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I have recently been told that I should remove the voicemail from my phone. The reason I was told this is because the person who heard it felt they had their Religion, and I should not be sharing scripture on a voice mail. Let us take a look at the difference between a relatonship and religion:
RELIGION: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
RELATIONSHIP: connection between persons by blood or marriage.
Religion consists of rituals and observances, A relationship is a connection.
Thue Christians are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who was called a friend (Relationship) of sinners. the connection is in the blood that He shed on the Cross for each and everyone of us...so that we could have a relationship with Him, and that we may approch God directly without the need of a priest. What we do in rememberance of Christ is ritual, or "Religion". What we do for Christ, or in His name is in responce to the relationship with Him.
Going to Church no more makes you a Christian then going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger, or going to a bar makes you a drunk. You see, I have met many non-drinkers who went to bars for the food, including myself. I do not drink, I go for the food.
Now I would like to ask you why you go to Church? Because you feel you have to or because you wish to be fed the Word of God? Because of the relationships you have there or because of the relationship that you have with the Savior? Is it because the rituals bring you comfort, or because you find Comfort in Jesus? Is it because because of Religion or the Relationship you have with Jesus Christ?
http://www.vcfintl.faithweb.com
RELIGION: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
RELATIONSHIP: connection between persons by blood or marriage.
Religion consists of rituals and observances, A relationship is a connection.
Thue Christians are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who was called a friend (Relationship) of sinners. the connection is in the blood that He shed on the Cross for each and everyone of us...so that we could have a relationship with Him, and that we may approch God directly without the need of a priest. What we do in rememberance of Christ is ritual, or "Religion". What we do for Christ, or in His name is in responce to the relationship with Him.
Going to Church no more makes you a Christian then going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger, or going to a bar makes you a drunk. You see, I have met many non-drinkers who went to bars for the food, including myself. I do not drink, I go for the food.
Now I would like to ask you why you go to Church? Because you feel you have to or because you wish to be fed the Word of God? Because of the relationships you have there or because of the relationship that you have with the Savior? Is it because the rituals bring you comfort, or because you find Comfort in Jesus? Is it because because of Religion or the Relationship you have with Jesus Christ?
http://www.vcfintl.faithweb.com
i am against rituals of all sorts. i don't feel that ritual and religion go together at all. our church is all about interpreting scripture and singing hymns, definitely not about ritual.
Jesus Himself instituted the Priesthood of all believers. We are told to
"Call no man Father". Where do I derive my convictions? From the writings found in the Gospel of John, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus had some specific things to say to the "religious" of the time. The Gospels themselves paint a very different picture of Our Lord, than the one Religion is so fond of promulgating.
Rant over. Read the Bible. It will teach you if you will be taught. It is the faith of Jesus Christ, and nothing else at all that provides the means of grace.