Religious Cover

She was legendary for being at church every time the doors were opened. He was known for his impressively generous charitable giving. You could always count on this couple to offer their hand to whatever ministry program was being advanced. He reads his Bible daily, she sets aside quiet time each morning, they could not be more religious or be asked to sacrifice more and yet, they may be holding back what God really desires from them. 

A surprise, no doubt to many, but God isn't very impressed with religious activity. Oh, we are, to be sure. Church attendance, Bible study, financial contributions, prayer time, mission involvement - these are faith markers to most, but not to God. These may be indications of faithfulness or they may be religious cover, masking the real self. The proof is not in the pudding but in the heart - that is where God is looking: "The Lord does not look at what people look at...the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam 17:7).

Hosea reveals precisely how God views our religious activity versus our inward activity: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). He desires our hearts and minds not religious cover hiding a selfish and self-serving spirit. There are many very religious but very evil people such as the KKK, Muslim extremists and those televangelists who get rich and powerful on the backs of poor but generous followers. 

So, I'm not against religion or religious expression but I have no use for religion that takes the place of relationship. Religion that covers a heart hardened toward others or only caring for itself is of no value: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." (1 Cor 13:3). 

Jus' Sayn.