Religion is a Dead End

Let's get one thing straight...we are ALL religious. Being “religious” is defined  as: "very careful to do something whenever it can or should be done."

OK. Fine. We have breakfast. We go to work or school. We turn to our favorite radio station or podcast. We have lunch. We go home. We visit with friends and family. We play our favorite games. We eat dinner. We watch our favorite shows. We brush our teeth (hopefully). We stop at stop signs (hopefully). We look both ways before crossing the street (hopefully). Get the picture? 

Oh, that wasn't the definition you were thinking of? Here is another: "believing in a god or group of gods and following the rules of a religion". Does that ring a bell? Of course it does. Why? Because we have been brought up to think that a religion is merely following a bunch of rules and when we don't, and get out of line, that "god or group of gods" is going to zap us with a lightning bolt for daring to cross him/her/them!!!

Religion, in and of itself, will get us nowhere. It is an empty shell, pretty on the outside with nothing to offer on the inside. It can enrich our lives, or it can be a burden of chains to carry around until we are either dragged down by them or "free" ourselves from its tethers. 

Religion is, at it's core, MAN'S attempt to reach up to God. I don't need or want that. No matter how high we jump or how low we grovel, no matter if we go through all the "right" routines or use the "right" words, we will NEVER be good enough. 

And that is why I am a Christian. I don’t “identify” as a Christian or belong to the “Christian” religion. I know that I can NEVER be good enough or do anything to win God's favor. But that is why Jesus came. He did not come to set up another religion. He came to reach God's hand down to us, to make it possible to HAVE A RELATIONSHIP with Him. 

Do you want a religion...or a RELATIONSHIP?