Christ: the Essence of Religion

The old french word “religion” originates etymologically from the latin “religare” (to bind) and “religio” (obligation, bond, reverence). Today, the use of the word is often colored with negative undertones in a modern Christian milieu of the highly personalized “relationship”.  Seeking the meaning of religion in the person of Jesus Christ, we find its Root, its Origin, and its very Definition. Being fully God and fully man, the life of Christ embodies and Is the Essence of Union with God. The person of Jesus Christ both represents, and Is ontologically, True Religion.

The term “Hypostatic Union”, although an unfamiliar term in popular evangelicalism, accurately describes the intimate Union of the Divine and the human nature. The Word of God, being the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, joined Himself to mankind forever, redeeming human nature itself (Ruth 4:4) (Gal 3:14) by function of this Hypostatic Union. The essence of religion, which is the true and right bond of God and Man, is fulfilled, and is exclusive to the person of Jesus Christ, being the Only-Begotten Son and Word of God. He claims to be the Origin of religion by His words “I AM” (the Ever Existing One).

We also have two “wills” within this God-Man, one being voluntarily submitted to the Divine Will on behalf of all mankind. A “synergy” within the Person of Jesus Christ makes True Religion a possibility that the first Adam could not attain. The spiritual bond that was severed by Adam and Eve was restored by the Life of Christ, creating a “new and living Way” (Hebrews 10:20) to God, not by outward observances but by ontological Union. To accomplish this Christ had to “take on” flesh and correct it neurologically, inclining it towards holiness and preferring God over His own human will. “Lamb” and “Shepherd” refers to these two wills, thus Christ is both simultaneously.

Christ has made the human soul a True tabernacle of God, a Temple “raised in 3 days” (John 2:19). As the dwelling place of God is now with man (Revelation 21:3) in the person of Jesus Christ, we have the fulfillment of the meaning of religion. The modern “relationship” status between God and man is surpassed by an actual “Union” in Christ. The external associations and meanings of religion are overshadowed by the internalized and consummate religion of Christ.