Bad Religion

The other day one of the employees where I work had a new sticker on her vehicle promoting the band, “Bad Religion.” Another employee who is a Christian asked me what I thought of the sticker. I told him I’ve never actually listened to the band so I had no real opinion. He said, “No, I mean, do you think she should have a sticker that says that about religion on her truck for everyone to see?”

My answer really surprised him…

Anyway, here’s a perfect example (one of many) from God’s Word that reveals why “religion” is not at all what its cracked up to be.

Take a look at Mark 3:1-3 “Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand,“Stand up in front of everyone.”

Really?

Looking at this scripture we can clearly see that the Pharisees were confident that Jesus could heal the mans hand (obviously, they had seen him heal others). They had no doubt regarding that; the only thing they were concerned about was whether He would perform this miracle on the Sabbath.

To them the miracle was less important than their religious laws.

According to Jewish law the Sabbath was the consecration of one day of the weekly period to God as the author of the universe and of all time. The day being the Lord's, it required that man should abstain from working for his own ends and interests, since by working he would appropriate the day to himself, and that he should devote his activity to God by special acts of positive worship.

Jesus saw them for what they really were...Mark 3:4-6 “Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man,“Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”

This is “bad religion.” It requires all those caught up in it to perform a particular way, follow a set of rules, to become and to remain forgiven by God.

If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, If you have confessed Him as Lord and Savior, then you are forgiven, made righteous, and complete in Him.

Religions rules can't do that. Only Jesus can!!!

PRAISE GOD! YOU ARE FORGIVEN – NOW, GO LIVE YOUR LIFE!!