Webster’s New World Office Dictionary says that religion is belief in and worship of God or gods; a specific system of belief, whereas Christianity is built on a relationship with God through Christ, God’s Son. His gospel message, the “good news”, made a way for those estranged by religion and all its pious ceremonies to restore the fundamental relationship between the created and the Creator. Jesus offered eternal life as a gift. He was the only God among many gods willing to come down to us rather than making us work our way up to him. During the time of Jesus, the religious groups, such as the Sadducees and Pharisees, argued over which books of the Bible were authoritative, whether there really were angels and spirits and whether there would be a resurrection of the dead. Both religious groups drove people away from God, but Jesus pointed people to the Father through love, grace, restoration and forgiveness.[pullquote4 align=”right” style=”width:300px;”]Teach Us
Twisted in life’s barbed empty net
Of our flesh and vain philosophy.
Washed ashore by religion’s regret,
Of dead-works and faithless decree.
Blown by every wind and doctrine
Our sails torn while adrift at sea.
Teach us how to fish for men,
Thou, Son of Man from Galilee.[/pullquote4]Dr. Glenn Weekley said, “Today Christendom must have powerful warriors who are thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, able to contradict all erroneous interpretations of false teachers.” Jesus said, “….you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free,” John 8:31, 32. The truth found in a personal relationship with Christ compels His follower’s to love, trust and follow the One who can bring genuine joy into their lives. When we walk in relationship with Christ, and lovingly reach out to others who have been wounded by another, we throw them a lifejacket of hope and healing; showing them that we sincerely care about their well being.
Twisted in life’s barbed empty net
Of our flesh and vain philosophy.
Washed ashore by religion’s regret,
Of dead-works and faithless decree.
Blown by every wind and doctrine
Our sails torn while adrift at sea.
Teach us how to fish for men,
Thou, Son of Man from Galilee.[/pullquote4]Dr. Glenn Weekley said, “Today Christendom must have powerful warriors who are thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, able to contradict all erroneous interpretations of false teachers.” Jesus said, “….you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free,” John 8:31, 32. The truth found in a personal relationship with Christ compels His follower’s to love, trust and follow the One who can bring genuine joy into their lives. When we walk in relationship with Christ, and lovingly reach out to others who have been wounded by another, we throw them a lifejacket of hope and healing; showing them that we sincerely care about their well being.
Father, we pray you grant us the necessary tools needed to become a fruitful and prosperous child of God. Give us a desire to fish for men, thereby rescuing them from the barbs of man-made religion. May our Christ-like hope and love become the golden thread woven into every experience of life and cause us to know you more intimately today than yesterday.”
I will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:4).
From the withered tree a flower of hope will bloom like powerful medicine, giving
forth expectation of a better tomorrow.
