I was challenged to look up the word Religion this evening, in particular to the verse James 1:26 – 2356 Threskeia, Threskeias, from threskeuo – to worship God. which is from threskos (2357) – Religious Pious.  Worshiping or Worship.

My first thought – was the first phrase – to Worship God.  Worship.  I remember learning that the first time this word is mentioned is in Genesis – with Abraham – when his son asks where they are going – and he responds – we are going up to the mountain to worship God.

To worship – to serve – to be obedient.  Also to be trusting that God will provide our needs, that he will provide the tools and opportunities to serve Him and obey Him.

So – in a culture where no one seems to want to admit that they are “religious”  – where religion is a bad thing. I am starting to re-think my negativity to the word.  When asked – are you religious?  I might have to answer yes.  Or want to answer yes – I want to be obedient and I want to serve God.

Back to the Zodhiates word definition:

James refers to pure religion indicating that there is also an impure religion which would be external worship but not the practice of that which God demands of man.   The ant is impiety, ungodliness, defiance of God’s laws, unbelief and blasphemy.  Wow. (Asebeia, anomia, apista, 763-458-988)

So if I say  – I’m not religious – am I owning up to being a blasphemer who does not believe in God and has only external worship? in 2357 threskos – according to James, true threskeia or religion is not merely ceremonial formality, but acts of mercy, love and  holiness.  Love that.   Again, the ant. is apistos 571, asebes 765, hubristes 5197 and hierosulos 2417, or an unbeliever, impious, despiteful, injurious, blasphemer, a temple despoiler and robber of churches.

So – according to these greek words, I am saddened this evening that religion has gotten such a bad name.  There are the words in the Greek and the Hebrew that show Religion in a bad light, of only displaying the outward performance of the divinely ascribed duties of service to God.

I think James is urging us to put a halt to the outward perfomances, and put a start to the heart.  Serving out of our love of God, out of our obedience to His voice. hmmmm.

I’ll be chewing on this all evening now . . . . .