A FORCED RELIGION

by Larry Fife

A mother and child returned from worship and were subjected by the husband and father to verbal abuse and mental cruelty. He does this regularly because he is of a different belief. His attitude is to make them so miserable in their devotion to Christ and the church, that they will set aside their convictions and attend a man-made church with him. What is happening here? It is an example of forced religion, a religion as worthless as the paper it is written on.

A companion tells her spouse that she will not live with him if he is going to be an active member of the church of Christ. Do you want to guess why this is? You are right! It is an example of a person using the threat of separation to force their religious beliefs. A teenager attends a gospel meeting and obeys the gospel. When she returned to her home, she was happy now that she was a Christian. Her parents, who were not Christians, told her that she would have to leave home because of what she had done. Were the parents right? Absolutely not! Even parents have no right to force their religious beliefs and practices upon their children if those beliefs do not align with the Bible. The apostle John wrote of those who were forced to deny Christ, lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 9:22).

Some religions are forced at the point of gun, others by social, political or economic considerations. In contrast, true Christianity is a taught religion. It is taught by word and deed. To try and force Christ and His teachings upon another is an exercise in futility.

Saul of Tarsus was very zealous for his own religion and very bitter against Christ and His church. He used physical force, even murder to advance his beliefs. He later admitted his error (Acts 26:4-31).

If your religion is valid, it can be defended with the Bible. If what you believe and practice cannot be defended with the Word of God, it is not of God. Think about it.

Larry’s Bio: Larry is the pulpit minister for the Fayette Church of Christ in Fayette, AL. He is also the director and host of the television program Bible Talk. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Larry attended the University of Tennessee at Martin majoring in wildlife biology. Larry is also a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching.

Links:

www.fayettecoc.org

www.bible-talk.org

PURE AND UNDEFILED

by Scott Cain

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).  Pure and undefiled religion is the goal of every fervent and faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  James’ summary description of religion as authorized by God divides the Christian’s responsibility into two categories: compassion and cleanliness.  God does not present Christians with the option of practicing pure or undefiled religion, but with the obligation and opportunity to practice pure and undefiled religion.  The Christian who fails to practice both compassion and cleanliness has failed to practice pure and undefiled religion. 

Consider the cleanliness that God desires.  This is the “undefiled” aspect of pure and undefiled religion.  God’s people are to remain unspotted from the world’s influences (James 1:27).  Of course, this truth runs directly contrary to the world’s social philosophies as well as the prevailing belief of many who claim to be Christians.  God’s Word, however, remains firm.  Christ’s followers hold to God’s standards, not the world’s (I John 2:15-16; James 4:4). As such, true Christians strive to keep the world’s corrupting influence out of their worship (John 4:24; Matthew 15:9).  True Christians avoid sin by striving to keep the world’s corrupting influence out of their hearts, minds, and lives (Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 119:11).  For true Christians, God’s Word is their source of instruction (II Timothy 3:16-17), not their family’s opinions, societies preferences, or personal emotions and feelings.    

Consider the compassion that God desires.  This is the “pure” aspect of pure and undefiled religion.  God’s people are to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).  The meaning of the word translated “visit” goes beyond merely the idea of going to see someone (although this idea is certainly included).  The word indicates a bringing of relief.  Christians are to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15).  True Christians fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).  True Christians help as much as possible when they see others in need, especially when the one in need is a fellow child of God (I John 3:17; Galatians 6:10). 

This truth can be applied in numerous ways, but consider the simplest description as James gave it: “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  Often the greatest affliction for such people is loneliness.  Receiving cards is uplifting, receiving cash is helpful, but receiving company is the real visit that such souls need.  What if the tables were turned?  What Christian man wants to spend his days sitting in an assisted living facility wondering why his old friends from the congregation never come see him?  What Christian woman wants to stare out the windows of her room and her soul and watch what is left of her life pass her by without a warm visit from her dear Christian friends?  A congregation that does this to its members is missing something: the love of God.  “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17).

No right-thinking soul wants to stand before Christ in judgment and say, “Lord, I served you with pure religion, but I could not keep it undefiled”?  Jesus’ answer to all who do the world’s will instead of the Father’s will is, “…I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).  The same destination awaits a soul that would stand before Jesus and say, “Lord, I served you with undefiled religion, but I just didn’t have time to show compassion.”  To those who fail to practice compassion, Jesus says, “…Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41-45)

Brethren, let us practice both pure and undefiled religion.

Scott's Bio: Scott and his wife Melissa have been married for ten They have three sons: Walker, Tanner, & Hunter.  Scott started preaching regularly in 2005 in Crossville, TN. Since then he has worked with congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, & Louisiana. He has been with the DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ in New Orleans since 2009.  Scott is a 2009 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching.

Link:

http://www.degaulledrivecoc.com