There is a popularity in seeking to cut religion out of the bible. Some say this is what Jesus came to do. However, remember what He said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Of course Jesus has “taken [the old law] out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14), but this was done after He had fulfilled it. If Jesus had not already fulfilled the law when He “wiped [it] out” (Colossians 2:14), He would have in fact destroyed it. Is Jesus a liar?! Of course not!
When Jesus nailed the old law to the cross it was replaced with a new one. “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second” (Hebrews 8:7). The benefits we have in Christ are attributed to His ability to minister as a High Priest (cf. Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-4). If we reject religion, i.e. the new law/covenant, we reject Christ’s High Priesthood. “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law” (Hebrews 7:12). This new law is one that is in our minds and written on our hearts (cf. Hebrews 8:10). However, this does not suggest there are no commands to obey. In chapter 3 of Hebrews, obedience and unbelief are used synonymously (cf. v. 18-19). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The word of God in it’s entirety is needed to have faith, and it is impossible to please God without it (cf. Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, we are to adhere to all of Christ’s doctrine which is the “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27) of Christianity.
How does religion look from day to day? What does the bible require Christians to do?
Day to Day Cross-Bearing
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus is said to have “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Crucifixion was a punishment of humiliation, and shame. It is considered shameful to be a Christian by the world. “Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1). As children of God we are to bear the cross of Christ. We are to endure suffering (cf. 1 Peter 4:12-16), despise the shame, and be faithful unto death (cf. Revelation 2:10), so that we too can enter the presence behind the veil (cf. Hebrews 6:19-20).
Day to Day Study
A Christian does not take delight in the things of this world, rather, “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Studying is often viewed with a negative connotation. Who wants to study? However, God’s message of salvation is one we should be excited about. The truth makes us free (cf. John 8:32)! The truth sanctifies us (cf. John 17:17)! The only way to the Father is through the truth (cf. John 14:6)! Paul told Timothy to, “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). There is a good reason for us to follow the same instruction! “For in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16)!
Day to Day Prayer
Prayer is vital to a Christian’s life. It is also left out by many. We wonder why we struggle, and why things aren’t working out. We ponder our problems daily, and yet we never pray about them. We have the privilege of speaking to our creator. Our prayers ascend to His throne for Him to answer (cf. Revelation 5:8), yet we hardly take advantage of this ability that has been granted to us. The Psalmist saw the benefit, and need, of prayer when he wrote, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to you all day long” (Psalm 86:3). Christians are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We always have needs to pray about, most certainly blessings to be thankful for (cf. Matthew 6:11), and a God that deserves our daily praise!
Day to Day Exhortation
“The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is relentless in his effort to create in us “an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). For this reason daily exhortation is needed, and expected (cf. Hebrews 3:13). Encouragement travels a long way. We are all fighting this spiritual warfare (cf. 1 Timothy 1:18), and we are all needed to establish a stronghold. We must be willing, and able, to warn each other of the ever present danger of apostasy. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:12-13). Our enemy is working hard, so we should “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’” (Hebrews 3:13).
Jesus established a working religion. We are expected to be workers in the kingdom (cf. Colossians 4:11). We must practice religion from day to day in order to please God and get to heaven. May we all recognize the importance of participation in spiritual matters!