GodSprings - February 27, 2016

Am I Simply Going Through Religious Motions?

A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. Romans 2:28-29 (NIV)

The nineteenth-century Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard in his book Concluding Unscientific Postscript, said there were two kinds of religion: Religion A and Religion B. Religion A, he said, is faith in the name of religion only. Those in this group will act as though they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. They will be involved in attending church without genuine faith in the living God. Religion B, on the other hand, is a life-transforming, destiny-changing experience. Religion B followers have a definite commitment to the crucified and risen Savior, which establishes an ongoing personal relationship between a forgiven sinner and a gracious God.

So, what does God have to say about religion? Is God looking for more “religious” people? In Paul’s day, the most religious people were the Jews. They had been blessed by God in many ways. They were the chosen people through whom the Messiah would come, and they had been given the Word of God. The name “Jew” meant “God be praised” The Jews had been protected by God, provided for by God, delivered by God, and directed by God. The Jews were dedicated to living a very religious life and therefore believed everything was okay in their relationship with God. But the Apostle Paul challenged their view of religion and showed them that religious activity does not mean a right relationship with God.

Paul, like Jesus, was saying, “Your heritage doesn’t save you, sacraments don’t save you, service doesn’t save you, knowledge doesn’t save you, and for the Jew, not even circumcision saves you.” These are all outward acts, and although they are not wrong, they are not what bring salvation. In other words, being religious does not mean that you will go to heaven.

The principle is the same today. Whatever you call yourself—Mar Thomite, Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Jacobite, non-denominational—does not matter. Whether you grew up in a Christian home, were baptized as an infant or as an adult, took communion, does not matter. Religious activity, and even religious profession without transformation, is empty religion.

Let us not simply go through the religious motions, but on the contrary gain a relationship with Jesus that changes us from the inside out, because we will never be changed from outside in.