What does the word “religion” mean to you? Does it conjure up thoughts of stained glass, pipe organs and choir robes? Does it make you think of a strict lifestyle full of rules, oppression or maybe even condemnation? Would you consider it a compliment to be called a “religious” person?
Whether good or bad, most people have their own definition of religion based on their experiences, traditions and upbringing. As believers it is important for us to match our definition of religion with what the bible says in James 1:27 (NIV):
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.
Simply put, God’s idea of acceptable religion involves walking through this world, showing love to people the world overlooks or considers forgettable, without getting any of the world on you. Notice that James did not say anything about going to church, singing in the choir, talking the right way, wearing the right clothes or even praying two hours a day and memorizing the bible. All those things are great but they are not what God accepts as pure and faultless religion….they are spiritual disciplines, or training activities that make you more effective at sharing God’s love without getting polluted by the world.
To use a sports analogy, the playing field for a Christian is out in the world and church is the locker room. You can know every verse in the bible, every song in the hymnal, have the Jesus fish on your car, and do all the things church folk do, but unless you take what you know and share it with a world desperate to hear it you are like a football player that knows all the plays but won’t come out of the locker room…you will never put any points on the board.
Ask yourself these questions:
Is your religion confined within the church walls?
Is your religion focused on not being polluted by the world?
Are you showing God’s love to orphans and widows?
What can you do today to make your religion pure and faultless to God?
What are you waiting for?
If you wish to contact Todd please use the contact us form below and it will be forwarded to him.
Author Resource:-
Bible teacher at Sherman Full Gospel Church
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