June 25
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RELIGION HINDERS TRUTH AND FAITH
17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. – John 5:17-23
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After Jesus healed a man who couldn’t walk for 38 years on a Sabbath, the Jewish leaders couldn’t stop looking for reasons to convict the man who healed on a prohibited day. So, as soon as they learned that it was Jesus, they didn’t waste time but to interrogate him. What really irked these legalistic leaders more was Jesus’ reply that He is the Son of God and that he can do anything that the Father can. They couldn’t believe that a man would claim equality with the God they knew who was all about following the law. It is sad to watch people bound by religion and laws. They couldn’t see beyond the law. They lost sight of what is truth and became prisoners of following rules. Jesus’ calm reply made them go berserk at nailing down this man and adding more reasons to convict the Lord. Interesting how Jesus showed them that his work was to follow what the Father does and also claimed that God has given him the same power as Him. The religious couldn’t see how it is possible that this uneducated man who has no position of high esteem can be the Son of God. Isn’t this story telling us how religion and legalism can actually keep us from salvation? Many people have gone off course in their Christian walk. Religion destroys our relationship with God and others. When the law comes first than your obedience and faith, it hinders you from living a free life.
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REFLECTION
• How does religion contribute to growing one’s faith in God?
• Why do many people think that relationship with God is done through religion?