Bible Based Religion

Often times, professional people are asked to recommend someone for a job or certain position. David wrote: “Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). This is a way of saying: “I can recommend my religion to the whole world.” We show each day by our speech and our actions the kind of recommendation we place on our religion.

The question is, can you recommend your religion in light of Biblical teaching, by the way you live, by the way you support it, and by the way it works for you? Let’s consider these points to make sure that our religion is a Bible based religion.

The Standard of the Word of God

In light of the scriptures: would we be willing to compare our religion to the standard of the Word of God? Are we sure God would approve of it? The Bible says: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Or: “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Paul told Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Some individuals say: “I don’t see any difference that it makes as long as someone is sincere.” Jesus said: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). That is equivalent to saying one must be both sincere and right. 

The Way We Live

Can we recommend our religion by the way we live? This is a rather personal question, but it is also an appropriate question. Does our life and our religion compliment each other? Can people see Christ in us?  Christianity changes people. If our religion hasn’t brought about a genuine change in our life and behavior, perhaps we should consider changing our religion.

The religion of Christ makes one a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Romans 12:2, it states: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The word transform means to convert or change. A change must take place in the life of a Christian.

Our lives need to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). Of course, that means we are consistent in our teaching and our practice. Our use of anything is the finest recommendation we can give it. Some people are heard to say: “Oh, I curse a little”, or “I smoke a little”, or “I drink a little”, “but I wouldn’t recommend that you do it”. Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits....” (Matthew 7:16). The  apostle wrote: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ....” (Philippians 1:27). People are sometimes heard to say: “Religion and business just won't mix.” The apostle Paul said: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

The Way We Support It

Can we recommend our religion by the way we support it? When we discover something new that is really good, we are anxious to tell our friends about it. Paul said to the Corinthians: “I believed and therefore I spoke....” (2 Corinthians 4:13). How much time and effort do we devote to our religion? Christianity doesn't come in capsule form to be taken seasonal or every Sunday. We are to be “rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:18). We have been “....created in Christ Jesus for good works...” (Ephesians 2:10). We are to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The good Samaritan recommended his religion by the way he made it work for himself and others. Read Luke 10:25-37.

The Way It Works For Us

Finally, can we recommend our religion by the way it works for us? In the time of a crisis, does our religion provide an anchor for us? What if we were to lose our job or our money? What about when death reaches in to steal a loved one from us? We should know that the religion of Christ will anchor us during any crisis or catastrophe. Paul said: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Now thinking back over what has been written, consider this question for ourselves: “Can we really recommend our religion to others?” Is our religion truly a Bible based religion?