Relationship over Religion

Merriam Webster dictionary defines the term relationship as, "a specific instance or type of kinship" and "a romantic or passionate attachment." The words we need to focus on are "kinship" and "passionate." The word kinship because the Lord is our Father and the word passionate because if we aren't passionate about what we believe then what is the point? In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." To get to the Father we have to first have a relationship with the Son.

Merriam Webster defines religion as, "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices." The Lord says in Isaiah 29:13, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught." In the book "Jesus > Religion" by Jefferson Bethke, he talks about when he found religion. He got too wrapped up in trying to seem perfect that he became prideful and religious. He also says that he felt disconnected. We have to realize that it is the relationship that humbles us, Jesus died on the cross for us and that can't be topped; that's bigger than any work we could ever do. Bethke writes, "It's not about my performance. It's about Jesus' performance for me." We don't have to be perfect because He already is. We have the freedom to be our most authentic selves in front of Him. Even if we wanted to pretend to be perfect in front of Him, we couldn't because He knows us better than that and He would see right through the façade. In Matthew 23, Jesus rebukes the religious leaders of the time for pretending to be more than they are. These people were supposed to be the examples for everyone else but they were so concerned with the rules and making sure everyone was following them that they left no room for Jesus. In 1 Samuel, the people wanted a king that would give them rules and guidelines to follow. They wanted a checklist they could cross-off and then go on with their lives because they thought it would make their lives easier. Jesus doesn't want our checklists though; He wants our hearts.

A worship song by the artist KB has a line saying that a church can be full of members but empty in conversion. People think if they follow the rules and check the boxes then off to Heaven they'll go, but the rules don't get you into Heaven, your heart does. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." It is not about the works or the rules, it is about the relationship. Relying on a to-do list erases the need for a relationship. The traditions and the practices in religion can be great but you have to know the character of God to fully understand what it is all about. We have the gift of salvation simply because He loves us not because we work for it. You can learn all the stories and memorize all the books, recite all the creeds, and know the written prayers word for word but there has to be something behind all of that. It is God Himself that makes the difference. The grace He gives, the mercy He extends, the miracles He performs, and the love He shares are what change us. He has love for each and every human being and the way He works in our lives is incomprehensible. Once we have that relationship with Him, we trust and depend on Him like we would in our earthly relationships. So, when the bad and crazy things happen and when the going gets tough and we feel lost and hopeless we can count on Him like a real friend, like our real Father. He has made promises that He intends to keep and we need to understand Him to understand the depth of those promises.

We wouldn't model our human relationships on rules and checklists so why would we do it with our Heavenly relationship? What if our relationships had lists and each day, we checked off the boxes that said to 1.) complement our significant other, 2.) send them a nice text, and 3.) tell your friends how cool he or she is and that was all we had to do, all the effort we had to put forward? That would be it, once those things are done your relational duties are complete for the day and you can continue on with whatever and whoever you like. What about the emotions that are supposed to be felt towards that significant other? Where's the connection? If you just do those things to get them out of the way you don't develop the trust and love that a relationship needs to survive.

John 3:16, one of the most famous verses in the Bible, tells us that "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" while Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Belief and faith are what it takes. A relationship with Jesus is the most fulfilling thing we could have and our salvation is too important to waste. Pursue Jesus fervently and He will pursue you right back.