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The religion of Jereboam was a Godless religion. It was such because it did not come from the will
of God, but from the arrogant mind of man. People today can and should learn from the things
“written aforetime” (Rom. 15:4). Let us see what is wrong with a man-made religion.
All man-made religions have their origins in the human heart (mind). Jereboam did as so many do today in relying upon his heart instead of the Word of God (1 Kings 12:26). The Bible clearly warns that it is “not in man that walketh to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23) and that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). God’s thoughts and ways are not man’s thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), thus a system of worship that pleases God can never come from the mind of man. God’s will for mankind must be revealed, and we have that revelation in His inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3). Anything that attempts to add to, take from, or substitute for God’s Word is simply a perversion of truth (Gal. 1:6-9) and a rebellion against God. The sole purpose of a man-made religion is to please man instead of God. Jereboam feared that if the people went to Jerusalem and worshipped as God intended, they would again respect Rehoboam as king of Judah (1 Kings 12:26-27). Thus, Jereboam established golden calves in Bethel and Dan to entice the people not to travel to Jerusalem to worship. Selfishness motivated Jere-boam to offer “alternative worship” to the people, and selfishness motivated the people to accept a religion of convenience! Selfishness is what keeps denominationalism alive today as folks demand to worship in a way that pleases them. Man-made religion pretends to be for the good of the people. Jereboam shrewdly said, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem” (1 Kings 12:28a). It doesn’t take much to convince some folks that they should do what God said not to do. Jerusalem was the place God designated for the people to worship and Jereboam had no right to change it. The “attend the church of your choice” plea works today because people choose to worship as they please and ignore a “thus saith the Lord.” God condemns such religious division and the souls who practice and promote it will be lost (1 Cor. 1:10-13). Man-made religion is in opposition to the Word of God. Jereboam lied to the people, saying, “Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28b). Had not God commanded his people to refrain from making any graven images (Exodus 20:4)? It was Jehovah, the Creator—not some humanly devised idol—who delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt. Many today bemoan the truth that there is only one church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23) while telling any who will listen why they think that many churches are wonderful. It should be obvious to one searching for the truth that the one head (Christ) is not reigning over many different religious bodies. Man’s thoughts are to be in harmony with the will of God (cf. 2 Kings 5:11). As one has aptly said, “The ladder to heaven must come from heaven” (John 14:6). Man-made religion becomes a snare to people. “And this thing became a sin; for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan” (1 Kings 12:30). Jereboam changed the object of worship from God to golden calves. It’s amazing that so many are so much more impressed with what they can do than with what God can do. All denominations are but attempts to usurp the Word and power of God. Mere men did not die for the Lord’s church (Acts 20:28), and the Lord certainly didn’t die for any denomination of men (Psalms 127:1). Denominationalism becomes a snare to so many people because they believe they are worshipping God. But in reality, they are engaging in that which is sinful and in opposition to the Lord Jesus Christ. Though it has an appearance of being right, man-made religion is ever so wrong! Jereboam knew that he needed to keep an altar, some priests, and a feast “like unto the feast that is in Judah” (1 Kings 12:32). Didn’t the people worship? Wasn’t there an outward expression of religious intent? Yes, but that which is not built upon a legitimate and solid foundation will fail and fall (cf. Matt. 7:24-27). Denominationalism has always mixed in some truth with its error. But no religion that was founded by man has the authority to exist! The Bible is clear that “Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). The Master spoke the truth when he said, “Every plant, which my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:13). |