Being Religious

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.” It sounds good, and there’s truth in it—but I’m not convinced it tells the whole story.

If we define religion simply as rituals, traditions, and practices that help us relate to God, then yes—I am a religious person. And I believe every follower of Jesus is, too.

The reality is this: we cannot relate to God in the same way we relate to friends and family. We don’t see Him physically. We don’t sit across the table from Him. Religion—our practices, rhythms, and habits—is one of the primary ways we express our love for God and stay connected to Him.

In Scripture, especially in Exodus and Leviticus, God gave Israel very specific instructions for worship. Sacrifices, festivals, priestly duties—all of it was intentional. God provided concrete practices that helped His people approach Him and reflect His holiness.

At the same time, many religious practices developed through tradition. They aren’t commanded in Scripture, but they help shape our worship and community. Celebrating Christmas, meeting in church buildings, singing certain songs—these traditions can enrich our relationship with God when they point us to Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we recognize that many of the laws given to Israel were specific to their covenant relationship with God. We don’t offer animal sacrifices anymore because Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Instead, we remember His death through the Lord’s Supper. We no longer keep the Sabbath as Israel did, yet we gather weekly for worship, rest, and renewal.

Traditions and rituals still matter because they help us remember, express, and practice our faith.

But there’s another essential purpose for religion: to help us change.

Christianity isn’t just about relating to God—it’s about becoming the person God created us to be. The danger comes when we confuse performing religious actions with spiritual transformation.

James makes this point very clearly:

“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

— James 1:26–27 (NLT)

James spends much of his opening chapter reminding us that trials, God’s wisdom, and God’s Word are all tools God uses to shape our lives. But rituals alone—going through the motions—don’t produce transformation. If our practices don’t lead us to self-control, compassion, and purity, then something is missing.

Our religion becomes worthless when it is disconnected from faith.

Faith is what gives meaning to our worship, traditions, and spiritual disciplines. Without faith:

• religion becomes empty routine
• trials feel pointless and destructive
• Scripture becomes nice advice rather than life-giving truth

Faith—our allegiance to King Jesus—is what opens our hearts to God’s transforming work. God cannot change us if we will not trust Him. We can participate in every religious activity available and still remain unchanged.

So in the end, the question isn’t, “Am I religious?”

The better question is: “Am I faithful?”

Who am I trusting?

Who am I committed to?

Who has my heart?

If the answer isn’t Jesus—and if we aren’t willing to trust Him with our lives—then our religion might be little more than hollow ritual.

But when faith and practice come together, religion becomes something beautiful. It becomes a rhythm of grace—a way of living that shapes us into the likeness of Christ.

Point to Ponder:

Religion without faith cannot transform us. Faith expressed through obedience and love is what makes our worship meaningful.

Question to Consider:

How is your faith shaping the way you practice your relationship with God this week?

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Living with Truth and Love

Text: 2 John

Big Idea: Guard against deception by holding on to the truth with love

Have you ever been burned by a fake review?

You plan a little weekend getaway. You find a charming bed-and-breakfast online—dozens of glowing five-star reviews: “Best night’s sleep ever!” “The owner is like family!” “We cried when we had to leave!” The pictures look wonderful, the price is right, so you book it.

Friday evening you pull up, step inside, and immediately smell mildew. The walls are paper-thin, so you listen to the couple next door argue until midnight. The “gourmet breakfast” turns out to be two stale bagels and a half-empty tub of cream cheese. You check the reviews again and realize they’re all fake—posted by friends, relatives, or maybe even AI. With 16–40% of online reviews being fake these days, it’s easy to get duped.

Annoying? Absolutely. But the kind of deception John writes about in his letters is far worse, because the stakes aren’t a disappointing hotel stay—they’re eternal.

A Series About Remaining in What’s True

In this series, Living in Light, Love, and Truth, we’re exploring the deep concern the New Testament—and especially the apostle John—has about truth and false teaching. The early church faced many religious-sounding messages that misused Scripture and subtly lured people away from Jesus. That danger hasn’t disappeared. If we want to be a church that shines the light of Christ, we must be confident in the truth and committed to walking in love.

We are light in the world when we remain in the truth and walk in love.

The Situation Behind 2 John

In 1 John, we saw that false teachers were offering “fake reviews” of Jesus—claiming He was a good teacher but not God, or that He only appeared human, or that “the Christ” left Him before the crucifixion. John calls such teachers deceivers and antichrists.

2 John builds on this. Whether it served as a cover letter to 1 John or as a response to a specific report, the purpose is clear: warn the church (“the chosen lady and her children”) about persuasive traveling teachers denying the incarnation of Jesus.

John answers this threat by reminding believers to cling to two things that must always stay together: truth and love.

Walking Through 2 John

1. The Joy of Walking in the Truth (vv. 1–4)

John begins by expressing genuine affection for this church family—he loves them “in the truth,” and so do all who know the truth. For John, truth is not mere information; it is a way of life grounded in God’s revelation through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This truth abides in us and shapes how we live.

His greatest joy? Hearing that some of this church’s members are “walking in the truth.” They aren’t just claiming to follow Jesus—they truly are.

A healthy church is marked by people who live out what they say they believe.

That is my prayer for Bethlehem.

2. Keep Walking in Love (vv. 5–6)

Just as in 1 John, the apostle reminds them of the old command to love one another. Love, in Scripture, is defined not merely as affection but as obedience—doing what God commands. True love gives life to others.

And truth and love are inseparable.

• Truth without love becomes harsh legalism.
• Love without truth becomes sentimental compromise.

Real Christian community requires both grace and guidance, compassion and conviction.

3. Watch Out for Deceivers (vv. 7–9)

John identifies the central false teaching: denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The incarnation—God becoming fully human in Jesus—is essential to salvation, redemption, and God’s purpose in the world.

To deny this is to step into the spirit of antichrist.

John urges the church to watch themselves so they don’t lose what faithful believers have worked for. Our task is not to invent a new foundation but to remain in the apostolic gospel:

Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh to rescue us from sin, Satan, and death.

Stay true to that truth.

4. Do Not Receive False Teachers (vv. 10–11)

John gives a strong instruction: don’t welcome or encourage anyone denying the incarnation. In that culture, hospitality meant support and partnership. To offer lodging or blessing to a false teacher was to participate in their deception.

This wasn’t unloving—it was love.

• Love for God (because false teachers misrepresent His Son).
• Love for people (because false teaching destroys lives).

While our situation today is different, the principle remains:

Be careful who you platform, quote, or trust in spiritual matters.

5. A Warm Conclusion (vv. 12–13)

John hopes to speak face-to-face soon. Truth matters deeply, but so do relationships. Christian faithfulness is always a combination of both.

Conclusion: Truth and Love Keep Us Steady

John gives the church two positive commands and one strong warning:

1. Hold tightly to the truth about Jesus—fully God, fully man.

2. Love God by loving each other well.

3. Do not give your support or attention to those who deny the truth about Christ.

Our world overflows with spiritual counterfeits—ideas that almost sound Christian, but subtly pull us away from Jesus. The best defense is not suspicion, but devotion. Truth steadies us. Love strengthens us. Together they form a life—and a community—that shines with the light of King Jesus.

A Challenge for Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Am I walking in truth? (Does my daily life match what I believe?) 
• Am I walking in love? (Do I show patience, kindness, and forgiveness?) 
• Am I careful about the voices I listen to and share?

Self-evaluation is a key part of discipleship. It shows us where we need to grow and how we can pray.

May we be a people who hold tightly to truth, walk boldly in love, and shine with the light of King Jesus.If you want, I can also create a Facebook post, a pull-quote graphic, or a shorter “reflection” version for readers who skim.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Sunday Prayer: Fill Me With Hope

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, You are the God of hope, and I come to You longing for the love and life that only You can give.

Fill my heart today with Your joy—joy that is not stolen by circumstances because I am confident that we are held in Your hands.

Pour Your peace into my heart and mind, calming every anxious thought and steadying me as I trust in You.

As I believe Your promises, let hope rise within me—hope that doesn’t run dry, hope that strengthens others, hope that points people to Jesus.

Holy Spirit, empower me to overflow with hope in every conversation, every decision, and every challenge we face.

Make my life a testimony that true hope comes from You alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Let the Difference Be Jesus

The Call to Be Different

In her devotional You’re the Voice: 40 More Days with God, Christian artist Rebecca St. James poses a question that cuts to the heart: “Do people know we’re Christians by our actions and lifestyles?” She challenges us to consider whether our lives radiate the love, joy, purpose, and hope that come only from knowing Jesus. More importantly, she asks, “What does God see when He peers into our hearts?” Her prayer is that He finds a bold declaration: God reigns here.

The idea of being different can feel daunting. It means standing out in a world that often demands conformity. It means swimming against the cultural current, risking discomfort, and sometimes even rejection. Most of us naturally crave acceptance, blending in to avoid the awkwardness of being noticed for our faith. Yet, Jesus calls us to a life that is unmistakably distinct—not for the sake of being odd, but for the sake of reflecting Him.

The Temptation to Blend In

If we’re honest, many of us live lives that don’t look much different from the world around us. We engage with the same social media, consume the same entertainment, and pursue the same ambitions as everyone else. Our faith can become a private, compartmentalized part of life—reserved for Sunday services or personal devotions but absent from our daily habits and decisions.

Too often, we’re willing to follow Jesus as long as it doesn’t cost us too much. As long as it doesn’t make things awkward. As long as we don’t stand out. But God doesn’t call us to blend in. He calls us to be transformed, to live in a way that others can’t help but notice something different—a peace, a joy, a love that points to Jesus.

This isn’t about superficial differences or being intentionally provocative. It’s about a heart surrendered to Christ, allowing His lordship to shape every area of our lives—our words, choices, relationships, and priorities. It’s about living as citizens of another Kingdom.

The Danger of Compromise

We often talk about “finding God’s will,” but the harder task is living it. Too many of us ask, “How close can I get to the world’s edge without crossing the line?” This mindset leads us to flirt with compromise, rationalizing behaviors that dull our witness. Instead of pursuing holiness, we settle for a faith that’s comfortable but indistinct.

The apostle Peter offers a countercultural vision in 1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV):

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Peter reminds us that being different isn’t just about personal holiness—it’s about God’s mission in the world. When we live too close to the culture’s edge, we risk being pulled in by sinful desires that quietly erode our souls and our testimony. But when we choose to live distinctly, our lives become a living testimony of God’s grace, planting seeds that may one day lead others to glorify Him.

Living as Foreigners in 2025

So, what does it look like to live as “foreigners and exiles” in 2025? It’s not about grand gestures but about faithful, everyday choices that reflect Christ. It might mean curating your social media to share hope and truth rather than fear or division. It could mean choosing kindness in heated conversations or prioritizing face-to-face relationships over endless scrolling. It might look like standing firm in your convictions when you feel alone or serving others when it’s inconvenient.

These small acts carry eternal weight. They declare, God reigns here.

The Challenge: Let the Difference Be Jesus

Here’s the challenge: Live as a foreigner. Live as someone who belongs to God’s Kingdom. Let your life be a bold, unmistakable reflection of Jesus.

Take a moment to reflect:

• Does my daily life reveal that I follow Christ?
• Am I seeking God’s will, or am I settling for what’s comfortable?
• Is there something noticeably different about me that draws others to Him?

Being different isn’t easy, but it’s what we’re called to. It’s not about perfection but about progress—a daily surrender to Christ’s transforming work in us. When we live this way, the world notices. And when they see the difference, they see Jesus.

Let’s commit to living distinctly. Let the difference in us be Jesus.