"I don't have a religion, I have a relationship with Jesus"
"I don't like religion, but I like Jesus"
"I am not religious, but I love Jesus."
I have heard these words come out of my many Christians' mouth. I have often defended my faith and said "I am not religious! I have a relationship with God."
Did Jesus hate religion?
Well. No, not really.
Jesus went to the synagogue and practice Jewish law (Luke 3:16).
Jesus obeyed the law (Matthew 5:17-20). He was not against God's law.
Jesus celebrated Passover (Matthew 26:17-29).
Jesus quoted the Old Testament commandments, for example he quoted Deuteronomy (Luke 4:1-13)
Jesus did not abolish the law. In fact, he fulfilled it.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
-Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus came not to destroy religion. He came to testify the truth and challenged false religion.
Just because the word "religion" has been tainted by many controversies throughout history. It doesn't mean "religion" is an unbiblical word. It doesn't mean that Jesus hated religion. It doesn't mean we, as his followers should hate religion.
The word religion has been confidently used by many faithful Saints throughout Christian history.
The Greek word for religion is θρησκεία (thrēskeia) which simply means, religious worship, religious system or piety,
Psalm 119 provides us a healthy picture of religious worship or piety. The psalmists had
such a close relationship with God that they longed for His law. They craved his rules. Why? Because it gave them life. It restored their souls. It made their hearts rejoice.
James, the brother of Jesus did not find the word impure or awkward. Consider what he said:
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.
-James 1:27
Yes. The word "religion" has a significant amount of negative connotations. Many people don't like using, hearing and discussing it. People prefer not to talk about it. And many Christians don't like using it.
However, words have meaning. The word in itself is not wrong. The problem is when people twist the word into their own version that makes it "man-made religion."
Did Jesus hate religion? NO.
Did he hate false religion that took away and added God's will revealed in his word? YES!
On the one hand, as a follower of Jesus, I must not reject religion. In fact, I must practice "true religion" as James tells us.
On the other hand, I hate false religion. Jesus hated false religion and confronted the scribes and pharisees for leading people away from God. (Matthew 1:-37)
So, before we say "amen" to Christians who say "I love Jesus but hate religion". Let's pause and ask ourselves..."is this right?"
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