So many people claim Christianity because they live in America, went to church, have parents that were Christians, or have the cultural experience. Unfortunately Christianity is not a club, membership, work achievement, nor award. It is completely irrevocably different than any religion. Religion by definition is man made and implies that mankind must do something in order achieve “membership” or acceptance. The Creator of the Universe has always opposed these man designed religions as being counterfeit attempts to distort His message of Redemption. Redemption implies what was Lost can be Regained. The fact is “religion” was the means that Satan used to deceive man, for it required man to do something in order to find a “higher truth”. “Take a bite of this for you surely will not die”. “You will instead have knowledge of the beyond.” That Fall had supernatural consequences that requires a supernatural solution instituted by God to reconcile and restore man back into an “eye to eye” relationship with God.
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We do not need a religion of man-made promises, nor any man-made god. This is exactly what our adversary wants us to focus on. A true faith in God is just the opposite – it is a relationship with the God who created you and knows you and loves you more than you know. It is a free Gift. “For it is by Grace through Faith that you have been saved, it is not of works, so that no one can boast.” Just ask God by Faith and He will Answer. “If you confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that he rose from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Christian Faith is about a position that requires possession. The Position is “son or daughter adopted into God’s family,” or “child of God,” or “saint-priest-disciple/follower of Jesus Christ.” Those saved are forgiven, redeemed from sin, purchased by His Blood and immune from God’s wrath.  It is a special relationship with God who created man in His image and established the concept of partnership, servant-hood, priest-hood, marriage, and family. Having been sealed with the Holy Spirit, each saved individual should be drawn to possess a desire to know God and His message and have fellowship with one another in Worship to God. It is like receiving a Gift that is so great and awesome one cannot stop thanking God. One, however, cannot possess this Gift unless you ask for it and receive it by faith.
As we experience God in Life and in His Word and with others, we grow in the Fruit of the Spirit and the Armor of God. As the relationship grows we are draw by His Awesome Love, Power, Truth, and Peace. Many people have positional victory, yet do not possess the fruits, truths, and crowns of victory that are given to all who believe and trust in Him. The confused or immature believer often clings to the familiar and attractive, to his or her worldly trophies and habits. These will hold the believer back and keep them from enjoying the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and a relationship with the Living God. Instead of putting on the full armor of God and growing in the Fruit of the Spirit the person languishes on the desires of the flesh and is distracted by the wiles of Satan the dark forces of this world.
The believer will be lifted up and protected in the everlasting love of the Father, under the Blood of Jesus Christ, and the direction of the Spirit. The problem arises when that person does not know how to receive the freeing Promises that God offers us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will make your path straight; fear God and do not be wise in your own eyes…” Take possession of what God wants to give you. You are a winner. Victors, however, must have tests and challenges. God will use those tests to teach you to stand for Christ. You will grow in Him and will become a victor under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.