Am I in Relationship or Religion?

Have you ever asked yourself this question when it comes to God. Likely many of us have not. Most find themselves following what ever man made religion by default. By default meaning, whatever you were exposed to as a child is typically the path you follow. Therefore, out of routine habit a person will partake or participate in the traditions and rules of that religion’s practices. Thus mistaking this as being in a relationship with God.

Now being religious can be a stepping stone to recognizing moral authority and the perception of how we are to live life in some aspects. It will likely bring a person to see God’s relevance, to acknowledgment and belief. This mindset usually promotes attending church, singing in the choir and maybe even a weekly bible study. But here is the danger and downfall of religion. By doing so it makes us feel good about ourselves and in some cases that we are better than others who are not doing these things. That God must really like us because we are checking the boxes. That one’s effort or doing what is right somehow earns you salvation and redemption with God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7

The fact is clear none of those things actually place us in right relationship with God. God is seeking something from us as believers that is not tangible. In other words, not the things that can be easily seen? That there simply is no works we can accomplish for salvation. That actually, God desires to be in an intimate, beyond brick and mortar relationship with us. Rather than that of a religious acquaintance. Which is how a large majority of church folk treat one another.

Instead, God wants to spend time with you. He wants to be involved in those matters behind your smile and nice weekly Sunday clothes. He wants you to understand he knows all about you, even the things you can’t recognize about yourself. He wants you in His word (Bible) and in prayer before Him. Not because you always want something, but to establish and root those intangibles that can only come by way of intimate Holy Spirit connection. You see anytime you are in a close relationship then there is a constant need and dependency that manifest itself. Because of a profound love you can’t imagine going a day without the other person. Well guess what? God desires this same reciprocal relationship, one where both you and He are eternally invested in one another daily. Where you believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Where you truly trust Him to lead and you wholeheartedly follow. Knowing through faith that He and He alone, not your religion or works. Is absolutely the only way to salvation and a redemptive relationship with God the Father. John 14:15-21