What do you base your religion on?

What is your response to this question? Think long and hard on this important query. When this question is posed, you should answer honestly in your heart of hearts. What really drives your faith? What is the rule or set of rules that guide your daily life? As we ponder these things together, please maintain an open mind.

Traditions of men

When I think of tradition, I think of things like gathering around a fire on Christmas Eve, or eating chicken and dressing at my grandmother's home on Thanksgiving afternoon. These are events that hold a dear place in my heart. These are traditions that I will forever cherish. It is easy then, to understand why so many people take their traditions in religion and make them as binding as the word of God.

See, tradition is comfortable. Tradition is easy. Tradition is convenient. When you live by tradition, you do not have to think very much. However, when tradition takes precedence over Scripture, there is a deep problem. Jesus said, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:6-8).

Tradition, though, is not in and of itself bad. Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth and Thessalonica to "hold to" and "maintain" that he had passed on to them (cf. 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15). The issue comes in, though, when our traditions transgresses the flawless and perfect word of God. Tradition is not a good substitute for God's will. First, tradition did not originate with the Spirit (John 16:13). Second, we will not be judged by our traditions when we die (John 12:48). Third, tradition is not a firm foundation to build faith on (Romans 10:17; 1 Cor. 3:11). May we never "leave the commandments" in order to pursue that which is not from God.

False knowledge

Some have had said in their own ignorance, "I may not know much Bible, but I know a lot about my Jesus!" First of all, one must know the Scriptures in order to become "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15). Second, God has revealed who Jesus is through the written word. Third, we must know what the written word says about Jesus in order to live like Him.

If our knowledge is based somewhat upon what the word of God teaches, we have an unreliable and easily-tossed faith (Ephesians 4:13-15). Our foundation of knowledge must be built in the unshakable and indestructible word of the living God (Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21-22). There is no source outside of the perfect word truth that can inform us on how to make heaven our eternal destination.

A knowledge that is not based upon the Bible is not really any knowledge at all. Paul commanded Timothy to, "Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge' " (1 Timothy 6:20). God wants us to all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, in its purity and accurateness (1 Timothy 2:4). May we commit our lives to and base our faith on true knowledge.

Perfect word of truth

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to talk with representatives of a certain religious group. They are of the conviction that God's word is indeed perfect, but the Bible is not the only book that reveals that perfect word of God. How is consistent with what the Scriptures teach? You tell me!

Throughout the Scriptures, we read of its divine origins. David said, "The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken" (2 Samuel 23:2-3a). Jesus called the word of God "truth" (John 17:17). James called it the "perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25). Peter called it the word that "remains forever" (1 Peter 1:25). Paul called the Scripture that which makes us, "competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17).

The word of God is practical, preachable, sagacious, liveable, all-sufficient, and unaltered. It should ever be our source of faith and practice. Why would we seek to look anywhere else for guidance? Listen to Peter's great question that he posed to the great answer-Giver, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). His words ring true nearly two thousand years later! May God's word always be our words to live by!

Simply Christian - Community

One important feature of the first century Christians, is their sense of community. They cried together. They laughed together. They prayed and sang together. They ate together (cf. Acts 2:46). They probably kept each others' children and watched each others' homes when one was out of town. They were truly the model community. They were simply Christian in their relationship with each other.

Shaped by the cross

This closeness was made possible only through the shed blood of Jesus. Only because of Christ, Christians are brought near to the blood, made one, reconciled, and have access in one Spirit (cf. Ephesians 2:11-22). What a bond! At Christ's death, those who were once not a people have become a people.

Because the cross is the center of the church's life together, it makes forgiving others and looking over each others' faults more easy. Also, it helps us to encourage others to come out of sin. One song puts it this way, "Finding our forgiveness here, we in turn forgive all wrongs."

Sharing in all things

This quality was exemplified by the early disciples. Luke wrote that, "they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need" (Acts 2:45). Not only did they share in their physical possessions, but they shared spiritually. Paul told one congregation to,

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited" (Romans 12:12-16).

What a challenge! Contributing to the saints. Being flexible to the needs of others. Living in harmony. Burying our proud under a mound of humility in regards to one another. That is why the early Christians were so close. They had lots of common experiences. They did not need a bulletin to alert each other of sickness in the church. They knew each other!

Showing honor and hospitality

Paul also said this: "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10). That takes an attitude of humility and service. But isn't that the example that the Savior left for us? He seemed more comfortable with a towel and basin than with a scepter and crown. He told His apostles, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:25-26). He knew how much of a major role service and showing honor would play in His kingdom of saved people.

Another unique feature of the New Testament church was their hospitality. The Book of Acts is saturated with references to Christians meeting in each others' homes for meals, worship, encouragement, and learning. The home was the center of church life for the first two centuries of the Christian era. Church buildings were not constructed until the "conversion" of Constantine to "Christianity". This is when the church started being identified with a building rather than the people. They knew nothing of the spectator-like auditoriums that we meet in today.

The challenge set before us

They were in each others' homes and involved in each others' lives. They knew that they had better get used to one another because they would be spending eternity together. They recognized their common love for each other, their common gift to the Savior, and their common bond that held them to the Lord. They also had a common strength when they were weary, common hope for the future, and a common joy in the truth of God's word.

May we copy their sense of community and togetherness!

Simply Christian - At the Cross

The cross of Jesus Christ stands at the epicenter of authentic Christianity. Some wear some form of it around their necks, while others have it displayed in their church buildings. However you the cross, it has had a profound affect on humanity from the time the Savior hang there nearly two thousand years ago.

Shaped by His cross

In the first century, Christians knew the significance of Christ's cross and His death on it. They knew that because of the cross they had been reconciled to God and brought to one another (Ephesians 2:14-16). Through Jesus' ransom on that cruel tree, forgiveness and purpose are found and shared in His body of saved people. Christians today are reminded of the Savior's terrible death every first week day when we assemble at the foot of the cross, around the Lord's table. The Christians in the first century kept that Memorial also (cf. Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 20:7).

The cross shapes every aspect of Christian life. Our relationships, work ethics, attitudes, and sense of gratitude should always be fashioned by what Jesus did for us on Calvary. This was true of the early saints. They preached the cross faithfully. They remembered the cross weekly. They lived the cross daily.

The cross is humbling

At no other point in time should we be ashamed. As we stand at the foot of the cross, we recognize why Jesus was there: Because of me. My sin. My lies. My jealousy. My pride. My envy. My bad attitude. All of those things (and many more), put Jesus on the cross. Our imperfections, flaws, and short-comings are all realized at the cross.

In the pure religion of Christ, there is absolutely no place for pride or boasting. Without Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, there would be no forgiveness or redemption. There would be no eternal life. There would be no hope. Paul said this concerning the cross, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14). There is no place of baosting at the foot of the cross

What the cross means

• Reconciliation. Through the cross of Christ, as we mentioned before, we are reconciled to God and brought together as the church. Broken relationships are mended at the cross of Jesus.


• Love. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's affection for us. Paul told the Christians at Rome, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). At the cross we encounter God's love. And, we reflect His love to others.


• Relief. For the burdened, guilty, and sin-stained soul, the cross is a breath of fresh air. It is the place where the yoke of sin is lifted and one is made free to be a servant of righteousness (cf. Romans 6:14-18). On the cross, Jesus figuratively had His arms stretched out saying, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).

The cross is so important in putting true Christianity in perspective. It reminds disciples where we have been, and where we are going. It reminds of a Savior's victory over sin. It tells of His wondrous grace and mercy. When we forget about the cross, we forget about what our religion is all about.

May we always be people who are appreciative of the cross!