Are you religious? or Are you a Follower of Jesus?

Sometimes people will ask me if I am a religious man. I usually answer no because they are expecting me to talk about how often I attend church or how I worship or what dos and don'ts I believe a Christian should focus on. If we looked honestly at the standard Jesus' brother, James, set for us we would find that most of us are religious by worldly standards but not by God's.

James 1: 26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. (The Message)

James 1: 26-27 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless religious worship religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. (Amplified Bible)

James is telling us here that true worship and religion is focus on serving the orphans, the widows and others who are down troddened.

In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus tells us that He will separate nations by how they served Him by feeding him when he was hungry, by giving him a drink when he was thirsty, by entertaining him when he was a stranger, by visiting him when he was sick or in prison and by clothing him when he was naked.

We like the people of His day might ask, "When did we do these things for You, Lord?" His answer to us just as it was then is "When you did it to someone else."

So my message is we can sing perfectly the most beautiful of worship songs, pray long deep prayers, read the scriptures daily and do all of the things religious people do and still not be among the ones Jesus calls His sheep.

When was the last time you served a widow, an orphan, the hungry, the homeless or the addicted? That was the last time you were truly a follower of Jesus. I hope you will join us as we serve those who Jesus would serve.

If this stirred anything in you please leave a comment.