A Day-by-day devotional

February 27, 2023

Religion

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 12-13

Scripture of the Day: Romans 10:9-10

When I was a young girl, I wanted to become a nun. That went on for years until I realized that it was not what the Lord called me to be.

Entering the nunnery, and becoming a priest are both noble vocations in Christianity. For instance, in the Orthodox and Catholic faith, this type of calling is held in high esteem. A similar calling can be found in other religions around the world. The monastic life in Buddhism or the mission of an imam are considered pathways to attaining better connections to spirituality, a Supreme Being or Higher Power. Some faithful of all aforementioned religions even hold this kind of vocation as a guaranteed road to salvation.

In Jesus‘ day, religious leaders called Pharisees often display authority and knowledge when it comes to the Law and the Prophets, which are basically, what their bible at that time consisted of. They were looked up to in the Jewish religion. Moreover, this group of religious leaders were also Jesus‘ major critics.

Nonetheless, there was one Pharisee who had been touched by Jesus, His work and His teachings. The bible didn’t explicitly mention that, but the fact that he came to Jesus, even with the knowledge that it can lead to his reputation being ruined, it can be extrapolated that in one way or another, Jesus moved his heart.

This shows us that one’s religion, and position in a religious community are not the things that lead to Jesus. And since Jesus is the only way to salvation, it means that religion also is not. Religion does not save. Religion cannot save. Because nothing that we do, or are affiliated with, leads to salvation. Only Jesus does.

So, unless you know Jesus and acknowledged Him to be your Savior, even if you obtain the highest ranks and disciplines in your religious affiliation, you can never be saved.

Nicodemus was touched by Jesus, not because of him being a Pharisee, a high-ranking teacher of the Law. Nicodemus was touched by Jesus because he allowed Jesus to affect his heart.

Scripture doesn’t state whether or not Nicodemus later became a follower of Jesus. We can never know for sure. What we do know from the bible, though, is that his religion didn’t save him. For only Jesus saves.

Reflection: Being religious cannot earn us our salvation. A genuine relationship with the Son of God is the only thing that can.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your salvation. I know that it is only through Jesus that it has been given to me. Make my faith steadfast. Amen.