“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).

Based upon modern-day intellect, some outside the church have become so smart they have developed the phrase, “I am not religious, I am spiritual.” When the phraseology is advanced, it is often received with great understanding, acceptance, and appreciation. However, from a theological perspective it is illogical. Through biblical schema, it is impossible to be spiritual without being religious, but a person can be religious without being spiritual.

When most indicate they are spiritual but not religious, it is their own way of stating they have their own way of relating to God and they want God to accept their version and style of embracing Him. The term spiritual means to act in the supernatural, the essence of not following the flow and pattern of the world, but following the divine blueprint of God (Romans 12:1-2). If we love Jesus we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).

The term religion simply means a consistent way of life or discipline of life. With that said, many people have a religion, a consistent way of doing things, but it has nothing to do with Christ or spirituality. For some, religion is their job and for others it could be their work-out routine.

The problem today is that now Christians are beginning to behave in a way where some claim spirituality, but have little evidence of religion. Some lack staying-power and Christian consistency with some of the basics of Christian living and devotion. The true child of God is to be both spiritual and religious. The spirituality of Christian living is where we strive to love when unloved, forgive when un-forgiven, and share/give while others remain selfish. It is where we clearly manifest that we walk a different path. The religion of Christianity is where we act in behavioral consistency and repetition in worship attendance, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, evangelism, and more.

 Pure religion is about doing the spiritual will of God continuously and in sublime lifestyle. Are you spiritual but not religious, or are you spiritually religious? “…Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Remember you are the clay In The Potter’s Hands. God has paved a way to save you today!