ReligiousBy Tonja Taylor
If Jesus were religious–insistent on following every rule and law to the “joy and tittle,” meaning every way every day, no exceptions. We’d all go to hell, for none of us could ever be perfect enough to keep every law!
No doubt.
Praise the LORD His mercy precedes His judgment! God Who created all things good, and all people good (but the enemy deceived and corrupted mankind), sent Jesus to redeem us and restore us. But if He had been religious, none of us would go to Heaven!
For as He says in the Word of God in Romans 3, we can’t do it! We cannot keep the law! Despite what other religions teach, no one can reach a state of “perfection” by being good enough and avoiding evil.
They mean well, but Christianity is a relationship with The Living God, Jesus Christ, by believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, was brought to life again after three days, and now rules and reigns forever in Heaven–and comes to live in our hearts to help us live the Christian life when we invite Him to be our Savior and LORD!). and we obey Him because we love Him! That is totally different and foreign from just following rules because of fear of being harmed for not following the rules! Our God operates by love, not fear, and His perfect Love (Who is Jesus the Christ, the Living Word of God!) casts out all fear (I John 4:18)!
Romans 3 (AMPC) talks about this. I have emphasized the most pertinent Scriptures in this passage:
20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of]the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided]in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all]as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received]through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. 26 It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true]faith in Jesus. 27 Then what becomes of [our]pride and [our]boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely). On what principle? [On the principle] of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith.
Jesus did not come to condemn us (John 3:15-17; Romans 8:1). We were already condemned and going to hell, because Adam, the first man, committed high treason and turned the power of the world over to the devil, and brought all humans that would ever be born under his demonic leadership!
But Jesus came! He came as the Master Interventionist of all time–to save us from our fool selves and the enemy, and to give us abundant and eternal life (Zoe), as He states in John 10:10!
Truly, how great and awesome and glorious and victorious and all-knowing, and merciful and gracious and slow to anger and abounding and love and desiring for all people everywhere to be saved and have Heaven on earth is our God!
Seek Him, praise Him, and thank Him today!
Tonja K. Taylor is the author of many works, including THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCESS PEARL, P.O.W.E.R.* Girl! series. She and her husband Clayton minister the Word through teaching, preaching, and the arts, via River Rain Creative Arts (You Tube, God Tube), their church, and beyond.
