A Religious Life Begins with God's Character, Not Ceremony

So shall thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4)

What constitutes a truly religious life? Not ceremony divorced from goodness. Not intellectual assent to creeds, nor ecclesiastical connection, nor melancholy superstition. Before we become truly religious, we must possess correct views of God, of ourselves, of our relationship to the Almighty, and of sin itself—hating and forsaking it.

Reverence for and sincere love of God mark the religious life distinctly. Self-control upon religious principles is its second hallmark. Our reverence and love of Elohim are practically embodied in our self-government. As Christians, we should lead lives in harmony with the Divine example Christ placed before us. In His life and ministry, He revealed to us the character of the Father and the religious life His followers should lead. We receive Christ as our Teacher, Guide, Friend, Counsellor, Example, and Redeemer.

The commencement of religious life takes varied forms. Matthew, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, and Paul could narrate the precise circumstances of their transformation from darkness to light, from error to truth, from wickedness to righteousness. Yet it is not the usual order that aged persons begin this journey, and deathbed conversions merit no more faith than extreme unction or priestly absolutions.

It is the life of a man that proclaims who he is and what he is. Christianity is for life. The life of a sincere Christian always fits for death.