More than Religion

Lately I've been reading  & seeing a lot of things that indict Christians and Christianity and might I add, "RIGHTFULLY SO!!!" Many injustices and atrocities of history have been done under the Christian Banner and have given it a bad name. However, I think that there is something that should be considered. Mankind has always used religion to justify his own agenda. Jesus had most of His trouble and confrontations from religious leaders.You have probably heard me use this illustration before, "There is the institution of marriage. and there is the intimacy within a marriage" in comparison, "there is the institution of religion... which consist of a lot of things both godly as well as ungodly, self-serving as well as power-driven motives" But an intimacy with Jesus is altogether different. It isn't the religion, it's the relationship with our Lord that makes a difference. Jesus told Nicodemous, a religious leader, "You must be born again" A true born again Christian has a different motive and a greater relationship. It supercedes religion. It is to love because the loved us. It is to refrain and repent from sin becuase it offends our Lord. It is to live Holy because our Lord is Holy. That is not to say that I am perfect, but I follow a perfect Savior and the reason I share Him, and preach Him and try to get you to follow Him is becuase He is the only hope of mankind. It ain't about religion. It's about knowing Him. Example: my late Father was my true biological father. But I called him Daddy becuase there was a greater intimacy. He was married to my mother for 50 years. He was there for me all of my life, from Cub scout meetings, to Little league games to swim meets, graduations, Because of the relationship I wanted to make him proud, never to shame him with my behavior. And so it is the with the heavenly father when you have a relationship. You must be born again