The Difference Between Religion And Christ
“Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. (28) Even some also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
Jesus lived by the truth revealed in the Word of God, regularly attended Synagogue, on the Sabbath, observed the Jewish Feasts and taught and worshipped at the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus did these things not because He was religious, but because He loved the Father and He loved the Word of God. His words and deeds were born out of His relationship with the Father and His understanding of the Power contained in the Word of God!
Because He loved the Father, He also loved the Word of God. Everything He did was based upon His relationship with the Father. He spoke with power and authority. His words were kind, loving, compassionate, strong and full of hope. His words brought comfort, revelation, understanding and joy to those who really wanted to know the truth about God! And all of that was accompanied by mighty works of God expressed in undeniable miracles that revealed God’s glory! Although Jesus said and did all these marvelous things, He was not religious! In fact, He reserved His harshest words for those who substituted religious form and ritual for a genuine, living fellowship with God the Father. (Matthew 23).
Jesus did not mince words when it came to addressing religion. His most scathing words of rebuke were leveled at those who were rigidly religious in their actions, but were empty of life! Jesus declared that although they looked good on the outside, in reality they were dead on the inside. In other words, they had no life! Jesus addressed them openly and publicly, pointing out to them the difference between religion and a genuine relationship with God. It can be summed up in one word. Life. Religion brings death. Jesus brings life! It does not get any simpler than that.
Rev. James W. Black