Which do you have? Relationship or Religion?
Do you go to church? Do you read the bible? Are you a member of a particular church? Do you only attend church at a certain denomination because you think that is important in your walk with God?
I’d like to get you thinking about whether you have a relationship or simply religion.
Relationship; what is it? Religion; what is it? Do you know the difference? Is there a difference? Yes! There is a BIG difference.
My first husband, before the Lord called him home in 1989, used to say, “All religion is man made.” I always agreed with him on that. Sometimes we get so hung up on a certain “religion” (which usually means a denomination of church) that we lose sight of the relationship we need with the Savior.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.” John 14:6 — This is key. Because we are all by nature sinners, we need a savior to rescue us from our sins. We can do nothing on our own that will pay the price God requires for our sins. Only Jesus can do that, and He did on the cross!!
In the Old Testament, the Jews had to continually offer up sacrifices to God in order to be temporarily cleansed from their sins. But it was just that, temporary. They had to offer sacrifices again and again and again, that is until Jesus came, died on the cross and became the final sacrifice for all the sins of the world!
Jesus is the perfect man, perfect God, all wrapped up in one. He came to earth for the purpose of fulfilling the Old Testament law and to provide a way for us to spend eternity with the Father in heaven.
We are eternal beings, you know. We will spend eternity somewhere. It is only through Jesus that we can spend eternity in heaven. But it takes more than just knowing “about” Jesus, more than knowing who He is, more than simply hearing about Him, more than just believing He is the son of God. It takes all those things, but it also takes a relationship with Him, a personal relationship.
Do you know Jesus personally? Not just know “of” Him. Not just know “about” Him. Not just believe that He came, was crucified, died and rose again. You must confess Him as Lord of your life. You must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, and you must recognize and confess that He (Jesus Christ) is YOUR Savior. Have you done that? If not, don’t wait any longer. Jesus could return TODAY! He is coming back, you know. He promised that He would, and He always keeps His promises!
You can pray this simple prayer (if you really mean it in your heart) and be saved today:
Thank you Lord Jesus for shedding Your blood on the cross in payment for my sins and for offering me the gift of eternal life with You. I open my heart and invite You into my life and commit to follow you the rest of my days. By faith I receive the gift you provided for me, and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior. Amen
So beautiful are your thoughts.
Thank you Jamie!
Keeping in step with what you have already said, “Religion is defined as man’s attempt to reach God, while Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man”. I heard this many years ago and believe it has virtue.
Honey, I love what’s on your heart.
Your hubby.
Hello Saints, I love your link and I agree with your blog about religion vs God when it comes to relationships. Julianne sends her greetings. Keep in touch! Bob