Religion?

No matter what we think when we hear the word "religion", God tells us what He thinks about it.  It seems many people are running from the word religion or religious, but a clear distinction should be  made between "man-made" religion and God's idea of a "pure religion".  No matter what denomination of church you have been in, you have probably been subjected to some form of man-made religion.  Where a set of standards, absent from God's Word, were created to measure one's rank in the Christian walk.  Jesus called out the Pharisees and religious rulers of His time for trying to "act religious" on the outside, when their hearts were desperately wicked on the inside (Matthew 23:27).

When Jesus comes to live inside of us, He will give us a new heart!  One that is cleansed from all unrighteousness!  He will take the burdens of man-made religion away and give us rest from the tiresome act of trying to save ourselves by good works.  He tells us in Matthew 11:30 that "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Through the sanctification process, we begin to desire holiness of the heart, the part of us that only God can see and judge.  He knows the motives of our hearts, the whispers of our thoughts.  And He tells what He requires of us as Christians.

 "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8  So simple, yet seemingly so hard to stop and just be humble and show love and justice to our neighbors.  I believe James 1:26, 27 tells us what it looks like to show humility, love and mercy. 

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  Ouch! How often do I let my tongue loose and show a heart of pride instead of humility?  Do I have a heart of mercy for the least in this world, those people who can't take care of themselves?  Do I show the love of Jesus to people who look different than myself or I am I too consumed with trying to look how world looks?

We are embarking on a journey towards the adoption of a child, but adoption is not the only way to care for orphans.  Even now, we can sponsor a child who needs to see Jesus.  We can pray for the millions of orphans around the world that need the love of a mom and dad.  We can help sponsor families that have chosen to open their home to orphans.  We should look for the widows in our churches and neighborhoods that need help with yard work or home repairs or just plain ole fellowship.  We should teach our children to "look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4). 

I'm preaching to myself here.  And sharing what the Lord is teaching my stubborn heart.  Whatever way we choose to respond, our hearts should be heavy for the those who can't care for themselves.  This is the heart of our heavenly Father and ours, as Christians, should beat much the same way!