Being Born-Again is Not a Religion…….. 9-20-24
Being Born-Again is Not a Religion, it’s a life that’s been changed by God Almighty! John 3:3.
Internet -Religions are about human attempts to make our lives right with God, through our good works, sacrifices, rituals, and money. However, Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is about God entering human history to graciously save men and women through His Son Jesus Christ. There are many religions, one Christian belief; many gods; one true and living God.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:26-27).
To bridle your tongue means to restrain, check, or control your tongue by choosing what you will speak and what you will not speak. If you don’t know how to bridle your tongue, then your religion, or the things you believe are not going to do you much good. Why? Because the tongue is dangerous, even if it is little. Once words are spoken, they can’t be taken back. Let’s watch our mouths!
The word “religion” is only mentioned five times in the Bible, but the concept of religious practices and beliefs is a central theme throughout the book. The Bible encourages believers to have a personal relationship with God and live out their faith through acts of love and kindness towards others rather than merely adhering to religious traditions or rituals, as implied in Colossians 2:8 and Matthew 23:23.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8). Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former (Matthew 23:23).
The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today (Acts 26:4-6).
For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers (Galatians 1:13-14). It is also written in James 1:26-27, which is in an earlier paragraph in this message.
The pharisees (Jews) were examples of religious leaders and they were hypocrites. True or pure religion is not an outward show to be seen, but it is action that stems from Love.
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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