By: James B. Annan-Aggrey (Elder), SWO District – London Assembly
“The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion” says Thomas Paine an English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionist. Another school of thought has said that “Religion is simply a generic name for the search for happiness”.
A person is said to be religious when they relate to or manifest faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity. A religious person exhibits religious attitudes and is an adherent, devotee, disciple, follower or supporter of a phenomenon, ideals, or a deity. A religious person has religious beliefs and tirelessly seeks to fulfill them.
A religious person has religious practices that speak volumes about their way of life. One does not need to be told what a person’s religious affiliation is, as this can be obvious by observation. A religious person believes that there is some reparation for them in death when they observe all the stipulated rites.
Can being religious alone give one salvation?
The New Testament of the Bible tells us in Acts of the Apostles chapter 10, of a soldier called Cornelius. He was a centurion stationed in Caesarea, the capital of the Roman Judaea province. He was depicted as a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. Cornelius could also see visions of angels. He was a humble man and had deep respect for authority. He was also accustomed to fasting and praying. Centurion Cornelius was also described as a kind, good and committed person who loved his society and country and contributed to the needs of the poor and vulnerable in his society. Was Cornelius therefore saved?
In Acts 8:26-40, the scriptures give another account of an Ethiopian eunuch who travelled 2,564 km to Jerusalem on a chariot, a distance that can be likened to 25 hours of drive time from Toronto to North Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He had come to Jerusalem to perform his religious practice “… 28and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.” (ESV). Does one’s level of effort and sacrifice to undergo a religious action guarantee salvation?
The actions of centurion Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrate the passion of one seeking God. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV). It is therefore clear from the scriptures that Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch were devout men. Religion should therefore lead us to seek the One true God who has revealed himself to mankind through Christ Jesus. However, their religious efforts were only of significance on this earth and not the life hereafter. Therefore, God made a way for them to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV).
Apostle Peter and Evangelist Philip were the human agents used by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. When Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch heard the message of salvation and believed, they obtained salvation for their soul.
It is instructive to note that in both instances, angels played a key role in connecting God’s servants to these soul-thirsty individuals. Why did the angels not preach the gospel directly to these religious individuals? Is it therefore the case that angels are not permitted to preach the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ directly to mankind? Your guess is as good as mine. God’s method is indeed man.
Is it therefore the case that there is no benefit from being religious?
Not at all! The story of Centurion Cornelius gives us some information. As the angel told Cornelius, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God” Acts 10:4 (NKJV). Religion gives us a memorial before a deity and mankind but cannot save us from eternal destruction. Religion gives its adherents something to believe in, provides a sense of structure and typically offers a group of people the opportunity to connect over similar beliefs. These religious acts can also have a positive impact on mental health as Research suggests that religiosity reduces suicide rates, alcoholism, drug use and even contributes to long life.
It is important to note that our religious acts only become significant in eternity when it is the result of our faith in Christ Jesus. To have faith in Christ Jesus is to believe that He died on the cross of Calvary for your sins. “We are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV).
Beloved reader, are you just religious or are your religious acts a result of your faith in Christ Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour? When we are religious, our prayer and fasting become an act of only asking God to meet our needs and wants and not a desire to commune with the Lord God Almighty; so that His presence can rub on us to transform our hearts. “One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple” Psalms 27:4 (NKJV). When we are religious, our acts of kindness or giving are solely to demonstrate our care for humanity or just to let others know how the Lord has blessed us, and not Spirit-led or inspired by our love for our Lord and Saviour. When we are religious, our fellowship with other believers is not borne out of a desire to sit at the Masters’ feet. Meeting with other believers may not be a part of our obedience to His command not to give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Religious people perceive church meetings as a social gathering to meet the welfare needs of members.
There is the need to make time for self introspection. Let us not depend on our “religious rites” but accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal saviour and commit to living to please Him first. Then your religious acts thereafter will be an eternal memorial laying up for you treasures in heaven. Jesus said, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21 (NKJV)
Salvation is an act of faith and not of works. God gives freely to those who believe. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:10-11 (NKJV).