There is an African saying which can be paraphrased as follows: religion is one thing; character is another thing. It is possible to have religion and not have a good character. Religion can be defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. The perspective of religion on moral character and its role in promoting virtues is an important issue. Divine religions, generally, focus more on the inherent character of a person than the specific actions he or she should perform.
Members of a religious organization that strictly follow their devotional and ritual observances, but indulge in any of the following (Galatians 5:19-21); sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, gossiping or biting and devouring each other, can be described as having religion, but lacking good character.
The Holy Spirit speaking through prophet Isaiah phrased it, and explained its practical application in our daily lives in, Isaiah 58:3-7 that, “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.
Good character according to God translates into true religion or aptly put right relationship with God. The Scriptures in James 1:27 points out that 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. According to the Scriptures in Galatians 5:14; For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself. When you love your neighbour, stranger or enemy as yourself, all your actions and behaviour towards others are grounded in love, that is, good character involved in a right relationship with God.
