I'm with Him...

I once heard someone call me “religious”. Not just anyone, but people who are supposed to know me, love me. We were at a family gathering and I overheard someone say it. They weren’t trying to be mean or spiteful, they were justifying my actions – as if for some reason my actions made them look bad. I was so hurt.

But that’s what most people say when there is a lack of words for something they don’t understand… they use that word “religious.” I’ve never heard anyone say, “Oh, you know, she has a relationship with Jesus.” Nope, that never happens. That never happens because if you understand the difference between religion and relationship, you would never feel the need to defend that person.

Religion has ruined so many churches and hurt so many people. Religion has nothing to do with Jesus and everything to do with self. People walk into churches thinking some religion will fill that empty space where Jesus belongs, but instead they are handed rules and regulations and things to do to make them feel better about themselves. The word religious is defined as 'a group all having the same thoughts' and religion is defined as 'a personal set or institutionalized system of religious (people all having the same thoughts) attitudes, beliefs, and practices.' Anything could fit under that definition, ANYTHING… and sadly it does.

Our world is full of religion right now. Everywhere you turn is another group of people banning together, claiming a stake on what is right or what is wrong. I see people all over our world, our country, filling their lives with all sorts of beliefs and practices, filling their minds with all kinds of thoughts to make them feel better about themselves – filling their lives with everything, but Jesus.

Jesus came to this earth to teach people the difference between religion and relationship. The Old Testament is filled with entire chapters about religion and the rules the people were supposed to follow in order to have favor with God. That was a twofold lesson. One was to give them structure. The other was to show them that if they just followed the rules, just did what He asked of them, they would always have favor with Him. But even with rules lined out for them, very few could stay within the boundaries, very few could follow the rules. Their selfishness and self-will took over and they could not remain a godly people.

Christ came to earth to show, as the ultimate sacrifice, He would trade His life for ours. No more rules of the Old Testament. No more sacrifices at the alter. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice! All we have to do is believe that He loves us enough to trade His life for ours - to believe that He was the son of God. That He loves us enough to die for us - to take our sins upon Himself so that we may live forever.

I once heard a pastor say as I was driving in the car and listening to a Christian radio station, ask the question, “Do you know what you need to do to have Christ forgive your sins?” Say what?? I was so angry, I just shut the radio off! No. No, no, no, no, NO! God, he’s asking the wrong question! Why is it so hard for people to understand? He's a pastor… why doesn’t he understand this? No one has to do ANYTHING for Christ to forgive them! That was taken care of the day He died on the cross all those years ago. Our sins – yours, mine, ours - are already forgiven, all we have to do is believe that He died for us. Believe that He loves us so much that He would trade His life for ours. Why is it so hard for people to believe?

I realize the irony here. I know I don't have much room to talk. It took me forever to believe I was worth that much love, that kind of forgiveness. Our country, our world is so ingrained in religion and hurt that it’s hard for people to grasp the concept of a relationship with Christ. A relationship where there is no rules. Where you don't have say a certain prayer, you don't have to word it in a certain way, you don't have to go to church so many times a year or claim a particular denomination. It’s as easy as laying your burdens at His feet and asking Him to be your guide. Thank Him for trading His life for yours. However you want to do that… He will listen. He knows your heart and He loves you.

I can't imagine my life without that relationship. I talk to Jesus about everything. Sometimes I think my day is a constant prayer. And I’m sure there are times when He probably thinks “She could have picked out what shoes to wear with those jeans without me,” but having that relationship comforts my soul. And when that still small voice speaks, I hear it. I’m not going to say I always listen, but I hear it. And on days when life is so full of noise and chaos that I lose my connection with Him, at the end of the day, I am lost.

No religion can replace that connection. No matter how many committees I join or how many organizations I belong to, that still small voice and that comfort only comes with my relationship with Christ. And I can't imagine that ever changing. But, I suppose I could try picking out shoes for an outfit by myself...

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.