Speaker: Bonnie Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (Matthew 5:46).
Almost any major city of the world today is shrouded in a pallor of smog and pollution that stings your eyes, makes your lungs ache, and negatively affects your health. When something pure is polluted by that which is harmful, it is said to be toxic. And that label can aptly be applied to religion as well as a variety of other things.
Are some religions toxic? Listen for the next three minutes and decide for yourself.
Jesus, the one who held little children in His arms and blessed them, who picked up the wounded and fallen, unquestionably considered the religion of His day to be toxic. No, Jesus had no problem with Moses or the prophets. He esteemed them, but he considered what centuries of legalism had added to the law, the writings, and the prophets, as being toxic. Some of Jesus’ strongest words were directed to those who had corrupted God’s revelation with toxic ideas and regulations. “Snakes, vipers, whitewashed tombs” were terms he used for them.
The Apostle Paul, the theologian of the New Testament, considered anything that was added to what God had revealed to be toxic. He wrote the Galatian Christians and said, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” But he went further as he said, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned” (Galatians 1:6-8). Strong words? Yes. Why? He wanted to maintain the purity of the Gospel message and not have it corrupted by toxic additions or thinking.
The New Testament considers anything that is added to or removed from God’s revelation to be toxic, and to be rejected. John concludes the last book of the New Testament, saying, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life…” (Revelation 22:18-19).
One more thought about toxic religion. Any religion, no matter what it claims to be, that is based on hatred has become toxic. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45). And Jesus followed that same path of humility in his example. Instead of calling down fire from heaven upon those who nailed Him upon the cross, He cried, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing!”
No wonder Napoleon called Jesus “the emperor of love.” A religion of hatred—no matter what label it is given—is toxic and is not in harmony with the God who Himself is love. Vast numbers of people know John 3:16 that declares God’s love for humankind—all people, everywhere, but few know the sentence that follows, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
It’s a great goal to strive to protect our planet—to work to eliminate the toxic stuff from the air and water or make your neighborhood safe for your kids. But God’s Son came on a mission to deliver us from toxic, corrupted religion and to give us life.
Resource reading: Matthew 5:4-38