Rethink Religion

Rethink Religion

Walk in Wisdom / James 1:17–27

• When we say “religion” what do we really mean?

• Bible dictionary calls it

Religion: “A relationship of devotion or fear of God or gods.”

• Various types of conduct or ritual practices are included in that concept.

• Those rather scholarly definitions aren’t usually what we think of when religion comes up.

• More generally, it’s a question of what faith or what church someone belongs to.

• note that the percentage of Americans claiming “none” as their religious affiliation is increasing rapidly. Up to 23% just a few years ago and still rising.

• When you dig a bit deeper into attitudes about religion and specifically attitudes about Christianity, we discover that, rather than being the dominant religious group with at least a benign reputation, we are too often distrusted and viewed negatively.

• Nearly half of all non-religious adults perceive Christians to be extremist. (Barna, 2016)

60% of all adults think an attempt to convert others is extreme.

52% say that praying out loud for a stranger is extreme.

• Spoiler Alert: We are out of the cultural mainstream.

• It seems as though our religion - the practice of our faith - is at worst under attack and at the very least ineffective in the current culture. What are conscientious followers of Christ supposed to do?

• Too often we huddle up in our buildings and pretend that none of this is happening. Not effective.

• Some bold folks go out to “do battle” in the world but as noted last week, we find ourselves fighting the war with people who are not our enemy.

• What to do?

• Recognize this is not a new problem. In fact, it’s very much a first century problem that is addressed in the NT.

• Our ancestors in the faith were going against the mainstream all the time. They faced criticism, persecution, alienation in ways we can barely imagine. (the 1st 15 verses of James 1)

• They needed wisdom (skilful application of God’s Word to life) just as we do.

• So James, the brother of Jesus, writes to the church very early on with great insight and direction for us.

• Religion, James will show us, isn’t only the specific practices of a given group at a certain time.

• It’s not only how we do what we do or the traditions we follow.

• It’s much deeper than that.

• Religion is knowing and relying on beliefs and practices that are eternal.

• Our practices have changed somewhat in the past few years and likely will continue to do so.

• Will that throw us off our game? Or will we find and take a firm grip on an eternal religion?

A Source to Trust

James 1:16–18 NLT

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

• We often find ourselves buffeted by conflicting ideas, facts that just don’t match up.

• Christians find themselves on opposite sides of debates.

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

• Instead of CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, OAN, Facebook or Twitter, what if we had a better source of wisdom?

• A better way to think about our world? We need:

A Constant Guide

James 1:19–25 NLT

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

• Your spiritual mirror is the Word. James’ illustration is absurd. We don’t forget what we look like.

• He wants us to consider our spiritual reflection and learn it just as surely as we do every feature on our faces.