God Without Religion_ Can It Really Be This Simple_ - Andrew Farley [75]
In religion, it’s popular to hear that we need more: We need more forgiveness. We need more of the Spirit. We need to thirst for more of God. We need to hunger for more of Jesus. Our Daddy’s new way is the polar opposite. He’s saying we have everything we need:
For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. (Col. 2:9–10 NASB)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Pet. 1:3)
What does it mean to you to be complete? For me, it means the search is over. No more hungering. No more thirsting. No more waiting for more:
He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
The sales pitch of religion is that we’re lacking; we’re dirty; and we’re distant. Through more commitments and more dedication, we can get clean and get close to God. So we go from church to church, conference to conference, and movement to movement, looking for something more, something deeper.
Religion says, “Make every effort.” God says, “Make every effort to rest in me.” Instead of hoping and waiting for more, we’re invited to the intimate union with Jesus we’ve already been given.
We’re invited to God, without religion.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First, I want to thank my wife, Katharine, for her incredible support while I was completing this book. Katharine, I love you and cherish all that God has made you to be. I am so honored to be married to you.
I also want to recognize my mother, Leslie Farley, for her love and encouragement to me over the years. She is truly a woman of grace, and I am privileged to have her in my life.
In addition, I am blessed to have the love and support of Doug and Maurita Hayhoe. Thank you for always being in my corner.
I am so grateful to the leadership and members of Ecclesia. Their encouragement gave me a tremendous boost as I completed this book. In particular, I want to thank Rex Kennedy, Steven Bailey, Jordan Polk, and Kim Martin.
A special thank-you goes to Andrea Heinecke at Alive Communications for her insights and help throughout the process. I am also thankful for my friends Lee Higginbotham and Andy Lavery and the support they gave me.
I want to express my appreciation to Rob Jackson at Extra Credit Projects for the design of the book cover. And I want to thank Baker Books for partnering with me in this ministry. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge Robert Hosack, Wendy Wetzel, Bobbi Jo Heyboer, Brooke Nolen, and Paula Gibson.
Finally, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to express on paper what he has placed in my heart.
Andrew Farley is lead pastor of Ecclesia (ChurchWithoutReligion.com) and bestselling author of The Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church. Andrew’s writings are quietly reaching untold numbers with the life-changing message of “Jesus plus nothing.” Andrew is a tenured professor at Texas Tech University, where he offers courses in linguistics and an honors course in New Testament. He lives on the high plains of West Texas with his wife, Katharine, and their son, Gavin. Find out more about Andrew at AndrewFarley.org, and connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.
[1]Steve Williams, interview by Karen McCarthy, “Tiger Woods: In the Rough,” 60 Minutes video, 3 News (Wellington, New Zealand), March 4, 2010, http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/60Minutes/tabid/371/articleID/144663/Default.aspx.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Definition
The Extortionist
Part 1: Mennonite Motorboat
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