As a teacher, I find the Middle Ages to be both fascinating and disconcerting. A fixed pillar of the literary canon, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales vividly shows the reliance of humanity on the outward practices at the expense of the inward heart.
In my 21st-century, biblically literate mind, I wonder how people could become so dependent on having relics for their well-being. I gasp at the thought of praying for pardon for sins already paid for with Jesus’ blood. But then I reflect on my own humanity, my own fixed objects and practices of assurance.
Steadfast in the work that Christ completed, Paul admonishes us to become intimate with the same valiant power of Christ that triumphed over the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:12-15) and to become sure, not in our own efforts but in His transformational work (Colossians 2:9-10). If salvation doesn’t happen through human ability (Colossians 2:11), then it follows that our sanctification doesn’t come by our own efforts. We are changed through God working in us (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Our works of faith reveal the condition of our heart and position us for further spiritual growth, but they can’t make a filthy heart clean (Ephesians 2:8; James 2:17-26).
In a world so dependent on the visible, we need to take inventory of our own motivations. Spiritual disciplines, ministry involvement, and financial giving are all vital parts of a healthy spiritual walk. But at the point at which we believe that any of these things grant us security, we’ve missed the mark. Jesus called us to grow “with a growth which is from God” (Colossians 2:19 NASB). He doesn’t call us to spiritual busyness.
The difference between the two is the difference between intimacy with Jesus and a “defrauding,” “self-made religion” (Colossians 2:18,23 NASB).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 17:1-19
More:
Read Mark 7:1-15 to see the difference between outward behavior and the inward condition of the heart.
Next:
What is the difference between empty religious actions and true acts that come from intimate faith in God? Why is “self-made religion” so dangerous to our spiritual well-being?
lindagrace on August 20, 2011 at 3:55 am
Thank you Regina for todays devotion.only God can set us truly free,for by His Grace we are sustained in Jesus Christ.Pray that God will sanctify me through and through .
I think that being too religous makes us to miss on Gods blessings.it makes us forget that it is because of Jesus Christ that we are saved and we are able to stand firm.
regina franklin on August 28, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Dear lindagrace,
Praying that the Lord will pour His love over you as you seek His face (Ps 27:4, 8). I agree with you that “religion” can stay His hand of blessing because it makes us the center of the equation rather than Him. We forget that He LOVES us and values us, not for what we have to offer, but for what He longs to give. Thanks for sharing!
bearpair on August 24, 2011 at 11:43 am
Regina, you sure packed a lot of wisdom & Theology into a short space! Thanks so much for these great reminders that, were it not for God’s abounding grace, we would indeed be miserable beggars! BTW, Tom F. has our last issue of Cup of Cold Water, which is also on a similar topic.
Terry & Pat Lampel
regina franklin on August 28, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Dear bearpair (aka Terry and Pat!),
Thanks for the encouragement. Today as I was praying, I again thanked the Lord that I don’t stand in what I have to offer but in the covering Christ has become for me. May the Lord bless you as you sow His truth into those around you.
regina franklin on August 28, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Dear eduardo,
Well said in regards to making “our measurements” more important than His. The very word faith means to trust in something we cannot see or control. Our safety doesn’t come by what we do. It comes through what He has done and will continue to do in us.