Religion or Faith?
Is there a difference between faith and religions? Some people still seem to find them interesting. However, the modern secularized man finds them outdated and hampering and denying life. Therefore, man should be liberated and keep away from them.
Religion that only contains rules, prohibitions and rituals is nothing but tiresome performing with which eventually everyone is exhausted.
Faith given as a gift by Jesus Christ, is something totally different. Jesus says: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This promise is for all people of all times, including us who are today seeking for meaning and direction for our lives.
If man has no inner peace and meaning in life, it is because he is not connected to his Creator. The connection was broken right at the beginning when man acted against God’s will. As a result, man was driven away from Paradise. This is why all people on earth born since then are without a connection with God. This connection needs to be re-established. For this reason God sent His own son, Jesus Christ, that we might again know Him. Jesus died on the cross on our behalf so that all our sins would be forgiven and we could live in a relationship with Him and in fellowship with Him forever.
You have most likely heard all this before but did you ever think that it is really true, not just the script of a fictitious passion drama? Have you stopped to ponder what it means to you personally?
The gate is open
God continues to invite everyone of us into His kingdom. He wants to be connected to us who were created and redeemed by Him. Everyone may enter His kingdom; rich, poor, young, old. Only one question is put before us:
Do you want to receive this offer from God and enter through the gate?
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts”… (Hebrews 3:7-8)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John: 14:6)
Have you heard His voice deep in your heart? Have you sensed how He is inviting you, too, and wants to give you an abundant life in fellowship with Him? What prevents you from opening the door of your heart and receiving as a gift all that which faith brings with it?
What ever you have done in your life or whatever you are cannot be a hindrance because everything has been forgiven and atoned for. You are free to believe in total forgiveness of all your sins.
If you have not experienced God’s invitation in a personal way, what could be the reason? Is God not interested in you? He certainly is but perhaps for the time being you are more interested in other things. Perhaps you haven’t had the time to stop and listen to Him or even listen to what you yourself really want from life and what is really important.
I’m sure that you don’t want more strict rules in your life, more tight boundaries or empty rituals. But if you long for meaning for your life, if you are looking for peace or know that you need forgiveness, then you need Jesus Christ. He has come for you, too, so that you would have life and have it to the full. You can meet with Him today and learn to know Him as your personal friend and Saviour. Jesus Christ lives. Through believing in Him you, too, can cross over from death to life. That is what faith means.
