Religion's True Identity - UBM [David Eells]

When I was in Bible College, I remember a lesson that was taught concerning religion. The lesson was called "Bundt Pan". Now you may be wondering what a bundt pan used for making upside-down cake has to do with religion. The reason I say that is because I thought the same thing. Now mind you, the Bible College that I attended was all men, so there were a lot of topics covered throughout the courses and semesters were aimed at men. They were written for men to understand, and that is why this particular lesson is interesting.

Now before I begin, I just want to say that if you are one who has a weak stomach or just got done eating a wonderful dinner of steak and potatoes now may not be the right time to read this. This lesson was a little graphic and I thank God that I had not eaten before I heard it. This just serves as a disclaimer to those who may feel sick after reading this, but let it speak to you because it is a powerful revelation of what religion truly is.

So, you can metaphorically describe religion as to taking a bundt pan, the pan that is used to make upside-down cakes, and vomiting into it. Keep vomiting until you get it full. Then stick it into the oven and bake it. Vomit will harden and turn into gelatin if you bake it in an oven, surprisingly enough. Now, once the "vomit cake" is finished baking you are able to flip it onto a saucer. Yes, the smell is horrible and the looks of the thing is enough to make you vomit even more, but let me go further into this. Take chocolate syrup and drench the thing in it. Let it layer and harden and layer and harden. Keep on layering it until the smell of the vomit is gone and you begin to smell the chocolate exterior. Now, take some whipped cream and cherries and such and decorate it. Make it look appealing to the eye.

This is where I want to stop and make spiritual descriptions of this. You are probably wondering where I am going with this. Today, religion plays a major role in life as we know it. People who claim to be religious are in a league of their own in society. Now do not get religion mixed up with the selfless faith and discipleship Christ has called us to live to. Religion is what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught in the temples, making a show of your belief in God and doing everything for personal gain. God has called us to die to self, not lift self up. He has called us to deny ourselves, not build ourselves up. Religion teaches that we can do whatever we want as long as we meet the minimum standards (laws) of the church and the hierarchal leaders of that church. You can live like hell from Monday to Saturday but make sure you put on your "Sunday best" on Sunday. Religion teaches that there are many ways to heaven and many different ways to practice the religion of choice. This is where I am coming from...

Religion is just as good as that bundt pan chocolate covered vomit cake. It looks so good from the outside and is appealing to the eye (the world, in this case) but once you take the knife and cut into it, you reveal its true identity -- vomit puke junk. Jesus came not to bring peace, but to bring a SWORD. His Word is like a two-edged SWORD that is sharper than any weapon wielded by the hand of man. He cuts through religion to reveal its true identity to the ones He loves. His children will discern modern-day accepted religion from selfless, sacrificial, unpopular, true discipleship. Jesus said to beware the leaven of the Pharisees. There are many Pharisees in today's world. There are many false people who call themselves called of God and appointed by God, but in truth, when you cut into it with the Word of God you reveal that person's true identity and reason for being where they are: personal gain and material wealth.

True disciples of God are called to a higher standard.

Printer-friendly version