Religion or Relationship?
Many people consider themselves to be good people. They consider themselves to be spiritual people. Some would even call themselves Christian based on family relationship, attending church, or a general knowledge of who Jesus is. I don’t want to cast any doubt on a person’s relationship with Christ, however, I want to bring to your attention that there is the possibility of assuming that one is saved but in reality, one has substituted a genuine relationship with Christ for dead religion. The scripture warns us that a person can know about God and Jesus but not have a genuine relationship with God and Jesus. In the Gospels, Jesus dealt with religious people on a regular basis and he called them out:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27-28)
Immediately you might think, “Well, that’s not me. I go to church. I pay my taxes. I have not murdered anyone and I haven’t stolen much - I have never told a lie- even a little white lie.” (Did you just lie?)
The scripture is clear on this point. You are not a good person. You have broken God’s law. You do need a Savior. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
How you appear to others outwardly is not necessarily an indication of what is really going on in your heart. This is where one needs to be cognizant that the life on the inside lines up with the life on the outside and vice versa. Jesus also said:
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:16-21)
True Christianity is a lifestyle and it is a journey that continues. No one is born a Christian at birth. This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 you must be born again. There must be a change in your life. A change that brings forth good fruit. A change that is obvious to others and to yourself.
This born again experience separates us and sets us apart from the rest of the world.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (John 5:19)
It’s not about being religious. It’s not about being a good person. It’s not even about going to church and doing good deeds. It is about a new life in Christ. From this new life come good works. There is no struggle to have good fruit. It springs forth naturally. There is no struggle to be a good person. You have been born, -again a good person. You are no longer trying to earn salvation. You have received the free gift of salvation. You are saved because Jesus has come into your life. You are a new person who has come into a right relationship with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit now indwells you and makes you a new creation. How does this occur? Peter tells us:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Friend, open your Bible and read it. Do what it says. Have you been born again?
… Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
Salvation is real. The new birth is real. Jesus is a real person. He is God and you can know him.
Brother Bailey and his wife Gwen pastor Light Ministries Church in Lewistown, PA. Our emphasis is worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship and outreach. Worship with us in person at 181 Caldwell Hill Road on Sundays at 10AM. Visit us on Facebook at Light Ministries Church, Lewistown.