Religion or Relationship

"Religion or Relationship" If you begin to type the phrase in Google, it will finish it for you and produce thousands of references. Over and over it is echoed that Christianity is not about religion it is about relationship. But what does it mean to have a relationship? Many struggle with successful earthly relationships, yet we are to believe that suddenly everyone is carrying on this love affair with God?

How can this possibly be?

How can the man who is afraid to approach a woman sitting across the room boldly approach the living God? Does the woman who has never heard I love you know how to whisper it in God's ear? Should we believe that the men bragging about women that they've never actually slept with are the same ones spending quiet evenings with the Lord? Not to mention the girlfriends who celebrate the freedom that comes with being single then shout about their utter devotion to God.

What does it mean to be in a relationship? 

At any given point of the day, you can find a post with a list of rules about what a person will or will not accept in their relationship. These rules are clearly stated and posted for all to read. Usually, there are 10. This number varies with the specific situation being addressed. A key factor in the list is its ability to be transferred to any individual regardless of their age, sex, or race. These lists are shared repeatedly to the degree that many can readily recite them.

These list remind me of the 10 commandments. You know the original list that stated what God saw as acceptable to be in a relationship with Him. His list varies in length with the situation too, and we all know how to recite those ten. We can find them in every country in the world, but for some reason we no longer think they are required for being in a relationship with God. We have come to view them as religious rules that don't have to be followed because relationship is about love. Well, the status of your relationship with God is measured by how you treat His people. If you expect someone to follow your list to be in a relationship with you, surely that means you will be following His.

Adayinthelife :-)

A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Do you ever wonder what a wolf in sheep's clothing would look like? You know, the person whose goal is to elevate themselves while making it look like they are under the direction of God. Well, picture yourself in the living room with your friends. Everyone is laughing and talking about some shared experience when one of your friends asks a serious question. He/She is no longer smiling. The mood in the room shifts ever so slightly. Everyone listens to the scenario that ends with an all too familiar question.

"So what do you think I should do?"

The question lingers in the air a second then two. No one wants to grab it. You think to speak but somehow you've forgotten every intelligent response. It's your house so one by one eyes turn to you. Without another moment passing, you begin to prophelie.

No, I did not misspeak. You begin to prophelie. At first, you start out honestly with "I believe". But, your words aren't big enough so you resort to name dropping Jesus, pastor, apostle, and bishop to make your individual thoughts sound like they were derived from God. No one interrupts you because every word you've said sounds like something they've heard, done, or thought. You string together a list of scriptures to enforce your point and just like that all is well. The conversation returns to its light and airy tone. The demeanor of your guests is more relaxed. And you are so proud of yourself for saving the moment.

The moment was not saved, but lost as soon as you decided to pretend that God directed you to speak over the situation. When this happens, you become the wolf in sheep's clothing. You become the one who runs spreading a message that God has not sent. A message that you put God's name on to satisfy your own need for importance. You become a divider when as a sheep your nature is to unite and exist in harmony.

A wolf in sheep's clothing is easy to become, but hard to spot unless the first person that you suspect has become one is you.

Jeremiah 23:21 NIV

I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

Adayinthelife:-)

Letting Go Of The Past

There is one question that we should all consider when we are faced with whether or not to let go of the past. If I don't let go, how will it affect someone else's life?

I begin here because we often believe that letting go of the past is something that we do solely for self benefit. We think; if I let go of a past hurt, success, or failure, I will be the sole beneficiary. I will relieve stress or I will be the bigger person. These things may be benefits, but what if letting go of the past could change a life?

Saul was in this situation after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul hunted, persecuted, and killed Christians. He did so boldly with the surety that his actions were justified. However, after Saul met Jesus on the road, his life was forever changed. The problem was people had a hard time of letting go of Saul's past.

The Lord knew that Saul's past would have an effect on his ministry so one of the things that he did was to change Saul's name to Paul. The change created a barrier between his present and his past, but the people still had a hard time letting go.

Saul was associated with death, but Paul contributed 13 books to the bible. Paul is responsible for recording the blueprint for our understanding of what love (God) is. Could these things have been possible if people continued to view him through the lens of his past?

Psalm 32:1 says

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

As we move forward, remember this scripture and let go of the past.

Adayinthelife:-)