Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
The word ‘religion’ isn’t very popular these days. Many people dismiss it by claiming to be spiritual rather than religious. Even Christians malign it by insisting that Christianity is not about being religious but about having a relationship with Jesus. Both views not only show a misunderstanding of the word, but contradict the Bible’s use of it. For example, in Acts 17:22, Paul commended the Athenians for being “very religious.” He realized the importance of religion, so much so that he wanted them to know and experience the one religion that would be of value to them. Their problem, Paul pointed out, wasn’t that they were religious, but that they had the wrong religion.
The word ‘religion’ comes from Latin words that mean ‘to join something together again.’ It conveys the idea that we once had a harmonious relationship with God, but it was broken and in need of restoration. More than recognizing the problem, true religion actually restores harmony. This proper understanding of the word religion shows us that being religious is essential to being in a right relationship with Christ and being spiritually alive — thus exposing the foolishness of the contemporary rejections of the word religion. However, like the Athenians, we are always at risk of centering our religion in the wrong things and rendering it of no value — or worse.
When we boil it down, there are only two religions in the world. The first, the one that the Athenians had embraced, puts the burden on us to restore our broken relationship with God. It assures us that, in one way or another, we can do what God requires to be in His favor once again. This religion is really about me and depends upon my efforts, my spirituality, my commitment to my relationship with God, and my faithfulness. It is the religion of the Law. The other religion is the religion of the Gospel. In this religion our spirituality, relationship, goodness, etc. is based in the Father’s grace, the merits of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit. In it, everything wholly depends on God’s faithfulness. It is the only religion — the only way — that restores a harmonious relationship with God and brings us eternal life. It is the religion into which you have been Baptized and through which you have come to know “the God who made the world and everything in it” and have been restored in His favor “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
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