A Personal Relationship with Jesus Vs. Religion

 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Since my conversion from religion to a personal relationship with Jesus, when asked what’s my religion, I no longer answer, Christianity. I now say I do not have a religion. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, my Savior, and Lord. In my deliverance from religion, I have learned that religion is an unclean spirit that is derived from the spirit of lying and deceit.

Religion tells you to practice Christianity, but Jesus tells us to be a Christian and follow after Him (Matthew 16:24 and Acts 11). The Greek definition of a Christian means to be a follower of Christ. To be a follower of Christ, we must have a personal relationship with Him. We cannot follow someone whom we do not know. Religion keeps us from having a personal relationship with Jesus because it implies that we must work our way into His heart, but Jesus loved us before we came to know him. Jesus died for us while we were still in our sins (Romans 5:8). We cannot work our way into Jesus’ heart. We obey Jesus because we love Him. We love Him because we come to know more about Him, and the more we know about Him, the more we desire to please Him. For example, when you are in a healthy romantically involved relationship, the more you spend time with your significant other and get to know them, your love and desire to please them increases.

You do not want to do things that disappoint or upset them. This sentiment is also true when you have a personal relationship with Jesus. The more you spend time with Jesus and get to know Him, you have a desire to obey Him. When you follow Him, your faith in Him increases. Over time, your character becomes more Christ-like, and the passions that you once had in the world start to change. However, with religion, this (becoming more Christ-like) is not so.

Religion places a yoke on you to keep the law, which is impossible for you to do – if you break one law, then you're guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10). Religion also encourages saints to serve Jesus in fear to keep from going to hell. Jesus wants us to honor Him as our God, but He doesn’t want us to serve Him in fear because we’re afraid to go to hell. Jesus wants us to want to have a relationship with Him – He wants a Father to daughter relationship with us. Religion suppresses us, but a relationship with Jesus incites us to go out and be the people God has called us to be and live the lives that God has called us to live. In Jesus, there’s freedom. In religion, there’s bondage. If you are going to follow after religion, Jesus said true religion is visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction and not conforming to this world (James 1:26-27). Even in doing this, you cannot serve others in love without a relationship with Jesus, and you cannot be changed from this world if you do not know Jesus.

So if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, start one today by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9). If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then spend time with Jesus and examine your relationship. Do you serve Jesus in religion or love?

Stay tuned for next week’s post on How to Develop a Personal Relationship with Jesus.

 

XOXO,

 

Jay

Blessings Await You When You Stand in the Truth

 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

The world is very bold about standing in its “truth.” As daughters of the Most High, we need to be just as bold or bolder about standing in our Truth. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Jesus came so that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10), but a more abundant life is difficult to have when we are standing in lies.

Satan has compelled many believers to believe the lies he tells by misleading us through our feelings (Jeremiah 17:9). Our emotions can get us to doubt God and the promises that He’s spoken over us. Jesus tells us that He loves us (Jeremiah 31:3), that we are not alone (John 14:16-17), that He’ll never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and that He’ll be with us always (Matthew 28:20). Because we do not see God working in our lives or do not see our current situations changing, we give in to our feelings of despair and start to feel that Jesus does not love us or that He has forgotten about us. When we give in to these feelings, we step out of the Truth and step into a lie. Then we are out of the will of God. When we are out of the will of God, we place ourselves under direct attack from Satan. Many believers are confused while being in this space why Jesus does not move on their behalf. Jesus does not operate in lies. We must cast down every imagination that comes against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5) by giving the devil back the Truth of what Jesus says in His Word about us. When Satan tells you that Jesus does not love you, quickly give him back God’s Word, “I am precious in Jesus’ sight, and Jesus loves me (Isaiah 43:4).” When he tells you that Jesus has forgotten about you, tell him, “Jesus will never forget me. He has engraved me upon the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:15-16).” When he tells you that you are a failure, refute his lies and say to that liar and father of lies, “No, I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).” Do not entertain Satan’s lies by giving in to your feelings of despair. Continuing to remain in the enemy's lies will cause you to lose heart, and you will eventually abandon your relationship with Jesus.

If you want Jesus to move quickly on your behalf, then you must align yourself with the Truth (John 15:7). Jesus told us that He’d provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). So instead of asking Jesus for what you need – Jesus knows what we need before we even ask (Matthew 6:31-33), start thanking Him in advance as if your blessing has already manifested in the natural realm – this is what it means to have faith. Jesus told us that He would give us the desires of our hearts if we delight ourselves in Him (Psalm 37:4). So if you have aligned yourself with this truth and asked Jesus for a new car, then wait with expectancy in praise, no matter what the circumstances look like. Jesus moves on our faith, not our feelings.

Remember, ladies, when you stand in a lie, you are out of agreement with God and come into a partnership with Satan. You cannot have a relationship with Jesus if you disagree with His Word (Amos 3:3). If you have been standing in a lie, partnering with the enemy, confess, and repent. Stand in the Truth. Live in the Truth (John 15:4-9). And check your feelings at the door.

XOXO,

 

Jay

The World is Going to Try and “Cancel” You and You Need to be Okay with That

 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

If we are faithful followers of Jesus, we should expect the world to try and “cancel” us and not become upset by it. Jesus told us these things would happen during the last days (Matthew 24:9). This world hates Jesus and wants nothing to do with the Truth (John 15:18-25), so therefore, it wants nothing to do with those that follow Jesus. However, as followers of Jesus, we still need to stand on our convictions without wavering. We need to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10).

Do not fret about losing your job, mega-contracts, friends, and some family members. Do not look to the world as a source. Jesus is our source. He provides everything we need and desire (Philippians 4:19-20; Psalm 37:4). Everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). There is no lack in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:32). Jesus promises us in His Word that no one can accuse the people that God has chosen. It is God that makes His people in right standing (Romans 8:33). No one can cancel us except for Jesus because He died for our sins (Romans 8:34) – and Jesus did not come to cancel anyone. He came so that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). When you decide to take a “loss” for Christ, know that all things are working together for your good because you love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

If you lose your job for standing up for what’s right, this could be God’s way of igniting the pilot under you to get you to do what He’s purposed in you.  If God told you years ago to write a book, start a business, go back to school, or leave your career to go into another industry and you have been procrastinating, then this is God’way of getting you on the path to your destiny. So do not worry about those who do evil (Psalm 37:7). Keep your focus on God. Stay faithful. Be obedient and get busy with what Jesus has designed you to do. Relax in His promises and enjoy the many blessings that God has laid out for you in this life (Ephesians 1:3). And continue to support your brothers and sisters in Christ because they are experiencing the same persecution (1 Peter 5:9).

Remember, ladies, Jesus promised never to leave us, nor forsake us, nor fail us (Deuteronomy 31:8). We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

XOXO,

 

Jay

 

How Are You Spending Your Life?

 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).

All of us are going to give an account to God for how we spend our lives. Some believe that because they do not drink, smoke, or gamble, and do not cheat on their taxes that they will receive a just reward, but Jesus is not going to judge us according to “our righteousness” or society’s “just standards of living.” We cannot work our way into heaven or the kingdom of God. Jesus is concerned about the condition of our hearts. He wants us to be intentional about how we live our lives.

Our lives should glorify God so that others are drawn to Him. Jesus wants us to have a fruitful life, spiritually and physically. Unbelievers should look at our lives and see that God is with us and be drawn to God (John 12:32).

So in preparation to stand before Jesus, take inventory of your life. Have you accepted Jesus as your savior (Romans 10:9)? Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord over your life, meaning, do you listen and obey Him? How are your relationships with others (spouse, children, family, friends, co-workers)? Are you holding on to unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy, or envy? Do you treat people the way Jesus desires? Do you see people the way Jesus sees people? We also have to account for what we think of others because our thoughts become our actions (Proverbs 23:7). What example do you live before others? Or do you live a life of isolation from others? Jesus created us for relationships (Hebrews 10:25). How do you spend your time, money, and resources? Do you only call on Jesus when you’re in trouble, or do you talk to Him throughout your day? E.g., “Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to get to work on time,” or “Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me to pay the electric bill.” What are your life priorities? Do you consult Jesus in your decision-making? E.g., “Jesus, what do you think I should do today?” “Jesus, what should I do in this situation?”

We do not have time to waste, so let’s intentionally live a life that pleases and glorifies God. Make a daily commitment to listen and obey God. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you how to live a fruitful life.

Remember, ladies, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

 

XOXO,

 

Jay