By the Way: Cheap religion vs. true religion
By SPENCER BUSS on July 17, 2021.
Popular philosophy, especially after what seems like one discovery after another of unmarked graves of hundreds of Indigenous children, is that all religious belief systems are not helpful. I’d like to add a counter-cultural idea: True religion continuously extends the hand of mercy and grace to the world. Often, religion is cheap because it is based solely on ritual or religiosity, not on a sincere relationship with God. We need to embrace the truest form of religion which creates a people who are in love with God and care deeply about sharing this kind of love with their neighbours. So, how do we find True religion in what seems to be an age of cheap religion? I think Jesus is the best answer to this question, but perhaps not the easiest one. According to John 1:14, he “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” As such, Jesus “empathizes with” or even “feels with” us in a current situation that continuously sends shockwaves through Canada and North America as a whole. Let’s remember that Jesus identifies with what we are going through and does not dismiss our experiences or refuse to notice them. His story, that has been recorded in the four Gospel accounts, clearly demonstrates how Jesus identified with what the people he interacted with were going through. I understand how tempting it is in a time like we’re in to either be embarrassed by what happened in the past or even angry as a result of discovering unmarked graves in the present. However, I ask you to consider a different way that Jesus is pointing toward: This way is one of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Let’s be like Jesus is and be understanding of our neighbours. I don’t know about you, but I find this hard to act on most days … The call remains! This is the counter-cultural way of true religion: To continuously extend the hand of mercy and grace to the world. It works the exact and total opposite of what seems to make the most sense. True religion will always be counter-cultural and look like a weakness. But, I know for a fact that it has become my strength! So, will you let it become yours? Spencer Buss is on staff at GracePointe Community Church. 8-7
