Religion Vs Relationship With Jesus Part 2 - Pursuing Intimacy With God

Religion vs Relationship With Jesus Christ Part 2

Religion vs Relationship With Jesus Christ

In Part 1 of Religion vs Relationship With Jesus Christ we saw that being a religious person can be very different than having a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Religion is man’s self effort at reaching God. A religious person can be following religious rituals in his/her life, and yet the heart can be far from God.

Religious rituals can include going to church, reading the Bible as a religious book, fasting, and even prayer. Many people do these things in order to check off the items on the list of “What good religious people or Christians should do”. Or they do these things to feel good about themselves. Or because they want to try to earn God’s favor and blessings.

Religion – Self Effort And Works To Try to Earn God’s Favor

Religion is man’s way to try to reach up to God. It is an attempt to try to earn God’s favor and blessings. And an effort to receive salvation and forgiveness for sins from God.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

But no one can earn their way into heaven. Unless he or she is perfect in obeying God’s commands and laws.

Religion vs Relationship With Jesus Christ

Religion

Goal: reach out to God, try to work your way into heaven
Means: diligent service & works, with hopes of a reward (heaven)
Power: good, honest effort through self-determination
Control: self-motivation and self control
Results: apathy, failure, chronic guilt, eternal separation from God

Religion vs Relationship With Jesus Christ

Salvation Through Faith In Jesus Christ (Personal Relationship)

Goal: trust fully in Jesus, then live to please Him
Means: confess sins, repent, yield self to Jesus
Power: the Holy Spirit does God’s work in and through us
Control: submit & allow the Holy Spirit to control & direct our lives
Results: love, joy, peace, freedom, victory, power, eternal life in heaven,…

“Man’s way to reach God is religion; God’s way to reach man is Jesus.”

“I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one may come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

“Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:14-15

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” – John 1:12

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Salvation: The Requirements for True Salvation