PURE
RELIGION
Religion: just the word itself has become
offensive in almost any context. It tends to produce, among other negative
realities, thoughts and feelings involving hypocrisy, superstitious invention,
selfish control, false judgment, and a disdain for inappropriate violence and
aggression. Universally it conveys the idea of believing in some higher power
and that power’s ability and right to provide for or sustain life. It denotes
the idea of relationship with a designated higher power and others in addition
to the actions or workings that accompany those relationships.
There is a religion that is pure. God has provided
light and direction in His written Word as to how we can know what that true
religion and relationship is exactly. Departure, rejection, and ignorance of
the Word of God, in fact, produce and promote false religion. Let us look to
the written Word, the Bible, on this subject and allow the Lord to enlighten
our hearts and minds in order that He might keep our relationship with Him pure.
Thoughts become actions, actions become habits,
and habits become a way of life. The subject of religion brings
with it the subject of judgment
which has its true and false form as well. With this message and study, we will
look in turn at some of what God has revealed to us on pure religion focusing
on the aspects of thought and judgment trusting the Lord to keep us obedient to
his perfect plan in order that we might be used for His will and be blessed
with His peace, joy, freedom, and salvation…all of which ultimately only come
from a pure relationship with God through Jesus.
Thought
We know that the Word of God in all forms is of no
private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20). It is given pure and remains pure. The
problem is that, apart from God, we are not pure. Sin darkens. This affects our
ability to understand the truth. It also affects our ability to apply it to the
circumstances of our lives. Our mind is a battleground which filters what comes
into and out of our heart. The spiritual battles are often won or lost in part
with our success or failure with what we do with God’s Word there.
Prov. 23:7
For as he thinketh in
his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
but his heart is not with thee.
There is a principle to be found here that to an
extent: “we are what we think we are.” This of course does not mean that we
cannot be disillusioned, deceived, or dishonest about our true identity, worth,
or capabilities, and so on. But that if we believe something about ourselves
(or others) to be true, in effect, we can and often do become the essence of
our thoughts. So guard your thoughts as we say. Successfully this can only be
done by filtering our thoughts through the truth of God’s Word with the guide
of the Holy Spirit. Be true indeed to thine own self because there is a
constant influx of information competing for the influence of your mind.
Rom. 14:5-13
One man esteemeth one
day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own moind.
He that regardeth the
day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.
He that eateth, eateth to
the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth
not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God
thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself,
and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the
Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and
revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy
brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment
seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I
live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and
every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us
shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but
judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock
or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Life is about our relationship with the Lord.
Everything centers on that relationship even if we do not choose to focus on
Him of our own free will. What we think about the significance of each day, the
actions and choices of others, what we eat, when we eat…everything. We are to
be persuaded by the Lord in our minds that we have the view of life’s details
that is centered in His will and plan for our individual life or we will come
to the wrong conclusions (judgments) about others and about our own path in
life. This lack of understanding (judgment) produced by wrong thinking can
cause others to fail in their own walk with the Lord. We must bear in mind that
God’s plan in some points is the same for everyone, but in other points the
details of our lives will vary according to the Lord’s direction.
Col. 2:20-22
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the
rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to
ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the
using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Human tradition should not be regarded as the
final authority on our thought processes; neither should our own understanding
be regarded as the final authority. The above passage of scripture was given to
a group of believers that had been deceived into believing that angels should
be worshipped. We know that worship is reserved for God alone. God makes the
rules. Not people. This reality applies to our thoughts on any subject.
Phil. 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Here the Lord is helping us to establish the focus
of our thoughts. This is a command of God: “think on these things.” We might
then say that if the subject of our thoughts do not fit into these guidelines,
it is not right for us to think upon. Furthermore, there is nothing more pure,
more true, more lovely, or of a better report than the Word of God. Think on
the Word of God.
Luke 11:34
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when
thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye
is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
We ought to have a singular focus within view of
our mind’s eye: light. God is light. His Word is Light. He is His Word. He is
to be the focus of our thoughts. He is what we are to be looking at. The only
other option is to be in darkness.
Rom. 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought
to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith.
Our faith in the Word of God is what gives us the
ability to know ourselves for who we really are. Be serious about yourself.
Take your view of God and your life seriously. Life is not a joke. Life is
serious. Everybody will exist somewhere forever. If we do not know God, we
cannot know ourselves or others for who we really are and as a result we will
come to the wrong conclusions and make the wrong decisions. Growth comes in
measure. It is a process, this getting to know God better, and gaining a more
in depth understanding. A process hinged upon knowledge and obedience of God’s
Word.
Phil. 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God:
But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and
given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If we humble ourselves, God will exalt us. That is
the Godly mindset we are to have. God made us to be like Him and to have a
relationship with Him. We must first accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins in
order for our mind to begin to be freed from our addiction to sin and the
darkening effects of sin upon our mind and heart. In order for our relationship
with God to be pure, our thoughts must be made pure. Only Jesus can restore our
mind.
Judgment
Micah 6:15
Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap…
Pure religion comes with pure thought. Pure
thought produces pure or righteous judgment. Nature itself teaches us that
ultimately God is the judge. This basic truth is even seen through the blurred
view of the lost with the impure religious view of Karma. It is a Biblical
principle that we reap what we sow. It is also true
that we reap what we do not sow and both of these reapings
have a positive and a negative implication. Judgment, like religion, has many
false forms. One of them is the idea that it is always wrong to judge or that God
tells us in the Bible to never judge in any form whatsoever. Rather, what God
tell us is to refrain from forms of judgment that are inaccurate, or that are
reserved for God alone. We have no right, to pronounce the final judgment on
others, but we will be involved in that judgment. That is God’s right alone in
the ultimate sense. We should refrain from hasty superficial misjudgments and
condemnations of others and are commanded to do so. The Bible does not forbid
us from speaking out against sin, standing up against sin, or making righteous
judgments, and in fact commands us to do so.
I Cor. 2:15-16
But he that is spiritual judgeth
all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he
may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The way to keep from being judged for evil doing
is simply to follow the Lord in obedient thought and action. Jesus paid the
penalty for our sins and Jesus gives us the strength and power and wisdom to do
what is right. There is no condemnation to those who are living and walking
with the Lord in the light of His Word.
Prov. 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked,
to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
False judgment promotes the wicked and destroys
the righteous.
John 7:24
Judge not according to the
appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
We are commanded to judge. We are commanded to use
spiritually righteous discernment in the view that we have of all things and
people.
Hab. 1:4
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth
never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore
wrong judgment proceedeth.
Deut. 25:1
If there be a controversy between men, and they
come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the
righteous, and condemn the wicked.
PS 37:30
The mouth of the righteous speaketh
wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
2 Tim. 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Tim. 4:1-2
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
The goal of judgment is to produce righteousness
and promote a right relationship with the Lord and this is accomplished by the
preaching and teaching of His Word.
1 Cor. 6:1-3
Dare any of you, having a matter against another,
go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the
world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye
unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
It is the responsibility and privilege of those
who know the truth to keep each other accountable for the truth in love. It is
also the responsibility and duty of the righteous to judge the wicked according
to the direction of the Word of God (PS 149:1-9). There are just as severe
consequences for misjudgment as there are for no judgment. There is an absolute
right and an absolute wrong. God’s Word gives us the clarification corporately
and personally. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to
do nothing.”
Religion
Thoughts become actions, actions become habits,
and habits become our way of life. In a sense our way of life is our religion.
That being true, anything or anyone can be a religion. A job
or career, a hobby, or philosophy, a scientific theory, a human tradition, a
relationship. Anything. There is only one
religion that is pure and true. That is because there is only one God that is
true. His way is the only true way. People in their lost state may attempt to
put other things in God’s place in their life and so create for themselves a
false religion.
James 1:26-27
If any man among you seem
to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
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.
The word “religion” in James 1:26 refers
specifically to crying out to God whereas the word in the following verse and
the passage from Acts is used to describe any act of worship or an external
action as opposed to internal. A true internal relationship with God produces
certain kinds of actions and a certain kind of living, but actions cannot
produce a relationship with God.
Acts 26:5
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would
testify, that after the most straitest
sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Gal. 1:13-14
For ye 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.
Col. 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.
John 4:20-24
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye
say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor
yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not
what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and
now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in
truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth.
Mat. 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
1 Sam. 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in
burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to
obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Pure religion is not a time or a place. It is not
a deed or a duty. It is not a ceremony or a certificate. It is not a method or
a membership. It is not created by or maintained by human invention, although
it may involve some of these details. It is a relationship with God through
Jesus by the Holy Spirit according to His written and spoken Word: the Holy
Bible. This relationship will produce a living pattern that will evidence its
reality and truth according to God’s Word and by His power.
Conclusion
2 Thess. 2:13-17
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of
the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by
our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the
traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even
our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and
good hope through grace,
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every
good word and work.
Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what
doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?
Salvation is the beginning and end of
pure religion. Jesus is the beginning and end of pure religion. This is God’s
requirement: Confess and forsake sin. Receive Jesus Christ who is the Word of
God. Walk with Him and live with Him in the details of life for
ever.
___________________________________________________
Copyright; 2018 by Michael
Creech
All Rights Reserved