“Religion says do, Jesus says done.” -Jefferson Bethke
So what do you think Christianity is? Of course, some of may say it’s a religion. It is a religion to some because it seems that it’s a bunch of rules. The Bible seems like a big rule book, right?
On the other hand, others may see it as a relationship. They see it as spending time with God and the Bible is viewed as a book of love.
The answer really depends on why you say you’re a Christian. It’s not enough to say “I follow God because I have been raised in a church”, or “I read my Bible daily”. Neither is “I pray everyday, thanking God for all He does in my life” a sufficient answer.
All of those things are good, but if you do them just because you think you are supposed to, then you aren’t really a Christian. This is because Jesus died for your sins; He paid your bail that got you out of imprisonment. The jail of sin is the chains that held you tightly and never wanted to let you go. But Jesus set you free.
But then, there are those of you that say you're Christians. You go to church and act all “holy”, yet your life outside of church tells a different story. If you want to act like there is none as pure as you, then what are you going to church for? Why do you read your Bible and why do you pray?
In the Bible, the book that you read, it says that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). It also says that “there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). So don’t try to dress up church.
The Lord says, “Come to me (as you are) all those that are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God says all those who are alcoholics, prostitutes, murderers, thieves, and cheaters should come to Him and He will take the burden of sin off their back. So don't think you're really “holy” or really “sanctified” by your own deeds. Everyone has sinned and needs Christ.
So if want, you can call Christianity a religion. Go ahead, no one can stop you. However, you must understand what Jesus did and why. He gave His life to start a relationship with you and me. He left the throne of Heaven to pay for your sins. He took your sentence and placed it on himself:
The answer really depends on why you say you’re a Christian. It’s not enough to say “I follow God because I have been raised in a church”, or “I read my Bible daily”. Neither is “I pray everyday, thanking God for all He does in my life” a sufficient answer.
All of those things are good, but if you do them just because you think you are supposed to, then you aren’t really a Christian. This is because Jesus died for your sins; He paid your bail that got you out of imprisonment. The jail of sin is the chains that held you tightly and never wanted to let you go. But Jesus set you free.
But then, there are those of you that say you're Christians. You go to church and act all “holy”, yet your life outside of church tells a different story. If you want to act like there is none as pure as you, then what are you going to church for? Why do you read your Bible and why do you pray?
In the Bible, the book that you read, it says that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). It also says that “there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). So don’t try to dress up church.
The Lord says, “Come to me (as you are) all those that are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God says all those who are alcoholics, prostitutes, murderers, thieves, and cheaters should come to Him and He will take the burden of sin off their back. So don't think you're really “holy” or really “sanctified” by your own deeds. Everyone has sinned and needs Christ.
So if want, you can call Christianity a religion. Go ahead, no one can stop you. However, you must understand what Jesus did and why. He gave His life to start a relationship with you and me. He left the throne of Heaven to pay for your sins. He took your sentence and placed it on himself:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him …” (Isaiah 53:5).
He did a selfless act of love to restore His relationship with all mankind. Jesus didn’t take the sins of the whole world and die just to start a religion.
He did it to start a relationship.
He did it to start a relationship.