All tagged religion
This morning I am contemplating those things of faith to which we have become blinded by our religion or liturgical practices. I recall the words of Jesus regarding Jerusalem and ask myself if this could happen to us as well. Could our religion become a hindrance to us? Are we building liturgical or religious walls between those who are seeking redemption, salvation, and a relationship with our Lord?
As I read my devotional text this morning it spoke of prayer as providing the Christian with aim, focus, character, good conduct, determination, and a clearer idea of religion, but its claims regarding these came with no definitive method by which this was to be achieved. The only supporting evidence offered came from a short passage in 1st Thessalonians.
My devotional reading on this day in 2016 was regarding the machinery of religion. E.M. Bounds used his daily lesson to speak of the heartlessness with which the machinery of our religion and church often operates. I, on the other hand, would like to speak today about the occasions when that machinery purifies itself in the word of God, and the blood of Jesus Christ; and how thus, having becoming pure and undefiled, it works wonderfully well. In this righteous state of faithfulness the product of our machine is love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
When I came to know Jesus it was in full submission to Him, but have I served Him over all else in my life? Have I been the servant He expected me to be, or has my commitment to Him become a much sought after convenience on my part? These are my thoughts this morning, and they convict me.
This morning I was reading about commonplace religion, that religion which is shaped around what is easy, formed around what others say and not by intense prayer, God's word, and self denial. We live in a feel good society "if it feels good then it must be good and right." But that isn't what the bible teaches us. So I read Titus 2 this morning, and as an aging member of my church, the scripture convicted me, but whatever your age, and whether you are a man or woman, I believe it will convict you as well.