“Religion and relationships have little to nothing in common.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-10) from his book, Spirituality for the Rest of Us: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Knowing God (p. 27). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book)

Now many who are Christians like to say that Christianity is not a religion, but that it's a personal relationship with Jesus. I like to say that too. But do we really know what that means when we say it? Larry shows us how they are different.

He says, “Religion places a major emphasis on rules and rituals that are supposed to either manipulate God or earn his favor. The tell-tale mark of religion is easy to spot. It's a one-size-fits-all approach to spirituality: ‘Follow our rules, fulfill our rituals, and God (or the gods) will be pleased and placated.’”

And that is so easy to do isn’t it? You have to go to church every Sunday, you have to read the Bible every morning, you have to, have to. Rules can be measured so I can tell if you are really a Christian by what you do. But a relationship is different.

Larry says, “Relationships are completely different. No one-size-fits-all recipe can guarantee a great relationship. Whether we're talking about husband and wife, close friends, co-workers, or parent and child, every relationship is different. No two are ever exactly alike. What builds and sustains one is often of no value in another.”

He then says, “It's no different in our relationship with God. Certainly he's always the same, but we're sure different. And something tells me God doesn't just put up with our differences, he savors them—and adapts to them. After all, he's the one who created all these unique traits, even those we aren't so fond of in others.”

And that is so great to see. God sees me as an individual. His and my relationship is different than his and my wife, Margaret's. But the danger is for me to say but you should do what I am doing. Larry says, “If we want to know him, really know him, it can only be done through developing a personal relationship. And no two personal relationships will ever be exactly alike. Our one-size-fits-all discipleship and spirituality recipes have to go. We must recognize them for what they are—mere religion in the guise of relationship.”

Something to think about isn’t it?

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