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Accused of being religious?

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Are you accused of being religious?

Does this image have anything to do with reality? Not really.

Accused of being religious — I hope not. What a horrible thing that is! I am certainly not religious, at least not too much.

According to dictionary.com: a 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.

The problem is that sets are defined and God is beyond definition—at least my God is. Sets of beliefs become merely  points of argument: think waste of time. Yes, I can define many of my beliefs.

Many of them are Biblical. I do see the Bible as a book written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is an authoritative standard for me, though I do a lot of comparing of different versions and translations.

Many of them are experiential. I have learned things about God during the over forty five  years I have walked with Him.

Many are revelational. The Holy spirit has taught me many things directly.

They are all relational. My beliefs have developed as part of my direct personal relationship with Jesus.

Accused of being religious — be careful!

Denominations are a work of the flesh

These divisions are what is called party spirit in the list of works of the flesh in Galatians 5. Many assume that party spirit refers to drunken orgies and the like. It really refers to things like Democrats versus Republicans; Protestants versus Catholics; Missouri Synod Lutherans versus everyone else (I’m sorta joking about that one). They are a horrible thing—the worst part and inevitable result of religion.

I am a believer in and slave of Jesus, our Messiah

Everything comes out of that loving, supportive, instructive relationship. As I’ve often said, I feel like that dirty, grungy scout who comes into the King to share what he has seen in his journey. I feel like a knight sent out on a quest by my King. Often I do not even know what the quest is about, for the King has sent me on a journey of self-discovery and personal spiritual growth.

I really do not care what religion you are. I certainly do not care about your denomination, if you call yourself Christian. A religious spirit keeps many from true worship and real relationship. My concern is, “Do you know Jesus?” If you cannot answer that with certainty, you need to ask Him to introduce himself to you. Sooner or later, you’ll need to repent of your sin and give Him control of your life. But just ask Him to introduce himself to you to start. You’ll love him. Jesus is amazing.

If I can help, just ask.

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Comments

Accused of being religious? — 3 Comments

  1. Problem is David…you based your defination of “religon” out of a dictionary. I hope and pray that people see me as a “religious” person, because God says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this…to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

    God uses the word “religious” “religion” seven times in the New Testament and every time in a positive manner.

    P.S. and just in case you’re wondering…after reading your blog for the past two years…and by God’s defination…I consider you a religious person. Hope your not offended.

  2. Nope! I’m not offended, but I spend my time dealing with people who cannot or will not come to a saving knowledge of Jesus because their religion tells them they are OK. They obviously are not, but their religion has no room for a personal relationship with Jesus. I’m primarily dealing with Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Assembly of God (and many non-denominational church members). This religious spirit is rampant in the area where I live. Being religious around here is sending huge numbers of people to Hell and I haven’t found a way to break through yet.

  3. Here’s Vine’s definition and as you can see it is mostly external and not positive:
    Religion threseia signifies “religion” in its external aspect (akin to threskos, see below), “religious worship,” especially the ceremonial service of “religion;” it is used of the “religion” of the Jews, Acts 26:5; of the “worshiping” of angels, Col 2:18, which they themselves repudiate (Rev 22:8,9); “there was an officious parade of humility in selecting these lower beings as intercessors rather than appealing directly to the Throne of Grace” (Lightfoot); in James 1:26,27 the writer purposely uses the word to set in contrast that which is unreal and deceptive, and the “pure religion” which consists in visiting “the fatherless and widows in their affliction,” and in keeping oneself “unspotted from the world.” He is “not herein affirming. … these offices to be the sum total, nor yet the great essentials, of true religion, but declares them to be the body, the threskeia, of which godliness, or the love of God, is the informing soul” (Trench).

    2. Religion deisidaimonia primarily denotes “fear of the gods” (from deido, “to fear,” daimon, “a pagan deity,” Eng., “demon”), regarded whether as a religious attitude, or, in its usual meaning, with a condemnatory or contemptuous significance, “superstition.” That is how Festus regarded the Jews’ “religion,” Acts 25:19, AV and RV marg., “superstition” (RV, “religion”). See RELIGIOUS, and under SUPERSTITIOUS.

    Notes:
    (1) Threskeia is external, theosebeia is the reverential worship of God (see GODLINESS), eusebeia is piety (see GODLINESS), eulabeia the devotedness arising from godly fear (see FEAR).

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