“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2nd Tim. 3:5)
Christian religion is everywhere, it is in every nation of this planet, although it may not be the predominant religion in some, it is nevertheless present. You will hear some world leaders, some of the highest in positions of governmental agencies, top business executives as well as the common man say “God,” but are they speaking His name or simply using a word, is it the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth they speak of, or simply a “higher power” they have constructed in their minds?
Christian religion has replaced personal devotion, and this short letter is meant to pose that question before you in your life, are you a religious Christian or do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Is there heartfelt devotion to Him that reigns in heaven and earth in your life?
I do not need to see another survey to know the truth that if you ask nearly anyone on this planet if they believe in God the answer will be yes, I have rarely heard the question expounded upon with a following “which God,” and I cannot ever recall hearing the following to those being asked, “Who do you say Jesus Christ is?”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
This profession of faith you say you have, is it still there in times of great turmoil, can you continue in it if there was no church in your area to attend, if there was no longer a midweek Bible study, if the women’s group no longer met on Wednesday morning to discuss the book they are all reading at the same time? Can you still serve the Lord in a dry and thirsty land, or do you need the fellowship of others to assist you in keeping that faith you say you have afloat?
Which God are you serving, and can you continue to do so in love when all forsake you, when there is no group to meet with, no one to speak to about Him, when even He seems to have withdrawn Himself from you.
Those in Christian religious circles do not contemplate these questions, for they are not following Christ, but the one behind the podium, the crowd they sit with each Sunday morning, the security of the known and expected traditions, not the Lord Jesus Christ. You do not need to see the proof of the apostacy, the great falling away to recognize these truths, the question is are they truths in your life?
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
Would you be just as content and happy in the Lord if it was just you and Him?
Has Hebrews 10:25 become your religion? “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Is Sunday Morning at church your favorite time of the week, or do you serve and love Him with the same vigor throughout the week?
Personal devotion, a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ does not need the repetition of the Sunday morning service, Christ Himself is all that is needed, everything else is an added extra, but I fear all those other things have led to no more than a Christian religious experience.
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Gen. 15:1)
