Religion or Christ?

"Religion is often put on a pedestal and worshipped instead of Christ," so said a well-known Canon of the Church of England. There are many who are content with an outward show of religion and religious observances who know nothing of heartfaith in Christ and Christly action.

1. God's Religion. There is God's description of a true and practical religion, which is to care for the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

In the first century, orphans and widows had very little means of economic support. Unless a family member was willing to care for them, they were reduced to begging, selling themselves as slaves or starving. By caring for these powerless people, the church put God's word into practice. When we give with no hope of receiving in return, we show what it means to serve others.

To keep ourselves unpolluted ("unspotted") from the world we need to commit ourselves to Christs ethical and moral system, not the worlds. We are not to adapt to the worlds value system based on money, power and pleasure. True faith means nothing if we are contaminated with such values.

2. An Empty Religion. Then there is the Spirit's description of an empty religion, when he describes a person who seems to be religious and who bridleth not his tongue. (James 1:26)

What you say and what you don't say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but controlling your desire to say what you shouldn't. Examples of wrongly using the tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering and lying. Before you speak, ask, "Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?" (James 3:2-3)

3. Man's Religion. Paul, in looking upon the empty rites of the idolatrous worship at Athens, said, "I perceive that in all things ye are too religious" (Acts 17:22)

Like Paul we must be prepared. The more we know about the Bible, what it means and how to apply it to our lives, the more convincing our words will be. This does not mean we should avoid presenting the Gospel until we feel adequately prepared. We should work with what we know, but always want to know more in order to reach more people and answer their questions and arguments more effectively. Pauls address is a good example of how to communicate the Gospel. When you witness to others, you can use Paul's approach: use examples, establish common ground and then move people toward a decision about Jesus Christ.

There is often a good deal of religion without Christ, but there is always true religion when there is Christ. The secret of practical religion is the potential Christ!