Conclusion

Last week we learned that God established a relationship from the beginning in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He desired to talk with them in the cool of the day. And he still wants to talk with us. That was Jesus’ purpose on the cross to reconcile us back to God. Allowing us to converse with God through prayer, praise, worship, fasting, or studying His word.

Having a relationship with God is the only righteous way that can help us reach our destiny by getting us through all of the hardships and dangerous paths in life, whereas religion is merely a decoy. It’s just like those white sepulcres Jesus spoke of (Matthew 23:27 NKJV) — It looks good and even sounds good from the outside, but the presentation is nothing more than a beautifully wrapped package that is empty on the inside.

Think about how you would feel if someone handed you a beautifully wrapped gift you thought was something you’d wanted for a very long time and when they handed it to you — you were filled with happiness, great expectations, and untold anticipation then you opened it and found nothing in it—you were so hurt, disappointed and perhaps even angry as if someone played a not-so-funny trick on you. That is how hollow religion is, empty without any long-term solutions or reparations–just an emotional rush — a temporary fix for a lifetime of issues full of hot air and more disappointments. Religion did not perform the miracles we read in the scriptures—Jesus did!

This is why the Sadducees and Pharisees were so upset with Him. They knew the scriptures but didn’t know God. They had a relationship with religious rituals but they did not have a relationship with God.

As a child, I was thoroughly convinced that anything the mind could conceive could be achieved, and as an adult more now than ever. However, the condition of these achievements rests on having the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16 NKJV)

He was able to do things that men found impossible to do — and simply said, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 NKJV) He would always challenge men’s belief systems by questioning their faith. (Luke 8:25 NKJV) But this also goes back to having a relationship with Him. He also said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV) He who is the way, the truth, and the life proceeds to tell us that His words are spirit and life. (John 6:63 NKJV) How do we find these things out? By having a relationship with Him as we seek Him out with our whole hearts. Searching the height and depths of His Holy Word. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2 KJV)

Humanity needs to change its mindset…We are in relationships with TV shows, sports, our material possessions, social media of every kind, our money, and even our jobs. But none of these things can secure our eternal heritage. In the movie The Devil Wears Prada, Andy takes so many of her boss’s calls that Nate, her boyfriend, tells her, “You know, in case you were wondering – the person whose calls you always take? That’s the relationship you’re in.”

What relationship are you in?

Thank you so much for your continued readership and support. Until next week…Blessings and Peace!

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