Issue 1192 – What Religion – July 5, 2023
“…. at the church yesterday.”
“I didn’t know you went to church. What religion are you?”
“Oh, I thought you knew. I am a baptist…”
That is the kind of conversation you might hear anywhere. In fact, I recently overheard it at a coffee shop, although a different denomination group name was used. In this multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community, you might expect to hear many different answers.
As I sipped my coffee, I pondered that question. What religion am I? I attend church regularly and am involved in various ministries, but I don’t consider myself a “religious” person.
As I thought about why I felt that way, it hit me. Religion is all the external stuff. The buildings, rituals and traditions and labels. While all those things are important and have a place, I am not “into” religion.
Oh, I have faith, and I take it seriously. I have a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ, and Holy Spirit lives in me. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith In Jesus Christ and His completed work on the cross, and even my faith is a gift from Him.
To know that God loves me and has forgiven me is worth more than any amount of religious ritual or tradition. I am a disciple of Jesus, a Christian. That has nothing to do with religion.
I came to faith in a Moravian church, was ordained with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada and am a member of a baptist affiliation. I have worshipped in many local churches with a wide range of denominational and non-denominational labels and differences in theology and practice.
Yet I don’t identify as a Moravian, Free Church or baptist for my religion. I fly the flag of Christ first and foremost. I am not ashamed of my various Christian roots and traditions, but they don’t define my faith. I could throw a bunch of theological terms out that I firmly hold to and embrace my beliefs; I am a follower of Christ. If pushed beyond that, I would say I am a Christian who attends a church that follows the baptist tradition. Yet, I could move to a different group and feel equally at home as a disciple of Jesus.
A person can be devoutly religious and not know who Jesus is. There are many religions out there that cater to every form of worship and deity imaginable. There are entire congregations and movements that would identify with the general heading of “Christian” that have no idea who Christ is or the need for a relationship with Him.
It isn’t a new phenomenon. The Pharisees were some of the most devoutly religious people in Jesus’ day. Yet, He rebuked them frequently for their empty religion.
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!
Mark 7:6-9
How about you? What religion are you? Until next time may you recognize the difference between religion and saving faith. May you know Jesus and be brought to salvation by faith in His grace alone. May you truly be a follower of Jesus, a Christian.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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