"More Than Religion"

RELIGION: The American Heritage College Dictionary defines “Religion” as: 1.a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. b. A system grounded in such belief and worship. 2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. 3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. 4. A cause, a principle, or an activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. religion. informal. To accept a higher power as a controlling influence for good in one's life.

The problem with our faith today; the reason our church attendance is dropping; the reason that our children find “church” so boring and meaningless? Us too, for that matter. We have turned Christianity into “just” another one of the many “Religions” of the world. You may ask; well isn't it? No, it absolutely is not!

CHRISTIANITY SHOULD BE SO MUCH MORE THAN RELIGION

“Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.” 

“So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention?

Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.” Colossians 2:18-23 THE MESSAGE
The Bible passage above shows that we are to be much more than the old religions of the world. The dictionary definition would fit all of the world's organized religions and could even include witch-craft, devil-worship, or any other form of worshiping a “higher” being. Christianity on the other hand knows that there is only one Way to heaven and one Person through which heaven is attained - Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is God and that He is our Savior and it is only by the Grace given by Jesus Christ that we are saved. Further we know that all human flesh is condemned to Hell until it is “Saved” and “Justified” or “Born Again” through acceptance of Jesus Christ and His life, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Nothing and no one else should be worshiped but Jesus Christ and what He did for us. There is no other Way to heaven - PERIOD!

“I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!”

JOHN 14:6-7 THE MESSAGE

Till next month; Fight the good fight!