(II Tim. 3:5).

Religion is really nothing more than will worship and certainly has nothing to do with Jesus. Jesus did not come to start another religion; he came to reestablish the family God lost when Adam sinned in the garden. Religion is an invention of the devil to destroy true relationship with God.

Setting people free from the bonds of religion is what the apostle Paul spent most of his life doing. It was such a costly occupation because people resist change. And even though the New Testament is almost completely dedicated to setting us free from the bonds of religion, born again Christians still continue to cling to religions concepts however.

Living by a bunch of does and don’ts is not the Gospel (Col. 2:20-23). Jesus didn’t suffer crucifixion so we could have a better rulebook.  He came to restore what sin had stolen. He came to reconcile us back to the Father so that we might once again worship the Lord in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Being Christian for many people means living by a dress code and following the church’s prescription for food, and entertainment. The concept of a loving, forgiving, healing God is strange and even blasphemous in some circles.

We have to be careful because it is so easy to fall into the religious trap of ‘good works.’ Without even realizing it we begin to base our relationship with God on performance instead love. We think things like, “Well I have given so He has to bless me,” instead of, “I’m blessed to be a child of God so I would like to give.” Or, “I have gone to church every Sunday for a year God must answer my prayers,” instead of “God answers my prayers because I’m us child.”

We think that God owes some how us for our ‘good works. And while it is true that He is not unjust to forget our labor of love we owe Him everything for allowing us to become partakes of the blood of Christ.

We like religion because it justifies the flesh.  True relationship with God on the other hand does exactly the opposite by crucifying the flesh.  Who wouldn’t pick exaltation over crucifixion? Coming into relationship with God exposes our sin and lazy spiritual lifestyles. Religion covers it up by hiding it under the law and allowing the ‘more righteous’ to judge the less righteous.

Jesus came to set the captives free. He came to Earth too not only show us how to live but died in our place so that we could have life. Religion is a cheap substitute for a loving caring relationship with your Lord and Savior.

Grace covers our sins so that we are free from guilt to love God with all of are heart, minds and soul.

Rocky J. Malloy