It's About Relationship - Not Religion

About two years ago, after dedicating just four years of my life to Christ, I made the decision to distance myself from religion. Although I never truly followed the teachings of religion from the start, it was at this point that I realized I wanted no part in what it was teaching.

The more I delved into the Scriptures and sought a deeper relationship with God, the more I began to realize that religion and faith are two entirely different things. Religion can be limiting, with its rules and regulations that dictate how one should act, speak, and even dress. Faith, on the other hand, is about establishing a personal connection with God and living a life that aligns with His teachings and values.

I've never been one to blindly follow someone, and unfortunately, that is what religion promotes - following the leader instead of following Jesus. It has taken me the past two years to come to this realization, but in that time, my relationship with Christ has grown substantially. It has been a lonely road, but one that has been worth it. I have lost friends who were like family, I have lost family, and I have even missed out on dating opportunities, but it has all been worth it in the end.

This morning, God woke me up with something on my mind. It was just after 3 am, and I couldn't go back to sleep. Finally, at 4 am, I got up to start reading Scripture and spend time with God. I am currently reading Colossians, and it could not have come at a better time.

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." - Colossians 2:6-12 KJV

Verse 8 was my confirmation this morning that I have been doing the right thing: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

This is something that many churches and "Christians" are guilty of doing now and have been doing for decades. It's in Revelation where Christ says, "you have left your first love." We need to remember who we are walking our life in - Christ - and not what we are walking in - religion.

I've learned that faith is not about following a set of rules or guidelines, but about building a personal relationship with God. It's about seeking Him and His will for our lives, and trusting in Him to guide us on the right path. It's not always easy to go against the norms and traditions of society, but I know that in the end, it will all be worth it.

If you're struggling with the same issues I faced, I encourage you to seek a deeper understanding of God's word and His plan for your life. Don't be afraid to question the things that you've been taught, and to seek out your own answers. Ultimately, the decision to shed religious dogma and focus solely on building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has been a difficult but rewarding journey for me, one that has brought me closer to God and given me a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.

April 1, 2023

B Nicole Baxley