Gods411 : Do You Have Religion Or A Relationship?

Do You Have Religion Or A Relationship?

Woe's to Ephraim, Judah, and Who Trust in Egypt The Lord says:

"These people come near to me with their

mouth and honor me with their lips, but

their hearts are far from me. Their

worship of me is made up only of rules

taught by men." - Isaiah 29:13

Do You Have Religion or A Relationship

Thought for the Day

This is one verse or concept that has been very dear to my heart. It is something that GOD has burdened me with, and my heart goes out to this cause. This is one of the reasons that most of our Christian Churches are not doing well. This is the defining difference between "Organized Religion" and a real, living relationship with JESUS CHRIST!

It is so easy to play "A Christian" is it not? I know because I played "A Christian" for a long time. I would go to church, play the good "Christian" man, act holy and loving. Sing all the "Christian" songs, listen to the "Christian" message, and say "Amen" when there was a good point in the sermon. But, then as soon as I hit the doors, and I was driving home from church I was a different person.

I was not being faithful to my wife, I was selling drugs over the internet, I was a self-centered, angry jerk. Right Kim? (I would use more vivid words, but I do not want to offend anyone) so jerk is a very nice and kind word that would describe me.

What kind of a "Christian" was I being? TERRIBLE! Just imagine if someone knew that I attended church. They would see me go to church, be holy, then lead a life that was NOT pleasing to Jesus. Why in the world would that person want to come to my church. Why would they need my religion or my Jesus? To answer your question; They would not, they could do all that stuff without Jesus or my church.

I know that there are alot of people in the church like that today. They live the "Christian" life at church, but they are totally different outside the church. A relationship with Jesus is a 24/7 deal, not a 1 hour Sunday meeting. We need to show the world that we are different, we do have something they do not have. It needs to be so evident in our lives, that other people will say, "I want what they have!"

Some of you may say, well then forget the church, I will just do my own thing with a couple of people. Almost start an "Organic" Church. But, this is not what Jesus intended the church to be either. A church is a group of people, supporting each other, while we do life together. We are not perfect, but we are working together towards one goal, supporting each other! Yes, instead of blowing off the church, we need to fix our churches. Be the one that makes the difference. Be the one that the other person says, "I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE!"