Religion can be very different than having a Relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Religions are man made, and are based on trying to get to God through rules and regulations and works.
Man made religions all are based on people's efforts at reaching God and being made right with Him through their own efforts.
God's plan for man's salvation and for being right with Him is told throughout the Bible, in the Old Testament and the New Testament. God's plan is not based on people's efforts and good works, but is based on His amazing Love and amazing Grace for us; His plan involved His precious Son Jesus paying the price and cost for our sins on the cross. You need to put ALL of your trust and faith in Jesus and in what He did for us on the cross, and not in any religion or in your own efforts. Simply put all of your trust and faith in Jesus, and accept His gift of salvation and eternal life, and experience the joy of having a right RELATIONSHIP of love with God.
Religion (Self Effort, Works)
Goal: reach out ot God, try to work your way into heaven
Means: diligent service & works, with hopes of a reward (heaven)
Power: good, honest effort through self-determination
Control: self-motivation and self control
Results: apathy, failure, chronic guilt, eternal separation from God
Salvation Through Faith In Jesus Christ (Personal Relationship)
Goal: trust fully in Jesus, then live to please Him
Means: confess sins, repent, yield self to Jesus
Power: the Holy Spirit does God's work in and through us
Control: allow the Holy Spirit to control & direct our lives
Results: love, joy, peace, freedom, power eternal life in heaven,...
"Man's way to reach God is religion; God's way to reach man is Jesus."
"I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one may come to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"For by grace are you saved, through faith; and this not of your own, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
With all the religions in the world, what makes Christianity different?
Christianity is not a set of rules that one must follow to gain acceptance or inclusion. The Apostle Paul himself said that we are saved by faith, not by works.
But so many Christians walk around with the mindset today that they must do something or continue to do something to maintain their identity as a Christian.
Think of Christianity more as a relationship, or marriage, if you well. As the Church, we are in fact called the bride of Christ throughout Scripture.
Far from participating in any prescribed ritual or performing numerous tasks to “earn” our worth, membership or salvation, Christians are simply called to a relationship with God. Rote prayers are not a responsibility, but a privilege and a way to communicate with our Father in heaven. And this is an intimate communion based in love, not fear or obligation.
Also, the dynamic of other religions is man reaching out to find God. With Christianity, it’s God reaching out to man. Jesus Christ invites every man to believe in Him and accept His free gift of salvation offered out of love.
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. — John 3:16 (NIV)
No compulsion or guilt here.
Many argue that Christianity is not really a religion at all. This is because religion is actually a system made by man that is orchestrated to make him right with God by jumping through the hoops of various rituals, good works and sacrifices.
On the other hand, Christianity is centered on God bringing Himself physically down to the world in the form of Jesus Christ to sacrificially die for our sins – to offer us eternal life. By believing in this miraculous work, we’re saved. Plain and simple.
This leaves little room for hierarchy among men. This is so we can only boast in God – not ourselves. Paul puts this better.
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. — Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
So, there’s little left for us to do to make ourselves better in God’s eyes. Out of love and appreciation – not obligation – for what He’s already done for us, we are privileged to share the Good News with those who haven’t heard.
To this end, I don’t want to be known for being religious … but for being in love with my Lord and Savior. It’s a relationship – not a task!