Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
What does that straight-forward statement say to you? I’m inclined to use it as a foundation for building a thesis: NO ONE IS GOING TO RELIGIONIZE THEIR WAY INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD—WITH THE SUPER BENEFITS OF HEAVEN AND ETERNAL LIFE. Go ahead and test that thesis against the broad spectrum of Biblical disclosure as you understand it. Does it hold up?
Obviously, I have taken the liberty to create a new word—“RELIGIONIZE.” The dictionary definition for RELIGION reads this way:
- a) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power accepted as the creator and governor of the universe.
- b) A specific unified system of this expression (e.g., the Buddhist religion).
Question: How safe are the courses and destinies of humans who are given clear messages from God, but ignore or reject them? My own Biblical understanding says that their ultimate outcome is the exact opposite of safe. No amount of “RELIGION” can substitute for heart-level seeking and surrender. The best one can do is to try real hard to enjoy one’s temporary illusion of safety—while it lasts. That’s really all they get from their preferred ideology—because it ignores or attempts to circumvent THE TRUTH AND GRACE OF GOD.
Notice that the main point of condemnation that Jesus drops on these “RELIGIONISTS” is this: “And even after you saw this (i.e., the clear message of God via John the Baptist), you did not repent and believe him” (21:32). I therefore beg of you—please make sure that personal heart-level REPENTANCE and BELIEF occupy prominent positions in your practical Biblical theology.