Religion and Faith

Thursday 06  February 2022.

Religion without Faith!

Matt.23.23 - "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

A recent survey and assessment of the religious revivals in Nigeria states that, it's a revival of gathering of multitude,  plenty cars, big buildings, lots of cash but with little or no faith to show. Why are religious centres increasing by the day yet corruption,  wickedness and sinfulness are on the highest level. Churches are growing in numbers.  Programmes and  various religious activities are all over the places.  Pastoral work is  becoming one of the best sought-after professions especially in this side of the world where everyone seems to be religious but no form of godliness.  I Tim 3:5.

Religiosity is not equivalent to a relationship with God. Going to Church and prayer centres does not make you a Christian. Bearing a Christian name or Title does not mean you are a child of God. Are you a Church Member by subscription or by Conversion? Have you repented from your old sinful ways? Have you been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb? Have you made a personal, sincere and heartfelt commitment to Christ as your Lord and Saviour? 

Moreover,  religion that fails to change your old nature or manifest in action and love shown equally to all, is nothing but dead religion. Jas.1.27 - 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. 

Two points must be noted in this verse.  The care of the needy, and being unspotted by worldly corruption.  Religion that cannot be separated you from the love and desperacy for materials things, corruption  and manipulations at various degrees is never the intention of God. Our faith as believers should shine like light to illuminate the darkness of the world.  Sinners should find comfort in the house of God and not that men's problems will be complicated by fraud and unhealthy attitudes in the house of God. We need to rise to true faith and undefiled religion as we await the coming of our Lord. Religion is vain when faith is never put to action. 

Further Readings: Isa. 58; Matt. 23

Prayers:

Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. Come in Your mercy and grace and forgive all my sin and take charge of my life. I renounce every work of darkness and vain religion today. I embrace the love of Christ and sincere submission to the Word of truth. Cleanse me and make me worthy of Your kingdom. Give me Your Holy Spirit and help me to live a new life in You all the days of my life. Thank you my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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