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.”