Monday, November 12, 2007

Religion Or Relationship...Which Do You Have?

Matthew 23:26 "Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also."

This verse really spoke to me when I read it. So many are going through life with religion. They say they know Christ as their Saviour. I had religion for four years before I had a relationship. Those who have religion are attempting to work their way to Heaven...they just don't realize that they are. They are attempting to cleanse the outside of the cup and platter but have not done what they need to in order to cleanse the inside first.

Many are trying Jesus and not trusting Him. Those with religion will fail to accomplish anything of worth to God. God's Word tells us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;..." To do things for the sake of religion will not be acceptable to God. Religion is of self...a relationship is of Christ.

There are many who are dressing right...talking right...avoiding the wrong places and doing right but don't have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Religion is mankind's attempt to work its way to Heaven. Christianity is God's good news that Heaven is a free gift. Religion involves trying. Christianity involves relying."

So let me ask you....are you trying or are you relying? Are you working hard at cleaning the outside of the cup and saucer without having done what it takes to make sure the inside is clean? If you are then stop TRYING and trust Jesus to clean up the inside first and start RELYING or you are wasting your time and your effort.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen Mrs Julie this is a great post. I am so thankful that God came by way while I was in religion and showed me that I needed a relationship with him. You are right our churches our full of people that need Jesus and they just don't know it. How sad. Trusting is the key people say I tried that and I cringe because I know they haven't trusted.

Bro Tim

Sis. Julie said...

bro. tim....I know what you mean. I "tried" Jesus before I got saved too and those are the exact words I used with Mrs. Jackie when she was witnessing to me for so many weeks. I had "tried" Jesus and told her He didn't do anything for me or keep me from losing my husband. Thank God He continued to deal with me and gave me another chance to accept Him!! Now I have a relationship and I praise Him every day for that!!

Katy-Anne Binstead said...

Great post Mrs Julie! It seem so many have religion but no relationship.

TO BECOME said...

I can thankfully say that I am relying. God is my Father, Jesus is my Saviour and Lord and I am so thankful that I belong to the FAMILY. Great post. connie from Texas

Sis. Julie said...

sis. connie...Amen!!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. connie...Amen!!

Sis. Julie said...

katy-anne...you are so right!!

T said...

Amazing! Our pastor preached on this yesterday!

Abigail said...

My dad did a similar post on his blog today, titled, "Christianity or Christ?"
Take a look:

http://jude3kjb.blogspot.com

Sis. Julie said...

sis. tiffany...Praise the Lord!!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. abigail...Amen!! I'll go over there now and read it.

Mimi said...

Julie,you hit the nail right on the head with this post...
so many are trying to please God.. instead of relying on God to clean us from the inside out...
Wonderful Post!!!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. mimi...I'm thankful this post blessed you. Thank you for your faithfulness in leaving me comments.

Kristi said...

The title of the post alone was good.

It's true that people are trying and not relying. I'm thankful I'm relying. Because it sure ain't nuthin' I'm doin'!

~Kristi

Sis. Julie said...

sis. kristi...Amen!! It ain't nuttin' I'm doin' either...LOL!!

Mary said...

Great post Julie! I found your link from my husband's blog. I remember being a lost Baptist and the doubts I had continually but was never willing to confront. Something Jesus said pierced my heart like a hot knife: Mark 6:23 "But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" Wow. My religion (the "light" that was in me) was actually GREAT DARKNESS! It wasn't too long after that that I was born again the Bible way. It's been 18 years now. And I am thankful.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. mary...thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment letting me know you were here. I'm so thankful to hear that God delivered you from that same thing that has so many people deceived...religion!! Praise the Lord. Thank you for sharing your mini testimony.

HsKubes said...

Great post!

~ Christina

Mishel said...

Great post! There was a time when I was "trying more than relying". I praise the Lord for the truths found in the scriptures you posted--some of the very scriptures the Lord used to show me the error in my thinking. God is good! : )

And--I *really* like the music on your blog! Blessings to you!!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. mishel...I'm finding that this trying Jesus thing has been more of a problem in people's lives in the past than I realized. Thank the Lord there are those who are now relying on Jesus and no longer trying Him.

I'm glad you like the music.

PamelaK said...

This verse (Matthew 23:26) could actually be a great tool in witnessing and i have never thought to use it before. Thanks so much for the great post, Sis Julie.
I was very "religious" before I was saved and I thank God for opening my eyes and heart to the fact that what I was "trying" just wasn't working!!

Sis. Julie said...

pamelak...I'm so glad you are trusting now instead of trying. Amen!!

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