Called Unto Liberty

Galatians 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Religion is a belief system. It is what someone believes to be true concerning their faith. A religion that puts its faith in keeping rules, even good rules to have eternal life is falling short of God’s will. Many religions organizations, including mine, have a standard or behavior code that they feel are important to keep. Any religion that makes these rules or standards the cornerstone of their faith is falling short of God’s plan of salvation. Paul was concern that false teaching was being planted. Some were requiring that the ceremonial law of Moses was necessary to have full salvation. Christ is the liberator of the law, and has set us free to live without being bond by rules. This liberty does not give us license to fulfill the lust of the flesh, for we have been set free from sin, and made free to love God with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourselves.

Religion From God

Luke 10:33,37b “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. And when he saw him he had compassion on him...Then said Jesus unto him, “Go and do thou likewise.””-

Being religious is more that going to church and following rituals and rules. Those things are important to our faith as we worship and honor God. They show that we respect and reverence the ordinance that God has given us. But religion goes beyond the observance of the law. Religion that is from God will be filled with compassion having a servants heart. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, through us, Christ is able to touch and heal broken people. As we journey through life, God puts people in our lives that He wants us to help. We must be sensitive to the Spirit and listen to His voice as He reveals to us the needs that are all around us. We are not able to help everyone that is in need, but Jesus desires that we take time to show love and compassion to those He puts in our path. The high priest was too consume about his reputation and religious obligations that he completely over looked  God’s will to show compassion. Our faith is best seen when we love our neighbors as ourselves. If we love God, we will keep His commandments, but His commandments never negate us from showing compassion to a world that is hurting and need to see God in action through those that serve Him.