Holiness and Religion Aren’t Synonyms

Dad always talked about differences he would see in players. There are those who truly wanted to learn, that were coachable, and watched their character, not just their sport. There is also those who were there to just play, or go through their regiment, even if it was a committed one; they did it out of a feeling of necessity or just to look good to someone else. This difference between a shallow regiment and a heart of dedication to the practice made very impactful changes in how things ended up for that player. It changed their joy, commitment, desire, and possible next steps of their sport. The way we live life, our motivation towards it, can make those impactful changes as well. There’s always been the Christian battle of religion v.s. relationship. We are called to be in relationship with the Lord. The Bible constantly mentions the love of the Lord and our walk with Him. The Bible even explains how God is our father and we are His children; that calls for relationship. There is also mentions of all the religious and ritualistic patterns of the Old Testament and Jewish beliefs. It’s the do’s and dont’s, right and wrong rules of the Bible. Unfortunately I see all too often that people stay to one side so heavily, that we mix up the vocabulary. Relationship with God brings in all of the love, freedom, grace, and mercy but many become comfortable with taking that grace and forgiveness for granted. Religion shows reverence and respect for God, as well as a sense of dedication. However, the motivation for religion lacks in what God wants from us, which is our hearts. Again, our outlook of these words, and the negative connotations we can give them is the problem, at least in my mind. The ‘rules’ of the Bible, are honestly just a good way/guideline for anyone to live life. It is what God knows will bring us a better life. He loves us and desires for us to live a good life which is why He sent his son to describe to us and walk out what that should look like! Since we are all NOT Jesus and haven’t lived perfect lives as He has we are all in need of grace, but Paul says this about this relationship with grace in Romans 6:1-4, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Religion is often a mandatory and/or showy attempt to get right with God or show-off to God or others. It’s often found in selfish ambition or acted out with no love or genuineness. Holiness on the other hand is a pursuit to use freedom not for the sake of doing whatever you want, but to do what is right. Holiness is an act of gratitude for what Christ has done as we try to look more like Him. It’s not mandatory, and we will never be perfect, but it can be our active heart and mind's pursuit to honor God. Our sins have been forgiven, by the finished work on the cross. However, that forgiveness isn’t supposed to be a get out of sin free card. Our walk with the Lord, should not look like a friend always taking advantage of the others kindness, and never giving anything in return. If we constantly are going to God for forgiveness, and never try to live a life that honors Him, we won’t have a good relationship. Holiness should set us apart. It shows a dedication and desire to be in that healthy relationship with the Lord. Holiness and righteousness shouldn’t be ‘bad’ words, they should be motivations of ways to act out our gratitude and look more like the God who has saved us! Our salvation is set by what God has done, but our relationship and how deep that becomes is up to our pursuits.