Christ died to set us free from the bondage of the law. He tore the veil that kept us separated from walking in close communion with Him.
I am not writing this to bash or condemn other religions; my purpose is to encourage others to keep their eyes on the God of their religion. Jesus did not die so that we can follow a religion, He died so that the veil would be torn, and we would no longer be separated from Him because of sin. He longs for a personal relationship with us. When we focus on religion, following rules and guidelines would be the priority, and thus, a relationship with the true and living God will not transpire.
In the Bible, one will find commandments and statutes that would be wise to follow. However, we must remember that it is impossible to live a perfect life. This is why we need the help of Jesus Christ to sanctify, prune, convict, and help us to live a righteous life. Religion teaches us to follow the commandments written in the Bible in our own strength, when true followers of Jesus rely on Jesus to help them with their weaknesses. Christ followers have an understanding that God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This legalistic (religious) mindset will give the enemy grounds to send condemnation and shame when we make mistakes and fail. We must remember that when we confess that Jesus is Lord, ask for forgiveness, and repent (turn from our sins), we immediately become in right standing with God, and He clothes us with His righteousness. After giving your life to Jesus, He is already pleased with you. God did not call us to live a perfect life; He called us to live in close relationship with Him. He cannot possibly love you anymore or any less than He already does. Like a good Father, God does not turn His back on us when we mess up; instead, He lifts us up and shows us how to walk after falling. Religion, instead, teaches us that if we mess up, we are no longer accepted. This is not the heart of God and this mentality will keep us away from the love of God.
Today, if you feel like you have to perform or do things perfectly in order to be loved and accepted by God, I encourage you to surrender that perfectionism and humbly go before God with your weaknesses. Tell Him your fears, inadequacies, and failures. And while doing that, you will begin to see that God loved you all along, and He will help you to live the life He intends for you to live. A life of wholeness, peace, purpose, and satisfaction in being His beloved son and daughter who God is not finished with yet, and Who loves us in spite of our frailties.
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
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