Pure And Undefiled Religion
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“What do you think of modern day Christianity?”
This was the question one of my brothers posted on Facebook recently.
I usually avoid commenting publicly on such questions. But when my brother reached out to me privately to comment, I obliged him. Among other things, this is what I said.
“Someone once asked me why Christianity has changed so much!
I, in turn, asked the person where the practitioners of Christianity come from.
He answered, ‘The Society’.
So I told him, ‘If they come from society; then when society changes, the practice of Christianity changes too!’
But the principles of Christianity never change. The law and prophets is still summarized in two statements:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind – this is the first and greatest commandment.’
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
May we be found faithful when Christ comes.”
We cannot separate what happens in society from what happens in the church; unless we separate society from the church! As long as the people in society come to church, whatever is found in the wider society will be found in the church! What the church, or Christianity, seeks to do is to effect positive change using the influence of God’s word. Until that change is complete, the church will always carry the baggage and characteristics of society!
When I was growing up, there were certain things that our society held in high esteem. One such was our values.
Our values included fairness, truthfulness, useful work and sincerity. Today, all four have been removed and replaced with a misapplied word called “smartness”. The word has been twisted from “being creative” to ”being crafty”.
So when you become rich by duping people, society calls you smart; when you blackmail people to become rich, society calls you smart; when you sell fake medicinal drugs to unsuspecting people — who end up dying, and you become rich through that — society calls you smart; when you sell fake healing oils to people and become rich, society calls you smart; when you tell people to contribute funds to build the house of God and do Gods work, and you use it to do your own thing, society calls you smart; when you get elected or appointed to serve, but steal the funds entrusted to you, society calls you smart! Most things that used to be “wrong” are now “right”!
So, society only sees and hails your expensive home, your expensive fleet of sleek cars, and your life of opulence; regardless of how they are funded! You are honored, celebrated, and worshiped!
When you stay in a society where wealth is celebrated, irrespective of its source, then the fear of God has diminished; and many other things creep in!
One such is what I call ”Church-Preneurship”. For some “church-preneurs”, the only thing that associates them with Christianity is the fact that they wield the Bible! Others go a step further, to read the Bible; some even go further and preach it! But these are entrepreneurs who are simply using church services as the commodities they sell! Bible predicted all these in 2 Timothy 3:1-7!
Thankfully, the Christian Bible also defines what true religion means to it, in James 1:27. I post this from The New King James Bible.
“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.”
Christianity is about separating oneself unto God, and loving our neighbors. What is expected of Christians has never changed! This definition answers the question, at the very core!
The world is changing, but Gods’ timeless principles have not changed!
May we be found faithful when Christ comes.
MEMORY VERSE
“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.” (James 1:27)
QUESTIONS
1. Have you been worried about all the practices called “Christian” these days?
2. Do you know they were predicted long ago? God is aware.
PRAYER TIP
Almighty Father, please help us to understand the times so we will not be anxious.
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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