Religion or Spirituality

Part I (of two)

James 1:26-27

            Not long ago I was in conversation with a disciple at Redeemer. In that conversation our attention turned to her concern for a friend and her spiritual life. She said something that many of us have heard before. In commenting on her friend’s life she said, “Well, Pastor Mike, she isn’t religious but she is very spiritual.”

            What does that mean? Usually it means two things. The first is that the person is not active in behaviors or practices of faith but is involved in attitudes that acknowledge the reality of God and the spiritual world. For many people this is a lifestyle that has been chosen because of a general lack of interest in Church or an experience with a church that was negative. Out of compassion and care for such persons we generally accept their understanding of religion and spirituality.

            Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with Christianity. Christianity is not simply an internal acknowledging of God and the spiritual aspect of the world. Nor is it the private practice of prayer. Christianity is a religion that teaches: our internal practices will necessarily have external and visible outcomes.

            James writes: If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:26-27).

            There are at least three significant truths the Holy Spirit would have us learn from this passage of scripture. The first is that religion is good. In an age when religion has led to unthinking and ineffective church practices, Christians know that God created the Church. More than that, our worship – though very diverse in style – is fundamentally shaped by the Bible. We do not worship because it is a good idea nor because we simply like getting together for a set of rituals. Christians worship because God commands it.

Discipleship lesson: Christian religion is a deeply personal faith in Jesus Christ that requires regular worship in a congregation.

            Heavenly Father, encourage us to treasure the gift of our religious heritage. Confirm our faith in your Word each day, in Jesus’ name. Amen