Episode 18

Why religion doesn't work anymore

Published on: 10th September, 2024

Religion often focuses on external practices and rules that lack the power to transform us from the inside out. These man-made regulations may appear wise and spiritual, but they are powerless to conquer our sinful desires. The solution lies in the cross of Jesus Christ, which broke the power of sin and offers true freedom. It is through the power of God and the work of Jesus Christ that we can experience victory over the flesh. Religion is external and man-made, while the gospel is internal and God-given.

Takeaways

• Religion often focuses on external practices and rules, but they lack the power to transform us from the inside out.


• The cross of Jesus Christ broke the power of sin and offers true freedom.


• Victory over the flesh comes through the power of God and the work of Jesus Christ.


• Religion is man-made and external, while the gospel is God-given and internal.


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Chapters


00:00 Introduction

01:23 The Futility of Man-Made Religion

03:18 The Power of the Cross

05:11 Victory Over the Flesh

06:09 Religion vs. the Gospel




KEYWORDS:


religion, rules, rituals, transformation, sinful nature, power of God, victory over the flesh, gospel

Transcript
Speaker:

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the right religious things, following the rules,

going through the motions, but something still feels off?

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It's almost as if no matter how hard you try, it's not enough to fix what's really going

on inside.

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In this video, we're going to dive into why religion doesn't work the way you think it

should, and more importantly, how real transformation goes far beyond rules and rituals.

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Stick around because this could change everything about how you see faith.

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Hey everyone, welcome to the Authentic Podcast.

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My name is Christian and I've been a Christian for most of my life, dedicating myself to

not only studying the Bible, but truly living it out.

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Together with my amazing wife, we co -founded a Christian nonprofit with a heart for

sharing the love of Christ with the world.

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I'm passionate about teaching God's word and helping others experience His truth in a

powerful and authentic way.

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If you're ready to grow in your faith, you just happen to be in the right place.

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Let's dive in.

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In Colossians chapter 2 verses 20 to 23, the apostle Paul makes a powerful statement about

the futility of man -made religion in dealing with our sinful nature.

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He writes, since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why

is though you still belong to the world?

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Do you submit to its rules?

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Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.

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These rules, which have to do with the things that are all destined to perish with use,

are based on merely human commands and teachings.

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Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom with their self -imposed worship,

their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in

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restraining sensual indulgence.

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This passage speaks directly to the heart of human -made religion.

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Religion often focuses on the outward practices and rules and rituals that seem spiritual

but lack the power to transform us from the inside out.

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It tells us what to wear, how to speak, and what rituals to follow, but these things are

all external.

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They do not need to address the deep -rooted sinful and lustful desires within us.

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Paul exposes the emptiness of these rules.

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Although they appear wise and spiritual, he deems them

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powerless.

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Once again, they only deal with the external actions rather than internal transformation

we need.

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They are things which we try to do in our own strength and because of that they are

destined to fail.

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Religion often gives the illusion that by following certain rules or engaging in rituals,

we're earning God's favor or making ourselves holy.

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But these are just outward actions.

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They cannot conquer the sinful desires of our flesh.

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At best, they suppress the problem temporarily.

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At worst, they deceive us into thinking we're spiritually healthy when we're not.

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Our real issue isn't in the external world, it's within ourselves.

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The sinful nature or flesh is filled with lustful desires and indulgences that can't be

overcome by simply following a list of rules.

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No amount of human effort

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Discipline or rituals can truly change the heart.

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These things don't provide the spiritual power needed to overcome the deep rooted sins

that we struggle with.

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Paul makes it clear that religion in its manmade form lacks any value in restraining

sensual indulgence.

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So if religion doesn't work, what's the solution?

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Well, Paul points us back to the cross in Colossians 2 20.

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He reminds believers that

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they died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world.

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When Jesus Christ died on the cross, he didn't just pay the penalty for our sins, he broke

the power of sin over our lives.

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Through his death and resurrection, we are freed from the need to rely on outward

religious rules to find righteousness.

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Instead, we are empowered by the Spirit of God to live in true freedom.

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It is the power of God, not religious rituals that transforms us from the inside out.

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The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide everything we need to overcome

our sinful nature.

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His sacrifice on the cross offers us not only forgiveness, but also victory over the

flesh.

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This victory is not something we can achieve by following rules, but something we receive

by faith in what Jesus has already done for us.

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Religion often traps us in a cycle of trying to earn God's love or approval through our

own efforts or works.

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true freedom comes when we realize that Jesus has already done that work.

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We don't have to strive to be holy by following human made regulations.

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Instead, we can walk in the freedom that comes from knowing that Christ has overcome sin

on our behalf.

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What we need isn't more rules, but

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more of God's power working in us.

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The Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer gives us the strength and grace to overcome

our sinful desires.

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This is something religion could never do because it's external, while God's work is

internal.

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So we see in Colossians 2, 20 -23 that religion with all its rules and rituals is

powerless to save or transform us, only through the power of God and

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the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, can we experience true freedom and victory over the

flesh.

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Religion is man -made and external.

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The gospel is God -given and internal.

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It is through Christ alone that we find the power to overcome sin and live the life God

has called us to.

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If you're looking to go even deeper into the topics we cover here on the Authentic

Podcast, I invite you to become a paid member of the channel.

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By enrolling, you'll unlock exclusive resources like in -depth trainings, private live

streams for healing, deliverance in the prophetic, as well as activations to grow

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spiritually.

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These member -only tools are designed to take your faith to the next level.

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So head over to the main page authentic podcast to join today.

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Let's continue this journey together.

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Authentic Podcast
A faith-based podcast that equips the saints and preaches Christ crucified
You're tuned in to The Authentic Podcast, where we explore the transformative power of embracing the reality of Jesus Christ. As we embark on this journey together, we will navigate the depths of faith and discover the profound impact that Jesus has on our spiritual walk. In this space, you will find real and inspiring conversations about faith and how, as a believer, we should navigate the kingdom reality. We are excited that you are part of an adventure where authenticity and faith intersect. Welcome to the Authentic Podcast!
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About your host

Profile picture for Christian Searer

Christian Searer

I was saved by grace through faith. Called from darkness into light and forgiven of my sins. I have been made alive in Christ and purposed to declare His goodness on my life. I’m continually being renewed by the Holy Spirit and molded into the image of Christ.

I am who God says I am.

My desire is to widely share the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to model a lifestyle that is "worthy of the calling" and to be found approved.​

This is how I give back to God what is rightfully His.

This is the Authentic Podcast.