“God requireth not a uniformity of religion” ~ Roger Williams

Roger Williams was famous for creating the plantations which later became the Colony of Rhode Island and eventually the State of Rhode Island. He gave the above quote knowing that the Christian faith was not about Religion. Roger Williams is famous for detesting some of the ethical dilemmas of the Puritans and he knew that the best thing to do was move away from Puritans and was eventually described as a Baptist.

Scripture does not call the Christian to uniformity of religion. As a matter of fact, religion is detestable. It, particularly as we see and live it, enslaves, while a pure faith resides under the cloak of grace. Religion has the world chasing a man-made, fabricated standard of holiness.

But as believers, we are no longer bound to law or sin, but live freely in the unmerited favor provided by the finished Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:14).

Scripture calls us to Unity in a number of things. Christ desires the Body of Christ to be unified in mind and judgement (1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:2). We are to be united in Spirit and maintain a strong bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). We need unity in faith by power of the Gospel, but religion?

We don’t need that. God doesn’t require that. He doesn’t want that. And I know that because, as the old song sings, the Bible tells me so.

“Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair” ~ G.K. Chesterton

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