Religious or Not

The word religion is from the medieval days, particularly the monastic period. It is from the Latin religare, which means 'to bind'. The word was instituted to define the monks that seemed to have such intense beliefs to which they were bound. The word became more widely used to describe people of faith in God(s).

I find it interesting that religion is an adherence to personal beliefs. Really, don't we all have that? Don't we all believe something? Aren't we ready to give our opinion on things at a moment's notice? Well, then, we are all religious. It is even more interesting to note that some of the most stringent and antagonistic belief systems are not faith or God centered at all, yet the faith based belief system is the one that is labeled 'religious'.

Where am I going with this? Not sure...but I am thinking about so many people that have refused that which God has for them because they were not religious people, or did not want to become such. Yet, they are very religious in the adherence to there own beliefs.

Well, I am not trying to prove a point, exactly. I am just remarking upon the way man reasons sometimes. We all need, even want, to become connected to God. All too often it is our religious beliefs that keep us from Him.

What Kind Of God Don't You Believe In?

I don't believe in god!
I hear those words spoken often on the college campus and elsewhere. It is not a bad thing to say. There are many folks that do not believe in God. There are plenty of valid reasons why one would not believe. I am never surprised at such a statement, and I actually look forward to chatting about it.

I am always interested to know what kind of God it is that they do not believe in. The answers and varied:

Perhaps it is a God who says He is loving, yet carelessly allows people to hurt each other.
Maybe it is a God who has condemned people for their actions, and sentenced them to hell.
Maybe it is a God who seems to play favorites.
One could say that he has known some believers, and if their life is what following God produces, he does not want any part of it.
A God who contradicts himself, thus having no validity.
A God who says He is all powerful and all knowing, yet does not solve the world's problems.

If your answers fall under any of the ones listed, that is a good thing! I don't believe in such a God either! Man has a tendency of taking an entity and redefining it his way. This has happened over and over with the subject of who God is. Masses of people have believed in an incorrectly defined God. The result of this can be that they never get to know God personally, because their presupposition of who He is filters their perception of who He really is.

So, yes, I agree. Do not believe in the wrong concept of who God is. Surely that can be a snare in your life. But do, I repeat, do believe in God. He is clearly defined in the Bible, despite what some have told you, or what your own meager attempts at critiquing Him has produced. He is here, and he has a life designed uniquely for you!

Galatians 4:8 and Matthew 6:33 are a couple of relevant scriptures. Do you have any to add?

Identity?

I have spoken to people who do not have a solid grasp upon who they are. What I mean is, they are not sure of their identity. We all have names. Some of us change our names. My father changed his name when he started his career in radio. He felt that he needed a more 'catchy' name if he were to be a DJ.

Our parents give us our names, many times after much deliberation. We can also attribute our personality, or at least part of it, to our parents. So the boy gets a little older, and people remark that he acts just like his dad. Or the girl carries herself like her mom. But, is that who they are? The boy that is like his dad? The girl that reminds us of her mom? No, they have their own identity. The question is, how do they discover it? Do they determine who they are by how others perceive them? Will they shorten their identity to 'loser' or 'winner', depending upon how their life plays out? What is the key here?

The word identity, which is from the Latin identitas, refers to 'same'. I think we are looking to find out who we are like, when we look for identity. That is why we form a small group of friends. That is why we are interested in others that have the same interests as us. We find some identity in that. We were made to find sameness with others, and yet still be individual.

In Genesis 1:26 we read that God made man in His own image and likeness. I like to use the analogy of the glove here. Image could refer to an empty glove. It looks like a hand. When you see it, you know it is designed to be filled with a hand. But, it is lifeless without a hand to fill it. Likeness refers to the glove with a hand in it. It becomes filled with the hand. Now, the glove not only looks like a hand, but it acts like one. Its identity is the hand!

I think that is how it is with us. We were created in the image of God. So if anyone asks you what God looks like, tell them that they are looking at what God looks like, (minus the glasses, broken nose, acne, etc.). When we allow God to fill us, we become the likeness of God. We become His Hand, if you will. Now we have identity. God now gives us purpose. He directs us, utilizes us, and takes care of us much like we would our own hand.

But, we must be filled. We must invite Him in. Then we live, by faith, in our true identity. In fullness and in purpose!

Presents or Presence?

I have a great church. You should visit sometime. Just hit the GGWO link in the sidebar for times and directions.

This weekend some things were spoken there that had a profound effect on my soul. I love it when the Word of God does that! Don't you?

There are presents in life. These are the things that our minds tell us we deserve if we follow the directions. If we follow the steps, A to B, we will find favorable results. Yet we find it is not always true. Often, the steps are too great. They reveal too much about us. There are conditions that we cannot foresee. And thus, life is a struggle.

But, instead of presents, we can rest in His presence. God has called each and every one of us to Himself (Mark 8:34). He has created us for his pleasure. If my existence is to please him, and He equips me with everything needed to please Him, (Philippians 2:13), then I will be pleased in all things, for all things are of Him (2 Corinthians 5:18)!

I am not in control. Hebrews 11:6 tells me that it is only faith that pleases God. A to B is not faith. It is a program. Faith in God differs from faith in a system. God never fails. Systems are temporal and faulty. Faith in God is confidence in who He is and what He says. It is based on a spiritual apprehension, not statistics or collected knowledge.

So I look unto Him, Jesus, who authored and gave the perfect example of faith. As I look, I am ready to run this race called life. As I look away, I sense the loss of control, and I am apt to take charge. And then I may fall out of the race.

For me, there is so very much in these truths on which to ponder. I leave you to do the same.