Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 239 August 24, 2001
A Poor Substitute

Diamonds are beautiful, when they have been faceted and polished properly. Those that aren’t suitable for use in jewelry are used in industrial abrasives.

Their inner “fire” combined with massive amounts of advertising have made them incredibly popular.

They are generally expensive, and few people can afford to purchase as many diamonds as they would like. After all, one simply “must have” the earrings, bracelet and necklace to go along with the ring.

Trading on this desire are those who produce diamond substitutes. The most popular by far is the cubic zirconia (CZ).

CZ is inexpensive, has a reasonable resemblance to a diamond and is difficult for the average person to tell from a diamond. Unless I looked under a magnifying glass, a CZ ring is just as pretty as a diamond ring.

CZ however does not have the durability of a diamond. They fracture and break easily under pressure.

CZ is like religion. It can give a nice appearance, and fool a lot of people, but is only a poor copy of faith.

Religion cracks and breaks under pressure, which is when you need it the most.

True faith on the other hand holds up. It sustains you under the worst trial or pressure.

The difference between the two is that religion concerns itself with rituals, appearance and external trappings. Faith is a matter of the heart, it is a relationship with the Living God.

Religion is stale and dead. Faith is alive and vibrant. Religion traps you. Faith frees you.

The Pharisees had religion. The disciples had faith. Which do you have?

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galations 3:10-14 NIV

Until next time, may your hope be based on your faith in Jesus Christ, not in the religion of your denomination or family heritage.

God bless.

Kevin