Religion does not normally invite the Spirit of God but rather religion seeks its own. Religion practices the doctrine and commandments of men, laying aside the commandments of God. In rejecting God's commandments they make the Word of God of none effect. Religion is formalism. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Religion wants to be seen by others.
The reason that they deny the power of God is because they have not tasted it. Only through the Spirit of God can one partake of the power of God. Never having experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit these are people who feel that through works alone they can achieve a eternal reward. The Apostle Paul before his conversion to Christ was a very religious man. He was also a persecutor of Christianity and was determined to abolish and destroy it completely.