I think we have all heard preachers talk about how Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship, but have we really thought about what that means? Our religious duties today such as attending a weekly worship service and/or bible study or having our "quiet times" have so often become our substitute for real relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, I believe all these "religious" activities can be a vital part of a growing relationship, but just because we do them doesn't mean we are relating to God...sometimes we are just relating to the event or activity and nothing more. At least I know that is what I'm guilty of doing more often times than I'd like to admit...
So, what do I mean by relationship? I mean relating to God just as you might relate to a friend. Talking and listening to Him. I hesitate to call it "prayer" because even that word often carries religious baggage. I'm simply talking about conversations with God that happens naturally throughout the day. I'm not talking about organized planned events (like a church service) or scheduled daily activities (like your quiet time)...I'm talking about a simple knowledge of His constant presence and continual interaction with Him as you live life.
Suppose your closest friend was with you 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Most people value their privacy and independence too greatly for this to ever become a reality, but for the purpose of this analogy just imagine how you would grow to relate to this individual. You would be constantly aware of their presence and you would speak to them continually throughout the day about circumstances as they presented themselves. And boy would you ever get to really KNOW them!!!
Now, you wouldn't just speak to them at some appointed time or in some special place, would you? You wouldn't wait to thank your friend for his gifts and his kindness in some big scheduled meeting, would you? No! Of course not!!! Instead you would speak to them throughout the day and thank them at the time the gift was given and the blessing was realized. You would RELATE to this person constantly and "without ceasing" (as Paul reminded us).
All too often we go on thinking we are living in relationship with God because we "spent time with Him in the morning" or "worshipped him at church last weekend." And, heaven forbid, if we miss one of those meetings or activities then guilt only serves to drive a bigger wedge in our already warped understanding of what a relationship with God looks like. Why? Because now that we have failed to keep our "religion" (which has come to define our relationship) we think that God is up there singing the song, "I miss my time with you, our moments together," and is disappointed in us yet again for letting Him down. But, my question is how can we miss our time with God if he abides in us? How do you neglect being with someone who never leaves you? Granted, I certainly see the need for focused bible study and prayer time, but in my own walk these activities often become the substitutes for real relationship and truly fulfilling interaction with God. Am I the only poor sap that continues to struggle with this?
I'm just concerned we have idolized our church gatherings and our quiet times in the same way the Pharisees idolized their own man made traditions and laws. Jesus words in Matthew 7:23 have slapped me back into reality numerous times throughout my life: "I never knew you, depart from me..." And he said this to self-proclaimed miracle working prophets! What is he going to say to me?
This is not about how faithful I am to my religious activities and gatherings; this is about my relationship with Him. It is about knowing Him. As I stated at the beginning, this reminder is nothing new to those of us who have been around the church for any length of time, but sometimes I wonder if this truth is really sinking in. It has been an issue throughout all of human history and I think it continues to be one of the greatest obstacles today.
How do we address this concern and get this message across to those younger in the faith without appearing to belittle all religious activities and events. More importantly how do we avoid slipping back into religiosity ourselves?
