Religion
“Western civilization is now crumbling because most people no longer believe the Bible is true.” I don’t think most of us would have any difficulty in accepting that statement. However, the author followed up with this: “The Bible shows that God created the universe about 6,000 years ago.” The author’s efforts to prove the Bible true fall short with his incorrect reading of the Bible.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks to the knowledge of God is religion.
“A simple definition of religion is a belief in a higher power or the sacred, combined with practices like worship, rituals, and a moral code that helps people understand life’s meaning and purpose. While a shared system of beliefs about the universe and the afterlife is common, religion can be a personal belief or an organized, institutionalized faith, guiding behavior and providing community.” This definition obviously leaves the door open for individuals to select for themselves a system of beliefs and practices. In fact, the definition of religion identifies many world religions that have very different beliefs and practices.
Most Christian religions would claim that the basis of their belief is the Bible. If a religion based its beliefs and practices on the Bible, wouldn’t there only be one religion?
This, of course, brings us to the subject of the Church of God. If the Church of God bases its beliefs and practices on the word of God, why isn’t there one single church? Surely the reason is that there are varying interpretations of the Bible that allow a variety of approaches like the world’s religions do. This ought to cause us to stop and think deeply. But the fact of the matter is that in God’s mind there is only one body of Christ – made up of those with whom His Spirit dwells.
It is clear from biblical statements about the conduct of the Old Testament church that it had adopted a “religious” approach, but had diverged from God’s model:
“…Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me. And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men” (Isaiah 29:13).
Their way of living was “an organized, institutional faith, guiding behavior and providing community”, but it was not of God. They felt they were right by acknowledging God’s name while doing something of their own devising. We need to be careful we are not making the same mistake.
The New Testament Church was given many warnings not to conduct themselves in the same manner. We live in an environment in the western world where God’s name is used freely. We are used to hearing His name used, but it does not represent the true God. It is used by many who do not follow the Bible.
“Religion is a subjective term with a very blurry definition and a contested definition depending on who is using the term.” We in the Church of God also use God’s name freely, but that doesn’t guarantee godly behavior. To the Church in Sardis God says:
“…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead… You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:1, 4).
The Church of God has no place with the world’s religions. God’s Church is to represent Him to the world. For that, each member is responsible to prove and live by every word of God. It is not a blurry definition. It is alive, dynamic and on track to walk with God in white.
We are to live by a common “holistic system of beliefs, practices, and values that connect humanity to the divine”. The result should be that our way of life collectively reveals the one true God to a godless world.
Brian Orchard
