Relationship vs Religion

One of the main components of my faith is that I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a saved individual, I have a loving relationship with Jesus. This is opposed to, and much better than, following a religion.

Before I get into it, let’s talk about some definitions.

A relationship is a two-way street, where each side loves each other, and both have the other’s best interest in mind. Think about the way that you would treat your significant other.

A religion, however, is a series of rituals that someone associates with a higher power. In this case, the type of religions I am talking about are “Christian” religions, but the definition includes any kind of religion.

The reason I believe in the relationship approach is simple. I know God. I talk to Him, through prayer, on a daily basis. I worship Him, and He guides me to make the right decisions in life. He blesses me beyond measure, and He keeps me safe from harm.

The problem with religion, on the other hand, is that it is way more one-sided. God still loves “religious” people, as He loves everybody. But the religious people do not return the favor. They are trying to earn their way into Heaven. This is not how it works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

One of the main reasons I hear people say that they do not want to put faith in God is that people don’t want to follow rules. “Christians can’t drink. They can’t have sex before marriage. They can’t have any fun!”

Those people are right, to an extent, but I’d argue that their problem is with religion and not with serving God.

The problem with religion is that there are so many rules and rituals that you “have” to follow (if you want to go to Heaven, of course).

However, as a saved person, and being in a relationship with Jesus, I CHOOSE to follow rules. Not because I think it will get me into Heaven, but because I want to make Him happy with me, so that He gives me even more blessings.

When you are in a relationship, you do things to make your significant other happy, correct? Perhaps it’s cooking a meal for them, or buying them flowers, or taking them out on a date. You CHOOSE to do those things, to make your person happy. Well, it’s the same with God.

I’ll close with this verse:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6