The word “religious” can be a puzzling one.

The word is not too often frequented, but when it is it’s hardly in the first-person affirmative. That is, the word more or less is preceded by “I’m not very—“ or “yeah, he’s really—.” Ironically enough, those who fit the colloquial bill of being religious hardly use the term. Though it’s in the significant lack of the first-person affirmative that we can begin to find its definition in today’s culture.

What does a person usually mean when he says he’s “not very religious?” In the context of Christianity, he means that he doesn’t participate in Christian practices, i.e. reading the Bible, praying regularly, or going to church on days where something isn’t being celebrated or mourned. So then to be religious, in the Christian respect, is to participate in practices. While there is some truth to that - contrary to those who think Christianity is simply "just you and God" - it's important to note that it first starts in the heart and mind. To exalt Christianity as chiefly a series of practices is to grossly miss the point.

If you never understood before, allow me to briefly explain how Christianity works according to the Bible. Christ is the center, and so naturally to be a Christian you have to believe in Christ. This, of course, is not limited to just believing he exists, or believing that he loves you. The Bible mentions that even the demons know who Christ is. To make Christ the center is to believe in him as your Lord and Savior, that he is God, came down as man, lived a sinless life to die on the cross and bear the punishment for the sins of those who would receive the gift he offers of eternal life (John 3:16). To make Christ the center is to believe that Christ, as he proclaims in John 14:6, is “the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through [him].”

From there, the practices will come. Indeed, “if you love [him], you’ll keep his commands (John 14:15).” How can you call him your Lord if you don’t follow his teachings? Such irrationality couldn't be placed in the framework of any inspiration. It’s a process that starts from the inside and ends in the out, neglecting neither the internal transformation nor the external expression, that distinguishes a true Christian from someone who is simply religious.