6. essence of religion

8/8/2019 6. Essence of Religion

1/5

___________________________________________________________________________________

Essence of Religion

What the word Religion means to you? With the many so called religious

sects ,which one do you think is true? Is membership necessary for ones

salvation?

Like any over-the-counter drug which can be easily bought, or an ordinary

paper to read, or a common expressions that can be heard in the streets, perhapsyou are thinking that this word is just an ordinary thing or a boring one. But no

matter how unimportant this word may sound to you, it is my prayer that this

message be used of God to give you understanding of one of the many

misunderstood word thats been ever told and heard.

THE WORD RELIGION

The word Religion does not refers to a group or organization where one is

affiliated. Paul speaks of a Jews religion in Acts 26:5, Gal.1:13,14 but this

refers to a ceremonial observance ,of practices as in Jas.1:26-27 leading to

establishment of many foundations for aged and street children by many groupstoday, and of ones devoutness. This word comes from a Latin word RELIGIO

which is also from a compound words of RE and LIGO . RE means again,

while LIGO means to tie. That is why it literally means To tie again or

To tie back. It speaks of the one (person not thing) who can tie us back to a

union with God. Who is he? (1828 Noah Websters Dictionary)

HOW IT APPLIES TO ALL?

We can read of man in the past, like in the case of Tower of Babel where

man tries to make his own way to reach God (Genesis 11:1-9). Or like the

many Israelites whose zeal was unto disobedience and rejection of Godsprovidence of righteousness (Rm.10:1-3). Today, many who are claiming to be

the true religion yet unaware that they are doing the same. Many are deceived

by their sweet swelling words because they never care to search the scriptures

if those things that they heard were true. But one thing applies to all and

according to Paul

1
http://gracecommission.wordpress.com/right-division/essence-of-religion/http://gracecommission.wordpress.com/right-division/essence-of-religion/


2/5

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according

to my gospel. Rom 2:16

The remedy can only be found in the gospel as it is revealed to Paul. And the

word of God says For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God; (Rm.3:23) This shows that in Gods sight man was separated from Hispresence by sin and is in need to be brought back to God. This all started when

Adam disobeyed God (Gen. 2:16-17, 3:6). Wherefore, as by one man sin

entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for

that all have sinned. (Rm.5:12)For as by one mans disobedience many were

made sinners,(Rm.5:19a) You are not an exception no matter how devout you

are in your religious affiliation. No matter how many good works you have

done to others. For salvation is Not by works of righteousness which we have

done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through

Jesus Christ our Saviour; (Tit.3:5-6)(Ep.2:8-9) It is solely by His grace and byHis will and that no amount of boasting be uttered . For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest

any man should boast.

WHAT TRADITION TEACHES

Many religious groups are claiming that they have the only messenger sent

from God. Some have apostle, prophet and prophetess or some have seen

angels and signs in heaven not knowing that we have Paul as our apostle

(Col.1:23-25) . Some are also teaching devotions to dead persons they called

saints not knowing that Christ alone is the Mediator (1 Tim.2:5). Some loveand serve the images that the Lord hates (Rm.1:21-23). Some teaches that

membership in their group is the way to be saved not knowing it is only by

faith in Christ (2 Tim.3:15 ). Some are trusting in their good works for

salvation not knowing that it is not of works (Rm.4:6; Tit.3:5) but by grace

through faith (Eph.2:8-9) .

RELIGION SPEAKS OF ONE PERSON

The word Religion with its literal meaning To tie again refers to one

person Who can reconcile one to God. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam

to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adamstransgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Rm.5:14)But not as

the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be

dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man,

Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Rm.5:15) And not as it was by one

that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the

free gift is of many offences unto justification. (Rm.5:16)For if by one mans

offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of

2


3/5

grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in lifeby one, Jesus

Christ.)(Rm.5:17) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all

men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came

upon all men unto justification of life. (Rm.5:18) For as by one mans

disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of oneshall many

be made righteous. (Rm.5:19) Moreover the law entered, that the offencemight abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much

more abound:(Rm.5:20) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might

grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our

Lord. Rm.5:21)

CHRIST ALONE

Is the Mediator For there is one God, and one mediator between God and

men, the man Christ Jesus;(1 Tim.2:5)

Is The only access: For through him we both have access by one Spirit untothe Father.(Eph.2:18)

Descended from and ascended to heaven He that descended is the same also

that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)(Ep.4:10)

Came to save sinners This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1

Tim.1:15)

Was crucified, died, was buried and risen For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the

scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third dayaccording to the scriptures:(1 Co.15:3-4)

Is Gods expression of His unconditional love But God commendeth his love

toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.(Rom 5:8)

The The only foundation: According to the grace of God which is given unto

me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth

thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other

foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.(1 Co.3:10-

11)

The The only gospel: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save

Jesus Christ, and him crucified.(1 Co.2:2) For we preach not ourselves, but

Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.(2

Co.4:5) (See also: 1 Co.15:1-6; 2 Co.11:4; Gal.1:6-8)

IN HIM

3


4/5

The only forgiveness: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the

forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;(Ep.1:7)

The only salvation: 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.(Rm.1:16) Therefore I endure all things for the electssakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with

eternal glory.(2 Tim.2:10)

The only freedom: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made

me free from the law of sin and death.(Rm.8:2) Stand fast therefore in the

liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the

yoke of bondage.(Gal.5:1)

The only assurance:Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath

begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JesusChrist:(Php.1:6)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.(2Ti.1:12) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height,

nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of

God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Rm.8:38-39) (See: 2 Tim.3:14-15;

Eph.1:13)

The only righteousness: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is madeunto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and

redemption: 1Co.1:30 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss

for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of

the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of

all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in

him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is

through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by

faith:(Php.3:7-9)

The only hope: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of Godour Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;(1 Tim.1:1) To whom

God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among

the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:(Col.1:27) (See

Tit.2:13)

The only completeness: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all

principality and power:(Col.2:10)

4


5/5

The Only justification: Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised

again for our justification.(Rm.4:25) Knowing that a man is not justified by

the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in

Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the

works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be

justified.(Gal.2:16) (See: Rm.5:9; 1 Co.6:11)

Religious groups will tell you how organized they were and how you needed to

be a member of them in order to get right in the sight of God and many are

seeking to enter and made members in those traditional religious system yet

they dont realize that it is not what they must be confident about. Like the

many Jews who searched the scriptures yet do not want to come to Christ

(Jn.5:39-40).Likewise, many think of todays religion as what they must enter

in rather than the true religion Whom they should believe and become in

them.

True religion is BY the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one Who can bring one

back to a union and fellowship with God.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile

all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things

in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by

wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through

death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his

sight:(Col.1:20-22)

To Him be the glory!

http://www.biblia.blog.come mail: [email protected]

5

6. essence of religion

Documents