Jesus and Religion

Jesus vs. Religion

I'm sure many of you have seen the video that I have posted the link to above. If not, I do encourage you to watch it in its entirety before reading this post.

The topic this man discusses in this video is one that has always confused me and brought much turmoil into my life. When I was younger, I simply chose to ignore it and went to church as my parents told me to, to the church they told me to go to, without question. But as I have gotten older, the weight has become heavier on my heart to attempt to discover the truth behind Jesus Christ and the basis of religion. Now I know that this video is viewed as highly controversial to most people. And I know that many of you will most likely do not agree with what this man says, but personally, I believe I do. Now that certainly does not mean that I am completely against the church and believe that going to church is a bad thing because it supports religion. I go to church regularly to hear God's word and apply it to my life so that I may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. But what I am saying is that this man makes excellent points. Religion has been the cause of countless wars throughout history. Just look at the Holy Wars throughout the 11th through 13th centuries. I have seen the church cast out people who they believed were lost in sin, such as single mothers or people who were divorced as he says. Most of the examples he gives are things that I have seen firsthand. But the thing that hit me the hardest about this video was when he said that religion is like "a behavior modification with a long list of chores". I am going to be honest, growing up I have often viewed what I thought was being a Christian as a list of rules and regulations that I have to follow or else I am not worthy of God's presence. I felt oppressed by all the things I was doing wrong and all the things I couldn't do. I felt constrained by all the rules and felt like it wasn't giving me joy but anguish and stress. So what he says is something that I believe is true. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is more than just having a group of people in a fancy building telling you how to live your life. It is knowing down to your very core that Christ has saved us from our sins and He has given us His word that instructs us on how to live and because of that, we can be free to live with Him and feel His love in our lives. With a relationship like that, following all these so-called "rules" doesn't seem so hard after all, because of the love we feel. And that, my friends, is what I feel to be true Christianity.

Agree with me, or don't, it matters not. This is simply my opinion. I could say so much more, but for now, that will remain in my heart. Much love, my friends.