"All religion is a matter of life, and the life of religion is to do what is good."
(Doctrine of Life 1)
"Religion alone renews and regenerates a human being.
Religion occupies the highest seat in the human mind..."
(True Christian Religion 601)
"Religion is like a seed that produces just and true desires, and from these just and true judgments and actions..."
(Coronis 40)
When the Writings speak of 'religion' they mean something very basic. 'What else is religion than walking with God?' (Coronis 40). Religion is 'doing good to the neighbour for God's sake, and thus doing good with God and from God.' (Apocalypse Revealed 484.9). When 'religion' is used, the emphasis is consistently on the life we lead in harmony with God as we know Him.
Our religion is not our creed or doctrine. Though there is certainly some overlap between the words 'religion' and 'church' and 'doctrine', it is significant that the passages above don't say, 'The church is like a seed which produces just and true desires...' or 'Doctrine alone renews and regenerates a human being.' No amount of book-learning or the participating in formal aspects of the church is going to bring renewal or regeneration to us — short of our 'walking (and sometimes stumbling) with God.' What renews and regenerates, what produces just and true desires, is actually thinking and doing the best we can in our waking lives, as we 'walk with God.'
Unless this is distinctly grasped, the wonderful doctrines of the New Church can have no real impact on our lives, and we can find no real joy in the New Church's existence in the world.
But once we've entered into the path of religion, we can begin to understand how important the church and its teachings are. Who is our God? How does He show Himself to us? What is His deepest purpose in creating us? How do we as individuals or as communities fit into His aim? How does He lead us? What is 'eternal life'? What is it like? What is 'love'? What is 'good'? What makes for genuine happiness? Who is our 'neighbour'?
The doctrines of the New Church answer these questions (and many more) in such satisfying ways! In ways that we can understand, both simply and more and more deeply! In ways that can influence the way we live our lives! In ways that can bring a clear sense of purpose.
Let us thank the Lord for what He has given to us! — given to the human race! May the doctrines of the New Church continue to sustain the life of religion with us. And may its truths become a clear guide to all who have religion, who want religion, and who can be touched by this new, truly Christian one.
Find out more about the teachings of the New Church and how it can relate to real life issues
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