The Biblical definition of religion is: religion was based on human tradition, rules, and regulations. Which has little or nothing to do with God.
No wonder Jesus asked to the Pharisees,
“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Hypocrites!
Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”Matthew 15:3, 7-9”
Also, the Biblical meanings of religion was emphasized by Apostles Paul in Colossians 2:21-23?
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—
which all concern things which perish with the using— according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
Colossians 2:20, 22
The Above Scripture reveals that religion was based on rules and regulations and it was based on the commandments of men.
During the first dispensation, that is, from Adam to Moses, there was no organized religion.
Individuals are serving God
with the Spirit and truth. Their names were written in the book of life. Read the Book of Hebrew 11:4-30
Notice that none of these people of Faith belong to any religion.
Moses introduces religion of laws and regulations leading to the time of Jesus. The purpose of the law was to expose humans inability to get salvation through the works of the law.
Jesus Christ have put an end to the religion of rules and regulations, which was mediated by Moses.
No wonder Jesus said,
““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
Matthew 23:23 NKJV
The religion leaders are promoting religion of the Mosaic laws based on rules and regulations for personal gains. The mega-churches is like a slave camp for the exploitation of members.
The truth is, Jesus have paid with his life so that mankind can be free to serve God directly with Faith. This is the time of grace. Grace and love replaced the system of laws of MOSES.
Apostles Paul made this clear when he writes,
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
Galatians 3:24-25
Jesus said,”I am the way, the truth and life. Nobody comes to my father but me”. Therefore, any religion based on MOSAIC laws is outdated. There should be no man or religion organization separating people from their God.
Satan the devil keeps promoting false religion in the world. Pretending to be an Angel of lights. Performing miracles and promising material prosperity. Lucifer, is a deceiver and he is a lairs.
He was the first person to introduce the glory of the world in an exchange for worship. In Mathew 4:8-9 it reads,
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”Matthew 4:8-9
Jesus rejected the offer of materialism for serving God.
Satan, the Lucifer disguised himself as an Angel of light. He introduced paganism into religion. Presently, He has opened his own Religion called the Church of Satan, in many countries of the world.
Majority of religion leaders today are directing their members to worship Money or Mammon unknowingly. Read John 6:24.
The teaching of Mammon have dominated our national life and churches.
People want to be rich at all costs. The Bible says,
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
I Timothy 6:9
What are the consequences of prosperity doctrine in the third world countries like Nigerian?
Do you see any prosperity in Nigeria or in the lives of their church members? NO!
Instead of prosperity we are experiencing poverty.
In facts, Nigerian is among the poorest countries in the world. The product of Religion in Africa is poverty, Kidnapping, banditry, arm robbery, religion fanaticism and killings. Why?
Because they are serving the god of Mammon.
Jesus said:
““No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24 NKJV
The teaching of Mammon have dominated our national conscience. It promotes materialism and social vices in the country.
That was why Jesus liking Satan to be a thief, a killer and a destroyer in John 10:10. Money is not the solution to all problems.
Jesus directed true worshippers to God’s Kingdom as the lasting solution to mankind problems. Jesus is promoting God’s kingdom characters based on Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, Faith and self control.
The religion of Jesus Christ in not in church building and crowed, but in God’s Kingdom characters.
Apostles JAMES was specific when he wrote:
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”James 1:27
An acceptable religion is not in mega churches but is in serving the poor, serving the widow and the orphans in our communities. The mega churches is counter productive to the kingdom of God. It enslaved members and render them poor. It is nearly impossible to show love and care for a crowd of 1000 members.
I also observed that churches are drifting to idolatry. By idolizing money and humans above God. Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”
Matthew 23:9
People are making God jealous by calling men “Father” and by quoting their Pastors instead of quoting God. This is paganism and idolatry.
We need to repent before Jesus arrives.
In summary, religion of rules and regulations have ended with Jesus Christ on the cross.
True religion is to go and serve the needy in their communities. Also to have direct and personal relationship with God.
The time is now, when the true worshippers will worship the father with the spirit and truth. John 4:24
Author: David Olaniyan.