It’s Difficult to Find a Relationship with God through Religion

This week a few guys and I were sharing how we each seek God on a daily basis.  We each have our own way of doing it, but during the discussion there was one point that stood out.  It is difficult to find a relationship with God through religion.

Don’t misunderstand me, when I say religion, I am speaking specifically through ritual and duty.  I am sure most of us have faced this.  We HAVE to go to Church on Sunday, we HAVE to go help others, we HAVE to put money in the basket as it passes and my favorite, we HAVE to read the Bible.

If you notice, there is a repetitive theme, we HAVE to.  This is religion.  This is the very thing that God sent Christ to eradicate.  He didn’t want all the pomp and circumstance; he didn’t want his people going through the motions, he could care less if you take out your scorecard and start checking things off, that isn’t what this is about.  I’m sure you’ve heard many that say, “I’m a good Christian, I tithe, I give, I feed the poor, I go to Church on Sunday, I, I, I”  Ask yourself, did the Pharisees say the same things?

The key here is to realize that God doesn’t need us to do these things; he wants us to want to do them.  Our shining example is Jesus.  In Matthew 4 it opens with a profound statement.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness….”

Led by the Spirit, personally I don’t think one is led by the spirit while they are checking off things on a list.  Their focus is the list and not listening and following what is in their heart.  When we are not listening and seeking God apart from religion, but through a relationship it is then that we are truly free from HAVING to do anything.  We are free to WANT to do what the father is instructing us too.  In this chapter when Jesus says back to Satan….

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

…is the point of this week’s discussion.  When we are seeking to be fed by man exclusively (religion) than we will begin to starve, when we seek a relationship with God it is then and only then that we are fed and become full.  The relationship is the key, the seeking and listening is all a part of that relationship. Obedience and works that transpire are the byproduct of this relationship.  As Christ continually shows us, it is not his will that is done but that of God’s.