Going through the motions

So what is a Christian? What does a follower of God look like?

A Christian goes to church – the same church – every Sunday. Maybe twice every Sunday. And attends a house group through the week.

For a Christian, a Quiet Time is obligatory. A set time everyday sat with a Bible and some Bible Reading notes and a book for writing a list of people to pray for in.

A Christian is clean living – no swearing, no drinking, no smoking, no tattoos, no gambling etc etc etc.

A Christian can tend to make everyone around them feel really bad, because they are so good and perfect all the time.

A Christian manages to turn every conversation into a conversation about Jesus.

A Christian will not watch certain films or TV programmes or read certain books. Most films, TV programmes and books actually.

A Christian is quick to judge other Christians on how they behave.

A Christian is wary of things and people they don’t know – like foreigners and yoga and vegans.

A Christian is always talking about putting God first, but cannot really tell you what that means in practice.

A Christian has a role to play in church.

A Christian tithes to their church.

A Christian is a fan of God Radio and God TV.

A Christian blares nothing but worship songs from their car sound system.

A British Christian is obliged to vote Conservative.

A Christian has a proper job.

OK. I’d better stop there. I could go on and on and on and on….I think you get what I’m saying…

God addresses the same issue in Jeremiah 7. When faith becomes religion. When religion becomes false religion. When people go through the motions and say the right things, but the attitudes of their hearts are all wrong. I’m not saying that any of the things above are wrong in themselves (although some are not ‘me’. Oh no, not at all.) But we put faith in a box. Religion in a box.

This is a Christian box and this is what you have to do to belong in the box.

This is how God describes what following Him looks like –

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave to your ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.  Jeremiah 7:5-8

Pretty different to my list, isn’t it?

We are getting it all wrong. Still.

Have we learnt anything at all? Why do exploitation and unfair work practices and unsafe working conditions and rampant consumerism and all that is being done to ravage our planet and the refugee crisis and genital mutilation and human trafficking and poverty and food banks still exist? What are the churches doing about all of that?

Since when does following God and relying on His grace to forgive set us free to keep doing all the wrong things and harbouring wrong attitudes and prejudices, safe in the knowledge that we can confess every Sunday and all will be well? God is watching. God knows what we’re up to. He knows how sincere our words of confession are. He’s watching out for real change.

God sees all that is being done in the streets of Judah and Jerusalem. The people are harming their relationship with God, but they are harming themselves too. Because His way has always been the best way. The other way – going our own way – may feel good for a while, but will never end well for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. His way is the path to wellbeing. The route to health and happiness. Following God is not a sacrifice, although it may look as if you are missing out and giving stuff up. Following God leads to a life lived to the full. A real life. Human life as it was always meant to be lived.

For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.  Jeremiah 7:22-23

These words are as true today as the day when Jeremiah first spoke them aloud.

It never just about the externals. About getting the rituals and traditions right. It comes right back to obedience every single time.