Relationship is the Answer

  As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we are in a relationship and not a religion. Religion, with all of its rituals and traditions, is completely empty and useless. It might make you feel like you are accomplishing something or make you feel spiritual from time to time, but it leaves you completely void in the end.

  The reason people tend to fall to religion faster than a relationship is because religion is easier. A relationship with the Lord takes a 24/7 effort. Religion only requires you to perform a few tasks from time to time and then you are good. Yet developing a relationship is what will grow us spiritually making us more mature in Christ.

  In the Garden of Eden God wanted a relationship with Adam and not a religion. Adam made a religion by trying to cover himself with fig leaves, but God pursued a relationship.

  We must see that a relationship requires responsibility and submission, however. Everybody pursues and wants the love and feelings of relationships. What we often fall to realize is that if you simply fulfill the responsibility and submission that relationships require all that other “stuff” will naturally follow. All that other “stuff”, love and feelings, will also die if responsibility and submission are ignored in the relationship.

  So once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour we have entered into a relationship and not a religion.

  We have entered into a relationship with God the Father as His children (John 20:17; Matthew 6:9; Romans 9:26). We have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ the Son as servants (Matthew 23:8-10; John 13:13) as well as brothers and sisters (Proverbs 18:24). And we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit where we are used as His temples (I Corinthians 6:19-20) and channels of blessing (John 7:38).

  This relationship we have with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit also effects our relationships with other people here on this earth. It effects our relationship to the world in that we are to be witnesses unto them (Acts 1:8; John 17:18). It also brings us into fellowship with other believers as brethren (Matthew 23:8; Hebrews 2:11).

  When you develop a relationship with the Lord, fulfilling all of its responsibilities and submission, all other things of life will fall in line right where they need to be.

  Are you struggling keeping your priorities straight with God and others? Then think less of yourself as being in a religion filled with rituals and tradition to gain a desired result. Rather think of yourself as in a relationship of pleasing and magnifying Him, realizing you have a responsibility to God and a submission to His authority. Things will start coming together after that.

James 4:8 – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”