Vertically Speaking

The Holy Bible actually contains a complete and sustainable religion for people not interested in the Spirit of Truth. However, this religion is spiritually inconsistent and hypocritical. When the message of the Bible is shared horizontally among men without the Holy Spirit to interpret it, the content stands only as a document for religious people to reference as they enjoy a powerless and world oriented religion. Their experience of abundant life comes by way of their own idealism, their justification through a practice of legalism, and their righteousness through self works.

The Holy Bible is an amazing book with two decisive, yet divisive messages. One for the depraved man without the Holy Spirit, which at face value, appears simply as a collection of God's expectations of men on earth, written by many contributing authors. The other is for God's elect, whereby the Holy Spirit interprets the true message by way of those who wrote by the inspiration of God. The former group is unable to comprehend that another book lies beneath what they have become accustomed to. It is hidden from those who are wise by their own account (Matthew 11:25) and are not interested in the Spirit of Truth, for by seeking truth, they know their dark deeds will be exposed. (John 3:20)

Though Jesus spoke horizontally to the people, His message was vertical: from above, downward. As was Paul's and the other apostles, themselves filled with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the ages since, those without the Spirit of Life within don't understand this direction of communication. Their minds are too focused on the horizontal, the things of the world. Their religion establishes that God's written word stands as an authority for them in which to judge, condemn, and dispense guilt upon others in order to maintain their own righteousness, rule, and prestige.

Those with the Holy Spirit have received the true faith which comes by actually "hearing" in the depths of their soul, the living and active Word of God, which the Spirit confirms by the written word. This religion comes from God, exhorting us to love one another and prevent ourselves from becoming stained by the world. Like Jesus, this call to deny ourselves actually serves God by serving mankind, rather than enslaving it. The rewards of this faith ultimately belong to those who persevere through the sacrificial brotherhood with Christ, not to the hedonistic community of religious people.

PJR

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:27, 28)