Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 3
Tuesday


NOT INTERESTED
IN RELIGION

READ:
John 5:18,37-47
______________________________________________________________________________________
How often I wanted to
gather your children
together, as a hen
gathers her chicks
under her wings, but
you were not willing!
___Matthew 23:37
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A radio ad for a church caught my attention: "Because You've heard about Christianity, you might not be interested in religion. Well, it might surprise you__Jesus wasn't interested in religion either. But He was big on relationship and teaching us to love one another." It continued, "You may not like everything about our church, but we offer authentic relationship, and we're learning to love God and each other. You're welcome to visit."

This church may have overstated things about Jesus and religion because scripture does speak of "true religion" in James 1:27 as helpful deeds toward others. But Jesus did have difficulties with religious people of His day. He said the Pharisees, guided by tradition and rules not by love for the Lord, "outwardly appear righteous to me, but inside [they] are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matt. 23:28). They didn't have that love of God in their hearts (John 5:42). Jesus wanted relationship with them, but they were "not willing to come to [Him}" (v.40).

If being "religious" means following a set of rules so we can look good__instead of enjoying a relationship with the Savior__Jesus isn't interested. He offers forgiveness and love to all who want an intimate relationship with Him.
__Anne Cetas

``````````````````````True religion is to know`````````````````````
```````````````````The love that Christ imparts;````````````````````
``````````````````````true religion is to show``````````````````````
``````````````This love to burdened hearts. __D. DeHaan````````````
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There is a longing in every heart
that only Jesus can satisfy.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ John 5:18,37-47*******************

18 Therefore the Jews
sought all the more to kill
Him, because He not only
broke the Sabbath, but also
said that God was His
father, making Himself
equal with God....
[Jesus said to them,]

37 "And the Father Himself,
who sent Me, has testified
of Me. You have neither
heard His voice at any
time, nor seen His form.

38 But you do not have His
word abiding in you,
because whom He sent,
Him you do not believe.

39 You search the Scriptures,
for in them you think you
have eternal life; and these
are they which testify of
Me. 40 But you are not
willing to come to Me that
you may have life.

41 "I do not receive honor
from men. 42 But I know
you, that you do not have
the love of God in you. 43 I
have come in My Father's
name, and you do not
receive Me; if another
comes in his own name, him
you will receive. 44 How can
you believe, who receive
honor from one another, and
do not seek the honor that
comes from the only God?

455 "Do not think that I shall
accuse you to the Father;
there is one who accuses
you__Moses, in whom you
trust. 46 For if you believed
Moses, you would believe
Me; for he wrote about Me.

47 But if you do not believe
his writings, how will you
believe My words?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In John 5, Jesus once again engaged in debate with the religious
leaders of Israel. Here, He called three trustworthy witnesses to His
defense__the Father (v.37), Scripture (v.39), and Moses (vv.45-47).
Instead of discrediting Him, these witnesses verified His claims of
Sonship and called into question those who rejected Him.