(~) There's More To Your Religion

By Don Truitt of York Nebraska.

There's More to Your Religion

Immediately after World War II, the Allied armies gathered up many hungry, homeless children and placed them in large camps. There they abundantly fed and took care of the children. However, at night they did not sleep well. They seemed restless and afraid.

Finally, a psychologist hit upon a solution. When they put the children to bed, they each received a slice of bread to hold. If they wanted more to eat, more was provided. This special slice was not to be eaten -- it was just to hold.

The slice of bread produced marvelous results. The children went to sleep, subconsciously feeling that they would have something to eat tomorrow. That assurance gave the children a calm and peaceful rest.

Today many people are like these children. They have plenty to eat and all their physical necessities and luxuries are satisfied. The reality is they still do not sleep well because of the uncertainties of tomorrow.

Is there anything that can rescue us from the emptiness of life?

They write books on "Positive Thinking," "Help Yourself," "Psychology Today," "Yoga," "Winning Through Intimidation," "Zen Practice," "Scientology," etc. Do these really make a difference?

We seriously pursue new forms of spiritual renewal, from the latest in physical or mind conditioning programs to group therapy. We search for something that will give meaning to our days and peace to us in our nights. As we search, I wonder if we have any idea of what it is we are looking for, and how would we know it if we found it? People have tried many things on the principle of "if it feels right, do it," only at some point to discover the feelings have faded.

They then renew the search for meaning and purpose.

Your situation may be similar to mine. It is not so much the important items in life that trouble me. Items like when will World War III begin, or what is the legal definition of life and death. Rather it's the common, everyday circumstances in which I find myself. Circumstances like not having enough hours in the day to do all I need to do, or trying to control my anger with my children. I wonder if the utility company is going to call about my bill, and I wonder what my excuse will be this time.

These things, and many others like them, are what I have least control of in my life.

Wouldn't it be helpful to know someone who had discovered the secret to real meaning and purpose in life? I have read of a person by the name of Paul. He said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want." Whether you believe Paul or not, isn't this what we are looking for? I mean, if we can be content whatever the circumstances, we've won. If we have risen above our circumstances, they no longer control us.

You are saying, "Yeah, but that'll only work on paper."

What was Paul's power source for making such a bold statement? He said, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." He was speaking of Jesus.

You are probably saying, "That's fine for Paul, but religion didn't work for me."

Before you say religion didn't work for me, would it hurt anything for you to consider there might be more to religion than you think?

I would guess you are thinking, "MORE?? How much more."

If you're into religion already, maybe we can generate some thoughts to help in your pursuit as well. I find that "churched" people have about as much trouble with religion as "non-churched" people do.

I know the feeling, "I've had trouble with religion."

Let's go back to Paul's statement. He found the secret of contentment in his day. It was through Jesus. Why is it difficult & different today? There is so much Christianity around us, yet fewer and fewer people are going to church? The national pollster George Gallup found in a religious poll done a couple of years ago that about 94% of the people in the United States say they believe in God. Millions still believe in the Resurrection. Many believe Jesus was the Son of God. More believe in life after death -- and many still pray. Why is it church attendance and membership is in a nose dive?

You may be thinking, "What are you getting at?"

A friend of mine made this observation about religion. "The `big business' image that more and more characterizes the church doesn't help; it only deepens skepticism. Millions of dollars are poured into elaborate buildings and other pet projects with attention given to the `big' problems that face the world. Preachers have become administrative executives who keep the denomination financially on course. The `bottom line' and 'outcome' is attendance, budget, and real estate -- churches live as if the kingdom comes by observation." I believe that much of modern religion has missed the point.

You could be thinking, "Boy, I'm glad somebody FINALLY said that!!

While solving the problems of the world, they have not met the needs of the person in the pew.

Many are thinking at this point, "Hey, now this I can understand!"

John Powell summed it up well in speaking of religion when he said, "Its doctrines have nagged at man like a meticulous maiden aunt rather than rescuing him from his despair and distress."

Maybe it's time we went to the source and considered some of Jesus' ideas on religion. Maybe he can give us some insight into how religion can be a force in our lives rather than a form.

Of all the books in the Bible, Matthew gives the largest amount of information concerning Jesus' attitude and thinking about religion. When the book of Matthew was written, religion had become so far removed from what it was intended to be that it took the Son of God to bring a meaning and life back to religion.

Religion during the days of Jesus had become laden with tradition and ritual.

You would probably agree, "Things seemed to have not changed a bit!"

The ironic part about it was that much of the traditions revolved around the irrelevant matters of life like eating of certain foods, limitations of activities on certain days and religious ceremonies.

You may be asking, "How long ago was this?!"

Jesus helped people to refocus on what was important and relevant in religion and to give meaning and purpose to their lives. He helped them to see the potentials of their lives rather than trying to control them.

Jesus stood firmly opposed to the religion of his day because of what it had become. He introduced a new definition describing the religious leaders of his time. He described them as hypocrites.

He accused them of pretending to be religious. By wearing the mask of religion, they used this cover-up to manipulate and exploit the people virtually for all they were worth. He spared nothing to expose this first century Watergate. Let's look at some statements Jesus made about these religious hypocrites:

You may feel, "This is all starting to sound very current."

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by men." (Matthew 6)

"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men." (Matthew 6)

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices -- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You ought to have practiced the latter without neglecting the former." (Matthew 23:23)

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (Matthew 23:25)

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27, 28).

You might ask, "So what's the point? It sounds like preachers fighting. That's nothing different. It still goes on. That's one reason I'm so turned off by it all!"

I think the point is this: Jesus knew what was at stake then. He was not only fighting religion, but he was also fighting for the victims under religion's control. Because there are people today victimized by religion, he can help in the struggle against religious exploitation. He can fight for the control of your mind and life today as much as then, not to manipulate you for his own selfish purposes, but rather for your best interest. He simply asks us to follow him. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28. The confidence and hope he gives is summed up in his statement, "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I hope you are feeling, "He sounds like somebody I could really like!"

His purpose was not to make people better or more respectable. His purpose was to make people new in their lives, their thinking and their behavior.

At this point, you are probably thinking, "I've read this far, but why should I trust you? Aren't you part of all this religion."

You are right. I represent a religious group. The Oak Tree Church is not asking you to trust them. I am asking you to examine my ideas and then investigate Oak Tree. One person, I believe, correctly said, "The unexamined faith is not worth living."

People need to be aware that it is in their control to know what religion ought to be. There are many kinds of religion that claim to represent Jesus. It's logical to identify with those who strive as much as they can to present him and his thinking accurately.

Please don't think at this point that I'm saying, "We are the only accurate ones?"

I am suggesting that the Christian religion is more than buildings and real estate, even though these items might be a part of it. The real test of a Christian church on the other hand is how well they represent Jesus and what their motives are for doing so. To learn of Jesus you must go to the Bible where there is accurate information about Him.

You may be asking, "How can I know the Bible and find out these things when some people go to college and spend years studying all this?"

I'm not trying to fool you and say that it is a simple task. It does take commitment and it does take time. You can come to a point where you know what qualities and characteristics Christianity should have without knowing many of the mechanics behind it. We do it often in many other areas of our lives. For instance, if I were going to decide what car to buy, would I only listen and believe what the salesperson said about it? Not skeptical me! I would gather information from sources that were unbiased and knowledgeable on the subject. I may not understand all the engineering technology that went into it. However, I would still have a good idea of how it works and what its reasonable expectations should be. Equipped with a working knowledge of what I'm looking for, I could agree or disagree with the salesperson on the claims that they made about the car. None of us want to be swindled, and we go to great lengths to protect ourselves. Isn't our spiritual welfare more important than a car?

As you step into the religious marketplace many of us will attempt to woo you into our "stores." Begin now to equip yourself by getting a good working knowledge of what religion should be. Jesus is the only reliable trustworthy source. This may appear like an awesome task, but I want to share with you five steps on which will help you get a good foundation to build.

Step #1 Decide to let God be your teacher through the Bible. This is important because many people want to teach you their way. Before you listen to their way, listen to God's way first. You can let God be your teacher by reading the Bible, the blueprint for the Christian faith.

Step #2 Read a translation of the Bible you can understand. There are many New International Version, the Revised Standard Version, or many others. Here are a couple of tips to remember in selecting a good readable version:

1. When selecting a Bible from many different translations it will be helpful to read the preface. It is here that you will find who translated it and some translator's reasons for doing so.

2. They have translated all English translations from the Greek language to the English, usually by very learned men. Yet none of the English translations are from God. The message is from God, but not the translation. So feel good about changing to a translation that is easily read and understood.

Step #3 Begin reading in the New Testament. It is the New Testament that will tell of the life of Jesus and his followers, the first Christians. There are two parts to the Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The table of contents will point out very clearly where each begins. The Old Testament tells of the events in the history of men and the Jewish nation up to the fourth century B.C. The New Testament opens with Jesus and ends with Jesus.

Step #4 Read the Gospels first. The gospels are the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the gospels you will read of Jesus in action. You will see him talk, help, love, and admonish people. Through the Gospels you can sit at his feet and learn firsthand great principals for living more effectively. Above all else, you can come to know him. Each writer in his own style and purpose tells of Jesus' life. These four books together have the length of an average paperback novel.

Step #5 Next read the Book of Acts. After Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, the Christian religion is established. The Book of Acts tells of the establishment of the church, how it functioned, and how it grew and how it struggled.

Are you thinking, "You mean that is it? That's all???"

Yes, I believe if you begin by following these five simple steps you will have a good idea of what you ought to be looking for in Christianity today. Let me share with you what I've concluded after applying these five steps:

"Religion is not really Christianity if it is left a little 'churchy' thing where I do a few rituals. It has to be something that permeates my days, or Jesus has not really worked his power. The power of Christianity is not in going through the little rituals and observances that are religious. Power comes when Christ makes a difference in my days on the streets of my community."

You know, some people can live in churches for years and never discover any greater reason to live than a career, a few more possessions or a little more fame. I believe there is more to religion than this.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT!

I hope you are saying, "Yeah, I suppose you're right about that. Say, can we talk about this some more?"