Get this...

I have been contemplating the past few days about Religion vs. Anti-Religion. I can honestly say I am sick of hearing accusations either way. I'll give some examples and then a piece of my mind.

Religion

re·li·gion [ ri líjjən ] (plural re·li·gions)
noun

Definition:

1. beliefs and worship: people's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life

2. system: an institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine

3. personal beliefs or values: a set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by

It is my opinion that my generation is anti-religion. We focus so much on avoiding looking "religious" because we think it makes us unable to relate to the world.

I have heard references to religion in the context of legalism. Legalism implies that one does everything right within a moral or religious code. In this case, being religious is undesirable. Religion is viewed as an out-dated extreme.

On the other hand, it is the trend to be anti-religious. I heard this said once, "I would rather live on the borderline of being worldly so people can relate to me than get caught up in religion." Anti-religion, in my opinion is another extreme. It is happening more and more in my generation that people are falling into sin so they can "relate". Of course they can relate. They are being like the world! Anti-religion is becoming deception. It is an excuse Christians use to justify their actions.

I once believed this way. I thought that my testimony wouldn't mean anything to people because I hadn't gone through sin and hell, and been miraculously transformed. I grew up in the church. I was the girl that never wanted to get in trouble. I believed that I had to get into crap to relate to the world. A friend of mine pointed out to me that it is a huge testimony to live as Christ has called me to live. To live consistently with God's law on my heart, and to do right by avoiding sin shows people that "it can be done!" A life lived for Jesus is possible.

Here is what I think: The Bible does talk about not being religious. It is my understanding though that in the context of not being religious is the underlying message that God looks at the heart, not the works we do. Works don't make God love us. Works aren't what God is looking for.

In the story of Cain and Abel it wasn't necessarily the offering that was given that pleased God. It was the heart of worship and reverence behind the offering that made God happy. It was the fact that Abel gave God the best of his flocks because he loved him, not because he was trying to be the better brother.

Being anti-religious is also not what God is looking for. Hating religious practices, and people for doing them is not the answer. My pastor at church said this last Sunday: "We are not God's appointed Sin Police." I would add that we are not the "Religion Police." God didn't put us on this earth to condemn others. He alone is the only one to judge. He WILL judge the hearts of hypocritical, arrogant Christians just as he will judge the unsaved.

I read a familiar few verses tonight. Matthew 22:36-39 says this:

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]

This, I believe is how we are supposed to live. Not as religious or anti-religious, but loving God and each other. If our hearts are right with God our actions will be in accordance with His Word. There is a balance between legalism and worldly. God has given us the grace to mess up, but also the Word to live by. Should we take every scripture verse literally? No. We should, however, seek to understand God's heart and intentions for us in the scriptures.

It does not surprise me that the world is confused by Christians.

Won't Back Down

"Won't Back Down" – Mat Kearny

You woke the morning up
Running off my darkest night
The longest fight I've seen

Here goes a chance I know
Cashing in on all my chips
Let all my ships come fly

These days, a little bit longer than the last
And all of your ways, a little bit stronger than the past
And your light, found my bottle in the night
Gave me second life, kept me in this fight

And I won't back down
I won't turn around and around
And I won't back down
Doesn't matter what comes crashing down
I'm still gonna stand my solid ground

You found me once and for all
I laid it down in the sinking ground
The hopeless undertow

Singing out the gentle sound
Rattling through my smoking screens
My broken dreams last night

These days, a little bit longer than the last
And all of your ways, a little bit stronger than the past
And all of your light, found my bottle in the night
Kept me in this fight, gave me second life

And I won't back down
I won't turn around and around
And I won't back down
Doesn't matter what comes crashing down
I'm still gonna stand my solid ground

And I sing Hallelujah ripped through my veins
I heard the hammer drop
My blood in the rain
Hallelujah came like a train
When all is lost
All is left to gain

Hallelujah


This is the song I am singing in life right now. This is me NOT backing down. I am done with the past and all it entails. I am excited to get on with this crazy life.