~ Especially for Young People ~

Two Types of Religion

The Bible says there are two types of religion: pure religion and vain religion. Very simply put, God controls the pure and Satan controls the vain. But just where does that put religion as we know it in America today, the religion that is all around us?

The Apostle John said in 1 John 3:3, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure."

A few years ago, as I was sitting in a college cafeteria, I overheard two young men at the next table talking about Christianity. One, a Satanist, was trying to "convert" the other, a Christian. The Satanist's argument centered around the corruption and the hypocrisy found so often in "Christendom." He was trying to assert that Christianity was nothing but a sham, that the Christ who authored it was not worthy of one's worship.

After awhile, I had had about all of his comments that I could take, and I stepped over to their table and asked if I might have a word. The Christian lad, who looked somewhat intimidated and overwhelmed, looked up and said, "If you're on my side." I told him that I was and sat down.

I told that young Satanist that there is a lot of hypocrisy and corruption in religion, but that Christ was pure, and that only that which is pure springs forth from Him. I pointed out that many people claim to be Christ's, and that Christ gets blamed for the things they do, but that He is not to blame, because He really has no connection whatsoever with them. A pure God cannot be the author of impure religion! I told him that those who make such professions are, in fact, not Christians, but religious sinners. When I finished, the young Christian said nothing, but the Satanist replied quietly, "I like that."

I have wondered in the years since that incident, just why the Christian boy was silent. Perhaps it was because, although he thought himself a Christian, all he had was religion. Perhaps he was one who lives an impure life but feels that Christ overlooks and condones his shortcomings. I do not know, but one thing is certain: the Satan worshiper was made to take a second look at the Christ and the Christianity that he had been schooled to scorn.

Friend, many today scorn the so-called Christianity that many possess today; but that is not Christ's fault. He is not the author of such. He is the Author of pure religion, and only of pure religion. As quoted in the Scripture above, those who have a true hope in Christ purify themselves. How does one do that? you may ask. James 1:27 says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." There is an old saying that reads: "The world has become so churchy and the church so worldly that one cannot tell the one from the other." Be assured, however, that Christ's church is not worldly. Whenever an individual or a body of individuals begins to embrace this sinful world, Christ is no longer in that person or body.

Very few religious people today claim to live pure lives. In fact, most religious systems teach that it is impossible. You, yourself, may believe it cannot be done. "How can one live holy?" you may ask. Well, one cannot do it in his own strength, but he can do it in Christ! To put it another way, He can do it in you. If He is in you, He will, by all means, live holy in you; He cannot live any other way! The Apostle Paul did not have any problem believing in living holy. He asked in Romans 6:2, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? "

The real issue is not whether one can live a pure life, but whether one wants to live a pure life! Too many who defend sin in the lives of some so-called Christians love their sins! Often they really do not want to be free from sin. However, friend, one simply cannot love God with all his heart and love sin! The Bible lets us know that sin is the enemy of God (Colossians 1:21, James 4:4, Romans 8:7). How, in the name of common sense, can one profess to be God's friend and be His enemy at the same time?

If one who calls himself a Christian does not have pure religion, then he has vain religion. And, like anything else that is vain, it is of no value. It cannot save, now or in the Judgment. It is good for nothing. Vain religion is controlled by Satan. Oh, wait, friend! Do not say so quickly, "That is absurd. Satan is a devil, not a religious leader." If you look in the Bible, you will find that he is, indeed, a religious leader! He has ministers, apostles, and synagogues. Second Corinthians 11:13-15 states: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ [that is what is deceitful about them]. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

In Revelation 3:9, Jesus tells His church, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."

Friend, this may be alarming to you, but Satan controls almost all religion. Very little religion is truly pure, and that little is all that is Christ's. Why is that? Because that is all that will allow Christ to control it. Anytime He is in control, the results are pure, but most religious people do not want that. As men said in Luke 19:14, most so-called Christians say today, "We will not have this man to reign over us." Oh, they want Him to help them, take care of them in the time of need, and take them to Heaven; nevertheless, they will not let Him reign over them. That means to obey Him in everything they do!

This is a narrow way, and most religious people do not want it. However, those who will let Him reign over them will find the pure religion—and all the promises and benefits of the Word of God will be theirs, with Heaven in the end. To them, He promises "joy unspeakable and full of glory" and "fulness of joy." To them, He gives the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." Theirs is the glory to which no pain or trial is worthy to be compared (Romans 8:18 and 2 Corin­thians 4:17). They are "joint-heirs with Christ" and heirs of all Heaven's riches. They have the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding."And, they have the gain that turns all this world's gain into dung. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7-8: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubt­less, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

Friend, you have a choice. First, you can choose to have religion or you can choose not to have religion. If you choose to have religion, you again have a choice. You can choose vain religion or you can choose pure religion. If you choose to be religious, may I urge you to seek pure religion? Seek the one where Christ is truly in control, where men glorify God and crucify the flesh rather than glorify (and even gratify) the flesh, where sin is denounced and purity is the standard of life, where only the Word of God is the rule of faith and practice, and where people are really obedient to all God's Word and will.

"Is there really such a people?" you may ask. I am very thankful that I can say there is. But do not take my word for it. As the angel told John in Revelation, "Come and see." May God lead you and guide you into His beautiful Truth is our prayer!

Marie (Fowler) York

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