So it’s not a religion………it’s a relationship. Did you know? The LORD calls us first in HIS own unique way, a gentle and kind way too. How we are called by HIM is different for everyone and no two stories are the same!
ISAIAH 62: 12 “AND THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE HOLY PEOPLE, THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD; AND YOU SHALL BE CALLED SOUGHT OUT, A CITY NOT FORSAKEN.”
Charles Spurgeon says most people want a form of religion that does not require them to think. True religion requires serious thought and engagement of heart soul and mind. And doesn’t that mean a relationship?
TRUE RELIGION IS A RELATIONSHIP
I have a sweet Christian sister who wears a t-shirt that says: “it’s a relationship, not a religion.” I love her shirt. And I am so very thankful her relationship with JESUS is an amazing example to me. We all were born for relationship. We need relationships, we crave them.
And JESUS tells us and commands us to abide with HIM……..
JOHN 15: 5 “WHOEVER ABIDES IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE IT IS THAT BEARS MUCH FRUIT, FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.”
You and I can’t really accomplish a thing without HIM. That is a close relationship, that is an abiding one, a secure one and a deep one. Because we believe, we can be certain that JESUS is always there for us and never leaves us. Amen to that!
His calling us to come is all about HIS great love for us, a love like none other. HE meets us, even in our sin and removes our sinful ways, because we abide in HIM.
ISAIAH 1: 18 “THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE SCARLET, THEY WILL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW, THOUGH THEY ARE CRIMSON RED, THEY WILL BE LIKE WOOL.”
Jesus was punished for our sins. Jesus took the nails for us and Jesus stood in our place. Only ONE ever born has done this. That is love, that is sacrifice and that is someone who adores HIS own, in spite of our sinfulness……..HE is our redeemer and our friend. HE has done all of this and called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light!
What a relationship to have! What a relationship to treasure. What an amazing gift! So believe and be amazed and know the greatest relationship you will ever have is with JESUS CHRIST!
1 PETER 2: 9 “BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT.”
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