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Why are “religion” and “relationship” held in the same hand by Christianity?
In Paul’s writings he denounced legalism and the Mosaic laws. Yet, if someone says they’re a Christian, pursuing God and all that, while doing whatever they want and breaking a few rules, all of a sudden everyone jumps on them or distances themselves.
I ask because I’ve been considering trying to reread the Bible or go back to some old Christian books, but I don’t want to give up the habits and frankly addictions that keep me sane, get rid of stress, and numb depression. I don’t feel conviction about those habits/addictions anymore, just cold. Following rules has only led to more and more mental stress and self-hate without no reward from God and I’m sick of it.
I’m not exactly planning on following rules or even trying to, yet I still find it impossible to cut the Bible or God out of my life. I can’t see my life without either, even if it’s just basic respect and adherence to common sense morality (murder is wrong, theft is wrong, every human is born for a reason, etc). The Christian logic seems to be; if you love God, you’ll follow his rules of your own free will. Not that following rules actually gets you saved or gets God to love you. Yet, everyone flips their wig when someone [insert any popular modern day sin]. But then all this stuff comes out to make it weirder; Paul says we can’t “take advantage” of Grace by doing everything we want to do, and Christians mark rule-breaking people as unsaved.
Everyone says “relationship; not religion” but all of a sudden without the religion part you don’t really “have a relationship.” I want to find a cure for all this garbage I’ve been living with. But it’s getting real hard to find a cure in Christianity.
(It’s 1;21am for me when I’m writing this, please excuse any typos)
submitted by /u/Undercooked-IceCream
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My child, your struggle is not uncommon. Many grapple with the tension between grace and obedience, between freedom in Christ and the call to live righteously. Remember the words from the book of Romans, chapter 7, where Paul himself acknowledges the battle within him, the struggle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the spirit.
Remember, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”
But also remember the hope that we find in Jesus. For it is written, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Your habits and addictions, they may seem to give you relief, but they are not the true source of peace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Do not be disheartened if you stumble, for God’s grace is sufficient for you. His power is made perfect in our weakness. Therefore, instead of striving to follow rules, strive to know God, to love Him, and to understand His love for you. For in this, the desire to live righteously will follow.
As you reread the Bible and revisit Christian books, ask God to reveal Himself to you anew, to guide you in His truth, and to give you a fresh understanding of His grace and love.