What does it look like to be religious?  What do you think of when you hear, “that is a religious person?”  Do you like religion?  One definition of religion reads like this, “a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.”  Therefore, religion has a much broader definition than what most of us have assumed.  Religion encompasses interests such as the religion of hockey, the religion of baseball, the religion of shopping, the religion of atheism.  People all around us pursue certain interests and ascribe supreme importance to those interests.  However, most of us do not like to refer to Christianity as religion.  Bono, the lead singer for the amazing band U2, said, “religion, we feel, is what’s left when the Spirit leaves the building.”

I’ve been known to say that Christianity is not about religion, but about relationship.  In a very real way, this is correct.  Christianity is not about religion, with its rules and regulations, but it is about a relationship with Jesus.  Nonetheless, this relationship is dynamic.  There is activity and change that happens and must continue to happen.  I may claim to love my wife and have a relationship with her, but if my life does not reflect my love for her, then my words are empty, defrauding, and deceiving.  However, if I live my life in a manner as to earn her love and to keep her love, then we do not have a true relationship.  The point is this; religion is good when it highlights my relationship with God.

James tackles this very concept; the concept of relationship and religion.  Take a look at James 1.21-27.

Yes, religion is personal, but it should never be private.

What are we doing this week to show how our relationship is highlighted by our religion?

Click here to listen to the sermon – Choosing My Religion