Religion: What Is It Good For?

Now let’s be honest. What do you actually get out of religion?

Religion causes you to treat others as you would like to be treated. If you’re religious, others will be glad that you’re not converting or stealing their property. Religion ultimately sees you putting others before yourself. So religion is great for others, but honestly, what benefits does it have for you personally? Sure, you’ll live in harmony with your neighbour, but what about on a deeper level? Does religion give you meaning? Purpose? Or is religion really just a list of measurements and do’s and don’ts? What does religion do for the heart? The mind? The soul?

There must be more to life than religion. Religion cannot be the answer! So what is?

Christianity cannot be merely a religion. Jesus said in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Clearly Jesus was offering us something more than religion. Jesus had offered us a way of life that far exceeds the limitations of rules and boundaries. He is offering us a life in deep relationship with our creator, the one true God.

I love the way Francis Chan puts it in his book Crazy Love:

 

What will your response be? Do you want religion? Or do you want to get to know the God of the universe? Take your pick.

Eyes On Him

Tonight at college we were learning about the Psalms and  Hebrew poetry. There is always so much more in the word of God than we could ever imagine. When you are studying the Bible it can be easy to fall into the trap of only looking at things from a distance but I liked what the guys said tonight. He said “if you just read the Bible for information, you’ll only become more religious”. When you read the Bible, you should be learning more about the nature of God and be drawn into a deeper intimacy with him.

I think a lot of us like the Psalms simply because we can relate to them. Psalm upon psalm of men crying out to God in the hard times and praising him in the good times. And it is also inspiring to read about someone who is struggling but nevertheless, managed to praise God all the more.

Sometimes we need to take our minds of ourselves. Away from our current circumstances. Apart from our own selfish desires. And just focus on the fullness and beauty of the awesome God that we have. Stop living in a daydream and focus on a reality.

I chose to share about the following Psalm because it stops looking at our past, present of future and instead looks up at God and helps us to put things into perspective. Check this out hey? It paints an incredible image. How about at ever comma, actually pause and imagine the phrase you just read. See how focusing on God like this can change your own perspective on life.

 “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
 For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.”

-Psalm 33:6-9