[Triund]

The other day I was listening to a radio program while driving and the preacher said," Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus". I agree with him and understand what he said and what does it mean.

There are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists etc who follow their religion. Then there are Spiritualist also.

My questions are -

1) How can I support my point while explaining to a non-christian that Christianity is a relationship with Jesus and not a religion. What are the characteristics of a religion?

3) Why do Spiritualists, Liberals and others pray to God but don't want to know Jesus?

[classyT]

I believe that Christianity is NOT a religion and it is a relationship with the Lord.

The only TRUE religion that God put in place is Judaism, all else are man made. The jews were put under the Law of Moses and they had to keep it. They had to worship and sacrifice at only one place... the temple. What makes Christianity not a religion is because we are no longer under the law. We live under grace and we no longer have rules, feasts, sacrifices, certain foods we can't eat... ect. Now when I say we no longer have rules, I am not talking about being able to sin.

I think the reason that people are more than willing to talk about GOD and NOT the Lord Jesus is because Jesus Christ was a REJECTED man and He still is today... He was rejected and hung on a cross to die and NOTHING has changed in over 2000 years. Those are my thoughts.

[jakester]

Triund - I think as long as a person's eyes are shut to the truth of the Gospel, Christianity will always appear as just another option on the menu of religions. I will piggy-back on much of what ClassyT said.

Jesus said over and over again, "he who has the eyes to see, let him see." And "he who has the ears to hear, let him hear." Those who wouldn't see or hear Jesus would probably respond something like "I'm all set with that. You're weird and you teach strange things." But to those who would see and hear, his words stirred them and they were willing to hang in there and keep listening to him, even when he started to say things like: "unless you are willing to take up your cross and deny yourself, you cannot be my disciple." And the cross signified death, so for someone to say "unless you are willing to die on account of me, you cannot follow me" is really hard to accept. But if your heart is right, you will be willing to take his challenge seriously.

We have to be savvy about who it is we are talking to about Jesus. The gospel will mostly fall on deaf ears so even if you were to give the most compelling and sound argument for why Jesus Christ is one's only hope, if the person's heart is not right, no amount of persuading will make any difference.

So, to answer your question: "Why do Spiritualists, Liberals and others pray to God but don't want to know Jesus?" The answer is because they don't want to know Jesus. The human heart is hard towards God and only a heart transformed by the Spirit of God will respond positively to Christ. I believe that is the fundamental idea being examined in the bible. John's gospel really lays out the case for this. When Jesus healed the blind man and then he and his parents are questioned by the Pharisees, they press him about what happened. They later ask him the same question again. In the dialogue you see that certain Pharisees were unwilling to believe Jesus was the Messiah but others were in light of the miracle he performed. I think John's point is that an unwilling heart will not respond to God no matter how compelling the truth is.

It's good to share your faith but you also have to remember who we are as human beings and not be so surprised by unbelief. It is to be expected because we are sinners. When we share we have to bear in mind that many will not receive the truth but if God is working in their hearts, they will respond to the truth.

This is the way I understand both the bible and life experientially.

[Fr_Chuck]

Chrisianity is a concept or belief, the practice of that concept is a religion.

[Triund]

Thank you ClassT and Jakester. You folks have equipped me with knowledge to face people. ClassyT, your lines about rejection of Jesus, aligns with what my Uncle said "Jesus is the most hated and the most loved figure". God bless you all.

Keep posting more if you come across any other information or idea.

[arcura]

Triund,
I believe that Christianity is known world wide as a religion and in the minds of most people that is what it is.
If one looks up a list of religions anywhere such a list is available such as on the WWW, in an encyclopedia, etc. Christianity will be listed as one of them.
So world wide it is accepted that Christianity is a religion although I have been informed by others that Christianity is just an off shoot of the religion if Judaism.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[sndbay]

My questions are -

1) How can I support my point while explaining to a non-christian that Christianity is a relationship with Jesus and not a religion. What are the characteristics of a religion?

3) Why do Spiritualists, Liberals and others pray to God but don't want to know Jesus?

In Greek the word Christian is " Christianos" a following of Christ.

Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

What we note in Act 11:26 is The three clauses which follow are all dependent on (it came to pass) with (And called).

Called is the Divine communication throughtout scripture such as in (Luke 2:26), The example shows how our Father, in the Holy Spirit reveals HIS will ... and HIS begotten Son, Christ Jesus.

Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.


That is why if we suffer as Christians, it is done in the glory of God the Father.

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

*******************************************

The term "religion" refers to the personal practices elected of faith, and to the following of those practices shared in conviction of heart. So the Christian religion would be the individual's answer to the calling of Christ.

[sndbay]

I believe that Christianity is NOT a religion and it is a relationship with the Lord.

The only TRUE religion that God put in place is Judaism, all else are man made. The jews were put under the Law of Moses and they had to keep it. They had to worship and sacrifice at only one place...the temple.

How is it that Christianity isn't a religion by term of faith in Christ to answer HIS calling, and yet you think Judaism answering to God's will is?

What makes Christianity not a religion is because we are no longer under the law.

Gal 3:23-24 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Faith in Christ brings us rest in HIM ...

We live under grace and we no longer have rules, feasts, sacrifices, certain foods we can't eat...ect.

Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Now when I say we no longer have rules, I am not talking about being able to sin.

Eze 33:18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

1 John 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

[sndbay]

" And the cross signified death, so for someone to say "unless you are willing to die on account of me, you cannot follow me" is really hard to accept. But if your heart is right, you will be willing to take his challenge seriously.
.

Unless we are willing to follow HIS way in righteousness, as such in confession of faith in the begotten Son of God, and to be baptized into Christ being dead and buried of this world, then able to raise wtih HIM. Not of this world but newness of life in HIM.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

John 15:10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in MY love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in HIS love.

John 17:15-16 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

[classyT]

How is it that Christianity isn't a religion by term of faith in Christ to answer HIS calling, and yet you think Judaism answering to God's will is?



Gal 3:23-24 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Faith in Christ brings us rest in HIM ...



Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.



Eze 33:18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

1 John 2:5-6 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Snd,

We don't agree. I ALREADY know you put yourself under the law. Good for you. You are wrong and I'm done discussing your position. I won't change your mind.. you will NEVER change mine. Have a nice day.

[Kiern]

The other day I was listening to a radio program while driving and the preacher said," Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus". I agree with him and understand what he said and what does it mean.

There are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists etc who follow their religion. Then there are Spiritualist also.

My questions are -

1) How can I support my point while explaining to a non-christian that Christianity is a relationship with Jesus and not a religion. What are the characteristics of a religion?

3) Why do Spiritualists, Liberals and others pray to God but don't want to know Jesus?

It's a nice catch phrase, but Christianity is a religion, and not a relationship with Jesus. You, personally, can have a relationship with Jesus, God, or whoever, based on your personal beliefs. That is something personal and spiritual. It is one thing to say that you have this relationship, and another thing to actually have it. Once you feel the need to be right; Once you feel the need to convince others that what you believe is the truth and what they believe is wrong; Once you start quoting scripture to prove your points, you have crossed over into religion.

You seem to want to dismiss the other spiritual beliefs in the world and put Christianity on some pedestal. Having a relationship with God, in any fashion, is not something new. Do you really think that other religions don't have people that feel that they have that same relationship. This is why you have people that are spiritual, but not religious. They do not get hung up on being right, they have personal relationship with something greater than themselves, and that is all that matters.

I believe that if you truly had a relationship with Jesus, you wouldn't feel the need to convince others that you are right. You would be content with your own spirituality, but that does not seem to be the case. You hear this concept on the radio, and instead of putting it into practice and making your own life more spiritual, you are looking for ways to convince others that your beliefs are better than theirs. You seem to have completely missed the point.

[arcura]

Kiern,
Yes, you are right and with good thoughts.
That's good work.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[classyT]

Christianity is ONLY possible because of a personal relationship possible from His work on the cross. It is NOT a religion. It isn't a nice catch phrase.. it is truth.

[adam7gur]

The Pharissees were a religion , but those who believe in Jesus Christ , are ALIVE!!
Both Pharissees and believers were under the same law , they both claimed that they worship the one true God, but there is a huge difference between them,and it is the same difference that was also between Cain and Able, Ismael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob.Cain did offer to God, Ismael was Abraham's son,Esau was Isaac's firstborn but none of them were ALIVE .
Religion is doing what I want and Christianity is obeying Christ!
Religion is being like the Pharissees ,and Christianity is being like Christ!
As for your 2nd question it is very clearly said by our Lord Jesus , that no one goes to the Father except through
Him,so when someone is rejecting Him, His Father is rejecting that someone back!
If I have the Son , I have the Father! If I don't have the Son , I don't have the Father!
Read Psalm 2 and you shall see that anyone who tries to separate The Father from the Son has no chanse and verse 12 is crystal clear!
So Spiritualists etc. do what they want to do , and not what God wants us to do.
Again , religion instead of being ALIVE !Doing what I want instead of obeying Christ!

[Dare81]

Could some here point to me where in the bible does Jesus refer to himself as God?

[v1033]

Definition of Religion:

1. a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

So yes Christianity is a religion.

Side note 2 comes after 1, 3 comes after 2 >_>

[sndbay]

Snd,

We don't agree. I ALREADY know you put yourself under the law. Good for you. You are wrong and I'm done discussing your position. I won't change your mind..you will NEVER change mine. Have a nice day.

I rebuke your attempt to put me under the law. My faith rest in Christ.
I have heard you say many thing, but this shows no love unto another.

Do you think that anyone can seek justification by Christ and still sin? God forbids! (Gal 2:17)

I rejoice in my love for Christ and will not partake of your judgement.

[N0help4u]

To answer your second question...
People pray and do not believe because it is what they were taught is right to do. Some feel that they just want to cover all bases just in case. The Bible says in the end time people will profess Christianity but deny the power.

I agree with ClassyT and Jakester (and Tjs3) on the first answer.

[redhed35]

I always believed that being a christian is a way of life,following in christs footsteps.

The only way to heaven is through christ jesus.
Once you accept jesus into your life you are renewed.born again in spirit.

Religion is born of man.rules made from man,not GOD.

I bow before GOD not man,I know jesus will speak for me,GOD knows my name and I am written in his book.

[redhed35]

Dam straight!
Praise jesus.