It just keeps coming back, this thing between Relation and Religion. I heard it the last week in sermons, church, and read about it in the Word. And I believe it will be this very thing that will determent how much of our work will keep standing as it one day will be tested by the Fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
But what is the difference than? I believe a good answer to this is found in these versus in Matteus 7:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Even when we do all the great things, walk in wonders and signs, prophesy and cast out demons, we can still practice lawlessness and walk more in religion than relation. And we see that all this wonders are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord. Religion is all about the things we do in the name of God, not done out of relationship with His living son Jesus. God is, and always has been a God of the heard: Samuel 16:7 For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
God knows our hearts and seeks after those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. God is always about relation, looking for those who long for Him, more than what He has to offer.
It is in the place of intimacy that everything finds a meaning, a purpose, where revelation flows and our deepest longings are met. Lets seek Him and worship Him for who He is, not for what He has to offer. As we seek Him and His kingdom first He will give us the rest.
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