I’ve been taking a World Religions class this semester and I thought I would be more excited about it than I am. I’m truly sick of hearing the word “religion” already. The more I hear the word, the more I flinch.
It has me wondering if that’s why so many people are turned off to Christianity. Do we as “Christians” make following Jesus look like a religion versus a relationship?
As a child I didn’t grow up in the church. I attended here and there, took part in some youth programs, but nothing that I remember changing my life.
What I do remember though is being told:
- I couldn’t wear those shorts
- I needed to talk with a whisper
- I needed to memorize the chapter names of the Bible
- I couldn’t use the word “hate”
- Gambling was a sin
I never remember being told:
- Jesus loves you
- God sent His only Son to die for you
- You don’t have to be ashamed of who you are because there is no shame in Christ Jesus
- Who I am in Christ
What I remember seeing:
- Partying with friends on Saturday and hearing them talk about attending church with their families on Sunday
- People walking into the local cafe with their “church clothes” on only to treat the staff rude while they gossiped about what “so and so” did the night before
I didn’t know then, but I know now, that I was seeing religion. I was seeing the outside of the cup clean and shiny, but the inside was full of greed and wickedness.
I can still see religion in myself. Especially when I find myself being judgmental. I’m not being a Christ Follower; I’m being a religious jerk!
I hate religion…
I love relationship…
I didn’t understand there was a difference in religion and Christianity until real Jesus followers sought me out and showed me what love (God’s love) was all about.
My goal is to be a Christ follower that doesn’t just try to keep my cup all nice and shiny on the outside while I’m dying on the inside. I did that long enough. My cup is dirty. My cup can by sloppy. My cup is cracked. And I couldn’t be happier, because when people see me, they see relationship; not religion.
What do you think we can start doing today to make being a follower of Jesus Christ look like something others want? Comment below…