Are you Religious or Right?

With Easter approaching this next week many people are planning family dinners and get-togethers for Sunday Afternoon. This is one of those occasions were dad may dust off his suit and mom makes everyone wear their best clothes for a few hours on Sunday Morning. For many this is one of those rare Sundays they will actually attend Church.

Now, you might be sitting there as you read this thinking to yourself, “Ha, this isn't about me. I attend Church regularly and I even dress nice to boot”. Well, let me ask you a question then. Does that make you right with God or does it just make you a religious person? You see, we are all religious in one form or another. Even Atheists are “religious” people. All it takes to be a religious person is to be a person who does the same things over and over again. You brush your teeth “religiously”. You take showers “religiously”. You eat “religiously”. Do any of those “religious” activities help draw you closer to God? Do they help you to be right with God?

The obvious answer is, “NO”! You can come to Church, wear your good clothes, and even put money in the offering plate every Sunday and still not be right with God. I think it is appropriate at this time of year where we stop and remember the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ that we ask ourselves this question. “Am I right with God or am I just going through the religious motions”?

My mind goes to the “Rich Young Ruler” in Mark 10:17-22. This young man had been raised his whole life being a religious person but when the rubber met the road he was not willing to do what was necessary to be truly right with God. Your need may be Salvation as was this young man’s or your need may simply be to submit an area of your life to God which you have been hanging on to. I don’t know your heart but the Lord does and He cannot be fooled (I Samuel 16:7).

I challenge you; don’t go another week or even another day being religious but not right! Don’t depend on your good works to satisfy or appease a Holy and Righteous God. Heed Romans 12:1&2 today and be a man or lady whose life proves “…what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Filled With Knowledge

Man is always seeking knowledge and wisdom. People will spend the better part of a Decade or more in College, Grad School and beyond to prepare for a specialized field of work.

Not only will people spend a great deal of time investing in an education but a great deal of money as well. Many times it takes the next decade or longer to pay off the School Bill after they finally make it into the desired field. Look at the average cost of a year of College for 2012-2013...

"In its most recent survey of college pricing, the College Board reports that a "moderate" college budget for an in-state public college for the 2012–2013 academic year averaged $22,261. A moderate budget at a private college averaged $43,289." - (www.collegedata.com)

Many people that spend this great deal of time and money on a college education do so for the prestige that the World gives for such accomplishments. Don't get me wrong, I believe a good education will be a great asset in your life but Jeremiah 9:23&24 gives us a clear challenge regarding what knowledge we should glory in.

- 23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  -24- But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Look at the passage in Colossians 1:9 where Paul is praying for the Christians at Colossi. What does he desire for them? "...that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:. The word for knowledge in this passage is Epignosis (pronounced e-pē'-gnō-sēs). The term is referring to a detailed or experiential knowledge of someone or something.

If you are going to seek knowledge and understanding let me encourage you to seek this experiential knowledge of who God is and how He can work personally in your life today. Don’t glory in man’s “wisdom” rather glory in knowing who your God is because you have a real, working, vibrant, relationship with Him.

Let Your Light So Shine

What is the purpose of a flashlight or a candle? Despite what men might say it is more than a really cool toy to play with. These light sources have very serious uses.

A flashlight is an important tool to be used when you are in a dark situation and you need light. I can remember getting a flat tire once when we were on a family vacation. Wouldn't you know it happened in the middle of the night in the middle of "No Where". As I coasted to the side of the road my first thought was, "How am I going to see to change that tire". Thankfully I had packed a flashlight for the trip and what a blessing it was to be able to see as I changed that tire. Could you imagine if I had no light? I can see the headlines now, "Pastor is Crushed as His Car Falls off Jack"! Scary!

We would do well to remember that this World is lost and in darkness. The Lord has commanded us to be Light to the World! Look at the command in Matthew 5:14-16...

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  -15-  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  -16-  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

You may feel that your light is not very bright or that you can not make a difference. I would say, "The darker the night, the brighter the light". Your testimony and your words of witness can and will make a difference. Just remember that your testimony or "light" must be pointing to Christ. What a wonderful and exciting calling we have to be the light for our Lord and Savior! 

I challenge you this week, to let your light shine for the Lord. Be a witness for Him. To God be the Glory!