IMAGINE NO RELIGION?

"Imagine No Religion." Ten billboards having this message, at a cost of $3500.00 each, went up around the city of Portland recently. According to an article in the Oregonian there has been "next to no public reaction." As the article rightly points out, that should not surprise us inasmuch as Oregon is one of the country's most unchurched states. But it should concern us.

It isn't difficult to "imagine no religion" in a society that is becoming increasingly secular, we see the effects of such thinking all around us. And while I'm not a proponent of all religions, this "anti-religion" message is at the core of much of what ails our society.

We are witnessing the effects of "no religion" movement all around us. Our society has forgotten that it owes much to those who believed in God and acted upon their faith. Most of our prestigious universities were founded by Christians. Our judicial system was established on Christian principles. Hospitals, rescue missions, and orphanages can into existence because Christians cared. Slavery came to end in modern times in our part of the world because of the efforts of Christians, though slavery still exists in those parts of the world where Christianity has less influence.

The moral code that is taught in the Bible is the only hope for order in this chaotic world. When everyone does what is right in their own eyes then chaos is the rule. According to Romans chapter one lost humanity ongoingly rejects the clear evidence that there is a creator (Romans 1:18-21). God's wrath is revealed against them inasmuch as He gives them over "to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper" (Romans 1:28).

We don't have to imagine a world with no true religion, that world is happening now--ready or not. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 describes the nature of it for us: "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

This world has no answer for the problems of sin and evil. It is believed that we can somehow find answers for the world's problems apart from God. That experiment has been going on for thousands of years and we are no better off in our efforts than those who have gone before us. Atheistic communism has given us a supreme example of what a "no religion" society looks like. In such a world human life is cheap, hope is lost, and answers are no where to be found. Man has a sin problem that cannot be resolved by his own efforts. It is deep-rooted in man. It cannot be cured or rooted out no matter how much we try. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of God." Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death." The existence of sin and evil in this world cannot be denied. No right-minded person can dismiss it.

The answer for the sin problem, is not, of course, religion. But it is not in us, and to the extent that most people equate religion with God, religion is a good starting point in which to seek for a solution. God has provided a solution for sin. His Son, Jesus Christ, "came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. He died on the cross for our sins. He offers forgiveness, victory over sin, and a future home in heaven to those who place their trust in Him (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9).

For those of the "no religion" persuasion there is no hope. The burden of sin cannot be lifted. There will be no power to overcome the sinful, selfish lusts that control their lives. When judgment comes they will suffer eternal loss (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). What ails them now will pale in comparison to the eternal suffering that awaits.

Instead of "Imagine No Religion" billboards, maybe we should erect some that say "Imagine No Sin." Now that is something that is truly hard to imagine! The world had a glimpse of it when Christ came to dwell amongst us. "He knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Those who believe in Christ experience a taste of it when they are forgiven, and as they are changed. They are destined to a place where there will be no more sin: "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

"Imagine No Religion," "its easy if you try" and you don't have to try very hard. Imagining a true religion that offers forgiveness, true and lasting change, and a certain hope--that's a little tougher. Fortunately we don't have to imagine. All we have to do is avail ourselves of the truth, found in the Scriptures, and believe.

Pastor Jerry