Undefiled Religion
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit the
orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted by the
world.” James1:27
Formalism is fatal to true religion. Lacking the
vital life giving force of God’s Spirit, it has no power to transform the heart
of man. Yet people are satisfied to substitute almost anything for this life
sustaining force. Some cling to doctrines, others sacraments, still more insist
on ceremony. This is all in an effort to find the true nature of God expressed
in His Son.
But the Simplicity is in Christ! (2Cor. 11:3) A
LIVING Savior, Risen and Reigning on high by the Power of an Almighty God. Who
has dwelt among us in human form, the Word made flesh, John1:14, full of Grace
and Truth and has bestowed upon us His own Holy Spirit as our comforter,
witness and helper in time of need. (John 6:5-15)
Yet what do men prefer as true religion? They cling
to the symbolism without the substance, pursue vows, good works and the
acceptance of their peers. They mistake the image of Christ expressed in love
of country, loyalty to family, church attendance, wealth, success and
popularity, rather than Christ Crucified and the Flesh subdued! (1Cor 1:20-25,
Gal 5:24)
Those who desire a deeper experience enter the
ministry, become pastors, monks, priests and nuns. All in an effort to know
Christ on a more intimate level than others. Yet no outward form of wisdom,
self imposed religion, false humility or neglect of the body has ANY value
against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col 2:23) You can vow yourself to
poverty, separate yourself from the world and dedicate your life to good works
and STILL remain in bondage to your sin. As the scripture has said, NONE of
these things can put to death the passions and desires of your body without the
life giving force of Christ. (John 15:1-6)
Zealousness toward God is also no guarantee that
your religion is genuine. (Rom 10:1-2) Many have been zealous without the
knowledge of God. From such come religious persecution, wars, and prejudice.
The Devil isn’t threatened by religious fervor. Nor does he care how orthodox
your doctrinal statement may read. Those who put their trust in the strength of
numbers have seldom been on the winning side. Jesus Himself declared that FEW
shall find eternal life and the majority would not. (Matt 7:15-16)
Many who make no profession of faith in Christ
whatsoever live to a higher moral standard than most ‘church going Christians.’
They make no excuses for their adultery, drunkenness, unclean behavior, selfish
ambitions or vain amusements. Showing that God’s law is written into their
hearts as a witness against them either accusing or excusing them. (Rom 2:15-16) But so-called Christians will condone all
manner of immoral behavior, claiming they have forgiveness from God through
Christ and their conduct no longer matters. Is it any wonder why their
‘religion’ is powerless against the tide of evil in our society?
The book of James can show us the practicality of
true religion and the reality of putting our words into actions. Faith without
corresponding deeds is inoperative, a vain imagination and void the substance
to save our soul! (Even the devils believe, James 2:14-26) But even ‘works’
prompted by this faith can easily become ‘dead’. Jesus acknowledged the good
works of ALL seven churches in Revelation, although He called ‘most’ of them to
repentance under pain of eternal separation. Starting out well doesn’t always
guarantee a good finish.
Formalism spelled spiritual death to the Lukewarm
church, as immorality brought disaster to the Corrupt and Dead churches. Those who had departed their ‘first love’
had fallen from similar heights as all the others. What then is the real
meaning of religion in Christ Jesus? If
it is not in the substance of a man’s possessions, his station in life or his
affiliation with a religious organization, WHAT is it!?
Christ is known in the simplicity of a child! (Matt 18:2-5)
That’s why the learned have missed the mark for so long. They seek Him through
education, science, art, and philosophy. Thinking that He is known as a man
increases in knowledge and ability to disseminate scripture and expound
biblical truth. Thus they desire after doctorates and holy orders, become an expert
in the classics, history and linguists. Yet NONE of these things brings them
any closer to the Living Christ then they were as infidels! Although they teach
others, they have neglected the ‘weightier’ matters that can redeem man from
the corrupting influence of sin.
Paul said, “But
the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned. But he who is ‘spiritual’ judges all things, yet he himself is rightly
judged by no man.” 1Cor 2:14-15
Thus here is the truth of Knowing Him! “The letter
kills, but the SPIRIT gives Life!” Men can be forced to obedience through
doctrines, ordinances and tradition, and take on the ‘appearance’ of true
religion. (a form of godliness, the scripture calls it, 2Tim3:5) While at the
same time they can be filled with all the vileness of the flesh and spirit
condemned by God. (Gal 5:19-21) The works of the flesh are obvious but in VIVID
Contrast the FRUIT of the Spirit is also obvious!
Herein lies the test of knowing Him! Is the Image
and Likeness of Christ as revealed in His Holy Word effectively at work inside
your heart, transforming, molding and creating in you a deep hunger for Purity
and truth? Can you say with confidence that ‘you’ have died to self and your
life is now ‘hidden with Christ in God’? Is the Spirit bearing WITNESS with
your spirit that you are a genuine child of the LIVING GOD?
This Life giving force is the essence of all true
religion in heaven or on earth. Nothing short of this VITAL connection with
Christ can quicken you from your sleep of death. Christ is the Light and Very
Image of God. His death and resurrection were for the distinct purpose of
bringing man BACK into a LIVING relationship with God! The New Birth is not an
acknowledgement of facts or ‘repeat after me’ this prayer. It’s God bringing to
Birth in the heart of man the IMAGE of His Son! You not only ‘identify’ with
Christ’s suffering, you take on the POWER of His Likeness in resurrection!
(Phil 3:8-11) His LIFE is now expressed in you!
Scripture says that the SAME Power that God used to
raise Christ from the dead, He also used to ‘raise us together with Him!’ (Eph 1:19,
2:5-7) NO ONE still in bondage to the
inner corruption of sin has known or experienced this birthing process. They
may have indeed taken on a ‘form’ of godliness and even reformed certain
characteristics of their behavior, but WITHOUT this NEWNESS of life imputed to
them by the Spirit of God, their ‘religion’ is in vain.
This transformation is then reflected in EVERY
aspect of your conduct. The FRUIT of the Spirit is the guiding principle of
your life. There will be a daily manifestation of self-denial, meekness,
kindness, goodness and faithfulness to His Word. (Gal 5:22-25) You will crave
the Pure milk of the Word to grow thereby! (1Pet 2:2) You will Put off
concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to
deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and PUT ON the new
man which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness! (Eph
4:22-24)
To the measure you neglect the means of grace
manifested in your heart by the Holy Spirit, by that ‘same’ measure will you
grow cold, corrupt and eventually die spiritually and be expelled from the body
of Christ. (2Pet 1:3-11, Rev 3:16) The
New Birth is a continual process in the soul, working in concert with your
obedience to the truth. (1Pet 1:22, Rom 2:7) Lack of progress toward the ‘HOPE’
of eternal life will spell disaster to the soul. (Titus 3:7)
His Divine Power has given us EVERYTHING we need for
life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and goodness! (1Pet 1:3) He has also
given us exceeding great and precious promises that we may ‘through them’
escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. BUT even all this
CAN’T Work in you the whole process of salvation UNLESS you: “Make every effort
to ADD to your faith!” (2Pet 2:4-11)
On one hand God has imparted to you His own Divine
Nature and the very image of His Son, but He requires you to WORK out your
salvation with fear and trembling to MAKE your calling and election sure! In
order that your entrance into the Kingdom will be richly provided in Christ!
(Phil 2:12, 1Pet 3:10) Pure simplicity
is but lost to the vast majority of professing Christians.
True
salvation is a Work from start to finish. The WORK of FAITH with POWER! (2Thess
1:11) To know Him requires effort, not mental assent or acceptance of some
doctrine. If you are to be Rooted and grounded in love, able to comprehend with
all the saints what is the width, length, depth and height of Christ and be
filled with all the fullness of God, the Light of HIS LIFE MUST be expressed in
your soul! (Eph 3:17-19) Otherwise your religion is in vain.
“God is found, as soon as HE ALONE IS SOUGHT!”
Know Him today in His fullness by yielding your life
unto His Spirit in simplicity of faith, knowing that He is the Living Risen
Christ able to WORK in you what is well pleasing in His sight by the Power of
the everlasting God to whom be glory forever and ever, amen!