What's wrong with religion

The answer to this question lies in the origin of the word "religion".

According to the Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary the word "religion" stems from the Latin words "religio" or "religare", which means supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice or to restrain or tie back. The concept of religion is man made and equates to bondage.

Religion is nothing but a set of man made rules and constraints designed to keep its followers in check and exercise undue control over them. It has nothing to do with Christianity, which is the practice of following Jesus. Jesus the Christ literally means Jesus the Anointed One. To be a Christian therefore literally means to be an anointed one, signifying that you are like the Anointed One.

Religion is not a matter of faith, but the practice of rules and regulations made by men. Religion whether based on man's interpretation of the Bible or any other revelation of who God is or is not; is precisely that, a system that enslaves its followers and ties them to certain religious practices, contrived by mere men. Whether on purpose or just by "being sincerely wrong", man's system of religion is not from God.

The true God of the Bible is a relational God and the Bible is a record of His relationship with mankind, first the loss of it through Adam's sin, then the eventual restoration thereof in Christ Jesus. God is not into rules and regulations. Jesus was very outspoken about religion, the law and the interpretation and false adherence thereto by the religious rulers of the day. When asked about the law and what the greatest commandment was, He replied as follows:

Matthew 22:37-40 (World English Bible Version) Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (40) The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Jesus by his death and resurrection once and for all did away with religion, by ushering in the dispensation of grace. "Grace" is the free unmerited love and favor of the Father, bestowed upon any one who will believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation, restoration of fellowship with the Father, being a son of God, all as free gifts bestowed on us in Christ Jesus. Free gifts with no strings attached.

John 1:17 (World English Bible Version) For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

All the wars, conflicts and other strife caused by religion, are nothing but men fighting for supremacy with other men, based on their different views of God. All of the atrocities committed by men, in the name of religion, are of their making and definitely not inspired or approved of by God, who is a loving Father and Creator of all mankind. God has made Himself clear as to His disposition towards mankind.

John 3:16-17 (World English Bible Version) For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (17) For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

So, what's wrong with religion? Nothing if that is what you desire, but everything if you desire a relationship with the living God.

© 2008 Stephanus Hendrik van Schalkwyk