Am I in Relationship or Religion?

Continuing this topic from our last teaching, I thought I would note how this very question for me plays a role in how God uses me to disseminate His word to TiMP Nation. You may notice a times when coming to the site weekly there is no new message or teaching. Well, the reason for this is fairly simple, God through The Holy Spirit has not given me anything to teach or bring into your perspective view. So, rather than take the religious approach and just put something out here for the sake of pleasing you the audience, I choose to be obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit. There are also times when life simply gets in the way, especially during this time of Covid-19 and managing young children, work and our home. Sometimes my alone time with God, prayer and study are not as consistent as I would like due to the afore mentioned impacts. Now, you may be wondering why is Greg sharing all of this with us?

I think it’s important we keep it truthful about our life and journey as Christians and not try and paint an unrealistic picture. I especially think this view should weigh most heavy to those of us whom God patiently task with the responsibility of proclaiming the truth of His gospel to the world. Maybe some pastors, preachers or other teachers out there try to come off more than Holy at every turn to world. As for me, I’m not this spiritual teacher with some halo around my head who found Jesus all these years ago and now the wind blows every time I enter a room. Therefore, it’s imperative that I ensure you all understand I am not without flaws or failures. In fact, most of my life has been just that, partly because I spent most of it trying to please myself or others rather than what was pleasing unto The Lord. Heck, even now being in this ministry space I find myself battling with my thoughts or my eye sight yet it humbles me to realize how imperfect I am and how perfect my Father is. It also humbles me to be at a place in life where I’m fully aware of those flaws, weaknesses and failures and every day blessed to realize I am a sinner saved by His grace. More importantly that Christ dwells in me and thus rescues me from myself for my faith is in Him.

I’m a disciple of The Lord Jesus because I no longer desire to be what I want to be, but what He desires of me for His will and purpose. If you notice, I often call out the church, I try and be mindful that not all are afraid to have these contrite conversations with those of you who are saved or with those seeking to accept Christ in their life. But many from t.v. evangelicals, mega churches, internet zealots, to your local neighborhood church, try and sell you on religion as they define it and its transactional value in your life. That if you do this or that, then God as part of the transaction owes you something in return. Now here is the best part, and that this transaction between you and God will be abundantly in your favor, if you follow this so called prophetic or prosperity doctrine they have laid out before you. This is where as very large portion of people around the world say, sign me up! Well, let’s be clear the Word of God (The Bible) makes no mention that God owes us anything! That’s because a real relationship with Jesus is not a religious transaction it is intimately purposeful for His glory alone. For He and He alone is worthy of all power, praise, honor and thanksgiving. Revelation 4:11

Yet the fact remains religion may fool you to think that your prosperity is on the way or believing you or someone else can somehow predict the future. However, a relationship with Jesus will help understand that your life will be filled with trials and tribulations. However, this is great for you as testing your faith breeds patience if you see the joy in the process (James 1:2). You will come to understand the future is already done and accounted for in the Word of God which is complete and final. His word is infallible which means it never has or ever will fail or be incorrect. Therefore, when choosing a relationship and life of obedience unto Christ you will give up a lot more of this world than you will gain.

In the book of Mark 10:17-22 we get introduced to the Rich Young Ruler. He is a prime example of this Relationship versus Religion topic. So here is this young wealthy guy by all accounts and he’s knowledgeable in legalism and all the religious ways. He then runs and kneels at Jesus and likely in all sincerity asks, “What can I do to have eternal life”? Like a vast majority of people, he thought he could do something to earn this priviledge? Some today are still misled in this thinking. Let’s see maybe give a large sum of money to the church. Go to church every week and don’t miss a Sunday. Oh, wait don’t break any of the commandments and be good to my family. One of these good deeds is sure to get me in. However, Jesus starts to challenge him first in recognizing no one is good except God. Then Jesus taps into his superficial nature by running down the commandments because obviously the Rich Ruler knew them. Thus, the young man was all over that “Teacher, I’ve been following those since I was young”. No problem there check, likely with a wink and a thumbs up. Now obviously this is untrue as Jesus had just told Him no one is good except God. However, this is the religion mind set of checking off these boxes as noted in part 1 of this series. Then we see Jesus showing compassion (love) towards the young man because he was sincere but he was spiritually lost. His only connection to God had come through religion not a relationship. So, when Jesus basically tells him to give up everything you have and follow me. The Rich Young Ruler walked away, because let’s face it once he realized he would have to give up all his earthly wealth. That was too high a price to pay. The moral here is Jesus was exposing what was truly in his heart. You see, saving face and acting blameless when it came to sin in his life and clearly disobeying a direct command from Jesus regarding his possessions. Clearly showed what he valued most which caused him to miss out on salvation and eternal life.

I sincerely hope you all begin to recognize the difference in a relationship with Jesus versus being in religion toward Him. I hope you all start to seek Him more intimately and trust me, He will do a marvelous work in you.