There is a difference between religion and relationship. The verse “You shall know them by their fruit” comes to mind (Matthew 7:16). There were a lot of religious experts in Jesus’ day, as there are today. But they did not know or recognize him. Their fruit was pride and religious works. Love was not on their radar.

Jesus came to make known the heart of the Father. He came to the broken, the sick, the prostitute, the thieves, the destitute. These people didn’t shy away from him because they couldn’t stand in the presence of his holiness; they flocked to him because he had something they needed. Ironically, the only people who ever seemed to piss Jesus off, were the religious leaders!

True Christianity is not following a bunch of rules and hoping to go to heaven. It’s about relationship with the God of the universe who loves you. True Christianity is vibrant and alive and growing. True Christianity brings joy and freedom.

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3 NASB).

That word “know” in the Greek has a connotation of being involved in an intimate, growing relationship. Knowing about someone is different than knowing someone personally. God wants us to learn how to recognize his voice. He wants to “shed abroad His love in our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

True Christianity is about falling in love. It’s about becoming so swept up in Jesus, that your habits and attitudes start changing for the better. Not because you are trying with all of your might, but because as you grow closer to him, you can’t help but to evolve. It’s about growing in the revelation of his love for you and becoming so assured of his acceptance, that the world’s opinion starts losing its value. It means walking in increasing freedom, growing in love towards others as you come to understand the heart of the Father, and being transformed into his image. As you partner with God, you become the best version of yourself. You begin to experience true joy, peace and love. That beats the heck out of trying to follow a bunch of rules and hoping you make heaven.

I wanted to to explain the difference between dead religion and a vibrant relationship with God because only the latter brings freedom. Mathew 7:7 says “seek and you will find”. “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

True Christianity is not for those who just want to read a daily devotional, be good and go to church once a week. It’s for those who have a hunger for something more. Who long for depth of relationship and purpose because if Christ truly died for mankind, then there has to be something deeper to all this than behavior modification and good works. Jesus was and is authentic. He came to people and loved them in their dirt, in their disease, and in their deficiency. He calls his followers to love like that too. We may not do it perfectly, but we’re growing in that love. That is how you spot the real from the pretend. You shall know them by their love.

A Part of Renewing Your Mind:

• Knowing God is different than knowing about God. We never have to clean up before we come to him. Come to God how you are and ask him to show you how to have an authentic deep relationship with him.
• As you learn about how much he loves you , you can’t help but love him in return. As the relationship grows, so will your trust in him.