This is a guest post by R. Duane Gryder. He is a missionary to motorcyclists of all walks of life in America with the Honor Bound Motorcycle ministries of the Assemblies of God. He wrote this short article on the discussion of Christianity being a religion or just a relationship. I have heard many talks about this issue. The way he states it, I see as very good, clear and precise. Please read the entire article:
Before you comment on what I have to say, please read this whole post.
We need to stop saying this all the time.
I shared part of this in two different messages this weekend. One in a message to bikers at a meeting in the Nazarene university in Illinois and then in a message at a biker church in Indiana. Church people love to say that it is not about religion, it is about a relationship. Just so you know that is church speak that most non-Christians have any idea what you are talking about.
Of course, Christianity is a religion. It says so right there in the scriptures:
James 1:27 ESV “RELIGION that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, AND TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED FROM THE WORLD.”
Yep, my relationship involves being religious in this way.
BUT, here is my main reason I think we need to stop saying this. My main reason is that people are generally not looking for another friend. They need a savior! Someone who can deliver them from their addictions and sins and every other bondage that chains them to this world.
The church has stopped being a place of deliverance, but instead a social event where friends get together with their best bud, Jesus. It may be why a lot of churches don’t need altars anymore to get in the way.
Give them a savior that will become their best friend ever and it will change our churches into a place of cleansing and worship again.
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