Why You Can't Say No To Religion

Why, you ask?  Because the Bible says to put your religion into practice.  So, for that very reason, as a follower of God, His children must follow the teachings in His Word.  And, His Word says that you can't say no to religion....although it is being taught in many places all over the world.  Religion simply means our external worship to God.  When you say no to religion, you're saying no to the external worshipping of your Heavenly Father.  But a child of God just can't keep it all to herself/himself! She/He must let her/his light shine!   

(Check out Blue Letter Bible to look up the original meanings of words. This is the link:  http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2356&t=KJV

What those who debunk religion may be opposed to the church organized to have worship together.  It's just a ritual to them, maybe.  Of course, that's possible.  We can make it a "going through the motions kind of thing", if we're not careful. We also have to be careful that we don't become selfish in our thinking, and believe that worship to God is all about how "I" feel and what "I" get out of it, instead of concentrating on worshipping the Father!  Yes, we can encourage one another when we meet together, but the absolute primary goal is glorify God, not self!

Others may dismiss worship as meaning not be a Pharisee, as Paul was before he was blinded by the light - the BRIGHT light! Paul was an "all rules, no grace" man of God until He was struck with the truth - that Jesus did away with all of that.  Obedience is still in effect, but not so that one can just check of a "do to" list and call it good.  We aren't to be like the Pharisees, legalistic in our thinking.   

“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.  Acts 26:40-5

Paul (then named Saul) learned the truth. He realized he had been in error, living as a Pharisee and as a persecutor of Christians and Jesus, himself.  The Lord told him what to do to restore his eyesight.  Immediately after, he was baptized.  Not only was Paul's name changed, but his heart was changed!

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 9:17-19

So, God doesn't want us to have that Pharisaical, rules-only, strictest religion.  What does He want us to have?  He tells us in the scriptures below:

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 

1 Timothy 5:1-4 NIV

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.     James 1:26-27

These scriptures say that we should take care of your own families....repay our parents and grandparents for all they have done for us.  It pleases God.  And we should keep a tight rein on our tongues.....and care for orphans and widows....and keep ourselves polluted by the world.  WOW!  That's quite a list, isn't it???!

Different Bible translations have a few more "religion" references in them.  I think Colossians 2 pretty much sums up the whole idea that Paul learned and that God wants us to know about His Son and Our Savior.  It's a life of freedom in Christ, but also striving to be obedient.  It's not a legalistic obedience, but an obedience because of our love for God for what Jesus has done.  

Please take the time to read Colossians 2 in the link below (Bible Gateway, NKJV).  

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202&version=NKJV

The Tongue - An Uncontrollable Evil

Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. Ephesians 4:29 (God's Word Translation)

I haven't read much about this God's Word Translation version - to make sure it is all translated according to the original meaning - but I sure like how blunt it is with things we all need to hear!

My words....maybe your words....sometimes come out of my mouth before I take time to think about them!  That's not good!

It's no wonder that James warned about the tongue in his letter.  It is an uncontrollable evil.  Scripture says "no one can tame the tongue", so it is hard.  We can't do it on our own, but with God's help....with the Holy Spirit working inside of us....we can tame it.  And we must, if we're striving to look more like Jesus.

If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless. 

James 1:26

 All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does. ³ We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we have control over everything they do. ⁴ The same thing is true for ships. They are very big and are driven by strong winds. Yet, by using small rudders, pilots steer ships wherever they want them to go. ⁵ In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things.

A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame. ⁶ The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. ⁷ People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures. ⁸ Yet, no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

⁹ With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! 

James 3:2-10

Let's think more about our words today, and use them to help, not hurt.  Let's strive to glorify God with our words!

Too.....(Part 1)

Several months ago I was teaching classes for women at a Bible teachers workshop.  An older man, that I've  known since I was in junior high, and I were visiting during a break.  He's a preacher, and recently helped get involved in supporting the children's home where my husband worked.  I was thanking him for all he's done for them, when he said something that has really made me think.  He said, "I wish we could do more, but so many are not interested.  They're too rich.  They don't even realize that there are people who are in need.  They have everything they want."

Boy, that statement is sad, isn't it?!  To think that some people in the world are so into themselves and their little "corner" of the world that they're totally out of touch with the needs around them?  Sadly, I'm sure I've been guilty of that same thing before.  In fact, I'm certain I have!  Sadly, I'm afraid I've not always looked "out" to see the needs around me.  I'm just too........

Too rich.  Too blind.  Too busy.  Too tired.  Too selfish.  Too uninterested.  Too............whatever.  And "whatever" is keeping me - and perhaps you - from doing what the Lord wants me to do....just like the people that preacher was referring to.

TOO RICH
When we have our needs met, and are able to do whatever we need to do to have them met, we may not really realize the needs of those around us.  I remember when our school began a breakfast program.  I didn't like it because my children HAD to take a tray, but I had fed them breakfast at home.  I didn't want them eating lots of sugary/carbohydrate-loaded foods for breakfast.  I was complaining to my sister-in-law who was a teacher.  She said, "Lori, if we don't serve breakfast, many of our students will not eat at lunch.  Not everyone's mom fixes a good breakfast.  Some may not have any food for breakfast at all."  OUCH!  My toes hurt after that!!!  She stepped on them really good!  What a sad thing that I was only thinking of my own children and not the rest of the children in the community.  I was, at that point, too rich.

TOO BLIND
Although we may have perfect 20/20 vision, we may still be blind.  We may fail to see the pain in the lives of others.  We may fail to see that some are grieving, are lonely, are depressed.  We may fail to see problems - even in our own homes.  Sometimes we're too naive to see and sometimes we're just putting blinders on and ignoring problems instead of facing them, but either way, we're neglecting something.  Something very important.  It keeps us from doing God's Will and perhaps the work the Lord has called His people to do.  Too blind.  Open your eyes!!  There is work to do!

TOO BUSY
Oh, what work we could do for God if we weren't so busy!  What time we could spend in prayer and in His Word - if we weren't too busy!  Wait a minute!  Is it possible that you and I are so busy "doing" things - even good things - that we are failing to grow in our relationship with God?  ABSOLUTELY! I'm afraid this is probably my biggest problem, personally.  I find myself soooooo busy doing things - and they may be good and wonderful things - that I am neglecting the "better part" that Jesus talked about in the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).  Yes, sometimes I'm a Martha.  It's the way my personality is geared.  But, we should NEVER, NEVER allow our personality to become an excuse for sin.  NEVER!  I must learn to tell myself no.....and also learn to say no to others at time.  We must never be too busy for God.  He's never to busy for us!

TOO TIRED
Many years ago in a Wednesday night Bible class, I remember a sweet, young lady saying that she sometimes had a hard time deciding whether or not to go to Bible class.  That seemed so odd to me because in all of my years, that has never been a decision I had to make.  I just went.  That's what I believed I should do.  Not a duty, but an obligation to God and to Jesus - for all they've done for me!  Oh, yes.....sometimes I may have to decide if I should go or not depending on health issues of myself or my children - whether I would be contagious or not.....make it through or not, but never just whether I chose to go or not.  The "famous" verse that goes along with this thought is Hebrews 10:25, but let's look at it in context with surrounding scriptures (I've made verse 25 bigger) :

23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Hebrews 10:23-27

Sadly, within the next year, that ladies' marriage and family were torn apart.

When we give up meeting together once, maybe that's okay.  The problem is, that that once turns into twice....then three times......then a month, etc.  Before we know it - we've given up meeting together.  It's become a habit.  And we all know that habits are very, very hard to change.  But read the verse again.  See what it says?  By meeting together we are worshipping God, but we are also spurring one another on.  We're encouraging one another.  I have been discouraged by the non-attendance of others - haven't you?  I miss them.  I am concerned for them.  I care for them.  But the important thing about this verse is "and all the more as you see the Day approaching".  What "Day" is that referring to?  The day JESUS RETURNS!  Judgement Day! I can't think of anything I would rather be doing that worshipping the Lord when that DAY comes, can you???!


It's not a choice.  It's a commitment.  It's not a decision.  It's dedication.

I'm going to stop this post for now.  I'll finish it tonight or in the morning with a Part 2.  Sorry about that! I got on a roll :).