We’re all familiar with the 3 R’s of Education: Reading, Riting & Rithmetic. This slang version of the originals all begin with the letter R. Reading, writing & arithmetic are considered by most Education experts as the foundation of Education - since the ability to read enables a person to research all the other genres of knowledge, writing helps us to communicate what we’ve learned & arithmetic is essential especially in the Sciences. The origin of the 3 R’s is unknown - but there are references to them in newspapers going back a couple hundred years. One of the oldest references to them is made by Augustine of Hippo, a Catholic Theologian of the 5th century - who emphasized their importance in the learning process. The aim or mark of the 3 R’s is to create Self-learners.
But are you aware of the 3 R’s of Religion? There are 3 R words that every Religion on earth revolve around. Do you know what they are? Do you know what their aim or purpose is in the Christian Religion? In today’s blog I will reveal the 3 R’s of Religion and the aim or mark God intended them to build.
“These are the regulations (RULES) the Lord gave Moses concerning relationships…” (NUM.30:16 NIV) All of the Bible’s rules, regulations or laws were given by God to show us how to build right relationships with Him, our neighbor or ourselves. Jesus Himself said that on the 2 greatest commandments (about our relationship with God, neighbor & self) hang all the Law & the Prophets. (MT.22:40) The Scribes & Pharisees of Jesus day missed the mark of these Rules, and millions of Christians are repeating it today: “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience & from sincere faith…” (I TIM.1:5) The Apostle Paul added: “Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.'“
RITUALS are what bring sanctity & regularity to our worship of God. Prayer, Meditation, Fasting, Holy Days & Fellowship - are what keep us in sync with our Creator and one another. The problem with rituals is that for some people they morph into religiosity - an outward show of Religion - and are used by some as badges of righteousness. But when used properly - with the focus on using them to keep us moving as ‘one’ with God and each other - they become a powerful tool in unifying relationships.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “So Christ Himself gave the apostles, evangelists, the pastors & teachers, to equip His people for works (or ROLES) of service, so that the ‘Body of Christ’ (the Church) may be built up until we all reach unity in the Faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (EPHESIANS 4:11,12)
While some have administrative ROLES in the Church (Pastor, Teacher) - God has given all members of the Body of Christ ROLES that help build right relationships: Ambassadors of Christ; Disciples of Christ; Evangelists; Fellowshipers; Lights of the world; Ministering to the needs of others; Salt of the earth; Watchmen; and Worshipers. All these ROLES help Christians who regularly engage in them to build right relationships with God, His Son, our brothers & sisters in Christ, Unbelievers, Angels, the earth itself, and our relationship with ourselves.
Imagine if every Christian sanctuary had those 7 RELATIONSHIPS written on the wall behind their pulpits - and the ROLES, RULES, & RITUALS that help us build those relationships written on the other 3 walls! Every week as Christians gathered to worship they would be reminded of these 3 R’s of God’s Religion that help them and their kids understand God’s great plan: “…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He (God) might gather together in ‘one’ - all things in Christ - both which are in heaven & which are on earth - in HIM (the FATHER).” (EPHESIANS 1:10)
If you want more details of how the 3 R’s build these 7 Biblical relationships - go to YOUTUBE and type in Original Christianity - and watch the program entitled: The 3 R’s of Religion.