Jesus teaches that true religion isn’t about rituals, appearances, or strict rule-following—it’s about love. He summed it up in two commandments: love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40). This kind of love is the foundation of a genuine, God-pleasing faith. It calls us to move beyond lip service and into meaningful action—praying, serving, forgiving, and living with compassion and humility. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan and teachings on humility, Jesus shows that true religion is lived out through mercy and a heart aligned with God’s will.
Furthermore, Jesus emphasizes that true faith is revealed not just in what we say, but in how we live. His teachings in the Beatitudes and His care for the least among us highlight that a transformed heart produces righteous, selfless action. Jesus Himself is the perfect model—living a life of integrity, service, and sacrificial love. Following Him means cultivating a sincere faith that seeks to love well, serve faithfully, and reflect God’s character.
Keep reading for a deeper dive into how Jesus defines true religion—and how you can live it out daily in a way that honors God and impacts others.
When it comes to understanding true religion, Jesus’s teachings offer profound insights. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to practice true religion according to Jesus, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into what Jesus says about living a faith that’s genuine and pleasing to God.
True Religion: Love God and Love Your Neighbor
Jesus boiled down the essence of true religion in a simple yet profound way: love. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Loving God
Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind means making Him the center of your life. It’s about prioritizing your relationship with God above all else. This involves regular prayer, studying the Bible, and living in obedience to His commands. Jesus emphasized that true worship isn’t about rituals or outward displays, but about a heartfelt connection with God. He rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, saying in Matthew 15:8, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Loving Your Neighbor
Loving your neighbor as yourself is the second cornerstone of true religion. This means treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that your neighbor isn’t just the person living next door, but anyone in need. The Samaritan’s actions demonstrated true religion by showing mercy and compassion, crossing cultural and social barriers to help someone in need.
Practicing True Religion: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Jesus made it clear that true religion is about more than just words; it’s about actions. In Matthew 25:35-40, He describes the final judgment, where the righteous are commended for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting prisoners. Jesus concludes, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Helping Those in Need
True religion involves practical acts of kindness and service. James 1:27 echoes this sentiment, stating, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Helping those in need, especially the vulnerable, is a key aspect of living out your faith.
Living a Life of Integrity
Living a life of integrity means your actions align with your beliefs. Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His time for their lack of integrity. In Matthew 23:27-28, He says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
To live a life of integrity, ensure your private life matches your public persona. Avoid hypocrisy by being honest, humble, and sincere in all your dealings.
True Religion: A Heart Transformed
True religion isn’t about external conformity but internal transformation. Jesus focused on the condition of the heart. In Matthew 5:8, He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” A pure heart is one that seeks God earnestly, free from deceit and malice.
The Beatitudes
In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), Jesus outlines the attitudes and behaviors that reflect true religion:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: Recognize your need for God.
- Blessed are those who mourn: Grieve over sin and suffering.
- Blessed are the meek: Display humility and gentleness.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: Pursue godly living.
- Blessed are the merciful: Show compassion and forgiveness.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: Maintain moral and spiritual purity.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: Promote reconciliation and peace.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness: Endure suffering for doing what is right.
Each of these blessings highlights a heart posture that aligns with true religion.
The Greatest Example: Jesus Himself
Jesus is the ultimate example of true religion. His life exemplified perfect love for God and others. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught with authority. His sacrificial death on the cross demonstrates the ultimate act of love. In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
How to Cultivate True Religion in Your Life
Cultivating true religion requires intentionality and commitment. Here are some practical steps to help you live out true religion:
- Deepen Your Relationship with God: Spend time in prayer and Bible study daily. Seek to understand God’s will and apply it to your life.
- Serve Others: Look for opportunities to help those in need. Volunteer at a local charity, visit the sick, or support a friend in distress.
- Live with Integrity: Be honest and sincere in all your interactions. Let your actions match your words.
- Pursue Purity: Guard your heart and mind against negative influences. Strive to live a life that reflects God’s holiness.
- Promote Peace: Be a peacemaker in your community. Resolve conflicts and foster harmony.
- Show Compassion: Practice kindness and empathy. Remember, helping the least of these is serving Christ Himself.
Conclusion
True religion, according to Jesus, is a matter of the heart expressed through love for God and others. It’s about living a life of integrity, serving those in need, and maintaining a pure heart. As you strive to follow Jesus’s teachings, remember that true religion isn’t about perfection but a sincere and humble pursuit of God’s will. By loving God wholeheartedly and loving your neighbor as yourself, you’ll embody the essence of true religion and make a meaningful impact in the world.
FAQs: What Does Jesus Say is True Religion?
1. What is true religion according to Jesus?
Answer: According to Jesus, true religion is centered on two main commandments: loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). It’s about having a genuine relationship with God and showing compassion and kindness to others.
2. How does Jesus emphasize the importance of love in true religion?
Answer: Jesus emphasized love as the foundation of true religion. He taught that loving God and loving your neighbor are the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). He also illustrated love in action through parables like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), highlighting the importance of helping those in need regardless of differences.
3. What are practical ways to live out true religion?
Answer: Practical ways to live out true religion include:
- Deepening your relationship with God through prayer and Bible study.
- Serving others by volunteering and helping those in need.
- Living with integrity, ensuring your actions align with your beliefs.
- Pursuing purity in heart and mind.
- Promoting peace and resolving conflicts.
- Showing compassion and empathy to everyone.
4. Why did Jesus criticize the religious leaders of His time?
Answer: Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His time, particularly the Pharisees, for their hypocrisy. They focused on outward appearances and rituals while neglecting the more important matters of the heart, like justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:27-28).
5. What role do actions play in true religion?
Answer: Actions play a crucial role in true religion. Jesus taught that true faith is demonstrated through actions, such as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and helping the needy (Matthew 25:35-40). Genuine faith is reflected in how you treat others and serve your community.
6. How can one cultivate true religion in their life?
Answer: To cultivate true religion in your life:
- Develop a strong relationship with God through regular prayer and Bible study.
- Actively seek ways to help others and volunteer in your community.
- Maintain integrity in all aspects of your life.
- Strive for purity in your thoughts and actions.
- Be a peacemaker and work towards resolving conflicts.
- Practice compassion and empathy towards everyone you meet.
7. What are the Beatitudes, and how do they relate to true religion?
Answer: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) are a series of blessings that describe the attitudes and behaviors that reflect true religion. They emphasize qualities like humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking. The Beatitudes highlight the importance of having a heart that seeks God and lives out His values.
8. How does Jesus’ life exemplify true religion?
Answer: Jesus’ life exemplifies true religion through His actions and teachings. He showed perfect love for God and others by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching with authority, and ultimately sacrificing His life for humanity. His example sets the standard for living a life of genuine faith and love.
9. Why is integrity important in true religion?
Answer: Integrity is important in true religion because it ensures that your actions align with your beliefs. Jesus emphasized the need for authenticity and condemned hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28). Living with integrity means being honest, sincere, and consistent in your faith and actions.
10. How can loving your neighbor reflect true religion?
Answer: Loving your neighbor reflects true religion by demonstrating practical acts of kindness and compassion. Jesus taught that loving your neighbor involves helping those in need, showing mercy, and treating others with respect and dignity (Luke 10:25-37). This love in action is a core aspect of true faith.
By understanding and implementing these principles, you can live out the true religion that Jesus taught, making a positive impact on your community and deepening your relationship with God.
