The Spirit and The Spirit of Religion
/John 4: 3 He left Judae, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must need go through Samaria. 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there, Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8. For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
John 4: 19- Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and he in me, and I in you. 21 he that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father , and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the work which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Is Christ Divided?
1 Corinthians 1: 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethen, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul. and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or are ye baptized in the name of Paul?
The Doctrines Of Men
Mark 7: 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mark 7: 13 Making the work of God none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Are We Even In the Faith?
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate?
Mark 7: 6 he answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrite, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Romans 2: 28 For his is not a Jew, which is on outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Matthew 7: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works. 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever hearteth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
Pure Religion
James 1: 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.