In a recent conversation, a man talked
about the people he works with, “They are religious, and they go to church
every Sunday, even every Saturday too, but that does not match the way they
live.”
Today’s devotional reading calls me to
think about this again. The reading says that religion is not a fire-escape
that you build in anticipation of a possible danger only to leave it outside
the house until danger comes. The problem with doing this is that when a fire
breaks out, that neglected escape route is not what you hoped. It is rusty and
broken, weather-beaten and useless. This is a picture of those who build a surface
appearance of faith for some future day they might need it, thinking that makes
them safe.
However, as the reading says, religion
is not something to add on to our lives. Instead, it is the house in which we
live, even the table where we sit, the fireside that warms us, the room that
arches its familiar presence over us. It is our bed where we rest and think of
the past, and anticipate the future, and become refreshed.
The difference between fire-escape
faith and a faith that is lived in (and lived out) is hinted at in this verse
used in the devotional reading…
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
Paul is talking about genuine
believers who have understood the riches of glory, a mystery that was once
unclear but has been revealed to them. This mystery is this: Christ lives in
those who believe. He not only gives His people hope concerning glory, but He changes
our lives, giving us power to make known or broadcast or reveal to others the
reality of true faith.
That is, unless Christ lives in me,
no matter how ‘religious’ I may act, the glory of God is not revealed in my
life or by my life. Without Him, I can do nothing. In Him and because of Him,
my life says something about the sure promises of God and the hope of glory.
Imagine the difference made in the
world because the disciples of Christ followed Him, doing what He told them and
letting their faith be seen in every part of their lives. Here is a very short
list.
Power over evil spirits and able to
heal the sick. “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them
authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and
every affliction. (Matthew 10:1) And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom
of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out
demons. You received without paying; give without pay” (Matthew 10:7–8).
Wisdom and endurance in opposition. “Behold,
I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents
and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16) …and you will be hated by all for my
name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they
persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will
not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew
10:22–23) And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household (Matthew
10:36).
Boldness to share Christ with others.
“What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered,
proclaim on the housetops. (Matthew 10:27) So everyone who acknowledges me
before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew
10:32).
None of these
are ‘Sunday only’ activities. They are part of life, which makes faith practical,
not fanatical. It means letting the Christ who lives in me be seen wherever I am
and in whatever I am doing.
Actually, His life
is so powerful that hiding it is impossible. Sadly, what can happen and often
does, is claiming to have ‘religion’ without having Jesus.
Oh God, the religious
people of this world who have no relationship with You also have no hope of
glory. This puzzles some, like that man we talked to this week. So many become
disillusioned, not knowing the difference between those who claim to be Christian
and those in whom You have made Your dwelling place. It would be easy to blame
the ‘merely religious’ for this confusion, but Your Spirit tells me that
genuine believers bear the greater responsibility. We are supposed to live like
You have commanded, not making claims without backing them up. My faith is
supposed to permeate all of life, starting in my heart, my home and radiating through
every part, not for my sake but to reveal that great gift from You --- the hope of glory!
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