The difference between a Relationship and a Religion?
Many are getting confused when we say "relationship" to God. Some say, "That’s already a religion!". Well, I thought so too in the past… That Religion… is the way to be closer to God. But after accepting Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior… I found out that having a relationship… and having a religion is different. When you say… "Religion" (Well we have different opinions about what is Religion) But the main point of this word… Religion is a Human ATTEMPT to REACH OUT TO GOD. We join this particular religion so that we can be closer to Him. We will try to be close to Him so we go to church on Sundays and do good deeds. We go to confession, or do some rituals to be closer to Him. We read the Bible to know Him more… etc… It is a Way of REACHING GOD.
But let me ask you… a very simple question… Do you think we can reach God? *shakes head* We can’t. The Bible tells us that we cannot pleased God just because we have done good things. Our effort and our works… even golden works.. are DIRTY RAGS in HIS EYES.
So… How can we Reach God? We can’t. BUT HE CAN… How? Through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the Life. No one can comes to the Father God… except through Him. And once you believe, and accepted this Salvation… You will not gain a RELIGION… you will gain a RELATIONSHIP.
Some people say… "I TRIED to be CLOSER TO GOD but I failed" Why? because you cannot become closer to God through religion and through Traditions. Jesus got mad at the Pharisees because of Tradition.. ya know?
So… How would you know that you have a relationship with God?
1. When you can feel Him guiding you.
Not your plans, not your decisions but HIM. (Submitting your every day life to Him) He cares and He wants to move you, because He has good plans for you. You may think that God wants you to become a robot? Well I would gladly become a robot for God because His ways are good than mine. I trust Him more than I trust myself.
2. When you can talk to Him, and He talks back to you
Through what? Through an audible voice, a whisper, through Bible, through Friends, Through dreams etc…. Remember that GOD talks to HIS CHILDREN everyday. And His children Knows His voice and knows they are Loved.
3. When you can’t stop talking about Him!
Even people thinks you’re crazy or something 
For you, You Love God so much that you want everyone to know that! That you’re not ashamed of Him! You don’t think about yourself, You think about God and praising Him for what He has done in your life!
4. When you can Live without anything as long as you are with God.
When you can feel that you don’t need anything BUT HIM. You don’t need money, things, any thing that fades… anything of this world. Because you believe that if it’s Godswill… then He will provide it.
5. When you love God more than anyone…
You’re ready to leave your friends, family only for God.
6. When Good things comes out naturally.
Many of us… do good things because we want people to praise us. Many of us… do good things because they want reward or many of us do good things for the sake of ‘doing good deeds’. But when you have a relationship with God, doing good deeds comes out naturally, with no exchange or favors.
7. Lastly… When it’s so easy to talk to God… and follow God.
Let’s admit that even we are Christians, sometimes it is so hard to read the Bible or talk to God. Why? Because there are times… it becomes a ritual to us (Spirit of familiarity). God doesn’t want you to MEMORIZE the Bible or your prayers. He doesn’t want people to pray repetitious prayer. He wants a prayer that comes from the heart. A conversation.
How can you have a relationship then?
1. Confess your sins to God (Not through priest but through the spirit. God is everywhere)
2. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior
3. Have a relationship with God, submit your will.
What can this Relationship of God can do to a person?
A. A relationship with Christ is the only way to salvation
Being good enough isn’t good enough. People seem to never tire of the impossible task of trying to work their way to heaven, and earn themselves a spot in heaven. They think, "I’m a good person, I’m moral." We coincide spirituality with the number of times we darken the doorway of a church building, Jesus taught that the Pharisees were doing all the right things on the outside, and neglecting that which was on the inside. Jesus leaves no loopholes for believing in others, and believing in God’s son. That’s how Jesus bridged the gap. (John 14:6)
B. A relationship with Christ frees you from the bondage of the law
Christ wants you to obey out of love, not duty. This entire series is on changed lives; and as strange as it may sound, this may be one of the toughest transitions for people to make due to years of conditioning that has falsely taught that as long as you’re a good person you will go to heaven someday. But heaven is a perfect place, and you and I couldn’t go there with even one sin on us, let alone, the tens of thousands that we’ve committed. It’s only through placing our trust in the one who is perfect, who became an atoning sacrifice in our place. The same danger exists for those of us who are Christian leaders today, the temptation to preach the truth but not put it into practice, too have the head knowledge but not the heart knowledge.
C. A relationship with Christ gives you power to boldly enter his throne room
There’s a transforming power that’s yours through a relationship with Christ. If you think your good works will get you to God, think again! If you have a relationship you can go into his throne room as his friend and his child, and your prayers take on a more intimate tone. You can pray and talk to God.
So you see? Once you have a religion… and you don’t have a relationship… then surely you’ll fall down because you’re reaching a God who can’t be reach (Just like a man you like… you can say I love you to him many times… yet he can’t love you back even he loves you… why? because you two don’t have a relationship :P) But when you have a relationship with God… God will be the one that will reach out to you.
"Religion can do more harm than good. It’s like a vaccine; you’re given a little religion, but if all you get is the religion and not the relationship, it becomes a poison." - Billy Graham
