0705. 688. Religion or Christ?

688. Religion or Christ?

“Religion is often put on a pedestal and worshipped instead of Christ,” so said a well-known Canon of the Church of England. There are many who are content with an outward show of religion and religious observances who know nothing of heart-faith in Christ and Christly action. The word “religion” only occurs four times in the Bible.

1. God’s Religion. There is God’s description of a true and practical religion, which is to care for the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep unspotted from the world—Jas_1:27.

2. An Empty Religion. Then there is the Spirit’s description of an empty religion, when he describes a person who seems to be religious and who bridleth not his tongue—Jas_1:26.

3. Man’s Religion. Paul, in looking upon the empty rites of the idolatrous worship at Athens, said, “I perceive that in all things ye are too religious” (Act_17:22, R.V., margin).

There is often a good deal of religion without Christ, but there is always true religion when there is Christ. In striking contrast to the word religion we find the names and titles of “Christ,” “Jesus,” and “Lord,” which occur 2269 times! The secret of practical religion is the potential Christ.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH