by Rehema Jonathan | 23 September 2019 08:46 pm09
At some point, many of us ask:
What exactly is religion? What qualifies as true religion? And what does true faith look like in God’s eyes?
Religion, at its core, is a set of beliefs and practices that stem from a person’s faith in something greater—usually a deity or a spiritual force. These beliefs often lead to certain moral codes, rituals, and ways of life.
Whenever someone acknowledges the existence of a divine or spiritual power—whether it’s God, spirits, or even false gods—that belief gives rise to a structure of worship and devotion. That structure is what we call religion.
You can observe this in various faiths around the world. For example, Buddhists follow specific routines such as meditation, wearing symbolic clothing, or practicing self-denial. These actions are not random—they are religious responses to what they believe about ultimate reality.
Even in Christianity, religious practices exist. A believer in Jesus Christ often develops habits like daily prayer, fasting, attending church services, tithing, and serving others. While these don’t save us, they are expressions of a life transformed by faith.
But the Bible makes a clear distinction between empty religion and true religion.
James 1:26–27 (NIV):
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
True religion, according to Scripture, is not just about rituals—it’s about compassion, holiness, and living out the heart of God.
This is where Christianity fundamentally differs from many other religions. In some belief systems, practicing the religion faithfully is enough for salvation. But in Christianity, salvation is not earned through religious acts.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV):
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
No matter how often you fast, pray, or attend church—if you have not placed your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, those acts are spiritually empty.
Jesus made this clear in speaking to the religious leaders of His day, who were outwardly devout but inwardly far from God:
Matthew 23:27 (NIV):
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
True Christian life involves more than external religion—it requires the presence of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in every true believer.
Romans 8:9 (NIV):
“…And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
The Holy Spirit guides, convicts, empowers, and transforms the believer from within. Without Him, religious activity becomes lifeless and legalistic.
Now that we’ve distinguished religion from salvation, let’s define true faith.
True faith is the personal, confident trust in Jesus Christ—the Son of God—as the only Savior who died for our sins and rose again.
John 14:6 (NIV):
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Faith in Jesus isn’t just mental agreement—it’s a surrender of the heart and life. It’s trusting Him alone for the forgiveness of sins, not our own righteousness.
Romans 10:9–10 (NIV):
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Any faith that denies the divinity of Christ, His sacrificial death, or His resurrection is not true biblical faith—it leads people away from salvation.
You can be religious and still spiritually lost. You might fast, give to charity, and attend every service—but without a relationship with Jesus, it’s all in vain.
Matthew 7:22–23 (NIV):
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
That said, when religion is grounded in true faith, it becomes valuable. It helps build discipline, encourages spiritual growth, and supports a godly life—just like how a good school supports a student’s learning.
But just like a student still needs to study and do their part, a religious environment doesn’t automatically mean someone has true faith. It must be personal and authentic.
If you’ve been trusting in religion alone, now is the time to place your full faith in Jesus Christ. The door of grace is still open—but not forever.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV):
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
Turn to Him today. Repent of your sins, believe in the gospel, and receive new life. He promises to forgive and restore anyone who comes to Him.
1 John 1:9 (NIV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Conclusion
Religion can guide, but only faith in Jesus Christ saves. Don’t boast in religion—boast in the cross of Christ. That is where true hope and eternal life are found.
Galatians 6:14 (NIV):
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
May the Lord bless you richly and lead you into the fullness of His truth.
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