Religion or a Relationship

When a government establishes the system on Christian principles it will be a benefit for a period of time but ultimately will fail. This is what cultural Christianity has done in our country.

The rules and the plans of the government, even families were based on Biblical standards although not entirely, do not continue because the plans and family standards were based on the principles but not Christ of the principles.

Many people who are not Christians like some of the principles of God because they make good sense and keep people out of trouble. However, when Christ is not the reason for adherence to the principles they become subjective without dedication to God.

I have seen many "Christians" in our day like some of the principles of the bible but reject many others. When there is partial desire there will be wholesale disobedience. The whole process is based on making life better for themselves and not in pleasing God for His purposes.

When we seek God merely to use Him as a stop-gap measure to free us from trials and problems, this is not understanding what God wants.

God wants our worship and obedience because He deserves it. He created us and everything we need to live on this earth. He has a right to be worshiped, honored, and spoken of by mankind. He even provided a way of salvation when there was no way we could save ourselves.

When we trust in Christ we know He will give us what we need when we need it.

Matthew 6:33

"33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you."

When we take our focus off of ourselves and our own will then we can begin to focus on God's will.

When someone's Christianity is based on the protection of self, it cannot be on Christ. It then becomes religion rather than a relationship with the Holy God.

Religion is a set of rules without the working of the Holy Spirit. We do not follow rules, we follow Christ. Because Christ lives in the born-again believer we love His ways. We do not have to follow a rule about not murdering because we have no desire to murder. We do not have to follow rules about stealing because we don't want to steal.

The Law was given to those who are wicked, they want to do evil things so there must be laws to prevent them from hurting others. We do not need the law to tell us what to do when the desire to harm others is not even present in us.

What is present in the born-again believer is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."