Don’t Like Religion? Neither Did Jesus!
Please welcome my guest, Doris, as she discusses religion versus a relationship with God.
By Doris Homan
Do you dislike hypocrites? So did Jesus. Do you think religion is empty and those who play the game or go through the motions are fake? You’re in good company.
Man-made Religion
Jesus had some very harsh words for the religious leaders of His day. He called them “blind” and “whitewashed tombs beautiful on the outside but on the inside full of dead men’s bones and full of uncleanness” (Matthew 23:16, 27).
Christ said they were blind guides leading the people into more legalism and not leading them to God. Because they looked good on the outside but were dead spiritually on the inside (see Matthew 23).
In Psalm 50:7-15, the Lord rebuked the religious practices of the Old Testament in making sacrifices. But He rebuked the practice only because people were completing the act without the right heart attitude of worshipping God. Instead they were simply going through the motions.
Faith Versus Religion
There is a difference between faith and religion. Faith comes from God but religion is fabricated. Religion is man’s invention and attempt to appease God.
Faith and a genuine relationship with God is all about what God has done to make us right. Only those that have been made right by Him will see Him. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 ESV). No one is pure in heart, all have sinned and fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23).
But it is God’s mercy (not giving us what we deserve) and His grace/favor (giving us what we don’t deserve) that justifies us and makes us heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).
God’s mercy (not giving us what we deserve) and His grace/favor (giving us what we don’t deserve) justifies us and makes us heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7). @DorisHoman #Eternal Click To TweetHead Knowledge or Personal Relationship
Some people have head knowledge about God but have never surrendered to a faith relationship. They believe Jesus came and died for the sins of the world but they have not made it personal that He did it for them.
Some people have head knowledge about God but have never surrendered to a faith relationship. They believe #Jesus came and died for the sins of the world but they have not made it personal that He did it for them. @DorisHoman Click To TweetWhile others have put their faith in Jesus Christ but continue to run their lives, to call the shots. They have never given Him leadership; they continue to be on the throne of their lives.
Jesus Shares a Parable
Jesus told a parable of the different types of soil which describe the different people and their hearts.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 13:3-9 NIV).
Heart Inspection
Soon the disciples of Jesus asked for the meaning of this parable.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:18-23 NIV).
Let’s complete a heart inspection by asking:
(1.) Do I only have a head knowledge about God or a personal relationship with Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Last week I (Karen) wrote about The Saving Power in the Blood of Jesus.
(2.) Is Jesus my Savior and the Lord who reigns on the throne of my heart and life?
(3.) What characterizes the soil of my heart? Do I hear the word and then bear fruit in my Christian faith?
About Doris Homan
Doris has a passion for discipleship. She is a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger and author of The Christian Journey, Part I & II. Doris’ mission is to help Christians know the Word and apply it so they are better able to navigate both the calm waters and the storms of life. She is on the leadership team of Reasons for Hope* Jesus and Greater Impact Ministries, in the capacity of e-course mentor, content development, editing and distribution. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, she and her husband John now reside in Florida. Visit The Christian Journey: My Joy and Crown, and their Facebook Community. Follow Doris on Twitter.
Purchase her books on Amazon.
*Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Kingdom Bloggers/Literacy Musings/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Abounding Grace/Tea and the Word/Welcome Heart/Recharge Wednesday/Porch Stories/Destination Inspiration/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Sitting Among Friends/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Fresh Market Friday/Faith On Fire/Dance With Jesus and Faith and Friends.
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I love this! The distinction is so important and we need to be bold in talking about it, so those who see “Christians” as hypocrites can understand the difference! Thanks for a great post! 🙂
I agree, Jessie. I thought Doris did a fantastic job of showing us the difference! I pray many see this post who are confused about salvation (head knowledge only) and those who want to label every Christian a hypocrite!
A regular inspection of the heart is a healthy way to stay with the teaching of sound doctrine. Thanks for prompting the inspection!
Isn’t it, Beth?! Because the Lord told us to guard our hearts, regular inspections make sense for all of us!
We certainly have made a mess of faith and turned it into religion. I am amazed at how we think we can improve things apart from God.
I love how you said “we have made a mess of faith and turned it into religion.” So true! We need to go to the Scriptures for the real definition of faith and religion and not do things apart from the Lord. Thanks to Doris for helping us!
Yes: heart inspection.
Yes, not others, but our own.
Truth spoken!
Thanks, Ava. Doris and I both appreciate you adding to the conversation. Yes, inspecting our own heart…me!
I am thankful for my personal relationship with God. This precious relationship grows in each moment. I know He is with me always. When I write, I pray God will give me words that He wants to share. 🙂 Having conversation with God and sharing my joys and concerns brings me comfort.
Beautifully said, Melissa. It shows the intimate, personal relationship with the Lord that He meant for all of us.
This is a critical, yet fundamental truth, Doris. Thank you for sharing it. The idea that religion is man-made is probably hard from some people to accept. The fact that God offers life for free is also hard to accept. You are so right when you say it’s all about what God has done for us. That we have relationship with Him through His mercy and grace. I pray that this truth will be clearer for some through this post.
I liked these truths too, Stephen. It’s ALL about what God has done and how He has made us right in His sight. Thank for commenting on Doris’ great post!
This is a great post; we have focused much of our relationship with God on the religious aspect, but we should rather focus on our relationship with God himself!
That’s a good way to say it, Julie. I think when we focus on checklists, for example, it does make our Christian life more about religious acts instead of a relationship.
What a beautifully written, thought-provoking article! It made me stop to examine my heart, which is always a good thing. Thank you for sharing.
I agree, Laurie. What Doris said here and how she said it took me back to the basics of our faith.
So very true. Our relationship with Jesus is REAL and personal. It’s not a theory! As humans, we are so much more than merely thinkers.
I like that, Jessica, “we are so much more than merely thinkers.” The Bible reminds us that even the demons believe. James 2:19
Great distinction! Thanks for this convicting encouragement for a heart check!
Thanks for stopping by to contribute, Bethany. I pray we keep a check on our heart not only about real faith in God, but also to bear fruit in our Christian life.
I love this teaching! We need to revisit this again and again, to clarify the difference between an empty works-based religion and a soulful relationship with Christ for our own growth, as well as to help non-believers understand the difference. May we be in a living, breathing pursuit of an ever-growing relationship with our Savior.
Me too, Melissa! We need reminders of this basic teaching to faith versus religion and the big difference between the two! Yes, Lord, help us show the world what a relationship with You looks like!
Amen Ms. Doris and Ms. Karen! I’m a Christian, not a religion. My job is to share His light and love with this world as I strive to emulate Him in my life. It’s not to defend some doctrine created by humans. If we follow God’s word, and it aligns with a someone’s statement of faith or doctrine, then it’s a blessing to be with kindred souls who believe as we do. If it doesn’t align, then my job is not to condemn but to show them, through my life, how God wants us to live. Well said author! God’s blessings.
Hey J.D. Well put, I’m a Christian, not a religion! From this kindred soul, I pray also to share God’s love with the world. And proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
I knew this would be a good post when you led early with the correct definitions of “grace” and “mercy.” I stopped reading and immediately shared this everywhere, then returned to finish reading. This is such an important message! So many of us have heard, think we’ve believed, but carried on trying to run our own lives and “call the shots.” That’s terrifying! I want to yield, to daily give my life to the Lord and let him call the shots. I pray the Lord opens the hearts and minds of those who read this post and who haven’t yet yielded to the Lord.
Thanks for your kind comment on what Doris had to share with us, Melinda. It is an important message and distinction. I firmly believe the enemy of our souls loves to deceive us into thinking we are “okay” spiritully with our head knowledge of God. What better deception than that of the heart…and not really knowing Christ as Lord and Savior! May we all become messengers of this basic Chrisitan foundational truth.
The truth that a relationship with Jesus is different from human created religious traditions cannot be stated often enough. So many eyes need to be opened. Thank you for this!
Pam, exactly! For we were all once blind and lost. Lord, open eyes and help us to shed light on this truth.
Amazing how Jesus had endless compassion for the social pariahs and the down-and-out, but harsh words and little patience for the painted on righteousness of the religious establishment of his day.
So true, Michele. Christ knew the vast gap in between the truth and false religion.
These are such great thoughts! I’ve had conversations with people who grew up in religion. There’s such a difference between religion and relationship, isn’t there? Head knowledge does nothing for us, really. It’s when our hearts are opened to the truth of who Jesus is and the reality of His love for us that makes a life-changing difference.
Great post!
Thanks for commenting, Jeanne. I always appreciate your input and insight. Yes, Lord open hearts to the truth of who Jesus really is and what a relationship with Him really looks like.
Good distinction. This is something we need to pause and evaluate within ourselves on a regular basis. It is so easy to get caught up in religion and lose sight of relationship.
I like that, S.A, “…it’s so easy to get caught up in religion and lose sight of relationship.” Even after we’ve accepted Christ into our hearts and really know Jesus as Lord. I pray we desire and grow an intimate relationship with Jesus while growing in wisdom of the Lord.
I grew up in a heritage that emphasized head knowledge above all else. So I did learn a lot! ha. But the heart also needs attention. Thanks for making that clear in your message here.
I like how you said “the heart needs attention.” Beautiful way to state it, Lisa.
Praise Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua HE SAVES!!
Love Ya ALL, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Yes, Jesus saves! Hallelujah!
There are so many who miss this important distinction in their faith. They believe Jesus in their head, but never give their heart to Him, receiving His salvation. Great post, Doris! Thank you, Karen, for sharing her wise words and powerful clarification!
I know, Beth. It’s like we’ve heard that there’s only 12 inches between our head and heart.
This is such an important distinction. Sadly, many never make that distinction and allow religion and religious-sounding people give them all the excuse they need to reject the gospel.
That’s true, Donna, in the end, it’s about either accepting the gospel or rejecting the good news of Jesus Christ.
An introspection is always good practice from time to time, thank you for this!
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa at Tea With Jennifer
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer. Spiritual introspections are always good.
Amen! I’ve always felt this way, too! Some people get so caught up in church doctrine and ‘who’s right’ that they forget that Jesus takes people to heaven, not churches!
Yes, Anita! It’s all about salvation and Jesus.