Religion isn’t (always) bad

As strange as it may sound, the words “religion” or “religious” often get a bum rap in Evangelical circles. While the Christian faith is a religion, (and the only true one at that) … many Christians curiously get offended if they are labeled as “religious.” If someone accuses the average Evangelical of being a religious person, they would likely take offense. One wonders why that is the case? Would we confessing Christians prefer to be labeled as irreligious? I think not. So why do some believers cringe if they are labeled as a “religious person?” Or if someone says “they follow the Christian religion?” 

I think the answer to that lies in a fundamental misunderstanding of what the word(s) mean, and what we as followers of Christ think someone is implying when they use those terms. Sure, some people use those words in a derogatory manner as an insult, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad titles. It is also true, there are many people who claim to be religious, but don’t live in a manner consistent with Christian conduct. And certainly, scores of individuals are trusting in their religion, but do not actually have a relationship with Christ. But all of these things does not mean we should abandon the use of the words religious or religion. 

If someone calls you religious because you are acting like a self-righteous snob who is better than everyone else, then the problem is with you – not the word religious. Furthermore, if your religion has not made a change in you, and caused you to live a God-honoring life – then your religion is worthless. Finally, if all you have is religion or religious rules that you abide by, but you do not have a personal relationship with Christ, then your rules and religion is useless and you are not a Christian. Yet, the problem in these cases is not with the words, religion or religious; but with the person who is misappropriating them. Or, to those folks who aren’t living like a truly religious person should live. 

You might be interested to learn, the Bible doesn’t use those terms negatively, even though that is often implied in Christian circles. In fact, on the rare occasion these words are employed, they can either be a warning against false confessions of faith or a descriptor of what true saving faith looks like. Let me show you; James 1:26 states, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” Here is the case where someone considers himself to be a spiritual person … a religious person, but the fact that they cannot even govern their tongues is evident their so-called religion is empty. Again, the problem is not with the word religion, but with the unchanged human heart that still delights in sin. If your religion has not made you more like Jesus, then you’ve got the wrong one!

Contrariwise, the very next verse, James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Please note the positive use of the word religion there. Pure religion and undefiled religion is to live out the Gospel by serving Christ and your fellow man. And not just that, but living a life of holiness and righteous by abstaining from fleshly desires.
Don’t let someone convince you the word religion is bad. Or that being a religious person is an insult. Not if you hold firm to the right religion and live a truly righteous and religious life.

According to Dr. Webster, religion “in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man’s obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man’s accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties.” Is that a bad thing? Again, I think not. The Christian religion reveals the One True and Living God, and how fallen men can be reconciled to Him. That is not a bad thing, it is instead the best of truths.

And the word religious, simply means “godliness in practice.” To be religious, that is, rightly religious … and not superficially religious, is to be faithfully devoted to serving God and your fellow man. The word quite literally means, “the loving performance of service to God and others.” That dear reader is not a bad thing.  So, the next time someone calls you a religious person, maybe that isn’t an insult after all? Maybe they have just recognized that you are striving to honor God with your life and serve your fellow man.

I will say again, religion itself is not (always) bad. In fact, it is the best of things, if it is the right religion. As a follower of Christ, without hesitation or reservation I affirm, if you do not hold to the Christian religion, then you’ve got the wrong one. And that religion is bad … eternally bad.

But be sure, religion alone cannot save you, even if it is the right one. Instead, you must have a relationship with Christ if you want to enter heaven one day. And true Biblical religion teaches that very thing!