Worn Out on Religion?

For the sake of this discussion, let's define religion and relationship:

Religion: The systems and structures by which men endeavor to reach, obey, please or appease their god(s) or deity (deities).

Relationship: The interpersonal and redemptive connection God extends to man through a personal faith in His Son, Jesus Christ; the essence of the Gospel.

Jesus, his words and example, cut through a veritable religious jungle of do's and don'ts, regulations and rituals. The Pharisees of Jesus' time were, for the most part, a "self-righteous" ruling class who liked to wear their religion outwardly via robes and rituals and rules that brought attention to their personal piety. Jesus, for one however, wasn't fooled by their outward shows of religion. He accused them of making faith harder than it had to be. Jesus predicted in Luke 11:46: "...how terrible it will be for you experts in religious law! For you crush people beneath impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to help ease the burden."

The Pharisees had a penchant for pointing out people's sins and making them feel guilty. Jesus, however, made it clear that his primary purpose was not to make the people feel more guilty, but to set their souls free by saving them from their guilt. He put it this way (Matthew 11:28, amplified): "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]"

Had Jesus only brought a new religion to the world, his voice would never have been the distinct trumpet it was. Something changed profoundly in my heart and perspective when I realized that he brought something more than religion. He brought something that powerfully and simultaneously attracted the irreligious and greatly offended the religious of the day. In its pure form, it held such power it virtually overtook the Roman world within just three short centuries when Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of Rome (324 A.D.).

Religion vs. Relationship—The Difference
A closer look at the actual teachings of Jesus in the Gospels reveals that there is often a stark difference between the religious notions of men and the relational intention of God. I see at least twelve of them worth clarifying and considering. I call them the RvRs (Religion versus Relationship Principles), and you can see the full list at my blog. Here is just one of the twelve to consider:

Religion is something you do;

Relationship is Someone you know.

While religious efforts alone quickly devolve to the perfunctory, as seen in the guilt-bound and burden-encumbered religious world of Martin Luther, the Gospel of Christ offers something unprecedented. At a strategic moment in his life and ministry, Jesus told his followers (John 15:15), "I no longer call you servants, but I have called you friends." The role change was intimate and unexpected; the invitation, astounding. Thankfully, a group of Spirit-filled teenagers boldly introduced me to that "invitation" several years ago. I have had a profound distaste for religion ever since.

Religion is work. Hard work. Have you noticed? Put simply, religion is all about man trying to work his way up to God. That effort proved futile as early as the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), and yet in a sense we have been working hard at building that "tower" ever since, haven't we; trying to build our own way to God? We find ourselves working at being better people and trying to do better things. We make resolutions and strive to do what's right. We just keep building that "tower."

Make no mistake! Religion (in the sense of the term we are using here) is all about man trying to work his way up to God, but Christianity is something completely different. As strange as it may sound to some, I truly believe that the Christian faith is not just another religion. In its purest form - it is a relationship. The Christian message is about God working his way down to man, through Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. It is all about God entering our world desperately seeking to restore a relationship with his creation that was tragically lost (or, better said, forfeited) in the Garden of Eden. Ultimately, the Christian faith is more than a code of conduct, more than a bunch of rules; it is a rescue mission with you and me as the focal points of the rescue. It is not about a Big Judge barking out orders; rather, it is about a Great Lover chasing after our souls and our affections. There's a difference. In its essence, the Gospel is not about more Rules to keep, but more Relationship with God to enjoy. Not that we have to pray so much as the fact that we get to.