This man of God, The patriarch Abraham, was one who walked with God was known as a friend to God, one who was lead guided and sustained by the Power of Spirit embedded within himself and in the Promise of God. Trusting in not what he could see but the pull and push of the inner man, which was directly connected to and in contact with the Source of Divine energy. So, what religion was Abraham?
We can go back to the beginning.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
So before there was any structured social system or system of religion Man was of and from the Supreme Being. Dust- also from and of God; Divine; Spirit.
This man of God, Jesus, lived so consciously in the Christ part of Himself, abiding in the very essence of the Father; through his many teachings toiled to show all how he was related to the Father, and to teach us that we are related to the same Father in exactly the same way. He tried to explain that God lives within us. He said, "the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10).
So from these two examples, Abraham and Jesus and the foundation of which man was created; we see Spirit is in man. The individuality of this spirit is the true self; that which is undivided from God; our spiritual identity; the God part of us. Spirit Flows through everything. All creation. And it is with spiritual Awareness that we are allowed to experience God (Source of Spirit) on a deeper level and connect with the flow of spirit in the universe. So far, we can procure knowledge of self and touch the hem of the realm of spirituality without yet touching religion.
“God is Spirit…” (John 4:24) Therefore if we desire to connect with the Divine. We must do so through the avenue of spirituality. Spirituality starts within the realm of consciousness and manifests in the body. What do I mean? Well let's consider what Metaphysician Charles Fillmore writes regarding Spirituality, He says it is “the consciousness that relates man directly to his Father-God. It is quickened and grows through prayer and other forms of religious thought and worship”
Our connection to God, or Divine Source energy, or Supreme Being, whatever you label It, Him or Her, starts within and has the power and ability to guide us and impact our physical lives. We produce an environment that nurtures Spirit when we in our outward lives engage in religion. Now, we run the risk here of getting sidetracked with arguing about which religion has the ability to do that. That’s another post for another time. Instead let’s increase or broaden our understanding of religion.
Fillmore suggests, religion is “A systematic exposition on the awareness of a deity who is the supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that which arouses reverence and love for a supreme being. There is a wide range of religious experience between the blindly groping faith that caused men to pass their children through the fire as sacrifice to their deities, and the divine consciousness of Jesus, who submitted His body to the purifying fire of the Spirit and came forth alive with a life that never dies.”
A mouthful I know, but from that comes this very simplistic understanding; Religion, should provide a way of life, a roadmap, an activity that supports the quickening of Spirit. Religion should serve as a vehicle to fulfill the laws of Being. Religion should foster balance between our spiritual and carnal existence.
We commune with God in Spirit and with our fellow man in spirit as we are spiritual beings. But because we are in this form (mortal body). We must have harmony between Mind (spirit) Soul (idea) and Body (Expression). Religion and its daily practices send impressions to the soul that communicate to the mind and are expressed through the body. Hence, when we aid suffering humanity, when we engage in worship and prayer, when we sing songs, hear and give testimony; this sends impressions to the soul that quicken the Spirit and puts us in contact to the activity of the God mind. It serves as a catalyst to dive into the deeper realms of spirit and spiritual consciousness. However, without knowledge of self or Spirit, Religion has the danger of becoming just an outward expression and empty routine. One may be in tune with Spirit but just going through the motions of religion. One may use this avenue of religion to increase in spirituality. But one cannot “get spiritual” from religion.
Therefore, I would offer that instead of considering this religion and spirituality a codependent relationship, I would in my humble opinion infer that it is more a melodious relationship. One can exist without the other but how enriched is the life of a man who harmoniously manifest both in his daily life.
Written by Iasia Bailey, who has an M.A. in Human Services and Family Counseling. She is a Metaphysical scholar, a poet, and motivational speaker and can be reached at asiawrites@gmail.com
***We will be discussing this topic live on August 1, 2016 at 11:30 am at Temple Beth-el. Our panel of experts will include: Dr. April Manalang, Sister Elder Denise Bailey, Thomas Baker, M.Div, LICSW, and Elder William Scott. To register for this FREE event click here. We'd love to see you there!***
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