Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands — remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
This last Sunday, Pastor Herk continued in his sermon series on “Spirit and Truth Worship” with this week’s topic being “Religion”. A wrong religion can be very dangerous and the danger of following any belief system of faith without a relationship with the Lord in fruitless, counter-productive and grave; so caught up in minor or mistaken aspects of their religion that they lose sight of what really matters and drew them away from God. The main audience for the Apostle Paul was born-again gentiles. He explains in Romans 3:20-24 “by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus breaks down walls that tend to separate us from those who differ from us in the light of true religion. But, what is true religion.
James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, … but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “religion” as: (1. religion in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of His will to man, in man's obligation to obey His commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a Divine Lawgiver, and without reference to His will or commands, is not religion. (2. religion as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to Divine command, or from love to God and His Law. (3. religion as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to His will. Hence, we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the Law. Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion - President George Washington (4. Any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of Christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. Thus, we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the American Indians, etc. as well as of the Christian religion We speak of false religion as well as of true religion.
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on "Religion" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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