|
Printer
Friendly Version - opens in separate window
It is an almost time-honoured tradition amongst
Evangelical believers to put a negative spin on the word 'religion'.
We often hear preachers and evangelists explaining that 'religion' is
man's effort to climb a ladder of good works to get to God - an impossible
task - while Christianity is God's coming down to meet man where he
is and to save him. This is a simple yet effective way to highlight
the plight of fallen man, his inability to take a single step towards
God, the futility of man's 'religion', and God's incredible grace in
moving towards man.
The problem is that a simple and helpful illustration can become a simplistic
and inhibiting obstacle causing us to eschew certain other helpful practices,
even to disobey God in an attempt to avoid 'religion' in the form of
'man's efforts'. How often have I heard Christians speak disparagingly
of liturgical traditions, dismissing them as 'vain repetition'? Surely,
though, it is the heart condition of the participant that determines
whether such practice is vain. How often have I come across Christians
who avoid the regular and formal public reading of Scripture because
it is 'religious' therefore somewhat meaningless? Yet God himself commands
that Scripture be read in public (1 Timothy 4:13;Jeremiah 36:6).
Without wishing to detract from a helpful and long-standing illustration,
I want to say something positive about 'religion' in its original meaning.
The word comes from the Latin religio, meaning those duties,
obligations and attitudes owed by mankind to deity. Those people who
assiduously attend to these religious duties are deemed pius,
while those who adopt an unhealthy and excessively irrational fear of
supernatural things are deemed superstitious.
Religion, then, is a healthy devotion to God, a way of worship and moral
conduct. The only question remaining is whether we are practising as
saved people devoted to the God who has saved or as unsaved people relying
upon our own futile efforts to reach God. Our original definition remains
as a helpful illustration, even biblical given God's clear distinction
in the Old Testament between the 'religions' surrounding Israel and
'the faith of Israel'. However, I want to see what we can get out of
religion that is positive and helpful.
When God was instructing Moses and Israel's children in the desert he
said:
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget
the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long
as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after
them.
In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations,
decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?" tell him: "We
were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and
wonders - great and terrible - upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole
household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give
us the land that he had promised on oath to our forefathers. The LORD
commanded us to obey these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so
that we may always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God,
as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness." (Deut.4:9;6:20-25)
In other words, attend to certain observances 'religiously' in order
to teach your children and remind yourselves of the great things that
God has done and of your obligations to him. That is what the great
feasts and festivals of the old Testament are about. Passover to remember
Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Tabernacles to commemorate the journey
from Egypt to Canaan. Firstfruits to recognise the Lord's bounty in
the land into which he had brought them.
Remember today that your children were
not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your
God; his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he
performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt… (Deut.11:2-3)
Teach them to your children and to their
children after them.
What application does all this have for us today? At this time of year
we will attend carol services, nativity plays, candlelight vigils, all
prepared to tell us "the story of Christmas". We will bemoan the rank
commercialism and be reminded of "the true meaning of Christmas" and
I think we can get jaded about it all, regarding even the better parts
of it as clichéd. But, just as Israel remembered what the Lord had done
in delivering them from Egypt, bringing them through the desert, and
into the promised land, so we Christians need to observe 'religiously'
those festivals in which we tell our story of divine deliverance, leading,
and anticipated destination.
At Christmas we remember and tell that, "In
the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant
of David. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly
favoured! The Lord is with you."
We recall the humility of Mary, "I am
the Lord's servant," Mary answered, "May it be to me as you have said."
We remember Mary's song, "My soul glorifies
the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…"
We relate the story of the census that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem,
the birth, the shepherds and angels. We tell with wonder the story of
Simeon, faithful and patiently waiting to see God's salvation:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation
to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
And we see ourselves there amongst those Gentiles on whom that light
has shone and give thanks again for the Incarnation, the life, the Cross,
the Resurrection and the sure hope to which this special season points.
As the old hymn has it, "This is my story,
this is my song."
We do this every year, religiously, and why should we stop remembering,
and why should we risk our children's falling into ignorance and error
for want of the telling again of this wonderful story? As we enter this
season of celebration may we recall the words the angels gave the shepherds:
"I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has
been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord…"
May we know and cherish this great truth. No matter how often the telling
it is a wonderful story and it is our story. Praise Him!
Back to Readings
Menu
|
