The Kind Of Religion We Need Today

James 1:27

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

What is Religion:

It is defined as

a. A personal or institutionalized set of beliefs, attitudes, related to religion.

b. The act of worshiping or serving God.

c. A commitment to or devotion to religious observance or faith.

THE OLD TIME RELIGION

I. Personal Religion

John 3:3

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

A. Many in today’s world profess religion but have never experienced a spiritual and personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

B. We must be “born again” through repentance and faith. When God forgives our sins, He receives us into the family of God.

Luke 13: 3-5

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

II. Purifying Religion

1 John 1:7.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

A. Many Christians have never totally committed their lives to Jesus Christ. They falter because they persist in having their own way.

B. We must surrender our will whole heartedly to God’s will. Doing so brings cleansing and a stronger desire in our lives to live and work for God.

I Thess 5:23

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

III. Positive Religion

1 John 3:14.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

A. There is a lack of sureness in today’s religion. Many are vague and uncertain about their spiritual state. They declare, “I guess so,” or “I hope so.” “mabey so”.

B. We can be positive, for we “know [in whom we] have believed.” No argument can refute the “I know,” or “I have” response .

2 Tim. 1:12

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

IV. Powerful Religion

1 Peter 1:5.

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A. Much modern religion makes no claims concerning its power to save, sanctify, and sustain. It is a powerless religion.

B. The need is for a religion with power—God’s power. He is able to forgive sins, cleanse hearts, heal the sick, and “keep that which [we] have committed unto him.

Rom. 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

V. Productive Religion

John 15:16

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

A. Many Christians fail to work diligently for God. Some are unconcerned; some are neglectful. Others are spiritually lazy.

B. We must be about the Master’s business. Jesus is coming soon. We should pray for the needs of others, assist the less fortunate, and share Christ with the unsaved (Acts 1:8).

Matt. 28:19

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.