Forget Useless Religion

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."

James 1:26

 During my recent visit to Israel, I was surrounded by countless outwardly religious people.  Muslims streamed in droves after praying on the Temple Mount, worshipers sang hymns at holy sites, and orthodox Jews read from their prayer books as they hurried along the street on foot.  "Religious" people are not difficult to spot because of their outward dress or deeds.  One point James 1:26 emphasises is unless religion provides inner transformation, it is a complete waste of time and effort.  "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," Jesus said in Matthew 12:34.  If your religion is incapable of making you a more godly person, your religion is powerless and ridiculous.

This is what makes Christianity different from all other "religions."  Christianity is a unique belief system based upon God's Word (the Bible) because Jesus promises to make those who trust in Him new creations from within.  It is all about an inner transformation by God's grace, for He puts a new heart and Spirit within us.  Our hearts, which were once hardened by sin's deceitfulness, are made soft and exude the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.  It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables and empowers us to bridle our tongues and to love one another as Jesus loves us.  We begin to deeply care about others, even when they say or do things which are hurtful.  We even love people we have never met.

The following verse bears this out.  James 1:27 says, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  The Law established provisions for orphans and widows, but it was incapable of making anyone lovingly care about them.  Only the transformation power of the Gospel can place this active love in hearts once marked with selfishness and pride.  Many people do pious or deeds which appear good, but Christ puts within us purity of motive with good deeds.  The world has a way of polluting people but pure, undefiled religion before God keeps a man holy and righteous by God's grace.  To enter the kingdom of heaven, we must be born again through repentance and faith in Christ.  As Paul wrote in Galatians 6:15-16:  "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."

Has your religion changed you inside?  Spiritual regeneration and transformation - real change - is only possible through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  Stop believing in useless religion, and stop trying to change yourself.  Be changed through the Gospel, receive the Holy Spirit, and you will be changed.  Then take practical steps to live according to your new born again nature, according to the character we see in Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  If your religion is a proven waste, what have you to lose?