Religion
Eugene L. Conger
“Christianity is religion, but not all religion is Christianity.” Man is a religious being. From the beginning of time, man has always worshipped someone or something. Therefore, it is important for us to know whom we should worship and how we must worship, in order to be acceptable to God.
It is very possible for people to be honest, but honestly mistaken; sincere, but sincerely in error; religious, but religiously wrong. The Pharisees of Christ’s day were religious, and, yet, they were denounced in very severe terms.
Idolatry was forbidden in the Old Testament. Exodus 20:2-4. Yet, though this was true, the children of God were continually going into idolatry and forgetting the true God of heaven. It is impossible to please God and, at the same time, worship another god. Matthew 6:24. The people of Athens and Ephesus were religious, yet they worshipped false gods. This was condemned by Almighty God.
It is possible to worship the true God in the wrong way. This may be done by omitting, adding to, or substituting. Revelation 22:18, 19. Cain and Abel both worshipped the same God, yet one sinned. Genesis 4:1-16. Nadab and Abihu substituted strange fire for the Lord’s fire and were condemned. Leviticus 10. Jesus insisted such worship is sinful, even though it is directed to God. Matthew 19:9. We must worship God in spirit and in truth. John 4:24.
One may be a worshipper of God, but, at the same time, be one who has never obeyed the gospel. An example of this is Cornelius. He was a devout, prayerful individual, but he was not a Christian. Acts 10:1-4; 11:14. The Ethiopian eunuch was religious but stood in need of obedience. Acts 8. Likewise, the same was true of Saul and Lydia. Acts 9; 16:14, 15. They were worshipping God but stood in need of hearing the truth so that their worship might be acceptable.
What about your worship? Are you worshipping according to the New Testament teaching? Have you obeyed the gospel? -PO Box 427, Elizabeth, WV 26143-0427.