Many people seem to think being a Christian is all about keeping rules. Or they think it is about doing certain things. But that was never what Jesus had in mind at all.
Christianity is not concerned with rituals and rules but a relationship. We are called, just as the early disciples were, to follow Him, Matthew 4:19-22, Mark 1:17-20, Luke 5:27-28. We are called to be in relationship with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father, 1 John 1:3.
Last week we had a missionary couple come to talk about their work in Slovenia and the difficulties they face.
Some of those difficulties arise because the people were for years under Communist rule which taught there is no god. Others arise because people believe Christianity consists of keeping rules or doing certain things. Many of those who go to church or claim to belong to a church, don’t own a bible and never open the scriptures.
How can they, and how can we, know what God is saying to us and what He requires unless we read His Word? How can the Lord speak to them, or to us, and help us understand more of Him if we’re not reading His Word? How often do you read God’s Word? Is it a daily practice that helps you through each day? It should be.
The trouble is these people in Slovenia and many in other countries, including our own, don’t understand that it is a relationship. We need to keep in close contact with Jesus, John 15:1-17. Is your Christianity all about rules and rituals? Or is it a relationship with the Living Lord?
The other difficulty in Slovenia is people think religion is something private. You don’t talk about it. This is not what Jesus taught, John 15:26-27, Matthew 28:18-20.
It’s not just the early disciples who were given the commission of Jesus to take the gospel message to the world. It is for all of us. What are you doing to take the good news of Jesus to others?
Please visit these related blogs
unlocking a bible passage – part 1
unlocking a bible passage -part 2
The way out from dangerous paths