Acts 17:22-23 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’”
Continuing Pastor Herk's message: Hinduism has millions of gods and goddesses. The ancient Egyptians had over 1400 gods and goddesses. The Greeks in Athens had 12 main gods and over 400 minor gods. We are all religious in some way, shape or form; even Atheism is a religion by definition (a belief held to with ardor within a system of faith). We are all members of fallen humanity in need of a Savior and true religion. The general definition of “religion” is any system of faith and worship - a cause, a principle or system of beliefs. Political parties, special interest group’s social issues, radical environmentalists, and counter-culturalists are great examples of this. But, unfortunately, “Self-worship” – egocentrism falls into this category of religion. Causes and interests, in and of themselves, are not inherently bad, yet can become bad when they become one’s prime focus, belief, thoughts and faith; therefore, their religion. True Religion is all about the One true God, Creator Father in Heaven and our relationship with Him.
Colossians 2:20-23 “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
I’ve been reading an excellent book titled: Miracles in American History. In it, I read that in 1854, US House Rep. James Meacham wrote in a report recorded in Congress: “Down to the Revolution, every colony did sustain religion in some form. It was deemed peculiarly proper that the religion of Liberty should be upheld by a free people.” The French Revolution replaced the Christian religion with Civic religion of State worship and 40,000 people were beheaded. President George Washington wrote: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, [true] religion and morality are indispensable supports.” In 1813, President James Madison declared a Day of National Prayer, in which he stated: “[True] Religion is that gift of Heaven for the good of man.” Or course, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.This is Freedom of true Religion; not Freedom from religion.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
It is divinely peculiar that the issues of general religion issues (of any system of faith and worship - a cause, a principle or system of beliefs) and associated actions in history are still applicable and happening today. True religion is truth.
Let continue Pastor Herk's message on "Religion" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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