Joel 2:23-32; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14,
Introduction
Dearly beloved in Christ, our reflections today is on what it truly means to live out true religion. Do you know that, it is easy to fall into the trap of external appearances appealing to human religious expectations like, being emotional of things of church, fasting, participating religious rituals, and just ticking boxes as being a devoted Christian? But God requires something deeper. Fundamentally, He desires a genuine relationship, a heart fully devoted to Him in all life circumstances.
In the words of Apostle James, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27) True religion is about sincere love, care, humility, and empathy.
I sincerely agree with theologians who say Christianity is not a religion. All the world's religions are about set of rules and rites which must be followed by their followers. Meanwhile, Christianity is about personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God, who is God, who by grace brings salvation to us. A personal relationship with the living, immortal God, love for neighbor and watchfulness not to fall into temptation is the true religion God seeks.
According to John Stott, "The true religion of the Bible is not a matter of outward forms, but of inward renewal." Beloved, our outward actions should stem from an inward transformation. How we relate spiritually with God becomes a model of how we relate with people arounds us.
True Religion Brings God's Providence
Joel's primary purpose was to awaken the spiritual consciousness of the Israelites and call them to God's true religion, a genuine repentance before the Day of the Lord. Here, he speaks of a future hope, "Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains because He is faithful." (Joel 2:23)
This imagery of rain signifies God's blessing and restoration. After the repentance of the people of Israel, going back to ancient path, then the blessings comes. When our hearts are aligned with God, we experience both spiritual and physical renewal.
Have you ever felt dried up, weary, burdened, or distant from God? Like the land in drought, our spirits need the rain of God's grace to flourish. True religion involves having relationship with God, earnestly dueling in His presence, trusting in His divine providence.
Isaiah 44:3, "For I will pour water on the thirsty and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring." Our spiritual dryness is remedied by God's outpouring of His Spirit, a sign of His accepted true religion working within us.
True Religion Begets the Crown of Righteousness
The Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his earthly journey, speaks with confidence, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) This is being diligent on true religion which is Christ centered.
Paul is emphasizing that a life of true religion is marked by perseverance in the midst of pain, faithfulness in the company of rejection, and a focus on the eternal rewards. Jesus demonstrated same to us when the Hebrew writer says, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." (Hebrews 12:2)
Someone has said this, "If you are on journey and you get to a junction and you two people; one is dead and the other is alive. Which of them will ask for direction? Surely, the living one. This is Jesus," the author and finisher of our faith" which is the true religion.
Many of us face moments of discouragement, of feeling like giving up. But Paul reminds us that faithfulness in the little things such devotion to Christ, prayer, service, humility, integrity, are the very things that count in the eyes of God.
Beloved, let us prioritize the fundamentals of true religion. Matthew 6:33 encourages us to, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." True religion involves prioritizing God's kingdom above all.
True Religion is Humility
Jesus shares a powerful parable about humility and genuine repentance. The Pharisee prays proudly, boasting of his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly admits his sin, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." (Luke 18:13)
Jesus' conclusion gives the verdict, "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
This story humbles everyone who comes to God. As I mentioned earlier, true religion is one's ability to follow set rules: "I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ (Luke 18:11-12), it a relationship with God. True religion is not about self-righteousness but about recognizing our need for God's mercy. It's about a heart that humbly seeks God's grace, not one that looks down on others.
Listen to the psalmist, true religion is "The sacrifice You (God) desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." (Psalms 51:17)
"The only righteousness we have is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us." (Martin Luther). When self righteous people turn to make you feel not welcome in the house of God, do not yield. The righteousness of Christ imputed in us is humility and compassion towards others. Our humility carries us to throne of grace to for God's mercy to be showered on us.
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities exemplify true religion in action.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, true religion is not about the drama or just the rituals. It is about a heart transformed by God's grace, grateful through love, devoted to Christ in humility, and perseverance in service.
Shalom aliekhem...
Let us examine ourselves today. Are we like the Pharisee; proud and self-righteous? Or are we like the tax collector; humbly seeking God's mercy? Remember, God's promise is to pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28), and His grace is available to all who humbly come to Him.
