But just what is religion?

It is only by the study of the Word of God that we can learn to know the nature of true religion. The word religion is derived from the Latin and not from any word that is found in the original Hebrew or Greek of the Bible. It is found only four times in our translation of the Bible,

(Gal. 1:13, 14; Jas. 1:26, 27)

The Old Testament defines religion as the fear of the LORD. This fear is not a feeling of dread, but of reverent regard for God akin to awe, but coupled with love and confidence. It is the response of the Old Testament believers to the revelation of the law. In the New Testament religion is a response to the gospel rather than to the law, and assumes the form of faith and godliness.

In the light of Scripture we learn to understand that religion is a relation in which man stands to God, a relation in which man is conscious of the absolute majesty and infinite power of God and'["of his own utter insignificance and absolute helplessness. It may be defined as a conscious and voluntary relationship to God, which expresses itself in grateful worship and loving service. The manner of this religious worship and service is not left to the arbitrary will of man, but is determined by God.

The Seat of Religion.

There are several wrong views respecting the seat of religion in man.  Some think of religion primarily as a sort of knowledge, and locate it in the intellect. Others regard it as a kind of immediate feeling of God, and find its seat in the feelings. And still others hold that it consists most of all in moral activity, and refer it to the will.

 

However, all these views are one-sided and contrary to Scripture, which teaches us that religion is a "matter of the heart. In Scripture psychology the heart is the central organ of the soul. Out of it are all the issues of life, thoughts, feelings, and desires, (Prov. 4:23).

Religion involves the whole man, his intellectual, his emotional, and his moral life. This is the only view that does justice to the nature of religion. All life is from God, and has no of us. It is only through God’s grace we live.

We have been created with the attributes to worship because of our divine origin (Gen Ch.1:24). Man was created not evolved, this expressly declared, and the declaration is confirmed by Christ (see Matt.Ch19:4 and Mark Ch.10:6). It is also confirmed by the unbridgeable chasim between man and beasts.

The fact the Man was made in the image of God is chiefly found in that Man is a personal, rational, and moral being. Although we are finite while God is infinite, nevertheless man possesses the elements of

personality,

Thinking Gen. 2:19 Gen. 3:8

Feeling Gen 3:16

Willing Gen. 3:6-7

Man is also a tri-unity made up of

Body, Soul and Spirit

          

For further reading on the the Origin of Mankind  go to next Page >>>>>>>>>>>

The Bible informs us that man was created in the image of God. When he fell in sin, he did not entirely cease to be the image-bearer of the Most High. The seed of religion is still present in all men, though their sinful nature constantly reacts against it.  (See Rom. 1:19-23)

The Origin  of Mankind