A new video has been ripping up a storm on social networks everywhere: Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word
Before I pen my own thoughts on this hugely popular viral video, I will point out that I'm certainly not the first to do so. A number of people have already expressed themselves clearly on the subject. You can read their thoughts by clicking here and here. I wish to add just a little to what has already been said. Firstly, as Christians we live our lives in the hope of winning as many people to Jesus as we can. This means we are to be discerning in how we live, it means we are to make sacrifices - we give up certain freedoms in life to gain the heart and mind of another. We put others first and we are by default sensitive of others. I do agree there comes a time in life when we need to be more assertive and firm, but that should be the exception rather than the rule. Before we go of on a tirade about something, we need to stop and think about who is watching and who is listening. There is very little evidence that Jeff Bethke has done that.
You see, what does the religious person think when he hears "Christian Jeff" stand up and say, "I hate religion"? What does he think when a seemingly "religious Christian" stands up and says that Christ came to abolish religion? Isn't Christianity a religion? And why would I give the time of day to someone who wants to come along and abolish what I hold dear?
Jesus did not attack religion, He attacked religious abuses carried out by people who claimed to be religiously pure in God's eyes. That's the difference. Unfortunately, Jeff Bethke is misleading and confusing. After all, in the eyes of the world, Christianity is a recognised world religion. So let us show the world, with the conduct of our lives and our message, that it is the only true and pure religion that is to be accepted and embraced by this world.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.(James 1:27)
I am a Christian and I am also religious. By God's grace I am living a religious life of purity and truth before the eyes of my Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria.
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