Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27) NASB
There seems to be a trend right now (well actually for quite a few years), that I’m not sure is good. That trend is open bashing of ‘religion’.
I’m sure we have all seen bumper stickers, book marks, t-shirts, and memes on social media. They say things like:
“I’m not religious. I just love Jesus.”
“It’s not about religion. It’s about relationship.”
“You think you have a problem with religious people. They killed Jesus.”
Depending on what you see as religion, it is easy to see where the authors and bearers of these phrases are coming from.
Worse still, there are countless people, pastors, and self-proclaimed prophets that proclaim hatred, pride, prosperity, and any number of worldly values instead of the Kingdom of God and its righteousness.
By and large, what we usually think of as religion has become more tradition than salvation, more death than life, more hatred than love.
That is NOT what Gods calls religion to be. Religion should be pure and undefiled. To be religious one should be a doer and not just a hearer of God’s Word (James 1:22).
Pure religion should keep us unsoiled in a dirty world. It is not simply ceremony; but rather the worshipping of God in Truth and in Spirit (John 4:23-24).
Our religion should not be one of judging by mere appearances or providing what we think is necessary lip service, but rather it should be one in pursuit of righteousness (John 7:24). Our religion should be one with Justice, tempered with Mercy and Grace and performed in the aforementioned Spirit and Truth.
Instead of me complaining about “religious” people and churches that do not meet my standards, I need to set my mind on the mark of the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus, and pray my heart will be bent to what God’s Word calls true religion. To say that is more than a mouthful for me. The only way that I could possibly do that is thru the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Jesus speaking).
Matthew 12:30 (NIV)
Recently I recalled an old episode of “Touched by an Angel.” In this particular show, after a terrible tragedy, the angel Monica (one of the main characters in the show) goes off into the desert to be by herself. There she is approached by the devil.
The devil does not appear as some red creature with horns and a pitchfork breathing threats. Instead the devil drives up in a sleek shiny attractive car and offers Monica a ride.
He is cordial, articulate, and well-dressed. He has the distinctive air of success.
He does not deny who he is but says, “Monica, I am not the enemy. I am the alternative.”
It may just have been a TV show, but so often art imtitates life.
The devil comes to us often when we are alone and vulnerable. He makes attractive offers, or so they seem at the time. He did it to Jesus in the Bible. (Check out the books of Matthew or Luke. (Chapter 4 in each book).
The devil does not usually appear as our enemy, but rather he offers himself or another way as an alternative.
How often have we heard the words “Alternative Lifestyle” for things or ways that are an abomination before the Lord?
The enemy (yes, he is the enemy) tries to ensnare us with attractive offers. Sin may seem pleasurable… for a season (Hebrews 11:25).
The devil attempts to convince us that our ungodly actions are justified, often not wrong… just different.
God’s Word is quite clear. These “alternatives” always lead to death.
If we are unclear about something we need only to ask ourselves, “is this FOR Jesus? Is this FOR the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?” If it is not, then it is against Him.
Do not let anyone deceive you. That’s the Truth, and there are no alternatives.