What Is Religion?
Religion is what Paul had before He had a relationship with Jesus Christ. He actually called it this in Gal.1:14-15 when He referred to His "conversation in time past" as the "Jew's religion". Religion here means "Judaism" with it's belief system and regulations, different from religion in James which means "observance". He also alluded to this in Acts 26. We can learn from Paul what religion is so that we can avoid using it to gain God's favor (salvation). First of all, it is important to note that a person steeped in religion doesn't know that it is such until after they have a relationship with Jesus. It truly is "the way to God" and Paul absolutely believed this before being saved by grace. So what did Paul's religion consist of? I have named nine different things from the context of the Scripture in Gal. 1, Acts 26, and Ph. 3.
1. ZEALOUSNESS- Gal. 1:14 2. PIOUSNESS- Acts 26: 5 3.TRADITIONALISM- Gal. 1:11,12,14,16 4. FALSE ACCUSATION AND PERSECUTION OF TRUE BELIEVERS- Gal. 1:13, Acts 26:10-11 5.EXCLUSIVISM- Gal. 1:13, Acts 26:10-11 6. ADHERENCE TO AND ASSUMED OBEDIENCE TO KNOWN SCRIPTURE (O.T)- Acts 26:5, Gal. 1:14 7. CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH- Ph. 3:4 8. CONFIDENCE IN KEEPING A LIST OF DO'S AND DONT'S- Ph. 3:6 9. THE BELIEF THAT GOOD WORKS GAIN GOD'S FAVOR- Ph. 3:7 . My friend, if you exhibit these characteristics in your life, you have RELIGION and you need a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. How do you get this relationship that Paul had? By grace through faith Gal.1:15, Ph.3:9 and by hearing and believing the Gospel Acts 26:23,27. Religion works for salvation(paycheck,reward) Ro.4:4, but faith accepts salvation(unmerited,un-worked for favor of God)Ro.4:5-6. After Paul received Christ by faith His religion was worthless Ph.3:8. Please do not confide in your flesh to gain salvation, but believe in Christ and receive ETERNAL life, the ONLY kind that He gives!
Religion is what Paul had before He had a relationship with Jesus Christ. He actually called it this in Gal.1:14-15 when He referred to His "conversation in time past" as the "Jew's religion". Religion here means "Judaism" with it's belief system and regulations, different from religion in James which means "observance". He also alluded to this in Acts 26. We can learn from Paul what religion is so that we can avoid using it to gain God's favor (salvation). First of all, it is important to note that a person steeped in religion doesn't know that it is such until after they have a relationship with Jesus. It truly is "the way to God" and Paul absolutely believed this before being saved by grace. So what did Paul's religion consist of? I have named nine different things from the context of the Scripture in Gal. 1, Acts 26, and Ph. 3.
1. ZEALOUSNESS- Gal. 1:14 2. PIOUSNESS- Acts 26: 5 3.TRADITIONALISM- Gal. 1:11,12,14,16 4. FALSE ACCUSATION AND PERSECUTION OF TRUE BELIEVERS- Gal. 1:13, Acts 26:10-11 5.EXCLUSIVISM- Gal. 1:13, Acts 26:10-11 6. ADHERENCE TO AND ASSUMED OBEDIENCE TO KNOWN SCRIPTURE (O.T)- Acts 26:5, Gal. 1:14 7. CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH- Ph. 3:4 8. CONFIDENCE IN KEEPING A LIST OF DO'S AND DONT'S- Ph. 3:6 9. THE BELIEF THAT GOOD WORKS GAIN GOD'S FAVOR- Ph. 3:7 . My friend, if you exhibit these characteristics in your life, you have RELIGION and you need a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. How do you get this relationship that Paul had? By grace through faith Gal.1:15, Ph.3:9 and by hearing and believing the Gospel Acts 26:23,27. Religion works for salvation(paycheck,reward) Ro.4:4, but faith accepts salvation(unmerited,un-worked for favor of God)Ro.4:5-6. After Paul received Christ by faith His religion was worthless Ph.3:8. Please do not confide in your flesh to gain salvation, but believe in Christ and receive ETERNAL life, the ONLY kind that He gives!