has made a religion that uses the name of Christ and says Jesus with their mouth. Jesus said, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:45). “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me” (Revelations 3:20). It is not about religion, but hearing from God and responding to the voice of God; “looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Religion does not teach of God, God teaches of Himself. “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:27). Religion wants to hold on to traditions and their own doctrines and acts of works. “Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I worked a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe. Though one were to declare it to you” (Acts 13:41). It is not our works but the works of God (through Jesus) that unites us with God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe the He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). God puts into us a desire to find Him and holds our faith until we believe. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I choose you” (John 15:16a). I know there is something out there, but is it the God that religion teaches? NO!

He is the God that teaches of Himself. He is the God that comes for His own. He is the God that dwells among us for His own sake, to bring us back to Him. God is a Father that has sent His faithful Son to bring all of His children back into His family. The faithful Son was willing to and did pay the price to bring us back to God – to join us back to Himself. God is a Father that sends to us His Holy Spirit, and returns to us in the Spirit to teach us of Himself. “The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:27).

© 2004, 2017 Tim D. Coulter Sr.