Are We Religious?
About
3 years ago I was called into the boss' office. I was told there had
been a complainti
about me that on a certain date I'd been playing religious music on
the bus. I pulled out a USB stick and said I'd been playing what was
on it, over 300 songs, all religious. At the conclusion of the
meeting the boss said I was allowed to play public broadcast radio,
but not my own music on the bus. I proceeded to play what passes as
“Christian radio” in this town.
In
recent times I have been bothered by certain people who make a habit
of saying things like: “I'm not religious, it's about
relationship.” or “It's not about religion, but about
relationship.”
Religion:
“system of faith and worship; human recognition of super human
controlling power and esp. of a personal God entitled to obedience,
effect of this on conduct etc.”ii
Religious:
“Imbued with religion, devout, concerned with religion, scrupulous,
conscientious, member of an ecclesiastical order;”ii
In
light of the dictionary definitions above and the fact that the
behaviour of these people fits the definition of “religious” I
say these people, to my way of thinking come too close to denying
Christ. Now for some Scriptures.
“As
for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So
do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows! "Those
who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for
them before my Father in heaven. But those who reject me publicly, I
will reject before my Father in heaven.”
Mat 10:30-33 Good News Bibleiii
When
the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord! In your
name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons
and performed many miracles!' Then
I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked
people!' Mat 7:22-23 Good News Bible
This
seems to make it fairly clear that if Jesus Christ considers denying
being religious to be denying him that the consequences will be
severe. The people Jesus rejects will be told to get away from him
on judgement day.
“If
you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from
death, you will be saved.
For
it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our
confession that we are saved. The scripture says, "Whoever
believes in him will not be disappointed." This includes
everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles;
God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him.
As the scripture says, "Everyone who calls out to the Lord for
help will be saved."”
Romans 10:9-13 Good News Bible
Okay,
the relationship is with God, the Father, the Son & the Spirit.
To say that you are not religious when you fit the definition of
“religious”, may alienate people who may otherwise join you. In
the case of being a follower of Jesus Christ it could mean that
people who may have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord could be turned
away. Therefore Christians who deny being religious come too close
to denying Christ for my liking.
For
further information I recommend reading the Bible.
©
Ken
Glasgow 2016
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i
I believe the person involved was killed when Malaysian Airlines
flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine. I hope I'm wrong because
this would bode ill for her eternal well being.
ii
Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary, 1984, Oxford University Press,
Melbourne, Australia.
iii
See also: Luke 12:7-11.
