Each generation seems to be less committed and less responsible than the previous. Why? It's hard to grasp.
There is a popular idea spreading throughout Christianity. It is the idea that religion is somehow a bad thing and that Jesus/Christianity ought to be separated from religion. We've all seen the popular phrase: "I have a relationship, not a religion."
A popular video was circulating recently titled, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus". A ton of people "bought in" to and endorsed this video, by re-posting it and sharing it on Facebook. Discussions began to take place about whether or not it was true, what was right about it, what was wrong about it, etc.
For those who have not yet seen the video, click here.
I don't have any intention of bashing anyone who endorses the video, or Mr. Bethke, the man who wrote it. I believe that the video does contain some excellent content. However, I do feel that it is the responsibility of the church to recognize it for what it is and to speak up. I don't endorse arguing publicly for the world to see. But creating a false dichotomy between Jesus and Religion can have a large and negative impact on the future of the Lord's church.
The first problem with the belief is that the term "religion" is being misused in the worst way.
Here are some definitions of the word from Merriam-Webster:
Religion:
1)The service and worship of God or the supernatural
2)Commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
3)A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, or practices
A relationship with Jesus is absolutely important, and I am in no way down-playing that. But not to the exclusion of religion. A relationship with Him leads us to religion. Because Christianity and a relationship with Christ includes the "service and worship of God," "commitment or devotion to faith," and "a set of beliefs, attitudes, or practices," all of which are definitions of religion, religion becomes the very expression of our relationship with Christ.
A second problem with the idea that Jesus is in opposition to religion is that it is simply unbiblical. Sure, the Bible teaches against hypocrisy. It teaches against self-righteousness. It teaches against "lukewarmness". It even teaches against false religion. But false religion in no way excludes religion in its entirety. To the contrary, in fact. The Biblical teaching is this: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" James 1:27. The word "religion" in James is not a bad word. It depicts what one does in the presence of God.
A third problem that I can't get past with trying to divorce Jesus from religion is this: without religion, Christianity becomes largely based on feelings. And a relationship cannot last based only on feelings. Think about when you became you first became a Christian, or about some of those times you were "on a mountain" spiritually. It's easy to respond to God in worship at times like this. And it's often these times, when emotions run high, that we are converted. This is the one that really disturbs me about the whole thing, because after being married for a year, it really hits home with me. A relationship with God cannot be based on emotions and feelings. If religion is the thing that commits a Christian to Him, and you throw it out, what ties you to Him when you aren't "feeling it" next week? The fact is, relationships have their ups and downs. Sometimes emotions/feelings are high and I'm "crazy" about my husband. Other times, not so much. If we weren't married, I would be hard-pressed to remain faithful, loyal, and committed to him when I'm not really feeling it. Trying to separate Jesus from religion is the equivalent of trying to separate a husband/wife from marriage. Without the religion, you have no commitment and no reason to be faithful when emotions are not so high. Without marriage, you have no commitment and no reason to be faithful when emotions are not so high.
A relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and religion simply cannot be separated. They work together to help us be loyal, faithful, and committed Christians. When we are "feeling" the relationship, we automatically respond in love, worship, and adoration, by doing those things we have come to believe we should do in our "religious" system. But sometimes we aren't "feeling it." And while "going through the motions" is not necessarily something to endorse, sometimes that is what it takes for the "feelings" to return. When we don't want to go sing to God, but we do ANYWAY (because we are religious and we are committed to our religious system of beliefs) we are showing God that we are faithful. We are being selfless by "denying self," and "taking up our cross." We are choosing to do what He wants, rather than doing what we want. Religion is what it takes to "get us there" sometimes. The same concept can be better understood in a marriage relationship. Frankly, sometimes the last thing I want to do is cook fried chicken for my husband supper. (Especially if other outside circumstances have caused me to be frustrated with him that day.) And I may be frustrated because it seems like we haven't been "feeling it" lately. Often, though, doing that thing for him even though it's the very thing I DON'T want to do, results in a loving reaction on his part, and suddenly we are both "in love" again. The point is, we commit to God through religion in the same way that we commit to our spouses through marriage.
I don't want to shoot down everything that I see. That's not what I am trying to do. But I think this is pertinent for this reason: endorsing the separation of Jesus from religion caters to a generation that is seeking "a little Jesus" without commitment or responsibility. The generation that I am in is the one that will see this play out when our children and grandchildren grow up. I don't want to be responsible for a generation of people who wear the label "Christian," but don't live it.
Endorsing this type of thing is attractive. Anyone is willing to say "I love Jesus!" and jump into the baptistry. But the same people are not necessarily willing to make the commitments that true Christianity calls for. Creating a system that attracts a people who will not commit does more harm than good for Christianity. It would be better to call it for what it is, defining what becoming a Christian costs you (your life), and only attract people who are the "real deal." Why? Because when you have a group of people who come to church, wear the label "Christian," but live a life that contradicts that, two things happen: 1) these people negatively impact the "true" Christians who are trying to live right, 2) when lost people see that becoming a "Christian" does nothing to improve quality of life, they will see no reason to become one.
I have attempted to write this with the right Spirit and the right attitude. I pray that it will be seen as helpful rather than hurtful, and that it will encourage Christians to be who we are supposed to be and live like we are supposed to live. May we all continue to seek, believe, and live truth.
