As a Christian, I'm often asked if I am religious. It's quite difficult to answer that question. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but I like to be considered "religious."
Being religious simply means that by "doing" things that you ought to, will somehow get you closer to God. It's not about what you can do to please God, it's about knowing Him, having the desire to want a relationship with Him. I want to desire to be "sold out" in establishing a loving relationship with my Savior, not continually do things that, in my opinion, will make Him happy.
This is where humanism comes into play. I'd like to offer you a quick definition:
"... a group of philosophies and ethical perspectives which emphasize the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers individual thought and evidence."
The Apostle Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8, to beware of men who draw you in with their philosophical ramblings. He tells us to watch for people who put an emphasis on human tradition and Basic Principles of the world, rather than on Christ. Human traditions often become "religion." In many places, these traditions become more binding and more all-known than the scriptures themselves! What are some traditions that have become a "religion" to you?
Here are some examples:
Being religious simply means that by "doing" things that you ought to, will somehow get you closer to God. It's not about what you can do to please God, it's about knowing Him, having the desire to want a relationship with Him. I want to desire to be "sold out" in establishing a loving relationship with my Savior, not continually do things that, in my opinion, will make Him happy.
This is where humanism comes into play. I'd like to offer you a quick definition:
"... a group of philosophies and ethical perspectives which emphasize the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers individual thought and evidence."
The Apostle Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8, to beware of men who draw you in with their philosophical ramblings. He tells us to watch for people who put an emphasis on human tradition and Basic Principles of the world, rather than on Christ. Human traditions often become "religion." In many places, these traditions become more binding and more all-known than the scriptures themselves! What are some traditions that have become a "religion" to you?
Here are some examples:
Astrology
Sun & Moon Worship
Crystals
Symbols
Good Luck Charms or practices
Horoscopes
Base your faith in Jesus Christ within Whom lives all the fullness and deity in one person. In Christ, you will have the fullness of God and won't need a good luck charm or a horoscope! Besides, Jesus is the head over every tradition and all the principles of this world, so why would you try anything else?
"See to it that no one takes you captive through tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." ~ Col. 2:8
