Religious or Relationship

Isn't it an amazing feeling to have the kind of relationship we have with our God? If you look at other religions you find people constantly striving to follow lists, check "good deeds" off, make sacrifices (human or animal), live a life of fear or even just knowing you may or may not make it to a good place beyond the earth.

The kind of relationship we are allowed to have with someone so powerful just blows my mind. You see sorcerers or witches who culminate their work from pure fear. You see people trapped in cults who live a life being brain washed, being told how they're living is good for them, that it's what is what their life is supposed to be.

It's always confused me why someone would choose anything other than God...but then again, you tell a lie loud enough and often enough then people will start to believe, right? If someone is told all of their life that, like Santa, God is just a fairy tale, something cocky people made up for a feel good belief, most likely when faced with a decision they won't go straight to God as the answer.

God has become so small in the minds of mankind and it's all our fault. God would never belittle Himself, therefor it must be our doing. How often do we outwardly show our lack of faith that He will come through on our behalf; that He will do exactly what He said He would. How often do we tell the younger generation to put their trust in the one true God, then flee from Him altogether when hard times come? How often do we put our own knowledge and understanding over His for the pleasure of our pride?

God is not a fairy tale, and should never be treated as such. Despite what others might say, God is not some little man upstairs who will give you rain with the snap of a finger. He isn't "the man upstairs." He is the God of the universe. The Creator of everything you see. He gives life and takes it away with a very thought. He is just and righteous; always acts accordingly to His law and word. He is not to be taken lightly, nor to be mocked or ridiculed.

Of course, in a perfect world all this would be great. The truth is, until His children are in heaven man will always mock Him. They will always torture His children and try with all of their might to destroy His name.

The bible tells us that He is everlasting. He is the beginning and the end. This is not just some quote of a man thousands of years ago. This is fact. Truth. No matter what people do, no matter the evil that seems to grow stronger in this sin filled world, God will always prevail; He will always reign.

With other religions that require a life to be given for it's cause, God's children willingly give their life to help others see the life of Christ...because God gave His life for them. Loved His children more than anyone could ever know. We don't run planes into buildings, but stand at burning posts singing praises to God as we're burned to death. We are disowned by our family because we make Christ a part of our life instead of a lifeless religion that stems from fear.
We don't use other religious gods names as curse words, yet are forced to hear others take the name of our Lord and King and use it as a curse word to describe their disgust.

What do we do about all of it? When we see brothers and sisters suffering around the world for the faith we take so readily for granted here in America...do we grow stronger in our faith, or do we say it was their own choice to go somewhere so unsafe?

People say Christians are religious. They couldn't be more wrong. True Christians don't rely on a religion. They don't have lists and rules they have to follow otherwise they won't make it to the finish line. A true follower of Christ is one who has a relationship. One with the One and true God who loved deeply and judges righteously. No other belief in this world that you will find will ever scratch the surface of giving you peace. Even when faced with death, the Christian can rest assured where they're going.

So the question I ask myself, and all of my readers:

-Does your faith stem from a religion, or a relationship?