Hosanna

by James Bell

Religion is not really a bad word. Some consider that word to mean dead, dull, dry, boring church services and dead, dull, dry, boring people. That’s not really fair, especially if we are talking about authentic Christianity, but we have to admit there is a reason people feel that way.

I have to plead guilty to being bored silly at preachers conferences, irritated while standing in a prayer circle of sweaty palms and repetitious phrases, and listening to endless debates about complicated (and ridiculous) religious philosophical viewpoints. If it were not for chicken-fried steaks and Dr. Pepper, I would probably not have survived some of those long-winded discussions.

“Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.” – The Apostle James (in the Message Bible)

We need religion we can use! Atheists say religion is a crutch. I say it is a vehicle. It gets us to where we need to be. Religion is doing the gospel. It is bringing together the needs of mankind and the purposes of God. It is a hybrid of faith and reality.

Now, if you choose to not believe in the power of prayer, or divine healing, or God’s intervention into the lives of men and women, then the religion you are embracing might well be a corpse. Being a Christian without acknowledging the power of the Holy Spirit is like a religious “Weekend at Bernie’s”.

Recently, we have heard from four different people in our church about going to the doctor to continue treatment on the diagnosed cancers in their bodies, only to be told that those cancers simply were not there anymore! That’s religion you can use.

People who were considering divorce are experiencing a new love for their spouse. They are rebuilding their marriages on the foundation of the word of God. They are learning that it is not “always right to be right”. Godly humility is saving relationships and families. Usable religion.

A widow finds her lawn mowed. A man is laid off of work, but food arrives to feed the kids. The deaf who need translation are put on the front row, not the back row.  A single mother gets back-to-school help. This is religion you can use.

I know some people have given religion such a bad name that we often feel we must put another word in front of it. Authentic religion, true religion, pure religion, etc. I would like to pick that word up from the gutter, dust it off, clean it up, and use it. Its use should result in lighter wallets, sore muscles, weightier prayers, and open hearts.

There may be some things you don’t like about the church. You might find some scripture that have to struggle to obey. You may not even like the pastor very much. That’s okay.

Just make sure your religion is religion you can use. You’re gonna need it. I do too.

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