KNOWING ABOUT VERSES KNOWING IS THE SAME AS DOING VERSES BECOMING

 

                                                           

JUST KNOWING ABOUT AND  DOING CHRISTIANITY

 (NON-INTIMATE AND UNFAMILIAR WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT)   “….These people honor me with their lips,  but their hearts are far from me…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

“…I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

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 “Doing” Christianity will always limit you to simply performing Christian deeds, which is religious behaviors based on learned, socialized, and ethical teachings or conditionings. “…“You skillfully ….hold on to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT). “…Ye shall know [God’s children]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “... Now the deeds of the flesh are evident...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).

“Doing” Christianity is how individual’s perform religious deeds that appear Christ-like outwardly, but give little attention to the heart or internal realities. “…The LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).  “...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

If I was to define “doing” Christianity it would be defined as a collection of religious deeds or socialized behaviors specific to the Christian culture such as prophesying (giving insight to something), casting out devils, and doing wonderful (miraculous-like) works. “...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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

Other religious or socialized behaviors are common or repetitive practices among Christians derived from rituals, collective religious knowledge, cliché practices, habitual fellowships with the religious group, and family religious modeling. “...So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! …[Your] worship is a farce… For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Again, “…the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Socialized behavior or activity demonstrate “doing” Christianity better than any other explanation. “…“You skillfully ….hold on to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

It shows how individuals master or acquire Christian practices through watching and modeling after others in their Christian environments. “…“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Mark 23:15 “…Their worship is a farce, for they teach [and learn] man-made ideas as commands from God…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Religious practices gained merely through watching, copying, participating, exchanging, and modeling the outward behavior of the Christian community produce ethical deeds verses spiritual fruit. “…The fruit of the [invisible indwelling Holy]… Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).  “...The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruit…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).“You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

Ethical deeds are usually traditional religious practices that one does without the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…“You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT). “…For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Religious practices are usually a sign that a person adheres to the traditions of their faith whether than “keeping God’s commandments” from the heart or through real-life application, because of a loving relationship they share with God, through Christ. “…If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” (John 14:15).

 “…“You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

Religious practices can be very meaningful to individuals, especially, after many years of traditional habits, commitments, beliefs, and attachments related to the Christian culture. “…“You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

Ethical behaviors influenced by the Christian culture, through lifelong socialized behaviors, become religious rituals over time. Most believers are masters or experts at traditional Christian practices in which they skillfully follow like an inflexible regiment. “…“You skillfully …. “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

“…The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands,^[as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands^[in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles. So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? …Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! …” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Most Believers (proclaimed children of God) think performing activities - such as going to church, taking communion, following the ten commandments, saying prayers, participating in church activities, posting religious material on social media, knowing certain clichés and scriptural passages, shouting at the right time, looking or acting religious, following strict rules, saying “amen” at the right time, listening to gospel music, wearing religious outfits, etc., - are the main indicators of true Christianity, but they are NOT.

Just because you participate in the above activities and have mastered them, does not mean you are in an intimate relationship with God through Christ. “…The fruit of the [invisible indwelling Holy]… Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).  “...The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruit…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

You can participate in these religious activities faithfully, but end up being attached to the religion and NOT attached to God, the Holy Spirit through the relationship with HIM in Christ. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

Any religion will demand a commitment to “its” practices, but Christianity asks for one to choose to commit to serve God, intimately and personally, through Christ. . “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (obey)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

Being a child of God stems from a spiritual, holy bond or attachment to God through Christ which produces spiritual fruit. “...But he that is joined (attached) unto the Lord is one Spirit [with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

“…The fruit of the [indwelling Holy]… Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).  “...The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruit…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

Religious activities can make you “feel good” most times and influence you to have a commitment to the religion itself. It’s called ethical behavior. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

“Doing” Christianity or ethical behavior can include: praying, churching, singing, hanging with other believers, reading the bible, having faith, prophesying, keep the ten commandments, uncovering religious mysteries, and other rituals.

However, they’re only religious practices based on the traditions of faith, and not righteousness empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit based on a restored, intimately, personal covenant relationship with God, through Christ. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT). “...The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Ethical behaviors limit most faith-based practices to religious emotionalism, routine, or performance instead of allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to impact a true transforming experience. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

To fully experience Christ-likeness, it requires the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit through the “one Spirit” attachment to God through Christ. “...But he that is joined (attached) unto the Lord is one spirit [with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

True worshippers worship the God of Christianity in spirit and in truth through INTIMATE fellowship and experience spending time with God and merevethical behavior or religious practices. “... The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…” (John 4:23 KJV). “….Apart from [Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit and God’s truth]… [you cannot]...do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Too often, ethical behavior or religious practices overshadows true worship and replaces it with a form (custom, system, formula, procedure, etc.) of godliness.

Ethical behavior or religious practices denies (rejects, negates, rebuffs, etc.) the role of the empowering and indwelling Holy Spirit. “….in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, ^… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a FORM of godliness, although they have denied its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

Just because you have mastered the traditional Christian practices doesn’t mean you have mastered trusting in and depending upon God to work “in” and “through” you to display his indwelling Holy Spirit. “... It is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you, through the indwelling Holy Spirit]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “...[However,]....You skillfully …. “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

The Pharisees and Sadducees mastered their religion too. Jesus said, “…You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life….”(Mark 5:39-40 NASB).

Religious activities, ethical behaviors, and rituals are NOT a relationship, but have become traditions of the faith, which have been practiced for years. “…“You skillfully …. “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

In addition, people have practiced these traditions so long they think they are doing their Christian duty that safeguards their ticket to eternal life. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT). “…holding to a form of godliness, although [you]… have denied its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

Unfortunately, Christian traditions will have you attached to the religion ONLY, but not a covenant relationship to God, through Christ. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

Many children of God have mastered Christian practices and think they are highly spiritual, but THEY AREN’T. “...Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe … [Yet, you] have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others...” (Matthew 23:23 NASB).

God wants his children to trust in and depend upon the “one spirit” attachment to Him through Christ. “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

The children of God are to rely on the empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit to work “in” and “through” them to display God’s presence, goodness, and power (or his glory). “…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his...[children] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH [his children] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

Most people who proclaim to be children of God have become skillful at religious practices and they will find it hard to stop “doing” traditional Christianity as usual. “…For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

However, God wants a relationship with his children and not simple a regiment of inflexible religious practices. Religious practices are much more appealing than the commitment and responsibility of a covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit.  “…“You skillfully …. “hold on” to your own tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

When you’ve done something for so long it’s hard to give it up and people would rather safeguard their religious traditions whether than be open to a true, authentic relationship with God through Christ. Many proclaimed, children of God, are simply “…holding to a form of godliness…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

Unfortunately, many of God’s children adhere to religious traditions whether than a genuine relationship with God. They are more concerned with the outward appearance. “…For you tithe … [Yet, you] have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others...” (Matthew 23:23 NASB).

“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).

“Doing” and following traditional Christian practices is very prevalent, in the 21^st century. In otherwords, having an authentic relationship with God through Christ is more of a threat to tradition whether than an “opportunity of a lifetime.”  God’s children are “…holding to a form of godliness, [and yet]… have denied its (the indwelling) power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

Traditions and habits are all-consuming foes. Satan uses religious traditions to keep God’s children experting, mastering, or “doing” Christian practices rather than “becoming” truly Christ-like. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far FROM ME…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

Many of God’s children would rather safeguard their traditions as a type of worship whether than truly trust in and depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them. So they are only “…holding to a form of godliness, although [they]… have denied its (the indwelling spirit’s) power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

God’s children heavily rely upon religious practices and appearances.  Thus, they are less likely to turn to trusting in and depending upon the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “...Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye…” (Mark 7:13 KJV).

Religious practices can give an individual the illusion of a religious experience, when in fact, it is NOT one at all! Nonetheless, God’s children would rather, simply, “feel better” than to actually “become better,” so religious traditions are enough for them. “…HOLDING to a form of godliness, although [denying] its (the indwelling spirit’s) power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB). Religious practices are merely ethical behaviors that have no supernatural power (anointing).

Many of God’s children won’t repent from lifelong religious practices and will continue to “do” Christianity without having an intimate, covenant relational knowledge of God, the Holy Spirit. “…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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV). Apart from Jesus Christ, “…ye can do nothing…” (John 15:5 KJV). You can’t live a righteous life without Jesus empowering you to do so.

The one distinct feature of Christianity from all other religious is Jesus. “…"You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to [Jesus]...” (John 5 :39 NLT). “…There ... [is] … …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

Jesus reconciles you to God and God empowers you to actually LIVE a righteous life. “….Apart from [Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Therefore, without a relationship with God through Christ you might as well be in any religion. “….Apart from [Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Any religion can offer you a set of religious practices to follow, if that is all you are after. Christianity, however, is based upon a relationship with the Living God of creation. Making Christianity a common or ritually traditional religious practice is like, “…making the word of God of none effect through your tradition…” (Mark 7:13 KJV).

Religious practices and traditions reduce Christianity to a mere religious system, but the relationship with God through Christ elevates it to a unique and LIVELY faith EXPERIENCE, which it was meant to be!!

“…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?...Who will separate us from the love of ^[Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...[NO] …But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. …[Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

When you reduce Christianity to religious practices and traditions you will never transform nor will you ever bear the fruit of the spirit. Apart from Jesus Christ, “…ye can do nothing…”  (John 15:5 KJV). That why some believers, who claim to walk with God, have NEVER changed. Growing up, from childhood to adulthood is not the same as spiritual transformation.

Socialized Christians turn Christianity into a religious system that others find boring and lifeless. “…Holding to a form of godliness, although [negating] its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NASB).

Christianity was meant to demonstrate ABUNDANT LIFE, JOY, PEACE, LOVE, MIRACLES, CONTENTMENT, ETC., not BOREDOM. “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV). “…My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full…”(John 15:11 NASB). “….My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…”(John 14:27 KJV). “…love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another…” (John 13:34-35 KJV). BOREDOM happens when so-called Christians, “…[make]… the word of God of none effect through [their]… tradition…” (Mark 7:13 KJV).

Christians have troubles and problems like other people, but they have the LIVING God to carry and guide them through. God promises, “… that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose …”(Romans 8:38 KJV).

“Doing” Christianity through religious practices and traditions rely on self-effort and a learned standard of moral behavior. In addition, the fact remains that apart from Jesus Christ “…ye can do nothing…” not even live an empowered righteous life (John 15:5 KJV).

Please PAY ATTENTION, God is looking at ONE thing: YOUR HEART. If you are practicing your religion to be seen by men, that’s your reward “…"But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men…” (Matthew 23:5 NASB). “…And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to … [be] seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…”(Matthew 6:5 KJV).

Being seen by men is a fleeting moment in time. “…Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:1 KJV). “…For they love to …[be] seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have the reward … ” (Matthew 6:5 KJV).

 MEN look outwardly, but God looks inwardly. “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

You CAN NOT trust your heart; the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). God pays close attention to the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “...For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness… pride...  All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).  

God knows evil proceeds from the heart, not the behavior. “…They’re a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing (behaving) as Christ’s agents but sham to the core (heart). And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They’ll pay for it in the end…” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 MSG).

God took Israel through the wilderness (trials) for forty years to “….know what was in [their]…heart…” and will do the same to you (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV).

Further doing Christianity will never produce ANY fruit. “…Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

Therefore, you will know a REAL, CHRISTLIKE Christian by their fruit.         You will clearly recognize them, “…by their fruits, [because] …every good tree bringeth forth good fruit….[and] a good tree CANNOT bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUIT YE SHALL KNOW THEM...” (Matthew 7:16-22 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act (FROM THE HEART)…” (Matthew 7:16 NLT).

It is important that you carefully examine and study the difference between “doing” Christianity and “becoming” Christlike. If need to also be able to rightly examine your own self to know if YOU are “…in the faith...[or not]…” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

The bible says do a heart assessment by examining your “own” FRUIT. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” (Galatians 5:22-23).  “…The Holy Spirit produces  this kind of fruit in [y]our lives….” (Galatians 5 NLT).  “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

The wheat and tares or the ones “doing” Christianity” and those “becoming” Christ-like will continue to grow together. They will also LOOK alike, in many ways, until it’s time for the examination of FRUIT. “…Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn…”(Matthew 13:30 NASB).

The REAPERS will know the difference between tares and wheat, not by LOOKS, but by FRUIT. The bible says, “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act…” (Matthew 7:16 NLT). 

The wheat and tare look identical to the naked eye, yet have some remarkably differences. For instance, at maturity wheat bears a heavy fruit called grain that’s healthy for you if you eat it and its weight causes it to bow down.

In contrast, at maturity, tare have poisonous black seeds that are unhealthy for you if you eat it and it stands straight up. Wheat gives life and tares take life, “… In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother…” (1 John 3:10 KJV). “…Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar…” (1John 2:3-4 KJV).

If you look at wheat and tare through God’s eyes, they have NEVER looked alike to Him. Remember, “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

“…By their fruits, [because] …every good tree bringeth forth good fruit….[and] a good tree CANNOT bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUIT YE SHALL KNOW THEM...”

“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act … “…Hereby, [if you] saith, [that you]… know him, and keepeth not his commandments, [you are]… a liar…”

If you have a greater desire to do Christianity by tradition whether than being empower by the indwelling Holy Spirit, you may have reason to question if you are truly abiding in him or not. “...Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." (1 John 3:6 KJV).

Does it make a difference whether you are a Wheat and Tare? “……reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!...” (Romans 6:11-15 KJV).

If you are following Christian traditions wouldn’t you be “doing” the right things? Yes, you would, but you wouldn’t have a fruitful life.

“Doing” Christianity will always limit you to simply doing religious practices, which again, is merely ethical behaviors based on learned, socialized, and moral teachings. “…“You [are simply holding] …on to your own [fruitless traditions]...” (Mark 7:9 NLT).

“Doing” Christianity is how individual’s practice traditions of the faith that appear Christ-like outwardly, but have NO impact on the transformation of the heart. “...Woe unto you… hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Mark 23:17 KJV).

If you are “doing” Christianity in this way, read the following passage: “...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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).