Religion Versus Relationship

             Within Protestant Christianity a common turn of phrase is “I don’t have a religion I have a relationship.” The intent of this phrase is to convey that while other religions focus on what one must do, Christianity, especially low church Christianity, focuses on one’s relationship with Christ. This concept has become so popular that within certain Christian circles to refer to Christianity as a religion in any way is treated as a cuss word.

                This stance though is both unbiblical and impractical.  In Colossians 2:23 it says These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. While this passage seems to support the anti-use of religion crowd the issue is, it is talking about self-made religion which indicates a non-self-made religion. James 1:26-27 presents a more positive spin on the word religion saying If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. This passage shows that religion is an action, and that how you do the action determines whether it is a good religion. You may act religious, but if you do not control your speech, your religion is pointless, but to selflessly help the ones in need and to conduct oneself in an upright manner, which would include one’s speech, that is good religion.

                These passages help us in understanding what religion is. Religion is the physical manifestation of what you believe, both Strong and Vine agree that the Greek word for religion here is a reference to something that is both ceremonious and worshipful.

                I believe that a much healthier way for us to approach the idea of religion is to have religion be everything we do here on earth, which is for God, the horizontal. Relationship on the other hand is the vertical, what we have with God. Religion without relationship is hollow and worthless because we are doing things that from the outside might look God honoring but, on the inside, does not further our relationship. Relationship without religion is like saying you love your spouse but do not help them do anything around the house. Religion is what we do; relationship is what we have. No religion means praying daily, reading your bible, going to church, taking communion, and being baptized are frivolous because those things are religious.

                As you can see, to have a right relationship with God we must do religion and to perform good religion we must have a relationship with God. When we teach Religion is unnecessary why do we then become surprised when people stop worrying about attending Church or doing religious acts because they think, “I can have a relationship with God anywhere and don’t need to be at church.”

                The Bible teaches the necessity of The Lord’s supper[1], Baptism[2], of gathering with fellow believers[3]. Yes, those acts in a modern context are seen as religious, but they are also critically important to our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

[1] 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

[2] Matthew 28:19

[3] Hebrews 10:19-25