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What Did Jesus Say About Religion?

alexanderwrites.blogspot.com — A discussion thread over at social networking site BlogCatalog prompted me to search the Bible...and that's always a good thing! The author of the thread asks readers "What do you embrace?" in a Religion vs. Spirituality discussion.

Bury

scroogereport 75 days ago

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scroogereport, on 07/23/2008, -0/+16Everyone welcome to read, digg, shout, share...enjoy or not!
- Livingstrong, on 07/26/2008, -0/+1Well said, my friend!
KJeffV, on 07/23/2008, -1/+14"Cleave" . . . a word in the English language which enjoys two, opposite definitions.
Today's trivium: What two words are apparent opposites yet mean exactly the same?
{"Extra credit" if you can name two Biblical ref to the opposite meanings of "cleave."}
- drachemorder, on 07/23/2008, -1/+11I'm kind of thinking "flammable" and "inflammable". They both mean "It'll burn".
  
  For the word "cleave", I have Genesis 2:24 for the "stick together" meaning, and Zechariah 14:4 for the "split apart" meaning.
  - KJeffV, on 07/23/2008, -0/+12Wow! One thousand "Atta-boys" . . . ! Excellent!
M7levels, on 07/23/2008, -1/+10Hello Scrooge... Well I am not much on Religion, but yes I am spiritual... thanks for the info. :)
greensauce, on 07/23/2008, -5/+3http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
shogan191, on 07/23/2008, -2/+10Spiritual yes/religious no
MacBigot, on 07/23/2008, -0/+16The etymology of "religion" is debatable. Some have argued that, in Latin, "religio" (derived from "re" + "ligare") can be translated "return to bondage."

Personally, I too would prefer "relationship" over "religion," but the word "religion" is practical in discussions of faith.
scroogereport, on 07/23/2008, -0/+14However, MacBigot...the two words MEAN something entirely different, despite the secular tag given the word "religion."
- MacBigot, on 07/24/2008, -0/+4No doubt. Still, Acts speaks of early Christianity as a "sect" of Judaism. While Christians might be uncomfortable with speaking of their faith as a religion (as a sect of Judaism), showing the same word ("sect") was used to describe the Nazarenes (a.k.a. the Way) as was used to describe the Sadducees and Pharisees is useful for evangelism and for contextualizing faith in Yeshua.
kellfinder, on 07/23/2008, -2/+4That is how I feel. I have my faith but I don't attend church because I have no idea which one is right. I try to live my life as a good and faithful person and hope that is the right path.
- MacBigot, on 07/24/2008, -0/+7While I can appreciate that finding a Chruch home can be difficult, I'd encourage you to remember that believers are admonished not to forsake worshipping together:
  
  Heb. 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
  
  Fellowship with other believers is important to your growth, encouragement, and endurance. Moreover, who knows how you'll be used to improve the lives of others?!
- iMattK, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8Besides, hoping that you are on the right path isn't a guarantee that you are going the right way. Read your Bible regularly and look for a church that teaches and upholds the word. Lots of false teachers and ear ticklers out there -- you need the Holy Spirit to be your Guide.
scroogereport, on 07/23/2008, -3/+13Try talking to someone who has asked Christ into his life...nevermind the church thing for now.
scroogereport, on 07/23/2008, -3/+13Talk to someone who has accepted Christ...nevermind the church thing for now!
spetracco, on 07/24/2008, -0/+14I'm not so sure that The Message is a good source for this discussion due to the literary license taken with its translation. But I like your response. Remember, however, that Christ sought to build a following of true believers, and sent his apostles to minister to the new churches in Ephesus, Colossae, etc. Jesus was not against religion; he was against the hypocrisy in the church at that time - and, I feel certain, against it within the church in our time.
rightwingattila, on 07/24/2008, -3/+14True Christianity is NOT a religion! Sure, many try to make it such but religion is man's attempt to reach to God. Christianity is God reaching out to man. Big difference.

@kellfinder, doing good is great but it does not constitute salvation. You can try to be as good as you can be but in the end it will never be good enough. God sends no one to hell, they send themselves there by refusing to acknowledge the only way He has ordained, Christ. It is a free gift that cannot be earned. Put your faith and trust in Christ and begin finding out what your life is really all about. Here's a great place to start:
http://www.gotquestions.org
TStanNY, on 07/24/2008, -2/+7Jesus tryed to point people in the right direction but all anyone did was stare at his finger
allisonrose870, on 07/24/2008, -2/+14Many times when asked, so what religion are you [now], I have found it best to reply that I'm not religious, but rather am faithful. People seem to have a tough time grasping the difference, even when telling them religion is following what man says about God - I believe in the Word of God, the Bible. And that faith is a personal relationship ...and for me it's with Yeshua Meshiach.
jb1965, on 07/24/2008, -1/+1Cut through the noise and clutter. Go to www.discerningthetimespublishing.com.
- rightwingattila, on 07/24/2008, -1/+7I love you brother, but please understand that the KJV 1611 has some problems. It had 80 books, which included the Apocrypha. It is not the ONLY and best translation. It is a very good translation but I would not be willing to put my hope in each and every word. While I personally love the language used in this translation, please understand it may not be the most accurate. God used the Greek language for a reason. While I am not a big fan of "the Message" God WILL use it to reach the lost. He used "The Living New Testament" (1971 version) to reach me! Don't ever limit God!
Christinewjc, on 07/24/2008, -1/+11Although I personally prefer the KJV or NKJV of the Bible rather than "The Message" Bible, I do appreciate what you have covered regarding the difference between faith and religion. One particular Bible verse states the fact that without faith, it is impossible to please God:

Hbr 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Notice that it doesn't say, 'without religion...."
- KJeffV, on 07/24/2008, -1/+4The KJV rox!
  ~KJV
divergance, on 07/24/2008, -1/+11Jesus is my savor. nuf said..............
Xette, on 07/24/2008, -1/+7The idea of Christ and his teachings has become a multi-billion dollar 'industry', so to speak. I do have my beliefs on life and Christianity and what the religion of Christianity has become is almost ridiculous. I think a lot of churches have selective hearing of what Christ talks about.
- rightwingattila, on 07/27/2008, -0/+3And so it should! There are no other words that speak to the lost. I don't care what others make on reproducing the Word. If they are doing so for financial gain then they will pay a heavy price. But if they are doing so to spread the Word then they will receive their just reward!
dorsey47, on 07/24/2008, -2/+6Religion tends to degrade into legalism. Christ is above the law in love, therefore, it would appear to the ethical world that He walks in ethics until there is a transcendent moment where the spiritual supersedes. Example: was it ethical for Abraham to intend to sacrifice Isaac? What would "religion" or the ethical do today if a man claimed to be acting on God's will with a knife in his hand?
frofisrael, on 07/24/2008, -0/+6When I read the unfamiliar words attributed to Jesus I was uneasy and sure enough the author of this blog confirmed that he had quoted from the Message, a paraphrase of the Bible that has caused much misperception of the good old gospel message of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What a shame!
scroogereport, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8Lots of great comments! Keep them coming, thanks!
andruslinda, on 07/24/2008, -2/+8Jesus, the spiritual being. the peace maker, the wonderfyl rose of Sharron. the Saviour, the Alpha, and the Omega, the giver of wealth in His name only. He gives life, he gives you rest and loves you forever, no matter how you are today. Give Him your heart for a head and heart start!
delriaan, on 08/03/2008, -0/+2A lot of good comments have been made on this topic, so kudos to those who've made them.

Religion is fine AS LONG AS there is a relationship between the person and Jesus Christ. Outside of said relationship, religion is as vanity. They key here is worship. Worship is more than religious acts and speech, clothing worn, church attendance, etc. It's everything that you do and think as well. For example, cheating on your taxes is the worship of money, adultery is worship of pleasure, gossip is worshiping that base nature of mankind, jealousy and backstabbing is worship of pride and self-promotion. The dirty little secret is that every last one of us, Christian or not, will worship something, and our actions lay bare for the world to see the object of our worship.

The list goes on, but you get the point. And it's even common for the aforementioned traits to be the active force in "religious" people, which is the very reason many are turned off from Christianity. Religion without Christ is like a high-end cellphone with no battery. It's looks good, it has a lot of potential, but is ultimately useless. Read John 4:1-26, a great example of how Christ explained the importance of proper worship.

With a real and healthy relationship with Christ, everything that a person does or think will begin to reflect His character, precepts, and commands -- including the religion he ascribes to. One day, Christians will be recognized not only by the crosses they wear or the structures under which they congregate, not only by the bumper stickers on their vehicles or the screen-printed t-shirts worn, but by the Christ-like character exemplified and the authority Christ gives all of his disciples being exercised in everyday life.

To any who read this and are not a Christian, then my prayer and sincerest desire for you is that you run into real Christianity in practice and not religious rhetoric (my words will not be enough to sway, I can admit that no problem), and to those who are Christians, then my prayer is that we get serious about our walk given the times in which we live. It's not over yet, folks -- there is still hope.
ChristNewsWatch, on 08/15/2008, -0/+1Religion = Legalism, trying to earn heaven via good works, Void of the power of the Holy Spirit / DEAD.

Being Born again in Christ = Getting to know God and His ways on a personal level, the weight of my sins being removed from my conscious by His forgiveness of ALL my sins based on Jesus' death and resurrection - not my "good works", God's supernatural peace, love, happiness, comfort, healing, etc... that I have experienced first hand and knowing beyond any shadow of doubt that God is not only real but is in full control of this universe... no matter how screwed up this world gets!
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What Did Jesus Say About Religion?

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