CAN YOU RECOMMEND YOUR RELIGION? Once in a while someone asks me to recommend a Bible translation or a Study Bible. Sometimes I am asked to recommend a book, a restaurant, or an appropriate gift. I even get requests to recommend a preacher, or a congregation of the church. A frequent request is for letters of recommendation for school or job applicants. Such requests imply some confidence in my ability to judge things and that my approval is worthwhile. Giving a recommendation implies that the person or thing is of good quality, gives good service, gives pleasure, or can satisfy a need or requirement. It is not difficult to recommend some things and some persons, and one is glad to do it. But there are times one cannot honestly recommend, and would rather not be asked to do it. Question: Can you recommend your personal religion? Would you recommend it to everybody and for everybody? Notice, we do not ask if you can recommend your church, or any local congregation of it. We do not ask if you can recommend your preacher, or any congregational programs. Your religion includes what you believe and what you practice. Your religion is what you live by, what you hope to have and from whom, and the methods you use to achieve your goals. There are several more important questions. I. CAN YOU RECOMMEND YOUR RELIGION BY SCRIPTURE? Travel Guide, Gourmet’s Guide to Good Eating, Auto Buyer’s Guide, Consumer Reports and a host of similar resources are recognized authorities on food, lodging, and various other consumer products. They are generally trusted and often consulted. In religion there is only one valid standard – the Book of God, the Bible. As the church are we “people of the Book”? Are you, personally speaking, “by the Book”? (1 Cor. 4:6, 14:37). The scripture is sufficient for all one’s spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16-17). All people will be judged by it eventually and eternally (John 12:48, Rev. 20:17). II. CAN YOU RECOMMEND YOUR RELIGION BY YOUR OWN SUPPORT OF IT? You can usually tell one’s regard for a thing by how much of himself he gives to it. When we speak of giving support we mean more that money. One who gives most of his time and resources to others and little to his family would not easily convince anyone that he really loved his family. The church is one’s spiritual family. How much of your time, energy, and other resources do you give it? How much time do you spend praying for it? Do you tell others about it? Work in the church’s programs is another indicator of one’s support. In the family the parents or an older child would never say, “Let the babies and the younger children do the work.” But many older Christians are willing to let the younger Christians and babes in Christ do most of the work. III. CAN YOU RECOMMEND YOUR RELIGION BY YOUR LIFE? Is the Lord first in everything? (Mt. 6:33). Are you a “living sacrifice” to the Lord? (Rom. 12:1). Do you “love the law of God?” No complaints about His commandments? Do you enjoy obeying God’s commands? (Psalm 119:9, Psalm 1:1-3, James 4:11-12). Are you honest with everyone? No compromises? (Rom. 12:17). Would it embarrass you for others to know how you live your life and the things you do or fail to do? Do you seek to promote others and bring them closer to God, and not just to help yourself? (Rom. 12:10, Phil. 2:4). Are you kind, tenderhearted, merciful, willing to forgive? (Phil. 4:32, James 2:13). Some concluding questions and observations: Would you want all other people to share your religion? (1 Cor. 11:1). You really cannot recommend what you yourself do not obey fro the heart (Rom. 6:17, Eph. 4:1). Would others who know you well be able to trust your judgment? Would they be able and willing to recommend your religion? – Gerald Cowan Dongola church of Christ (Dongola, IL)
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:26:40 +0000
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