MYSTERIES OF GOD'S KINGDOM. Kenneth B. Alexander

them from receiving true knowledge.

      “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man [literally unspiritual] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. (2 Corinthians 2:12-15). Religion, according to Paul, is the abode of the foolish, who don’t know or understand the Spirit of God and never can if left on their present course.

      What is the purpose of the Sons of God? It is not to evangelize the whole world and to do many good works on a large scale nor to preach on television? “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. “(Rom 8:19-22). God subjected the entire creation to futility due to the original sin. We live today in futility. Everything we see is temporal, passing away. Religion with its factions and disagreements is passing away. Only the spiritual, unseen by human eyes kingdom, will remain.

      God subjected the creation to futility not permanently but in hope the Sons of God would be manifest to release it. This is not missionary work or revivals. It is those who are “led by the Spirit”. It is the spiritual Sons of God who will do more than feed the starving children in Africa. They will deliver entire nations into the Kingdom of God where there s no longer any want or need. And it is not only the human people who will be released; it is the entire creation—plants, animals, cosmos, all of creation. This can only be done spiritually. Imagine the power of God working through clay vessels who will release all creation from the clutches of the evil one and return it to God!

      There is no power in religion. Religion is severely criticized by Paul who wrote: "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. [for men will be] holding to a form of godliness (literal Greek is "religion"), although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these" and "[they will be] always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" 1 Timothy 3:1, 5, 7).

      Thus we can safely say that anything religious, as opposed to things Spiritual, is one of the greatest deceptions that Satan has imposed on man. Man is actually kept in bondage due to his fear of death, which religion plays upon."Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:14-15). Let's beware of the leaven of the religious Pharisees and believe for the eradication of all things religious into the freedom of the glory of the Children of God. .