“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

James 1:26-27 (NIV)

James is an awesome book. Full of answers and wisdom. 

What does religion mean? The definition of religion (straight from dictionary.com) is: the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. 

People. A body of people. What is a church? A community of people. Religion is based off of what people over the years have come to believe and preach to other people. One belief passed down over the years snowballs and turns to many beliefs that go a long with it. 

Not every answer to every question we will ever have is in the bible. We will someday face God himself and be able to ask Him all the questions our hearts desire, but until then we will have to decide what we believe for ourselves. So, if an answer to a certain question is not in the bible, someone researches and researches until they make inferences and come to a conclusion. That person shares his conclusion with his church, friends, etc., and soon his belief is spread. Others may agree or disagree, and those who disagree will research some more and make other inferences and conclusions until they come up with their own explanation. 

This is what happened with the early church. Jesus told Peter “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18 (KJV). Simon Peter was the first Pope of the Catholic church. From then on, religion was no longer in the hands of God, it was in the hands of man. 

How do we know what religion God wants us to be? It’s impossible to know at this point, but we know how to get to heaven.

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10 (NIV). 

“But the one who stands firm in the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13 (NIV).

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Luke 9:24

It is a personal preference as to what religion you become.

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16

This is a reassuring face that all who believe, are baptized, and profess the gospel will get to heaven. By God’s mercy, grace, and love. “It is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:15

“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

-Matthew 7:14