There is a video that has been circulating around and I would like to say my thoughts on it. I recommend watching it first, if you have not seen it yet, and if you have you could even watch it again. It's called Why I hate religion but love Jesus and the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY.
I want to start out by saying he is talking about fake religion, when people are saying they are a christian but not really showing it, or they do show it but on the inside it's not true. For example as he says if people only know your Christian only by your facebook. I'm not big on religion either to be honest. Yes, I do consider myself a Christian but I believe that my relationship is more important than saying yeah I'm a Christian. Because you can go to church every Sunday but if you don't have that personal relationship with God, what's the point. The thing I find about religion is there is certain things you have to do. Like he said a long list of chores and bondage. Every time I find myself calling myself religious, I beat myself up because I'm like I'm not doing what their doing, I'm not doing it right, I'm not doing enough. But when it comes to my relationship with God it's not like that. Yes you do need to read the bible and pray. That's so their can can be communication and you can learn God's will. God can talk back to you through the Bible cause those are His words given to you. With relationship, their has to be communication. You can pray and talk to him, you read the bible and He talks to you back. The thing I love about talking to God is I don't have to be embarrassed about anything, even sin yes I kind of am but I can ask for forgivness and He will forgive me. I can talk tot God about ANYTHING and He is always there to listen! God is not their to judge you He is there to be there for you and heal your broken heart. No you are not going to be perfect in everything: going to church every Sunday, reading the Bible everyday, and praying. But God doesn't expect you to be perfect he just expects to try. With any relationship there has to be effort on both sides to make it work, Jesus holds up His end of the deal, which means you need to too. But truth is your going to mess up and sin, it's human nature and Jesus understands that. As he said on the cross "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." Back to religion vs Jesus, he says religion is like spraying perfume on a coffin and not going to the core, I believe it, it's the personal relationship that you have with God that goes to the core, not saying your Christian. When you have that personal realrelationship with God, it starts taking over the in side then starts to show on the out side. And it's not a mask, it's God shining through you. The thing about today I find in church's, not all, but some is they think they are better than everyone one, you are never supposed to compare yourself to anyone or judge anyone else, that's wrong you are no better than anyone else. Like when he said just because you call somebody else blind does not automatically give you vision. A lot of people say they are Christian and then judge the young single mother or even just someone with tattoos and say they are not good enough. That's not Jesus working through them, Jesus loves and accepts EVERYONE! I believe religion is just man made and a fail and what God is trying to do with His people of this world. He is not wanting people to act like they have it all together.The thing about religion is it's like you have to act like everything is okay when it's not. You shouldn't have to do that, the relationship with God is what heals the broken. God's salvation is what gets you to heaven not putting on a mask and saying your Christian. God doesn't want you to have it all together, He want's to help you and make the hurt go away. It's the truth that you are hurt and broken that makes your relationship with God stronger. Religion is living a double life, having a relatioship is confessing your sins and trying to move on from them with God's help. I love when he says he boast in his weakness because that is the truth with God, and also when he says "The church isn't a museam for good people but a hospital for the broken" which is so true. You should be able to go to church and confess that you are broken and be healed not go to church and act like everything is perfect. You're church family should all come together and confess you are having a hard time, not be like yup I'm a Christian it's all good, when it's really not. Don't put on that fake mask and smile. We are all broken and hurting people that just need the grace of Jesus.♥ You don't need to hide your failiure or sin, you need to be truthful and have Gods grace and salvation work through you. God welcomes you and wants you no matter what you have done and will do because He loves you unconditionally! God does not force you to come to Him, He waits for you and He will wait forever for you if He has to because he loves you and just wants to be there for you and walk with you through everything you go through in life. In the Bible it was the religious people that turned Jesus and judged him and said He was not who He was. It's the people with the personal relationship with God that I believe truly knew it was Jesus. A lot of people that go to church these days that I see soak themselves in self righteousness just because they did something good. God is good, God is love, and when you do good things and love people that's not you doing it, it's God using you to do it, it's God shining through you. You don't deserve the applaud, Jesus does. I honestly believe that religion and a relationship with God are two different things. As he says "Religion is man searching for God and Jesus is God searching for man." All God wants to do is have you come to Him, to have a personal relationship with him that goes straight to the core, to help you when you are hurt, celebrate when your happy, and shine is love through you that He has for His sons and daughters. I get off track sometimes but I know that God will always be there to pick me up and straighten me back on track. God is amazing and I wish that everyone could feel the unconditional love He has for everyone and know the feeling of always having someone there you can talk to and listen to you. Those are my thoughts on the video and you may feel different but I find this video amazing and I could watch it over and over again. Watch it a few more times if needed and really see what God is trying to tell you.(: Always remember you're amazing and so loved!
A couple of soungs:
Hanging on - Britt Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9X-dFCIv6w
Busted Heart-For King and Country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJvL9rHCpys
God is not Dead-Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghC3gqNQJPQ
I pray that you just really speak to them and make them realize what you are trying to tell them what you are trying to say. That you don't want to give them a list of rules but have a personal relatioship with them. I want to thank you for everyday you give me.I know sometimes I fall off track but you are always there to pick me back up. You are oh so amazing! I love you so much. Thank you for everything the hurt to learn from and the happiness to be thankful for and keep me going. In Jesus name Amen♥