How Religious Are You ??
Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries Middle TN 9/23/2017
James 1:26-27 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
When I hear how others speak of individuals being “religious”, it makes me cringe a little, to be quite honest with you. For decades, I have observed an array of “religious” leaders – many of them straying down another path. Of course there are multitudes that have always taught another gospel - a false gospel. All of us must understand that we “come short of the glory of God” and must humble ourselves to GOD Almighty and allow Him to guide us. Some so called ‘religious leaders,’ start out well meaning but venture away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe their added words and works will exalt Christ in a way more pleasing to Him that created us. Psalm 29:2 reads, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
When one ‘puffs themselves up’ with religion and works, they are trying to take on some of God’s holiness through our efforts. John the Baptist said this about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). When we try to keep some of God’s glory for ourselves, we are not only fooling ourselves, but we can be doing harm to others – a tremendous harm. Any religion that was created or founded by ‘man’ is a false religion, and very harmful. They are trying to take a seat next to Jesus. Religion has placed multitudes into bondage over the centuries.
Jesus criticized the religious leaders often, and they hated Him for that. Look at Matthew 23:2-3 for a moment: Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” The religious leaders loved their positions but never bridled their tongues, or visited the fatherless, or the widows in their affliction. They certainly didn’t keep themselves unspotted (spotless) from the world. In the end, they set out to kill Jesus because of their jealousy. For He knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy” (Mark 15:10). Jesus took the ‘spotlight away from their “religious position,” and many found a new freedom in Jesus.
Many preachers, evangelists and teachers of God’s word today (followers of Christ) have enemies from the “religious groups”. Yes, many major religious groups are the enemy of true Christians because of pride. The ‘followers of Christ’ who are obedient to Christ, and spread the gospel as Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15, are assaulted by the media, our government, Hollywood, their own families, and yes, “religion”. God’s children live to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD but those ways are not pleasing to most who do what’s right in their own eyes.
I know of many people who have been sprinkled with water in some big fancy building and claim that as their salvation even though they live for this world. Drinking, drugs, fornication (unmarried), filthy language, entertainment, sports, and more, is what they live for. Their lives are out of control but they are “religious” and believe they are saved. Some are living for this world but rejecting Christ saying they are atheists justifying their lives. Jesus said “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish ” (Luke 13:3), and that should scare any non-repentant person trusting in their religion. Man cannot save us. Our church cannot save us. Our works cannot save us. And our Religion cannot and will NOT save us. Jesus said “beware of false prophets” that come to you in sheep’s clothing (Mat 7:15). We must be born again as Jesus said in John 3:3,5.
If you think that you might fall into this religious category, please examine your life and get into God’s word (2 Cor 13:5) . Most who challenge God’s people, have never read the Bible for themselves. They trust what their leaders say and what this religious world shows them. If you are a friend with this world, you are an enemy of God. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (Jas 4:4). If you are trusting your religion, it is time to try something different in your life. Is there a possibility that you may be wrong? Please don’t take the chance. Close your bedroom door, humbly drop to your knees and call out to God for salvation. Confess your sins and say you’re sorry and ask God to show you the right path – His path. Try it - it’s between you and God. If you believe the Bible, and I hope you do, read Romans 10:9-10. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Sound too simple? It is a matter of faith and not of works, as in Ephesians 2:8-9. There is no other way. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me (Jn 14:6). Mary can’t help you, beads can’t help you, men in grand robes can’t help you, paying money to the church or to charities can’t help you, loving nature can’t help you, wearing crosses can’t help you, being a good person can't help you, and the sprinkling of babies can’t help you.
But Jesus can – and will. He’s already paid the price. He is the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.
Flee from religion and flee to Jesus our LORD and Savior while there is still time.
Thanks for Taking “5" – This is Gary Waddell with VMMTN – God bless and bless GOD