You've got the using kind of religion, not just the meeting house kind.

At Rachel's soccer practice tonight I overheard a conversation between two 1st grade girls, schoolmates of Sarah.

One asked the other, "What did that ant do to you?" (An ant had apparently be squashed.) I heard no response, but perhaps there was a shoulder shrug. Either way, the enquiring mind that wanted to know boldly declared, "God created the ant and you were mean to it."

Now, although I might disagree with that young lady's application of theology, perhaps betraying my prejudice against the fire ant, I applaud her attempts to be a "doer" of the Word and not just a hearer (James 1:22).

Theologically she was right. The ant is part of God's creation and as part of God's creation, it should be treated with that knowledge in mind.

Right thinking should produce right living. If not, one has to question the validity of the thinking.

The Christian life is a transformative process of having the mind renewed as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1-2) that we would demonstrate love for Christ via obedience (John 14:21). As people observe such obedience, the Father in heaven is praised. Without this using kind of religion, we've no business addressing Christ as "Lord" (Luke 6:46).

A hypocrite knows more than he is willing to do; but a true saint desires to do what he knows, and to know more that he may do more, and better. - Puritan Vavasor Powell