“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
American society has been changing for years, but transformed sharply post-Covid pandemic. A record number of churches permanently closed their doors in the years following 2020. But does that mean that people are moving away from their faith, or simply moving away from religion?
The Old Testament is filled with stories of the failure of men to adhere to organized religion. The structures, systems, and rules set forth were impossible for humans to live up to. Sin would trickle in time and again and knock us off the proverbial wagon.
God ushered in Jesus, our New Covenant, during a dark time in history. The prophets had been silent for years. Herod the Great ruled his territories, including Galilee and Judea, as police states. There was a huge divide between wealthy rulers and poorer peasants.
Ushering in a New Covenant was necessary though because humans continued to fail to grasp the concept of our faith and how our God desired us to live. The flesh and the spirit have been at war since the Garden.
Jesus was and is the Living Word. He spoke forth God’s intentions and love to all who would listen. Though never once condoning or accepting sin, Jesus put the legalistic religious leaders in their place for keeping the least and the lost away from salvation.
God created boundaries and commandments for the protection and benefit of humans. Just like we tell little ones not to touch hot stoves or to cross the road without looking both ways, the commands set forth by God in the Old Testament were to keep us safe.
It is often in the nature of man to experience versus listen. We hear what our parents, our leaders, our wise elders, and our Bibles say to us, but is their advice really true? Will I really burn my hand if I touch a hot stove? Will I really get hit by a car if I cross the road without looking?
If I eat fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, will I surely die?
Sin has consequences. God provides consequences to correct those whom He loves, so they will hopefully learn from their mistakes and not sin again. God disciplines us because He wants us to remain holy, because He wants us to remain safe, because He came “so we may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).
Humans struggle to follow rules. But anyone is capable of following Jesus.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
“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.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).
“I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (John 12:47).
Religion is impossible. Religion has driven the least and the lost away from Jesus for centuries. Religion reminds us we will never attain perfection this side of Heaven. Religion keeps us down where God desired for us to be lifted up. Religion keeps us in chains where God desired for us to live freely, boldly, and confidently.
We live in a world aching and groaning for purpose, for hope, and for Truth. Many do not know why they are here, why they were created, and therefore place their identity in worldly things. They do not need our opinions, for they already know they are sinners. They do not need our rules, for they recognize rules are impossible to follow.
They need our Jesus. The Jesus who saves, the Jesus who heals, the Jesus who transforms.
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” (Luke 4:18).
As believers, may we not grow dismayed when we hear of news or statistics that religion is on the decline. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared Peter, one of his disciples, the rock on which He will build His Church. Jesus stated the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The Church of Christ is not a building, but a people. The Church of Christ is not a religion, but a people passionate about their Savior, a people going forth into a fallen world to become the hands of feet of Jesus.
Religion may be dying, but our Savior is alive and well indeed.
