The Trap Of The Religious Tomb

The problem occurs when we move from a daily relationship to family traditions. It is frustrating when people think that Christianity is just something you are born into, a family tradition. We are not Christian because it is something a distant ancestor claimed. We are not Christian because our parents told us we are. We aren't even Christian because we go to church on Christmas and Easter. We are Christian when we are convicted about our rebellion against Yahweh, make the decision to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, accept it, and then give up our life to follow Jesus. It is a personal decision.

Much of the Christian "world" is trapped in religious thinking, not understanding what it is they believe. They know more the traditions of their church than they do the Word of God. Many more of us are there than we think. Any time we put the the traditions and good works of our church ahead of the Word we are already falling into the trap of religion. While dealing with some religious leaders Jesus said:

"Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain the worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of me.'" (Mark 7:6-7)

It is frustrating to see what we are making of it when Jesus paid the price for us to have the most incredible relationship of all eternity. He has ushered us into an age of grace and freedom, breaking all bondage that kept us from enjoying this relationship with him. So many have been freed from their bonds of sin but instead of receiving that freedom they added to it with the shackles of religion. But on the other hand, we have those who have taken that freedom and grace and have used it as a license to sin:

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedienceleading to righteousness? (Romans 6:14-16)

It really isn`t as complicated as it seems. The first of the great commandments: Love Yahweh with your entire being. The thing to note about this love: Jesus defined it as obedience. So, Father demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us. We in turn demonstrate our love to him by obedience. It is a daily relationship not a religious tomb. Relationship takes effort and time so spend time with the lover of your soul today and every day, and get to know him by knowing the Word of God.