Practical Religion

Our religion and our faith is practical. It is intensely practical in our every day lives. “How is this?” you may ask.

Well, it has to do with the way we eat, the way we dress, the way we work, and the way we relate to those around us.

In our unconverted state we eat, dress, work and relate to others exactly as our unconverted heart impresses us to do. We eat, dress, work and relate the way we feel like it. But when we have received the Holy Spirit of God, and been convicted and converted, we make changes and begin new ways of doing all these daily things.

If we want to work for God, and be a part of His work, we can begin exactly where we are. We can educate ourselves to be patient in situations that irritate our feelings. For example: Someone interrupts you when you are studying; you feel impatient and angry, but you send up a silent prayer for help, and answer patiently. Or you are driving, and someone cuts in front of you, causing you to have to slow down. What is your reaction?

In our Christian experience we must begin at the bottom of the ladder of progress. We must start at the ABC’s of elementary faith and religion. Just as in school where we practice printing over and over until we have mastered it, so our faith needs practice. Constant, continual practice. These things like patience, kindness and love are not natural to our depraved human hearts.

Obedience and submission to our parents is not natural to us, but it is essential to our experience, and we cannot be saved without it. God cannot take rebellious, disobedient persons into His kingdom of harmony and love.

When we gain the victory over our disobedient, rebellious, impatient natures, what a wonderful feeling of freedom comes over us. Really it is worth a great deal of suffering and self-denial to enter into the atmosphere of freedom and joy that is heaven where God is.

But then again, we are constantly confronted by our selfish human natures. It is a fight we must constantly maintain with ourselves, that self shall not have the victory. Through Christ we may conquer. We must entreat His help continually. We are constantly confronted by situations that tax our patience and our faith. But we cannot give out what we have not received in. We cannot manifest a patience that has not been instilled into our inmost souls.

And I think that is the key word. And the key to practical religion. Instilled. Still. “Be still, and know that I am God.” AMEN.

Kathleen Ross, Alberta, Canada