21/10/2025
DANGER OF EMPTY RELIGION. Thus says the Lord in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Jesus wasn’t speaking to unbelievers. He was speaking to you and me… and to those who call themselves Christians but live an empty religiosity. It’s possible to talk about Jesus without truly knowing Him. It’s possible to be a worker, a pastor, or a preacher… and still not have a real relationship with the Christ of Christianity. The illusion of religious appearance leads many to say, “Lord, Lord,” but they don’t live what He taught. Religion without a relationship with Jesus may even seem alive, but it’s spiritually dead. There’s no point in preaching, teaching, or confessing if the lifestyle doesn’t match the message being proclaimed. Beloved brothers, an encounter with Christ transforms lives. When Jesus touches someone, that person never remains the same. Bartimaeus began to see and followed Jesus; The Canaanite woman had her faith recognized; the Gadarene was freed and became a witness; Saul was transformed into Paul, the apostle. All were radically changed by the power of the Lord. All of these were transformed by the power of Calvary. When we surrender to the lordship of Christ, our lives are radically changed. The light of Christ begins to shine within us. It is not enough to change our minds; we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. Empty religion says, "Look at me." But on the cross, all selfishness died. It is on the cross that we encounter the righteousness of God and exchange our curriculum for the life of Christ. My brother, my sister, I do not wish to hear our Master Jesus say, "I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness," and I pray to God that you will not hear these words either, for this is the true danger of empty religion. Amen? Amen!