Why I’m NOT Religious

I love when people tell me, “I’m not a religious person.” I answer, “Happy to hear that. Neither am I.”

Religion, is a system by which people try to reach God. There our countless religions. People, even in isolation, will invent a religion, for as the Bible states, “God is written on the hearts of man,” deep down, people know there is a God, and so they seek a way to connect with Him, and ultimately to be right with Him, to cure their guilty conscience, as they also know, deep down, they have done wrong. They will invent a religion where none exists, to appeal to their Creator.

Christianity, in it’s truest from, is not meant to be a religion. It is God trying to reach Men. It is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions throughout human history. People ask, “What makes your religion any better or different than any other.” This is the answer. It’s isn’t a religion. It is a relationship. In truth, once it becomes a religion, it becomes shallow, empty, and often guilty of all the issues Christianity is rightly accused of: hypocrisy, legalism, manipulation, judgementalism, and worse. The Religion of Christianity has committed many sins over the centuries – and has been rightly condemned.

But Jesus never called people to a religion – and once you figure that out, it’s the great discovery ever!

Jesus’ singular invitation was, “Follow Me.” He invited people into a relationship with Him. A relationship that results in freedom, forgiveness and purpose in life.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t go to a church. Church isn’t meant to be a religion – church is a gathering a Jesus Followers. Nothing more. Nothing less. And yes, it’s good to do so in an organized manner. Determining agreed beliefs (we call those doctrines) is a good thing. Deciding how a unique church will function leads to healthy gatherings, we call that structure. Churches even teaming up to do Jesus’ work together adds strength. Those are called denominations. As they pool resources to do good works in the community and around the world, keep the lights on in the building, pay salaries to the staff to reach the lost, teach those new to the faith, and coordinate efforts of to reach the community with the Good News of Jesus – it starts to look like religion really fast.

As a group of believers, as structures grow – yes, as the business of the Church starts to function like a business – even being required to meet government requirements for the land, paying utilities, annual filings, and having by-laws and organizational documents followed by annual business meetings – INDIVIDUALS must never forget that THEY are NOT a part of a RELIGION.

They have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ that comes through saving Faith in Him.

Part of living out that Faith comes through being a part of a Community of Faith – but they may need to remind themselves and others often, “I am not a religious person. I am not even a part of a religion. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ because I have accepted His payment for my sin on the Cross. As a result, I gather with other followers of Jesus at [insert name of Church] where together, we gather to worship God, study the Bible, and work to tell others how they can come to know Jesus too!”

I hope you’ll never be a religious person. But I DO PRAY you’ll come to know Jesus!