It seems odd that these two things can be mutually exclusive. I’ve often wondered about the evolution of such a thing: To be ritualistic, but have no relationship. Yet, this tragedy has become prevalent in these modern times.
Religion should help us think beyond ourselves. It is designed to move us toward action. James wrote of it’s true purpose: James 1:27 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.
The first portion has become a regular aspect of the church. We do care for the fatherless. We are active in comforting and caring for the widows. However, it’s the latter portion of the scripture that many ignore. We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Real religion is spiritual! It is a spiritual endeavor that causes us to refrain from evil; run from sexual perversions; flee fornication; remove ourselves from vain conversation and much more. We are to be spiritual!
I ask:
• When did we think that we could stop praying and still make it to Heaven? Is prayer just for people who need something from God?
• Who decided that minimal church attendance was sufficient?
• Did someone white-out Hebrews 10:25?
• Has tithing become a last century teaching or is Malachi 3 true?
• Is withholding tithes and offerings still stealing from God?
• When did Christians conclude that God wasn’t concerned with their musical choices? Or when did we buy into the lie that watching perverted movies and scenes would not stain our minds?
• Can we consume Hollywood and stay pure?
• It’s okay to gossip, talk about other people, and spread hurtful information? Is it no longer an abomination to God to verbally attack people?
• When did the Bible become obsolete and the scripture become silent when it comes to submission and obedience?
• Did our American citizenship remove us from spiritual authority?
• Should we just erase Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”?
• Who has the rule over you? Who is your spiritual umbrella? Who told you that receiving the Holy Ghost negated your spiritual authority?
(Jeremiah 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11-14)?
I ask because these matters are serious and critical. It is not enough to be “Religious” and still be spotted. We must seek to be spiritual, which comes through Prayer, Fasting, Sacrifice, and a daily diet of the Word.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
