Pattern thinking in religion is foreign to the thoughts of most people. For most people, matters relating to their faith, or religion, are of their choosing and making. We hear the expressions that "my beliefs are my business"; or, "No one has a right to tell me what I must believe." Legally, according to the laws of our nation, that is right. Spiritually, according to the laws of God, that is wrong.

The Bible clearly teaches us, "Now all things are of God" (2 Corinthians 5:18). We must not dismiss that statement. It is a plain declaration that God must be the source for all things. Whatever attitudes I have they must be God approved. Whatever lifestyle I live must receive God's blessing. There can be no exception to this.

Now all this assumes that we are concerned about what God thinks of us. Some people, I am sure, are not at all concerned about what God thinks of them. Romans 1 speaks of such people, saying, "...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools... Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves..." (vss. 21ff.). In Romans 2 we are further informed, "But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who 'will render to each one according to his deeds'...indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil..." (vss. 5ff.). Those words ought to frighten anyone caught up in such thinking and behavior.

This tragic, eternal fate does not have to happen to you. You can avoid this by recognizing the Bible as the infallible expression of God's words to you. The reason for Scripture's existence is to teach us what attitudes and behavior pleases God. By reading, learning and changing our attitudes and behavior to conform to what He says we can be acceptable to Him. That is pattern thinking.

Second Timothy 1:13 says, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words..." First Corinthians 4:6 instructs us "...not to think beyond what is written..." Both Scriptures stress the importance of making sure our attitudes and behavior fit the patterns God has revealed. Mankind's relationship with God has always been built upon our following the patterns God has given us. Even Moses was warned "And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain" (Exodus 25:40). So, let's not get careless, thinking we can decide our religion. God has not, is not, and will not tolerate such.