Is There a Place in Our Lives for Religion? 12-14-08
The 2008 Presidential Election season brought out many disturbing religious overtones, specifically concerning the Democratic candidate Barack Obama. The leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, said that when Barrack Obama spoke it was “the Messiah speaking.” Jeremiah Wright, newly reinstated leader of the Trinity United Church Of Christ, recently linked Obama to messianic themes by claiming that he resembled the “Virgin Mary”. And while this is fairly disconcerting, what really bothers me is the number of Christians who voted for the party whose goals are the elimination of Christian values from American society and the establishment of Government as the highest authority (replacing God). So the question is: does Religion affect us, or do we affect it?
There are a great many Christians who voted for the party that is aligned against Godly religion. This alignment is clearly seen in issues such as abortion, prayer in schools, the public assault on Christian churches while actively promoting Islam as the “religion of peace”, and the democratic-run media’s constant slander of Christianity. This article is not meant as political commentary, but rather it is trying to illustrate a point. Does our religion affect our politics, or do our political views affect our religion? This question is not in any way limited to politics. Look at the financial problems that beset many Americans. How many Christians find themselves mired in destructive debt and thus find themselves consumed with chasing money? How many Christians choose to work overtime hours instead of attending church services? How many Christians put more of their money into the coffee shop than they do into the collection plate? Does our religion affect our finances, or do our financial decisions affect our religion?
This question can also be expressed with regards to socialization. With whom do we spend our time, and in what relationships do we invest the most of ourselves? Christians often see each other only two or three times a week; in fact many Christians fellowship with the Body on only a weekly basis. How many Christians spend more time in hobbies than in Bible study and fellowship? When we chat with coworkers, are we most eager to talk about Jesus Christ and his gospel message, or are we anxious to discuss sports news or movie critiques? Does our religion affect our friendships, or do our friendships determine our religion?Our religion is often warped by the world; if this is so, then how do we know what our religion should be? The answer for all of these is the Bible!
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 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 1:22-27 NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)
Does our religion affect our politics, finances, and friendships or do they affect our religion? God has shown us the answer to our question – our religion is supposed to affect all aspects of our lives. James tells us that the Word (Bible) is our guide, and that we must control ourselves (especially our speech) and help those in need. Paul tells us that our worship is one of being Godly in the pattern of our lives, thoughts, and deeds. If we heed both of these passages, we will surely have a religion that positively affects us and those around us.
-Charles Peterson