Introduction. You likely know that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Therefore, in order to get back to God, we need religion. The word “religion” basically means to “tie or bind back to God again.” This fundamental belief in sin and redemption has fueled the development of many varied religions in the world.
It would be an understatement to say that the religious world is in a state of confusion. With hundreds of denominations in this country and thousands of religions worldwide, it’s sufficient to say that many people simply don’t know what’s going on.
Ignorance has caused people to reject religion. But we have to first understand what we’re rejecting if we reject religion. Religion is “a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially 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.” To be acceptable to God, it must be demonstrated that Jesus condemned ritual observances, the organization of believers into a group, and a moral code governing affairs that believers are required to follow. However, if the scriptures demonstrate that Jesus encouraged and established these, then it’s the attitude of these people that’s out of step with Jesus.
“Religion” is used several times in the New Testament, and it’s important that we know these religions. They existed 2,000 years ago, but some of their features and consequences still exist today.
The Jews’ Religion (Galatians 1:13-14)
“Judaism” (NKVJ) in v. 14 is “the Jews’ religion” in the KJV. These people were set apart for God (Exodus 19:5). Can you imagine the feeling one would have had being one of God’s special people?
However, Paul discovered that this was not the true religion (Acts 9:9-31). He was able to find true religion through Jesus Christ.
One really never realizes what all Paul gave up when he became a Christian (Philippians 3:4-7).
He was probably close to the pinnacle of the Jewish hierarchy. After Gamaliel died, Paul could’ve been the successor of this very important Jewish position.
People today are still trying to hold to this religion, but we can’t make ourselves right with God by going back to the Old Law. When Jesus died on the cross, He put to death the Old Law (Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 8:13; 10:9-10).
The Pharisees’ Religion (Acts 26:5)
This was a sectarian religion. There were other sects in the first century, such as the Sadducees, Zealots, Herodians, and the Essenes. Today, there’re sects such as Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Episcopalians, etc.
Could an Israelite just be an Israelite without being a Pharisee, Sadducee, or an Essene? I believe they could. Can someone just be a Christian without being in a denomination? The Bible says they can.
How can we know the difference between the Lord’s church and denominations?There are four prominent distinctions:
They differ in their nature.
The Lord’s church contains only those who are saved by God’s direction (Acts 2:47). It contains those who have been “called out” of the world and of sin. It’s therefore exclusive in its nature.
Denominations see themselves as one part of the great whole of God’s people. They accept into their fellowship those who have been “saved” by methods of human wisdom. They aren’t exclusive in their nature.
They differ in their standard.
The Lord’s church uses only the Word of God (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 John 9-11).
Denominations use culture as their standard. They change constantly to remain attractive to the crowd. In fact, some men in the ultra liberal churches of Christ are openly declaring themselves “change agents.”
They differ in their function.
The Lord’s church has a spiritual function (1 Timothy 3:16; John 6:63). Its mission is to save souls.
Denominations have a social function. They cater to the outer man with daycare centers, hospitals, benevolent programs, entertainment, recreation, and lectures on finances and health.
They differ in the government.
The Lord’s church has Christ as its head (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18).
Denominations have people as their head. They’re controlled by councils, conventions, boards and synods.
We have to be willing to explain our distinctiveness to people and not become denominational (cp. 1 Samuel 8:5).
Useless Religion (James 1:26)
Vain or worthless religion did a person no good. It’s futile to try to get back to God when we can’t control our tongue.
Some people talk and it ruins religion. We forget the eternal wisdom of God in Proverbs 13:3. We need to be very careful of whispering (Proverbs 16:28; Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:10), talebearing (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 20:19; 26:20), and slander (Numbers 14:36-37; Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 10:18).
Too many times brethren let their words fly and it does a lot of damage (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4; cp. Colossians 4:6). If our religion will be worth anything, we have to control our tongue (Proverbs 16:32; 25:28; cp. James 3:1-12).
Pure Religion (James 1:27)
Pure religion is more than visiting and keeping oneself unstained from the world, although this is commanded (Galatians 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:13). The part of speech that is used here is synecdoche and it simply means that a part is used for the whole.
Contrary to popular opinion, there are multiple demands of pure religion:
Fear and respect of God (Deuteronomy 10:12; Ecclesiastes 12:13).
A love of God (Deuteronomy 10:12; Mark 12:29-30).
A knowledge of God (Hosea 6:6).
Humility (Micah 6:8).
The new birth (John 3:3, 5).
For many, this is a mysterious concept. But by harmonizing a few New Testament passages, a clear picture emerges.
If you compare John 3:5 with 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 5:26, and Titus 3:5, you’ll get a clear picture of what the Holy Spirit and baptism does and the results that follow.
Being doers of the word (James 1:22; 2:18-20).
Some dislike religion because it emphasizes rules. Some have argued that because we are under grace, we have no law (Romans 6:14-15). However, we are under “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Not only did Jesus teach and command His apostles to teach obedience to His commandments (Matthew 28:19-20), He outlined what to do when brethren disobeyed the law (Matthew 18:15-20).
A love for ourselves and for our neighbor (Romans 13:10).
Righteousness greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).
The Pharisees were very loose in their personal moral code of ethics. The contrast between the standards of Jesus and the Pharisees is seen several times.
Jesus taught that they were hypocrites — altogether different inside where God saw their true character (Matthew 23:3, 25-26).
Jesus taught that they were often dishonest in their dealings with others (Matthew 23:4). Furthermore, they didn’t care about the lost (Matthew 9:11).
They ignored the Law of Moses on key moral issues like keeping oaths, murder, and covetousness (Matthew 23:16-22, 27-33; Luke 16:14).
They brought a woman guilty of adultery before Jesus, but couldn’t throw a stone because they were guilty themselves (John 8:3-4).
When people claim to love and respect God, but hold to loose moral standards, they’re Pharisees. Strict moral standards were never criticized by Jesus.
We have to be strong and have self-control to enjoy pure religion. We must also be dedicated servants and ready to work for the kingdom. If we’re faithful, we’ll get back to God by restoring a right relationship between us and Him. This will take away the sins which separated us in the first place (cp. Isaiah 59:1-2).
Conclusion. Like so many Christians, I’m disgusted by the materialism and immorality that’s characterized so many prominent groups and individuals claiming to be Christian. I mourn for the carnal warfare, persecutions, and abuse carried out in Jesus’ name or by those who claim allegiance to Christ. I believe that much of the “Christian” world reflects a hijacked religion that departed from the simplicity of the gospel.
However, I can’t throw out the true religion of Christ because some have left the way of Christ though they claim a relationship with Him. If you love Jesus, you’ll love religion — the religion that He established, that’s described in the New Testament, and that reflects the glory, holiness, and righteousness of our great Lord. The Lord wants you to be a part of His church — the church that’s built on the New Testament.
