There is a clear difference between religion and Christianity. Religion is man’s device
for reaching God, while Christianity is God reaching out to man through Christ. It
happens that most religious practices are nothing but a dead investment. In reality,
Mexico has an annual ritual known as the Day of the Dead. It is a holiday when families
gather to pray for their dead loved ones. Part of the ceremony involves preparing the
favourite foods of their loved ones while they were alive. Mexicans are not the only
group caught in this empty religious garb; Paul also mentioned a group of people who
get baptized on behalf of their dead loved ones. “Otherwise, what will they do who are
baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the
dead?” (

“You can make your life count for others while you both are still alive.”

On the authority of the Bible, we can say this is an exercise in futility. When people die,
their works follow them, whether the works were good or bad. The Bible is clear: once
people die, no prayer warrior here on earth can alter their eternal state. Therefore, if you
must invest in anyone, do so while he or she is alive. Pray all the prayers you can for
the living; show all the affection you can for your family and friends. You can make your
life count for others while you both are still alive. Religion will saddle you with a lot of
useless rituals. I believe these rituals constitute part of the burdens from which Jesus
came to set us free.