"Religion"

The word "religion" comes from two Latin words. The first word is "re" meaning "back" and the second word is "lego" meaning "to bind." It means "to bind back." The religion of God is that which binds us back to God. You have heard the saying: "Christian's are not perfect, just forgiven." That is a true statement, however there is much more than just being forgiven. God did not have Jesus put on the cross to merely forgive us our sins! He forgave us our sins in order that we might be bound back together with Him. The death of Jesus was to bring us back into a relationship with the Almighty!

But it doesn't end there. Not only have we been forgiven to bind us back to God but that forgiveness is to influence us to live like Jesus and follow in His steps because we have been bound back. Peter is explicit about this in I Pet. 2:21-25. The apostle John writes, "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:18) What does all this mean? Our religion is to make a difference on how we live! Being bound back to God through the death of Jesus should mold us into being like Jesus (Rom. 8:29).

Our "religion" should make a difference how we live:

(1) In our homes. If one really wants to know about someone, just look at the home. Christ's influence on our lives is seen in its greatest there.

(2) In our work. Our attitudes, dispositions are seen in the eyes of those we work around. They will make judgments about your "religion" based on your walk.

(3) In your play. Our society has a win at all cost philosophy. We need to be a shining light that displays our "religion" when people observe our lives openly.

Yes, our "religion" should truly make a difference in how we live. Who we are reflects to who we have been bound to.