What is TRUE Christianity??
This entire topic that I was faced with today is being answered in multiple parts because it is very multi-faceted … however, it is quite simple, if one actually stops to think about it.
Is Christianity about a “religion” or a “relationship”?
Why is this even a question that is still being asked today?? A religion is a BELIEF SYSTEM. So, by that very definition, Christianity is a RELIGION! Due to the nature of the religion, Christianity is impossible apart from a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. So, to answer this first question, the answer is YES! Christianity is a RELIGION that is based on a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.
Is obedience to God legalism?
I began one of the greatest challenges a couple of weeks ago by starting an online class. As I was reading through some of the discussion answers on our discussion board, I was confronted with something that has been part of my personal struggle pertaining to legalism. Being a legalist scares me … I’ve never met a legalist who wasn’t just a jerk on every level of life, and I DO NOT want to be that or even come across like that. I’ve heard – seemingly – every possible argument pertaining to legalism and how to apply Scripture. Honestly, some of it is still a mystery that the Lord is unraveling. He continues to use His truth to answer my questions and dispel the lies. How thankful I am for His grace to persevere with me … and for the people He has placed in my life to help me find the answers when I can’t find them on my own.
One of the greatest, and yet simplest, truths I’ve learned recently is that the Lord is very practical. He isn’t trying to hide anything from us. While there are different ways to interpret Scripture, based on the genre of the specific passage that is being read, the Lord isn’t some mystical Being who has left us a book that we have to decode.
The two topics that were mentioned in this discussion post dealt with two of the most debated topics in the American church today. I would guess that these two topics are in the top ten “hot debate topics” … TITHING & CHURCH ATTENDANCE. This person was NOT referring to dietary laws or topics of dress or music style … These topics are clear commands in Scripture. So … Is it legalism to apply Scripture PRACTICALLY? Is it legalism to OBEY the clear commands of Scripture, AS THEY ARE WRITTEN? The ONLY safe – and true – place to find the answer is within the pages of Scripture … from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will obey what I command” in John 14:15.
What do we do with verses like this when we come across those passages on tithing or church attendance or morality that we don’t like?? We deny the One we say we love. We become like Peter, at best … or even worse, we become like Judas Iscariot.
As Jesus asked Peter, so I ask myself … and you.
Do I love Jesus? Do you love Jesus?
 If we answer ‘YES,’ then what are WE going to do with the clear commands of Scripture?
{and can we please STOP using the religion vs relationship argument?? It’s a logical fallacy that opens up a theological hole big enough to drive a Mack truck through!}
 
If the answer is ‘NO,’ may I ask you why you don’t love Jesus? He loves you so much that He willingly left Heaven to become the God-Man. Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man. He came to save sinners … to give us new life. A new name. A new identity. He came to make us His … not because we are good, but because HE is good!
John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Romans 3:10 says, “as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 10:9 says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jesus loves you, Friend, but He won’t force Himself on you. If you have questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] … if I can’t answer them, I will get some help to answer any questions you may have.