I was asked the other day to review my medical information, update my insurance for the new year, and make sure all my “choices” were current, such as emergency numbers, religious affiliation, etc. Everything was correct except there were changes to my insurance regarding my co-pays. Thankfully, those changes benefited me.
I smile whenever I must choose my “religious” affiliation. I know it is just a standard form that needs to be completed, but I always want to say that I do not have a “religious” affiliation, I have a “relationship with a person” affiliation.
In yesterday’s devotion, I mentioned that “religion” can be anything we want it to be. We can change it anyway we want. We can ignore some parts, embellish others. We can interpret it according to when it was written or according to the norms of the society in which we live. Religion is uncertain.
Now a faith based on a relationship with a person is different. When Jesus invited us to come, He did not invite us to come to a set of rules and regulations, not even to principles or doctrines. He invited us to come to Him.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.” [Matthew 11:28-29 HCSB]
When we come to God through Christ Jesus, we enter a relationship with someone who does not – cannot change.
“Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.” [James 1:7 HCSB]
When we are in a relationship with the Holy, Living God, He does not change. We do. We conform to His image; He does not conform to ours.
