Let's Talk Religion
Religion. Controversial. So many opinions. So many options.
At its best, religion provides a pathway to form a direct relationship with God, gain spiritual roots, grow spiritual fruit, join love-based communities, receive emotional healing, and experience mental wealth.
At its worst, religion leads to guilt stacking, internalized shame, trauma, isolation, hierarchy, deceptive cults, greed, arrogance, and division.
Let’s examine the key differences.
Man’s version of religion:
Ego-driven
False teachings
Subjectivised wisdom
Judgement
Hierarchy
Division
Greed
Unspoken rules
God’s version of religion is this: “to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” - James 1:27
How can we look after those in distress?
Paying the appointment fee for a young girl without insurance.
Giving a homeless person your jacket when they are cold.
Sitting with someone as they grieve.
Praying for someone you don’t know on a prayer list.
Paying for the groceries for a single mom.
Visiting an elderly person without family.
Volunteering to cook or clean after someone has had surgery.
Helping a widow with home care.
Offering to help your neighbor.
How can we keep from being "polluted"?
Forming a Direct Relationship With God: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." -Psalm 145:18. "casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7
Reading Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:2
Praying: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. - Philippians 4:6-7. Also: 1 Peter 5:6–7, Luke 18:1
Joining Community: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'"- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Activating the Fruits of the Spirit: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8
Releasing idols: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.” - 1 John 2:15-16
Guarding your heart: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." - Proverbs 4:23
Choosing love above lust: "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." -2 Timothy 2:22
Living Elevated: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” - Colossians 3:2
Receiving the Gifts of Grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8–9
Setting Aside Judgment: Jesus said, “And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.'” - John 8:7
Receiving Healing: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” -Psalm 147:3 & “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal" - Jeremiah 30:17
And when we fall short, Jesus’s teaching offers us a bridge to grace, love, and forgiveness. The amazing thing about God’s love (unlike worldly love) is that as we share it, it never divides or dies… it only expands and lives on.
I say it is time we replace man-made constructs with God's call for truth. Amen to God's version of religion!
"God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God." - 1 John 4:16
