Soul To Sole!

Being religious is good provided it is based upon the truth of God. What we believe is to be held within the mind. Our RELIGION is also to impact our speech. ( James 1:26) Knowing the Will of God and speaking it are important aspects of RELIGION. However, that is not the extent of it. Some people have become very skilled at thinking religiously and speaking religiously, yet appear unable to get their RELIGION into their hands and feet. As we take the teaching of God’s Word to heart, allowing it to take root deep within our “soul”, we must also let it drop down to the “soles” of our feet.

The religious life God desires us to live in accordance with the Scriptures is not merely meditative and orative, but is to be marked by godly action in daily life. Certainly we must be in Christ and must acknowledge Him as the Lord of our life, but there is practical down to earth service we are to keep in mind as well. Remember we were created in Christ Jesus for the good works in which we are to walk.” ( Ephesians 2:10) So what marks the walking of our RELIGION? Are we giving due consideration to the willing service of our hands and the places the “soles” of our feet are taking us?

In one of Jesus’ parables relating to the time of judgment, He emphasized the essence of practical RELIGION as follows:

“(31) When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (32) Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. (34) Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘COME, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and YOU GAVE ME FOOD, I was thirsty and YOU GAVE ME DRINK, I was a stranger and YOU WELCOMED ME, (36) I was naked and YOU CLOTHED ME, I was sick and YOU VISITED ME, I was in prison and YOU CAME TO ME.’ (37) Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38) And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39) And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ (40) And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS, YOU DID IT TO ME.’” ( Matthew 25:31-40 ESV)

As important as it is for regular Bible study (individually and collectively) and involvement in the worship of the church and communing around the Lord’s table on a regular basis, Jesus pointed to the significance of the practical way our RELIGION is to be lived out. James echoed this truth when he referred to “pure” RELIGION as visiting orphans and widows, as well as keeping one’s life pure. ( James 1:27)

There are some who are caught up in RELIGION who seem to place little value on human life and the needs of others. Jesus went on to point out that those who refused to be involved in such service could be told, “Depart from me.” ( Matthew 25:41-46) Clearly, this kind of service is to be associated with our Christian walk. To live in this way says something about our relationship to the Lord since He views the service as being done to Him. May the RELIGION we embrace be built solidly on the truth of God’s word and made evident in the service of our hands and feet to His glory.

Have a great day MOVED ALONG BY THE TRUTH OF GOD AND A LOVE FOR OTHERS.
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Service