A few years ago about this time of year, as I was in my yard taking a break from spending hours in front of the computer, my neighbor, who was a denominational "pastor," said to me, "I'll bet you can't wait for this time of year to be over." I thought to myself, "He must have read my mind." The end of the school year is always busy with final exams to write, term papers to grade, final grade averages due, letters to write to lectureship speakers, manuscripts to write for other lectureships, along with the usual day to day teaching, putting together the bulletin, preparing Wednesday night class notes and sermons, visiting those in the hospital, and trying to get some time in with the family. Then I began to wonder why my neighbor would ask such a question, so I asked him. He responded in a complaining tone of voice, "I can't wait till Easter is over. I have Maundy Thursday services, then Good Friday services, then Easter sunrise services, and then regular Sunday services."

After my neighbor left, the thought occurred to me of how different man-made religion is from New Testament Christianity. First, there is a difference in authority. As Jesus' question to the chief priests and elders indicated, there are only two possible sources of authority: God or man (Mt. 21:25). It is impossible to glorify God when our religious authority is man-made (cf. Mt. 15:8-9; Col. 2:20-22). Second, there is a difference in duty. The Bible nowhere instructs us to observe "Maundy Thursday," "Good Friday," or "Easter Sunday." From where do these "holy days" come? Man-made religion! The only religious memorial God authorizes, in fact commands, is partaking of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week to remember the death of Christ (Mt. 26:26-29 cf. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Third, because it has no authority from God and because its activities are not of Divine origin, man-made religion often becomes a hassle to its adherents. God's "commandments are not grievous" (1 Jn. 5:3). Even though people have lost their lives for keeping God's commandments (Rev. 6:9), love is the reason why they are not a hassle (1 Jn. 5:1-2). When we truly love God and know that we are doing His will, living for Him is not a burden. Is our religion a hassle? Do we truly love God and know His will? Let us follow God's will, not man's.