Today’s 333 Devotional: “Religion Isn’t the Way”

In the book of Judges there’s a story of Micah, a young man who built a shrine in his house with idols, making an ephod and hiring a young Levite as his priest.

He said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!” (Judges 17:13)

At this time there were no judges in Israel, and so the people did whatever they wanted; what was right in their own eyes. Micah thought that by doing religious things this would translate into blessings and prosperity.

Instead, the Danites, an Israelite tribe, were on the move, and coming across Micah’s shrine they took his idols for their own and hired away his Levite.

In the end it just doesn’t pay to be religious. People get stuck in religiosity doing religious things having the same misguided perception believing God will bless and prosper them for their actions.

They believe they can buy their way to Gods prosperity, giving money to charity or feeding the poor, having their names published as donors, or sitting on charitable boards mistakenly thinking they are safe and secure.

Unfortunately, people have bought into the lie that being religious, going to church, giving to charity, and not being all that bad is enough to get them into the good graces of God.

But to these religious people Jesus said a change of heart was needed instead. To a religious leader of that day Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Jesus never supported a religion; rather He supported a personal relationship with God, a relationship that began with Him as Savior and Lord.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

So, while it doesn’t pay to be religious, it does pay to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.