The Essence of Religion

What is the centerpiece or the objective of true religion? The answer to that question ought to be so obvious as to make the question totally unnecessary. Sadly, however, there is a great deal of confusion on that point. That confusion seems to exist even among those who are themselves very religious. What's the problem?

The problem could be defined and explained in several differing ways. Yet the practical effect of the problem is simply that man has replaced God as the object of religious thought and activity. That is not to say that there is nothing of God in modern religion. God continues to be the subject of much talk and, ostensibly, the focus of "worship". Nonetheless, the prevailing opinion appears to be that God's over-riding concern and even duty is to secure human happiness, senual happiness. Man worships God in order to secure what he thinks to be in his best interest. Indeed the purpose of religion is to improve man's condition and mental/emotional state—or so it is assumed. If religion does not result in more affluence, better health, and a generally happier mood, religion is considered a failure and perhaps a waste of time.

Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

NKJ Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

These Biblical statements are in fact representative of all that God has said to us in His Word. God created all things, including mankind, for Himself; that is, for His glory and pleasure. The end of all things will result in God's glory and pleasure. Thus, the conscious end of God's creatures must be God Himself. For us to aim at any other end, especially our own glory and pleasure, is to set ourselves in competition with God. Nothing could be more disastrous! We must lose ourselves in seeking to know God and to do all His good will. This is not merely the great purpose of religion, it is the great purpose of our entire existence. Our approach to our own lives, to our physical well-being, to our material condition, to our families, to our work, to our education, to the development and use of our abilities, to our recreation, to every single thing comprising our brief stay in this world must aim at pleasing God and responding to His will.

This God-centeredness will not work against our happiness or well-being. That is the big lie of evil. God Himself is man's chief joy. In the doing of His will there is true pleasure and satisfaction. However, evil would keep us from God and lead us deeper and deeper into the abyss of worshipping ourselves and the things God has given us. So great is this deception that God became man and died in order to defeat evil and to deliver all who believe in Him from the hoax of the ages.

Have you been delivered from the hoax that you were made for yourself and for the enjoyment of sensual or egotistical pleasure? If so, it will show in the God-centeredness of your religion—even more, in the God-centeredness of your entire existence!