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RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?
RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?
Someone once wrote, “When our ‘religion’ is exchanged for a relationship with God -- God, church, and service takes on new dimensions.” The Pharisees were religious- but not righteous. To the Athenians, Paul said “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are very religious.” --Acts 17:22. These were so religious that they had an altar for the “Unknown God”. Where was their relationship with God? The New birth--John 3:5-- brings a relationship. Paul writes, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ;” (Romans 8:16-17). He is our Father. IN HIM we put our confidence and trust!! IN CHRIST we have salvation and assurance. How wonderful!! We need that-- we need all the help we can get!!
There are many roads that can lead one away from God. Jesus taught plainly, “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Something may look right because so many follow it--but that doesn’t make it right. Some has well said, “just because it’s a well-beaten road is no sign it is the right one.” The right relationship with Christ can help us make certain we are on the right road as we follow Him who died for us. The right relationship with Christ will help us in making the right decisions we are called upon to make daily in the choice between right and wrong. The right relationship with Christ will help us to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first--it will help us keep our priorities straight. Do you have religion or a relationship?? It makes all the difference in the world.
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