Can I confess
something? I'm not a religious person.
I could care less about religion, but
it is difficult to imagine how. I pray
that you're not a religious person
either.
You see, I'm a
Christian and despite many people's
perception that has nothing to do with
religion other than by default.
Christianity is all about a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Religion on the other hand is all
about the man made rules, the external
trappings and rituals. Some of that
has come to represent Christianity,
but that's not what being a Christian
is about.
The Apostle Paul
understood that well. He grew up as a
very devout religious person, "A
Pharisee of Pharisees", then he found
freedom in a relationship.
Later in life he
found the truth. He was called to
serve by a person not a religious
system. He understood that all
Christians are set apart by Christ not
by a religion.
Paul,
called to be an apostle of Christ
Jesus by the will of God, and our
brother Sosthenes, To the church of
God in Corinth, to those sanctified
in Christ Jesus and called to be
holy, together with all those
everywhere who call on the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord
and ours:
I Corinthians 1:1-2 NIV
Our peace and
grace aren't from a religious system.
They are from the person of God. Peace
and grace come from a relationship
with Jesus.
Grace and
peace to you from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. I always
thank God for you because of his
grace given you in Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Paul understood
that we're enriched, and made
blameless because of Jesus.
For in him
you have been enriched in every
way--in all your speaking and in all
your knowledge -- because our
testimony about Christ was confirmed
in you. Therefore you do not lack
any spiritual gift as you eagerly
wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be
revealed.
I Corinthians 1:5-7 NIV
He knew that it
was about fellowship with Jesus not
religion.
He will
keep you strong to the end, so that
you will be blameless on the day of
our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has
called you into fellowship with his
Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is
faithful.
I Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV
If you've made
Christianity all about your "religion"
rather than your relationship with
Jesus, you've missed the mark. If you
think the "religion" of Christians is
going to save you, you are going to be
disappointed.
It's not about
tradition, buildings, religion or
rules. Christianity is all about a
relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you
know Him?
Until next time,
rejoice that you've been set free from
religion and given freedom in Jesus.
Hallelu Yah
(Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
