APART FROM VITAL GODLINESS!

Apart from vital Godliness all religion is utterly vain

Worshiping without a sincere heart is a solemn shame,

When duplicity makes us a double-edged sword

It is impudent mockery to our God and Lord

 

Attending to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations

Self-righteousness is puffed up increasing our ostentations,

Garment-rendering and outward signs of religious emotion

Is different from true repentance and consequently far less common

 

Heart-rending is divinely wrought and solemnly felt

It is a secret grief, personally experienced without regret,

As the bird returns to its nest, let us wayfarers hasten to His home

For there we will find God and never be alone!

© Sheriff Ali 2006

Author's Comments

Too often we find ourselves serving religion without any real thought of God, thus it is important to remember that religion is only a path to God. A spiritual relationship with God is a matter of each individual heart, being in “oneness” with our Lord. Oneness with God will cause us to be panting for nearer and closer communion with him.  As his voice says to us “come.” Our response to Him will be, “Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come and occupy the throne of my heart and consecrate me entirely to Thy service.”