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dead religion

"These things you have done, and I have been silent; 
you thought that I was one like yourself. 
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you."  
(Psalm 50:21 ESV) 

 "They substitute their own ideas of God for the true idea of God... Instead of taking God's own revelation of himself, they have substituted their own ideas." (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Lloyd-Jones speaks of people within the church, people who regard themselves as religious (spiritual), who are interested in God.  Yet, they do so in a way that is guided by their own thoughts.  They are interested in God, but their beliefs are shaped by what they find acceptable or unthinkable to them about God. They say such things as, "I can't believe in a God of wrath, that's unthinkable." They conceive of God in ways to their liking.  They form their own ideas about the love of God, the justice of God, or the righteousness of God, according to their own preferences.  And as such, Lloyd-Jones shows, their beliefs have no basis in reality and have no authority whatsoever.  

 Hear "Dead Religion" (Psalm 50) as preached by Martyn Lloyd-Jones here.  
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