Religion

What is religion?

Dictionary.com defines religion as:

"a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe,

esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies,

usually involving devotional and ritual observances,

and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs."

Most people in our society think of religion as a set of rules that are meant to destroy any joy, fun and happiness that life has to offer. They see God as a harsh, sometimes even cruel taskmaster whose mission is to make their lives miserable. And they see religion as the hard, sad and scary path to heaven.
Nothing could be further from the truth.

First of all, God is not just loving, He is love itself and all love comes from Him.

"Beloved, let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loves is born of God,

and knows God.

He that loves not knows not God;

for God is love."

I John 4:7-8

(emphasis mine)

Second, God defines religion in His Word:

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue,

but deceives 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."

James 1:26-27

Our worship of God is to be more than mere words. To be sure, it is to include words, words of praise and thanks to our God and good, kind, encouraging words to and about our fellowman. But true worship must go far beyond words, it must include appropriate action. It must include action that would look to the needs of those who are in need of comfort, of wisdom, of care, of love. It must include restraining action that holds us back from doing or saying things that would not reflect the love and goodness of God. It must include restraining action that would keep us from doing or saying things that would bar us from the very presence of God.

Finally, religion was never intended to be a way to get to heaven. Jesus Himself told us the way to heaven, to everlasting life.

"Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:6

Notice that it does not say, one way, a way, or even one of many ways, but THE way. And then to emphasize the point He says there is no way around Him. No wiggle room there.

The practice of true religion can only be achieved by those who already have a home in heaven, who already have everlasting life. Because the practice of true religion can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit of God who lives in the hearts of all those who have accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made for them.

True religion is not about rules. It is about relationship. Our relationship with God the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Son and our relationship with each other through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. It is within these relationships that we find the joy, happiness and even fun that we desire. But most of all we find peace and rest for our weary hearts. Because in these relationships we find home.