Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 1
January 12, 1950
NUMBER 35, PAGE 8

Pure Religion

Morton T. Utley, San Francisco, California

There is a great cry in the world today for men to turn to religion. Most people seem to believe that this would be a wonderful thing. I disagree. I do not believe that "religion" is the need of this present hour. The world is full of "religion." Most people are born with a religious instinct or drive of some kind. The impulse toward worship is universal; however, the working out of this impulse and the religious nature developed in every man by it may not be alike. We do not need "religion"; the superlative need of our time is for the "pure religion" of the Bible. There is an infinite difference between religion and pure religion.

We read of religion among the first family that was ever in the world. Both Cain and Abel worshipped God by offering sacrifices unto him; they were both religious. Cain offered as his sacrifice the fruit of the field; Abel offered the choice of his flock. God accepted Abel's offering, and rejected Cain's. Here are two individuals practicing religion, both of them worshipping God. One does it in one way and one in another. God accepts and blesses one, and condemns and rejects the other. Why? The answer is given by inspiration, "By faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." (Heb. 11:4.) And Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17.) It is perfectly evident, then, that God had spoken unto Cain and Abel, and had told them what to offer unto him as a sacrifice. If he had not spoken, Abel could not have offered his sacrifice "by faith"; for a man cannot do a thing by faith except God has commanded it.

Rejecting God's Will

In offering his sacrifice, Cain turned from the will of God and followed after his own choice. He was religious, all right; but he was disobedient to God in his religion. From that day until now, men have done the same thing. In rejecting the counsel and commandments of God and following after the ways of man, many different religions have been established in the world. While some obeyed the will of God, and developed in their hearts and lives a religion of God, others turned aside from this to religions of men.

Through the Mosaic or Jewish age, it was the law of Moses, given at Mt. Sinai, which was the basis of true religion. Many under that dispensation followed after the will of God; others did not. Because of these disobedient ones, there continued to be established and developed many religions in the world other than the religion of God. The purpose of the Jewish religion was to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior of the world. This dispensation covered a period of about 1500 years.

The Coming Of Christ

In the fulness of time Christ came. Born in Bethlehem, he grew to manhood in Nazareth of Galilee, and at about the age of thirty years was baptized of John in the River Jordan. Soon after his baptism, Jesus was pointed out by John to two of his disciples as "the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world." These two men became followers of Jesus, as did many others during his lifetime. By teachings and miracles they were convinced of his divinity. When finally he came forth from the tomb, he commanded them, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations.

Just as every institution is built around some outstanding personality, the pure religion has its center in the world's greatest personality. Christ is the one around which the pure religion is built; he came into the world and died for the sins of all; he paid the supreme sacrifice that the church might be established. Paul said, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." And again, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Every human institution has its limitations. Its membership is limited to a certain class; its blessings and opportunities are limited to a certain phase of life. Not so with the pure religion of Christ. It knows no limitations; it has no racial boundaries, nor denominational boundaries. Jesus said, "Whosoever will, let him come." This religion of Christ is for all men everywhere. Not only is it for all men, but it is for all of the life of every man. I cannot leave it at home when I go into business; I cannot leave it at church when I leave the building; I cannot leave it with my wife when I go out to make money. It is a part of me as long as I follow Jesus Christ. It is a part of my private life, my business life, my social life. Jesus is my all and in all.

Into All Of Life

James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (Jas. 1:27.) I cannot practice that pure religion as long as I leave those out in the world, who are hungry, cold, and destitute. The relief of such is a part of this pure religion. Just as religion does not embrace all of the phases of life on earth, and no religion, save that of Christ, can give any promise at all for eternal life. To be religious is not enough; one must have that pure religion, the truth.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21.) Therefore, the world is not in need of "religion;" but it does desperately need that pure religion which has its origin, its history, and its direction in God's holy word. To practice it, we shall be happier in this life, and have an entrance into that eternal home of the soul where we can live with God forever.

Are you a Christian? Are you practicing pure religion? You are not unless you have obeyed the commandments of the Lord and are living according to his word. Will you not give up all religions of men, place your faith in Christ, obey his commands, walk with him through life, be with him in death, and have your hope set on that heaven which he has gone to prepare? If such you will do, you will stand justified with Christ in the judgment, and will dwell with him forever.