Good morning. I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day and had the opportunity to spend the day with those special people in your life.

Today I want to talk about religious activity versus true passionate faith.

As a pastor I have the unique vantage point of watching people during church services. As Christians we would generally say that our relationship to God is the most important thing in our lives. We sing songs about how glad we are that we have Jesus in our hearts and God watching over us. Yet, many times as I look out on the congregation I see faces that radiate something less than joy and hearts that show something much less than gratitude. Quite frankly the actions are not consistent with the condition of the heart.

Look at what Jesus had to say to the “religious” people of his day:

Mark 7:7-8 (NLT)
'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far away.
Their worship is a farce,
for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings.'

[8] For you ignore God's specific laws and substitute your own traditions."

The truth of the matter is and has always been…God is not interested in your religion…He wants your heart!!! Too many of us today have substituted religious activity for a heart that yearns after God. We allowed mediocrity in our lives to replace passion in our hearts.

Church attendance and good deeds are no substitution for a true and authentic relationship with Jesus. In fact, Jesus himself said:

Matthew 7:21 (NLT)
"Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.

I find it sad that so many have traded empty ritual for authentic relationship. They have missed the mark and will find themselves separated from God.

Today my challenge to you is two fold. First of all examine your heart. Does Jesus occupy that space? Have you allowed yourself to fall in love with Him? His love for you was displayed upon the cross…have your received His love in all of its fullness?

Secondarily, if you have given your life to Him, are you living out a passionate faith. Do you enter the church house without a thought that you are there to meet with God? Do you sing of joy but look like you ate a bowl of sour lemons in the process? Are you truly living out your faith or just practicing religion?

Remember, faith is an issue of the heart.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl