What the Heck is Religion For Anyways?

So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets...When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men...And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words...Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men -Matthew 6:2,5,7, 16 NASB

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.-Matthew 23:27-28 (NASB)

Jesus is identifying a type of person in these passages--a hypocrite. This person practices religion, but does not carry the substance of religion. In fact, Jesus is explaining to his disciples, in the Sermon on the Mount, that they are to do the same things a hypocrite (Pharisee) does, but he instructs them that they are to have the substance of religion and not just the act. That substance being the reward of the Father and not others (Matt 6:1,4,6,8). 

This hypocritical religion that Jesus describes trades the substance of religion (reward of the Father)  for the approval and applause of others. Jesus continues in Matthew 6:2 saying, "they have their reward in full." In contrasting the source of reward, (Father or other people) Jesus is illustrating that religion is meant to contain a reward. Question is, where will we choose to receive the reward from?

It becomes clear from the passages above, that being a hypocrite is someone who practices religion, thinking they are righteous with God, but in reality they are in opposition to God. This shows us that we can practice religion but it means nothing in the eyes of God. We can go our entire life doing religious things, thinking that we are doing "right" for God, but in reality we are within a religious system that pulls us away from God. Jesus further rebuked the the hypocrites (Pharisees) for bringing them into this type of religious system because it makes them, "twice as much a son of hell" (Matt 23:15 NASB).

Is Religion Good or Bad? 

If Jesus paints the religious in such a light, we should ask ourselves--is religion good or bad? It might be bad talking about it at a family reunion; however, religion in itself is not bad. Religion is only bad when it prevents access to God, like that of the Pharisees (Matt 23:15, Mark 10:13-15). To the earlier point, Jesus prescribes the same religious practices as the Pharisees; however, he emphasizes that those practices should be an end unto God. The hypocritical (Pharisee) religion was an end unto the self, with out any substance of the presence of God. Religion is meant to be a practice of piety that produces the presence of God and an obedience to his commands (Matt 22:36-40).

Do The Religious Follow God?

No. The religious that Jesus describes do not follow God. Remember, he describes this type of religious person as "a son of hell" (Matt 23:15). Looking elsewhere in the scriptures, we see the religious rebuked Jesus for healing on the sabbath (Luke 13:14-17), became offended when the disciples broke tradition (Matt 15:1-14), and even led the chant to crucify Jesus saying “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" (John 19:15). This type of religion is in direct opposition to God and his purposes.

Can We Have Religion and Follow God?

Yes. As stated earlier, religion in itself is not bad. This means that religion can be used as a tool, or mode to produce an end. Furthermore, if we are to do the same religious practices as the Pharisees, then what is religion supposed to do for us? Jesus says it clearly that we are to love God and love people (Matt 22:36-39) because, "on these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets (Matt 22:40). Essentially, religion is meant to empower us to love God and love people, not to prevent them access from God as the Pharisees were doing. 

Religion is meant to be a discipline of devotion to God. If used correctly, it can produce a disposition that loves God and loves people in amazing ways. There isn't a professional athlete that doesn't train in the gym; likewise, there shouldn't be a Christian who doesn't practice their religion so that they may love God and people. The key with religion depends upon how it is being used? Are we using religion as a system of control, or a discipline of devotion to God? 

Test Your Religion

So, how do we know if our religious practices are a system of control or a discipline of devotion? Jesus highlights a few things we can consider:

• Is your religion producing godly character? See Matthew 23:25-28.
• Is your religion preventing people, and yourself, from access to God? See Matthew 23:13-24.
• Is your religion more interested in the praise of man than the praise of God? See Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18; 23:1-12.