The word religion is something that numerous people apply on day-to-day basis but not many people understand the meaning of religion. Religion to some individuals is about churches, rules, traditions, or putting on a particular set of clothes.
Some others believe that religion is simply about going to services or being led. However, religion is more than something that is seen externally as provided in the Bible. It is concerning our relationship with God and how that relationship comes out in the manner we live our lives.
Bible is explicit on what true religion is. The scripture in James 1:27 reads, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, And keep himself without spot of the world.
This verse demonstrates that true religion is not just about worship rather love, care and righteous living. It is concerning doing good and avoiding sin. It is based on this that I realize that religion is not merely theoretical.
Obedience to God is also taught by religion. The Bible in the Book of Ecclesiastes 12: 13 states that, Fear God, and keep his commandments: because this is the whole duty of man.
This implies that the primary role of religion is to make us worship God and follow His word. Religion is meaningless when one professes to be a religious being when he is not observing the commandments of God. True religion transforms the heart and the behavior of a person.
Love is another significance of religion. According to Jesus Christ, love is a basis of serving God. In Matthew 22: 37-39, Jesus stated; thou shalt love thy Lord thy God with all thy heart.
And hast thou done loving thy neighbour as thyself. It indicates that true religion is not about hate or segregation but love to God and to other humans. I am of the opinion that religion becomes meaningless in the absence of love.
Religion is also expected to lead us to good and peaceful life. Micah 6:8 states, what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? This verse is a teaching that in religion we were to be made meek, gracious, and equitable. It must assist us to lead a righteous life within the society.
To sum up, religion does not consist only of names and buildings and rituals. The real religion is knowing God, following his word, loving people and living a pure life. Religion is the best thing as it enlightens, brings peace, and meaning to our lives when practiced in the way of the Bible.
