Religion Doesn't Only Occur in the Church Building
Jul 15, 2008
When we think of Christianity, the Church, or even just religion in general, the things most likely to pop into our heads are probably the typical "in church" activities that we do. We may think of the things we do when we go to a meeting place for that specific purpose. The Bible does instruct us to do those things and so they are very important. However, it would be a mistake to think of religion as only the things we do within a church building. The Bible does not so narrowly define religion. In fact, James 1:27 says that "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." While our in-the-church-building activities are important, living a moral and compassionate life is just as important, if not more so.
The things that are done inside of church buildings are certainly important. Otherwise, God's word would not tell us to do them. If we read our bibles, we can see that it is important to assemble together with other Christians (Hebrews 10:24+25). It is important to take the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of Jesus (1st Corinthians 11:23-26). Contributing to a collection to accomplish the Lord's work is also important (1st Corinthians 16:1+2). And so is praying (1st Thessalonians 5:17+18) and singing (Ephesians 5:18+19, Colossians 3:16). These activities that we often do while assembled for that purpose are expected of Christians.
As important as those overtly religious activities are, there is much more to religion than them. Living a moral and compassionate life is, perhaps, even more essential to the life of a good Christian. Jesus taught that the second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). Other than the commandment to love God, there is none greater than this one. At the time Jesus taught this, a scribe stated that following these two commandments was "more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:33). At the time he made this statement, he was living under the Law of Moses, a law that required a great deal of burnt offerings and sacrifices. And Jesus confirmed that what the scribe had said was true (Mark 12:34).
Jesus clarified the idea of being good neighbors with a parable that has become extremely well known. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus described a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left half dead. The man, who was probably a Jew, was seen there by both a priest and a Levite. The priest and the Levite would have also been Jews, yet they chose not to help him. On the other hand, a Samaritan did help him, even though Jews would usually have nothing to do with Samaritans (John 4:9). The Samaritan proved to be the good neighbor, even though the man he helped was not his friend. At the end of the parable, Jesus said to "go and do likewise."
Being truly religious according to the Bible's instruction involves more than doing the activities most thought of as religious. It involves being responsible by doing things like working to support ourselves (2nd Thessalonians 3:10+11) and our families (1st Timothy 5:8). It also involves being generous by doing things like showing sympathy for others (Romans 12:15+16, 1st Corinthians 12:26), "giving preference" to others (Romans 12:10) and giving to those in need (Galatians 2:10). It even involves simple things like keeping a positive attitude (Philippians 4:4, 1st Thessalonians 5:16) and refraining from making complaints (1st Corinthians 10:10, Philippians 2:14).
Though the importance of activities that are obviously religious should not be forgotten, let's not forget the other side of religion either. The Bible shows us that being good neighbors in our everyday lives is no less important than attending church services or prayer.
The things that are done inside of church buildings are certainly important. Otherwise, God's word would not tell us to do them. If we read our bibles, we can see that it is important to assemble together with other Christians (Hebrews 10:24+25). It is important to take the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of Jesus (1st Corinthians 11:23-26). Contributing to a collection to accomplish the Lord's work is also important (1st Corinthians 16:1+2). And so is praying (1st Thessalonians 5:17+18) and singing (Ephesians 5:18+19, Colossians 3:16). These activities that we often do while assembled for that purpose are expected of Christians.
As important as those overtly religious activities are, there is much more to religion than them. Living a moral and compassionate life is, perhaps, even more essential to the life of a good Christian. Jesus taught that the second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). Other than the commandment to love God, there is none greater than this one. At the time Jesus taught this, a scribe stated that following these two commandments was "more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:33). At the time he made this statement, he was living under the Law of Moses, a law that required a great deal of burnt offerings and sacrifices. And Jesus confirmed that what the scribe had said was true (Mark 12:34).
Jesus clarified the idea of being good neighbors with a parable that has become extremely well known. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus described a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left half dead. The man, who was probably a Jew, was seen there by both a priest and a Levite. The priest and the Levite would have also been Jews, yet they chose not to help him. On the other hand, a Samaritan did help him, even though Jews would usually have nothing to do with Samaritans (John 4:9). The Samaritan proved to be the good neighbor, even though the man he helped was not his friend. At the end of the parable, Jesus said to "go and do likewise."
Being truly religious according to the Bible's instruction involves more than doing the activities most thought of as religious. It involves being responsible by doing things like working to support ourselves (2nd Thessalonians 3:10+11) and our families (1st Timothy 5:8). It also involves being generous by doing things like showing sympathy for others (Romans 12:15+16, 1st Corinthians 12:26), "giving preference" to others (Romans 12:10) and giving to those in need (Galatians 2:10). It even involves simple things like keeping a positive attitude (Philippians 4:4, 1st Thessalonians 5:16) and refraining from making complaints (1st Corinthians 10:10, Philippians 2:14).
Though the importance of activities that are obviously religious should not be forgotten, let's not forget the other side of religion either. The Bible shows us that being good neighbors in our everyday lives is no less important than attending church services or prayer.