Issue 1237 – Religion or Relationship – September 1, 2023
Walking down the aisle of the giant brick-and-mortar bookstore, I saw that their “religion” section had a huge selection. There were books from every major faith group, including many that could fall under the broad label of Christian (albeit I thought most were heretical). Added to that was an even more extensive section on new age and spirituality, covering every variation I had ever heard of and some new ones.
It made me stop and think. If a bookstore has that much space devoted to the broad topic of “religion,” there must be a market. They would fill that space with books that did sell if there wasn’t a market.
People aren’t interested in “religion”; at least, that is what they say if you ask them. Yet, they have an insatiable hunger for the spiritual and offbeat realms. Psychics, fortune tellers, tarot cards, meditations, yoga, angels, demons, magik, horoscopes, extraterrestrials, big foot and more are huge in the public consciousness. That doesn’t even begin to consider the earth worshippers and those whose political agendas are their faith.
So what is it about “religion” that turns them off? Could they have experienced or seen an empty, hollow, ritualistic religion full of judgement and devoid of love? Maybe they have witnessed churches full of people who don’t want sinners to mess up their worship service.
I don’t consider myself a religious person at all, even though I believe I am a deeply committed (but far from perfect) follower of Jesus. I have a personal, intimate relationship with God. I talk with Him, and he guides my life. That relationship has impacted every area of my life.
God’s power and my faith have made me a more compassionate, less self-centred person. It has changed my life for the better in every way.
That is what people are looking for. Something true to believe in that will transform their lives.
God’s transformational power is available to all who will accept Him by faith. Still, people won’t listen if they don’t see us as changed. They can spot a phoney miles away. Unfortunately, even true believers can be hypocritical as they try to live in both worlds.
Christ spoke out against the religious leaders of His day, religion in the sense of having rules and traditions but no transforming relationship with God.
[Jesus said’] “‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:8-9
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. Matthew 23:1-7
God didn’t create us to be religious; he made us to be in a relationship with Him and others. Adam walked and talked with God in the garden; that’s the sort of relationship He desires.
Have you allowed your faith to become an empty, hollow obligation devoid of power? Or are you a walking living example of the Lord’s power that attracts hurting people searching for the power to change?
Until next time, may you be transformed by the loving, living power of the Risen Lord. May you be filled anew with His Spirit and drink deeply from the Word. May your life cause others to seek what God has given you.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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