Religion to be Supreme
Pure religion is “Christ in you the hope of Glory” (Col 1:27) or Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Or “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” Matthew 22:37-38, or 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Why do we kind of treat our belief and faith like a “Drive Through” a sort of “Been there; Done that,” or “I turned up and got my attendance card stamped off.” In one church my role often was to be at the rear to look out for and attend to whatever or whoever needed an extra hand, direction or support, and it was quickly noted that a certain person swept through the door right at the last second of the final benediction, and quickly put on their Church Face. They then started; and boy they worked the crowd, they called out and waved to the “Important ones,” spoke interestedly with all who really mattered, waved a lot to other prominent people, and then swept on out again after about 10 minutes in the church building after the Service had closed, and went home again to continue whatever was interrupted by church.
You quietly listened to the comments and compliment’s as to the elevated holy status of this certain person in the congregation, who being such a wonderful member of the congregation, always there and was uplifted as a role model believer. If only they knew what went on behind closed doors; they may very quickly sing another song all together. Do you and do I have a relationship with God that is more off than on, prayer is something you do as a last resort, only when you are in a bind from wandering your own ways, you are now in a tight predicament and nothing else seems to work. For Bible reading or Bible study, well what is that? TV, Sport or Gym or whatever else is often deemed so much more important. We can talk up a storm about politics, the latest and greatest on the news, sports, fashion and about anything and everything, but Jesus Christ, well that’s why I go to church, and then sit and worry about the kids, or the littlies who are making such a fuss behind you, the mortgage, my job, my relationships, how hot or cold it is in church, the preacher is boring, the seat is uncomfortable today. So where is your connection to God and really Worshiping him? If this was a “Party” would you be acting the same? You are here to interact with the Monarch of the Universe, who actually is your Heavenly Father, should we not be very delighted to be with our Heavenly parent, and at their place?
Quote: What the church needs in these days of peril is an army of workers who, like Paul, have educated themselves for usefulness, who have a deep experience in the things of God, and who are filled with earnestness and zeal. Sanctified, self-sacrificing men are needed; men who will not shun trial and responsibility; men who are brave and true; men in whose hearts Christ is formed “the hope of glory,” and who with lips touched with holy fire will “preach the word.” For want of such workers the cause of God languishes, and fatal errors, like a deadly poison, taint the morals and blight the hopes of a large part of the human race.
As the faithful, toil worn standard-bearers are offering up their lives for the truth’s sake, who will come forward to take their place? Will our young men accept the holy trust at the hands of their fathers? Are they preparing to fill the vacancies made by the death of the faithful? Will the apostle’s charge be heeded, the call to duty be heard, amidst the incitements to selfishness and ambition that allure the youth? {AA 507}
Quote; “The youth need to realize that they need a deep experience in the things of God. A mere surface work will be of no benefit to them. You need to bring the light of God’s Word into your heart, that you may search it as with a lighted candle.
Many profess to be on the Lord’s side, but they are not; the weight of all their actions is on Satan’s side. By what means shall we determine whose side we are on? Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Upon whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are on the Lord’s side, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. We have no friendship with the world; we have consecrated all that we have and are to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.
Bible religion is not one influence among many others, but its influence is supreme, pervading and controlling every other influence. Bible religion is to exercise control over life and conduct. It is not to be like a dash of colour, brushed here and there upon the canvas, but its influence is to pervade the whole life, as though the canvas were dipped into colour until every thread of the fabric was dyed in a deep, fast, unfading hue.
The religion of Christ is a firm fabric, composed of innumerable threads, woven together with tact and skill. Only by the wisdom that God gives can we weave this fabric. Trusting to ourselves, we draw into it threads of selfishness and the pattern is spoiled. Let everyone inquire seriously, “Am I a genuine Christian? Am I bearing the true marks of a Christian? Am I doing my best to perfect a character after the divine model?” Pure religion is an imitation of Christ.” {FLB 220}
