To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DBMnbEqk8Xc
SHOW NOTES
Welcome back to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. This week Tim and Kimberly are answering the question, “Does Jesus Hate Religion?” To be honest, it’s not a simple yes or no answer. It’s more of a yes AND no. Did you know that religion was only used in a positive manner one time in scripture? James 1:26-27 says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 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.” Tim says, "True and pure religion is taking care of the most vulnerable in society." Kimberly follows by saying, “True religion is not about checking boxes for an audience or jumping through hoops for the religious elite. It's about a devoted relationship and walk with the Lord.”
To answer the question "Does Jesus hate religion?" TIm says in a sense, Jesus does hate religion. Tim explains that in scripture we find Jesus resorting to name calling when it comes to addressing religious people like the Pharisees. For example Jesus called the Pharisees and Scribes whited sepulchers, vipers, serpents, hypocrites, blind guides, and fools. Tim says, “When religion substitutes an approach to God through Christ, it distances a person from God.” Kimberly follows by saying, “The desire for man to add to the simplicity of the Gospel creates roadblocks and barriers that prevent people from discovering intimacy with Christ.” That is why Jesus hates religion, because it makes it difficult for people to build a relationship with Christ. With his last breath Jesus said the words, “It is finished.” The word in this verse, “finished,” is from the Greek word, “tetelestai,” which is the same word that means “paid in full.” Jesus paid the sacrifice in full on our behalf. No other payment is needed. He just asks that we accept His gift of forgiveness and life.
Bad religion is a roadblock that prevents us from a true relationship with God. Good religion is made up of systems by which you worship God. For example, it's not bad that churches have different methods of worship, or that some churches take communion once a month. Religious preferences aren't bad, they are just preferences. Religion is bad when it is a deterrent from approaching God or when it becomes a basis for judging other people.
Another question Tim and Kimberly touch on is, “What is spirituality?” Kimberly explains that people may call themselves spiritual but not have a relationship with Christ. We were created body, soul, and spirit so we are all spiritual beings. But some people choose to worship creation instead of the creator. Tim says, “Biblical spirituality is being in tune with the Holy Spirit of God. If you are in tune with the Holy Spirit, you're in tune with God the Father and God the son. The Holy Spirit will always lead you into truth.” John 16:13-14 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
To summarize, Religion should never be a substitute for systems that bring us closer to God. Does Jesus hate religion? Yes, He does when it stands as a barrier between us and Christ and truth. No, He doesn't when those religious vehicles draw us closer in relationship with Christ.
QUOTES
"True and pure religion is taking care of the most vulnerable in society." -Tim
“True religion is not about checking boxes for an audience or jumping through hoops for the religious elite. It's about a devoted relationship and walk with the Lord.” -Kimberly
“The desire for man to add to the simplicity of the Gospel creates roadblocks and barriers that prevent people from discovering intimacy with Christ.” -Kimberly
“Biblical spirituality is being in tune with the Holy Spirit of God. If you are in tune with the Holy Spirit, you're in tune with God the Father and God the son. The Holy Spirit will always lead you into truth.” -Tim
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
James 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 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.”
John 16:13-14 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
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