Religion vs. Relationship. This (now classic) contrast, referenced by countless Christian pastors and teachers today in message after message and sermon after sermon, is almost always used to demonstrate the superiority of the latter. Do I find this contrast appropriate for teaching in the Church Рthat is, the Body of Christ? Absolutely. No human teaching is perfect, of course, but to be quite honest, from my experience this way of thinking has done much, much more good than bad. However, as it grows into a clich̩ in the minds of many, I find it necessary to say a few words regarding just what the contrast should mean to us.
The initial problem, I find, lies in where the contrast leaves religion. In building up the personal aspects of the Christian faith that set it apart from all other belief systems, the very notion of what we call “religion” is carelessly thrown to the wind and abandoned as if it were evil. The solution, I find, lies in prioritizing the two properly – without abandoning either.
I should say here that, yes, I am one of those believers who often finds what the world calls “religion” to be repulsive and misrepresentative of a vibrant, living faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the center of a truly abundant life. But I also understand that we must not leave behind the strong exhortations throughout His Word concerning “religious” things, as long as they are in their proper place.
First, a couple of definitions/connections should be established to be clear. In order to approach this with biblical language, I want to pull out two words also related in a similar way: “faith” and “works.” For our purposes, I define the relationship in the classic contrast above as faith. And for our purposes, I define religion in the contrast above as works. I hope those connections make sense to you; if you disagree with that system, I apologize, but you’ll have quite some trouble moving on any further.
With that out of the way, consider this: In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul says “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Yet in James 2, we find statement after statement teaching us that “faith without works is dead.” (All emphasis is mine.)
The Bible is not contradicting itself, of course.
Now, there are a lot of places we could go with this, but I’m going to cut right to a more specific look at James 2. In verse 14, James asks “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” You may disagree with my answers, or you may not, but I’d like to ask a couple of clarifying questions concerning this verse: Couldn’t James really be saying that a true faith in Jesus Christ will generate works that affirm it? Is it possible that these “deeds” (or works) are simply being presented here as the sign of a healthy faith from the outset?
I think yes.
It is my hope that I have not lost you, for whatever reason, at this point. What I mean to show here is the idea that the two go hand in hand. True, faith must come first to help give works meaning (something that many Christian groups or denominations need to emphasize much more), but works must come after to help give faith meaning (also needing more emphasis elsewhere). Works alone can never generate the kind of faith that leads to salvation. Thus, religion alone is empty. At the same time, James teaches us that true faith simply cannot remain alive and strong without works (acts of worship, if you ask me) actively affirming it and helping to grow it. Thus, the relationship on its own becomes stagnant.
However, to go just a bit further, we must ask another question – a question that is at the root of all of this: What are “works,” really? That is a conversation that (like most others) could easily go on and on. But let me offer a possible answer to close all of this for now. First, look at Colossians 3:17. In this passage, Paul exhorts us to “do [everything] in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Of course, giving to the poor is a work that can reflect a healthy faith. Encouraging the weak-hearted can naturally give a tangible glimpse of one’s faith. However, aren’t we clearly called in the passage above to dedicate everything – every last conversation, thought, and effort – to Him and His Name? And is it too much to call this “worship?” And one more thing. Matthew 25:35-40 shows us how these “works” done for each other and for those in the world around us are also personal actions done for Him. And there you see the ever-important concept of relationship tie all of this together.
Before officially closing this first post, I would like to use this paragraph to say something from my own heart and mind concerning all of this, without referencing anything or anyone else specifically. It is my firm belief that the relationship with Jesus Christ, the God of the universe, should be the occupation of our hearts as believers. If you were to ask me if I lean more towards "relationship" or more towards "religion," I would have no choice but to admit a leaning towards relationship. Empty religion has a hold on far more than does empty relationship. Seek Him. Talk to Him. Let Him love you, and learn to love Him back. To me, that is the center of what we call the Christian faith -- not works of any kind, be them godly or ungodly.
As long as we recognize the incredible grace of God, shown in Jesus Christ, and the power of faith in His Name, I think we’ll be quite freed up enough to learn to love and follow Him more without the hollow – yet surprisingly heavy – baggage of empty living.
