| February 22nd, 2001 - Religion vs. Relationship "Religion," Karl Marx says, "is the opiate of the masses." Though his insight has been criticized by many (I'm definitely no proponent of God-less communism), I'd have to agree with him on this one point at least. Religion, at best, is man's effort to get to God. It is the proverbial tower of Babel. It is the cause of many disagreements, factions, wars, and blind obedience to prejudiced belief systems. Let's not forget that it was religious people who crucified Christ. Unless ofcourse we define religion as the Bible defines it. In the book of James we read: "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." It humors me when people categorize me as religious. That label is so generic and so unlike Christ. Jesus was probably the most unreligious person who ever walked the earth. His fiercest opponents were the pharisees and sadducees (the religious leaders of the time). His harshest words were for them. A compilation of excerpted words from Jesus to the religious leaders (taken from the four gospels) might go something like this: "You are of your father, the devil... how can you escape the damnation of hell, you snakes, you hypocrits... You are blind leaders of the blind, white washed walls, tombs which look neat and tidy on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and rotting flesh. You clean the outside of the cup but inside it is full of toxic waste. You do your works to be seen of men and to receive their accolades; you have your reward in full because your works are detestable and despised by God. All your righteousness is as a filthy rag in God's sight. You keep all the details and legalistic aspects of the law, and this you should do, but you neglect the heavier things that God commands of you, such as impartiality, fair judgement, mercy and faith..." (Matthew 23: 13-39) Strong words? You bet! The truth of the matter is (and Jesus never avoided the truth) people are given to illusion. Jesus knows that illusion is synonomous with deception. And deception is bondage. The truth shall set you free. Jesus doesn't pull punches with those who stand in the way of truth, in the way of love, in the way of men and women being set free. He was all man. He was all God... in the flesh, incarnate. Jesus kept it real. And he is a hero to the widow, the oppressed and the fatherless. Most importantly, Jesus offers mankind a relationship, Not religion, A love relationship with the Creator of the universe, not another system of do's and don'ts. And any illusion, system of beliefs, or person who stands in the way of that is his enemy. I pity the fool! God is Love (I John 4: 7,8), and there is no fear in love... perfect love body slams fear! (I John 4:18). I like that kind of love. Don't you? |