Religion?

The word ‘Religion’ like many words is being redefined today. It has become a bad word which even many believers say with a sneer, but what they really mean when they say it that way is ‘stale, dead churchianity.’ It is too bad that religion has come to have such a reputation. When I seek to define a word that has to do with faith and practice I invariably look to the word of God, the Bible. Religion can be good or bad, Paul talks a little about the religion of the Jews, not very favorably. James gives an example of vain religion, that would be bad, then declares an example of pure religion, that would be good.

There are evil spirits and there are good spirits. But would we characterize everything spirit as bad or use the word with a sneer? Obviously not! So why do we do it with the word religion? I believe the enemy smiles at this little triumph. The bible talks about an end-time church that has prostituted itself with the world governments and I believe that this is where the bulk of visible Christianity resides today in the Incorporated Church. Since we are talking about words, I think it is important to look at a few definitions.

The word corpus which is the root of incorporated simply means: body. So when we talk about the true church we are talking about the body of Christ. When we become a believer we are incorporated into His body. Because we are His bride we should not be incorporated into any other body, this is the very definition of adultery. The church should not become incorporated with the State, this is the grave error of our day and of history.

Pure religion according to James is to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” and a voice from heaven, calls to us, “Come out of her, my people”. As we approach the end of the age and see the Mark of the Beast developing it is imperative that we heed heavens call to separate ourselves from the beast/governments of this world so that we are not snared in the plagues that are her due.

If there were not good people, even His people in these state/beast corporations, heaven would not call them to come out. Many argue that the 501c3 church corporation has done so much good. It is true that much good comes from the word of God, which does not return void, and many things are done by individual members of state corporations for the kingdom of God, but it is a mistake to attribute the good work of God to the unholy alliance of State Incorporation.
Lets us attribute ‘stale, dead churchianity‘ to the dead body of adultery from which it springs, vain religion. Likewise let us attribute the good things of God to His glory, pure religion.

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)

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(Ephesians 5:31-32)

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)