True religion

What is true religion? What does it mean to be a Christian?

These have been questions that followers of Jesus have wrestled with for hundreds of year. The answers have not always led to good results. Churches have split. Denominations have been created. People have given up on God.

But at the same time, it’s the question that we must continue to seek an answer for. It is the question that tugs at our heart and cries out for a response.

James tells us, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

So, religion isn’t really a set of rules, a way of doing church, or anything like that. Are there commandments we are called to live by? Yes. Does God want us to meet in community for worship, encouragement, and accountability? Absolutely. But neither of those are the purpose. They are guideposts along the journey.

Ultimately, religion, true religion, is a call to live a life that echoes the story of God. A story of hope.  A story of love. A story of redemption.

It is a way of life that demands we live according to a different rhythm than the one the world offers.

The world – and Satan – want us to base our religion on rules and doing church. When we do that, we miss the point, and evil gains a foothold in the world. While we focus on what happens for a few hours, one day a week, God is focusing on the world around us. A world where people are hurting and help captive by a variety of masters.

Do you really want to be religious?

Look after orphans and widows. Care for the unloved. Reach out to the untouchables. Acknowledge the ignored. Not just in some country on the other side of the globe or even in another city. Do it where you live. In your community. On your street. Maybe even in your home.

Keep yourself from being polluted by the world. This means so much more than don’t have sex, don’t get drunk, and don’t steal. It means live a life that reflects Kingdom values. How has consumerism taken you captive? Does having a good image trump doing the right thing? Do you gossip or look at members of the opposite sex as objects rather than people created in the image of God?

If we are going to practice true religion, we should stop worrying so much about what we do on Sunday mornings and focus on who we are on Monday mornings. Then we will live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

shine!
Jason