Christianity 101: It’s about knowing God – Tuesday,  27 February

Sometimes even us Christians need to be reminded of what Christianity is all about. We can so easily slip into the motions of doing Christianity instead of being a Christian. Here’s a liberating truth: Jesus didn’t come to start a new religion. He didn’t come so that we could try harder at getting closer to God. He never came to show us a better way to live, either. Religion puts a lot of pressure on us to perform and jump through hoops as if we’re in a circus. This is not a circus, it’s a family. You don’t need to jump through hoops to be a Christian – you can relax, rest and receive because it’s a relationship based on grace and faith, not performance.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
John 10:10 AMPC

Jesus came to give us an abundant life – a good life. He didn’t come to burden us and make things difficult for us. He didn’t come to take from us. He came to give to us.

“…Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us…”
Ephesians 5:2 MSG

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV

Jesus came so that we wouldn’t perish and that we would have everlasting life. Everlasting life is not just about where you go when you die in this life, it’s about experiencing something in this life, right now.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
John 17:3 KJV

Eternal life (the reason Jesus came) is correctly defined as knowing God – a relationship with God. Christianity is a personal relationship with a loving heavenly Father. This relationship is not performance-based. Your acceptance in the family isn’t based on how well you perform (how holy you live). There is no place for self-righteousness in Christianity, only His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

We are saved by grace (what Jesus has done for us and is freely offering to us) through faith (our believing in His grace). We do not work hard unto salvation, we believe unto it (Romans 10:9-10). We have eternal life and are saved from perishing by believing in Jesus (John 3:16) not by trying to live like Him. It’s not about what you do but about what Jesus has done for you!

Religion says if you’ll do right, then you’ll be right, but Christianity says that if you believe right, then you will start to live right.

“Jesus answered, “This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.”
John 6:29 AMP

You can only do the work of God (believe) when you have a relationship with Him, and that is what Christianity is all about. The more you know God, the more you will believe (do His work) and be stronger in faith.

Be encouraged today: God is not waiting for you to jump through hoops and up your game. All He wants is for you to know and experience His unconditional love and grace and enjoy knowing Him.