Empty Religion.

     The Prophet Amos was sent to a people who were religiously offering the required sacrifices, they worshiped God with singing and instruments, and even longed for the day of the Lord to come.
      This was God's chosen people Israel, but they were not pleasing to God. Their worship was empty, God detested their sacrifices (Amos 5:21-23). They longed for the day of the Lord. In their minds that was when their enemies would be punished and they would be vindicated by God. They were wrong! God, through Amos, told them that it would be a terrible, dark day for them (Amos 5:18-20).
      The nation had turned away  from obedience to the will of God. They practiced injustice, and transgressed God's law. (Amos 5:7, 10-12). They thought that because they were the chosen people of God, all that mattered was the outward forms and rituals of worship.
     Jesus tells us of individuals who will one day stand before Him and be rejected. These individuals call Him Lord! They think they are saved! They claim to have done great things for Him, But He rejects their empty profession (Matthew 7:21-23). These people were not in subjection to the will of God. They were lawless, they had cast off restraint. 
     Many people today believe that they are Christians based upon baptism, confirmation, or church membership. They may have even said a sinners prayer at one time. Many look forward to the return of Christ, just like the people in the days of Amos the prophet, but sadly they are not ready!
     Rituals, forms of worship, external works no matter how religious they seem to be do not impress God. God desires our hearts. He desires our lives to be lived in surrender to Him. The one who obeys Him, is the one who loves Him (John 14:21-24). 
     James says that true religion is a religion that looks out for the needs of the truly needy, and to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27).
     What kind of religion do you claim as your own? Is external only, or does it spring from your heart, expressing itself in love toward God and your fellow man? 
     Your eternity depends on this!