Christianity Vs. Religion and Relationship Vs. Tradition

"Religious Leader Arrested..." Time after time we read the headlines, we hear the news reports and we just want to cry! What is going on? Why is the media so excited to focus on these 'bad apples' and please, someone tell us who is for real! Will the true Christians please stand up.

You know, there are many religions to choose from. There are many sects in these religions to choose from. The question is, "Why bother?" It seems that no matter what list of dos and don'ts that I choose to follow the result is always going to be the same. Live as miserably as possible in hopes of earning something in the afterlife. Of course, your guess is as good as mine when it comes to choosing. Oh, and then there are those who choose to act morally or follow religious rules because it makes them feel better. If this is what it is about, then what a waste of a perfectly good life!

The truth is that true Christianity is not a religion at all. It is about a relationship with the one true God through his son, Jesus Christ. There is little doubt even among atheists that the person of Jesus Christ actually lived on this earth and died a sacrificial death. Whether one believes that He is the Son of God and lived a perfect, sinless life while on this earth is the question.

This is where faith comes in. When I choose to believe the gospel of salvation and place my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for my own forgiveness and eternal life, I become a Christian. There are no rituals to perform, no lists of rules to abide by.

What makes the Christian live differently after this salvation takes place, if it's not about a list of rules? Simply this; an ongoing relationship with the Savior. The Bible teaches us through the written Word how we are to live. For example: the Bible instructs me to be kind in the book of Ephesians. The Bible instructs me to obey those who have the rule over me, it instructs me to work hard and be industrious, it tells me to live my daily life without grumbling, to give thanks, and we all are familiar with the Ten Commandments taken from the scriptures.

In there we are taught not to steal, kill, gossip, worship false gods, covet another man's possessions, etc. I don't follow the guidelines given in God's Word out of obligation or to earn my eternal life. I follow the guidelines as much as possible because I honor and love the One who gave them. Just as in any human relationship I choose to try to please the ones I love.

True Christianity is about an individual who's eternal destination is already settled. The moment he places his faith in Jesus Christ for his salvation that is taken care of. He lives differently simply because his relationship with his Heavenly Father motivates him out of love to live honestly, pleasantly, productively and as Christ lived when He walked on this earth; with a goal for others. The result of the true Christian's lifestyle is joy and peace, which contrasts the rigidity and misery of a religious life.

So, why all the headlines? Many are living the "religious" life without knowing the Savior or anything about true Christianity. Don't you know that the enemy of Christ enjoys using these folks to confuse and baffle a searching world! As long as true Christians are ashamed to speak the truth in love and are hiding behind the mask of religion and rituals then the lost world will continue to search and be drawn into various religious practices - never actually meeting the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Will the true believers please stand! Live as God has instructed us to live; not standing on our platforms looking down our noses at others, but loving the world as Christ did and by our love leading them to Him.

May the headlines of the future read, "Love Lived in Everyday Life by a True Christian."