King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Religion or Man's Religion
Date: Sunday December 11, 2011
Chapters: The Books of Titus & Philemon
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://thesaviorjesuschrist.com/bible-reading-december-09
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version, words in red are quoted by Jesus.

Hello My Friend,

The word religion means a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. What? Now, here is what God says religion is, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” -James 1:26,27.

The word bridleth means to control yourself, here He means to control your tongue. Every word we speak has an impact on everyone else around us. When man's religion causes the individual to go through unnecessary rituals, observances, and codes in order to have a relationship with God it is a sign that their religion is vain, it's worthless and without merit. Pure religion teaches us to do every thing as if we are standing in the presence of God. Pure religion teaches us that we are to love everyone as God loves us, not to belittle or degrade others. Pure religion does not deny any person salvation, yet, does not condone immorality, idolatry, or any other thing that is an abomination to God. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death..And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” - Revelation 21:7,8,27.

The books of Titus and Philemon are the seventeenth and eighteenth books of the New Testament, and the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh books of the Bible. The author of these epistles (letters) is Paul, Titus was written to a man named Titus around 63 AD, he was a Greek convert and fellow worker with Paul to correct problems within the churches in Crete. What we are to learn from it is that founding a good work is not enough. That work must be established and organized according to the principles of God's Word. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” - Titus 2:12. Philemon was written to a convert named Philemon around 64 AD, who lived in Colosse and it was written to seek help for a runaway slave named Onesimus. What we are to learn from it is that Christian principles must be applied to social relationships as well as personal. “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” - Philemon 1:6.

Paul was famous for starting Christian churches, he planted the church, taught them the doctrine, then went on to the next city. Quite often, people who were not living by God's Word or simply did not know it would come around and cause strife on those who were being taught the truth. This time Paul gives instructions to Titus, who had to deal with people mixing the Jewish faith with the Christian faith.

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.” - Titus 1:5-11.

A true man of God, one that is the head of the church, lives and follows the example of Christ. Of course, they are not perfect, but they are going to study God's Word, follow it, teach it, and do as they preach, they are to set the example for others to follow. Most often, men and women too use God's name to get rich, they parade on unsaved, lost people trying to do the right thing. Giving tithe is a command from God as a means to support the church, to keep it going, to pay the bills, to give provisions to the man of God and his family for leading the church, not for making a profit for their own selfish gain. The sad thing is that people are dying and going to hell because they are being deceived by these false men. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” - I Timothy 6:9-12.

After Paul instructs Titus on who to ordain in the church he reminds him that they represent God and are to act in a manner that gives honor to God. “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” - Titus 2:9-15.

Do you know why the majority of people reject God's religion? They have seen too much of man's religion. Think about it. Many Christians live worldlier lives than those who live in the world, in fact, some have down right destroyed the Christian race. You can watch the news almost every day and see something about a pastor or priest that got caught doing something illegal. Of course, these are not true men of God, but they still appear to represent God and make the rest of us look bad. Therefore, it is important that we, who are true, live a moral, uncorrupted life in and out of the church. Whatever we do, we do as if God were right there with us. Let me stress that living a godly lifestyle is not the same as being saved, following God's commands does not save us. Only Jesus saves us, but those who do follow God's commands after they are saved do so to show their gratitude, thanks, and love for giving His Son to save them. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:..Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” - I Peter 1:18,19,21.

With all the false religion out there it is no wonder why people are so lost and confused, all it takes is for one bad experience for a person to reject Christ all together. I have seen so many people bounce from one religion to another, good people, lost and searching for some kind of hope. Sadly, many of these good people will end up in hell because they are depending on some religion to save them. The problem is, they are looking for hope in the religion and not in God. I tell people all the time, God has nothing to do with religion, it's about Jesus, but for some reason it is easier to accept man's religion over God's. Man's religion takes a little bit of God's truth and distorts it to conform to their world. God makes it simple, believe in my Son, receive Him, and I will save you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
In this crazy mixed up world it is so easy to fall into the trap of man's religion, we long to serve You in Your will, not man's. Lord, help us to learn the truth, get around other godly people who know and live by Your truth, and to teach Your truth to others. Let us not be deceived by smooth talkers, keep us grounded in Your Word so we can save the lost and be the godly examples to follow. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional Visit: The King James Bible Study Blog
Subscribe To This Devotional Through Google Groups: King James Bible Study
Visit: I'm Following Jesus