Let Go of Religion

 The word “religion” is derived from a Latin word which literally means “to bind fast”. Therefore, a religious person is bound under an obligation of some sort. Religion can easily hold us bondage when we determine our lives and actions based on fear of hell and judgment from an angry god. In addition, when under the influence of a religious mindset, every person’s idea of god can be different; and it is. One only needs to ask ten random people on the streets about their understanding of God and you will get ten different answers. And everyone assumes they have the right to define God and His standards of righteousness according to their own understanding. No one ever stops to think for a  moment and question. "If there really is a God, who is He? Can I know Him? What does He want from me? What happens when I die? When I pray does He speak back to me?"  

From the earliest of times, humans have looked around and wondered about the universe, the complexity, and the perfection of creation and the meaning of life and their purpose. To realize the true potential of your capabilities and to fully grasp that for which you and only you are gifted, it will require you to walk in absolute freedom. Freedom from all bondages and fear that have the potential to hold you down and your religious beliefs can be one of them. Often times, people generally choose to ignore questions about God if they do not know the answers for sure. They willingly brush the most important "truth" aside and continue pursuing the ever evading pleasures of life. 

Galatians 5:1 – So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Religion causes you to live by other’s convictions instead of your own. Think about it. Why do you believe what you believe? In most cases, it is simply because that is what you were taught by your parents or family when you were a child. Tradition has been passed on from generation to generation. Did you ever stop to ask questions? Did you attempt to find out for real if what you believe is true? Did you research and come to your own conclusion? Life is fragile. No one ever knows how long they are going to live. People die of old age, sickness, accidents, murders, wars, violent fights, and for many other reasons. And accidents could happen to anyone. What if you suddenly died and found yourself on the other side of life facing judgement before God whom you ignored all your life? It would be too late to do anything about it then. 

Let go of religion and seek to get into a real relationship with the true God. Apart from God, you can do nothing because He is the very source of your life. He is the vine, and you are the branches. A branch detached from the vine just shrivels and dies, (John 15:5).  Be reconciled to God through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. God cannot be contained into an idol in a room or on your desk or into a picture in a photo frame in your car. God cannot be contained by man’s imagination of how He might be, and He is not a set of moral teachings either. God is way too big for that and holds the entire known and unknown universe in the palm of His hands. Yet, He is loving, compassionate, merciful and forgiving. And He has made it possible for anyone keen to know Him personally and intimately through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Contrary to popular belief, Christianity is not another “religion”. Yes, people have made it a religion and unfortunately many churches have portrayed it as a religion, but it is not. True Christianity is a personal “RELATIONSHIP” with the one true God, our Father. Yes, such a relationship is possible and it is only achieved through the personal knowledge of Jesus Christ who laid down His own life for our sins and paid the price for our sins. He didn’t stay dead thereafter. He rose from the dead and is alive today and will return again soon. His resurrected life is proof that our sins are washed away. His resurrection is proof that we are free from religious bondages. His resurrection is proof that we are healed from our sicknesses. His resurrection is proof that we are free from addictions. His resurrection is proof that we can KNOW God our Father and live in peace and harmony, with a genuine love for one another. If anyone is in Christ, that person becomes a new creation, (2 Cor 5:17). God becomes your Father and you become His child. How can you not know your Father? 

When you are free from religion and rituals and festivals, now you can pray and know that your Father in heaven heard your prayers. You can now live with out fear of death, because you KNOW you have eternal life. You will live forever with Him in heaven. You become reconciled to God and that fills you with peace. It transforms you into a loving and compassionate person. You find purpose in life. You are content and satisfied in life. Religion does not transform you, but adds to your fear. You are afraid that something bad might happen to you if you did not fulfil a ritual to a man made god. You are afraid of curses. People are afraid as they near death because they are uncertain what lies on the other side. An intimate relationship with God through the knowledge of Jesus Christ brings true transformation to your life. In fact, you truly begin to live only when you get to know Christ. 

Let go of religion friends. Be free and get to know the real God who is ALIVE and REAL. In today's world with all the technology and internet, why don't you research, study and find out for yourselves instead of living on another man's convictions. God is real. Heaven is real. Hell is real. Jesus is real. His coming back again is real. Get to know Him by reading the gospel of John in the bible. Set aside all dead religion and walk in peace and happiness with a personal and intimate relationship with your Father God. If you need help understanding or need access to a bible, contact me and I can help.